In a moment…
“f.u.c.k! Toxic Perfume?”
Other than them, Pei Cheng An is also looking at Xia Zhen. She smiles at him and says, “This song is quite nice.” Just as the first verse is over, she picks up the mic. No one else sings along.
They didn’t expect that Xia Zhen would act like this once she has fallen in love, even though she has never been interested in dating. How scary!
“I’m going to the washroom.”
“Let’s go together.”
Xue Chen is outside the KTV [karaoke place], standing in the cold wind. He rarely acts like he did today, to show his emotions so obviously on his face.
Xue Chen has always buried his feelings deeply. Even Da Qu and the others, who he works with every day, has no idea about it.
Actually, when the secret was no longer his alone, he once wondered how Xia Zhen would react if she finds out. What would her response be? Would she be happy?
He is a playful person and he could never resist trying to mock her. When she becomes angry, he would feel strangely happy. It is because of his treatment of her, no one has ever discovered his feelings for her, including Xia Zhen herself.
Yet he has never expected she would suddenly have a boyfriend, without any warnings. He feels very frustrated and needs to calm down.
“Why have you all come out?”
“En. If I don’t come out, I’ll also go mad.”
Xue Chen doesn’t understand. “What do you mean?”
Noticing their depressed and broken expressions, Xue Chen remembers that Xia Zhen and Pei Cheng An are alone in the room… he immediately runs back inside.
When they arrive outside the door to their room, they see Xue Chen standing there without going in. They can hear Xia Zhen’s clear singing from inside.
They feel regretful that they have called Xue Chen this late. If he had seen the earlier songs earlier, it would be better. But why is Xue Chen’s expression looked even more pained than before?
Pei Cheng An quietly sits on the sofa and pays his full attention on Xia Zhen singing. The songs she has chosen are all widely popular but he knows none of them. He reads the lyrics as he listens to Xia Zhen sing. The earlier two songs are too sentimental, but this one is not bad.
When the others enter, he turns around and nods at them. Xia Chen’s stare is too forceful, making him stare at him for a moment before nodding again.
Her original plan is to invite Pei Cheng An to see this crazy and hysterical side of her after they have gotten closer. Thus he would have a bad impression of her. To perfect the performance, she even lets her voice crack at the high note.
When the song comes to an end, Xue Chen presses stop.
Pei Cheng An answers seriously, “I’m really her boyfriend.”
“I don’t believe.” Xue Chen points at Xia Zhen.
Just as she recollect her emotions and gets ready to speak, Pei Cheng An has beat her to it. He tells Xue Chen, “We met at a blind date today. We decided to date because of mutual good feelings.”
Pei Cheng An sounds convincing when he says those words, emboldening Xia Zhen. She adopts a confident look and says, “That’s what happened. He does research, so in the future he may become a scientist. He’s really great. I really admire him.”
Her expression of admiration is very accurate, exactly like how she looks every time she sees her G.o.ddess Stephanie Sun.
Xia Zhen has changed her mind. She won’t tell the truth to anyone and just let everyone think she is in love with him. If she wants to put on a show, it should be complete. And besides, if they don’t agree or don’t support her plan after finding out, it would be disastrous for her.
From the moment Pei Cheng An meets Xue Chen, he can feel his enmity. The way he speaks is forceful and arrogant but he doesn’t mind because he can tell it’s for Xia Zhen. Sincerely, he says, “I will treat Xia Zhen seriously. Please don’t worry.”
Honestly, after being mocked so much by Xue Chen, she really thinks that she wouldn’t be able to get married.
“Let’s sing, let’s sing!” Da Qu picks up the mics to brighten the atmosphere. He then quietly reminds Xue Chen not to make things difficult for Xia Zhen.
Xia Zhen carpools with Pei Cheng An. When she closes the car door, she turns and tells him, “Xue Chen’s mood is not good today, so all his words sound so nasty. Please don’t mind him.”
“En. He’s a very close friend. We’ve known each other since high school and we play together often.” She looks up to observe his reaction and sees that his eyebrows briefly knit together before easing. The corners of his lips are even slightly raised.
“Your social network [skills] is really good,” he praises.
Pei Cheng An nods and then reminds her, “Put on the seat belt. I’m starting the car.”
When she is about to pull on the seat belt again, Pei Cheng An is already leaning over and extending his hand to help her put on her seat belt.
“I know. But a boyfriend should do something for his girlfriend.”
Pei Cheng An considers what she said for a moment. He then earnestly says, “But if it’s a good influence, then I’ll welcome it.”
Xia Zhen: “...” She better just go home, wash up, and sleep. She doesn’t know to deal with people like Pei Cheng An. She needs to think some more.