Eighteen

 The rain poured harder and harder, pattering incessantly as the wind and rain intertwined. The door of the private room was pushed open with a swipe. Li Xiao peeked out and cheerfully shouted, "Zhou Yang, cousin, come in and join us!"

Her voice echoed crisply down the corridor, unmistakable. Her eyes locked directly onto Zhou Yang, about to say something with a pout, but as the man who had been bowing his head lifted his eyes, cigarette half-smoked, his gaze was deep and intense. That glance made Li Xiao's coquettish expression freeze, all playfulness vanished.

The woman in front of him was originally cute and lovely, her face bright and captivating. However, Zhou Yang casually sidestepped away, taking the half-smoked cigarette from his mouth and tossing it into the ashtray. Then he stood up straight, his voice low and nonchalant, "Alright, I've paid my visit. Happy birthday in advance."

"I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave." With that, Zhou Yang casually pocketed the cigarette and walked towards the elevator.

Li Xiao's expression immediately changed, maintaining her posture but with a suddenly innocent look, about to speak. Zhou Yang pressed the elevator button with his fingertip, his voice low with a hint of coldness, "Oh, and by the way, delete the photos you posted on Moments."

"Whether we're compatible or not is for me to decide."

He said it emotionlessly, and the elevator doors opened. Zhou Yang stepped inside, his eyes devoid of the smile they had when he arrived, not exactly hostile, but unsettling nonetheless.

Li Yi turned to look at his cousin, then at the closing elevator door, raised an eyebrow, and asked Li Xiao, "What did you post on Moments?"

He rarely used Moments.

Li Xiao struggled for a moment, but in the end, didn't say anything, her eyes reddening as she hurried back into the private room. The door closed behind her. Seeing this, Li Yi sighed inwardly, thinking, do I have to handle this myself?

Before she deleted it, he quickly checked.

He was curious.

Opening it, he immediately saw the photos Li Xiao had posted, clicking on one.

Oh, it was with Zhou Yang.

But Zhou Yang wasn't the type to be so petty. After closing the photos, Li Yi finally understood the crux of the matter.

Su Hao's comment.

Li Yi: chuckles

Su Hao was very busy. The food had turned cold by the time she ate, and in the evening, with few people around, even going to the restroom required careful consideration. Just when it started raining outside and she absentmindedly glanced out, suddenly feeling a bit lonely, then bored, she glanced at her phone for a while, then at her diary, which helped clear her mind a bit. However, she somewhat regretted why she hadn't taken her diary home. Just then, she received a WeChat message from Zhou Yang and several photos from Li Xiao. She casually opened them, seeing photos of Li Xiao and Zhou Yang together, six in a row, both of them in a dimly lit but atmospheric environment, seemingly in a corridor.

Zhou Yang was looking at his phone with his head down, cigarette still in his mouth, appearing very nonchalant.

Li Xiao leaned gently against his side, looking sweet and adorable.

After sending these photos, Li Xiao also sent a message.

"Sister Su Hao, do you think we're a good match?"

Su Hao glanced at those photos a few more times. Although she didn't see Zhou Yang's face clearly, his seemingly careless demeanor seemed to complement Li Xiao well.

She prepared to reply.

Just then, Liao Yun's video call came in. Su Hao hurriedly answered, chatting for a while. After exiting, Su Hao forgot about this matter for a while. When she finished her work and stood up, preparing to leave, she absentmindedly opened Moments and saw Li Xiao's post, only then remembering she hadn't replied.

She casually replied on Moments, saving the more detailed conversation for WeChat.

Thinking about getting her little bag, Su Hao went to close the windows, only to realize that the rain had intensified. She secured the entire office, then turned and went downstairs, all the way to the first floor.

The rain was heavy.

City lights enveloped the night in a hazy glow, a dense patch of brightness against the darkness.

The wind was strong too. Su Hao stood at the door, opened the ride-hailing app, waiting for a car. During the wait, Su Hao casually opened WeChat, seeing Zhou Yang's message that she hadn't opened yet.

She casually clicked to open it.

Zhou Yang: It's raining. Mr. Zeng's office has umbrellas. Remember to take one when you leave work.

Su Hao was stunned. Were there umbrellas in Mr. Zeng's office? Could they have been taken away? She turned back to look at the elevator and the entire lobby. At this moment, there was only her alone.

Too much back and forth would waste time. Su Hao hesitated for a long time, finally deciding not to go up and get one. She returned to her phone screen, intending to reply to Zhou Yang.

She hesitated for a moment.

Thinking that replying would lead to more back and forth, and he might misunderstand later.

This man was easily led by the nose.

So, Su Hao put down her phone, looked up outside.

And just then, a black Porsche drove through the rain curtain, arriving at the entrance of the building. The car's body gleamed under the rain, exuding a regal air.

Su Hao furrowed her brows.

In the next moment, the driver's side door swung open, and a man stepped out, stretching his long legs. He then unfurled a black umbrella, walking up the steps. The umbrella tilted slightly, revealing a handsome face underneath. Amidst the rain, Zhou Yang's eyes seemed somewhat cold. He approached, his voice lazy, cutting through the rain, "Didn't see my WeChat message?"

"Or did you see it and pretend you didn't?" Every word from Zhou Yang was distinct and deliberate.

Su Hao moved her lips, watching him standing in the rain, appearing taller and more imposing than usual. Rain splashed onto his pants, wetting his shoes.

Su Hao suddenly felt she had gone too far.

She hesitated, wanting to speak.

But Zhou Yang tilted the umbrella towards her, then reached out, grasping Su Hao's wrist and pulling it forcefully. Su Hao instinctively took a step forward.

Rain hurriedly brushed across her face. She found herself standing under the umbrella, raindrops pattering on its surface.

Between breaths, there was a dry moisture mixed with a faint scent of fir and a hint of cigarette smoke. Further up, there was the man's Adam's apple and the open collar of his shirt, revealing faint clavicles.

Su Hao twisted her wrist, trying to break free.

With a cold snort above her head, Zhou Yang didn't let go. His gaze fell on her lashes, nose, and lips. The black umbrella seemed to separate a small world.

Her scent had always been an indescribable freshness. Zhou Yang squeezed her hand slightly. The next moment, he lowered his head and, amidst the rain's cover, sealed her lips.

Pitter-patter.

Su Hao didn't react at all.

She was pressed against, forced to tilt her head back, struggling intensely. Her free hand flailed about, hitting something with a snap—

The next moment.

The umbrella dropped.

Large raindrops pelted her face. Su Hao closed her eyes in embarrassment. She pushed Zhou Yang away. He squinted at her fiercely, then lifted her onto his shoulder and ascended two steps. He pressed her against the glass door, his shoulder against hers, suppressingly asking amidst the rain's noise, "Am I really not worthy of liking you? Hm?"

Su Hao was soaked through, clutching the small bag in her arms, her hair clinging to her brow and eyes, giving her a fragile appearance.

She looked at Zhou Yang, his shirt clinging tightly to his body, those narrow eyes seeming to still see his younger self, though now they were darkened.

They stayed silent for a few seconds.

Su Hao smiled faintly, "Are you worthy?"

Her tone was gentle but carried a chill.

Zhou Yang gripped her neck, pressing her towards him, his forehead against hers, silent for a long while.

Water droplets rolled down his hair, glided over his cheeks, and seeped into his collar, a sense of disarray never felt before.

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