PFC Chapter 714: There's not much left.
Chapter 714: There's not much left.
Lin Bufan walked through the noisy crowd towards the main villa where Lan Weiwei had disappeared. He had just entered the relatively quiet interior when he saw Lan Weiwei leaning against the wall at the corner of the corridor. She had her arms crossed, her head slightly tilted, her eyes filled with a predictable resentment and a barely perceptible expectation; she was clearly waiting for him.
"Why did you follow me here?" Lan Weiwei's voice was soft, with a hint of reproach, but no surprise at all.
Lin Bufan spread his hands innocently: "My stomach hurts and I need to poop, so I came here looking for a toilet."
"You!" Lan Weiwei stomped her foot in anger and turned to leave.
Lin Bufan swiftly pulled her back and pinned her against the wall. Lan Weiwei struggled for a moment, but softened when she met Lin Bufan's smiling eyes. Their gazes locked, their breathing quickened, and almost simultaneously, they eagerly embraced and kissed, as if to make up for the past few days of separation.
In the lingering moments, Lan Weiwei, her breath ragged, pushed against Lin Bufan's chest, her voice trembling with suppressed gasps: "No...not here...what if someone sees us..."
Lin Bufan took a deep breath, looked around, and took Lan Weiwei's hand: "Come with me."
Lin Bufan led Lan Weiwei through the corridor, pushed open a half-closed door, slipped into what appeared to be an unused guest room, and locked the door behind them.
……
After an unknown amount of time, the guest room door was gently opened a crack. Lin Bufan straightened his slightly wrinkled suit jacket and stepped out first. After glancing around to make sure no one was there, he gestured to the inside. A moment later, Lan Weiwei, head down and cheeks still flushed, quickly walked out. The two of them, one after the other, casually rejoined the wedding crowd.
As soon as Lin Bufan returned to Yang Tao's side, he saw her standing with her hands on her hips, looking him up and down suspiciously: "Where have you been? For so long? I just looked for you in the first-floor restroom, but I couldn't find you anywhere!"
Lin Bufan remained expressionless, his tone tinged with weakness and relief: "Oh dear, don't even mention it! There seemed to be a problem with the toilet on the first floor; the door was locked. I finally found a guest restroom on the second floor, and I almost couldn't hold it in... It must be because the pan-fried dumplings I ate this morning weren't very fresh; it really messed me up." As he spoke, Lin Bufan rubbed his stomach, as if he were genuinely in pain.
"But it shouldn't have taken this long, right?" Yang Tao was clearly not so easily fooled and pressed on, "It's been almost two hours!"
"I didn't want to either!" Lin Bufan said helplessly, his voice tinged with grievance. "I was just feeling a little better when I came out of the bathroom. I hadn't gone two steps before my stomach started acting up again, so I had to go back. I went back and forth like this several times! Later, when I saw how it was going to go, I just gritted my teeth and stayed in there a little longer until it completely calmed down before coming out, to avoid the trouble of going back and forth."
Yang Tao leaned closer to Lin Bufan, twitched her nose slightly, and sniffed carefully. Then her brows furrowed even more: "Something's not right... you don't smell like the toilet at all. You wouldn't be..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but the suspicion in her eyes almost solidified into reality.
Lin Bufan inwardly regretted his miscalculation; he had been so focused on dissipating Lan Weiwei's perfume scent that he had forgotten about this, but it wasn't a big deal.
“My dear Miss Yang! We’re here today for your best friend’s wedding! On her big day, if I came back smelling like… well, that kind of odor, how rude and unpleasant would that be? I came down from the second floor and stood in the garden for a while to let the smell dissipate completely before I dared to come back! I’m just being considerate, civilized, and setting a good example!”
Yang Tao was momentarily speechless at Lin Bufan's righteous and stern explanation, but her woman's intuition told her that things weren't so simple. She immediately thought of another suspicious point, took out her phone, pointed at the screen, and said, "Okay, even if what you say makes sense, why can't I get through to you when I call you?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Bufan's face showed a perfectly timed expression of surprise and bewilderment: "Can't get through? Really?"
As he spoke, he casually pulled his phone from his suit pocket, pressed the side button, but the screen remained black and unresponsive. He pressed it a few more times, but the screen still didn't light up. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he slapped his forehead, his tone tinged with frustration:
"Oh dear! What a lapse in memory! I forgot to charge it last night, this damn phone must have run out of battery and shut down by itself! I was in the bathroom in a real mess just now, I didn't even notice when it turned off! Seriously...it's such a hassle!"
