Chapter 292: Can't You Tell I Like You?

Ke Zhongying blinked dazedly a couple of times, looked again at the camera in her hands, mechanically pressed pause, and rewound to watch.

Her brother kissed Sister Jiang Lai...

Her brother kissed Sister Jiang Lai!!!

Even though she had always known her brother was secretly pursuing Sister Jiang Lai — not only getting jealous of his own younger sister but even eating the vinegar of two dogs — the second she actually saw her brother forcefully kiss Sister Jiang Lai, her brain still short-circuited for a moment.

Xiao Qian beside her asked in a hushed voice, "M-m-Miss Ke, did you see that?"

Ke Zhongying nodded mechanically: "I saw it."

Secretary Guan smiled: "I saw it too."

Assistant Zhou and Chi Ce exchanged a glance, both feeling happy for President Ke — this kiss was simply a breakthrough.

But for Shen Xun, it was a blow.

Shen Xun made as if to go forward; Chi Ce and Assistant Zhou each stood from either side toward the middle, blocking his path.

"Shen Xun, that's petty of you. An ex-husband — what right do you have to concern yourself with who your ex-wife gets close to?"

Shen Xun glared at Chi Ce.

Chi Ce gave a scornful smile: "Don't always do things that make people resent you. I told you early on that people should still leave each other some dignity."

He stepped forward.

Shen Xun, forced and helpless, retreated a step — and just like that was driven back step by step by Chi Ce and Assistant Zhou, getting farther and farther from Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai could not hear the sounds of the outside world at all; she only knew her face was burning hot, as if about to catch fire.

Even though it lasted only a brief two seconds, the sensation on her lips was so strange, pulling all the blood in her body to surge toward her face.

The fireworks had already finished and midnight had passed; people along the riverbank gradually began dispersing toward the subway station, while some stayed by the river — some holding hands, some hugging and kissing as if no one else were around.

As Jiang Lai gradually came back to her senses, she happened to see the couple kissing, and was momentarily at a loss; she turned her head to look elsewhere, only to meet Ke Zhongyu's deep eyes again.

Their hands were still clasped together.

As Jiang Lai lowered her eyes, she withdrew her hand and said, "We should head back. Dean Mom and Ping'an will arrive tomorrow."

Jiang Lai took the lead and walked ahead.

Ke Zhongyu knew he had frightened Jiang Lai; he too wanted to take things slowly, but on such a wonderful day, Shen Xun had suddenly popped up and put on that sentimental act with things from the past, making it truly hard for him to restrain himself.

He had always worried that Jiang Lai might one day rekindle her old romance with Shen Xun, because they had shared four solid years together.

Ke Zhongyu's footsteps paused; he glanced at his younger sister.

The moment Ke Zhongying saw Jiang Lai leave, she had already hugged her camera and chased after her.

Xiao Qian followed closely behind.

Secretary Guan said, "President Ke, since you've already taken a step forward, what are you waiting for if not to press the advantage? Zhou Zhou, Doctor Chi, and I will get back on our own later."

Ke Zhongyu glanced at Chi Ce and Assistant Zhou, instructing the two to remember to escort Secretary Guan back.

The two nodded.

Shen Xun was still being blocked; only after Ke Zhongyu's figure disappeared from their line of sight did Chi Ce and Assistant Zhou turn around.

Assistant Zhou took out his phone and said, "I called two cars. I'll take Secretary Guan back — Doctor Chi, check whether you're going back to the Medical Hall or your apartment?"

Chi Ce: "Just get Secretary Guan back safely; I still have some things to do."

Assistant Zhou smiled: "As far as I know, a male friend of Fu Daxiaojie who is on good terms with her recently returned to the country. This person also knows Li Shao — perhaps Doctor Chi could ask Li Shao."

Chi Ce suddenly looked up at him: "How do you know?"

