Lin Jing tried to make her thoughts less contradictory, but found it didn't seem to help much.
She even wanted to ask Sheng Kuang if the messages he sent earlier were just impulsive, offhand remarks.
Lin Jing was so startled by the impulse that flashed in her mind that she opened her mouth, then was stunned by herself.
Lin Jing, you really have some serious issues.
Not only do you have serious issues, but you're also hypocritical.
You haven't even decided if you want to be with someone, yet you're demanding that they be more resolute.
You really are a dreamer, wanting everything to go your way, aren't you?
…
With all that overthinking, why don't you just fly to the sky.
Lin Jing fiercely berated herself in her heart, then got out of bed to wash up. By the time she was dressed, Sheng Kuang's message came, saying he was downstairs at her dorm.
Although Sheng Kuang didn't mention the confession from Ling Chen, Lin Jing still felt a bit unsure how to face him.
Before she left the dorm building, she took several deep breaths and then pushed the door open with a blank expression.
Sheng Kuang was already at school, so she thought they would eat near campus or in the school cafeteria. Unexpectedly, as soon as Sheng Kuang saw her emerge, he immediately grabbed his phone and called for a car.
Lin Jing glanced at Sheng Kuang curiously. "Where are we going to eat?"
Sheng Kuang named a place.
It was quite far from the school. Although Lin Jing wasn't very familiar with Beijing's geography, she knew the place Sheng Kuang chose was roughly in the middle of his home and the school.
If they were eating in a place like that, they could have met there; why did he have to make a detour to the school?
Lin Jing muttered to herself as she glanced at Sheng Kuang.
Outside the school gate, the car stopped across the road. The two got into the car one after another. When Lin Jing saw the driver start the car, she turned to ask again, "Um, your brother, isn't he eating with us?"
Sheng Kuang raised his eyelids. "He is."
Lin Jing: "Then why isn't he coming with us?"
Sheng Kuang seemed to be replying to someone on his phone, his slender fingers tapping nonchalantly on the screen. "He's old enough, it's not like he doesn't know the way."
"..."
Lin Jing was silent for a moment. "It's not about knowing the way, it's just that since we're all going there anyway, it saves him from taking another taxi."
Sheng Kuang was still typing, his words somewhat dismissive. "He's not short on money."
Lin Jing: "??"
This didn't seem to be a matter of having money or not.
If there were five people, taking two taxis would be understandable because they couldn't all fit. But with just the three of them, there was no need to take two taxis.
Lin Jing instinctively asked the driver to stop. "Um, driver, excuse me, could you please pull over..."
Sheng Kuang's typing paused. Without even looking up, he said, "No."
The driver, unsure who to listen to, hesitated, then ultimately chose to obey Sheng Kuang, the one paying.
Lin Jing frowned and was about to say something more.
Sheng Kuang quickly tapped on his screen, sent the message, then pressed the side of his phone with his thumb to lock the screen. He turned to Lin Jing. "I was stuck in traffic for over an hour."
Lin Jing was stunned by Sheng Kuang's nonsensical remark.
Sheng Kuang looked at her, his tone a little annoyed. "I made this whole detour to come to school to try and impress the girl I like."
"..."
"Not to give a ride to a third wheel."
"..."
Lin Jing was taken aback, then taken aback again, and finally understood what Sheng Kuang meant.
She looked at him, her mouth opening as if to say something, but she couldn't find the words.
She remained frozen for a while, then silently swallowed, and slowly turned her head to look out the window.
The car was silent, with Sheng Kuang sitting right beside her.
Although she didn't dare to glance at him again, her heart couldn't stop pounding.
Sheng Kuang was really good at being direct.
And he always caught her off guard.
She had only kindly asked about his brother, and instead, she was being flirted with.
He wasn't her brother.
And even if he wasn't her brother, she was still a little flustered by the flirtation.
The more Lin Jing thought about it, the more weary she felt.
…
By the time Sheng Kuang and Lin Jing arrived at the restaurant, Yu Zhou had already arrived and secured a table.
Lin Jing often played games with Yu Zhou, so they were quite familiar with each other. They greeted each other without any awkwardness and began to order.
Lin Jing sat opposite Yu Zhou, and as she looked at him flipping through the menu, she found him increasingly familiar.
It was as if she had seen him somewhere before.
And it was something from the past day or two.
After ordering, the server asked if they had any dietary restrictions.
Seeing Lin Jing's lack of response, Yu Zhou looked up and asked, "Jie, do you have any dietary restrictions?"
Lin Jing shook her head and stared at Yu Zhou for a few more glances.
Yu Zhou felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze and touched his face. "Is there something on my face?"
Lin Jing shook her head and was about to say "No" when a voice suddenly came from beside them: "Lin Jing?"
The three at the table looked up at the sound.
It was He Lin, and with him was another guy from their class.
He Lin, without waiting for Lin Jing to speak, walked over. "What a coincidence, you're eating here too."
Lin Jing gave a small "Ah," "Yes, what a coincidence."
He Lin stood by the table, looking around. "We're running late, and there are no more tables. It looks like we'll have to queue for a long time."
Lin Jing blinked. "Oh."
The table Yu Zhou had reserved was a six-seater, so it was quite spacious.
He Lin glanced at their table. "Um, we have something else to do this afternoon, so we need to eat early, or we'll be too late. Do you mind? If you don't mind, could we share the table?"
Lin Jing wasn't hosting this meal, and even if she were, it wasn't something she could decide on her own.
She glanced awkwardly at Sheng Kuang beside her and was about to come up with a reason to refuse He Lin when Sheng Kuang, who had been quiet beside Lin Jing, suddenly looked up. "Sure."
He Lin seemed surprised by Sheng Kuang's prompt agreement and paused.
Sheng Kuang casually looked at Yu Zhou, who was sitting opposite. "Make some room for your seniors."
Yu Zhou had some impression of He Lin, remembering him as the one who hugged Lin Jing during the sports meet. He thought his brother should have refused, as he could tell the guy was interested in Lin Jing, and he couldn't believe his brother couldn't see it. But since his brother had already agreed, he couldn't not cooperate.
Despite being filled with question marks and confusion, he promptly moved inward. "Seniors, please sit."
Lin Jing: "..."
After He Lin and the guy from their class sat down, the atmosphere at the table became a bit tense.
After about three seconds, He Lin, appearing very generous, called the server over. "We'll order our own food. When it's time to pay, please help us to separate the bill."