Lin Beichen sighed and said helplessly, "Could you guys stop going along with those rumors outside? There's really nothing between us."
The teammates exchanged a smile, clearly not believing his words.
"It's not that we don't believe you're not engaged," one said, "but to say there's nothing shady between you two, we can't believe that."
Seeing the captain's special care for Lin Beichen, they'd truly find it hard to believe if there was nothing.
But Lin Beichen didn't want to linger on this issue, so he picked up his change of clothes, planning to take a shower and get a good night's sleep since he had a day off planned for tomorrow.
The next day, Lin Beichen woke up and took his time getting ready. As he headed downstairs, he saw a familiar figure waiting.
Xia Luyao was wearing a black jacket and shorts, with Martin boots showing off her long legs, looking quite different from usual.
"Lin Beichen, you're late, you know?" Xia Luyao said as soon as she saw him.
Lin Beichen walked over, puzzled, "Late? I came down right on time."
Xia Luyao raised her wrist, showing the time on her watch, "We agreed to meet at nine, it's already two past nine."
Lin Beichen rubbed his nose, feeling a bit awkward, "Just two minutes late, is there really a need to be this serious?"
"It's about attitude," Xia Luyao emphasized.
Lin Beichen sighed, "Fine, fine, it's about attitude. But I've always been like this, you know that."
Xia Luyao was at a loss for words out of frustration.
Seeing her exasperated look, Lin Beichen patted her head, "Alright, alright, I'll treat you to a meal later, okay? Let's go, weren't you anxious to get going?"
Xia Luyao huffed lightly, and then dropped the matter.
As they reached the entrance of the garrison district, ready to catch a cab, a red Panamera suddenly pulled up in front of them.
A stylish mixed-race beauty stepped out of the driver's seat and greeted them.
"Lin Beichen, long time no see," Rachel said with a smile.
Lin Beichen was speechless, "It's only been two days, right? Anyway, what brings you here?"
Rachel explained that after disembarking yesterday, she did some asking around and found out Lin Beichen was a special forces soldier at Yanjing City Garrison District, so she came looking for him.
Xia Luyao, seeing Rachel and Lin Beichen's familiarity, felt a pang of unease. She clung to Lin Beichen's arm and asked, "Lin Beichen, who's this? A friend of yours?"
Startled by her action, Lin Beichen introduced, "This is Rachel, we met in Masure. She's a doctor at the same hospital as Dr. Chen." Then he introduced Xia Luyao to Rachel.
Rachel noticed their closeness, and her internal alarm bells rang. She asked with a smile, "You two look like you're heading out somewhere?"
"Yeah, taking a day off to relax today," Lin Beichen replied.
Rachel immediately suggested, "Mind if I join you guys?"
Lin Beichen was about to agree when he felt Xia Luyao pinch him lightly. He turned to her, "Why'd you pinch me?"
"Who pinched you!" Xia Luyao thought dejectedly. Finally getting a chance to go out with Lin Beichen, why would she want another person tagging along? Especially when this girl seemed interested in Lin Beichen—how could she agree!
But Xia Luyao reluctantly said to Rachel, "If you want to come, then join us, the more, the merrier."
Rachel said happily, "Great, let's go together then. I'll drive you guys." With that, she headed to her car.
Xia Luyao looked at him with a faint smile, "What's wrong, Lin Beichen? Hurry up and get in, Rachel's waiting for you!"
Lin Beichen smiled slightly and, following Xia Luyao's lead, walked to Rachel's car.
He could feel a subtle tension between the two women. So, as soon as he got close to the car, Lin Beichen quickly chose the back seat, leaving the front passenger seat for Xia Luyao.
Rachel started the car and dashed toward the city center.
The atmosphere in the car was somewhat stifling; Lin Beichen wanted to break the silence but didn't know where to start.
Thus, they silently arrived at the city center.
…
After getting out, Lin Beichen sighed with relief and suggested, "Let's go shopping, they say women love shopping, right?"
He recalled reading online that shopping could make women's worries disappear.
This suggestion seemed to suit both of them, and Xia Luyao and Rachel nodded in agreement.
Seeing their consent, Lin Beichen felt slightly at ease.
Just as he was about to step forward, Xia Luyao naturally took his arm.
Lin Beichen hesitated for a moment, thinking, "Why is Xia Luyao so clingy today? What's going on?"
"You..."
He was about to ask when he suddenly felt his other arm being held. Turning to look, he saw Rachel had walked to his other side and copied Xia Luyao's action.
Lin Beichen was even more puzzled, "What are you two doing? I'm not a kid, I won't get lost!"
He felt a bit awkward being held by two beautiful women, attracting a lot of attention.
Sure enough, as they walked, they drew numerous curious glances. Guys were envious seeing Lin Beichen flanked by two beauties.
"Wow, that guy's so lucky!"
"Having two gorgeous women hanging on him, what kind of luck does he have?"
"Why can't something like that happen to me, even if it's just one beauty?"
"Come on, look in the mirror, stop dreaming."
"Seriously, that guy's quite fortunate. How is he making these two beauties get along peacefully?"
…
Listening to the chatter around, Lin Beichen felt quite speechless. Did they really want this kind of "luck"?
Being held like this by two beauties made him feel like he was under arrest. What's with these two women today? It's their first meeting, and they're already at odds with each other, making it uncomfortable for him.
While wondering how to escape this awkward situation, Xia Luyao suddenly spoke, "Lin Beichen, let's check out that store, that trench coat suits you."
Following her direction, he did see a trench coat displayed in a store window.
Usually, he wasn't picky about such things, but since Xia Luyao mentioned it, checking it out wouldn't hurt.
However, just as he was about to agree, Rachel interjected, "I think that store's black jacket suits you better, Lin Beichen, let's go to that store."
Lin Beichen felt a wave of helplessness; what was going on with these two women? He had suggested shopping to make them happy, but now they were all seeking his opinion instead?
After hearing Rachel's comment, Xia Luyao was furious and directly asked Lin Beichen, "Lin Beichen, you tell us, which store do you want to go to?"
Lin Beichen was utterly headachy; how was he supposed to answer? Saying this store might upset Xia Luyao, but saying that store might upset Rachel. He was truly caught in a dilemma! But it seemed these two women wouldn't let him off until he gave an answer, staring at him intently!
Lin Beichen sighed helplessly, thought for a moment, and said, "I think both outfits are just so-so. How about we check out the store up ahead?" After saying so, he walked forward without looking back. Xia Luyao and Rachel exchanged glances and quickly followed his pace. Actually, Lin Beichen hadn't even seen what kind of store it was ahead, only that it was a men's store which he entered directly. But in doing so, he temporarily relieved the awkward situation from before. Little did he know, the "ordeal" had just begun!
In the store, Xia Luyao and Rachel were surprisingly earnest in picking clothes for Lin Beichen, constantly holding up clothes in front of him.
"Lin Beichen, how about this one? I think this style really suits you," Xia Luyao said approvingly, holding a long brown trench coat.