The heater in the car was on full blast, and the temperature inside was high.
The moment she got in, a wave of stuffy heat rushed over Su Qinghe’s face.
She untied her scarf, revealing a face that was already flushed red.
Jiang Che sat beside her, leaning back against the seat with his eyes closed, resting.
He had been running around all morning, arguing and even fighting. It was indeed a bit tiring.
But Su Qinghe could not calm down at all.
She sat there, twisting the hem of her clothes with both hands, her mind in complete chaos.
The lingering flutter from holding hands earlier had not yet faded. Now the words Bai Yuning had taught her in the hospital restroom were flashing through her mind like bullet comments on a screen.
“Make use of your weakness. Act like a delicate little white flower. Men all fall for that.”
“Just act a little coquettish. No man can resist it.”
“Do you want to be his friend for the rest of your life, or do you want to try harder and make him completely yours?”
Su Qinghe bit her lower lip and silently encouraged herself.
Su Qinghe, you can do this.
Isn’t it just acting spoiled?
Isn’t it just pretending to be weak?
You’re already weak. You don’t even need to pretend!
You just need to exaggerate it a tiny bit.
But… how exactly should she do it?
Throw herself into his arms directly?
No, no. That would be too forward. Jiang Che would definitely think she was a casual woman.
Then… pretend to feel unwell?
That seemed workable!
Su Qinghe quietly turned her head in Jiang Che’s direction.
Although she could not see, she could feel that he was right beside her, within arm’s reach.
The car moved steadily. It was quiet inside, aside from the driver occasionally clearing his throat.
Su Qinghe spent a long time preparing herself mentally. She took a deep breath and slowly clenched the hands resting on her knees.
Action!
First, she shifted slightly, sitting a little closer to Jiang Che.
Then she raised one hand and pressed it against her temple, her brows knitting slightly as she let out a very soft groan.
“Mm…”
Her voice was faint, but because the car was so quiet, the sound was clear.
The moment Jiang Che heard her, he immediately opened his eyes.
He turned to look at Su Qinghe and saw her frowning, looking uncomfortable. He straightened up at once and leaned closer, worry filling his voice.
“What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”
Hearing his concerned tone made her heart tremble. A small wave of secret delight rose first, followed by a trace of guilt.
But that guilt barely surfaced before it was washed away by joy.
It really worked!
He really cared about her!
Su Qinghe forced down the smile threatening to curl at her lips and decided to carry the act through.
She weakly shook her head and let her body lean softly toward Jiang Che.
“It’s… nothing…”
“It’s just… the car feels a bit stuffy. I’m a little dizzy…”
That part was not entirely fake.
The heater was indeed too strong, and after the emotional ups and downs earlier, she truly did feel slightly lightheaded.
But normally she would have endured it without saying a word.
Now, however, she wanted to use this small discomfort to gain more of Jiang Che’s attention and tenderness.
“Carsick?”
Jiang Che frowned and pressed the window down slightly.
Cold air immediately poured in, dispersing the stuffy heat.
“Feeling better?”
When her expression did not seem to improve much, he reached out and touched her forehead. “No fever.”
Su Qinghe took the opportunity to grab his hand, preventing him from pulling away.
She pressed her cheek into his palm and gently rubbed against it like a kitten seeking comfort.
“Jiang Che…”
Her voice was soft and sweet, filled with a pitiful tone, exactly like a little girlfriend acting spoiled with her boyfriend. It was enough to melt anyone’s heart.
“My head feels so dizzy… Can I… lean on you for a bit?”
After saying that, her heart nearly jumped out of her chest.
That was already her limit.
But the moment Su Qinghe leaned into him, Jiang Che froze.
Soft warmth filled his arms. A faint milky scent from the girl lingered near his nose.
His entire body stiffened like stone. His hands hovered awkwardly in midair before finally resting rigidly on his knees.
Seriously, who could withstand this?
He glanced down at the small head in his arms. Su Qinghe had her eyes closed, her eyelashes trembling slightly. That fragile, utterly dependent look was practically inviting him to commit a crime.
When did this girl learn this trick?
Jiang Che wondered. Where had the socially anxious, easily blushing little stammerer gone?
If no one had taught her, he would write his name backward.
Without thinking, he guessed Bai Yuning was behind this.
Recalling that the two of them had stayed in the restroom for nearly half an hour that morning, he suddenly understood.
Case solved.
So this was the “girl’s secret” Bai Yuning had mentioned.
And honestly, he fell for it.
That tiny bit of male pride in his heart was thoroughly satisfied.
“Ahem.”
The middle-aged driver in front glanced at them through the rearview mirror and teased cheerfully, “Young man, your girlfriend gets carsick? Open the window a little wider to let in more air.”
Hearing the word “girlfriend,” Su Qinghe instinctively perked up, listening closely for Jiang Che’s reaction.
She then heard him laugh lightly and say, “Okay,” before the wind noise grew stronger.
Blushing, Su Qinghe buried her head deeper into Jiang Che’s chest like a little ostrich trying to hide.
…
When they arrived downstairs at the apartment, Jiang Che paid the fare and led Su Qinghe out of the car.
She had been clingy the entire ride, and even after getting out, she refused to let go, almost pressing herself against him as they walked.
Jiang Che rather enjoyed her clinginess and simply wrapped an arm halfway around her as he guided her into the elevator.
“Still dizzy?” he asked after pressing the floor button.
Su Qinghe shook her head, her small hand tightly gripping his sleeve. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. “Much… much better.”
In truth, she had stopped feeling dizzy long ago.
She just could not bear to let go.
Being protected in Jiang Che’s arms was too addictive, like taking a drug called “Jiang Che.” Once she tasted it, she would never be able to quit.
With a “ding,” the elevator doors opened.
Since the building had a one-apartment-per-floor design, Jiang Che had told the mall delivery staff that morning to simply leave the items at the door.
He took out his key and unlocked the door, then carried the clothes they had bought inside one by one.
The heating inside was strong. As soon as Su Qinghe stepped in, a wave of warmth rushed over her, instantly driving away the chill clinging to her.
“Change your shoes.”
Jiang Che took out a pair of pink rabbit cotton slippers from a bag and placed them by her feet. He then bent slightly and helped unzip her down jacket.
“It’s warm inside. Take off your coat. Don’t let yourself sweat.”
Su Qinghe obediently stood still, letting him fuss over her.
Underneath, she was wearing a white turtleneck sweater and a light gray pleated skirt, all bought by Jiang Che that morning.
The sweater fit snugly, outlining curves that were a bit too mature for her age. Her waist was so slender it looked as though one hand could encircle it completely.
Jiang Che’s gaze swept over her, and his Adam’s apple bobbed unconsciously. He quickly looked away and turned to hang her coat on the rack.
“Um… I’m going to do some homework.”
Hearing her footsteps follow him, he turned back and explained somewhat awkwardly, “It’s senior year. Even though I don’t love studying, you know how it is. I still have to pretend to do the homework. Otherwise, the homeroom teacher will scold me again tomorrow.”
He was the typical smart student who refused to apply himself. His grades were always near the bottom, but with a little last-minute effort, he could easily rise to the middle of the class.
Su Qinghe froze, clearly not expecting homework to be the first activity after coming home.
“Oh…” She nodded, unable to hide her slight disappointment.