48: Chapter 48 Twilight

The car moved slowly along Binjiang Road, as night gradually crept over the city skyline.

It was quiet inside the car. Wang Hao racked his brains for conversation topics, chatting about everything from interesting anecdotes in elective classes to the new desserts in the cafeteria, trying hard to make Chen Xue happy.

Chen Xue responded softly from time to time, her cheeks tinted with a faint blush; it was clear she didn't dislike his enthusiasm.

Lin Wan leaned against the rear window, her gaze resting lightly on the flowing neon lights outside, yet she found herself, intentionally or otherwise, meeting Jiang Chen's eyes through the rearview mirror.

She was a rational and calm top student from the law school, as well as a lawyer who prioritized logic and boundaries in everything; she rarely paid extra attention to anyone.

But Jiang Chen was different. He was quiet, steady, and never crossed the line, yet he could always provide a strange sense of peace at the most appropriate moments.

Every time they locked eyes in the rearview mirror, Lin Wan would look away calmly, though her heartbeat would skip a beat slower than usual.

Not long after, the car pulled up smoothly in front of the Twilight Bar.

The shop was hidden in an alley, with greenery climbing the outer walls and warm light shining through the glass windows. It was quiet and stylish, perfectly matching all of Lin Wan's expectations for a social venue.

Jiang Chen got out of the car first and naturally walked to the back to open the door for Lin Wan.

His actions weren't deliberately ingratiating; it was just a gentlemanly nature carved into his bones, yet it made Lin Wan's heart flutter slightly.

"Watch your head," he reminded her in a low voice.

"Thank you."

Lin Wan bent down to get out, the pearl hairpin in her hair swaying slightly. When she looked up, she happened to bump into his gaze.

Their gazes met, and this time, neither of them looked away immediately.

Wang Hao pulled Chen Xue ahead, introducing the place excitedly: "I did my homework on this place; the music is comfortable, the drinks are good, and it definitely won't be awkward!"

Influenced by him, Chen Xue also relaxed and smiled lightly: "Sounds great."

The four of them walked into the bar, where lazy jazz music filled the air and the lights were soft and gentle.

Wang Hao had booked a four-person booth by the window; it was spacious, had a good view, and was private enough.

Almost without hesitation, he pulled Chen Xue to sit on the inside, leaving the seat next to Lin Wan clearly for Jiang Chen.

When Jiang Chen sat down, his chair moved slightly, leaving only a fist's distance between them.

A faint scent of cedar wafted from him—clean and crisp—making Lin Wan, who was accustomed to rigor and calmness, feel inexplicably relaxed.

"What would you like to drink? It's on me," Jiang Chen said, turning his head to look at them with a calm and natural tone.

Chen Xue felt a bit embarrassed: "No need, we can just get our own..."

"It's just a round of drinks, don't stand on ceremony."

Jiang Chen's voice was very soft, yet carried a gentleness that made it impossible to refuse.

Lin Wan looked up at him. Rational as she was, she didn't act coy or decline, but simply and politely said: "A non-alcoholic Mojito, light ice, please."

As a lawyer, she needed to stay sober at all times; alcohol was never in her range of choices.

"I'll have the same as Lin Wan," Chen Xue quickly added.

Wang Hao immediately raised his hand: "I'll have a Whiskey Sour, and Chenzi, you're having your usual neat."

While waiting for the drinks, Wang Hao continued to chat warmly with Chen Xue, occasionally making her lower her head and giggle; the atmosphere became increasingly relaxed.

Chen Xue would occasionally steal a glance at Wang Hao, the shyness in her eyes becoming more and more obvious—she was clearly falling for him.

On the other side, a silent probing was quietly happening between Jiang Chen and Lin Wan.

Lin Wan didn't join in the noise. Her fingertips rested lightly on the tabletop, and while her gaze seemed to be fixed outside the window, she could always keenly capture Jiang Chen's line of sight.

