Chapter 184: The Unusual Xia Bing
After leaving the shooting range, it was already close to noon. Lu Yu drove himself to a random restaurant, ordered a set meal, and sat by the window, watching the traffic outside with a pensive expression on his face.
Since he had now received news about Luo Tong, he might as well calm down and patiently wait for a week, as there was no better option available to him.
Thinking of this, Lu Yu shook his head, a look of calmness on his face, and exhaled lightly, appearing quite helpless.
At this moment, the set meal Lu Yu ordered was served. Just as he was about to lower his head to eat, out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed a familiar and striking figure.
A white casual T-shirt paired with denim shorts, a mix of cuteness and competence; a sweet face coupled with slender legs, all matched under a gentle yet beautiful visage, making her seem lively and serene.
The one who came was none other than Xia Bing!
Having changed out of her usual uniform, Xia Bing exuded a fresh and charming aura, attracting glances from passersby.
Even some nearby women cast their eyes on Xia Bing, showing some jealousy in their gazes. After all, it wasn't just her beauty, but her enviable figure too, that was the root of their jealousy.
Seeing Xia Bing, Lu Yu smiled slightly, then stood up and said, "Xia Bing!"
Because of a phone call yesterday, Xia Bing had not been in a particularly good mood and was distracted during work. So, she took a day off to relax, not expecting to hear someone calling her name here.
Turning her head, Xia Bing saw Lu Yu smiling at her.
Seeing Lu Yu, a smile appeared on Xia Bing's face as well. She slowly walked to Lu Yu and said, "Lu Yu, I didn't expect to meet you here!"
"I didn't expect our Xia Bing, the beautiful girl, to be out shopping alone, dressed so prettily,"
Seeing the pure and charming Xia Bing, Lu Yu said with a smile, his words full of amusement.
Hearing Lu Yu's words, Xia Bing smiled slightly, but a touch of gloominess still lingered in her beautiful eyes. At this moment, she looked at Lu Yu and said, "I just wanted to come out and take a look, relax a bit."
The shadow in Xia Bing's eyes did not escape Lu Yu's notice. He knew that even though Xia Bing looked extremely gentle, she was incredibly strong inside, so he didn't state it directly but instead said with a smile, "How can you do it alone? Let me accompany you. After eating, let's go to the seaside together."
"Sure, I also planned to walk by the seaside after eating,"
Hearing Lu Yu's words, Xia Bing said with a smile in her voice.
Hearing this, Lu Yu smiled slightly. He then ordered a few more dishes and, with Xia Bing, ate and chatted. After the meal, they drove directly to the beach in LA City.
It was noon, and the sunlight on the azure sea was quite beautiful. Combined with the refreshing sea breeze, it lifted their spirits.
"Lu Yu, did you know? When I graduated, I chose to come to Lin'an because you could see the sea here."
Looking at the blue sea in front of her, Xia Bing said with a gentle smile, "Unfortunately, as things got busier, I could count on one hand the number of times I've been here in the years since I came to LA City."
A faint melancholy lingered in Xia Bing's heart, her tenderness tinged with sadness, evoking a sense of empathy from anyone watching.
"If you like, I can bring you here every week."
Lu Yu said, his tone involuntarily becoming more somber after hearing Xia Bing's words.
Ever since he heard Xia Bing's words on the phone yesterday, Lu Yu felt something different about her today.
Today, Xia Bing was gentler, more delicate, giving off an impression of intense fragility.
Seeing this, Lu Yu only felt more curious, as Xia Bing was usually gentle but with a touch of brightness.
But this time, there was a hint of wistfulness about her.
Could Xia Bing's demeanor today be related to the so-called family marriage alliance?
With this thought, Lu Yu's mind grew more puzzled.
Upon hearing Lu Yu's words, Xia Bing smiled softly, then looked at him and said, "Would you walk along the beach with me?"
"Sure,"
Lu Yu nodded in response to Xia Bing's request.
Hearing this, Xia Bing slowly took off her shoes, her fair feet stepping onto the warm sandy beach, a smile gracing her delicate face.
Walking barefoot on the sunlit warm sand, Xia Bing glanced at Lu Yu beside her and said, "Lu Yu, if I leave here, would you miss me?"
As she spoke, Xia Bing turned slightly, looking at Lu Yu with soft eyes.
Hearing Xia Bing's words, Lu Yu was slightly taken aback, then looked at her and said, "Xia Bing, what's going on? You seem a bit unusual today."
"I don't know either, I just suddenly feel a bit wistful,"
Gazing at the distant sea, Xia Bing said with a sigh, "Lu Yu, you know, before I came to Lin'an, every word and action of mine was under my family's strict supervision. My studies, interests, all had to follow their wishes. Only after coming to Lin'an did I feel a trace of long-lost freedom."
"Lin'an means freedom to me."
Xia Bing shook her head gently and said, with a tone full of melancholy.
"Xia Bing, what's happening to you?"
Seeing her like this, Lu Yu asked, his tone laced with tenderness, a sudden sense of sadness swirling in his heart at Xia Bing's forlorn appearance.
"Lu Yu, don't ask too many questions, alright?"
Hearing Lu Yu's query, Xia Bing shook her head and said, "Right now, I just want to let off some steam, or perhaps after tonight, I won't even have that opportunity!"
After tonight, she wouldn't even have the chance to let off steam!?
Hearing this, Lu Yu's heart skipped slightly, and he looked at Xia Bing in silence, realizing how much this seemingly fragile girl was enduring.
With this realization, Lu Yu said nothing further but quietly listened to Xia Bing's words.