Chapter 312

Qiao Bolin straightened up casually, giving Lu Yao a slight nod before taking Yao Jing's hand and leading her into the elevator.

Yao Jing's ears burned with embarrassment. She sighed inwardly—she still had a long way to go in mastering her composure.

"Are you two heading out?" Lu Yao blinked her doe-like eyes innocently.

Yao Jing replied politely, "Yes, we're going to dinner."

Lu Yao clapped her hands excitedly. "What a coincidence! I just finished my livestream and was thinking of trying that new French restaurant nearby. Why don't we go together?"

Before Yao Jing could formulate a gentle refusal, Qiao Bolin cut in bluntly, "Sorry, but tonight is reserved for a private date with my girlfriend."

Lu Yao's smile froze, her ears turning crimson with humiliation. "Oh... my bad."

Once they stepped out of the elevator, Yao Jing tugged lightly at Qiao Bolin's sleeve. "That was too harsh."

He scoffed. "An invitation like that was either calculated or clueless. Either way, she needed the lesson."

Yao Jing nodded thoughtfully. "Fair point."

"Can't you show a little more possessiveness over me?" Qiao Bolin suddenly pinned her against the car door, his gaze intense. "Next time, I want you to stake your claim first."

She arched a brow, amused. "With your level of self-awareness, do I even need to?"

"Did I pass today's test?" His voice dropped lower.

Yao Jing's eyes glimmered. "Barely."

"Then I deserve a reward." Before she could react, he captured her lips, picking up where they'd left off in the elevator.

People moved through the parking garage, making Yao Jing tense. "Let's... eat first."

"And after dinner?" He nuzzled her cheek with his nose.

She suddenly nipped his lower lip, a sly glint in her eyes. "Your call."

Qiao Bolin's breath hitched. "How about we head home now?"

"Dream on." She slipped out of his arms effortlessly, straightening her collar. "I'm hungry."

Yao Jing had completely given up on Tian Xiaotian, not even bothering to ask about her anymore.

Occasionally, Shangguan Xia would mention, "They're still giving each other the silent treatment. Is Tian Xiaotian out of her mind? Even if something did happen, she should be mad at Chen Jihao, not you!"

Yao Jing couldn't be bothered to comment. Some people were easier to deal with once you saw them clearly.

That Friday afternoon, Shangguan Xia called. "Shao Si is back. He's organizing a class reunion."

"He came back early for a visit?" Yao Jing was surprised. This high school classmate had settled in the capital after graduation and rarely returned.

"He said it's for work. Weird that he didn't reach out to you separately." Shangguan Xia chuckled meaningfully. "Afraid you'll spill his secrets?"

Yao Jing snorted. "Now I have to go."

"Professor Chen will be there too. Don't be late."

"I'll head over after work." Yao Jing checked her schedule. "Give him my regards."