“TURN LEFT UP AHEAD. This route’s closed for construction,” Luo Wenzhou directed placidly, as if he really were just hitching a ride home. He’d asked why Fei Du had come, but the little bastard insisted on acting mysterious—he wouldn’t say—so Luo Wenzhou didn’t bother asking again. He’d just wait for Fei Du to reveal his motives in his own time.
Unexpectedly, Fei Du drove straight to Luo Wenzhou’s place without any fanfare. “We’re here,” was all he said.
Luo Wenzhou paused. Wait… So? What’s next?
Fei Du’s sharp eye caught the confusion in his gaze. “That’s it. I just wanted to give you a ride home,” he said, a very Fei Du-esque smile playing at the corner of his lips. That smile brought the sunny, boyish disposition he’d been maintaining till now crumbling down. Underneath that guise was that same familiar demeanor, that same air. Lowering his voice coyly, he leaned in to speak in Luo Wenzhou’s ear. “Did you hope that I had something else in mind, Sergeant Luo?”
These were common tricks playboys used to heighten the tension—being close one minute and distant the next; stepping on the line but never crossing it; not explaining themselves, only beckoning mysteriously from afar before darting away. Anyone who ventured forth, unable to fight their curiosity, would fall into such a playboy’s trap and dance to his tune with every step.
Since Luo Wenzhou ran in similar circles, he knew all the tricks and knew them well. He’d never had them used on him, though. He had no comeback, no excuse; in the wake of his wandering thoughts, of having his expectations so flirtatiously raised and then dashed, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Taking a breath to calm the tickle of desire in his chest, he decided nonchalance was the best strategy. After a pause, he opened the car door and patted it. “Good car. Shame it can’t go fast within the city limits—what a waste. Bye. Thanks for the ride.”
Then he got out and went in to feed his cat without a second look, as if nothing had happened.
Fei Du watched Sergeant Luo until he’d entered the building. Then he started the engine again. “You’re welcome,” he murmured. “See you tomorrow.”