As Lin Bufan spoke, he waved the black screen of his phone at Yang Tao to prove that what he said was true.
Yang Tao stared at the phone screen, which was indeed black, and then looked at Lin Bufan's expression that said, "It was purely an accident, and I was helpless." She opened her mouth, but couldn't find a more compelling point of contention.
Just then, Lin Bufan suddenly frowned, his eyes becoming somewhat complicated. He leaned slightly closer to Yang Tao, lowered his voice, and spoke with a hint of disbelief and a touch of hurt:
"Peach...you were asking so many questions just now, checking up on me so thoroughly...you're not suspecting me, are you? Suspecting me of using diarrhea as an excuse to go off and do something shady?"
Lin Bufan's gaze swept over the festive and lively scene around him, his tone becoming even lower, tinged with self-mockery and grievance: "In your heart, am I really such an inconsiderate and tactless person? At your best friend's wedding, right under your nose, what could I possibly do? Am I really that untrustworthy to you?"
Lin Bufan's series of rhetorical questions, his tone shifting from doubt to grievance, and finally even carrying a perfectly timed hint of disappointment, instantly seized the initiative back into his own hands. His usually smiling eyes drooped slightly, genuinely appearing somewhat melancholic.
Yang Tao was taken aback by Lin Bufan's seemingly strategic retreat. Looking at the genuine "hurt" on his face and recalling his explanation, although something felt a little off, it all seemed... plausible? Moreover, his final question about trust had indeed touched a soft spot in her heart.
Am I being a little too sensitive?
If you love him, then you should trust him!
Yang Tao's imposing manner instantly weakened, her eyes flickered, and her voice softened unconsciously, carrying a hint of reassurance: "I...I didn't mean that...I just saw you were gone for so long, and I was a little worried about you...and I couldn't get through to you on the phone, I was just afraid something had happened to you..."
Seeing this, Lin Bufan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he had temporarily passed this hurdle. He immediately seized the opportunity, his face once again displaying that slightly roguish smile, and gently pinched Yang Tao's cheek:
"I know you're concerned about me. Okay, I'm fine now. I just had a bit of an upset stomach, but I'm much better now. Let's go, isn't the ceremony about to start?"
Lin Bufan naturally put his arm around Yang Tao's shoulder, leading her away from the slightly awkward corner and back into the noisy wedding atmosphere. Although Yang Tao's doubts hadn't completely disappeared, Lin Bufan had diverted her attention, and she temporarily put the matter out of her mind.
Lan Weiwei stood at the edge of the crowd not far away, unconsciously gripping the slender stem of a wine glass in her hand, her gaze subtly following Lin Bufan and Yang Tao. When she saw Lin Bufan easily dispel Yang Tao's doubts with a few words and a few innocent yet aggrieved expressions, and the two of them walked away hand in hand again, she subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly—thankfully, they hadn't been discovered.
But as soon as she breathed a sigh of relief, an indescribable disappointment welled up in Lan Weiwei's heart—if she were discovered, it might not be such a bad thing!
The wedding ceremony officially began amidst everyone's blessings and the lingering echo of the flying sports car. The bride and groom exchanged vows and rings, everything was warm and romantic. However, during the bouquet toss, the bouquet seemed to have eyes, flying straight towards Yang Tao, eliciting good-natured laughter from everyone. Yang Tao hurriedly caught it, giving Lin Bufan a knowing look.
The banquet was held in the villa's spacious garden. Long tables were covered with pristine white tablecloths and adorned with exquisite tableware and fresh flowers. Lin Bufan's eyes lit up as he looked at the bustling crowd. He pulled Yang Tao towards a table clearly reserved for children: "Come on, Taozi, let's sit at the kids' table! They definitely won't be able to compete with us for food later!"
Yang Tao was both amused and exasperated. She forcefully pulled Lin Bufan back and whispered, "You better behave yourself! Sit at the table next to the main table, Niu Niu specially arranged it! What kind of behavior is it to sit at the children's table!" She didn't want the topic of "Yang Tao brought a weird boyfriend with a childlike heart" to spread among her girlfriends tomorrow.
Lin Bufan pouted, reluctantly being seated in the designated seat by Yang Tao. Sure enough, not long after he sat down, people began recognizing him and approaching him with drinks. Some were curious about flying car technology, some were exploring potential collaborations, and others simply wanted to make an impression.
