Chapter 378: Chapter 378

"Haha! It’s really you two! What a coincidence!" A sudden laugh broke the near silence, drawing their attention. Oh boy, it was Jia Yuejing!

What’s he doing here?

Jia Yuejing, holding a computer accessory in his hand, walked over with a big grin. "I thought I recognized those voices. Turns out it’s Shasha and you two! Are you here to buy a computer?"

He glanced spiritedly at Bai Shasha and then cast a quick look at Li Si’s belly. "Li Si is going to be a mom! Congratulations, congrats!"

"Thank you!" Li Si smiled politely.

Jia Yuejing laughed heartily and turned to Bai Shasha. "Shasha, seriously, how could you keep your distance ? You know my phone number. Want to buy a computer? Just give me a call! Come on, I wouldn’t rip off old friends!"

If she reached out, he’d probably deliver it to her doorstep for free, complete with ten years of free maintenance and upgrades!

"No, my laptop had a small issue. Just replacing a hard drive!" Bai Shasha said as she exchanged a somewhat awkward look with Li Si. Both seemed to sense the discomfort in the situation.

At the sight of Jia Yuejing, thoughts of Cao Yufan naturally sprang to mind. She wondered if he was still working at Jia Yuejing’s company.

"That’s even simpler! Here, let me handle it. Give me your laptop, and I’ll swap it for you!" He reached out to grab Bai Shasha’s laptop bag as he spoke.

Replacing a hard drive? That’s child’s play!

"No need! I’ve just had it fixed! Your company is around here?" Bai Shasha quickly shielded her bag behind her back. This guy was a bit *too* enthusiastic.

Jia Yuejing casually pointed to the left. "My shop’s over there. Whose shop did you guys just use? Could it be mine after all? If so, truly, fate brought us together!"

"Definitely not! You still talk as much as ever! Alright, you stay busy, we’re off!" Bai Shasha’s face shifted instantly upon learning his store was nearby, eager to leave.

Jia Yuejing extended his arm to block their path. "Don’t leave! Shasha, Li Si, since we bumped into one another, how about we grab a meal together?"

He’d been preoccupied with a side project recently, leaving no time to connect with Bai Shasha. This encounter was something he couldn’t let slip by!

"No need! Li Si and I really have things to do. Next time, okay? Next time!" Bai Shasha grabbed Li Si’s hand, talking while quickly pulling her away.

She knew Jia Yuejing had some feelings for her, but she was now in a relationship and didn’t want to give him the wrong idea.

Were it not for the whole mess with Cao Yufan, perhaps sharing a meal wouldn’t have been anything too problematic. But now, every time she saw Jia Yuejing, thoughts of Cao Yufan stirred uncomfortably.

Trailing behind, Jia Yuejing kept up persistently, continuing to persuade. "Really, can’t believe you two can grow distant after just a few days! Is it that serious? Just a quick meal together, come on!"

He picked up on Bai Shasha’s stiff expression; she didn’t seem happy. But he hadn’t said or done anything offensive, had he?

Bai Shasha turned her head back and firmly declined, "Jia Yuejing, please, go back to your work, alright? Li Si and I really have errands to run!"

Jia Yuejing yielded reluctantly. "Fine! Let’s plan for next time! They say arranged invitations are no match for serendipitous encounters. You two really are heartless!"

The line drew laughter from both Bai Shasha and Li Si despite themselves. After all, it wasn’t exactly his fault—but alas, being the designated loser was never easy!

Bai Shasha laughed off his remark, replying coolly, "Next time, I’ll bring my boyfriend along for a meal with us, how about it?" Read complete version only at novᴇlfire.net

Li Si suppressed her laugh hard—what a killer follow-up!

Jia Yuejing’s face froze in disbelief as he asked, "Shasha has a boyfriend now? By the way, your ex-boyfriend already resigned from my company not long ago."

How had things changed so drastically in such a short time? His heart—every time, it was just perpetually offbeat!

Initially, he thought she had broken up with her ex and once his project was over, he could confidently pursue her. Yet the opportunity was fleeting, like a shooting star—gone before you could grasp it!

"Really? I’ll make sure my boyfriend gets to know you someday! Li Si and I have to go now. Let’s plan for next time!" Bai Shasha’s eyes glimmered at his words, but any trace of connection to *that person* was gone.

