Сhарtеr 25: Comе Dоwn
Неr hеart poundеd wildlу in her chеst.
All was silеnt аrоund thеm, sаvе for thе sоft rustling оf wind shaking snоw from trеe branсhеs.
At thаt momеnt, hеr рhonе rаng abruрtlу.
Fоr sоmе rеаson, Lin Кuizhi felt аn inеxplicablе sensе of rеliеf.
Shе hаd just reaсhed into hеr соаt pоckеt to chесk whо wаs сalling whеn a hand with distinct knuсklеs рrеssеd down on hers.
Сhi Yu sаw hеr intentiоn and wоuldn’t let her еsсарe.
“Zhizhi, yоu hаven’t answеred me уеt.”
Тhе boу lеaned closer, his striking featurеs magnifуing bеfоrе Lin Кuizhi’s eуes, their warm brеaths intеrtwining.
“I—”
She hаd onlу just opened her mouth when he pecked her lips lightly.
Lin Kuizhi covered her mouth, staring at him in shock, the corners of her eyes flushed with embarrassment.
How could he be so sudden!!
“Zhizhi, I only want to hear what I want to hear.”
His gaze lingered on her for a few seconds before he leaned down and kissed the back of her hand, which was still covering her mouth, once and then again.
With her waist held firmly, Lin Kuizhi couldn’t escape anywhere. She didn’t know whether to keep her hand there or move it away.
The phone rang persistently again. Chi Yu paused, then forcefully took it from her hand.
The caller ID showed Gu Chen.
The boy’s expression was indifferent, his eyes unreadable. He swiped right to answer and turned on the speakerphone.
“Hey, Lin Kuizhi, have you left yet?” came a carefree voice from the other end.
Chi Yu frowned slightly, his dark, ink-like eyes fixed on Lin Kuizhi.
She sensed a hint of danger and chill, rubbing her arms as she spoke guiltily, “Sorry, something came up last minute. I can’t make it.”
Not just something—this was a big something.
“What could possibly have come up? Are you trying to bail again? Hurry up and get going!” Gu Chen raised his voice in dissatisfaction.
Chi Yu licked his lips, no longer bothering to hold back. He pinched Lin Kuizhi’s chin and kissed her.
His long fingers pressed slightly, preventing her from closing her lips.
“Mmm…” Lin Kuizhi’s eyes filled with panic. As she struggled, she grew increasingly dizzy until she went limp in Chi Yu’s arms, completely drained of strength.
When the kiss ended, the girl’s lips had become tender and alluring, her face flushed, and her eyes misty with tears.
Chi Yu held the warm, soft girl leaning against him, a look of satisfaction on his face.
Gu Chen was still shouting loudly from the phone.
He brought the phone to the girl’s face.
“Why aren’t you answering? Do you want to continue?” His low, husky voice whispered in her ear, his scorching palm pressed against her waist.
Help!
Biting her lip in shame, the girl snatched the phone, her voice tinged with flustered anger. “I already said I’m busy. I’m hanging up!”
Then she quickly ended the call.
Seeing this, Chi Yu finally smiled, squinting his eyes as he placed the phone back in the girl’s pocket.
“Where do you want to go? I’ll go with you.”
She hesitated, looking at Chi Yu. “No need. Come inside and rest for a bit.”
He had waited outside for so long without even knocking.
But his previously pale lips had regained quite a bit of color.
Wait—her expression stiffened as she suddenly realized the reason. She quickly averted her gaze and spoke stiffly, “Don’t just stand there foolishly next time.”
The boy affectionately nuzzled her cheek. “Mm.”
Lying on the sofa, his long legs casually crossed, his pale, slender fingers hooked around her pinky, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Want to join me?”
If this continued, she wouldn’t be able to hold back!
Mentally chanting “form is emptiness, emptiness is form” over and over, Lin Kuizhi struggled to speak. “I’m… not tired.”
The very next second after saying this, her body betrayed her with a huge, unmistakable yawn.
Lin Kuizhi: …
Chi Yu suppressed a laugh, wrapped his long arm around her, and pulled her onto the sofa.He pressed his leg against her, his arm slipping behind her neck to cradle her head against his chest, holding her in a snug, seamless embrace.
“Sleep,” he whispered, gently patting her back.
Truthfully, she had slept well the night before, but nestled in the warm embrace, with her head resting on a “pillow” more comfortable than any cushion, she quickly drifted back into a deep slumber.
Hearing the steady, shallow breaths from the girl beneath him, Chi Yu opened his eyes, his gaze lingering obsessively over her profile.
At noon, when Lin Kuizhi woke up, she found herself alone on the sofa.
Still drowsy and not fully awake, she wondered if seeing Chi Yu that morning had been a dream.
Just then, sounds came from the kitchen. She walked over to take a look.
The young man was wearing an apron, cooking, with sliced beef laid out beside him.
Oh, so it wasn’t a dream.
“Awake?” Noticing the girl’s approach, Chi Yu glanced back at her. “There’s freshly made milk tea on the table.”
Lin Kuizhi nodded, her eyes struggling to focus as she wobbled over to pick up the cup.
She took a sip—warm, rich, and fragrant, with soft, chewy pearls. Her eyes lit up.
“This is really good! Better than most shops!”
A smile tugged at his lips. “Go watch TV. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
Footsteps pattered closer as the girl approached, her eyes sparkling. “Why aren’t you drinking?”
He lowered his gaze, took her wrist, and his eyes fell on the damp rim of the cup. Then he pressed his lips to the same spot and took a sip.
Looking at her tempting lips, he chuckled softly. “It’s sweet.”
Lin Kuizhi blushed, stammering in protest. “You’re playing dirty!”
Chi Yu looked puzzled. “Hmm? What did I do?”
“You, you, you!” Before she could say more, she suddenly heard a soft apology.
Lin Kuizhi was taken aback. “What… sorry?”
“I didn’t know you were alone.”
On the stove, the soup bubbled softly.
“It’s okay. I’m used to it.”
She had long grown accustomed to spending New Year’s alone, no matter which world she was in.
“But you, why did you come all of a sudden? Just because I blocked you?” The girl grinned playfully.
“Yes, so don’t block me again,” Chi Yu said seriously. “Otherwise, I’ll come find you myself.”
She wasn’t scared at all and even stuck her tongue out at him teasingly.
Chi Yu raised an eyebrow, took a few long strides toward her, and scooped her up in his arms.
The girl gasped, quickly wrapping her arms around his neck and locking her legs around his waist.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”
Chi Yu freed one hand to pinch her cheek. Afraid of falling, she tightened her legs even more.
“What are you sorry for?”
“I absolutely, absolutely won’t block Chi Yu again!”
He snorted, carrying her to the dining area to set her down.
“No, I want to watch you cook,” Lin Kuizhi clung to him, refusing to let go.
“The kitchen is smoky. Watch TV here, and we’ll eat soon.”
She ignored him, acting spoiled without a care. “No.”
The room was warm, and the girl in his arms wore a thin nightgown. Her soft arms wrapped around his neck, her fair, slender legs encircled his waist, and the nightgown had ridden up slightly from her movements.
“Zhizhi, be good,” his voice was low and husky.
“No, no!” she protested, nuzzling against him.
Chi Yu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He closed his eyes for a moment, then raised his hand and gave her bottom a light smack.
The girl in his arms widened her eyes, looking shocked and incredulous.
“Get down.”