Chapter 91
Seeing Song Linchuan's conduct, Pei Kuang was so angry that his fists clenched.
If this had happened in the past, he would not have indulged this bad habit. But now, he was somewhat hesitant to speak up.
Pei Kuang tidied away the scarf and suppressed his anger for a long time before squeezing out, "Take care of yourself."
Song Linchuan snorted, "Don't be ungrateful."
Pei Kuang turned to look out the window and ignored him, decisively ending the conversation.
Li Dong and Liu Hao in the front and back seats exchanged glances, barely suppressing their laughter.
Good heavens, this was too exciting!
If young master Song knew this "ugly" scarf he derided was made by his auntie, what would his reaction be?
Hmm...the scene was unimaginable.
The airport and the university hospital were in opposite directions, with the Song's residential area right in between.
Although not in a straight line, a small detour could pass the hospital entrance.
Song Linchuan looked to Li Dong in the front and asked, "Brother Li, can we make a detour to pick up my auntie from work?"
Li Dong was taken aback and reflexively looked to Pei Kuang, "Is that convenient?"
Pei Kuang hesitated a few seconds before replying, "Isn't it still working hours? Why don't we go back first and have the driver come get her later?"
"It won't take much longer," Song Linchuan checked the time and looked to Pei Kuang, "Are you in a rush to get back for something?"
Pei Kuang paused, "No, I just think we'll have to wait at this time." Song Linchuan clicked his tongue, "The waiting could tire you out. Going again is so much trouble, right?"
Pei Kuang knew his reason didn't stand, so he could only acquiesce.
He felt a flash of helplessness, having originally wanted to send Song Linchuan home first, then find an excuse to pick up Anan. He didn't expect this plan to fail too.
Knowing that annoying lightbulb Song would be around tonight, Pei Kuang knew all his plans would be foiled.
Today was the 100th day since he started dating Anan. He had returned early to surprise her.
Now what? The surprise was gone, and they probably couldn't celebrate their 100-day anniversary properly.
The car soon stopped at the hospital side entrance, still 20 minutes until Anan got off work. The driver found a nearby parking spot.
At this time, Anan was also confused. Half an hour ago, Song Linchuan had called to say he was coming to pick her up. Then she received a WeChat message from Pei Kuang that he was with Song.
What was going on? They both said yesterday they wouldn't be back today!
After work, Anan passed Ruixi's office and told her she wouldn't be going back to the dorm. Then she jogged out of the hospital to find their car.
When the car door opened, Anan saw the two men sitting side by side, still not quite comprehending the situation.
She knew today was their 100-day anniversary and vaguely guessed that Pei Kuang might return early. But she never imagined they would be together.
What was going on here?
Anan looked at Pei Kuang puzzledly. He smiled helplessly back with an "it's a long story" expression.
But Song Linchuan was completely oblivious to their exchange, elbowing Pei Kuang and saying, "You move to the back, too crowded here with three people."
But Pei Kuang shrugged, "I'm by the road, can't get out. You should switch seats."
Of course, Song was unwilling.
But before he could say anything, Anan quickly said, "Neither of you needs to switch, I'll sit in the back."
Song grabbed her arm, "No, I want to sit with Auntie."
Everyone in the car: "..."
Aren't you a little too old for this? You're acting like a schoolboy insisting on sitting together.
Just when things reached an impasse, Liu Hao weakly raised his hand from the backseat, tactlessly saying, "Or I could..."
Li Dong in the passenger seat reacted swiftly, interrupting, "Why don't all three of you sit together? Our car is big, definitely not cramped."
In the end, the three sat together with Anan sandwiched between them.
She curled up there, lonely, weak and helpless, not daring to lean either way.
The car started up quickly and drove into traffic.
An awkward atmosphere suddenly filled the car. Anan struggled to find a conversation topic, "So, how did you two come back together?"
Pei Kuang knew she was puzzled and explained, "We happened to run into each other at the airport after landing."
Anan froze for a second before quickly turning to look at Pei Kuang.
What a coincidence?
Pei Kuang nodded helplessly.
Yes, what a coincidence!
Song Linchuan happened to look up and catch their exchange. He asked suspiciously, "What are you two discussing in code?"