He didn't speak or disturb her, but he always kept her within his line of sight, like a layer of silent protection.

"Do you often come to places like this?"

Lin Wan spoke first, her tone natural, as if it were a casual question, but in reality, it was a cautious probe.

Jiang Chen turned his head to look at her, the light falling on his long eyelashes and casting shallow shadows: "Occasionally. I prefer quieter places."

"Me too."

Lin Wan nodded gently, a faint smile appearing in her eyes: "Places that are too noisy aren't suitable for thinking."

"A professional habit as a lawyer?" Jiang Chen asked.

"I suppose so."

Lin Wan didn't deny it, her tone carrying a bit of professional calmness, but also a rare touch of relaxation.

"I'm used to rational judgment and don't really like situations that are out of control."

Jiang Chen looked at her and suddenly said softly: "You are very well-suited for this profession."

"Why?" Lin Wan raised an eyebrow.

"Calm, sober, and measured."

He paused, his gaze earnest: "It's very rare."

She was slightly stunned, then her eyes curved gently: "You are too; you're very reassuring."

This time, it was her who initiated the response.

The air went quiet for a second.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of unspoken tacit understanding in each other's eyes.

Just then, the waiter brought the drinks to the table.

Jiang Chen naturally picked up Lin Wan's Mojito and placed it in a convenient spot for her, aligning the handle with her right hand, and reminded her in a low voice.

"The glass is a bit cold, take it slow."

This extremely subtle action was more heart-touching than any sweet nothings.

Lin Wan felt a gentle warmth in her heart and said softly: "Are you always this attentive?"

"It depends on the person."

Jiang Chen looked at her, direct yet restrained: "For someone worth it, yes."

Lin Wan didn't dodge; she met his gaze and gave a soft "Mm."

A single simple word, yet it had made her feelings perfectly clear.

Not long after, Wang Hao, who had been drinking a bit too quickly, nudged Jiang Chen: "Chenzi, come with me to the restroom."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly, and before getting up, he instinctively looked at Lin Wan.

Lin Wan met his gaze and blinked gently, as a response.

The tacit understanding between adults never needs to be spoken of much.

After the two left, only she and Chen Xue remained in the booth.

Chen Xue's cheeks were slightly flushed as she held her glass and whispered to Lin Wan: "Wang Hao... he seems really sincere."

Looking at the shyness in her best friend's eyes, Lin Wan smiled lightly: "It's obvious that he cares about you a lot."

No sooner had she finished speaking than a man who had been watching them from the bar for a long time walked over with a glass in his hand.

He looked to be in his twenties with a frivolous look in his eyes, his gaze landing directly on Lin Wan: "Beauty, add me on WeChat so we can get to know each other?"

Chen Xue became nervous instantly and leaned closer to Lin Wan.

Lin Wan's expression was calm, her tone cool and distant, perfectly professional in handling unreasonable requests: "Sorry, that's not convenient."

"Don't be so rude."

The man wouldn't give up and leaned closer: "We're just making friends."

Lin Wan frowned slightly and was just about to refuse with more explicit language when two sets of steady footsteps approached from the hallway.

Jiang Chen was walking in front and saw the situation at a glance.

He stepped forward. He didn't shout, but simply walked over and stood beside Lin Wan, just right to half-shield her behind him.

"She has already made it very clear."

Jiang Chen's tone was flat, yet it carried an unquestionable sense of distance and aura.

Meeting his deep and calm gaze, the man instantly understood the boundaries, apologized sheepishly, and turned to leave.

The disturbance subsided.

Chen Xue breathed a sigh of relief: "You scared me to death..."

Wang Hao immediately held her hand. Chen Xue's fingertips trembled, but she didn't pull away; instead, she gently squeezed back.

The two exchanged a smile, their innocent attraction no longer hidden.

Lin Wan looked up at Jiang Chen beside her, her eyes filled with clear gratitude and softness; the cool, rational shell she had just moments ago quietly softened at the edges.