Chapter 1798: Side Story for the Juniors (51): Picking Someone Up, Estranged, Be Proactive and Enthusiastic

Just as Qi Zhiyi still hadn’t recovered, the other person spoke again:

"I’m Duan Yinuo’s older brother—Duan Yiyang. We met yesterday. Come in first, it’s colder outside."

As he spoke, he stepped back, and Qi Zhiyi walked into the mall. Only then did he raise his hand to close the door, shutting out the cold air from outside.

"Nuonuo asked me to come pick you up."

"She’s not coming?" Qi Zhiyi’s voice came through the mask, a bit muffled. It was so cold outside that the mask couldn’t seem to keep the wind out; once indoors, with the heating on, her whole body suddenly felt unbearably hot.

"She’s got something to do, so she asked me to pick you up."

Qi Zhiyi nodded in reply, inwardly annoyed at how unreliable her bestie was. At least give me a heads-up beforehand.

"My car’s in the underground parking lot."

Qi Zhiyi gave a muffled "mm" and followed him toward the elevator, heading for B1. Around ten in the morning, the mall was almost empty; only the two of them were in the elevator. After getting to the car, Qi Zhiyi had planned to sit in the back, but when she pulled the door open, she saw books and throw pillows piled there—there was basically no space for anyone to sit.

"I had a small get-together with friends yesterday, the back got a bit messy. Sit in the passenger seat."

Qi Zhiyi nodded and could only climb into the front passenger seat.

She watched him tidy up the back seat in no time, then get into the driver’s seat, switch on the heater, and shrug off his coat, folding it and placing it in the back.

The lighting in the underground garage was on the dim side, but the white sweater he was wearing made him stand out. His hair was neat and clean; the whole person came across especially warm and soft, completely unlike someone already interning at the mall.

Gentle and refined, with not a speck of dust on him, a kind of restrained elegance.

Probably because he’d learned the violin since he was little—every gesture had an easy grace to it.

He raised his hand to adjust the vents on the car’s AC, and even his fingers looked especially nice, joints long and evenly proportioned.

Compared to her own brother, Qi Zhiyi felt her brother was way too rough. This guy played violin, while her brother buried himself in shoes all day. As expected, all the good older brothers belong to other people.

Duan Yiyang started the car, and the system’s beeps sounded, reminding them that Qi Zhiyi hadn’t fastened her seatbelt.

Qi Zhiyi hurried to pull the seatbelt over and buckle it, but she was dressed so bulky today, still wrapped up in scarf, mask, hat and all that, making it hard to move. Her puffy down jacket blocked the seatbelt buckle; she frowned and groped for it...

Seatbelt buckles are pretty much in the same place in every car, but with all the clothes she was wearing, her moves were clumsy. She finally felt out where the buckle was, but just couldn’t get the belt to snap in.

Just then—

A hand reached over and, following hers, took hold of the seatbelt.

Their fingers brushed lightly; Qi Zhiyi’s hand was a bit cold, while his was unexpectedly warm.

The touch of fingers...

It was like being singed by a spark. Qi Zhiyi hurriedly pulled her hand back. "Click—" the seatbelt snapped into place.

"Thanks." Qi Zhiyi looked up at him. Duan Yiyang had one hand on the steering wheel, seeming like he’d just helped her out in passing. He gave a soft "mm" in response, counting as a reply to her thanks.

And right then, the seatbelt adjusted itself to her body position and automatically tightened. With that light squeeze, her breath caught for a second, and she suddenly felt like she couldn’t quite get enough air.

Her hands folded together, tucked into her sleeves, her fingertips lightly rubbing the spot he’d just touched. For no reason at all, it felt a bit warm.

The temperature in the car was rising, and dressed like this, she really was hot. It wasn’t convenient to take off her coat right now, so she could only tug her mask down half an inch, finally feeling her breathing ease a little.

"How did you and Nuonuo meet?" Duan Yiyang suddenly asked.

"We met at a school event. She’s a great senior and looks out for me." Qi Zhiyi and Duan Yinuo weren’t in the same year.

Senior?

When it came to his own little sister’s personality, Duan Yiyang knew it all too well. The thought of her "looking out for someone" and being called "senior" actually struck him as kind of funny.

After they chatted casually for a bit, the rest of the drive was quiet. Qi Zhiyi lowered her head, playing on her phone, texting with Duan Yinuo:

[How could you just have your brother come pick me up without telling me in advance?]

[I went out and played too late last night, I’m exhausted. I just woke up. My brother happened to have something to do nearby, so I had him pick you up on the way.]

[So is he eating with us?]

[What else? Qi Zhiyi, don’t tell me you plan to use my brother and then toss him aside.]

Qi Zhiyi ground her teeth:

What kind of predatory wording is that, "use and toss"? Seriously.

When did I ever "use" your brother?

But right after that, Duan Yiyang’s phone started vibrating. His phone was connected to the car via Bluetooth, and the car’s screen clearly showed that the caller was Duan Yinuo. He pressed the answer button and said hello.

"Bro, you picked her up, right?" Duan Yinuo’s voice came through the car speakers, perfectly clear.

"Mm."

"I’m entrusting her to you, so don’t bully her. Be a bit warmer, take the initiative, you’re the guy, you have to be enthusiastic, got it?"

Qi Zhiyi knew exactly what kind of person her bestie was, but the way she was talking right now sounded so weird.

Entrust, take the initiative, be enthusiastic—put those together, does that sound okay to anyone?

What kind of friends have I even made?

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