Thinking back now, it all felt like something from yesterday, yet looking back, so much had changed—oceans swapped with sands!

"Alright." He sighed deeply, searching for some quiet space to process things.

Bai Shasha waved him off and dragged Li Si away quickly.

Li Si deliberately turned back to glance at Jia Yuejing, unsure why his retreating figure felt so heartbreakingly melancholy.

But love’s like that—there’s no first come, first served. Only what flows naturally.

Bai Shasha tugged at her hand with some irritation. "What are you looking back for?"

"Just taking another look at your admirer’s lonely figure!"

"Oh, stop it!" Bai Shasha rolled her eyes. "Seriously, you know how it is! The moment I see him, thoughts of *that guy* pop up, ruining even the best meals. You up for that?"

"Nope!" Li Si shook her head firmly. Anything messing with her appetite was best avoided.

Bai Shasha mused, stroking her chin. "Then it’s settled! What should we eat? My wallet’s tight; I can’t treat you to anything fancy. Let’s find somewhere both tasty and affordable, deal?"

"I’m not picky! As long as it’s good!" Li Si glanced at Jiang Tong, trailing a few steps behind them. It occurred to her they should pick a spot he’d enjoy too.

"Easy to please! I like that!" Bai Shasha followed her gaze toward him. "How about we have some meat or something? Your bodyguard tagging along has worked hard, hasn’t he?"

Finally exiting the computer mall, they took a look around. Judging by the surroundings, they realized decent food options weren’t nearby. So, they got into the car and left the area.

Disheartened, Jia Yuejing called up someone for a drink. Only one person showed up—Yin Xian. But hey, someone’s better than no one, right? Any company was better than solitude.

What he didn’t expect was this: Yin Xian, the troublemaker, turned up with his *new* girlfriend glowing at his side.

The sight almost made Jia Yuejing spit blood in rage. Dude, this was downright unsympathetic!

I haven’t even had a stab at romance, and here you are, newly divorced, already with a new partner—waltzing right in front of me!

Yin Xian hadn’t anticipated Jia Yuejing’s foul mood and quickly abandoned his girlfriend to chat and drink with his buddy.

"Hey! What’s gotten you cooked? Girl troubles?" Yin Xian teased, puzzled at why the usually lively, sharp-tongued man seemed so deflated.

Jia Yuejing gulped down red wine miserably. "I didn’t even take a shot—she already has a boyfriend! Fate sucks!"

"Who’s the girl?" Yin Xian’s curiosity piqued.

Jia Yuejing shot him a nasty glare. "You know her—Bai Shasha."

"Whoa! You’ve got unique tastes!" Yin Xian couldn’t hold back his laughter. That girl was fiery. But then he thought of Li Si, and his expression grew subtle. Was she doing okay these days?

Despite having drunk quite a bit, Jia Yuejing’s sharp eye caught the shift. "Don’t you dare! Li Si’s pregnant, man. In a few months, she’ll be a mom! Keep your thoughts clean. I’m telling you, as your pal, don’t even start messing around."

"This drama you have going on already—it’s a mess. Don’t go dragging an innocent girl’s life into it!"

Some truths were universally understood. Yin Xian’s new girlfriend Wang Mei wasn’t exactly easygoing. For instance, the stunts pulled by Ye Duowei—disruptions aplenty just trying to break them apart—showed that Wang Mei wasn’t your average peacemaker.

From the sidelines, Wang Mei tilted her head after overhearing partially. Her pout sparkled mischievously. "Brother Jia, that sounded loaded—are you saying I’M not a good girl from a nice family?"

"Slip of the tongue! Slip of the tongue, alright? I’ll punish myself with a shot!"

There you go—a wildcard showing up in this mix. Honestly, his overly refined "Brother Jia" and "Brother Jing" nicknames were a gift from his father, a classy choice. Something to thank the old man for.

But he couldn’t figure it out—was Yin Xian partial to these kinds of women?

Self-inflicted suffering, nothing else to blame! (To be continued. If you’ve enjoyed this story, please head to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with your recommendations, monthly tickets—your support is my driving force! Mobile users, visit m.qidian.com to read.)