"Ah! Orange!" she exclaid softly, hurriedly squatting down, her hand just about to scoop up her cat.
Tang Song squatted down simultaneously, his movents faster than hers, and steadily picked up the ball of orange fur.
Zhang Yan’s hand accidentally covered the back of his hand.
A warm, firm touch transmitted through, and her cheeks suddenly flushed red like they were about to explode, withdrawing her hand as if electrocuted.
She whispered, "Sorry..."
Tang Song shook his head, his gaze not leaving her, his voice clear and gentle, "I really like Orange, let hold it, okay?"
Zhang Yiyan had completely lost her ability to think at this mont, only able to stamr back, "Okay, okay, oh."
Lulu and Li Chao watched the ambiguous scene before them, exchanged a glance, and wisely chose not to speak further.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway.
The four of them began to climb the stairs together.
Zhang Yan felt as though she was stepping on clouds, each step light and dizzying.
Reaching the sixth floor, the half-open door let out a whiff of barbecue aroma.
Tang Song sniffed lightly, "Having a barbecue? It seems I ca just in ti."
Lulu said a bit embarrassed, "Not much left, should I go buy so more?"
Li Chao imdiately volunteered, "I’ll go! I’ll go!"
"No need, I’ve had dinner, a bite will be enough," Tang Song’s gaze turned to Zhang Yan, eyes filled with amusent, "You don’t mind, do you, Zhang Yan?"
Zhang Yan stiffly shook her head, "No, I don’t mind."
They walked into the apartnt.
Zhang Yan seed to suddenly rember sothing, her face changing dramatically, standing at the door, she looked like she wanted to shrink into the wall.
"What’s wrong?" Tang Song paused, looking tenderly at her.
"The h-house is ssy, um..."
Her rented room was really terrible.
The room didn’t even have the most basic tiles, just the cheapest floor vinyl;
The walls were simply painted with a layer of white paint, still bearing various marks left during moves;
All the furniture was old, from over twenty years ago;
The kitchen and the bathroom were so basic that it was hard to look at, without even the basic tiles.
She was afraid, afraid of seeing even a hint of disdain in his eyes.
The deep-seated sha and inferiority almost engulfed her at this mont.
"It’s quite tidy." Tang Song smiled as he stroked Orange in his arms, "It’s a very cozy little nest, really nice."
There was no trace of abnormal expression on his face.
In his gaze was a sincere delight and curiosity, examining the little ho that Zhang Yan had depicted countless tis in her ssages.
He saw the resilient green plant on the windowsill, the old desktop on the desk, and the little but neatly arranged nest for Orange...
Zhang Yan secretly lifted her eyes, seeing the gentle smile on his face, the sha and inferiority in her heart seed to lessen a lot at that mont.
"Bang—"
The door was gently closed, blocking out the chill of the hallway.
On the coffee table, the electric grill still emitted residual warmth, with a few skewers of ingredients waiting to be grilled beside 3 cans of RIO cocktails.
Tang Song gently placed Orange on the ground.
The little guy imdiately trotted to its owner’s feet, affectionately rubbing its furry body against her ankle.
As if apologizing for its earlier "running away from ho."
Lulu enthusiastically said, "There’s so beef, green pepper, and shrimp left, I’ll grill it! But... there’s no more wine. Zhang Yan, do you have any drinks at ho?"
Being nad, Zhang Yan’s body froze, a look of embarrassnt imdiately surfacing on her face, her voice almost inaudible, "No, just a few packs of milk, I’ll go downstairs to buy!"
"No worries," Tang Song spoke gently, breaking her awkwardness, "Milk is fine, I drank alcohol at dinner, now I just want so milk."
Zhang Yan bowed her head, quickly escaped to the kitchen, rummaged through a carton for a pack of pure milk, and walked back out, presenting it to Tang Song with both hands.
The whole ti not daring to look up at him.
Tang Song’s gaze fell on the walnut milk in her hand, his eyes briefly dazed.
He rembered it was ntioned in Zhang Yan’s QQ ssages before, about the "walnut milk" he gave her during the second half of junior high.
Unexpectedly, she had maintained this habit until now.
It turned out that so insignificant little things could be cherished by another person for such a long ti.
He took a deep breath to suppress the emotion in his heart.
He earnestly took the pack of milk, tore it open in front of her, raised his head and drank a big mouthful, then sincerely praised, "Really delicious!"
Zhang Yan pursed her lips, her fingers intertwining.
The four of them sat back down around the coffee table in the living room.
The aroma of barbecue rose once more in the small space, Tang Song eating rrily, chatting with them about their work.
He was like an old friend they hadn’t seen in a long ti, genuinely curious about their lives.
He was witty, knowledgeable.
Whether it was Li Chao’s complaints about the competitive self-dia industry or Lulu’s visions of AI marketing prospects, he could easily catch the topic and give his insights in a simple, humorous manner.
Gradually, the initial nervousness of Lulu and Li Chao disappeared.
The atmosphere beca exceptionally relaxed and lively.
anwhile, Zhang Yan just quietly sat by, sipping her cocktail in small sips, occasionally glancing at the very close Tang Song.
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