To facilitate conversation, Zhan Bei Jue did not bring the child.
Only A Zhong, Jiang Nan Fang, and he himself dined together.
During the meal, she recounted the events of the past six months in detail and listened to A Zhong's report on his work.
They chatted until ten in the evening before deciding to disperse.
A Zhong had something on his mind and was rather subdued, having drunk a considerable amount.
Before they departed, Jiang Nan Fang discreetly sent Zhou Jin Bei the address, asking her to come as a driver.
"Come over. Your second brother has had too much to drink. Bring the car."
Zhou Jin Bei's heart pounded.
Although she was going to pick up her second brother, she would surely see A Zhong as well.
Her appearance couldn't be too disheveled!
Upon receiving the message, she leaped out of bed and applied a light makeup as quickly as possible.
She hurried to the restaurant.
By the time she reached the restaurant entrance, the three of them had been waiting for some time.
Zhou Jin Bei, looking radiant, pushed open the door.
Seeing her, a complex emotion instantly spread through A Zhong's heart.
They exchanged a glance, no greeting, and averted their eyes with unspoken understanding.
Zhou Jin Bei feigned concern for Zhan Bei Jue.
"How much have you had to drink? Let's go, second brother, I'll drive you home."
Zhan Bei Jue took in her subtle actions without exposing her.
He put an arm around Jiang Nan Fang and waved the car keys in his hand at her.
"I've had too much to drink, but your sister-in-law hasn't. I have someone to take me."
"I asked you to come help take A Zhong home; he didn't drive. Be careful on the road."
He gave them ample face.
Jiang Nan Fang and Zhan Bei Jue sped away.
Zhou Jin Bei and A Zhong stood, one on the steps, the other below.
They looked at each other again, a thousand words caught in their throats, neither willing to speak first.
After a two-second pause, Zhou Jin Bei unlocked the car and spoke first.
"Are you staying at a hotel or going home?"
He used to drive this car to pick her up; now their positions were reversed.
A Zhong got into the passenger seat, his peripheral vision studying her hands on the steering wheel, his heart surging with a torrent of emotions.
"Home. Do you still remember where I live?"
He made a light joke.
This question was difficult to answer.
If she said she remembered, it would seem as though she cared about him a great deal.
If she said she didn't remember, it would be pretentious.
Zhou Jin Bei didn't answer, pretending to concentrate on driving, and changed the subject.
"When did you get back?"
"Just got back."
"I heard my second brother returned, did you come back specifically to see him?"
A Zhong nodded and leaned back against the seat. "Yes."
"Are you leaving again soon?"
This angle allowed him to steal glances at her.
"Yes, I have a few minor matters to deal with. I'll leave after that."
Zhou Jin Bei almost blurted out, asking him if it was about selling the house, and if he intended to never return.
But she dared not ask.
"My second brother mentioned he was introducing you to someone tonight. Why isn't she here? Did the blind date go smoothly?"
Introduce someone?
President Zhan must have been joking.
But Zhou Jin Bei's question seemed to have ulterior motives.
A Zhong thought for a moment. "It was fine. Went smoothly."
Zhou Jin Bei's hands trembled with anger.
Shen Min'er was young and beautiful; naturally, any man would be attracted to her.
"Then you're not very gentlemanly. You didn't even see her home after the date. Aren't you afraid of giving her a bad impression?"
"With President Zhan and Sister Nan on their side, are there any misunderstandings that can't be cleared up?"
That was true.
With their personal matchmaking, what couldn't be achieved?
Zhou Jin Bei felt a sense of resignation.
She shot him an angry glance and fell silent.
After that, they drove in silence.
Zhou Jin Bei drove very fast, and they soon arrived downstairs.
After parking the car, A Zhong didn't get out immediately. He rolled down the window and looked up at the building.
A few seconds later, he said, as if with a sigh.
"I won't be coming here again. I plan to sell the house."
Zhou Jin Bei almost blurted out again, asking him.
Did he plan to settle abroad and never return, or was he preparing for a future wife and looking for a better place?
But her pride prevented her from asking.
"Is your work abroad going well?"
A Zhong replied indifferently, "It's going well. In a foreign land, there are no worries, and you can work to your heart's content. It's more freeing than being at home."
"In the early stages of entrepreneurship, you must have been short on money."
"I've never been particularly wealthy."
"Then I'll return the car to you."
Zhou Jin Bei turned off the engine and handed him the keys.
"I've used it for so long for free, I feel quite bad. I hope you don't mind returning it like this?"
A Zhong shifted his gaze to her face.
Looking at the faint smile on her lips and her delicate features.
A chill ran from his head to his toes.
"Did you buy a new car?"
"No. But I don't need it anymore. My second brother has many cars, and he said he'll give me one later."
"After all, it's your property. It's not right to keep it like this."
This was a complete drawing of a line.
He no longer needed her.
How disheartening.
A Zhong extended two fingers, avoiding touching her skin, and took the car keys.
"Indeed. President Zhan has many luxury cars. My old car doesn't quite match your status."
"Thank you for driving me back. Be careful on the road."
"Thank you for lending me the car for so long. I also wish you all the best in the future. Don't forget to invite me to your wedding."
They each got out of their respective doors.
Zhou Jin Bei slammed the car door and walked away without looking back.
A Zhong stood behind the car door, watching her slender figure and her hair blowing in the wind.
He wished he could crush the keys in his hand.
Jin Bei intended to save money and spend less from now on.
Feeling empty, she couldn't sleep alone so early, so she decided to take the subway home.
Standing at the subway station, Zhan Bei Jue called to ask if she had gotten home.
Completely heartbroken, Zhou Jin Bei felt as if her internal organs had been taken away by someone else.
Empty.
As if gusts of wind were passing through.
Her voice was sorrowful and desolate.
"I'm home."
The sounds of passing pedestrians were sparse and noisy.
How could Zhan Bei Jue not hear the abnormality?
"You're home, but it's still so noisy around you?"
"I'm on my way home."
"Don't tell me you're walking home."
Her nose stung, and she retorted.
"Why can't I walk? I returned his car to him."
Oh?
So they had truly said goodbye?
Zhan Bei Jue tried to pry.
"Why don't you want to take advantage of him anymore?"
Zhou Jin Bei didn't give him an answer.
"His car is too old, I don't like it. Now I want to take advantage of you."
"Second brother, can you bear to see me take the subway to work every day? Can't you get me a car?"
Zhou Jin Bei, this girl, was not to be pitied.
You pity her kindly, and she maliciously tries to scheme against you.
Zhan Bei Jue instantly stopped feeling sorry for her.
"What's there to bear? Among the tens of thousands of employees at Zhan Corporation, how many drive to work every day?"
"Others can, and so can you."
"If you want me to get you a car, work hard. Strive to reach the manager level, and I'll give you one without you asking."