16 – Chapter 16
Her Neck
【Wuwuwu, Xie Zhi finally couldn’t hold on anymore, and it’s only been six days! Si Nian is really something else!!】
【What kind of twist is this? Xie Zhi chose Si Nian, but then Si Nian picked another man? This must be the production team’s script! Are they trying to stir up drama?】
【Wuwuwu, the innocent puppy and the sexy older sister are such a perfect match. Just seeing them stand together doing nothing feels so charged. What childhood sweethearts reuniting? That’s not exciting at all!】
【What exactly is Si Nian thinking? Does she have no persistence or determination? Switching targets just because she can’t get the one she wants? I look down on you!】
【Is this sister giving up because she knows Lin Yulan and Xie Zhi are childhood sweethearts and thinks she can’t compete?】
【I think her brain’s fried from fever! Hurry up and turn back, wuwuwu. The puppy is waiting for you, wuwuwu, this is killing me.】
【Obsession CP is so tragic. You chase after me while my heart belongs to someone else, and by the time I turn around, you’ve fallen for another…】
When Si Nian heard the result, her eyes widened in shock. She had clearly chosen Xie Zhi—when did it become Liu Yu? Just as she was about to confront the production team, the little system’s excited voice chimed in.
“This move is called ‘playing hard to get’—retreating to advance! Hahaha!”
Si Nian: “??”
“I secretly tweaked things for you, host! I’ve realized that chasing too hard might backfire. You really do learn something new every day—”
The system’s tone was lilting, clearly fishing for praise. It took Si Nian a moment to respond: “Okay, but was that necessary…”
“Why not?”
“If you hadn’t interfered, we might already be on a yacht date right now…”
“Uh…” In the end, among all the guests, only Si Nian and Liu Yu had chosen each other. Under the production team’s arrangement, the two boarded a small yacht.
The space onboard was extremely cramped. Si Nian had tried her best to curl into a ball, but her knees still occasionally brushed against his legs.
They had to stay on the yacht for three hours.
Liu Yu remained in a highly excited state. He never imagined Si Nian would choose him. The cool sea breeze swept by, yet a flush lingered on his tanned skin, refusing to fade.
They made small talk, discussing mundane, boring topics without a single spark.
As a result, the live stream from this angle had few viewers. Most people’s attention was captured by Xie Zhi.
He still had that devastatingly handsome face, but his usual smile was gone. His expression was neutral as he sat with the other guests.
Perhaps because it was the final night, the production team had generously provided snacks and drinks. Everyone was enjoying themselves.
Someone toasted Xie Zhi, who smiled and nodded, downing half his glass in one go.
Perhaps caught up in the moment, by 11 p.m., no one had left.
Soon, the small yacht docked, and Si Nian and Liu Yu walked toward the group, one after the other.
Finishing the wine in his glass, Xie Zhi stood up and turned around. His eyes swept over the man and woman before he walked forward calmly.
【Holy crap, did I just see murder in his eyes? He’s always been so gentle!】
【The woman he had his eyes on got snatched by another man? Could you handle that if it were you?】【Xie Zhi is absolutely not as gentle as he appears. See the veins on his hand? He could pin Si Nian down with one hand, grip her neck and press her against the bed, and then…】
【And then what? Don’t leave us hanging, person upstairs!】
Xie Zhi walked toward Si Nian with his hands in his pockets. Since it was the same direction as the dormitory, no one could guess whether he was heading back to sleep or going to confront her.
They drew closer until they were nearly face to face.
Just as they were about to pass each other, they both stopped.
“Shall we talk?” Xie Zhi spoke first.
“Okay…”
Contrary to expectations of tension, the pair strolled to the beach and sat on a slanted old tree trunk.
Si Nian, having been tricked by the system, didn’t know how to explain herself to Xie Zhi and timidly began, “I didn’t expect you to choose me…”
Xie Zhi stared at her for a moment before asking, “Do you know about me and Lin Yulan?”
“Huh?”
“We’ve known each other since childhood.”
“Oh… childhood sweethearts then. That’s nice.”
“But all that was over a decade ago.”
“Mhmm, people should always look forward,” Si Nian nodded with a bright smile. “Everyone could be a passerby in your life—only you are the main character. You should live for yourself.”
So just let go of your fixation on Lin Yulan and turn back quickly, Si Nian added silently in her heart.
“So now you’re preparing to look forward and live for yourself?” Xie Zhi murmured softly.
“Huh?” Si Nian didn’t catch it.
“Nothing…” Xie Zhi shook his head, gazing at Si Nian. Soon, however, his expression shifted slightly. “Does your neck look a bit red there?”
Si Nian lowered her head but couldn’t see anything, then turned and pulled open her thin shirt jacket for Xie Zhi, sweeping her hair back. “I did feel a little itchy, but I couldn’t tell exactly where…”
Her eyes sparkled, as if seeking help.
Xie Zhi’s breathing grew heavier. “Below your left earlobe.”
“Ah, here?” Si Nian tapped with her index finger, hitting the red spot precisely—almost as if she knew where it was all along and was teasing Xie Zhi on purpose.
“Mhmm.” Xie Zhi gave a slight nod.
His eyes followed Si Nian’s finger, tracing along her slender neck…
Si Nian’s neck was slim and straight, like a swan’s. Under the faint, soft lighting, it appeared even more delicate and pale, with subcutaneous veins faintly visible…
Her skin was so thin—if he bit it, would it bleed?
“Never mind, scratching seems to make it itch more.” Si Nian withdrew her hand. “Must’ve been bitten by some insect.”
“There’s green herbal balm in the room. Apply some and it’ll be fine.” Xie Zhi averted his gaze and reminded her, “You just recovered from a fever—keep your clothes wrapped up.”
“Mhmm.” Si Nian nodded, feeling a wave of relief. It seemed Xie Zhi wasn’t angry; he even cared enough to remind her. This matter was probably behind them now.
But the next second, Xie Zhi asked, “Did you have fun on the yacht?”
Si Nian froze for a moment, then immediately replied with a beaming smile, “You’ll know if you try it with me next time.”
【Here it comes, he’s jealous!】
【Si Nian is just too smooth—even I’m blushing and my heart’s racing!】”Holy shit, that bug bite on Si Nian’s neck looks just like a hickey! Xie Zhi probably thought she and Liu Yu were getting intimate on the yacht and got pissed off!”
“We can vouch for Si Nian—she and Liu Yu really have zero chemistry! And absolutely nothing happened between them!”
“Yeah, yeah, that girl probably just panicked thinking you wouldn’t pick her and randomly chose someone! Zhi baby, if you want to make a move, just go for it—Mom approves of you dating now!”
“Alright then, who wouldn’t love those curves and that slim waist? The sooner you get together, the sooner you can enjoy!”