15: Delivered to the hotel

Wu Fan glared at him and said, "How about you pay me back the money I spent on the guitar, and we'll consider it a gift from you to her, okay?"

Hearing this, Dai Mao quickly retracted his gaze and gave an awkward laugh: "Brother Fan, are you jealous? Looking at her for a second won't make her lose a piece of flesh."

Wu Fan couldn't be bothered with him. "What a sight."

He opened a bottle of beer, took a sip, and kept his eyes on Qian Ning.

This black guitar truly suited her; it felt completely integrated with her.

When she finished her song, Wu Fan was the first to stand up and applaud.

He watched as Qian Ning gave Wu Fan a beautiful smile, and then gracefully walked toward him.

Wu Fan quickly poured her a glass of wine. "Your singing was simply perfect."

Qian Ning smiled, accepted it, and drank it in one gulp. "It's mainly because the guitar you gave me is good."

Dai Mao interjected, "I tuned this guitar. The pitch is accurate, right?"

Qian Ning glanced at Dai Mao, frowned, and ignored him.

Dai Mao had a sleazy appearance; his shifty, rat-like eyes were very lively, yet made people feel he was shrewd and cunning.

Wu Fan pulled out a chair, motioned for Qian Ning to sit down, and then briefly introduced Dai Mao.

Qian Ning only reluctantly greeted him.

Dai Mao felt Qian Ning's coldness, felt awkward sitting there, and realized he was completely superfluous, so he volunteered to go on stage and sing.

Fei Wei was naturally happy to see him go on stage. He and Grass Chicken voluntarily provided accompaniment for Dai Mao, making them look quite like a band.

Qian Ning looked at Wu Fan. "Why did you give me such an expensive guitar?"

Wu Fan said without hesitation, "The first time I heard you sing, I felt you had the potential to be a singer. When I saw this guitar, I felt it belonged to you."

Qian Ning asked, "Just because of that?"

Wu Fan smiled. "Also, you are very beautiful, and you give people a feeling of recognizing an old friend at first sight."

Qian Ning finally laughed.

Under the light, Wu Fan seemed to see her face faintly blushing, though it was somewhat indistinct.

They chatted casually, and before they knew it, it was time for the bar to close.

Qian Ning stood up and proactively said, "Will you take me back? It's inconvenient carrying a guitar late at night."

Wu Fan said somewhat awkwardly, "I only have an electric scooter. Are you willing to ride on it?"

Qian Ning gave a hearty laugh. "Electric scooters are fun! Let's go."

She actually took Wu Fan's arm and walked outside.

Wu Fan turned back and waved at Fei Wei, Grass Chicken, and Dai Mao, considering it his farewell.

The three men left behind looked at each other. Did this guy really win over a beauty with just one guitar?

Wu Fan placed the guitar on the footrest of the electric scooter. "Where do you live?"

"Wanghai Hotel."

"Alright, hop on."

"Oh, it's cold tonight. Just put your hands inside my jacket pockets," Wu Fan added naturally.

Qian Ning smiled gently. After sitting down behind him, she obediently put her hands into Wu Fan's pockets, then leaned her entire body against Wu Fan's back, hugging him tightly.

A faint, clean fragrance drifted into Wu Fan's heart, and he suddenly felt a very wonderful sensation.

The distance to the Wanghai Hotel was actually only about four or five minutes, but Wu Fan felt the journey was especially long.

He considered driving slower on purpose so she could hug him for a little longer, but thinking about how late it already was, he didn't do it.

They didn't speak the whole way; the wind was simply too strong and very cold.

Arriving at the hotel entrance, Qian Ning got off and bundled up in her down jacket. "Do you want to go up for a cup of soy milk?"

"And help me carry the guitar up, too," she added.

This last sentence made it difficult for Wu Fan to refuse.

Wu Fan actually felt his heart rate speed up. Going to her room now, wasn't that a bit too fast?

Looking at her clear, transparent eyes and charming smile, Wu Fan murmured, "Mm."

He put the guitar on his back, parked the electric scooter, and gave Qian Ning a slight smile.

Qian Ning naturally took Wu Fan's arm, and they walked into the hotel together.

After entering the room, Qian Ning first turned on the air conditioning, then started boiling water.

Wu Fan, however, felt a bit nervous and awkward.

It had been a long time since he had entered a hotel room. As he recalled, the last time he stayed in a hotel was in college with his Ex-Wife Liu Yue.

At that time, they were deeply in love, and they would book a room in a hotel near the school almost every few days.

Sometimes it was an hourly room, sometimes it was the whole night. It was all for that one thing.

Qian Ning took off her coat, looking calm and composed. "Just sit wherever you like; the soy milk will be ready soon."

Wu Fan also took off his coat and sat down on the tatami mat beside the window.

Soon, Qian Ning finished preparing the soy milk and handed it to Wu Fan, saying, "This freshly ground soy milk is quite good. I make a cup almost every night. It's not sweet, just the pure original flavor."

Wu Fan took it; holding it in his hands felt very warm.

Qian Ning sat down opposite Wu Fan, sipping her soy milk slowly, but she stopped speaking.

Wu Fan looked up at her downcast eyes, finding them very beautiful, and he stared blankly for a moment.

Qian Ning suddenly looked up, and their eyes met.

She raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Wu Fan stammered incoherently, "Uh... it's delicious."

Qian Ning burst out laughing. "Have you even drunk any yet?"

Wu Fan also laughed, then took a sip. "It's warm, very warming, and comfortable."

There was a Sweetie flavor in Qian Ning's eyes that made it hard for Wu Fan to look away.

Qian Ning's pretty face was slightly flushed. "What is it?"

"You look very good."

Qian Ning smiled shyly.

Wu Fan didn't care about anything else, suddenly stood up, wrapped his arms around Qian Ning's neck, and pressed her head into his embrace.

Qian Ning initially pushed Wu Fan with her hands, but after struggling a few times, she voluntarily wrapped her arms around Wu Fan's waist.

Wu Fan gently stroked her beautiful hair and lightly inhaled its scent.

A feeling of excitement, like first love, rose in his heart.

Soon, he was surprised to realize that Qian Ning was quietly sobbing.

Wu Fan was startled, gently let go, stepped back, and said somewhat flustered, "Qian Ning, I'm sorry, I truly couldn't control myself just now."

Qian Ning didn't look up or speak, she just wept silently.

Seeing the beauty cry, Wu Fan didn't know what to do at all. Was a simple hug enough to make her this sad?

Just as he was at a loss, Qian Ning wiped away her tears and said calmly, "It's fine, it has nothing to do with you."

Wu Fan was slightly surprised and asked softly, "Did you think of your ex-boyfriend?"

Qian Ning nodded.

Wu Fan sat back down and began drinking his soy milk.

Qian Ning sighed and said, "Should one not be too good to a man?"

Wu Fan countered, "Why do you ask?"

Qian Ning paused and said, "I used to provide him with food and clothing, yet he still ended up in another woman's bed. Don't I look like a total failure and a joke?"

Wu Fan felt a pang in his heart, as if he were seeing his former self.

He sighed and said, "That's only because you loved him too much. You naturally assumed that giving your whole heart in love would lead to forever, but in reality, some people don't appreciate or can't handle that kind of love."

Qian Ning looked up, and in her dark eyes, a sense of helplessness mixed with sorrow shone through.