Mr. Chen chuckled at their silliness. Seeing Chen Ying was thrilled with the flowers, he placed her down, “Let’s tell mummy about the gift.”
After Chen Ying ran inside for her mother, Mr. Chen turned around to Shen Qieyi.
“Thank you for the flowers. They’re gorgeous. Come inside and have a seat.”
Shen Qieyi waved her hand and declined. “I’m good. I’m here to say thanks.”
“Don’t worry about that anymore. Have you dealt with it?”
“Well, they won’t come anymore.”
“That’s good. You are too young to encounter this kind of thing. We were worried.” Mr. Chen let out a relieved sigh.
Shen Qieyi thanked him again with a bitter smile, “Thank you very much for your willingness to stand out yesterday. It must have shocked you. I’m really sorry about it.”
Her apologies and gratitude made Mr. Chen feel relieved. He smiled and patted her on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry about it. That’s what a neighbor should do.”
As Bai Jingyan walked out of the elevator, he saw them.
He saw Shen Qieyi smiling at a man, and he reached out to pat her shoulder.
Bai Jingyan quickly stepped forward, clutched Shen Qieyi’s shoulder, and looked politely at the man, “Shen Qieyi, who is this?”
Shen Qieyi turned to him in surprise, and Mr. Chen stared at them in confusion.
She quickly pushed down Bai Jingyan’s arm and smiled embarrassedly at her neighbor. “Mr. Chen, I’m sorry. This is my friend. He had always been like this.”
Bai Jingyan pursed his lips. “Is it necessary to explain?”
Mr. Chen smiled at Bai Jingyan. “Nice to meet you.”
Bai Jingyan acted nonchalantly. He nodded slightly without answering.
Shen Qieyi frowned and looked at Bai Jingyan.
“Mr. Chen, I won’t disturb you anymore. I’ll be back to my place.”
“Sure, come visit sometimes.”
Shen Qieyi nodded and watched him close the door.
“What are you doing?”
“What are you two doing?”
Both of them spoke at the same time. Shen Qieyi was infuriated, while Bai Jingyan was persistent to ask about everything.
“Well, what’s wrong with me?” Bai Jingyan continued to ask her with a smirk.
Seeing his expression, Shen Qieyi figured it was a waste of breath to reason with him. She then turned to enter her home.
Bai Jingyan hastily followed her inside and closed the door. “Who was that man across?”
Shen Qieyi walked inside, followed by Bai Jingyan, who relentlessly asked her the same question.
“It’s just a neighbor. He has a name, not ‘that man’.” Shen Qieyi had always been patient with him. She always reminded him to mind his manners.
“Ok, then why are you so close to him?” Bai Jingyan only had his attention on this.
“This is just a normal interaction between neighbors.” Shen Qieyi turned her head to him and shrugged her shoulder.
“Normal interaction doesn’t need shoulder touching.” Bai Jingyan pursed his lips. He didn’t believe any of her explanations.
Shen Qieyi was appalled by his remarks and turned around to him, “How can you say that?”
Bai Jingyan refused to give up. “Since you refused to tell me anything, I can only believe what I saw.”
“I was just trying to thank him. They have helped me a lot.” Shen Qieyi explained.
“You’re lying. I know you. You wouldn’t bother someone unnecessarily.” He rebuked.
“Bai Jingyan, you are being unreasonable.”
“Why am I the one unreasonable? Why can’t I care about you?” Bai Jingyan seemed to find it ridiculous, so he added, “Was I ridiculous for caring for my friend?”
Shen Qieyi gave in to the bombarding questions from him. After she thought about it for a while, she realized there was some right in his words.
She didn’t want to tell him bluntly, but she didn’t want to hide anything from him as well.
She said hesitantly, “Yesterday morning, a group of men broke into my house and were aggressive. Those men were the ones involved in the medical dispute some time ago. It was Mr. Chen who stood up for me. I…”
“Did they hurt you?” Bai Jingyan interrupted Shen Qieyi.
Shen Qieyi looked up and saw the anger in his eyes.
Shen Qieyi gradually understood Bai Jingyan. He may appear frivolous, but he actually cared a great deal about friends.
She didn’t want him to get involved in this mess.
With Bai Jingyan’s persistent gaze, she slowly shook her head. “They didn’t hurt me. Fu Yao arrived in time.”
Bai Jingyan purposely avoided that name. He pulled her over and looked at her. When he was sure that she was fine, he felt relieved.
He continued to mutter, “You are already not especially bright. You are fortunate that they didn’t beat you silly.”
It’s Fu Yao again. He merely arrived a second earlier than I did. Bai Jingyan loathed this man, but he could only hold back his feeling.
Shen Qieyi chuckled helplessly. “Can’t you say something nicer?”
“What’s wrong? Did you despise me for it? I’m used to being like this.”
Shen Qieyi could not help but shake her head and chuckle. “I just can’t win, can I?”
Bai Jingyan was proud of himself. He wandered around in the narrow house and finally collapsed on the sofa comfortably.
Shen Qieyi ignored him and went straight into the kitchen.
Bai Jingyan was scrolling his mobile to ease his boredom. He kept muttering to her, “You ungrateful woman. How can you leave me here bored?”
After some time, Shen Qieyi finally came bringing two cups of tea.
Bai Jingyan looked up at her as she walked over. He took the cups over, “At least you have some empathy. What is this?”
Shen Qieyi sat down on the other side and signaled him for a sip.
With Shen Qieyi’s eyes on him, Bai Jingyan took a big sip. He thought he could enjoy the taste and then compliment her. But he suddenly puffed his cheeks and made a weird expression.
The honeyed-lemon tea by her tasted overly sour with a mixture of bitterness. The intense tastes hit his senses.
Bai Jingyan forced himself to swallow it, and his whole body trembled as he did so. “It’s murder!”
Shen Qieyi saw his reaction and laughed at him hysterically. “I’m sorry, this is my first try. I might not be an expert yet.”
“You’re tired of living, aren’t you? How dare you treat me like a lab rat.” Bai Jingyan gulped down the cold water he got from her while he continued to criticize her.
Shen Qieyi was embarrassed. She smiled and kept quiet.
Bai Jingyan sat comfortably on the sofa and paid undivided attention to the program on the television. Once in a while, he glanced at Shen Qieyi beside him, who occasionally sipped her tea.
Bai Jingyan smirked. Then he suddenly thought of something. “Hey!”
“What?” Shen Qieyi asked without looking at him.
“Can we discuss something?” Bai Jingyan stared at her side profile.
“Sure.” Shen Qieyi stared back at him.
“Why don’t you move in with me?” Bai Jingyan switched his attention back to the funny commercial on the television.
However, his trembling hands holding the remote showed how he truly felt.
He acted calmly to hide his intention for her to agree.
Shen Qieyi turned her head in surprise. “What did you say?”
Bai Jingyan changed his posture to a more comfortable one as he answered her, “You heard me, don’t play dumb.”
Before she could say anything, Bai Jingyan looked around and crumpled his face, “Look at the size of the place, not even enough for me to stretch my leg. Don’t get me started on the security of this place. The security guard was useless that those men can barge in without effort.”
“You’re right. This place is too humble for you.”
“I didn’t mean that.”
Shen Qieyi tried to avoid arguing with him. She knew that he was being difficult.
He saw her being quiet and eagerly convinced her with an earnest expression, “My place was spacious. It’s more than enough for both of us. Just move in with me. I won’t take your rent.”