Chapter 3 Trapped in the Back Seat
In the back seat of Xu Yan's car, I kept messaging my best friend for help.
She replied: Big girls don't choose. Just take both.
After learning my online boyfriend was Xu Yan, she immediately switched sides: Is Xu Yan with you right now?
I wanted to cry. He's driving. I tried to slip away through the safe passage, but I twisted my ankle. He caught me and dragged me straight into the car.
Fine, then here's my final move! Listen: Charge once, weaken twice, exhaust three times, four—horse race. I'm out!
No reply.
After waiting ten minutes with no reply, I realized she really left me hanging.
If my best friend couldn't help, I'd have to handle this myself.
It was just one meal. What was there to be afraid of?
Besides, I wasn't cheating on anyone in a relationship.
The misunderstanding was cleared up. I had nothing to fear.
"We're here. Can you walk on that foot?" Xu Yan asked, one hand on the wheel, turning slightly toward me.
"Of course! Watch me prove it."
I rushed to get out, yanking the door handle over and over. It stayed locked.
"This brave beautiful warrior, I know you're in a hurry, but you don't have to dismantle my car door, right?" Xu Yan rubbed his brow and pressed the unlock button.
The moment the lock clicked, I shoved the door open.
My body tilted, about to fall, when a hand caught me in the darkness.
Xu Jiaqing, wearing a black hoodie with earphones around his neck, smiled at me. "Careful. So eager to see me?"
"..."
No, the windows had been pitch black—I hadn't seen anyone outside.
"My brother said you twisted your ankle?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
Xu Jiaqing sighed helplessly.
His brows furrowed, eyes darting away for a second.
He reached out. "Then let me help you?"
"No need."
Xu Yan pushed Xu Jiaqing aside and said flatly, "She just said she can walk by herself."
"Right, I can." I gripped the front seat and scooted out from the back.
After a few limping steps, Xu Yan pulled me close to his side.
He looked at me with feigned surprise. "What's wrong? Does it still hurt too much?"
I froze.
Weren't you the one who pulled me over?!
"If it hurts, don't force it." Xu Yan forced his hand into mine.
Right in front of Xu Jiaqing, our fingers interlocked tightly.
"Brother, maybe I should—"
"Don't misunderstand. Tian Wan and I are just in an ordinary student-Teacher relationship." Xu Yan's tone stayed calm, but he gripped my hand even harder.
Xu Jiaqing stepped to my other side and offered his arm too.
I waved him off. "No need..."
Then I smiled at Xu Yan. "Professor, really, it's okay..."
"It's fine." Xu Yan and Xu Jiaqing spoke at the same time.
So one on my left, one on my right, they half-carried me forward in long strides.
Because of the height difference, my feet barely touched the ground. At one point I was basically dangling between the two one-point-eight-meter-tall guys.
Passersby gave me sympathetic looks.
I gritted my teeth and explained to them, "Don't get the wrong idea. I just twisted my ankle—my legs aren't paralyzed."
A fragrant evening breeze suddenly hit, choking me mid-sentence.
Xu Yan said lightly, "New earphones? And you even sprayed cologne?"
Xu Jiaqing frowned. "What cologne? I just finished cooking and took a shower."
I sneezed again.
They both sped up, still holding me between them.