Anan was immediately tongue-tied, waving her hands flusteredly, "Nothing, nothing."
Song clearly didn't believe it. "No, your reactions are off. You're definitely hiding something from me!"
That smiling fox Pei Kuang was temporarily mum. But Song knew his auntie well. Her reaction had clearly been off since appearing.
The atmosphere in the car froze.
Anan lowered her head, not even daring to look up.
The two informed parties, Li Dong and Liu Hao, couldn't help their hearts from clenching.
Here it comes! Has Song Linchuan finally noticed something amiss?!
Pei Kuang glanced at him calmly, "Fine, can't hide anything from you. As originally planned, I came back a day earlier than you. We wanted to decorate your home and surprise you."
Song didn't quite comprehend, "Surprise? Decorate what?"
Pei Kuang smiled lightly, "New year is coming. We wanted a fresh new look and were preparing to redecorate your home."
Song was still half suspicious as he turned to Anan for confirmation, "Auntie, is that right?"
Anan pursed her lips and nodded heavily.
Song still felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint what exactly.
How could he know it was a feeling of everyone else being aware while he alone was kept in the dark?
When the car arrived at the residential area, Pei Kuang didn't go home first but headed to Song's place with both suitcases.
The takeout dinner for three arrived shortly after.
As they ate, they chatted about new year preparations - what food items to buy, how to prepare the reunion dinner.
Of course, these responsibilities fell mainly on Song and Pei Kuang as Anan had to work the night of the 30th and could only come back late.
Speaking of going shopping at the supermarket tomorrow, Song couldn't help but complain.
"It's so weird for us two guys to go grocery shopping together."
Pei Kuang good-naturedly said, "Then don't go. I'll go myself."
Anan casually chimed in, "Can you manage alone? Or why don't we go together after I get off work tomorrow?"
Pei Kuang smiled back, "It's fine, I'll go in the morning when the supermarket is better stocked."
Song was just idly complaining, he didn't actually mind going. In the end, the task still fell on him and Pei Kuang.
When Anan brought up the holiday gifts distributed at her hospital that were still in her office, she puckered her lips and asked Song to pick her up tomorrow.
Song was of course very happy to, even boasting he would personally go help carry things from her department.
Chatting while eating, time passed unknowingly.
Pei Kuang unconsciously glanced at Anan, "It's getting late, I should head back."
Anan pursed her lips, eyes downcast, silent.
But looking closely, one could see her give an imperceptible nod.
As if receiving some signal, Pei Kuang got up directly to put on his coat, ready to leave at any moment.
Song, completely oblivious to their subtle interaction, also stood up and stretched lazily.
"Yeah, it's late. I was filming for half the night yesterday, really tired now."
Seeing this, Anan hurriedly said, "Then go shower quickly. I'll take the trash down so the takeout boxes don't stink overnight."
She had put on her down jacket and was about to grab the trash when Song stopped her.
He pointed at Pei Kuang, "Have him take it down. It's freezing outside, just started snowing. Don't go out, Auntie."
Anan froze, suddenly conflicted about what to do.
Throwing out the trash was just an excuse. The real purpose was of course to get some alone time with Pei Kuang.
Today was their 100th day anniversary, no matter what, the two still wanted to have a private conversation.
Pei Kuang pulled his two suitcases over, grabbing one in each hand, and helplessly shrugged: "I'm afraid that won't work, I have no free hands."
Song Linchuan sighed and said, "Alright, then I'll go downstairs for a bit."
After saying that, he immediately put on his down jacket, and went to take out the trash.
Just as Song Anan and Pei Kuang thought their secret rendezvous was going to fail, Song Linchuan's phone suddenly rang.
He took out his phone, and muttered in surprise, "Why is Brother Jiang calling me so late?"
Song Anan immediately said, "Brother Jiang is calling you so late, he must have something important. Answer the call, I'll go throw out the trash."
In a flash, she grabbed the trash on the ground with one hand, and pushed Pei Kuang out the door with the other.
The door opened and closed again, Song Anan didn't even glance at Song Linchuan's reaction. She and Pei Kuang almost jogged to the elevator.
