What If I Can’t Forget You?

The light from the phone illuminated Zhong Pei's face, clearly revealing his sudden joy!

Unable to contain his excitement, Zhong Pei's Adam's apple bobbed vigorously as he immediately replied.

**[I'm free. I'll wait for you to finish?]**

On the other end, Sheng Xiangsi quickly responded.

**[Eleven o'clock, meet at the first intersection.]**

Zhong Pei was overjoyed.

**[Alright.]**

Opposite him, Fu Hanjiang picked up his glass and downed the whiskey in one gulp. He leaned over to grab the bottle and refilled his glass.

Qin Yanzhi glanced at him, "Why are you drinking so much? Take it easy."

"It's fine."

Fu Hanjiang lowered his eyes, his handsome face calm and indifferent, "Where to next? Shall we find another place to continue?"

Unexpectedly, he was so interested tonight that neither Qin Yanzhi nor Zhou Jinting had any objections.

"Sure."

Zhou Jinting picked up his phone, "I'll make arrangements."

"Alright."

"Um…"

Zhong Pei raised his hand, embarrassed, "Bro, you guys go ahead, I won't join."

"Huh?"

Qin Yanzhi looked at his cousin in confusion, "Why not?"

"I… have something to do."

"Something to do?" Qin Yanzhi squinted, "That's odd, you clearly said you were free tonight."

"I…" Zhong Pei stammered, "I have a date."

As his cousin, Qin Yanzhi undoubtedly knew Zhong Pei best. He hooked his arm around Zhong Pei's neck and whispered.

"What kind of date? Looking at you, it must be a girl, right?"

"!"

Zhong Pei froze, suddenly standing up, "It's almost time. Bro, I'm leaving."

He hurriedly left after saying that.

"Hey!"

Qin Yanzhi pointed at his back, laughing, "The kid's growing up."

With a 'bang,' Fu Hanjiang slammed his glass heavily on the table and stood up abruptly.

Without a word, he walked out.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

"Home!"

"What?"

Qin Yanzhi and Zhou Jinting were dumbfounded. Seriously? What about finding another place to continue?

...

Fu Hanjiang chased after them, just in time to see Sheng Xiangsi getting into Zhong Pei's car at the intersection.

Seeing Zhong Pei's beaming face…

Fu Hanjiang irritably averted his gaze, "Chen Shu, drive!"

"Yes, sir."

Fu Hanjiang closed his eyes and leaned back. He didn't care anymore.

There was nothing he could do. If Sheng Xiangsi wanted to be with Zhong Pei and had Grandma's support, what could he do?

But his face was grim.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but feeling stifled, he took off his suit jacket, then forcefully tore off his tie and threw it aside.

Breathing was still tight, so he unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt, but it didn't help—he was still agitated!

Master Fu was on the verge of exploding, wanting to curse!

...

Following Sheng Xiangsi's lead, the car stopped at the bustling night market on the pedestrian street.

Sheng Xiangsi apologized, "Young Master Zhong, this is probably your first time at a place like this, right? Sorry, with my income, I can only afford this kind of place."

"No way."

Zhong Pei smiled and shook his head, "Though I went abroad for school at a young age and haven't been here, not all places abroad are high-end; there are street stalls too."

"Liar."

Sheng Xiangsi laughed, "There are no street stalls abroad, only burgers and bland Western food."

Zhong Pei was taken aback, then laughed, "Haha… you're right!"

"Then rest assured."

His casualness relaxed Sheng Xiangsi a lot, "The food here is definitely better than bland Western food. Come on."

She led him to a wonton shop and ordered two bowls of wontons.

Sheng Xiangsi wiped the table with a napkin, "The wontons here are really good. You'll know once you try them."

"Okay."

The wontons were served, and Zhong Pei tried them. They were indeed delicious. "Mm, delicious."

"Right?" Sheng Xiangsi smiled brightly.

"Thank you for the pumpkin sweet soup…"

After he had eaten most of it, she said softly, "But please, don't buy it for me again."

"?"

Zhong Pei was stunned, his face darkening.

He panicked, "...You, you don't like it?"

"Yes, I don't like it."

"…" Zhong Pei shivered, unable to speak. He stared at her, "I'm sorry…"

"You don't need to apologize."

Sheng Xiangsi sighed softly, speaking in a low voice, "The pumpkin sweet soup is delicious, I like it. But please, don't send it again."

Zhong Pei nodded, "I understand, it's me you don't like…"

He was just unwilling. He hadn't even had a chance to let her know him.

"Am I that detestable?"

"Don't say that about yourself."

Sheng Xiangsi said lightly, "You're excellent, and I'm sure you know that— but we're not suitable. Even if you just want a fling…"

A fling?

Was that how she saw him?

"No!"

Zhong Pei was shocked.

He shook his head vigorously, speaking anxiously, "I never thought of it that way! Though I've spent many years abroad, I don't take relationships lightly! I don't see you as a fling!"

That makes it even worse.

Sheng Xiangsi thought silently.

She sighed, "Then you should understand, we're not suitable."

"Why not?"

To Zhong Pei, she was the first girl he had ever liked! When he first saw her on the stage at Mise, he couldn't forget her.

To give up now, without even starting, was impossible.

"Do you mind your marriage history with Second Master Fu?"

Sheng Xiangsi frowned, not answering directly, "You should find someone who matches your family background and status."

"But, who I like isn't something controlled by my rational mind!"

What era was this?

Zhong Pei couldn't accept such a reason, "Even if not abroad, in Jiangcheng, no one would miss out on the one they like because of a marriage history!"

"…"

Sheng Xiangsi opened her mouth but was at a loss for words.

She didn't expect Zhong Pei, who seemed gentle and refined, to express his feelings so straightforwardly and passionately.

To say she wasn't moved would be a lie.

But precisely because she was moved, she had to reject him.

"Thank you for your affection, truly, but please, let's stop here."

"Why?" Zhong Pei didn't understand, "Even Old Madam Fu supports you finding a new life. Why are you rejecting it?"

Sheng Xiangsi couldn't explain, so she just said, "This is my matter. Sorry, I have no intention of starting a new relationship. As for you, it's just a crush, stop looking for me... soon, you'll forget me."

She stood up.

"I've paid for the wontons. Thank you for the pumpkin sweet soup; consider this my return gift. Let's end here."

After speaking, she grabbed her bag and, without daring to look at Zhong Pei, turned and left.

"Xiangsi! Sheng Xiangsi!"

Zhong Pei stood up to chase after her, but the pedestrian street was crowded. Sheng Xiangsi ran forward without looking back, and soon, they were separated by the crowd.

"Xiangsi?"

Zhong Pei was at a loss. He couldn't find her!

Standing in the crowd, he looked around, muttering dejectedly, "But what if I can't forget you?"