Chapter 32: Oh, Are You Here With Your Girlfriend?

After two seconds of being lost in thought, alarm bells went off in her mind, and she quickly averted her gaze.

How could she think that way? She really was turning bad, oh no…

Qiao Zhen hurriedly changed the subject, standing on tiptoe and looking around, blinking lightly. “So, the place you mentioned, where is it?”

Qin Yichi’s dark eyes fixed on her, deep and meaningful. “No rush. You’ll know soon enough.”

Qiao Zhen: “…”

Oh, so you won’t tell me? Fine.

She wasn’t curious anyway.

Not at all!

Qiao Zhen pursed her lips in disappointment and clutched her canvas bag tightly. “Then the birthday gift I prepared for you, I won’t give it to you yet. Since you’re not in a hurry.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yichi lowered his head, letting out a muffled laugh. He casually replied, “Mm,” and took a small black velvet gift box from his jacket pocket.

Inside rested a pearl hairpin, adorned with tiny diamonds—delicate, elegant, and high-class.

Qin Yichi’s lips curled lazily. “Shall I pin it for you?”

Qiao Zhen stared at the pearl hairpin, her misty eyes full of confusion. “Where did you get this?”

A wild guess flashed through her mind, so unbelievable it vanished before she could grasp it.

The next moment, Qin Yichi’s nonchalant voice sounded, as if explaining offhand. “Raffle from the team. They gave it away.”

Qiao Zhen’s face was suspicious. “Really?”

Qin Yichi nodded, deadpan and utterly nonsensical. “Really.”

“…Oh.” Qiao Zhen thought, of course. Why would Qin Yichi lie to her for no reason? There was no need.

Anyway, this hairpin was truly beautiful and adorable!

Qin Yichi stepped behind her and pinned the hair accessory.

His eyes were pitch black, gazing seriously at the girl, Adam’s apple rolling gently.

Today, Qiao Zhen wore a white long dress and a beige knit cardigan. Her hair hung loose over her chest, black and silky.

She seemed softer and kinder than usual, like a jasmine flower blooming quietly—pure and serene.

Especially her flawless, snowy neck, which endlessly tempted him to take a bite.

A faint blush crept up Qin Yichi’s ears. He forcibly looked away, suppressing the romantic thoughts in his heart.

He drew a lock of hair from each side, twisted them together, and pinned them with the pearl hairpin.

The bright pearl shone on her ebony hair, dazzling even more.

He’d learned this online; girls liked this everyday hairstyle—simple, convenient, neither too flashy nor too plain.

She should like it too.

Qin Yichi slowly tidied her stray hair. The girl’s strands brushed his fingertips, carrying a faint fragrance, both tender and tingling.

Time seemed to slow, making this moment last forever.

Qiao Zhen stood before him, head slightly lowered, delicate fingers quietly twisting, her face tense.

“All done.”

Qin Yichi stepped back unhurriedly, led her to the motorcycle, swung a long leg over, decisive and skilled.

“Get on. I’ll take you there.”

Qiao Zhen was eager.

She’d ridden on Qin Yichi’s back seat before, envying his cool, stylish aura.

That feeling was exhilarating, thrilling.

But thinking carefully, the last time she sat on his motorcycle had been a long, long time ago.

It seemed ever since she started pursuing Ji Xian, she’d intentionally or unintentionally kept her distance from Qin Yichi, always staying far away…

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice called out from nearby. “Whoa!”

Qiao Zhen turned her head. At some point, a row of boys had gathered, all dressed in racing suits.

They stared, shocked and wide-eyed, their gazes shifting between Qin Yichi and Qiao Zhen.

“Oh my…” someone exclaimed from the crowd.

They had never seen another girl beside Qin Yichi.

Beautiful girls had always tried to sit on his back seat or add him on WeChat, but he always wore a face of “I’m not interested,” “I don’t like women.”

They seriously suspected Qin Yichi was gay—hardcore.

Yet now, he was inviting a pretty girl to sit on his motorcycle? And personally pinning a pearl hairpin for her!

They! All! Saw it!!!

A blond boy whistled and grinned. “Hey, hey, hey, Brother Chi, with your girlfriend?”

The word “girlfriend” jolted Qiao Zhen, making her whole body tense and her heart leap.

