Ignoring her stunned expression, Jiang Xu rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing faintly visible veins on his arms. His voice was low and magnetic. “It’s my first time playing today.”
Lin Jianxi looked incredulous. “Impossible. How could you instantly switch to the revival armor and the Blade of the Nameless on your first try? Do you even know what these items do? The revival armor is one thing, but how did you know the effect of the Blade of the Nameless?”
Gazing into the woman’s shimmering eyes, Jiang Xu’s deep eyes held a faint smile. “My roommate used to play it in college. I picked it up from hearing about it so often.”
Lin Jianxi lowered her gaze. The year Jiang Xu started college, she was in her second year of high school. By the time she was a senior, Jiang Xu had gone to the United States as an exchange student from Huai University.
For two years in between, they hadn’t seen each other. Whenever something wonderful happened or she was in a good mood, she would send him a WeChat message to share it, unwilling to let their connection fade away.
She would also message him during holidays. He always seemed busy, taking a long time to reply each time.
She didn’t see Jiang Xu again until two years later. It was the second day of the Lunar New Year, and she had gone alone to the Jiang family’s home to pay her respects. She still remembered the scene when they met again.
She was sitting next to Qiao Zhisheng when Jiang Xu emerged from the entryway. He wore a beige sweater with black casual pants, his short hair falling casually over his forehead. His features were deep and sharply defined, his figure tall and straight.
When their eyes met, Jiang Xu seemed momentarily taken aback. She stared at him blankly until Qiao Zhisheng tugged at her sleeve, snapping her out of her daze.
“Lin Jianxi?”
Lin Jianxi snapped back to reality, realizing how close they were—close enough to hear each other’s breathing. The familiar, cool scent of sandalwood drifted toward her.
Jiang Xu’s eyes darkened. Suddenly, he cupped the back of her head and pressed his lips to hers without warning.
Lin Jianxi was stunned by the sudden kiss. Her bright, shimmering eyes widened as the man forcefully parted her lips.
With one hand, Jiang Xu held her slender, soft waist. The smooth texture of her qipao made his breathing grow heavier. His voice was low and husky. “Close your eyes.”
Whether it was the hypnotic sound of his deep, magnetic voice or something else, Lin Jianxi obediently closed her eyes and slowly responded to his tender, lingering kiss.
Feeling her response, Jiang Xu pressed her down onto the sofa. His large, heated hand roamed over her soft waist, his fingers gently stroking her through the thin silk.
Lin Jianxi’s mind went blank under his kiss. When she felt her collar loosen slightly, her eyes widened in shock, and her breathing grew even more ragged.
Things were slowly spiraling out of control.
Realizing the danger, Lin Jianxi bit his lip hard. “Mmm… Jiang… Jiang Xu…”
Jiang Xu reluctantly released her, his heart racing, his breath warm against her face. His eyes were as dark as ink, filled with barely restrained desire.
Two of the buttons on Lin Jianxi’s collar had come undone, revealing her fair, delicate skin. Her slightly parted lips were flushed as she gasped for breath, strands of hair falling messily against her cheeks.
A few seconds later, Lin Jianxi’s mind was still foggy. Her lips felt numb, and her cheeks were flushed with an alluring blush. She could clearly feel her own frantic heartbeat and ragged breathing.
Jiang Xu steadied his breathing. With his slender, well-defined fingers, he slowly fastened the buttons on her collar one by one. His movements were deliberate, yet carried an indescribable air of restraint.
After he finished fastening the cheongsam’s frog buttons, Lin Jianxi raised her hand to press against his chest, took a deep breath, pushed him away with force, and dashed out of the study in a flash.
Jiang Xu turned to look at the graceful figure that had disappeared. His eyes were deep and somber, and his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.
Lin Jianxi ran back to her room and closed the door. Leaning against it, she placed a hand over her heart, feeling its steady, rhythmic beats. It had almost…
The next morning.
Jiang Xu woke up precisely on schedule, his biological clock never failing him. A slender, pale arm lay draped across his waist, and the woman beside him was sleeping soundly, her long, curled lashes resting gently, her lips a beautiful, rosy red.
After a moment, Jiang Xu gently lifted the hand resting on his waist and got out of bed quietly, putting on his shoes with care.
Lin Jianxi woke up a little after eight. Annoyed, she patted her forehead and sat up lazily before heading to the bathroom to freshen up. Entering the walk-in closet, she gazed at the rows of exquisitely crafted cheongsams, her indecisiveness flaring up once again.
Having been pampered since childhood, she owned more clothes than she could count. Among the many cheongsams, Lin Jianxi chose a lotus-pink silk one, applied light makeup, picked up her bag, and went downstairs. After having a quick bite, she drove to the cheongsam shop.
Lin Jianxi parked her car outside the alley and walked inside in her high heels, swaying gracefully. Just like the day before, the area around the cheongsam shop was crowded with people.
Walking along the bluestone path, Lin Jianxi headed straight for the shop entrance. As she reached the doorway, she heard Lin Yujing’s clear, melodious voice from inside—they were filming a scene.
Lin Jianxi slowly approached the side of the entrance. Lifting her gaze, she noticed the people standing outside the cordoned-off area were all looking at her, holding either phones or cameras.
Dressed in a lotus-pink cheongsam, with a cool, translucent jade bracelet adorning her slender, pale wrist, Lin Jianxi exuded an elegant and gentle aura, like a beauty who had stepped out of a painting.
The morning sunlight spilled over her, making her skin appear dazzlingly white under its glow. Lin Jianxi raised a hand to shield her eyes from the harsh light, her brows slightly furrowed.
The next moment, whispers reached her ears.
“I never thought a pink cheongsam could look so alluring. Standing in the sunlight, she glows like she’s lit from within…”
“Why doesn’t she enter the entertainment industry and bless us with her looks?”
“They’re filming inside. She’s waiting outside so as not to disturb them, planning to enter only after they finish shooting.”
“The cheongsam looks absolutely stunning. Once the shop opens, I’m definitely going to ask her to custom-make one for me.”
Following the voices, Lin Jianxi saw many people pointing their phones and cameras at her. Frowning, her gaze swept over a man holding a camera.
The man recording the video was taken aback by Lin Jianxi’s cool, detached stare. He quickly put away his camera, realizing that she wasn’t a public figure and that filming her without permission violated her portrait rights—she could even sue him.
The next moment, a familiar voice came from the direction of the entrance. Lin Jianxi tilted her head slightly to listen.
“Cut! Take a ten-minute break. Both actors, please find your rhythm. The dialogue feels a bit stiff, and Teacher Lin, some of your subtle expressions aren’t quite there yet.”
Lin Jianxi stepped into the shop. As she entered, her eyes met Jiang Xu’s cool, handsome face. The man held her gaze for a few seconds before subtly looking away.
Ignoring the stares of others, Lin Jianxi made her way through the crowd and filming equipment into the inner studio.
As lunchtime approached, Lin Jianxi ordered takeout. Usually, lunch was pre-ordered and picked up by Ban Xia and the others, but with them on vacation now, she had no choice but to order delivery.
The takeout arrived at half past eleven. Lin Jianxi went out to get it and, upon returning, locked the door from the inside. The studio and warehouse were connected, and everything inside was fully stocked.
With the door locked, Jiang Xu couldn’t possibly get in—unless he could walk through walls.