As soon as the car started, I gave her a hard time, slamming on the brakes at the intersection.

I saw Wang Rui make a vomiting motion, then swallow it back down. That kind of behavior was particularly disgusting to watch.

However, she wiped the corner of her mouth and said calmly, "You asked for it. I hate people like you the most."

"Who doesn't? Go ahead and walk back if you have the guts."

Her eyes suddenly fixed on my face, as if I was some kind of idiot. Although she didn't say anything, her eyes were full of drama. Maybe she hadn't dealt with someone like me before and found it quite novel.

After a while, she withdrew her gaze and said, "Is this how you usually live your life?"

"Got a problem with that?"

"Aren't you tired of communicating with people like this?"

Only then did I understand what she was getting at. She was indirectly saying that I had no cultivation, that I was too impulsive in my speech and actions.

"You get used to it..."

Wang Rui immediately cut me off, "Actually, I'm not used to it, and I don't want to get used to it."

"Don't worry, I won't be living at your place."

"Whether you live there or not, I have no opinion, nor do I have the right to decide. It's your mother's idea."

My mother gave all her love to her, but in her heart, she still distinguished things very clearly. Saying "your mother" meant it wasn't her mother. That was probably her truest thought.

After that, I didn't say anything more. I slowed down the car and drove smoothly at a normal speed. Wang Rui sat in the passenger seat, her eyes half-closed. I couldn't tell if she was awake or pretending to be asleep.

There was a faint smell of alcohol in the car. I casually lowered the car window a little. At that moment, we happened to pass a barbecue restaurant, and a fragrant smell wafted over. I immediately observed Wang Rui. If she was really asleep, I might sneak a bite of something first.

Just as I slowed down, Wang Rui opened her eyes, sniffing like a dog, and asked in a nonchalant tone, "What's that smell?"

"Barbecue. Interested?"

"I am a little hungry."

I turned the steering wheel and parked in a parking space. Although the weather was cold, it didn't affect business at all. All the outdoor tables were packed. Seeing this scene, Wang Rui began to back down...

"Forget it, there's no place to sit."

"We can squeeze in. It's the taste that matters. Don't be so picky about a place like this."

"Can we even afford to be picky?"

Wang Rui asked with a smile. The unpleasantness from earlier had completely disappeared. She was completely different from Pei Shiyu in terms of personality. The former was the carefree type who forgot things easily after they passed. As for Pei Shiyu, although I hadn't had much contact with her, she was quite stubborn and the type to turn hostile at any moment.

After I sat down, I smiled foolishly. It was a little inexplicable that I suddenly dragged Pei Shiyu into the conversation. After we both withdrew from that project, all ties had abruptly ended. I didn't know if we would ever have a chance encounter at some place or restaurant in the future.

"What do you want to eat?" Wang Rui asked, holding the menu.

"Just order something. Gotta have mutton skewers."

"We have similar tastes. We should be able to get along, right?"

"Hopefully. Although we're not blood-related, it's best if we can get along harmoniously."

"I don't argue with people unless you hit a sore spot."

"Then tell me, where's your sore spot?"

"Just don't make personal attacks."

"That's my specialty," I said jokingly.

"No wonder you're thirty years old and still don't have a girlfriend."

I looked at her and said seriously, my first reaction was to point at her and ask, "And what about you?"

"This young lady can't stand it. Didn't you see the long line outside the bar just now?"

"I saw it. Very impressive! If it weren't for Lin-daxia rescuing you, you would have been kidnapped to a brothel tonight. You're paying for the late-night snack."

Was it because my previous life was too dark? For the first time, I felt that Wang Rui, sitting across from me, was very cheerful. That kind of conversation instantly brought me into the atmosphere that young people should have.

We ordered a lot. She ordered two cans of beer, with a low alcohol content. I watched her drink it like it was a soft drink. It looked like it tasted pretty good.

"Do you usually drink baijiu?" I asked curiously.

"What do you mean?"

"You look like you're rinsing your mouth with that beer."

Wang Rui picked up the can and looked at it, saying, "It's only 7 degrees, not challenging at all."

"How about we make an appointment another day and challenge each other's alcohol tolerance?"

"Are you very good at it?"

"I should be, but I can't guarantee anything in front of you."

"I can drink a maximum of two bottles of red wine," Wang Rui replied honestly.

"Just so-so."

"Let's have a drink another day and see just how awesome you really are."

I smiled. I might not have any other skills, but drinking was my job. If having a few drinks could improve our friendship, then it was definitely something I couldn't refuse.

I looked around. This shop had the most booming business. We were sharing a table with other people, but it didn't affect my conversation with her at all. However, the topics we were talking about were all superficial. No one had touched on any deeper issues.

Everyone needs a process of understanding to go from stranger to acquaintance. My way of getting along with Wang Rui could be considered a quantum leap. There was a big difference between someone who had drifted through life and someone who had grown up protected. Wang Rui, for example, had a very simple mind.

When we were almost done eating, Old Wang called. Wang Rui answered and said, "We're eating barbecue. We'll be home soon. Go to sleep. Don't worry."

It was on speakerphone. Old Wang's voice was cut off as soon as he opened his mouth. I quickly finished the food on my plate, then stood up and urged her, "Alright, stop eating, let's go home."

"Take it easy. That's just my dad's personality. He always has to keep an eye on my movements."

"I can't control how things usually are, but today is different."

...

After dropping Wang Rui off, my mother was still waiting. She came out as soon as she heard the car. Seeing that I was about to leave, she immediately came to my side, wanting to keep me...

"A'Che, you don't have to go back tonight."

"What's the point of going back so late?" Wang Rui said as well.

"I can take a taxi, it doesn't matter how late it is."

"Mom has something to say to you."

"Then hurry up and say it now," I said a little impatiently.

"It's too difficult to find you if you go back. I waited all morning the other day."

Seeing that I didn't say anything, she assumed I had agreed and pulled on my sleeve, saying, "Let's go inside first."

Wang Rui gave me a push from behind, "Why are you being so coy?"

Then, humming "Listen to Your Mother," she walked into the house on her own.

After Wang Rui left, my mother said in a serious tone, "I think we need to have a good talk. Didn't we talk about it properly the other day? What's wrong with you today? If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, you can tell me directly. The past is unrecoverable, but you're thirty years old now. What are you going to do if you continue to live like this with no ambition? You haven't achieved anything in terms of starting a family or building a career!"