She instinctively shook her head, softly replying, “I’m not…”

But in the next second, Qin Yichi’s wild, alluring voice came from behind, casual and lazy.

“Yes.”

Those two words crashed into her heart like a boulder, sending splashes everywhere.

Huh?

Qiao Zhen froze, her mind blank, a blush creeping up her cheeks, tinting them pink.

What… does that mean…?

How come she didn’t know???

Her thoughts were a tangled mess, unable to process anything.

Her heart nearly jumped into her throat as she turned to Qin Yichi, cheeks flushed, and asked, “What did you say…”

She held her breath, not daring to breathe deeply, utterly bewildered.

Qin Yichi’s lips curled with a rogue charm. He patted the motorcycle, joking, “This bike is my girlfriend.”

As soon as he spoke, Qiao Zhen’s heart skipped a beat, her lips twitching.

She looked down at the sleek black motorcycle, staring for a long time before quietly responding.

“…Oh.”

“You two, really suit each other.”

So she’d misunderstood.

How embarrassing—what was she imagining?

A complex emotion welled up inside, uncertain if it was disappointment or something else.

The crowd stood silent, their pupils shaken, expressions nearly cracking.

The motorcycle… was his girlfriend?

Alright, alright. If the boss in SpongeBob can marry a computer, Qin Yichi marrying his motorcycle wouldn’t be surprising.

Let’s just say, even if pigs climbed trees or dogs played with phones, there was no way Brother Chi would ever get a wife; doomed to be single forever!

They pondered, suddenly enlightened.

No wonder Qin Yichi never let girls ride his back seat—he was afraid his “girlfriend” the motorcycle would get jealous…

The blond boy uttered an “Oh,” pulled out his phone, and opened his WeChat QR code, smiling as he approached Qiao Zhen, politely asking,

“Hello, little sister, can I add you on WeChat? Next time, big brother will take you for a ride~”

It was his first time actively asking someone for their WeChat.

For no other reason—Qiao Zhen looked so pure yet alluring, dressed in a white dress, her good-girl aura clashing with the training base’s vibe.

Most importantly, her smile was sweet—sweet enough to melt his heart.

No one could resist a sweet girl! No one!!

But before he could get a reply, Qin Yichi’s voice cut in abruptly.

“No.”

The blond boy’s lips twitched. “I wasn’t asking you.”

Qin Yichi lifted his eyelids and glanced at him. “You were five seconds slower than me this time, aren’t you slipping?”

No man tolerates being told he’s not good enough. The blond was instantly provoked, stamping his foot in frustration.

“Fine, fine, Qin Yichi, you’re the fastest, world’s number one speedster! Mr. Instant!”

But as he spoke, Qin Yichi had already deftly helped Qiao Zhen onto the back seat and sped off.

Motorcycle exhaust whipped past them.

“???” Only then did the blond realize something was off…

The bike drove toward the back of the base, gradually slowing as if afraid Qiao Zhen might fall.

The scenery around them flickered past like a movie, frame by frame.

Qiao Zhen gripped his jacket tightly, reached out a fair finger, poked his back, and leaned forward to urge him.

“Qin Yichi, you’re so slow. Can’t you go faster?”

She loved the feeling of freedom, unrestrained speed—like a roller coaster.

Qin Yichi’s back was strong as bamboo, broad shoulders and narrow waist, wrapped in a black jacket, radiating an inexplicable charm, hormones surging.

He seemed to chuckle, his voice low and husky. “Then hold on tight.”

Qiao Zhen didn’t hesitate, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, pressing herself against his back, nodding obediently.

“Mm, I’m holding on tight!”

The man’s body seemed to stiffen for a few seconds.

Then, with a roar!

The motorcycle suddenly accelerated, shooting forward. The engine and wind deafened her ears, buzzing.

A bump jolted Qiao Zhen’s head against Qin Yichi’s back.

Her hair whipped wildly in the wind, and she felt like she might be thrown off—her heart soared.

Thrilling and terrifying.

The bike kept accelerating.

Another bump, Qiao Zhen clung desperately to Qin Yichi, holding on for a few seconds before finally crying out,

“No—Qin Yichi, slow down, it’s… it’s too fast!!”