Only after the two of them walked out of the apartment building did Song Anan let out a breath, "Phew...it feels like we..."
"Are having an affair," Pei Kuang finished with a smile.
After saying that, they couldn't help but laugh.
That night, weren't they just like having an affair right under Song Linchuan's nose?
At that moment, snowflakes were still floating down from the sky, not heavily, melting as soon as they landed on the down jackets.
Song Anan told Pei Kuang to wait for her while she went to throw away the trash, then the two of them went to a small garden nearby.
In order not to arouse Song Linchuan's suspicions, Song Anan couldn't stay out for too long, so the two didn't plan on staying for very long either.
But for the young lovers who were reunited after a long separation, they had endless words to say, endless intimate moments to share, and time slipped by unnoticed.
So by the time Song Anan came back, half an hour had already passed.
She gently and quietly opened the door, and seeing that Song Linchuan was not in the living room, she instinctively breathed a sigh of relief.
Just as Song Anan was about to sneak back to her room unnoticed, Song Linchuan suddenly opened his door and walked out.
The two ran right into each other.
Song Anan's spine stiffened, and her whole body tensed up involuntarily.
"Throwing out the trash took you that long?" Song Linchuan asked in puzzlement.
Song Anan's eyes darted around evasively, "Well, it's snowing outside, some people in the neighborhood were playing in the snow, so I watched for a bit."
Song Linchuan didn't think much of it either, "Is it cold outside? You didn't freeze, did you?"
Song Anan shook her head repeatedly, "Not cold, I wore very warm clothes."
Song Linchuan muttered in acknowledgment, "That's good then."
Having just done something illicit, Song Anan was incredibly nervous at the moment, and didn't dare to face Song Linchuan at all. She just wanted to hurry back to her room as soon as possible.
"I still have work tomorrow, nothing else going on so I'll head back to my room first, you should sleep early too."
Just as Song Anan's hand was about to reach the door handle, Song Linchuan suddenly called out, "Wait!"
Song Anan was so frightened she almost burst through the door.
"What is it?" She asked, struggling to stay calm.
Song Linchuan walked up to her and stared intently at her face for a while, his expression suddenly becoming severe.
"Auntie Anan, are you hiding something from me?"
Song Anan's heart tightened involuntarily, and her first reaction was that he had found out about her and Pei Kuang.
"No...nothing," her voice quivered involuntarily, "What could I possibly be hiding from you?"
But Song Linchuan was clearly not so easily fooled. "Auntie Anan, do you remember our Song family's motto? Honesty leads to leniency, resistance leads to severity!"
Song Anan still wanted to struggle a bit longer.
Song Linchuan huffed, "Your lips are so red, that's obviously the look of someone who's done something bad."
Song Anan: "!!!"
Her hands reflexively covered her mouth as her eyes widened in disbelief at Song Linchuan.
She was done for, completely exposed.
It was all Pei Kuang's fault, if he hadn't kissed her so forcefully just now...
"Linchuan, listen to me explain." Song Anan said weakly.
But Song Linchuan had an "I already know everything" look on his face. "See, I knew with your lips so red like that, you must have secretly eaten spicy sticks again!"
Song Anan: "???"
Secretly eating spicy sticks?
Song Linchuan wrinkled his nose and took a big sniff. "You were prudent at least, no smell, which means you must have used mouthwash after eating the spicy sticks. But the dao is one foot high and the demon is one foot high, you still got caught by me didn't you."
Song Anan: "......"
The reversal came so fast that she was momentarily at a loss for how to react.
Song Linchuan had a "I already saw through everything" look on his face. "Spicy food gives you heartburn every time, I'll let it slide this once, but if I catch you secretly eating them again, I really will tell my mom!"
He then grumbled, "No wonder you were so eager to take out the trash just now."
At this point Song Anan didn't dare make any more excuses, she could only meekly take the blame for secretly eating spicy sticks, and sincerely promised: "Won't happen again next time."
After saying that, she didn't waste another second, twisting the door handle and slipping into her room.
Watching Song Anan's panicked escape, Song Linchuan shook his head helplessly with arms crossed.
See, she's feeling guilty about secretly eating spicy sticks!