Chapter 1733: Nighttime, Hard to Soothe, Heart Racing with Unease

The crescent moon hung suspended, casting its reflection on the sea, gently swaying with the water.

The car cruised across the bridge spanning the sea, the windows half open, the night breeze from the sea caressing gently, damp and slightly cold. Jiang Ruan sat in the passenger seat, turning her head to gaze out the window, allowing the sea breeze to brush against her face, yet she still felt inexplicably warm all over.

Elder brother, Yinzi...

What kind of shameful things are these?

Jiang Ruan thought messily, quickly arriving at the school.

Yan Chi didn’t stop at the school gate, instead driving all the way to the vicinity of that soon-to-be-closed grilled fish restaurant near the east gate.

Originally, to avoid being discovered about her relationship with Yan Chi, Jiang Ruan purposely had him drive to such a secluded place. But now, it was late, alone with a man and woman, parking here seemed somewhat strange.

"Yan..." The word "uncle" almost slipped out, but was swallowed back down; calling him elder brother felt shameful, so she settled and called, "Senior."

Yan Chi seemed fairly satisfied with this address, the corners of his lips slightly lifted.

It was better than calling him uncle.

"Then, I’m going now." Jiang Ruan prepared to get out of the car.

"I’ll send you." Yan Chi undid his seatbelt as he spoke.

"No, no, I can manage on my own."

"You drank, and you’re a girl, in such a remote place, if something happens to you, I wouldn’t be able to explain to your family." Yan Chi provided a reason, making it hard to refuse.

The main point was, he didn’t give Jiang Ruan a chance to refuse, already pushing the door open to get out of the car.

Jiang Ruan hurriedly followed, "Senior, really no need, I can handle it myself, I often take this path, tonight you treated me and drove me back, it’s already been much trouble for you..."

If someone saw this, the school would likely explode with gossip, spreading who knows what kind of rumors.

Yan Chi only tilted his head to look at her, "It’s okay, I don’t find it troublesome. Besides, I haven’t been to school for a while, just taking a walk."

"..."

Jiang Ruan couldn’t possibly say, she was worried about causing misunderstandings, so she didn’t let him escort; she could only let him be.

The east gate was a street full of snack stalls, even though it was already past nine at night, there were still many people. Jiang Ruan kept her head down, wishing she could bury her head in the ground, maintaining a slight distance from Yan Chi.

"I’ll go buy something, wait here for me for a moment." Yan Chi walked into a small supermarket as they passed by.

Jiang Ruan stood at the door, constantly observing the surrounding classmates, fearing she’d run into someone familiar.

Yan Chi just went to buy chewing gum, probably thinking that having eaten made his breath a bit off, "Do you want some?"

Jiang Ruan shook her head.

The two of them, one behind the other, entered the school through the east gate, drawing some attention from the students, mainly because Yan Chi, regardless of height or appearance, was too outstandingly attractive. At six-foot-three, he was undoubtedly the most eye-catching presence wherever he went, and even if someone recognized him, they didn’t dare greet him, only whispering a few things quietly.

Today, Jiang Ruan chose such a secluded spot as the pickup location, Yan Chi, being so astute, surely understood her thoughts.

Their school always had a good security reputation, it wasn’t terribly late either, aware of her intention, Yan Chi didn’t originally plan to escort her back to the dorm; she just had alcohol tonight, and was staggering while walking on the beach earlier, so he wasn’t too assured.

Unexpectedly, his kind gesture made her resist so.

Just like now...

To avoid crowds, upon entering the school, she specially picked a path with fewer people.

**

On the secluded path, shadowy lights flickered, wind rustling the trees and casting mottled shadows.

Jiang Ruan had initially chosen this path back to the dorm to avoid crowds, only regretting halfway as the street lights were dim, surrounding silence allowing the sound of distant waves to be heard.

Why did she choose to walk here, so late, with a man?

As she was pondering, rounding a corner, a pair of figures suddenly entered her vision at not too far a distance, a young couple getting cozy, unexpectedly appearing before her eyes, causing her brain to momentarily blank.

And that young couple noticed her too.

Logic suggested the couple should be the ones feeling embarrassed, yet Jiang Ruan turned her head, avoiding them first.

Yan Chi, following behind her, was just preparing to turn the corner to catch up with her...

Without warning—

The girl in front suddenly collided into his embrace.

Yan Chi, entirely unprepared, was taken by surprise by Jiang Ruan’s abrupt action, though not heavily—

"Thunk—" A sound accompanied by a sweet lychee scent wafting into his nostrils, his heart skipped a beat.

His heart seemed entirely saturated with the sweet scent emanating from her.

The other side too heard the hurried footsteps, probably startled the young lovers away.