Years of education told him that he shouldn't leave a young girl at the school gates.
It was nearly midnight, yet Bai Yanzhe still gazed out the car window, his words following what Shen Yue had said.
"Stay at my place for the night."
Shen Yue was a little surprised, but she obediently agreed.
The assistant driving the car's eyes widened in astonishment.
It was the same villa as before.
All the lights in the villa were turned on; it was bright and clean.
Shen Yue felt a bit hungry. She tilted her head up, looking at the man with handsome features, calm, and refined demeanor.
"Mr. Bai, can I cook a bowl of noodles?"
Bai Yanzhe was very gentlemanly. His voice was deep, "I'll help you."
The ingredients in the refrigerator were even more abundant and varied than last time, with almost everything available. Shen Yue was simply cooking a bowl of noodles, and Bai Yanzhe helped beside her.
Shen Yue ladled out two bowls. They were simple noodles with vegetables and egg, but they smelled very fragrant and looked especially appetizing.
While ladling the noodles, Shen Yue accidentally scalded herself and let out a small cry.
Before she could react, her wrist was clasped, and she was pulled under the running faucet.
It wasn't actually very hot, just a small red mark. The rough calluses against her delicate skin felt unfamiliar, soft like cotton. He only squeezed gently, not exerting much force, yet it left faint pink finger marks.
Bai Yanzhe wasn't dark-skinned; he was quite fair, but compared to the person in front of him, he seemed a bit dark.
The contrast in skin tone stimulated his nerves, and he unconsciously applied a little more force, rubbing it red.
It was redder than the place that had been scalded.
Shen Yue let him hold her hand. After quite some time, she finally pulled her hand back and took a piece of paper from the side to wipe her wet hand.
She thanked him, "Thank you, Mr. Bai."
Bai Yanzhe lifted his thin eyelids and looked down at Shen Yue, his eyes dark.
Shen Yue didn't look at him, her mind still focused on ladling the unfinished noodles.
The chopsticks were taken by another large hand, and Bai Yanzhe used them to pick up the remaining noodles in the pot.
Her slender eyelashes trembled slightly, and she looked at the man with her dark, moist eyes.
Perhaps it was the kitchen lighting, but under the warm light, his face appeared gentle.
"You should take this bowl and eat first."
Shen Yue didn't stand on ceremony and took it over first.
In fact, Bai Yanzhe wasn't hungry, but even he felt tempted by the smell.
They ate in silence, with only the clinking of bowls and chopsticks.
There was a dishwasher in the room, and Bai Yanzhe cleaned up the mess. Shen Yue didn't go upstairs; she sat obediently on the sofa.
After putting the bowls into the dishwasher, Bai Yanzhe came out. He saw the girl sitting on the sofa, her wide neckline slightly drooping, revealing her delicate, snow-white collarbone.
For some reason, Bai Yanzhe felt a subtle prick, a sensation that was both hot and piercing.
He lowered his eyes, his strong, slender fingers hanging at his sides.
"It's very late; you should go to bed."
Shen Yue smiled, her expression as clear and pure as jade. When she smiled, her tear-filled eyes were like spring water bathed in sunlight, clear and unreserved.
Their distance was neither too close nor too far.
The girl was very well-behaved; she was always polite.
"Thank you, Mr. Bai. Goodnight, Mr. Bai."
After saying this, she went upstairs.
The girl was like a cat, petite all over, walking without making a sound.
Bai Yanzhe, accustomed to beautiful women, a man whose heart had been calm for years, couldn't help but be stirred by the girl's smile.
To a girl seven years his junior.
An old ox wanting to eat tender grass; he was truly going downhill.
Bai Qingzhen, confined at home for a week, was finally released. She was very annoyed, her spirits as wilted as a cabbage.
She was even late for morning self-study and was caught by the student council at the teaching building.
He wore a school uniform, his figure refined and upright, his skin fair and clean, his profile handsome, his long, well-defined fingers holding a black fountain pen, and a red armband on his arm.
Being caught immediately after being released was unlucky.
However, Bai Qingzhen knew Song Yan. They were quite familiar because of Jiang Wei.
Bai Qingzhen clasped her hands together, feigning innocence, "Can you consider me a fart? Just pretend I was never released."
Song Yan raised his eyes and smiled faintly.
"No, I must handle this officially."
Bai Qingzhen tugged at Song Yan's sleeve, pulling it pitifully. Her appearance was striking, with long, cold, beautiful eyes. When she feigned helplessness, she was exceptionally charming.
With people she knew, Bai Qingzhen was indeed more inclined to throw a bit of a tantrum like a girl, to act cute, and say a few soft words.
"Oh, Song Yan, don't be so heartless. If the teacher finds out, I'll be caught and lectured for another week. I'll really go crazy then."
Making exaggerated expressions, Bai Qingzhen spoke honeyed words.
Song Yan was gentle, yet there was a sense of distance. Despite his soft smile, it always felt like there was a wall between them, making it hard to get close.
But now, he was completely open.
His posture was noble, like a slender bamboo. He allowed Bai Qingzhen to pull at his clothes, a genuine smile lingering on his lips.
Shen Yue was also late. Seeing the scene before her, her feet felt rooted to the spot, and she stood there foolishly.
It was Bai Qingzhen who spotted her and looked at her as if she were a savior.
"Shen Yue, hurry over!"
Song Yan also turned his head. He saw Shen Yue and found her familiar. After a moment, he remembered she was the girl he saw kissing Jiang Wei that day.
Shen Yue also looked at him. They met each other's gaze, and Song Yan was the first to avert his eyes.
Whether it was an illusion or not, he always felt that the girl's gaze carried some... shy admiration.
Too many people looked at him with such eyes. He instinctively felt resistance and annoyance, and what's more, this girl was involved with Jiang Wei.
Shen Yue walked over. She was also late, but she had already requested leave from the teacher in advance.
Bai Qingzhen knew Shen Yue was a good student. If they were both late, she would feel more secure. If they were to be punished, they would be punished together. Teachers liked good students, so out of consideration for Shen Yue, the punishment probably wouldn't be too severe.
Thinking this, Bai Qingzhen was no longer as afraid.
Song Yan wrote Bai Qingzhen's name in his notebook, then looked at Shen Yue, his eyes gentle yet distant, and said faintly, "Your name."
Shen Yue looked at Song Yan with clear, moist eyes. Her dark eyes, seemingly bottomless, seemed to contain fallen starlight and celestial light.
She softly lowered her eyelashes, revealing a smile as pure as a white jade orchid on a moonlit branch, exuding a faint, lingering fragrance.
Dimples creased her cheeks.
"My name is Shen Yue."