82: Chapter 82 You Smell Her Perfume

Two and a half hours later, the panamera stopped in front of a small western-style house.

This was a residential area in the old district of Jingzhou, with London plane trees planted on both sides of the road.

In winter, the leaves had fallen, and the bare branches cast messy shadows under the streetlights.

Five-story small western-style houses were arranged in a scattered yet orderly fashion; they were buildings with some age on them, but they were well-maintained, exuding a sense of low-key elegance.

Amy leaned against the back of the passenger seat, her cheeks still flushed from exercise.

Must admit, a Gym instructor's physical fitness is just good.

Much more endurance than Song Qian.

However, perhaps because she used her mouth too much to talk, it was a bit stiff.

She turned her head to look at Su Bai, her fox-like eyes carrying a lingering gleam.

"We've arrived at your place," Su Bai said.

Amy didn't get out of the car immediately.

She reached out, her fingertips grazing lightly over his arm.

"Su Bai," her voice was a little hoarse, carrying a lazy sexiness, "Do you want to come upstairs... and continue chatting?"

Su Bai looked at her.

"Chat about what?"

Amy smiled and licked her lips.

"Let's chat about core strength training," she said, "I have some... professional equipment at home, we could put it into practice."

Su Bai looked at her sparkling eyes and the slightly upturned corners of her mouth.

Su Bai put on an expression that said "I know what you want," and he smiled and said,

"Next time."

Amy was stunned for a moment.

"Next time?"

"Yeah." Su Bai leaned back against the chair, "I'm not used to staying over at other people's places."

Amy stared at him for a few seconds.

With a hint of disappointment in her eyes, she had no choice but to say,

"Alright then."

She pushed open the car door,

"Then next time, okay."

She got out of the car, walked two steps, and then turned back.

"Good night."

She waved her hand and turned to walk into the small western-style house.

The door closed.

Su Bai withdrew his gaze and started the engine.

The car drove into the night.

— —

When he returned home, it was already past twelve.

Su Bai pushed open the door; a floor lamp was lit in the living room.

Song Qian was sitting on the sofa.

She was wearing that silk nightgown, light purple, the thin material clinging to her body, outlining her curves.

Her hair was loose, and she was not wearing any makeup, looking plain and pure.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, she immediately stood up and walked over quickly.

"Director, you're back."

Then she knelt before Su Bai.

Su Bai looked down at her and subconsciously stretched out his foot.

She kept her head down, earnestly untied his shoelaces, took off his shoes, and set out his slippers.

Her movements were skillful, as if she had done it many times.

Su Bai accepted it calmly.

After changing his shoes, he reached out and patted her head.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Song Qian looked up at him.

"The master hasn't returned yet," she whispered, "I... can't sleep by myself."

Su Bai looked at her.

Her eyes were very bright, containing something indescribable.

Reliance.

Or rather, attachment.

"No need to wait for me next time," he said.

Song Qian nodded.

Then her nose twitched.

Subsequently, her expression changed slightly.

Very quickly, almost imperceptibly, but something flashed in her eyes and then disappeared.

She stepped back, a smile returning to her face.

A very subtle movement, but Su Bai noticed it.

Her expression stiffened for a moment.

Su Bai realized something and looked down at himself.

There was a scent on him.

A woman's perfume; it was Amy's.

He looked at Song Qian, his expression calm.

The smile on Song Qian's face was a bit stiff, but she quickly adjusted.

"What's wrong?" Su Bai asked, knowing the answer.

Song Qian shook her head.

"It's nothing." She stood up, "I'll go draw your bathwater."

She turned and walked towards the bathroom.

Su Bai watched her back.

Her steps were a bit unsteady, but her shoulders were slightly tense.

He withdrew his gaze and said nothing.

In the bathroom, the faucet was running loudly.

Song Qian crouched by the bathtub and reached out to test the water temperature.

Her mind was a mess.

Su Bai came back so late, and had a woman's perfume on him.

Who did he go to see?

Who is that woman?

What did they... do?

She bit her lip.

Internally cursing herself for being pathetic.

Su Bai going to find other women, what does that have to do with her?

She was just his contractor.

What right did she have to ask?

What right did she have to... be sad?

She took a deep breath, pushing down those messy thoughts.

After drawing the bathwater, she stood up and walked out of the bathroom.

Su Bai had already taken off his jacket and was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"The water is ready," she said.

Su Bai nodded, got up, and walked into the bathroom.

Song Qian stood in the room, listening to the sound of water coming from the bathroom.

She lay down on the bed and covered herself with the quilt.

Closed her eyes.

But she couldn't sleep.

Her mind was full of that woman's perfume scent.

Don't know how much time passed, the bathroom door opened.

Su Bai walked into the bedroom and lay down beside her.

Song Qian opened her eyes, subconsciously wanting to get up.

"No need to move." Su Bai pressed her down, "Go to sleep."

Song Qian was stunned for a moment.

Su Bai lay down and closed his eyes.

"Sleeping 'plain' tonight," he said.

Song Qian's heart sank.

As expected...

Her fingers clenched the quilt.

But she said nothing.

Just gave a soft "Mm," quietly acknowledging.

Then closed her eyes.

The breathing beside her soon became steady.

Su Bai was asleep.

Song Qian, however, was almost sleepless all night.

The next morning, Su Bai got up at 6:30 and went out.

At 8:00 in the morning, there weren't many people in the Gym.

Amy hadn't come to work yet.

Su Bai changed his clothes, went for a half-hour run, and did a few sets of stretches.

Around eight, he took a shower and left the Gym.

When Su Bai returned home, he saw Song Qian busy in the kitchen.

There were two breakfasts on the dining table: fried eggs, bacon, toast, and milk.

Song Qian walked out carrying the last plate of fruit; seeing him, she tried to force a smile.

"Morning."

"Morning."

Su Bai nodded and sat down at the dining table.

Song Qian sat opposite him and began to eat breakfast.

But she ate very little, just mechanically putting things into her mouth.

Su Bai glanced at her.

The dark circles under her eyes couldn't be hidden.

He didn't say anything.

Around 8:30, the door lock suddenly clicked.

Su Bai and Song Qian looked up at the same time.

The door opened, and Lin Qiaoyou walked in carrying a suitcase.

She was wearing a beige down jacket, black casual pants, her hair tied in a low ponytail, and her face looked tired.

Seeing the two people at the dining table, she was stunned for a moment.

Her gaze fell on Su Bai, and her face flushed red.

Then she quickly shifted her gaze away, pretending she hadn't seen anything.

"I, I'm back..." she whispered.

Song Qian stood up and walked over.

"Why didn't you tell us in advance?" She took the suitcase from Lin Qiaoyou's hand, "You must be tired, right? Go rest first, I'll help you unpack."

Lin Qiaoyou nodded and followed her toward the room.

When passing by Su Bai, her steps paused.

But she didn't look at him, just kept her head down and walked past quickly.

Su Bai leaned against the back of his chair, watching her back.

The door to Lin Qiaoyou's room closed.

He withdrew his gaze and continued eating breakfast.

After eating, he stood up and picked up his jacket.

"I'm going out for a while," he said toward the direction of Song Qian's room.

Song Qian poked her head out from Lin Qiaoyou's room.

"Okay."

Lin Qiaoyou stared at the two of them with some suspicion,

"How come I feel that... things between them... are a bit different from before?"