Chapter 81: The Third Wheel

Shen Qing lifted her chin and said nothing, stepping around Gu Ting to change clothes in the car.

Gu Ting touched his brow bone, smiled silently, and followed after the girl.

When Shen Qing emerged after changing, Gu Ting was making a call under the streetlamp.

“Shen Qing.”

“Yes, what is it?” Shen Qing looked at Zhai Chao, who had already swapped into his own clothes, dressed fashionably.

Zhai Chao scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. “Um, Mr. Gu… are you two a couple?”

Shen Qing paused for a moment, then explained, “Just friends.”

Hearing this, the weight in Zhai Chao’s heart suddenly vanished, and he felt at ease.

“Oh, can I add you on WeChat?”

“No,” Shen Qing refused quickly. Seeing the disappointment on Zhai Chao’s face, she paused before adding, “Focus on your studies.”

Zhai Chao was stunned for a couple of seconds, then forced a smile, a hint of bitterness in his eyes. “Right, study hard. I look forward to our next collaboration.”

“Mm.”

“Shen Qing.” Gu Ting turned around to see someone beside Shen Qing. He hung up the phone and walked toward them.

Zhai Chao felt inexplicably guilty and stepped back. “Mr. Gu.”

Gu Ting glanced at him, then turned to Shen Qing, his voice gentle. “Are you hungry? Let’s get something to eat.”

Gu Ting pronounced the word “us” distinctly and deliberately.

Zhai Chao managed a strained smile. “Well then, Shen Qing, until we meet again.”

He also emphasized the word “us.”

Shen Qing glanced at the two odd men, ignored them both, and walked away.

Gu Ting shot Zhai Chao a look and quickly followed after her.

“Hey, little Zhai Chao, you alright?” Sister Wei came over and patted his shoulder.

Zhai Chao smiled stiffly, shook his head, and turned back to the car.

**

Gu Ting opened a bottle of yogurt and handed it to Shen Qing.

“Where are we eating?” Shen Qing accepted the yogurt and looked out the car window at the increasingly familiar scenery—it was the road to Sky Garden.

Eleven glanced at the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but speak up, “Sky Garden.”

“Mm.” Gu Ting took out a napkin and wiped Shen Qing’s mouth.

“Oh.” Shen Qing frowned slightly. What was there to eat in her rundown apartment?

The car stopped in front of a supermarket. Gu Ting got out first. “Want to buy groceries together?”

“You’re cooking?”

Eleven popped his head out. “Miss Shen, I can cook.”

“Oh.” Shen Qing hopped out and followed Gu Ting.

Entering the supermarket, Gu Ting naturally took hold of Shen Qing’s wrist.

“A lot of people?” Shen Qing glanced down.

The man’s grip tightened. “Seems like quite a few.”

Shen Qing raised her brows slightly and snorted, “Nonsense.”

Eleven pushed a large cart, quietly trailing behind them. He took out his phone and secretly snapped a photo of the two from behind, then sent it off.

[1000-watt light bulb: Another day of silent suffering.]

Gu Ting turned and glanced at him, frowning a little. “Eleven, lost in thought?”

Eleven hurriedly looked up, stowing his phone. “Coming, coming.”

**

By the time the three returned to Sky Garden, it was past eight in the evening.

Gu Ting took slippers from the shoe cabinet and tossed a pair of white disposable ones at Eleven’s feet.

“Boss, what’s this?” Eleven glanced at the pink slippers on Gu Ting’s feet.

With little rabbits on them—what an eyesore!

“Hm?” Gu Ting shot him a look.

Eleven instantly fell silent, carried the groceries inside, and surveyed the surroundings. He hadn’t expected the Yu family to treat Shen Qing so well, gifting her such a spacious place.

Shen Qing had already settled onto the sofa, pulling out her phone to play a game.

Gu Ting sat beside her, “Can I join?”

Shen Qing glanced at his combat score—346, pretty low, but not bad.

“Mm.” Shen Qing sent him an invitation link, and Gu Ting quickly joined.

Shen Qing’s moves were swift, Gu Ting’s reactions sharp. One played offense, the other defense, their coordination excellent.

After two rounds, Gu Ting’s combat score increased by fifty.

“You’re really good,” Gu Ting put down his phone. He’d never seen anyone so skillful.

“Maybe the phone’s just fast,” Shen Qing exited the game and opened Snake.

Gu Ting watched the girl’s bowed head, frowning slightly. “Play later. Rest your eyes for a bit.”

Shen Qing looked at him, murmured an acknowledgment, obediently set her phone aside, and closed her eyes, leaning on the sofa.

“Let me give you a massage.”

“Hm?”

“Your temples.”

“Oh, thank you.” Shen Qing shifted closer.

As Gu Ting reached out, Eleven emerged from the kitchen carrying dishes. “Boss! Miss Shen! Fresh—”

At that moment, Shen Qing was half-asleep, leaning on the sofa, and their boss’s hand was about to pull her into an embrace—

“Sorry, I didn’t see anything!” Eleven’s face flushed red as he hurriedly set down the fish soup and fled back to the kitchen.

“Let’s eat,” Shen Qing glanced at the man’s posture, her gaze darkening slightly.

“Mm, alright.”