CHAPTER 17: CHAPTER 17: WITH YOUR NERVE, YOU WOULDN’T DARE KISS ME

She never suspected Shen Yubai once, despite guessing for ages.

Because she never imagined he would dare to commit such a bold act in front of familiar faces.

Now suddenly being told that Shen Yubai was the culprit all along felt like the sky falling.

"When did you find out, brother?" Zhuang Xiaoxi asked sternly.

"I went to see him after work last night and he confessed everything to me."

"Did you hit him?"

"Already did."

Zhuang Xiaoxi clutched her phone tightly and spoke harshly, "Brother, if you dare to associate with that shameless person again, we will sever our sibling relationship."

Having said that, she immediately hung up the call.

Su Lingzhi looked on confusedly at her out-of-control emotions and asked worriedly, "What happened?"

The elevator dinged open and the two slowly walked out onto the street.

Even after dinner, Zhuang Xiaoxi hadn’t yet emerged from the earlier emotional turmoil, especially when facing Su Lingzhi, she had no idea how to tell her about this matter.

At the door, Zhuang Xiaoxi suddenly grabbed Su Lingzhi’s hand and looked at her with conflicted eyes, "Zhizhi..."

"What’s wrong?"

Zhuang Xiaoxi bit her lip and with determination said, "The person who drugged you was Shen Yubai."

Su Lingzhi’s face stiffened, her fists slowly tightened, and she calmly said, "It was Brother Zhuang Yuan who told you, right?"

Zhuang Xiaoxi nodded and then explained, "This has nothing to do with my brother; he was unaware as well. To blame, we misjudged a person and befriended such a vile person for many years."

"Maybe, he just simply changed into someone we don’t recognize," Su Lingzhi furrowed her brows, "Anyway, my ties with him end here."

Zhuang Xiaoxi promptly stood with her, "It’s the same for me and my brother."

...

The two walked back to the apartment.

At this time, a familiar car was parked at the entrance, Fu Yinli leaned against it in a black shirt, smoking.

As their eyes met, Zhuang Xiaoxi stopped and hurriedly said, "Zhizhi, I have something to do, so I’ll head back first."

Having said this, she ran off in the opposite direction.

Su Lingzhi watched her departing figure helplessly, turned and hesitated for a while, then walked over to Fu Yinli.

At the same time, Fu Yinli extinguished the cigarette and placed the butt into the ashtray.

"Are you here for me?"

"Who else then?"

Su Lingzhi’s voice choked, she took a deep breath and hesitated to speak.

"Do you have plans today?" Fu Yinli asked.

Su Lingzhi shook her head.

Fu Yinli had already opened the passenger door for her, "Get in."

"Where to?"

"To relax."

In the car with just the two of them, Fu Yinli drove steadily, seemingly focused yet a bit aloof.

Su Lingzhi sat quietly beside him, her impression of him slightly changed.

He didn’t seem as frivolous as she had imagined.

She didn’t want to bring up last night’s unpleasant incident.

However, she couldn’t help but feel that his demeanor today was colder than any other time she had seen him.

As Su Lingzhi turned to look at him, she inadvertently noticed the dark red mark on his neck and broke the silence asking, "What happened to your neck?"

Fu Yinli’s Adam’s apple bobbed once, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, and he responded lightly, "It’s a kiss mark."

Hearing this, Su Lingzhi’s face flushed red, she quickly looked away, feeling an innocent sense of embarrassment.

Gradually, a hint of bitterness rose in her heart.

Who kissed him, his girlfriend? Or proof of his flirtatious life?

"Last night you kissed me, remember?"

His voice suddenly broke through, leaving Su Lingzhi blank with disbelief, "Was it me...?"

"Who else could it be?"

Su Lingzhi’s heart fluttered uncertainly, exuding complex emotions, and she stammered, "I..., I’m sorry..., I didn’t mean to."

"I know." Fu Yinli turned to glance at her, speaking with ambiguity, "Given your courage, you wouldn’t dare to kiss."

But...

Xiaoxi had told her she did nothing with him.

Su Lingzhi covered her flushed face, trying to recall the events of last night, but to no avail, her memory remained blank.

Judging by his demeanor, he didn’t seem to mind her kissing him.

They passed by a purple ocean, Su Lingzhi recognized it as lavender.

Remembering, this was indeed the season when lavender blooms.

The car was waved through into the manor.

Stepping out of the car, they were greeted by the owner who personally came to meet them and exchanged a glance with Fu Yinli before asking, "Is this your friend?"

Fu Yinli looked at Su Lingzhi and introduced her, "Lindie."

Su Lingzhi politely shook hands with the owner and then looked at the little girl following him.

The little girl, probably five or six years old, with large expressive eyes, timidly called her, "Sister."

Su Lingzhi greeted her.

Next moment, the little girl boldly stepped forward and took her hand, introducing herself, "I’m Elsa."

Seeing this, the owner smiled, "Let’s go inside first."

The owner had prepared a sumptuous feast, and all seven members of his family were present, filling the entire table.

Though living in the suburbs, from the family’s decor arrangements and the number of servants, it was evident their financial condition was quite affluent.

Su Lingzhi sat beside Fu Yinli, listening as they talked about the manor.

From their conversation, Su Lingzhi learned that the owner was once a CEO of a technology company, but later he resigned and returned to the farm, tending the lavender fields. Besides supplying to spice merchants, he also developed it as a private tourist attraction, providing additional income for the family.

Though she had already had lunch, out of courtesy, Su Lingzhi joined them for some food.

At this time, Elsa walked over, tugging at her clothes, "Sister, play with me."

Everyone’s eyes turned toward them.

The owner coaxed, "Elsa, your sister hasn’t finished her lunch yet, wait for her to finish, alright?"

Fu Yinli asked, "Are you full?"

Su Lingzhi nodded.

"Go ahead."

With permission, Su Lingzhi left the table.

A maid wearing an apron also followed behind, always ready to assist.

Elsa led her to a shed, from where one could clearly see the entire lavender sea stretching seamlessly toward the horizon, romance connecting with the sky.

Seeing this scene, Su Lingzhi’s mood inevitably lightened a bit.

However, today was the weekend, it should be lively here, why was there no one in the flower field?

Gradually, Su Lingzhi came to understand.

The manor had been exclusively booked.

Elsa took out two bubble machines from her toy box, gave her one, "Sister, let’s play blowing bubbles."

Su Lingzhi smiled taking it, "Alright."

Probably because of her distinctly different appearance from theirs, this little girl had such a strong interest in her.

Stepping into the flower field, Su Lingzhi squatted, using the water-filled bubble machine to draw a half-circle over the little girl’s head, blowing out colorful bubbles surrounding her, the little girl giggled, happily chasing and pouncing on the bubbles.

Infected by Elsa’s innocent laughter, a faint smile spread across Su Lingzhi’s lips, her amber eyes reflecting warm light in the sun.

Later, two older kids joined them, and they quickly became a group, laughter echoing through the flower field.

Fu Yinli and the manor owner had also arrived under the shed, sitting and drinking tea.

The owner chuckled, "Lindie seems to be quite favored by these children."

Fu Yinli’s gaze remained fixed on Su Lingzhi, his lips unintentionally curving into a small smile.

Twenty-two years old, still a blossoming age.