Chapter 22 He Carried Me
Xiao Yuan was already waiting at the steps. When he saw me come up, he held out his hand.
The familiar light woody scent wrapped around me again. It had only been half a year since I left Haohai, but it felt like another lifetime.
In these six months, I could count our meetings on one hand.
But in daily life I still couldn't avoid sensing he was there.
I nodded politely and said thanks. I didn't take his hand.
His hand paused, then slowly drew back. We walked side by side to the center of the stage.
The rest was procedure. I took the trophy Xiao Yuan handed over and gave a standard acceptance speech.
It was decent. I just kept a cold face. There was no joy of winning on it.
After it ended I left through the underground garage.
The car waiting wasn't mine.
Xiao Yuan opened the door, got out, and put a black down jacket over me.
"Too many people after the show. Your car is still stuck outside." His tone was mild, even gentle. He asked in a low voice, "It's too cold here. Get in my car first, all right?"
I was in a red strap gown. The heels stabbed until it hurt. I didn't want to be dramatic. I was about to walk, then I stumbled, and Xiao Yuan caught me.
The next second I only heard him say, "Pardon me." The world spun. He scooped me up.
I bit back a sound. My fingers caught at his arm as he carried me a few steps to the car.
He set me down carefully on the seat, took off his suit jacket and laid it over my knees, then bent down, held my ankle, and took off my heels.
The whole string of moves flowed. By the time I reacted, my feet were already in fluffy flat slippers.
I moved my legs. "Where did these come from?"
Xiao Yuan got in. The driver started the car. He said, "I had someone buy them. You don't like heels, do you?"
I stopped talking again, messaged Sister Li the later meeting address, leaned back, and closed my eyes.
The heater in the car was warm, carrying Xiao Yuan's faint woody scent.
After a while Xiao Yuan asked, "Are you angry?"
"How could I be?" I brushed him off lazily, the way he used to brush me off.
He seemed to catch it, and fell silent.
Twenty minutes later the car stopped. I had just risen when Xiao Yuan gently held my wrist.
His voice carried a plea. "Xu Zhiyi, will you give me a chance?"
He said it low. "I'm sincere."