The next day, someone else was arranged to come over for a fitting. When the butler received the appointment call, he asked, "Where's Miss Su?"
Katie, the pattern making team leader, replied, "Lindie took leave and went back to school."
"The person who has always been fitting clothes for our sir is Lindie, and I think it will be her in the future too." The butler communicated with the other party in English, always maintaining an attitude that was neither humble nor overbearing.
After the call ended, he went upstairs, knocked on the study door, and reported, "Sir, Miss Su went back to school to attend her graduation defense. She probably can't come today."
The person at the desk looked up with their eyes...
That afternoon, as the sunset painted half the sky red, Su Lingzhi finished her defense. After submitting a series of materials, she went to the bathroom to touch up her makeup in the mirror.
At this time, Zhuang Xiaoxi called.
"Zhizhi, how did it go? Was the defense smooth?"
In the mirror, Su Lingzhi's smile gradually spread, her delicate features lively and interesting. She said with a sigh of relief, "A flawless finish."
The voice on the other end of the phone cheered, "Congratulations, congratulations. Today is really a good day. Come out quickly, we are waiting for you at the school gate."
"We?"
"My brother and Yubai are both here."
"Okay, I'll come out right away."
Arriving at the school gate, she indeed saw the three of them.
They stood beside a car, the girl wearing a high ponytail, brimming with youthful energy. The two men were only about twenty-four or twenty-five, still young, but both looked quite steady.
Zhuang Yuan was wearing a brown jacket, Shen Yubai dressed in all white and black pants, holding a bouquet, with an aura like eternal ice and snow, cool and pure.
"Zhizhi." Zhuang Xiaoxi waved at her.
Su Lingzhi quickened her pace, jogged towards them, "Have you been waiting long?"
"No, we just arrived when we called you."
Su Lingzhi greeted Zhuang Yuan, then looked at the man holding the bouquet, "Yubai, long time no see."
"Happy graduation." His voice was warm and cool, his thin lips revealing a faint smile, as if sunlight had shone over, covering his distant aura.
"Thank you." Su Lingzhi took the bouquet from his hands, asking, "Why did you all come?"
Yubai was a friend of Zhuang Yuan, he had always stayed in Beijing, didn't expect him to come to England too.
Zhuang Xiaoxi replied, "It's your birthday today, did you forget?"
Su Lingzhi suddenly realized, "Oh right, today is July 12th. Did you come specifically to celebrate my birthday?"
"Yes."
After a brief chat, Zhuang Yuan spoke up, "It's getting late, let's get in the car. Xiaoxi, you sit in the passenger seat."
A seemingly casual arrangement, Zhuang Xiaoxi immediately sensed her brother's intention, tacitly sitting in the passenger seat.
Shortly after getting in the car, Su Lingzhi couldn't hold back and asked, "Xiaoxi, are there any snacks in the car? I'm a bit hungry."
"Yes."
Zhuang Xiaoxi handed her a Swiss roll, and at the same time, Shen Yubai took the bouquet from her hands.
Su Lingzhi thanked her, then took the box, opening it.
Zhuang Xiaoxi asked, "Yubai, do you want some?"
"I won't eat any."
After swallowing the food in her mouth, Su Lingzhi turned her head to the person beside her, "Yubai, when did you arrive in England?"
"I just arrived in the morning." Shen Yubai met her gaze, raised his hand, and gently wiped away the crumbs at the corner of her mouth, "Still love snacks so much, are you not eating properly again?"
Su Lingzhi paused, quickly took a tissue to wipe her mouth, calmly said, "I've been a bit busy lately, haven't had much appetite, but I'm fine now."
Zhuang Xiaoxi interrupted, "All these years, she's always been like this, when she's busy, she neglects everything and just powers through."
Shen Yubai furrowed his brows, looked worriedly at the person quietly eating snacks, and ultimately said nothing.
He knew she didn't like being nagged.
...
An hour and a half later, they reached their destination.
The birthday venue was chosen at a countryside hotel restaurant, and they had reserved the courtyard. The lawn was decorated with various flowers and balloons, at that moment, the sound of the violin was playing the Birthday Song.
After making her wish, Su Lingzhi blew out the two candles with the number 2.
"Happy Birthday, Cheers!"
Under the string lights, Su Lingzhi's eyes shimmered, she clinked glasses with them, "Thank you~"
At that moment, waiters pushed a dining cart over to serve their dishes.
Seeing a plate of spicy seafood, Zhuang Xiaoxi blurted, "This must be Zhizhi's order."
Su Lingzhi smiled, "Happy today, can't go without spice."
"Well ordered." Zhuang Xiaoxi gave her a high five, and they started eating.
The two men across could only helplessly watch them, saying nothing, silently shelling the shrimp for them.
Zhuang Xiaoxi wiped her mouth and suddenly asked, "Zhizhi, after graduating, do you plan to develop in England or return to Beijing?"
Su Lingzhi quickly answered, "Return to Beijing."
"In that case, we won't have many chances to meet."
"If you come back to Beijing with me, we'll have more opportunities to meet."
Zhuang Xiaoxi crossed her arms and coldly snorted, "Nonsense, in these two years in England, the number of times I managed to get you out would fit on ten fingers. And it'll be the same result when back in Beijing."
"It will definitely be more than being in different places."
"..." Zhuang Xiaoxi was at a loss for words, unable to find anything to counter.
...
In the leisurely night, having drunk some wine, Su Lingzhi was slightly tipsy, resting her chin while watching the violinist, the starlight in her eyes gradually blurred.
Until the sound of the piano began, she gradually came to her senses and looked towards the person playing.
Surrounded by flowers, at that moment, Shen Yubai was sitting there, his distinct fingers dancing on the piano keys, his gaze as deep as the melody, was directed towards Su Lingzhi.
Su Lingzhi's head was somewhat dizzy, turning around, she realized that she was the only one left at the table.
She looked around, but didn't see any sign of Zhuang Yuan or Zhuang Xiaoxi.
She didn't continue searching and quietly listened to the piano until the last note fell.
She applauded appreciatively and walked over, "Yubai, did you see Xiaoxi them?"
Shen Yubai stood up, looking at her affectionately, "Lingzhi..."
Su Lingzhi met his gaze with confusion, her heart inexplicably tightened, and she involuntarily took a small step back.
During her college days, she had been publicly confessed to by many admirers. In such a scenario, she was very clear about what he was going to do next.
In the next moment, her hand was gently held by him.
"Lingzhi, I know that what I am going to say next will scare you, even make it very hard to accept, but I still want to tell you face-to-face." Shen Yubai gazed at her tenderly, his voice steady, "We've known each other for five years. My affection for you isn't like a brother's to a sister, but because I like you, like you very, very much..."
Su Lingzhi's heart was beating wildly, she looked at him in confusion, her throat clogged.
Everything happened so suddenly, without any warning.
She didn't know how to react at all.
Shen Yubai continued, "I'm not asking for an answer now, today I just want to let you know my feelings, to let you see clearly without that layer of window paper, what I look like when I like you, to give me a chance to pursue you."
Su Lingzhi withdrew her hand, her brow suddenly tightened, "I'm sorry, Yubai, I know what it feels like to like someone, we've known each other for so many years, and I only see you as a friend. If I liked you, I would have liked you already. You are great, deserving of a girl who likes you wholeheartedly."
"Have you fallen for someone else?"
Su Lingzhi suddenly panicked, shaking her head, "I think I've made it very clear. Thank you for coming to celebrate my birthday today, but you should calm down first. I'm heading back now."
"Lingzhi." Shen Yubai called out to her, "It's hard to get a cab here, let me take you back."
"No need."
...