Chapter 25: Affection

After a moment, Wu Bei found Su Qing at the hospital entrance.

As the first rays of dawn gently kissed her face, it seemed as if a golden veil had been draped over her, making her appear dreamlike and ethereal.

For Wu Bei, who lacked much education, the only metaphor that came to mind was that this angel was as beautiful as a blooming flower.

Unaware of his thoughts, Su Qing smiled brightly and asked, "How shall we get there?"

"Didn't you drive?" Wu Bei scratched the back of his head.

Su Qing responded with a mix of laughter and frustration, "There's a license plate restriction today."

"Well... then..."

Wu Bei turned his head and noticed, surprisingly, that not a single taxi was parked along the street.

Suddenly, his eyes caught a glimpse of shared bicycles nearby, and he smiled, pursing his lips in delight.

"Great!"

Su Qing immediately bounced over excitedly.

Soon, each of them scanned a bicycle, wobbling as they set off toward the southern part of the city.

Riding side by side, they chatted casually—though, more accurately, Su Qing did the talking while Wu Bei listened.

By nature, Wu Bei was introverted, and years of military life had only made him more reserved and silent.

In contrast, Su Qing was chatty and lively, like a child out for a spring outing.

Perhaps sensing Wu Bei’s lack of engagement, Su Qing teased with a bright smile, "Hey, do you always invite girls out in such unconventional ways?"

"Huh?" Wu Bei was momentarily taken aback.

Su Qing’s smile grew even more radiant. "Like riding shared bikes to eat—believe it or not, this is the first time I’ve ever experienced something like this in my life."

"I believe you!" Wu Bei nodded without hesitation.

Although he didn’t know her well, her everyday attire revealed her modest bourgeois lifestyle. A girl as striking and interesting as Su Qing surely did not lack admirers, especially given her respectable family background.

"Boring!"

No sooner had she said this than Su Qing suddenly seemed upset for reasons unknown. She sped ahead, leaving Wu Bei far behind.

Staring at the elegant curve of her slender waist and perky figure on the bike seat, Wu Bei was utterly puzzled, like a monk with a shaven head unsure of what to do, and quickly gave chase.

As Wu Bei neared, Su Qing accelerated once more.

Thus, they chased each other, weaving through lanes.

Though they exchanged few words, their pace quickened considerably.

By just after seven in the morning, they finally arrived at the breakfast shop Su Qing had praised for its authentic flavors.

Sweaty and flushed, Su Qing seemed to have forgotten her earlier sulk. As she parked her bike, she glanced curiously at Wu Bei. "Why aren’t you sweating?"

"My sweat glands are naturally underdeveloped, hehe," Wu Bei replied casually. Compared to the brutal training he’d endured in the military, riding these two bike lanes was like a mere scratch—besides, he had been holding back just now, or he would have left her in the dust long ago.

"Weirdo," Su Qing teased, playfully sticking out her tongue. She pointed toward the unmarked breakfast shop. "Let me tell you, their soy milk is freshly ground. I used to love drinking it back when I was in school..."

"Little Brother Wu!"

Suddenly, a deep male voice sounded behind them.

A man dressed casually approached with a broad smile—it was none other than Mr. Deng, the owner of the antique shop they had met yesterday.

He introduced himself as Deng Yi, though Qi Jinlong had mentioned his real name was actually Deng Can.

"Hello, Mr. Deng," Wu Bei greeted warmly.

"You like their breakfast too?" Mr. Deng patted Wu Bei on the shoulder.

"Accompanying a frie..." Wu Bei was about to introduce Su Qing, but reconsidered and swallowed the words, simply nodding his head. "I just like their soy milk. Qingqing, you go in and save us a spot."

Wu Bei was always cautious around strangers, especially one who couldn’t even reveal his true name.

Su Qing glanced briefly at Mr. Deng, then obediently walked toward the breakfast shop.

Mr. Deng burst into laughter, giving a thumbs-up. "Ha ha ha, beauty surpassing all ages, a lotus blushing before jade—little brother, you’re truly lucky!"

Wu Bei shrugged indifferently. "Just ordinary friends."

"Every relationship begins with friendship!"

Mr. Deng raised an eyebrow knowingly.

Rubbing the amber bracelet on his wrist, he waved his hand. "Little brother, you should come visit me at Baiyi Cliff sometime. I’ve got many little accounts worth a million each! Since ancient times, fortunes are never safe—one must seek wealth amid risks!"

"Absolutely!"

Wu Bei nodded seriously.

"Your girlfriend’s a catch. I know a bit about physiognomy!"

Mr. Deng grinned again, then strode toward the roadside and climbed into an old black Audi, driving off with a flourish.

Only after the car’s taillights disappeared from sight did Wu Bei exhale deeply.

There was something mysterious about Mr. Deng. Though his words seemed casual, Wu Bei felt they always carried a hidden meaning.

"Hey, are you practicing breathing exercises or what? Are you even going to eat?"

As Wu Bei pondered, Su Qing stood at the breakfast shop entrance, pouting and teasing him.