Chapter 68 After Midnight

After understanding the situation from Xiao Wu, my mood became particularly bad. I closed the door and headed downstairs. It was a rare trip to the United States, and I hadn't even begun to understand the local culture before having to rush back to China early tomorrow morning. Filled with curiosity about America, I hurried downstairs.

The time wasn't too early or late, and the atmosphere here was surprisingly crowded. People from all over the world gathered, creating a diverse scene. After a few days, buying coffee was no longer a problem. Now, as before, the first thing I did was buy a cup of coffee. If I really had to accompany Pei Shiyu tonight, it could also serve as a stimulant.

I mingled in the crowd, drifting along with the flow of people, but I didn't dare to go too far. If I really got lost, it would be okay if Wang Rui was here, because I could talk to her about anything. But Pei Shiyu was different; you had to constantly guess her thoughts when speaking, and her outbursts had no warning signs, like getting angry for no reason just now.

China has its own advantages, where you can get help with anything. But this charming metropolis, on the other hand, made me a little afraid, afraid of not keeping up with the pace. Currently, I'm also a linguistic idiot, and I feel like I'm muddling through, just looking at the shops on both sides and the different cultural scenes. The electronic screens in the square continuously scrolled through different advertisements, including brands from our country.

After aimlessly wandering for about an hour, I found a McDonald's. I didn't eat much for dinner, and the steak and red wine had long been digested. Not eating my fill before bed made me restless, which has always been my routine.

I chose two套餐 (tàocān) (meal sets), planning to take one for Pei Shiyu as well. I ordered by pointing at the pictures without speaking English, and nodding or shaking my head was my unique skill for surviving abroad.

Carrying the套餐 (tàocān) (meal set) bags, I saw Pei Shiyu's back at the hotel entrance, as if she had just returned from outside. I quickly caught up with her and asked from behind, without any suspicion, "Where did you go? Did you just get back?"

Pei Shiyu immediately turned around, looked at the McDonald's bags in my hand, and said, "Are you the only one who can go out?"

"Then you didn't ask me to come along when you went out. I even brought you a midnight snack."

"I don't want it."

"You're not fat, and I ordered your favorite fries."

Pei Shiyu, who was already walking forward, stopped again when she heard my words and asked me, "How do you say 'fries' in English?"

"That's none of your business."

"I'm not interfering, just curious."

"It's a套餐 (tàocān) (meal set). I ordered it by looking at the pictures. Don't make fun of me. Does not knowing English mean I can't buy things?"

At that moment, Pei Shiyu looked at me with a strange expression, and the suppressed smile in her eyes could no longer be concealed. So, it was better for me to answer honestly. At her age, she was the hardest to deceive, understanding everything, especially since she was an extremely intelligent woman.

Entering the elevator, I saw her vertical hands, her very beautiful ten fingers bare. Suddenly, a thought popped into my head. I not only thought it but also asked, "How about I buy you a diamond ring?"

Pei Shiyu was a little confused by my words and paused for a few seconds before realizing what I meant. She immediately put on a proud pose and replied, "Who cares!"

"Of course, I care. I did notice some at the department store just now. I wanted to buy one but didn't dare to, for fear of scaring you away."

"It was indeed scary. Then why did you say it now?"

"If you like it, I'll go down and buy it back now." I continued to press the issue.

"Is that what I meant? Can you just give away a ring to anyone?" Pei Shiyu looked at me very seriously and asked.

"Of course not. I know that. I was just testing your attitude towards me."

"No attitude! Bringing up this topic is purely frivolous."

At this time, the elevator reached our floor. She stepped out first, and I suddenly felt very embarrassed. After a few seconds of愣 (lèng) (being stunned), I sensed the about-to-start elevator as the doors closed, and then slowly followed behind her.

As Wang Rui said, I am indeed a person without emotional intelligence. The words I speak sound vulgar even to myself. No wonder someone as ambitious as Pei Shiyu would say the word "frivolous."

Before she closed the door, I asked from behind, "Are you not going to eat the套餐 (tàocān) (meal set) I bought?"

There was no answer, nor did she say yes or no. She went directly into her own room. The good atmosphere had been ruined again by my nonsensical words!

I also returned to my room, looking at the two套餐 (tàocān) (meal sets). Actually, the portions weren't that much, especially the one I bought for Pei Shiyu. Well, I'd just have to eat a little more.

I ate while turning on the TV and selecting a news channel. In my hand was a triple-decker beef burger. I didn't have much appetite during dinner, but at this time, my appetite suddenly opened up... I finished it in a few bites. Holding the cola, I clutched my stomach and stood up, walking back and forth in the room.

There was no need to take out the clothes in the suitcase, and I had to put the things I took out back in. I could just grab the suitcase and leave tomorrow. I suddenly thought about booking the plane ticket. Although my documents were still with Pei Shiyu, after her emotional changes, I couldn't guarantee that she would book the ticket for me.

I hesitated for a while, but I still had to go find her. I strode to the door and, as soon as I opened it, unexpectedly saw Pei Shiyu standing in the hallway. I immediately asked in surprise, "Why are you standing outside? Have you booked the plane ticket?"

I suddenly remembered that she said she was afraid of this, so I immediately changed my tone and invited her into the room, "Come in first. Anyway, my bed hasn't been slept in yet. If you're afraid, you can sleep in my room."

Perhaps I had hit the mark. Without making any excuses, she even walked into the room before I did. The garbage from the meal hadn't had time to be cleaned up yet, and it looked very messy. I quickly went over and put it all in the bag.

"You ate it all?"

"You didn't want to eat it, so there was nothing I could do. Throwing it away would be a waste. I'm a little full." I explained in a very good-natured manner.

"I really didn't want to eat it."

"Have you booked the plane ticket?" I asked her again.

"I booked it. The flight is at noon tomorrow."

"Noon is fine too. It's not like half a day makes a difference anyway."

Pei Shiyu had already taken a shower in the short time she was back in her room. The scent on her body was very tempting. Staying in my room late at night made my blood boil even more.

At this time, she was watching the news on TV, listening carefully. I looked at the screen. It was a car accident, and the rescue workers were carrying the injured onto a stretcher. The injuries weren't too serious; it was estimated that their legs and feet were hurt.

Only when the scene changed did she face me and say, "Haven't you taken a shower yet?"

"I just finished eating. I'll shower later. Are you sleeping here tonight or what?"

Because I saw that Pei Shiyu already had a sense of fatigue on her face, and I was also a little tired. We took such a long flight in the morning and didn't even rest for a while. If I didn't get to sleep tonight, I felt like I wouldn't be able to hold on.