After a long moment, Xie Wanqing was the first to look away. She glanced up at the sun, dryly saying, "I'm hungry. It's time for the banquet; let's go eat."
This kind of evasive attitude, without saying anything clearly, made Pei Yuqing's breath catch. He felt as if his heart were soaking in a vat of vinegar, both sour and astringent, wishing he could embrace her and harshly bully her.
But he was accustomed to restraint, having etched self-control into his very bones, unable to sternly question her.
Ultimately, he merely clenched his fingers tightly and let out a low "mm" from his throat.
Xie Wanqing didn't notice anything amiss, smiling as if she were granted amnesty, lifting her skirt and walking briskly inside.
Back at the banquet, her familiar friends hadn't said anything yet, but it was Cao Yingying, whom she'd only met a few times, who tilted her head and looked over.
"Just now everyone was asking about you. Where did you go? We haven't seen you at all."
