Chapter 58 Picking Me Up or Picking Her Up

In the end, Han Qi drove me home.

At parting, I hesitated, wanting to ask him if he had overheard anything. But looking at his calm expression, I felt there was no need to ask.

Instead, he suddenly called out to me.

"Muyan."

Under the night sky, I stood by the roadside and looked back at him. He was leaning out slightly from the driver's seat, looking at me.

"Don't overthink it. Have a good dream."

"You too."

It didn't matter anymore whether he knew or not. What mattered was that he hadn't changed his attitude toward me because of this matter. We would still be good colleagues in the future.

In my past life, my relationship with Zhou Chenyan had sparked so many gossips and rumors. I didn't know how many cold stares I had endured. Fortunately, this time I had met a normal person.

When I returned to the Zhou residence, Mother Zhou was still awake, sitting on the sofa watching television. I greeted her and prepared to go upstairs to rest.

However, Mother Zhou called me over and expressed her tender concern.

"Is everything going well at the company?"

"It's quite good."

"A-Yan... didn't bully you, did he?"

"No."

I lowered my head.

Mother Zhou took my hand and said softly, "Don't be afraid. If A-Yan bullies you, just tell Mom, I..."

She suddenly lowered her gaze to my hand.

The ring on my ring finger was gone, leaving only a faint mark.

Mother Zhou frowned, "Where's the ring?"

I forced a strong smile and tugged at the corner of my lips, "It's nothing, I accidentally lost it..."

"Don't try to fool me. Don't I know you best? You treasure that ring the most."

I used to be like that.

Although I knew the ring wasn't afraid of water, I would still take it off every time I washed up, and one of my favorite habits was rubbing the band of the ring.

It was as if that could give me a sense of security.

Mother Zhou had seen it all.

My lips moved, and I said softly, "Mom, don't ask anymore. It was my carelessness, I don't blame anyone."

Since things had reached this point, Mother Zhou naturally understood.

"It was Zhizi again, wasn't it?"

I didn't speak; I only shook my head.

Mother Zhou let go of my hand and sighed, "A-Yan is truly getting more and more muddle-headed as he ages."

More than just muddle-headed.

He was simply blind in both eyes and heart.

Mother Zhou comforted me again, "Don't be sad. Mom will back you up on this matter."

She didn't specify how she would back me up, and I didn't ask. In my anticipation, it would probably just be some material compensation.

Both of these parents-in-law liked to use material things as compensation.

As a result, the next morning I realized I had been wrong.

After breakfast, Mother Zhou said to Zhou Chenyan and me, "Yanyan has to take the family car to the company every day, and her return time at night is unpredictable. Your father still needs the car. A-Yan, since you two work at the same company, from now on you will pick up and drop off Yanyan."

"Me?"

There was no expression on Zhou Chenyan's face, making it impossible to tell whether he was willing or not.

I bit down on my chopsticks to suppress the urge to refuse.

Seeing that neither of us objected, Mother Zhou showed a satisfied smile, "It's settled then. With you picking up and dropping Yanyan, we can rest easy."

"Alright."

I cast a suspicious look at Zhou Chenyan.

This guy... definitely wouldn't be willing to pick me up and drop me off willingly; who knows what kind of bad scheme he was plotting.

After the meal, the two of us went out together. Zhou Zhizi habitually followed behind Zhou Chenyan, but was called back by Mother Zhou.

"Zhizi, I have something to tell you."

Zhou Zhizi bit her lip and glanced at Zhou Chenyan. Zhou Chenyan didn't speak up for her, but instead comforted her gently.

"Go ahead."

Zhou Zhizi left, looking back every three steps.

Zhou Chenyan opened the car door, got in, and looked at me standing in place, "Why are you standing there like a fool? Get in."

I pressed my lips together and got in.

Riding in his car truly made me feel utterly uncomfortable all over.

Fortunately, the journey was short. The moment we arrived at the company gates, I immediately got out of the car, determined that today would be the last time I ever rode in his car!

By evening, Zhou Chenyan's car was indeed waiting for me outside.

I purposely waited until Zhou Zhizi also finished work, walked out of the company gates one after the other, and then rushed before Zhou Zhizi to sit in the front passenger seat.

I gave a slight smile to the stunned Zhou Zhizi.

"Sister, you can sit in the back, or take a taxi back. After all, it was Mother-in-law's wish, and it wouldn't do for me to disobey."

Zhou Zhizi's expression turned cold, "A-Yan, are you making me take a taxi too?"

Zhou Chenyan frowned and glanced at me, just about to speak when I interrupted, "Or should I call Mom right now and ask her?"

"Are you threatening me?"

Hearing the dissatisfaction beneath Zhou Chenyan's calm tone, I said indifferently, "You should know that if it weren't for Mother-in-law's wish, I wouldn't want to ride in this car either. But since you can't even rebel against it, I have no other choice. Or you can tell Mother-in-law right now; as long as she agrees, I can ride home with the team leader instead."

Zhou Chenyan's face darkened instantly.

"Sit properly."

With that, he started the car.

Of course, he didn't actually abandon Zhou Zhizi; instead, he called a driver to come and drive her.

I was not surprised by this at all.

Zhou Chenyan would never truly leave Zhou Zhizi unattended.

It was a fact I had known long ago, but every time I faced it, heartbreak was inevitable—not because of sadness over his bias, but for making the wrong choice myself.

The car drove smoothly along the road, and Zhou Chenyan asked indifferently, "Is your relationship with Han Qi that good?"

"It's alright."

Zhou Chenyan pressed his thin lips together, "Do you often catch rides with him?"

This time, I didn't answer.

Wasn't this utter nonsense? I frequently worked overtime, and by the time I headed back at night, there were no public transports left. If I didn't catch a ride, was I supposed to walk back?

He was displeased again.

"I'm talking to you, didn't you hear me?"

I closed my eyes, "I'm a bit sleepy. Wake me up when we get there."

He choked back a breath and didn't speak for a long time.

Just as I was drifting off to sleep, my phone suddenly rang. I was startled, instantly jolted wide awake.

I subconsciously glanced at Zhou Chenyan's phone screen.

——Zhizi.

Seeing those two words, everything became crystal clear in my mind.

Sure enough, Zhou Chenyan answered the call. I didn't know what was said on the other end, but his expression immediately turned exceptionally anxious.

He slammed hard on the brakes.

"I have something to attend to, you..."

Before he could finish, I rolled down the car window to let him look at the scenery outside.

Both sides were mountains and trees, and not a single car was in sight on the road. "If you drop me off here, I'll have to walk back by myself. I personally don't mind, but if Mother-in-law sees, she might think you're bullying me again."

This threat clearly worked.

Zhou Chenyan paused, opened the car door, and stepped out, leaving the car keys in the ignition.

"Drive yourself back."

With that, he turned and hurried away.

He was still on the phone.

Soon, his assistant drove up to pick him up. He got into the car and left without looking back.

I opened the car door, stepped out, pulled out the car keys, and called a tow truck, "My car suddenly broke down and won't start. Could you please come and tow it?"

Then, I dialed Han Qi's number.

"Team leader, are you still at the company?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Nothing much. I'm bored at home, so I thought I'd come keep you company with the overtime work."

Han Qi was more than happy, "Great! If we finish this work early, we can actually rest this weekend."

I called a taxi to pick me up, returned to the company, and worked with Han Qi to complete the next day's workload.

We were busy well into the middle of the night.

Just like before, I caught a ride in Han Qi's car back home.

Mother Zhou was quite pleased to see me return so late, "Were you out on a date with A-Yan?"