Every time she bought beer, she hadnât even drunk two cans before Li Mochan surreptitiously threw them away.
Ji Mingqian gave her a look of disdain, "Remember to stock up on some beer next time you invite me over."
In the scorching summer, of course, one needs to drink something chilled to feel refreshed.
Ye Jiuliang, "Got it, nag."
Back in the living room, Ji Mingqian put on his sunglasses and mask, his hair already dyed back from blond to black.
He picked up the car keys and glanced at the person on the sofa, casually asking, "Jiang Yisheng, want to go out for a spin?"
Reading books all day, heâs almost turned into a bookworm, so dull.
Jiang Yisheng was startled, slightly hesitant.
Both of them were public figures, and it would be a hassle if they got snapped while out.
Before he could make up his mind, the book in his hands was suddenly snatched away by a large, well-defined hand.
Looking up, he saw the manâs lips curled with a rebellious smile.
Then his wrist was grabbed, and he was pulled to stand up effortlessly.
"Stop daydreaming, letâs go."
When he saw the vehicle parked in the courtyard, Jiang Yisheng was taken aback.
Um...
Under the streetlight, the silver and black motorcycle looked cool and eye-catching, the manâs long legs steadying it on the ground, suddenly turning to look at him.
"What are you spacing out for?" Ji Mingqian lifted his chin at him, "Come here."
Jiang Yisheng came back to his senses and walked over, his steps slow.
He suggested politely, "There are plenty of cars in the garage, why donât I drive instead?"
Ever since he was a child, heâd been raised in a âmedicine jar,â and high-speed racing had almost nothing to do with him.
Last time, he had seen Ji Mingqian treat the motorcycle like a rocket, and he reckoned that after a single lap at that speed, he would need to rest for several days.
"You havenât ridden a motorcycle before, have you?" Ji Mingqian eyed him suspiciously, a rogue smile curling his lips, "Or are you saying youâre too scared to ride one?"
Jiang Yisheng clenched his fist and coughed lightly into it, "Who said Iâm scared."
"Then quit the chatter and get on, or weâll miss dinner," Ji Mingqian tossed a helmet to him.
Jiang Yisheng reflexively caught it, looking down at the black helmet in his arms, his eyes darkening slightly.
The evening breeze passed by, lifting the hem of their clothes, Ji Mingqianâs short hair slightly tousled by the wind.
"Hold on tight, I wonât be responsible if you fall off," Ji Mingqian said, his thin lips lightly upturned.
Jiang Yisheng gripped both sides of the motorcycle, and before he could brace himself, it roared off with a "vroom."
Like an arrow released from its bow, the wind rushed in from beneath the edges of their clothes, the heat of summer suddenly replaced with a hint of coolness.
Jiang Yishengâs pupils dilated, and after the initial shock, a sense of excitement surged from within.
So this was what it felt like to be on a motorcycle, it was so exhilarating and fun.
Through the visor, he looked at the manâs disheveled hair, his aqua lips breaking into a radiant smile.
Moments later, the motorcycle stopped in front of a supermarket.
"Letâs go." Ji Mingqian stuffed the bike key into his pocket and strode up the steps with his long legs.
Jiang Yisheng put on his mask and pulled the hood of his clothing over his head, catching up to his pace.
Ji Mingqian, having been sent on supermarket errands by Chu Chen and the others, was now very familiar with the place.
He grabbed a shopping basket, flung open the fridge door, and started piling beer into the basket.
At his side, Jiang Yisheng saw the basket quickly filling up with beer and promptly intervened, "Enough, enough, buying too much might be a waste if itâs not finished."
"How could it go to waste? It wonât expire soon if kept in the fridge," Ji Mingqian replied, puzzled, if itâs not finished, just save it for next time.
A resigned smile crossed Jiang Yishengâs face, "My cousin will throw it away."