Assistant Zhou smiled: "The people around President Ke always have to do some preliminary investigation. Besides, the Ke Clan and the Fu Family have both a cooperative relationship and a certain competitive relationship."

Chi Ce raised an eyebrow: "Thanks."

He bid farewell to Secretary Guan and dialed Li Dan's number.

Assistant Zhou turned to Secretary Guan and said, "Let's go."

Secretary Guan rubbed her stomach: "I'm a little hungry."

Assistant Zhou nodded: "Alright, let's go get a late-night snack first."

……

As Jiang Lai stood by the road waiting for the green light, Ke Zhongyu came to her side and stood quietly, like a tall, straight poplar tree.

This time the two kept their distance, yet Jiang Lai still felt his presence was terrifyingly strong; a wave of heat rushed over her.

There were still many people crossing the crosswalk; when someone was about to bump into Jiang Lai, Ke Zhongyu still swiftly stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Jiang Lai's shoulder, drawing her briefly into his embrace and shielding her as they crossed the crosswalk.

Ke Zhongyu clearly noticed Jiang Lai's body go stiff; after leaving the crowded section, he released her and distinctly caught a glimpse of the tips of Jiang Lai's ears turning red.

Quite pure-hearted.

Though come to think of it, that just now was also his first kiss.

He didn't blush.

He was just feeling pleased inside, and felt it wasn't enough.

Far from enough.

He had restrained himself; otherwise Jiang Lai right now wouldn't just be silent — she'd probably jump three feet away the moment she saw him.

The driver had been waiting for them for a long time; seeing them approach, he immediately opened the car door.

As the car door slowly opened, the driver also saw his President Ke take the front passenger seat.

Driver: "?"

Strange.

What seemed off?

But he couldn't quite put his finger on it — three girls in the back, President Ke in the front passenger seat — that seemed fine.

After getting in the car, Jiang Lai didn't speak again; she had wanted to close her eyes and pretend to doze off, but the moment she closed them, all she saw was Ke Zhongyu's handsome face leaning in and that fleeting kiss.

Jiang Lai opened her eyes again and looked out the window.

It was quiet inside the car.

Ke Zhongying took out her phone and was reporting her brother's battle record today to their parents, typing so fast the keyboard was about to smoke.

"Dad, Mom! Your son has really made something of himself this time!"

Xiao Qian sat in the middle, quietly straightening her posture, looking straight ahead without glancing sideways.

She actually wanted to tell Professor Cheng too — her senior sister's spring had come!

The driver dropped Xiao Qian off first, then Jiang Lai second.

Ke Zhongyu's Maybach wasn't registered, so it could only drop them off at the entrance of Number Ten Courtyard on Yanping Road.

Ke Zhongying was about to get up and get out of the car, but a single look from her brother stopped her.

"I'll walk you in." Ke Zhongyu said to Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai said there was no need.

But those words had no effect on Ke Zhongyu; he insisted on walking her inside, the two of them strolling shoulder to shoulder.

Together they crossed the concrete ground, one after the other walking up the stairs, silence spreading between them.

They had already reached the third floor when Ke Zhongyu stopped in his tracks and called out to halt her.

"A Lai."

Jiang Lai's footsteps paused slightly; she hesitated a moment before turning back.

She stood with her back to her own front door, facing the man still on the steps — the affection in his eyes was ready to spill over.

Ke Zhongyu lifted his foot, stepped up the last stair, and came before Jiang Lai, slowly closing in step by step.

His polished leather shoes stopped in front of Jiang Lai's canvas sneakers.

The man stood like a mountain right before Jiang Lai, casting a vast shadow over her.

Jiang Lai leaned back slightly, already pressed against the door.

She lowered her eyes and turned her head to the side.

Not daring to look at him.

Ke Zhongyu reached out and gently pinched her chin, making her look up at him, his low, magnetic voice slowly rising in the quiet of the deep night.

"Can't you tell that I like you? A Lai."