Yan panicked when she saw Han Muzi leaving and she held onto Han Muzi’s hand reflexively. “Don’t leave!”
“Why not?” Han Muzi looked at her in amusement. “Didn’t you say that you are still scared of him? I was just thinking of asking my friend to accompany him if you’re not up for it. Coincidentally, my friend is a girl too. She might fall in love with my brother at first sight.”
Yan had a look of despair when she heard that. “Muzi, you sure are evil! You know that my chances are slim at best. I have no hope if you add a competition!”
“In that case, are you going or not?”
“Yes, I am!” Yan nodded firmly while hissing through gritted teeth, “Of course, I am!” I have to go even if I’m scared. Muzi is right; this is a rare chance for me. We get to spend time alone! The more Yan thought about it, the more excited she was. I must have lost my mind to even consider rejecting such a good opportunity. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t regret it even if Han Qing reprimands me later.
“However, you will have to wait for me. I can’t leave right now because I need to apply some make up and change my clothes.” Yan was casually dressed since her crush was not around. It was at that moment when she noticed in horror that she wore simple and mismatched clothes.
Han Muzi checked the time. “Sure, you might want to rush, though. I can’t stop him if he leaves after waiting for too long.”
“Sure!” Yan swiftly opened her suitcase to change her clothes while Han Muzi waited for her outside. It was about ten minutes later when she walked out and caused Han Muzi’s eyes to bulge in surprise upon seeing her.
“A-Are you alright?”
Yan pursed her lips together. “I don’t have nice clothes, so…”
Han Muzi was rendered speechless while she ogled at Yan. “Do you know how cold it is outside? Do you want to freeze to death wearing this??”
Yan defended herself from Han Muzi’s mean remarks. “I obviously know how cold the weather is. However, you should know how difficult it is to have the chance to spend time alone with him. I have to flaunt whatever I have in front of your brother. Your brother might be even more uninterested in me if I were to wrap myself up into a huge ball of fur.”
Han Muzi asked, “Are you sure? You might catch a cold and be down with a fever later.” She frowned at this sight, adding, “No, I can’t let you leave when you’re not adequately dressed. Wait here for me. I will get you a jacket.”
“No!” Yan stopped her. “I’m begging you, Muzi. Let me head out in this attire. I have heat packs underneath. I won’t be cold.”
Han Muzi was at a loss for words at her insistence, but did not stop her in the end. After Yan left, Han Muzi entered the room while staring incredulously at Yan’s messy suitcase. Is this how… being in love looks like?
Han Muzi felt aggrieved at the sight of her best friend losing her identity for the sake of a man. She couldn’t help but feel indignant on behalf of Yan. She then sighed in resignation. If it were up to me, I really hope that Yan hadn’t fallen for Han Qing. She could have fallen in love with anyone else. Why must she fall for him? Previously, Secretary Su was in love with Qing for such a long time. She remained by his side for so long, hoping that he would develop feelings for her over time. However, what happened in the end? She couldn’t bear it because her family pressured her. How about now? Yan is now in the same situation. How long can she go on like this? Will she end up like Su Jiu and not survive the wait? My brother… is truly troublesome. Why does it feel as though he is a cold-blooded animal with no emotions? It’s difficult to understand him. It’s not quite accurate to label him as a cold-blooded animal because as my older brother, he treats me well.
On the other hand, Yan followed Han Qing out of the apartment. After closing the door behind them, they used the elevator and walked out of it, but Han Qing did not even look at her.
Yan couldn’t hide her disappointment. I dressed seductively for him, but he is not even paying me any attention. This is saddening. However, Yan’s sorrow vanished soon enough. Well, we have plenty of alone time ahead. He will have a chance to look at my outfit later, even if he doesn’t look at me now. Yan’s mood improved immediately at that thought. She tugged at her collar and she recalled what Han Muzi said about the cold weather. Why do I feel fine walking around here? I don’t think the walk would be too cold.
However, she had a rude awakening the moment she walked out of the building. The walls provided an insulated barrier earlier when she walked out of the elevator. However, now that she left the building, gusts of bone-chilling wind blew from all directions. The chilly wind seeped through the protective layers of her clothes and ultimately reached her skin.
Oh my God! Yan’s mind went blank apart from those three words! It’s freezing!!! It felt fine when I was walking along the corridor! Why is there such a drastic change the moment I walked out of the entrance of the building? In an instant, her teeth chattered in the freezing cold and it was so cold that she could hardly walk.
Even so, Han Qing, who was walking in front of her, did not slow down to wait for her. Yan glanced at his back view and she wanted nothing more than to say that she needed to head home to wear more clothes. Nevertheless, she barely brought herself to say anything. Han Qing will think I’m a nuisance if I were to say anything now. He would tell me to just go home alone. I’ll just bear with it. Shopping for clothes wouldn’t take too long after all. Besides, it’s impossible for me to freeze until I’m a block of ice. I’d catch a cold and end up with a fever in the worst-case scenario. I just have to soak myself in a warm bath upon arriving home. Yan gritted her teeth in determination after she decided and followed Han Qing from behind.
After walking for quite a while, Han Qing noticed the footsteps beside him were gone. Just when he was about to stop and check on Yan, he heard her footsteps approaching him. Hence, he did not slow down and continued marching forward with his heavy and steady footsteps instead.
Yan caught up to Han Qing but was a couple of steps behind him. She did not walk alongside him because she just couldn’t keep up with him. He took long strides and walked briskly. She had to jog along just to keep up at this distance. It’s so cold. It is freezing. Why wouldn’t Han Qing turn around to look at me? I’d settle for a quick glance! Otherwise, wouldn’t my efforts of dressing up go to waste?
“Do you know why I asked you to come out with me?” The wind suddenly carried Han Qing’s cold and distant voice from the front.
Yan was stumped for a while, but she jogged behind him while dumbly asking, “Why did you? Were you thinking of reprimanding me?”
Han Qing paused for a while, but he did not stop walking and glanced at the petite figure behind him from the corner of his eyes. His eyes darkened when he saw her jogging just to keep up with him.
Yan did not receive a reply from him after asking that question and she slightly panicked. “Did I guess correctly? Are you really planning to reprimand me? Well… It’s my fault this time. However, what’s done is done. Can you soften the blow?” Yan’s pace slowed down while she tried to run after him. Is it my imagination? Why do I feel as if Han Qing is deliberately slowing down to wait for me? Soon, she noticed that she would overtake Han Qing if she continued to jog. Hence, she stopped immediately and walked at a normal pace beside him instead.
