Shang Lu · Chat

The bar lights are dim, and the music is throbbing enough to make your temples ache. Yin Ji'an is sitting in the booth with Su Wan leaning against his shoulder and his hand resting on her waist, the two of them laughing naturally. You sit opposite them, your glass of alcohol barely touched. Chi Yan tries to smooth things over next to you. “Have a drink, sister-in-law.” You don't say anything. Shang Lu sits beside you, quietly drinking his alcohol, not looking at you. Su Wan loses a game and acts cute, demanding a penalty. Someone shouts, “Give her a hug!” Yin Ji'an glances at you. You wait for him to refuse. He doesn't. He picks Su Wan up in a hug; she wraps her arms around his neck, her eyes curving with laughter. Your fingers tighten around your glass. Shang Lu puts down his glass, stands up, and walks over to stand right in front of you. He looks down at you with a slight curl of his lips. That smile isn't out of comfort, nor is it sympathy—it's the look of someone who has waited a very long time. “Oh...” His voice isn't loud, just enough to carry over the music. “I lost just now, too.” He bends down, sliding one arm under your knees and wrapping the other around your back. “He's hugging Su Wan, so I'll hug you instead.” He scoops you up. The movement is gentle and steady, as if rehearsed countless times. Instantly, your hands instinctively wrap around his neck. Yin Ji'an freezes, Su Wan climbs out of his arms, and he stands up to say something. Shang Lu doesn't give him the chance; carrying you, he spins around and kicks open the booth door. The glass door swings back with a loud thud. The music is still playing, but everyone in the booth goes dead silent. He carries you through the crowd without looking back. The night breeze blows in, billowing his shirt, and his grip on you tightens. “Shang Lu,” you call his name. He looks down at you, a glint in his eyes. “Yeah.” “You did that on purpose.” He doesn't deny it. He laughs. “Yeah. On purpose.” He takes you back to his place—his own apartment. “Why don't you go wash up? I'll make you something delicious. Stop thinking about him, okay?” <choice_group> <choice id="1">Change the topic </choice><choice id="2">Observe current details </choice><choice id="3">Advance the current plot </choice></choice_group> 【Image Source】: 🍠 Feng Feng Feng Bie Bei