The stubborn her

copilot

As Shen Zhitong stepped out of the company's building, the rain continued to pour heavily. The deep autumn cold wind, mixed with hail and rain, sent a bone-chilling chill down Shen Zhitong's collar. The traffic lights at the intersection flashed incessantly, with vehicles of all sizes passing by her side, splashing waves of rainwater.

The umbrella Shen Zhitong held wasn't sturdy enough, and the strong wind almost flipped its cover. She was soaked about seventy to eighty percent, with water seeping into her shoes.

Braving the rain, she gritted her teeth and pressed on, when suddenly, a quiet car approached from the side of the road, slowing down to match Shen Zhitong's pace.

The car window rolled down, revealing Zhou Xingjin's calm face behind the rain curtain.

"Get in," he raised his voice slightly over the rain.

Until she saw him, Shen Zhitong hadn't realized how embarrassing her current situation was. Meeting his gaze, she immediately felt a surge of annoyance, both at herself for encountering him in such a miserable state and at him for witnessing it.

Stubbornly, she lowered the umbrella to shield her face and continued walking forward, ignoring him just like last time.

But Zhou Xingjin didn't leave. He gently pressed the brake and continued to follow her. The surrounding crowd leaving work had already attracted several passersby's attention, observing this silent "showdown" between the expensive Maybach and the woman on the roadside.

While Zhou Xingjin's car window remained open generously, he showed no concern about being recognized.

Shen Zhitong, on the other hand, had such concerns. Finally, she compromised, folding her umbrella and quickly getting into his car.

Zhou Xingjin looked at Shen Zhitong in the passenger seat, his expression softening slightly.

He remembered the last time he saw her two years ago, also in this cold, snowy weather.

The next day, after the rain stopped and the sky cleared, she seemed to evaporate from the earth, as if she had never appeared in his sight. Inside and outside the car felt like two different worlds: quiet, warm, and with a hint of faint agarwood fragrance.

The scent was familiar, even though she had only ridden in his car a few times before.

The fragmented memories from two years ago emerged again, scattered in her mind. Shen Zhitong frowned lightly.

Zhou Xingjin turned his head to look at her, his gaze inadvertently falling on the wet strands of hair on her forehead.

He brushed his gaze away, and the white, swan-like neck under the wet hair also had a few black strands.

At the collar, the wet chiffon lining clung tightly to her delicate and slender collarbones, making the skin there appear even smoother and more delicate... She was still shivering from the cold air coming in from outside.

Zhou Xingjin averted his gaze, closed the window, and turned on the heater.

"Fasten your seatbelt," he reminded. Shen Zhitong put down her wet umbrella and thanked him.

After fastening her seatbelt, her first reaction was to check the seat beneath her.

It had been soaked by the rainwater that had floated in when she opened the door.

Shen Zhitong was cautious, quickly wiping with her hand. She realized that she was wearing a white coat today and breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, it was white, so there was no risk of it being questioned for fading.

"What's wrong?" Shen Zhitong shook her head and apologized in a low voice, "I got your car wet."

Zhou Xingjin glanced at her and shook his head slightly to indicate that it was fine. Shen Zhitong stole a few glances at him while adjusting her posture.

He still had that handsome and calm demeanor, his long arms half-extended on the steering wheel, his knuckles clearly visible as he effortlessly turned the steering wheel, exuding a charm and restrained masculine energy that was hard to describe. Shen Zhitong calmly looked away and gazed out of the window.

Despite being a man, he seemed like a poppy flower, exuding an extremely charming aura on the surface. However, a slight neglect could lead to being intoxicated by him, only to be corroded by the intense toxicity hidden within.

"Where do you live? I'll take you home," Zhou Xingjin's voice was steady.

"No, it's not necessary," Shen Zhitong pointed through the front windshield, "Turn left at the second intersection ahead, there's a subway station."

Zhou Xingjin didn't say anything, but after a moment, he replied with a "okay."

The car fell silent for a few minutes.

Shen Zhitong didn't ask him why he suddenly visited Blueheart, as it wasn't something she, at her level, should be concerned about.

Zhou Xingjin didn't bring up these matters either. The road was congested, and the car moved slowly.

Shen Zhitong looked out of her side window, boredly watching the pedestrians and vehicles braving the rain. Zhou Xingjin's voice echoed again, "Have you been working at this company for the past two years?"

Shen Zhitong turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting his directly. "I joined a year ago."

After a brief silence, Zhou Xingjin suddenly spoke slowly, "Your father..."

Shen Zhitong's expression paused. "Passed away."

Zhou Xingjin had already guessed most of it and didn't show much surprise on his face. He simply said softly, "I'm sorry."

Shen Zhitong's gaze flickered over the street scene outside the window, not saying anything. She didn't want to dwell on her father's matter with him.

Zhou Xingjin glanced at her sideways, a subtle ripple in his eyes. "That day..."

The car turned a corner and soon arrived at the subway station.

"I'm here," Shen Zhitong interrupted him.

She lightly unbuckled her seatbelt, picked up her umbrella and bag, and nodded to him in gratitude.

"Shen Zhitong," as she was about to open the door, Zhou Xingjin called out to her.

Shen Zhitong turned to look at him, her eyes calm and unreadable.

"I'm sorry." These three words were somewhat awkward coming from Zhou Xingjin's refined face.

Shen Zhitong remained silent, opening the door and stepping out into the rain, umbrella in hand.

Zhou Xingjin watched her figure disappear into the subway station before withdrawing his gaze.

He stared at his phone for a moment, suddenly remembering something. He hadn't added her back on WeChat.