Lin Bufan was getting a headache from the constant stream of people, and finally couldn't help but whisper in Yang Tao's ear, "Taozi, this meal is like a press conference, it's exhausting. I don't see much left on the table, so... shall we leave?"
Yang Tao followed Lin Bufan's gaze to their table, and her lips twitched involuntarily. Indeed, as Lin Bufan had said, there was "not much left on the table."
Um--
There's really nothing left!
Not an exaggeration at all!
But this was by no means a lack of hospitality or a shortage of food; on the contrary, this table had significantly more food than the other tables.
But Yang Tao couldn't help it... She glanced at Lin Bufan, who looked completely innocent beside her. This guy hadn't stopped eating since the meal started, devouring nearly 80% of the dishes on the table like a whirlwind. Even the few hearty dishes that the waiter had specially added for their table were now just scraps of sauce, lying forlornly at the bottom of the exquisite plates.
"How dare you say that?" Yang Tao lowered her voice and glared at Lin Bufan. "They specially added two more dishes for our table, and you ate them all! If I didn't know you eat every day, I would have thought you hadn't eaten in a long time!"
Lin Bufan chuckled, showing no remorse: "I'm just afraid of wasting food; every grain is hard-earned."
Yang Tao was too lazy to argue with Lin Bufan anymore. She glanced at Niu Niu, who was surrounded by her sisters talking and had a happy yet tired smile on her face, and said to Lin Bufan, "Alright, you can go now. I'm not going back tonight. I'll stay and keep Niu Niu company."
"What?" Lin Bufan's eyes widened instantly, and he exaggeratedly lowered his voice: "You're not leaving? What do you mean? Could it be... you're going to the bridal chamber too?"
"Hey! What nonsense are you talking about!" Yang Tao blushed, and pinched Lin Bufan's arm hard in embarrassment and annoyance: "Are you looking for a beating?"
"Ouch... Gently, gently! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Lin Bufan quickly begged for mercy, grimacing as he rubbed his arm.
Yang Tao withdrew her hand and explained, "The young couple has been living together for a long time. Today is just a belated ceremony, there's no wedding night involved. Tonight, everyone will chat and joke around with their friends. Niu Niu asked me to stay and talk to her; it's been a long time since we sisters have had a proper get-together."
"Oh...I see." Lin Bufan nodded in realization. "Alright, you two sisters have a good chat. I'll head over now. If I stay here any longer, I'm afraid I'll really become a mascot for everyone to watch."
"Hurry up and go!" Yang Tao laughed and gave Lin Bufan a push: "Drive carefully."
"Okay!" Lin Bufan stood up, grabbed a small snack from a passing waiter's tray and popped it into his mouth, then waved to Yang Tao and strolled towards the parking lot.
……
As night deepened, the noise subsided in the guest bedroom on the second floor of the villa, leaving only warmth and tranquility. Niu Niu changed into comfortable pajamas and sprawled out in the center of the soft bed, letting out a satisfied sigh. Yang Tao and Lan Weiwei lay on either side of her, the three of them seemingly transported back to the days years ago when they squeezed onto a small dormitory bed.
Only a dim bedside lamp was on in the room, casting a soft, warm light. After a brief silence, Niu Niu turned over, lying on her side and looking at Yang Tao and Lan Weiwei with a reminiscing smile on her face: "Hey, do you guys remember, back in high school, there was a girl who was jealous of Tao Zi's popularity and deliberately spread rumors about Tao Zi behind her back. She said some really nasty things?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Tao's gaze softened slightly, and she softly hummed in agreement.
Niu Niu got excited and continued, "When you heard about it, Weiwei, you didn't say a word and just dragged me to find that girl. I remember you stood in front of Taozi, pointed at that girl's nose, and said in a very domineering way, 'Come at me if you have a problem. If you dare to bully Taozi again, I'll never forgive you!'"
Lan Weiwei lay on the other side, gazing at the light shadows on the ceiling. Her voice was soft, yet tinged with a barely perceptible sob: "Back then... I felt that no one could bully Taozi. You could bully me, but bullying Taozi... was unacceptable."
These words, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, rippled through Yang Tao's heart. She couldn't help but recall more memories—Lan Weiwei skipping class to take care of her when she was sick, those years of mutual support and unreserved youth… The rift caused by Li Wei seemed to have healed considerably; the pent-up anger had quietly dissipated under the warm current of friendship. She quietly turned her head to glance at Lan Weiwei's somewhat frail profile in the dim light, and sighed softly in her heart.