More than ten minutes after Han Pei left, I was still standing on my terrace like an idiot.
The cold wind slapped my face.
But I didn't feel cold.
All I could hear was his voice:
I'll help you sort it out.
That wasn't love.
Not yet.
But it was… a promise.
A promise from a mature man who knew exactly what he wanted.
And that was scarier than love.
My phone vibrated.
Han Pei again.
[Go to sleep early. Goodnight.]
I stared.
So now he remembered goodnight.
I typed:[Have you arrived at the club?]
He replied:[Not yet. I'm home now.]
I frowned.
[Then go do your thing. I won't bother you.]
Han Pei:[Christmas is coming. Let's clear Christmas Eve out.]
I stared at the screen, then typed:[You've been asking me out these days. Doesn't that interfere with work?]
Han Pei:[I told you I wanted to pursue you.]
My heart skipped.
I hesitated, then typed:[Are you really going to pursue me until I graduate?]
Han Pei:[If you don't pursue, how will feelings develop?]
I stared at that line for a long time.
Then I typed, slowly:[Are you… serious?]
No reply.
Instead—
My phone rang.
Han Pei.
His voice sounded amused."What? You think I'm not credible?"
I swallowed. "No. I just think you don't have time."
"I'm busy," he admitted. "But all my personal time is yours."
My fingers tightened around my phone.
He continued, casually, like it wasn't insane."You can come see me whenever you have time."
I didn't know what to say.
He ended the call first.
"I'll stop here. Sleep early."
I lay back on my sofa, staring at the ceiling.
I had absolutely no dating experience.
And I was completely defenseless against a man like him.
So I did what any emotionally confused girl would do.
I called Bu Yi.
"Come to a bar with me."
Bu Yi sounded like he was already dying."I'm already at the bar. Come."
"If you don't pick me up, how am I supposed to get there?"
"You can drive now."
"It's too dark. My eyes will suffer. Are you coming or not? If you don't, you won't get another chance."
Bu Yi cursed under his breath.
Then said, reluctantly,"I'll call Fang Muhe."
When Fang Muhe arrived, he looked exhausted.
Like someone had been squeezing his patience dry for hours.
I didn't know why.
But I didn't ask.
On the way, I rolled the car window down a little and hummed quietly.
Fang Muhe glanced at me."So happy?"
I nodded.
Then, after a few seconds, I said,"I've decided."
He looked at me. "Decided what?"
"I'll give Han Pei a chance," I said softly. "He said he'll pursue me until graduation."
Fang Muhe nodded like he expected it.
"As long as you've thought it through, that's fine."
At the bar, Bu Yi was already waiting.
And the moment I stepped in, I saw him.
Han Pei.
Even with my bad eyesight, even with the dim lights—
I saw him.
He was sitting at the bar.
With a woman beside him.
From her back, she looked elegant. Sexy. Mature.
I froze.
Bu Yi followed my gaze and turned around.
"…Is that Han Pei?"
I nodded.
Then, without blinking, I said,"From now on, he's your brother-in-law."
Bu Yi almost spit out his drink."Qiqi. Please. Know your place."
I didn't respond.
My eyes stayed on Han Pei.
I had to let him know I was here.
So I went on stage.
When the band finished, the bar quieted down.
I took off my coat, fixed my makeup, and sat at the piano.
The first notes rang out.
A quiet old love song.
The kind Fang Muhe's generation liked.
The kind that made your chest ache.
When I began to sing, I felt the room shift.
People turned.
Even the bartender paused.
I didn't look at Han Pei at first.
I didn't need to.
I could feel him watching.
Then I glanced up.
And there he was.
Han Pei had turned fully around.
Staring at me like I was the only sound in the room.
His gaze didn't move.
Not once.
When the song ended, I smiled at him.
Just a small, smug smile.
Then I disappeared backstage and grabbed the little tip box.
I walked through the bar slowly, collecting tips.
People were generous.
When I reached Han Pei, the woman beside him was gone.
Good.
I set the tip box down in front of him and leaned on the counter.
Then I smiled sweetly."Oh wow. An old acquaintance. I thought it looked nice from far away… didn't expect it to be you."
Han Pei's lips curved.
"I thought you'd be unhappy."
I rested my chin on my hand."Why would I be unhappy?"
Then I lowered my voice.
"Isn't throwing tantrums a privilege only girlfriends have?"
Han Pei didn't even blink.
"You can throw tantrums even if we're not boyfriend and girlfriend," he said calmly. "If you do, I'll coax you."
Then he took out his wallet.
Dropped every bill he had into my tip box.
Then he pulled out his phone.
Scanned my QR code.
And transferred 20,000 yuan.
I stared at him.
My brain short-circuited.
"…Are you crazy?"
Han Pei looked at me like it was obvious."No. I'm pursuing you."
He stood up.
"There's a rest area upstairs," he said. "I'll wait for you there."
And without waiting for my answer, he walked away.
Just like that.
Like he was already sure I'd follow.
I handed the tip box to the staff.
"This is for everyone's late-night snacks."
Then I went back to Bu Yi and Fang Muhe.
Bu Yi was playing games.
Fang Muhe was leaning back, eyes closed.
He looked like he was asleep, but his expression was tense.
I covered him with my coat.
Then I poured myself half a glass of wine while Bu Yi wasn't looking.
Bu Yi sensed me leaving."Hey, where are you going?"
I smiled.
"To find you a brother-in-law."
"Don't wander off!"
"It's fine," I said lightly. "He's right here."
Upstairs, the rest area was quieter.
Han Pei was standing by the window.
Smoking.
When he saw me, he immediately put it out.
I sat opposite him, took a sip of wine, and looked him in the eye.
He looked back.
That deep, steady gaze again.
I asked, calmly,
"What did you want me to come here for?"
Han Pei's voice was low.
"To coax you."
My breath hitched.
I forced myself to stay calm, but my heart was already racing.
Then Han Pei leaned forward, his voice dropping even lower—
And he said something that made my entire body go cold.
"Qiqi… I know who your teacher is."