Hearing Li Susu's words, Jiang Chen was stunned for a moment, then said with amusement, "Why would I go with you?"

"You..."

Li Susu glared at Jiang Chen and turned to look at Gong Lin with a pleading face, "Lin Lin, you know, Wen Hao has always been after me. What if I drink too much at the gathering, and he... In Dingjing, you're the only one I know. I won't blame you if you're busy, but, you should at least ensure my safety, right? Just have Jiang Chen accompany me for a bit!"

Gong Lin furrowed her brows. She already knew from Gong Yue that Jiang Chen didn't like Li Susu, but Li Susu had been her close friend for several years, and indeed, she didn't know many people in Dingjing. If something happened…

In the end, Gong Lin's heart softened, and she turned to Jiang Chen with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

With a soft sigh, Jiang Chen knew when Li Susu was begging that the kind-hearted Gong Lin would definitely feel troubled. This Li Susu really knew Gong Lin's weak spot.

"Fine, I'll go, but not right now. I need to take Gong Yue and Lin Lin home first," Jiang Chen nodded.

Li Susu looked up at Jiang Chen and snapped, "What taking them home? Can't they go home by themselves?"

"Today is the day Lin Lin's car is getting serviced. I didn't see her car in the parking lot when we arrived, which means it's been taken for servicing. Are you planning for the two of us to take a taxi to where you're gathering, or do you expect Lin Lin and Gong Yue to take a taxi home?" Jiang Chen looked at Li Susu expressionlessly.

"This…" Li Susu was momentarily stunned.

Gong Lin felt a warmth in her heart and looked at Jiang Chen with tender eyes. He remembered that today was the day my car was being serviced and even made a point to check if my car was in the parking lot.

He… must have me in his heart after all.

"Alright, I'll wait here for you!" Li Susu nodded.

Jiang Chen didn't respond but counter-asked, "The time and place of your gathering!"

"We're meeting on the second floor of Pengcheng Hotel; they're already there. You should come pick me up as soon as you drop off Lin Lin and the others!" Li Susu commanded in a bossy tone.

Jiang Chen stood up and said, "Since they're already there waiting, you should take a taxi over by yourself. It's not good to keep them waiting too long. I'll rush over after I drop off Lin Lin and the others."

"You…" Li Susu was furious upon hearing this and opened her mouth to scold, but Jiang Chen didn't give her the opportunity, continuing, "What? Don't tell me you'll get drunk there in the short while I'm driving back and forth. If that's the case, you need to seriously consider whether you're being forced to drink or you're purposely getting drunk!"

After finishing his words, Jiang Chen no longer paid attention to Li Susu and turned to walk toward the door.

"You…" Li Susu, infuriated, glared at Jiang Chen and turned her head to Gong Lin, "Lin Lin, look at his attitude!"

Gong Lin gave a noncommittal smile, "He's also worried that Wen Hao and the others will become anxious. You better go first. It's actually closer from my place to Pengcheng, and it would take a big detour to come here, which would be too much of a waste of time."

As soon as she finished speaking, Gong Lin also turned around and left. Gong Yue gave a slight smile, looked at Li Susu teasingly, and followed Gong Lin out of the hotel.

The three got into the car, and Gong Lin said apologetically, "Jiang Chen, I'm sorry. I didn't know Susu had become like this."

"Gong Lin, you're still too soft-hearted!" Jiang Chen sighed.

Gong Lin's expression darkened slightly, and she whispered, "After all, she's been my sister for several years."

Jiang Chen nodded in understanding, started the car, and drove towards Dingyun Lake Villa.

"Jiang Chen." After a while, Gong Lin's face showed hesitation, and she spoke with some trepidation.

Jiang Chen looked ahead and responded softly, "Hmm?"

Gong Lin hesitated once more before saying softly, "Can you... keep calling me Lin Lin, like you did in the hotel?"

Jiang Chen was slightly startled and glanced at Gong Lin through the rearview mirror, his heart suddenly giving a fierce tremble.

Gong Lin's eyes were filled with longing, as if the name 'Lin Lin' was a tremendous blessing, that anticipation so eager yet so cautious, fearful of provoking his displeasure!

Suddenly, an indescribable sense of guilt surged in Jiang Chen's heart. Gong Lin's love was too humble; he hadn't realized that all Gong Lin wanted was just a bit of his acknowledgment!

Seeing that Jiang Chen remained silent, a flash of disappointment crossed Gong Lin's eyes as she turned to look out the window.

Gong Yue watched the color on her sister's face and felt a surge of anger rise in her heart, opening her mouth to scold Jiang Chen.

Gong Lin quickly grabbed Gong Yue's hand and shook her head at her.

Jiang Chen didn't notice the sisters' actions in the back seat, but the crisp sound jolted him awake.

Glancing at Gong Lin once more through the rearview mirror, Jiang Chen said seemingly nonchalantly, "Lin Lin, I might come back late tonight. You know how it is with class reunions; we are likely to play very late. You should go to bed early."

"Okay!" Gong Lin nodded, not yet realizing what had happened, her expression still clouded with disappointment.

Jiang Chen kept an eye on Gong Lin's reaction. When he saw that she hadn't realized, he thought for a moment and spoke again, "Lin Lin, why don't you take my car to the office tomorrow? I'll go fetch your car for you."

"Okay!" Gong Lin nodded again. Then her body suddenly shook, and she turned to stare straight at Jiang Chen, "What... what did you call me?"

Jiang Chen gave a slight smile, "If you can't hear me, forget it."

"I..." Gong Lin laughed, a happy laugh. She suddenly felt that all her efforts were worthwhile, content that Jiang Chen would address her so intimately. She felt that the distance between Jiang Chen and herself had closed considerably!

Seeing the smile on Gong Lin's face, Jiang Chen smiled gently, but the feeling of guilt inside him grew heavier.

Gong Yue looked at her sister's blissful smile with inner resentment, sure that her sister shouldn't just settle for this. Yet, there was still a faint sourness in her heart.

At the same time, her feelings for Jiang Chen were becoming more and more contradictory!

Shortly afterward, the three of them returned to Dingyun Lake Villa.

"Get out!" After Gong Lin and the other got out of the car, Jiang Chen was about to turn around and leave, when Gong Yue blocked the car and called out.

Jiang Chen was slightly stunned and got out of the car, looking at Gong Yue with confusion.

Gong Yue held out her hand, "You've become addicted to driving Miss's car? Drive your own car!"

"Aren't you afraid I'll use the car to pick up girls?" Jiang Chen asked with amusement as he handed the BMW M8 car key to Gong Yue.

Gong Yue curled her lip, "If you fancy that Li Susu, then go ahead and flirt with her. A woman like that is perfect for a bastard like you to chase!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Gong Yue turned around and ran toward the villa.

"This damn girl!" Jiang Chen almost choked on his breath and glared helplessly at Gong Yue.

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