Mad Dog

Chapter 93: Brother — Discovering new positions.

During dinner, Ji Liang was intermittently introduced to two of Zhi Yu’s other roommates, aside from Feng Qingdong and Song Ming, while wearing a smile that felt as refreshing as spring.

Smiling at everyone was a lesson she learned from mixing in various drama sets, and it had become a habit.

At Zhi Yu’s age, most people were either starting families or preparing to do so, so the other men also brought their girlfriends along. Apart from one roommate who was already married, the others were still working toward solidifying their relationships.

At the dinner table, the third roommate, Yu Sizhou, jokingly asked Song Ming, “Boss, you’ve been with Lingling for quite a few years now. When are you planning to take the plunge? I’ll definitely give you a big red envelope!”

In adult gatherings, there are always topics to discuss, and if someone casually brings something up, others naturally follow suit.

Upon hearing this, everyone began to tease.

“What are you talking about?”

Unexpectedly, Ye Lingling waved her hand with a smile, her voice sweet: “We broke up a long time ago; now we’re just friends.”

???

Her statement dropped like a bomb at the dinner table, and everyone instinctively turned to look at Song Ming.

Sure enough, Song Ming simply smiled and nodded, saying, “That’s right; we broke up a year ago. Lingling is still friends with everyone, so I invited her to dinner.”

They spoke so openly about it, even mentioning the breakup timeline, leaving no room for speculation.

However, the people at the table hadn’t forgotten the immense “public pressure” Ye Lingling and Song Ming faced when they were together, so it was surprising that they could just break up so casually…

Unconsciously, several glances turned subtly toward Zhi Yu.

Among them was Ye Lingling’s gaze, which observed thoughtfully for reasons unknown.

But Zhi Yu showed no reaction; he simply peeled a large shrimp for Ji Liang.

With gloved fingers, he skillfully peeled it and placed it in front of the eagerly watching woman: “Here, eat.”

He was quite proficient at this “task,” and Ji Liang knew it, so she smiled contentedly and began to eat.

To be honest, her first impression of Zhi Yu changed when she saw him peeling a plate of shrimp for Zhi Qi, thinking he was caring… Now that she was the one being taken care of, it felt even better.

The two of them, engrossed in their own world, caused the surrounding onlookers, who had been ready to gossip, to fall silent.

No one noticed that Ye Lingling’s eyes dimmed for a moment.

Then, she picked up her glass and drank some juice, using it as a cover for a hint of bitterness in her smile.

During college, Zhi Yu was a standout—handsome, studious, and the object of pursuit for nearly all the girls. She had the “fortune” to be his girlfriend for six months. Though they broke up due to his cold demeanor, when she heard Zhi Yu hadn’t dated anyone for many years, Ye Lingling once thought she was special.

Even this time returning to the country, she had certain expectations.

But upon seeing the scene before her, witnessing Zhi Yu’s interaction with his current girlfriend, Ye Lingling realized she was never special.

All those past fantasies turned out to be mere self-indulgence.

They still had their youthful “past” together, but she didn’t know if that could be considered a gamble worth taking.

As the dinner came to an end, while Ji Liang went to the restroom, Ye Lingling walked over to Zhi Yu in her high heels.

The man was leaning against a pillar at the entrance, looking down at his phone, and only lifted his head when a shadow fell before him.

Upon seeing Ye Lingling, his brows and eyes showed no sign of surprise or any emotional response, merely nodding slightly.

Ye Lingling felt a tinge of disappointment and forced a smile: “Zhi Yu, could you give me a way to contact you?”

Zhi Yu’s long fingers toyed with his phone, and upon hearing her request, he tucked his phone away—clearly indicating he was unwilling to share.

“Are you still mad at me?”

His action made Ye Lingling feel embarrassed, so she forced a smile and tried to sound casual: “That’s a bit unfair. I see you’re not mad at Song Ming. I really was with you for over half a year before I got together with him…”

“You’re thinking too much.”

Zhi Yu interrupted her: “What happens between you two has nothing to do with me.”

“Then why won’t you even give me a way to contact you?”

Ye Lingling tilted her head playfully, “We’re all old classmates; we could get together more often.”

The reason Ye Lingling was so insistent on getting Zhi Yu’s contact information was that she had once had the man’s contact details. Shortly after their breakup, she reached out, only to find she had already been deleted.

There’s a cause and effect to everything, and having that backstory left Ye Lingling with unresolved feelings.

Unfortunately, Zhi Yu didn’t care much about her “sentimental” thoughts.

He caught a glimpse of a shadow gradually approaching from the corridor behind the pillar, a hint of barely noticeable amusement flickering in his eyes.

“There shouldn’t be any chance for that, so there’s no need to give it.”

