Chapter 288: Ke Zhongyu said he has someone he likes

"Yes, now, as for before." Secretary Chen chuckled, "We don't dare discuss the boss's past, but you can ask him directly."

Ke Zhongyu didn't wait for Jiang Lai to ask him even after getting into the riverside car.

He kept a straight face, closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.

Jiang Lai beside him also closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.

Ke Zhongying in the same car turned her head and looked puzzled.

Should she also pretend to sleep for a bit?

Yes!

Ke Zhongying closed her eyes, and when the car stopped steadily and the driver turned back to say they had arrived, all three opened their eyes together.

Chi Ce and Xiao Qian and their four others also arrived, got out of the car, the seven of them met in the underground parking lot, took the elevator up, and as they stepped out, Jiang Lai stared at the dense crowd and froze for a moment.

"So many people."

Xiao Qian said: "Whether or not it's a holiday, this place is always crowded, especially big holidays like New Year's Eve; holidays that need a sense of ceremony are the most numerous, everyone waits there to count down, then loudly shouts 'Happy New Year' while watching the fireworks."

Jiang Lai was experiencing this kind of holiday for the first time; she previously had no time, and even less such a sense of ceremony.

She glanced at Ke Zhongying and Ke Zhongyu; the two siblings, a rich young master and a young lady, probably had never been to such a crowded place.

Jiang Lai: "I didn't make any plans ahead of time; there are too many people."

Assistant Zhou and Secretary Guan, both hard‑working employees, immediately understood what Jiang Lai meant; they didn't think it was a big deal, but Boss Ke and Eldest Miss Ke had indeed never experienced such a crowded scene.

If they were arranging the New Year's Eve itinerary, it would be at the garden terrace of the riverside hotel, where one can not only see the fireworks but also overlook most of A City.

The two of them said nothing.

"What plans do we need?" Ke Zhongyu slightly lifted his chin, gazing across the street, "Just walk a couple steps, cross the road, go up a few flights of stairs and you're there."

His expression was normal, casual.

Ke Zhongying also nodded: "Exactly, walking over there gets you there. Look at how many people there are—it's definitely a prime viewing spot, just too crowded to get to the front."

Xiao Qian said: "Up front everyone's taking photos; that angle perfectly captures the landmark building and the river, and when the fireworks go off you can still shoot them while crouching—should we take photos later?"

Secretary Guan: "Let's take pictures—this is the first time so many people are celebrating New Year's Eve together."

It's the first time celebrating New Year's Eve with the boss and the future boss‑lady; we should definitely take some photos as a keepsake.

Later, when we post the photos, we can even count ourselves as "royal relatives"!

Assistant Zhou: "First see if we can squeeze in; if we can, we'll take photos; if not, we'll shoot on tiptoe."

Chi Ce expressed agreement: "More people means more liveliness."

Nobody cared about the crowding; Jiang Lai let go of her little worry, and the group walked into the throng, shoulder to shoulder, reaching the crosswalk.

Red light—we have to wait.

With so many people, Jiang Lai clearly felt her back pressed against Ke Zhongyu's chest; someone nearby shoved in, and Ke Zhongyu's hand slipped around her waist, gently guiding her to a slightly clearer spot before letting go.

"Are you okay?" the man's low, pleasant voice sounded from above her head, behind her ear.

Jiang Lai's body tensed slightly, she paused, then softly shook her head: "No."

As her hair swayed slightly, the fresh herbal scent from Jiang Lai's hair continually drifted into Ke Zhongyu's nostrils, the strands lightly brushing his face and causing a faint itch.

Ke Zhongyu's Adam's apple moved, and he couldn't help swallowing.

The light turned green.

Everyone started moving forward; Ke Zhongyu stood out in the crowd with his height and appearance, and from time to time people glanced at him.

Even while crossing the street, people couldn't help turning back to look; someone fiddled with their phone, seemingly thinking about getting contact information.

Ke Zhongyu's looks are simply too striking.

Along with Ke Zhongyu, Jiang Lai also found herself facing gazes from all directions.

She turned her head to glance at Ke Zhongyu.

Ke Zhongyu: "Watch the road."

Jiang Lai looked ahead again, crossed the crosswalk, then was forced to stop—whether turning left, right, or climbing the stairs, the way was blocked.

