Nan Yu kept silent for a long while.
She never expected that her emotions would get so out of control that she blurted out what was on her mind.
She clearly knew these words shouldn't be said, and she had no right to say them, yet she just couldn't help it.
She couldn't help but want to scold him to his face for his heartlessness and philandering, and tear off his hypocritical mask of righteousness.
"I didn't mean to listen to your love story with Qu Jiaran... She just wouldn't stop talking, but I interrupted her halfway," she said cautiously. Tan Linyuan lifted the corners of his mouth silently.
Nan Yu didn't realize that her current look of being so cautious while "telling on someone" made people can't help but want to ruffle her hair.
"What else did she say?" Tan Linyuan asked patiently, his tone coaxing, "Tell me more. I'd like to hear."
Nan Yu was stunned for a moment. Confused by his gentle tone, she replied blankly, "… She also said your skills in bed were great."
"Anything else?"
"She said being with you was really pleasant."
After saying that, she felt extremely embarrassed and immediately cut off the topic. "And that's all she said."
Actually, she hadn't been paying much attention to what Qu Jiaran said later.
Tan Linyuan found it funny. Instead of explaining right away, he asked her, "What do you think?"
"What do I think... about what?"
"What do you think of my skills in bed? Are they good or not?"
His palm was burning hot. Before she knew it, he had taken her hand and intertwined their fingers, pressing their hands tightly together.
Nan Yu tried to shake off his hand, but the man was unbelievably strong. Her struggle not only had no effect but made him hold her hand even tighter. "Answer me."
While doing this, Tan Linyuan still stared straight ahead expressionlessly, as if he was unaffected and continued driving.
He just kept the speed of the car within the safe range.
He always had such a cold and aloof face while saying such commanding words, which seemed to be a special trait in a certain circle.
Nan Yu's face flushed red. She was a bit indignant inside.
She had come to settle the score with him, but how did she end up being flirted with by him instead?
Since she had already said everything, both what should and shouldn't be said, she might as well go all the way. Summoning up her courage, she asked, "So, did you two do it or not?"
Tan Linyuan smiled. "You really want to know?"
Just now, Nan Yu had still managed to put on an act in front of him, but now she didn't hide her concern about this matter at all.
Obviously, she was much cuter now.
Nan Yu didn't answer, which was equivalent to a default.
Tan Linyuan slowly let go of her hand and took out his phone from his pocket.
"One can always trump up a charge against someone. Instead of having me prove my innocence, it's better to confront Qu Jiaran directly," he said slowly.
As soon as he finished speaking, he dialed Qu Jiaran's number.
Nan Yu was startled and instinctively tried to grab the phone. But unexpectedly, the other person answered the call faster than her. "Linyuan! Have you two gotten home?"
Tan Linyuan turned on the speakerphone and then threw the phone into Nan Yu's lap. "I'm still driving."
Qu Jiaran immediately said, "Since you're driving, don't call me. Pay attention to safety!"
"I have something to confirm with you," Tan Linyuan said calmly, showing no sign of emotion. "When did I ever do it with you?"
... Nan Yu had never wanted to kill herself so much in her life.
Who in their right mind would ask such a question!
Just as Nan Yu was thinking about how to explain this to Qu Jiaran, the person on the other end of the phone replied without hesitation, "Did Yu Yu ask you? I was just joking with her."
Her tone was light, and she even seemed a bit embarrassed. "Yu Yu was in a bad mood in my hospital ward just now. I wanted to cheer her up, so I told a few lies on purpose."
Hearing the explanation on the phone, Nan Yu was stunned.
So it was a lie.
Tan Linyuan wasn't surprised by her answer. He just quietly waited for Qu Jiaran to finish speaking. "Don't tell such lies next time."
"I don't like such jokes. They're not funny at all."
Qu Jiaran still said nonchalantly, "I know. You're like a Buddhist disciple and can't be tainted by worldly desires. I was just joking. Oh, by the way, remember to apologize to Nan Yu for me!"
The call ended. Nan Yu was still in a daze, holding Tan Linyuan's phone.
"Happy now?" Tan Linyuan glanced at her, half - smiling. "You got so angry just because of a fabricated story."
After calming down, Nan Yu also realized that this was exactly the kind of thing Qu Jiaran would do.
Qu Jiaran's "heroic act" tonight had made Nan Yu forget her true nature.
Selfish, arrogant, and self - centered.
Just because of a lie, she had shown too many emotions.
Even, she had become unrecognizable.
Nan Yu lowered her head, annoyed. She was annoyed at her own recklessness, at her inappropriate outburst of emotions, and at the jealousy and envy that she had no right to feel.
"Sorry," Nan Yu blurted out an apology out of the blue. "I misunderstood you and even got angry with you."
"It's okay," Tan Linyuan held back his laughter and said in a very casual tone. "I've said that I won't hide anything from my partners."
He paused for a moment and explained this statement. "Of course, sexual partners also count as partners."
Nan Yu: "…"
As if it wasn't enough, Tan Linyuan added fuel to the fire. "If I really do have something to do with Qu Jiaran one day, I'll inform you immediately."
"Will this give you enough sense of security?"
Nan Yu: "… Thank you."
Now that she knew for sure that Tan Linyuan and Qu Jiaran had never had a relationship, Nan Yu felt that the air in the car was much more pleasant.
Only then did she feel cold. She slowly rolled up the car window and murmured softly, "It's so cold. You don't even know to close the window."
Tan Linyuan couldn't help but smile. His expression softened unconsciously. "Did you suffer any other grievances?"
It was really strange. Obviously, it was him who had made her angry, but when he said this, it was as if someone had bullied Nan Yu and he was going to stand up for her.
Nan Yu lowered her head and pinched the plastic bag. "No."
After saying that, she looked down at the hem of her dress.
The accident tonight had happened so suddenly that Nan Yu hadn't even had time to change into a new set of clothes.
She had thought about it halfway, but it was too troublesome to find a women's outfit on short notice, so she had to keep wearing that expensive evening dress.
It was only now that she suddenly remembered something.
Nan Yu suddenly became very serious, and her expression turned solemn. "Oh, right... There is actually one more thing I haven't told you."
After all that had just happened, Tan Linyuan was in a good mood, so he was very patient. "Go ahead."
Nan Yu pursed her lips, closed her eyes, and summoned up her courage. "… The dress accidentally got a hole in it."
She didn't know when it had happened.
Anyway, when she noticed it, there was already a frayed and obvious hole under the hem of the dress.
If it was rented, she would probably have to compensate for it.
Tan Linyuan: "…"