Urban System: Beautiful lady, I really didn't steal your black stockings!

For the next few days, Cheng Zhe didn't go back, but stayed here instead.

Shen Yating and Chen Fengping tidied up the house perfectly, changed the sofa covers to light gray, laid out a soft carpet, and added a new set of shiny cookware to the kitchen. The whole house gradually became more homely and welcoming.

They never pried into his affairs or disturbed his time alone. They simply cooked his favorite dishes in different ways every day and carefully tried to please him in their words and actions.

Cheng Zhe should have felt at ease, but his inner turmoil was no less.

He would occasionally send Zhao Ya a WeChat message to ask about her and Zhang Cuiting's recent situation. Zhao Ya's reply was always gentle and polite, never mentioning the past conflicts. However, Cheng Zhe could read the unease she couldn't hide from those words.

Once everything was settled, Shen Yating and Chen Fengping gradually adapted to life there. Cheng Zhe then made an excuse and went out alone.

The evening breeze was cool, and the wind on his face finally cleared his muddled mind a bit.

He didn't drive, but walked slowly along the street, and before he knew it, he came to a small bar hidden in an old alley.

The tavern was small, dimly lit, and filled with the mixed smells of alcohol and food. All around were the noisy conversations of the diners, the clinking of glasses, and the deep, husky voice of the singer on stage.

It was noisy here, but it made Cheng Zhe feel inexplicably at ease. He preferred to immerse himself in this bustling, lively atmosphere.

He found a corner seat, ordered a plate of peanuts, a plate of braised dishes, and a bottle of ice-cold beer.

The waiter brought the wine over and placed it on the table with a "thud," the foam slowly sliding down the side of the glass.

Cheng Zhe poured himself a full glass and took a big gulp.

The cold beer slid down my throat, carrying a slight bitterness, instantly dispelling some of my irritability.

His gaze casually swept over the people in the tavern, but he couldn't help but hear the voices in the hearts of the people around him, which was his most fascinating hobby at the moment.

Rather than listening to people's empty words, he preferred to listen to those secrets hidden in his heart, those he dared not speak aloud, while drinking.

At the table diagonally in front of me sat five well-dressed girls who looked like college classmates. They were chatting and laughing, passing each other food, and taking pictures, appearing very close.

But Cheng Zhe heard the voices in their hearts.

"I can't stand Li Meng. Every time we come out, she tries to steal the spotlight and deliberately dresses prettier than all of us. Isn't she just trying to show off her new dress?"

"Lin Xi just secretly complained to me that Wang Yurou always pretends to be a little girl, but then she turned around and praised Wang Yurou for being petite and cute. How hypocritical."

"The necklace Zhang Qianqian is wearing today seems to be fake. I saw the real one at the store last time. She actually had the nerve to say it was a gift from a relative. She's really putting on a brave face."

"I've been looking down on Chen Yu for a long time. She always borrows my things and never returns them. This time, I deliberately lent her my ripped black stockings so she could embarrass herself later."

The five girls all wore sweet smiles and spoke affectionately, but in their hearts they harbored their own schemes and were scheming against each other. None of them truly considered the others as friends.

Cheng Zhe watched this scene with a mocking smile, picked up his wine glass and took another sip.

Looking at the table next to me, I saw a couple sitting hand in hand. The boy was gently peeling shrimp for the girl, who was leaning on his shoulder. They looked incredibly affectionate.

But the voice in their hearts was even more unbearable than that of the five girls.

"I need to find a reason to ask her for some money. I have to make her think that I'm just having some temporary cash flow problems. I absolutely cannot let her know that I'm bankrupt."

The man's eyes were full of calculation, but his hands remained gentle as he peeled the shrimp.

"He doesn't know I've already started dating his brother. I'll break up with him when he runs out of money." The girl had a sweet smile on her lips, but there was no affection in her eyes.

Cheng Zhe felt a tightness in his chest upon hearing this, picked up the bottle, and took a large gulp directly from the bottle opening.

The burning sensation of the alcohol seared his throat, but he felt it wasn't enough to suppress the irritation in his heart.

He suddenly realized that mind-reading was never a lucky ability for him.

It allowed him to see the darkness in the hearts of too many people, to see the scheming behind those smiles, the malice beneath that gentleness, and the betrayal within that intimacy.

It turns out that the true nature of humanity is so dark.

Just then, a clear female voice rang out in front of him, interrupting his thoughts: "Handsome, can I have your contact information?"

Cheng Zhe looked up and saw a girl standing next to him at the table in front of him.

The girl in front of me was wearing black stockings and a short skirt, with long hair draped over her shoulders and a shy smile on her face. She was one of the five girls from earlier.

The girl felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, her cheeks flushed, but she still mustered her courage and handed him her phone: "My name is Lin Xi. I noticed you earlier and thought you were quite special. Can we get to know each other?"

Cheng Zhe's gaze fell on the phone she handed him, then at the youthful smile on her face. He heard the voice in her heart: "They were saying that the man at the table behind us was drinking alone, and that he was quite masculine, wearing designer clothes, so he must be a successful person."

"Once I get his WeChat, I'll go back and brag about it! Then I'll secretly chat with him flirtatiously and let them see who's the center of attention today."

It's always like this.

A strange sense of annoyance welled up in Cheng Zhe's heart, but he didn't show it on his face.

He tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing a cryptic smile, but didn't take her phone. He simply asked, "What is it?"

Lin Xi blushed even more at his question, her eyes darting away before she couldn't help but look at him again: "N-nothing...it's just...I just think you look very charming and I'd like to get to know you. Maybe we can chat if we add each other on WeChat."

After she finished speaking, she handed the phone to him again, her eyes full of expectation, but the voice in her heart became more and more straightforward: "Agree quickly, agree quickly. He looks rich and good-looking. My girlfriends will definitely be so envious of me later."

Looking at the longing in her eyes and her little scheme, Cheng Zhe initially wanted to refuse again, but then he found it somewhat interesting, so he took out his phone and scanned her QR code.

"Great!" Lin Xi's eyes lit up instantly, her shyness faded considerably, replaced by excitement. She quickly sent a friend request, "My name is Lin Xi, please accept!"

Cheng Zhe hummed in agreement, said nothing more, looked down at the friend request that popped up on his phone screen, and accepted it.

Seeing that he had accepted her friend request, Lin Xi smiled contentedly, said "I won't bother you while you're drinking," and then turned around and ran back to her table with light steps.

As soon as she sat down, she eagerly held up her phone to her girlfriends, her voice low but unable to hide her pride: "Look! I added him on WeChat!"

Several girls immediately surrounded her, their eyes fixed on her phone screen.

The girl named Li Xiaoyu, who was the first to say that Cheng Zhe had masculine charm, instantly lost her smile, her heart filled with jealousy: "Why did she get to add me? I wanted to go too, but I was too shy. She, on the other hand, snatched it up so quickly!"

"Wow, Lin Xi, that's awesome!" another girl chimed in, her voice tinged with envy. "He seems pretty aloof, but he actually gave you his WeChat?"