She changed her clothes and saw Shen Yue doing homework at the desk. Bai Qingzhen casually asked, "Why aren't you at the library today?"
The pen tip paused, and Shen Yue continued writing, "There were no seats at the library."
Bai Qingzhen had only asked casually. She was going out to play today and didn't plan to return to the dormitory. Fudan High School wasn't very strict about dormitories, and no teachers would check.
However, seeing Shen Yue sitting there alone today, she hesitated before inviting her, "Come on, let's go play together. We can come back together then."
Shen Yue usually didn't refuse Bai Qingzhen's requests. She put down her pen and agreed.
It started to wind outside, and Shen Yue put on a light jacket before leaving.
Bai Qingzhen didn't have a driver's license, and her family wouldn't let her drive, so she took a taxi to the bar.
It was the prime time in the evening. The bar was crowded, the music was booming, and the lights were colorful.
The atmosphere was lively and restless, with air mixed with alcohol and smoke.
Shen Yue said to Bai Qingzhen, "I'll go to the restroom first."
Bai Qingzhen told Shen Yue the room number and asked her to go to the private room after using the restroom.
Bai Qingzhen entered a private room, holding her bag. The atmosphere inside was very lively, and everyone was having a wild time. Her arrival didn't attract much attention.
Jiang Wei was also there. He seemed a bit bored, his straight nose bridge above thin lips slightly pursed, his head lowered carelessly, his long fingers illuminated by a faint red glow.
Wisps of smoke obscured his features.
Bai Qingzhen sat down.
Only then did Jiang Wei lazily lift his eyelids. His expression was somewhat grumpy, "What are you doing here?"
Bai Qingzhen found his tone of questioning baffling, "Why can't I be here?"
Jiang Wei took a drag of his cigarette, his brows furrowed. He just found it troublesome, "If your brother finds out and blames me for not looking after you."
And indeed, Bai Yanzhe disliked places like bars.
Being told that, Bai Qingzhen felt a little awkward, but she quickly regained her composure.
"It's fine, I'm already an adult. It's my freedom to go wherever I want."
As she spoke, she poured herself a drink and took a sip.
The light in the private room was dim. Several decks of cards were scattered haphazardly on the coffee table, and the speakers blared dynamic music. The atmosphere had already reached its climax.
A shadow fell beside her. Bai Qingzhen turned her head curiously and saw Song Yan, dressed in a white shirt with a gentle demeanor.
"Why do you have time to come today?" Bai Qingzhen asked in surprise.
Song Yan was different from these rich idlers. His grades were excellent, and he was outstanding in all aspects, almost perfect to the point where no fault could be found. His personality was also gentle, and he was very popular.
Song Yan rarely came to such a chaotic and noisy place.
He sat politely beside her, smiling as if bathed in spring breeze, "I heard you were coming, so I came."
His eyes were full of smiles, as if he were joking.
Bai Qingzhen didn't take him seriously, "You're talking nonsense."
Other girls in the room called Bai Qingzhen to play billiards, but Bai Qingzhen refused. She looked at Jiang Wei, who had been smoking with his head down the whole time.
"Jiang Wei, I want to ask you something."
Jiang Wei flicked the ash off his cigarette. "Speak."
Bai Qingzhen didn't try to hide anything and got straight to the point.
"What's your relationship with Shen Yue?"
Jiang Wei, who had been looking away with a cool profile, paused. His fingertips trembled as if touched by electricity. A speck of ash fell on his pants, but he didn't care. Instead, he calmly turned his head.
"Why the sudden question?"
Half of Jiang Wei's face was immersed in shadow. Bai Qingzhen couldn't see his expression clearly, but she could hear his calm voice.
If Jiang Wei were to play with other girls, Bai Qingzhen wouldn't interfere, but she was afraid that Jiang Wei had ill intentions towards Shen Yue, as Jiang Wei was… a bit too difficult to deal with.
She actually didn't want Shen Yue to get entangled with Jiang Wei like this. Shen Yue couldn't play him.
"I was just asking casually. Are you two dating?"
Bai Qingzhen's question was rather subtle.
Song Yan's gaze also flickered, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.
Jiang Wei remained expressionless, his eyes seemingly calm yet unfathomably dark. Only when the fire reached his fingertips did he suddenly snap back to reality and calmly extinguish the cigarette.
He let out a light laugh, his thin lips pulling into a playful, indifferent curve. "Is Shen Yue worthy? It's just for fun."
Bai Qingzhen heard the answer she expected and felt a slight sense of relief.
If it was just for fun, then it was fine. She was afraid Jiang Wei might actually be interested in Shen Yue.
She raised her eyebrows and gave a faint smile, "If that's the case, then stay away from Shen Yue in the future."
Since it was just for fun, and given her long-standing friendship with Jiang Wei, Bai Qingzhen thought he might spare Shen Yue out of consideration for her.
Under the colorful lights, Bai Qingzhen didn't notice the terrifying depth of Jiang Wei's dark eyes.
He looked at Bai Qingzhen calmly, making her shiver all over.
Gently, he slowly retorted, "Did Shen Yue tell you."
Bai Qingzhen: "Of course not. I wanted to say it myself. If you only have casual intentions towards Shen Yue, then forget it. Shen Yue is not from our world."
Jiang Wei could tell Bai Qingzhen wasn't lying.
He didn't nod either. He casually crossed his long legs, his tone even, his voice low and magnetic, "Don't interfere with me and Shen Yue's affairs."
Bai Qingzhen thought Jiang Wei would agree but didn't expect him to refuse. This was unexpected.
She wanted to say more, but when she met Jiang Wei's eyes, she unconsciously swallowed all her words.
Bai Qingzhen silently complained, with such a bad temper, how could Shen Yue stand him?
Thinking this, she turned and happened to see the girl standing beside them at some unknown time. She instinctively called out.
"Shen Yue—"
Upon hearing the familiar name, Jiang Wei's first reaction wasn't to turn his head but to stiffen, as if his entire body had been frozen.
"Why are you here so late? Did you get lost on your way to the restroom?"
Bai Qingzhen got up and pulled Shen Yue over, bombarding her with questions.
Jiang Wei automatically blocked out Bai Qingzhen's voice. He heard the girl's soft, sweet tone, "No, you were talking, and I didn't want to disturb you."
This statement implied she had been standing there for a while.
The inexplicable sense of luck that arose in Jiang Wei's heart extinguished. Shen Yue must have heard the conversation just now, and therefore, she must have also heard what he said…
A feeling of irritation surfaced in his chest, and he unconsciously clenched his fingers.
But he quickly reacted. Their relationship was already like this. He hadn't said anything wrong. Why should he feel so guilty and uneasy?