Chapter 54: Finding Inner Calm

"Why?" she asked. "We agreed, so why the change of plans?"

Xie Chenjing glanced at the traffic light ahead, his gaze sweeping over her before focusing straight ahead. "I heard—someone told me—"

"Heard what?"

"Aunt Flo has arrived, so no cold food!" He said it all in one breath, just as the light turned green, concentrating on driving.

Chu Yitong’s fingers, playing with her doll, froze in place. Her ears flushed involuntarily. Should she pretend she didn’t hear? Her hands itched to pull at her hair.

"Yiyi!" A sudden shout interrupted her movement. "Your hair!"

She looked down, her hair was fine. "It’s okay!"

"If you pull anymore, it might not be!"

"Well—" Usually, moodiness came before, not during. She bit her lip. "I’m hungry!"

"I’ll treat you to a big meal!" His sharply defined profile shimmered in the sunlight, elusive as a wisp of smoke. She fixed her eyes on him, but saw nothing—no aura, no trace, utterly pure without a speck of dust. Lowering her eyelids, she wondered why she couldn’t perceive it.

"Yiyi, we’re here!"

"Oh, okay!" She pointed out the window. "The Imperial Grand Hotel? Are we going there?"

He smiled faintly, took her hand, and changed direction, pointing across the street. "There."

"Blue Note?" Isn’t that an entertainment club?

"It’s a chain," Xie Chenjing explained as he moved to the passenger seat and opened the door. "Miss Chu, after you."

Curious, she took her bag and stepped out, looking up at the Blue Note. It wasn’t the same one she’d visited before.

"Blue Note is a chain. The Lin family runs the entertainment dining business. You’ll see for yourself one day." He offered his arm, his gaze resting on her. "Shall we?"

Hesitating a moment, she slowly slipped her hand into his. As they entered the lobby, the manager greeted them promptly. "General Manager Xie, long time no see. Dining with us today?"

"Something light, please."

"Of course. Your usual table?"

"Yes." He lowered his head and asked, "Yiyi, what do you feel like eating?"

"Dessert!" She couldn’t have ice cream, but surely desserts were fine.

"Then have their specialty."

"Alright. You go ahead and sit. I’ll bring the menu for you to look over shortly."

"Get busy, then," the manager said with a slight bow before turning away, stealing a glance back. Girls these days, so rare!

Chu Yitong sat, her hand unconsciously resting on her stomach. The discomfort from her period was hard to ignore. She glanced at the calm features opposite her and cleared her throat. "I need to use the restroom."

"There’s one inside the private room," Xie Chenjing said, flipping through the menu with slender fingers. It had been a while since his last visit; he wondered if there were new dishes.

"I want to go out!" She couldn’t handle things here, even if the soundproofing was excellent.

"Why?" He paused, looking at her with puzzlement.

"No, wha—why?" She enunciated each word clearly, as if to ask why he had to question her.

"Go straight from the private room, then take a right."

Perhaps it was best if he said nothing at all. Maybe it was because he hadn’t spent much time with others recently.

"Thank you!" She grabbed her bag and hurried out of the room. After taking care of her business, she stood at the sink in the restroom, watching herself in the mirror. Taking deep breaths, she told herself not to rush, not to get anxious or irritated. Everything would be alright.

She splashed water on her face and gently patted her cheeks. A vague unease lingered deep within her. Why? Could something be about to happen? She shook her head to dispel the thought, released her hands from covering her face, and turned to leave. Just as she stepped out of the restroom, she bumped into someone.