Zhi Yu explained seriously to Ye Lingling: “If I went out to dinner with another woman, my girlfriend would get mad.”

Simple and straightforward, Ye Lingling felt too embarrassed to continue asking.

Pressing further would only make her seem overly eager… although she did have that thought at first.

After Ye Lingling left, Zhi Yu chuckled lightly and turned to “catch” the woman who had been eavesdropping behind the pillar.

“What were you eavesdropping for?”

Zhi Yu pulled her under his arm, his tone becoming more teasing as he said to Ji Liang, “Little gossip?”

“What are you talking about? I’m a little fairy.”

Ji Liang shook the water droplets off her hands, not backing down: “I wasn’t eavesdropping on purpose. I just came back and ran into you talking to your ex-girlfriend; I thought it would be a bit awkward to interrupt.”

She emphasized “ex-girlfriend,” making it hard to tell if she was actually feeling jealous.

However, Zhi Yu suddenly caught the faint scent of jealousy in the air.

“What’s there to be awkward about?”

Zhi Yu suppressed his laughter, but his words struck a chord with Ji Liang: “You’re my girlfriend now. You can be open about it with anyone you meet.”

There was absolutely no reason to hide herself because of others.

Ji Liang felt a flutter in her heart, like a little cat’s paw had scratched her—soft and light.

She suddenly realized that although her relationship with Zhi Yu began in a playful manner, the way it developed was like being launched into space, quite different from typical couples. Yet…

Yet it had an organic feel to it, growing better and better.

Ji Liang increasingly felt that her impulsive admission of “liking” Zhi Yu was indeed the right choice.

It seemed she had inadvertently captured a truly excellent man with her intelligence and charm.

“Zhi Yu.”

The woman tiptoed closer to his ear, whispering softly, “How about I teach you a few new moves when we get back?”

Actually, the grudge from their first encounter still lingered—Zhi Yu had been sensitive about her teasing during their first meeting. To prove he wasn’t “clueless,” he had asked her multiple times to be his yoga teacher.

That wasn’t an issue; Ji Liang was used to being a teacher.

It was just that Zhi Yu, being a big man, was somewhat stiff in his movements. Whenever he attempted those advanced yoga poses, he looked quite ridiculous, causing Ji Liang to laugh until she fell over.

As a result, he would end up getting exasperated and would tackle her, both of them entangled in developing “new poses.”

Her words naturally led Zhi Yu to think about other things, and he leaned down, laughing softly in her ear: “Okay, teach me something else.”

He knew Ji Liang had plenty of tricks up her sleeve.

And he… was more than happy to oblige.

—

The smooth time spent together passed quickly, especially for a couple in love.

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Day.

Zhi Yu, as a startup capitalist, never had any holidays; he worked through New Year’s as usual—although he may have faced significant protests from his employees, he only worked half a day.

Ji Liang didn’t have to work on New Year’s and was lounging at home, preparing a lavish takeout for herself to celebrate when the doorbell rang.

She was a bit puzzled and walked over to the peephole to find it was Zhi Yu.

“Oh?”

She quickly opened the door, surprised and delighted to see him: “What are you doing here? Don’t you have to go home today?”

“Yeah.”

Zhi Yu nodded, not even taking off his coat, only removing the scarf from around his neck and placing it aside, his eyes fixed on her: “I came to pick you up to go over together.”

Pick her… up?

Ji Liang was momentarily taken aback.

“Uh.”

After a while, she finally processed what he meant and quickly waved her hand: “That’s… a bit too sudden, isn’t it?”

She knew that Zhi Qi and Jiang Qi had no idea they were dating. If she just went back to Zhi Yu’s home like this… Zhi Qi would probably scratch her to death.

Moreover, Ji Liang wasn’t psychologically prepared for this.

She thought the timing of her and Zhi Yu’s relationship was still premature; it would be too hasty to meet the parents and celebrate the holiday together.

“It’s nothing serious, just a meal together. If you’re not willing, that’s fine.”

Seeing her expression of hesitation, Zhi Yu said lightly: “If not, I can keep you company for the holiday.”

Hearing him say that, Ji Liang couldn’t help but soften.

“That’s not it; it’s not that I’m unwilling.”

She tugged at Zhi Yu’s sleeve and smiled up at him: “I just think it’s a bit sudden.”

“I’m not mad.”

Zhi Yu smiled, looking thoughtful: “Actually, I suggested this sudden visit. If we’re going to meet parents, I should first visit your family.”

Ji Liang thought this matter was over, eagerly agreeing and nodding like a hamster.

Who would have thought that Zhi Yu would then say, “Get ready.”

???

The man smiled: “Today is the holiday; let’s go visit your family. My car is downstairs.”

…

Ji Liang felt a strange sensation, as if she were being pushed into a situation where she was forced to meet the parents.