No need to think, it was definitely because Ye Jiuliang, that drunkard, drank too frequently; Ji Mingqian pursed his lips and closed the fridge door.
After picking up some beer, Ji Mingqian went to get some ice cream.
After selecting Ye Jiuliangâs favorite flavor, he also picked out a box for himself.
Suddenly, Ji Mingqian glanced sideways at the person next to him, leaned over, and in a hushed voice asked, "Arenât you going to eat?"
Jiang Yisheng had been spacing out and, upon hearing Ji Mingqianâs voice, turned her head instinctively.
She didnât pay attention and her forehead collided with his jaw.
That stinging sensation...
Ji Mingqian rubbed his numbed jaw, his gaze dropping to her slightly reddened forehead, and the mocking remark he was about to make got choked back.
"Sorry, are you okay?" Jiang Yisheng asked, noticing that he was continuously rubbing his chin, a hint of apology flashing in her eyes.
Ji Mingqian waved his hand dismissively, "Itâs nothing, youâd better take this."
Jiang Yisheng nodded, looking somewhat dazed.
She reached out, took a box of ice cream, and put it in Ji Mingqianâs basket, "Done."
Ji Mingqian glanced at the flavor she chose and raised an eyebrow.
Vanilla flavor?
The store wasnât crowded, sparing them the trouble of queuing. After paying, the two of them quietly left the supermarket.
Luckily, Mo Garden was located near a suburban area, otherwise they probably would have encountered traffic congestion on their way.
The bright moon climbed over the treetops as the evening breeze grew chiller, and the black motorcycle zipped along the spacious highway.
Ji Mingqian gripped the motorcycleâs handlebars and glanced at the rearview mirror, his eyes suddenly turning cold.
"Jiang Yisheng."
The person in front suddenly spoke, and Jiang Yisheng startled, then leaned in closer, "Whatâs wrong?"
"No matter what happens later, remember to hold on tight to me," Ji Mingqian said gravely.
Jiang Yisheng furrowed her brows and, looking through the rearview mirror, spotted the black car following behind them.
Her first thought was that they were being followed by paparazzi, "Is it the tabloids?"
Ji Mingqian replied, "No, Iâll explain when we get back. Just remember to hold on to me."
Hearing the seriousness in his tone, Jiang Yisheng held the shopping bag with one hand and clutched Ji Mingqianâs clothes with the other.
"Donât look back."
As soon as he finished speaking, the motorcycle suddenly accelerated.
The black car behind them closely pursued, no longer trailing leisurely like before.
The car window rolled down, and the man in the passenger seat suddenly stuck out his head, his fanged mask looking ferocious under the streetlights.
Suddenly, the man raised a gun and took aim at the motorcycleâs wheels.
He chambered a round and pulled the trigger.
"Bang bang bangâ"
The bullets lodged into the tires, noticeably slowing the bikeâs speed.
Familiar with the sound of gunfire, Ji Mingqianâs handsome face darkened, and he quickly reduced speed.
Letting go of the handlebars, he turned around, reaching out and taking Jiang Yisheng into his arms without hesitation and leaping from the bike.
"Thudâ"
Out of control, the motorcycle was flung a distance before crashing heavily to the roadside with a thunderous thud.
From the car, the man looking at the two figures by the roadside gave a cold smile.
"Retreat."
"Jiang Yisheng, how are you?" Ji Mingqian looked at the person in his arms first thing, his magnetic voice tinged with urgency.
Having never encountered such a situation, Jiang Yisheng was still in shock for a moment.
It wasnât until her helmet was suddenly removed and the cool breeze hit her that her thoughts snapped back into place.
"Speak, did you hit anywhere?" Ji Mingqian patted her face, his eyebrows knitted tightlyâcould she have been dazed by the fall?
Jiang Yisheng shook her head and finally spoke, "No."
Although it had been a close call, Ji Mingqian had held her protectively the entire time, and except for a twisted ankle, she wasnât hurt anywhere else.