Ke Zhongyu stepped half a step forward, and Jiang Lai's back pressed against the man's chest once more.

Amid the din, she seemed to hear Ke Zhongyu's strong, powerful heartbeat resonating from his chest.

"Hello." The girl beside him gathered her courage, looked at Ke Zhongyu, and politely asked, "May I have your contact information?"

Ke Zhongyu: "No."

The girl: "……"

What an aloof man.

The girl: "All right, sorry to bother you."

Ke Zhongyu: "I have someone I like."

The girl stared for a moment, since she hadn't even asked, but the man answered; she hurriedly nodded, realizing his gaze had fallen on the woman ahead, and then it dawned on her.

She had thought the man was single like her, merely pressed together by the crowd.

The girl's gaze fell on Jiang Lai, and she said earnestly, "Miss, I wish you happiness!"

Jiang Lai was dazed for a moment.

Ke Zhongyu: "Thank you."

The girl: "You're welcome, you're welcome."

Jiang Lai became even more dazed, her body tensing, her lowered lashes trembling slightly.

The crowd ahead finally loosened; she stepped forward, putting a little distance between herself and Ke Zhongyu, then turned back to look for Ke Zhongying and the others.

But she couldn't find them.

Until she looked into the distance, the others were still on the opposite side of the road.

Jiang Lai blinked, watching Ke Zhongying wave her hand and point at her phone.

She took out her phone.

Ke Zhongying sent a message saying there were too many people, the number of people crossing the zebra crossing each time had a limit, they were all blocked at the back, they could only wait for the next green light.

Unfortunately, the red-green light timing at this intersection is very long, so Ke Zhongying let them go first, they'll meet up later.

Ke Zhongyu glanced at the opposite side, without hesitation looked back ahead, and urged Jiang Lai: "Let's go, we've blocked the people behind."

Jiang Lai then stepped forward with the crowd, reaching the open area, she could catch her breath and increase the distance between them a bit.

"We'll wait for them here."

Ke Zhongyu grunted "uh", took out his phone, and after a moment put it down.

In just a few seconds, Chi Ce had already received his signal.

The zebra light had turned green; Ke Zhongying had just lifted her foot when Chi Ce suddenly grabbed her arm, pulling her to the side, and she also grabbed Xiao Qian, bringing Xiao Qian over as well.

Assistant Zhou and Secretary Guan, being sharp, also went over to the side.

Ke Zhongying asked Chi Ce: "The light's green, why did you pull me over?"

Chi Ce looked toward the other side: "Let's wander around first, we'll meet up with them later."

Ke Zhongying stared at Chi Ce's eyes, arms crossed: "Is this your brother's idea?"

Xiao Qian: "Does Boss Ke want to spend some alone time with my senior sister?"

Assistant Zhou and Secretary Guan nodded.

Chi Ce also didn't object, walking ahead and said: "We'll go this way."

Ke Zhongying hesitated: "No way, what if my brother bullies Sister Jiang Lai?"

"Don't worry, Eldest Miss Ke." Chi Ce said with a smile, "Back when Jiang Lai was drugged and unconscious, your brother managed to escort her to my family's Medical Hall, even downing half a pot of the cooling herbal tea."

Secretary Guan said: "I was there that day, it's indeed like that."

Assistant Zhou also said: "Boss Ke won't act recklessly; he always respects Miss Jiang."

Xiao Qian actually was also a bit worried, but everyone is an adult, she also hoped her senior sister would meet a good partner, so she said: "We should still tell my senior sister, otherwise she'll keep waiting for us there; let's just say we'll meet up later."

"I must spend New Year's with Sister Jiang Lai." Ke Zhongying said, "I promised her."

Xiao Qian chuckled: "Definitely going to spend New Year's together; I've messaged my senior sister."

Ke Zhongying nodded.

Finally, the seven people split into two groups.

Jiang Lai, having received the message, was stunned for a moment, then told Ke Zhongyu: "They said they'll meet up later."

"Hmm." Ke Zhongyu nodded: "Let's go."

Jiang Lai looked back, seeing that no one had come after such a long time, she finally stepped forward.

Ke Zhongyu walked beside her, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

They had only taken a few steps when suddenly they saw two familiar faces.