Chen Yuan ignored Jiangg Ruxue, narrowing his eyes at the man in front of him.
"Do you have any idea that harassing people is illegal? I could call the police right now, and you'd be at the station in ten minutes."
"What harassnt??? I just saw the lady had too much to drink and was politely asking if she was okay. Is that not allowed?"
"Then what were you doing taking her things?"
"I... I found it!" the man said stubbornly.
"You clearly snatched it from her seat! Robbery is a pretty serious cri, you know. It's not as simple as just getting detained."
Chen Yuan sneered. The man, whether he was just a bully who preyed on the weak or sothing else, quickly glanced at Jiangg Ruxue, then pouted.
"Fine, you can have it back."
He opened his hand, and Jiangg Ruxue snatched her purse back, shooting the man a vicious glare.
The other diners watched with amusent, which made the man lose face.
The man left in a hurry, like a rat scurrying across the street. His transformation from cocky to cowardly was unbelievably fast, as if he were just an extra hired to play the role of a harasser, setting the stage for the protagonist's entrance.
Chen Yuan was still cursing inwardly.
'It's the twenty-first century, and people are still using such a la way to hit on won?'
When he turned back, a pair of captivating, bright eyes were fixed on him, and a magnetic voice said, "Thank you."
"No, I an... you're out drinking so late. Why don't you go back... back and rest."
Chen Yuan had originally wanted to say "go back ho," but then he rembered Jiangg Ruxue didn't live here and corrected himself. His tone wasn't particularly friendly, though. He didn't want to get too involved with her. Although he had always left a good impression, he personally disliked the idea of a woman in her forties drinking alone outside late at night instead of being at ho.
'A good wife and loving mother wouldn't do sothing like this.'
"I'm in a bad mood."
Jiangg Ruxue was taken aback for a mont. She could actually hear a note of bla in Chen Yuan's voice.
'He's actually annoyed with ???'
'So upright...'
Jiangg Ruxue had never t a guy like Chen Yuan before. Being chided by him for a mont actually made her feel a little... excited.
Yes, that was indeed the feeling.
Chen Yuan was definitely the innocent type—the kind of boy who would make the two sisters exclaim, "How can anyone be so pure?" In this materialistic, fast-paced era, people willing to slow down and truly experience love were a minority. Yet, this type of person was often mistaken for being picky and seen as out of place with their peers. They might even feel a pang of envy seeing their friends with beautiful, long-haired girls on their arms.
But to give up the pursuit of pure love because of that would make their principles seem far too cheap.
Chen Yuan was very traditional, perhaps due to his small-town northern upbringing. He even had a hint of male chauvinism, which was why he so disapproved of Jiangg Ruxue being out and about late at night.
He adjusted his tone. "Well, you can drink at ho. No one will care how much you drink there. The hotel is fine too."
"But I don't want to drink all by myself. It's more interesting outside. There are so many people, a nice breeze, and all the flowers and plants."
"Drink however you want, then."
Chen Yuan felt he had done all he could. He wondered if he should just call a taxi to take his mother-in-law back to her hotel and get this over with.
At that mont, the phone he had just put in his pocket began to vibrate.
Again and again.
Jiangg Yao must have seen his ssage and was replying.
Chen Yuan desperately wanted to pull it out and check. He was really starting to doubt whether this woman was actually his mother-in-law.
But after Chen Yuan's cold remark, Jiangg Ruxue fell silent for a mont. Then, she actually waved for the waiter.
"I'll take the check, then. I understand what you an. If it's chaotic outside, it's really not suitable for to be wandering around."
"That's what I ant."
Chen Yuan's expression softened, and he nodded.
She paid the bill and started to leave, but after just a few seconds, she suddenly turned back.
"What's wrong?"
"You... you're not walking with ?"
"I can't. I'm waiting for soone. If you're worried it's dangerous, I can call a taxi for you."
"That would be fine..." Jiangg Ruxue lowered her gaze, her kohl-lined eyes blinking. 'He's so dense,' she thought. 'So incredibly innocent. If I don't spell it out for him, he could listen to a hundred hints and still not get what I an.' "Actually, never mind. Don't call a cab."
She saw Chen Yuan proactively take out his phone, genuinely preparing to call a taxi.
Jiangg Ruxue let out a sudden sigh.
'Even the guy eating at the next table probably understands what I'm getting at, but this kid is still completely clueless.'
"You didn't drive here, did you? Drunk driving is even worse."
"No, I was planning to walk back. It's not far, anyway."
"Can you walk in high heels?"
"I can."
"Then you should get going," Chen Yuan said, his hands in his pockets. His gaze was filled with the eager hope that she would leave quickly.
Jiangg Ruxue pursed her lips slightly and took a deep breath. "Do I have to spell it out for you...? Classmate, please, be a good samaritan to the end. Can you walk back to my hotel?"
"Huh?"
In an instant, the light went out of Chen Yuan's eyes. All he wanted right now was to chat a bit with Jiangg Yao. They hadn't spoken all afternoon, and he was planning to wait for her to get ho so they could video call.
"Fine, Auntie."
"What!???"
...
They walked through a narrow, old residential alley. After turning a corner past a wall where a stray cat perched, the view suddenly opened up. A relatively wide road appeared before them, flanked by low-rise shops that had long since closed for the night. The warm glow of lights could be seen faintly through the curtains of the small, multi-story residential buildings.
Beneath a wall covered in crawling ivy, Chen Yuan and Jiangg Ruxue made small talk.
"It's really strange. I ran into you in the residential complex today, the elevator had that accident, and now I can't believe we've run into each other again tonight."
"Yeah, I didn't expect it either... Auntie."
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