Chapter 373: Must We Become Strangers?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Startled by his words, Sang Qianqian looked at Shen Hanyu.
She and Shen Hanyu were going to watch a movie tonight? Why didn’t she know about this?
Shen Hanyu nodded. “Didn’t you say you found a good movie two days ago? Since I’m free tonight, I’ll accompany you to watch it.”
Sang Qianqian had suspected that her brother had set her up on purpose, but she didn’t think too much about it after hearing Shen Hanyu’s words.
That movie was shot by a young and new director. Her department colleagues were all talking about it, and all the reviews were praising the movie. Sang Qianqian had indeed mentioned it to Shen Hanyu, and she did want to watch it.
However, with her brother’s current relationship with Ruan Xiaoshuang, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her brother and Zhang Xue to send Ruan Xiaoshuang home.
Sang Qianqian thought for a moment. “It’s only past eight now. Let me send Sister Xiaoshuang off first, and then we can go to the cinema.”
“Sure,” Shen Hanyu agreed.
“Is it so necessary to make two trips like that?”
Sang Minglang didn’t think much of it. “I already said we’ll be passing by her house on our way home. Xiaoxue and I live in the South Court, and her neighborhood isn’t that far away.”
The South Court was Sang Minglang’s new residence. Although it was quite a distance away from Ruan Xiaoshuang’s house, and the difference between the living environment was like heaven and earth, he was still right. He would indeed pass by Ruan Xiaoshuang’s neighborhood on his way home.
Sang Qianqian thought to herself, ‘It seems like Brother is serious.’
He actually brought Zhang Xue back to his own place and even cohabited with her.
However, she suddenly realized something. “Brother, how do you know where Sister Xiaoshuang lives?”
Sang Minglang looked at her as if he was looking at an idiot. “Didn’t Song Yu mention it himself when we ate near the hospital?”
“Oh, right.”
Sang Qianqian was enlightened, but she still didn’t relent. “I’ll be more at ease if I send her back.”
“At ease? What are you so worried about?”
Sang Minglang suddenly flicked Sang Qianqian’s forehead.
His flick was neither light nor heavy. A faint red mark appeared on Sang Qianqian’s fair forehead.
Sang Qianqian covered her forehead and said unhappily, “Brother, just say what you want to say. Why did you have to do that?”
“My dear sister, aren’t you thinking too much?”
Sang Minglang’s expression at this moment was indescribable. “I’m only sending Miss Ruan off on account that she’s your good friend. Do you think I have any ulterior motives toward her? Can’t you see that my girlfriend is here too? Would I dare to do anything weird? Besides, isn’t Miss Ruan getting married soon? Even if I didn’t have a girlfriend, I wouldn’t be interested in someone’s future wife.”
These words were a little too direct, especially in front of Ruan Xiaoshuang.
Sang Qianqian explained guiltily, “Sister Xiaoshuang has trouble with her eyes, so I wanted to send her home. After all, I was afraid that you would leave after only sending her to the entrance of the neighborhood, which could put her in danger. That’s why I was worried. Aren’t you assuming too much?”
“Do you doubt your brother’s character that much? Is your brother that bad in your eyes? You can’t even let me send someone home?”
Sang Minglang flicked her forehead again. Shen Hanyu smiled and protected Sang Qianqian. “If that’s the case, then I’ll have to trouble you, Big Brother.”
“No, let’s send her off.”
Sang Qianqian insisted, “I still have to discuss the details of the wedding decorations with Sister Xiaoshuang.”
Since Song Yu was overseas, Xie Shi’an had volunteered to help arrange their wedding. However, he was afraid that Ruan Xiaoshuang would not like the details he picked out, so he asked Sang Qianqian to ask for her opinion instead.
In fact, Sang Qianqian had already asked Ruan Xiaoshuang about it at the bridal shop this afternoon. She was only saying this to help Ruan Xiaoshuang out of her predicament.
Ruan Xiaoshuang, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, naturally understood Sang Qianqian’s intentions. She said gently, “There’s no need to discuss the wedding. I’m already very grateful that you and Shi’an are helping me out. Just decide for me, I’ll be fine with anything.”
She held Sang Qianqian’s hand and patted it gently as if she was consoling her, revealing a faint smile. “Just let Mr. Sang and Miss Zhang send me off. It’ll be fine.”
Since Ruan Xiaoshuang had already said so, Sang Qianqian couldn’t say anything more. She could only agree. “Alright then, send me a message when you get home.”
After sending Ruan Xiaoshuang into the car, Sang Qianqian watched as the car drove away. She sighed. “How could it be such a coincidence? I came here for dinner with you, but I ended up bumping into my brother.”
Shen Hanyu nodded and said, “It’s quite a coincidence.”
The two of them talked and walked toward the cinema.
“After so many years, this is the first time my brother has brought a girlfriend to meet me other than Sister Xiaoshuang.”
Sang Qianqian was deep in thought. “What do you think of my sister-in-law? Can my brother and her be together?”
“This is the first time we’ve met. How can I determine if they can be together?”
“It all depends on your brother,” Shen Hanyu said with an ambiguous tone.
“But my brother hates shopping the most. Now that he even accompanied Sister-in-law to the mall and lives together with her, my brother must be serious.”
Sang Qianqian still held a little hope. After all, her brother was not young anymore. If he could really resolve his marriage, her father would be overjoyed.
Sang Minglang drove without saying a word. The speed of the car was steady, neither fast nor slow.
Ruan Xiaoshuang sat quietly in the back seat. The light from the street lamps shone in from time to time, and her bright and beautiful face was hidden in the light.
Zhang Xue and Ruan Xiaoshuang sat in the back row. Her gaze fell on Ruan Xiaoshuang’s face from time to time, her expression complicated.
The three people in the car had different thoughts as no one spoke at all.
Soon, they arrived at Ruan Xiaoshuang’s residential area.
Sang Minglang got out of the car first and opened the backseat door. When he reached out to help Ruan Xiaoshuang, she shook him off as if she had been electrocuted. “No, thank you.”
Sang Minglang’s expression sank slightly, but he didn’t reply.
He handed the car keys to Zhang Xue. “Wait for me in the car. I’ll send Miss Ruan upstairs and come back down.”
Zhang Xue was stunned, obviously not expecting Sang Minglang to not want her to go up with him, but she could only agree, “Okay.”
This area was considered one of the older ones in Beijing. The trees inside were older, and the branches and leaves were shady. However, because the hardware could not keep up with time, it became even dimmer at night.
Ruan Xiaoshuang had taken this route home countless times. She usually walked from Song Yu’s studio to the neighborhood alone, took the elevator upstairs, and got home without any problems.
But today, perhaps because Sang Minglang was by her side, Ruan Xiaoshuang felt a little uneasy.
She could feel that he was just a few steps behind her. Although he wasn’t saying a word and she couldn’t see him, she could feel him looking at her.
She subconsciously quickened her pace.
The more flustered a person was, the easier it was for something to happen.
Eventually, Ruan Xiaoshuang tripped over something and fell to the ground. The diamond ring box rolled out of her bag.
She was wearing a dress, and her knees must have gotten scratched as there was a burning sensation.
“You would rather fall like this than let me help you?”
Sang Minglang slowly squatted down in front of her, his expression clearly covered with a layer of darkness.. “Ruan Xiaoshuang, must we become strangers?”