Chapter 154: Reaping What One Sows (4)

After this incident, she couldn’t help but feel worried. He was always such a strong-willed, domineering person. Perhaps now he still had the leisure or interest to slowly “pursue” her, but sooner or later, he would lose patience—and then who knew what he might do.

Yu Fan had been watching her closely and immediately noticed the subtle change in her expression.

“What are you worried about?” he asked softly.

Qiao Xi didn’t look at him, instead turning her gaze out the window.

After a few seconds, she replied calmly, “Nothing.”

They arrived quickly, and the driver stopped the car.

Qiao Xi opened the door and was about to step out when Yu Fan suddenly leaned closer.

At such close proximity, she could almost feel his breath, followed by his low, magnetic voice:

“Aren’t you going to say something to me?”

“Say thank you?” she asked.

Hearing this, Yu Fan smiled faintly.

“Has anyone ever told you that your calm demeanor is actually very attractive?”

“Is that so?” Qiao Xi neither accepted nor denied his words.

Yu Fan reached out to caress her cheek, lowering his voice even more. “Especially up close.”

“Just because you know how to play people doesn’t mean everyone is willing to be played. At least, I’m not,” Qiao Xi said, gently removing his hand and stepping out of the car.

Yu Fan watched her leave without looking back, a slight smile curling his lips.

There would be plenty of time later; he wasn’t in a hurry right now.

Besides, the harder she was to win over, the more interesting the game would be, wasn’t it?

“Drive on,” he told the driver.

The driver nodded and pulled away.

Only when the sound of the car fading into the distance reached her ears did Qiao Xi finally relax. Yu Fan was a kind of trouble she had never encountered before, and she had no idea how long this trouble would last.

“小习, you’re back. Are you hungry? Dinner will be ready soon,” her grandmother called out as she stepped from the kitchen, busy with preparations.

“Grandma, let me help you,” Qiao Xi said, setting down her backpack and joining her in the kitchen.

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The next day, at the agreed time, Qiao Xi waited at the intersection for Gu Panxi. Gu Panxi arrived a few minutes late, and together they went to Qian Yinyin’s house.

By comparison, they were somewhat late, as most of the guests were already there—mostly girls, though Qiao Xi hardly knew any of them. However, they were quite interested in her, asking questions one after another.

Qian Yinyin’s parents were not home, so everyone felt relaxed and at ease.

Everyone had brought gifts, and Qiao Xi had prepared one as well—not expensive, just a token of her affection.

Qian Yinyin was delighted to receive the gifts and had prepared plenty of delicious food, urging everyone to eat without reservation.

Xu Jia’er had ordered a large cake but planned to light the candles and sing the birthday song at night, so everyone started eating first. Some sang, others chatted.

Qian Yinyin’s sound system was quite good. Though not as sophisticated as a karaoke bar’s, the effect was decent. But to avoid disturbing the neighbors, the volume was kept low.

Xu Jia’er sang a love song. It was the first time Qiao Xi had heard her sing, and indeed, she had a beautiful voice.

When it was Gu Panxi’s turn to sing, she tried to pull Qiao Xi up with her. Although Qiao Xi had often gone to karaoke with Gu Heng and the others before, she usually didn’t take the microphone. So she didn’t join in singing, and Gu Panxi ended up duetting with another girl instead.

Seeing everyone laughing and chatting so warmly, it felt like being back in Fengyang—only the friends around her had changed, and the feeling was completely different. Qiao Xi had a sense of being separated from them, unable to truly blend in.