When she came to her senses, her hand was already able to subtly touch that hand from time to time. This woman... she really knows how to do things.
Qi Yi'an didn't look at her. He simply reached out and took her restless little hand in his. He thought to himself, "After what we did, it's not too much for me to hold your hand, is it?"
Qin Ruoshui was taken aback; it was the first time she'd seen this child take the initiative. Qi Yi'an's long, slightly cool fingers held her entire small hand in his palm, making her feel incredibly safe. She took her hand in return.
Holding hands was something Qin Ruoshui felt even more strongly than kissing. Her heart skipped a beat.
Qin Ruoshui's hands were small and delicate, white and slender. The soft, warm touch made Qi Yi'an secretly sigh, "God must have poured all his tenderness into her little hands. I love them so much."
Qin Ruoshui felt that Qi Yi'an's hand was cold, so she slowly reached out from her palm, carefully searching between her fingers, and intertwined her fingers to warm her up.
The two walked together quietly and comfortably through the bustling crowds and traffic, feeling their hearts rise and fall. Qin Ruoshui, a seasoned lover who had always only sought fleeting pleasure, now felt an unprecedented longing—she wanted to find someone to settle down with and live a proper life with.
She turned to look at the person beside her. Qi Yi'an's face remained calm, his eyes still curiously observing the pedestrians, and she wondered what he was thinking.
Forget it… She’s still young and unsettled… Huh? Qin Ruoshui, what are you thinking about? Is this something you would even consider? …Why are you thinking about these things… It’s just that I was attracted to her and slept with her once, is it really that big of a deal… What’s wrong with you today? Even Qin Ruoshui herself felt that things were unusual.
Qi Yi'an wondered to himself, "Could this be the so-called oxytocin effect? Oxytocin is a love hormone; when you're in a good mood or have a strong sense of belonging, your heart secretes oxytocin, and stress is relieved. It can be produced through actions like hugging and 'sucking the nipples'...wait, 'sucking the nipples'...that night...uh...what filthy thoughts are I having..."
Their inner monologues played out and ended separately. Time passed at a leisurely pace, and they had already arrived at the Volkswagen Beetle that Qin Ruoshui had parked by the park. Qin Ruoshui knew that Qi Yi'an's campus was nearby, and she had almost dropped her off. So, she put her hand on the car door and said, "Alright, little one, I've almost taken you home. Go back now. I'll be a bit busy for the next few days. Let's hang out again this weekend, okay?"
Qi Yi'an let go of her hand, feeling a little reluctant and secretly resentful... She's leaving now, and then what? That's it?
She didn't speak, but looked at Qin Ruoshui with a hint of resentment under the brim of her hat.
Seeing how pitiful and adorable she looked, Qin Ruoshui couldn't help but smile. Since that's the case… she stepped forward, hugged her, and rewarded her with a kiss on the lips.
But the little animals still seemed a bit resentful.
"Or...why don't you come home with me, little one?" Qin Ruoshui whispered in her ear, her voice tinged with amusement. It was that familiar feeling, just like before.
Qi Yi'an stood there in her arms for a while, thinking, "Uh...maybe...no..."
"Um?"
"I still have...thesis..."
…
The next morning, Qi Yi'an woke up in Qin Ruoshui's bed again.
…
…
…
In 2020, when Zou Yibei received the news from the hospital, he was almost ready to graduate. The hospital said the patient's condition had improved, the virus test had turned negative, and after a period of isolation and observation, family and friends were now allowed to visit. That's great! The domestic epidemic was basically under control. Although graduation was delayed due to the epidemic, it was finally over.
With her thesis defense looming, she still made time to go to the hospital. Qi Yi'an had narrowly escaped death and was now alive again, so of course she wanted to witness this historic moment. She bought a bouquet of daisies on the way. Although Qi Yi'an didn't understand her love of flowers, always saying with a hint of disdain, "Flowers are simply genital organs of plants…", she still wanted to give them to her. The days in hospital isolation must be lonely and boring; seeing flowers could cheer her up.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Zou Yibei saw several of Qi Yi'an's family members standing outside the ward, their expressions still somewhat grave. She couldn't help but wonder. "Hello, Auntie, I've come to see An'an. How is she now?"
"Ah, it's Xiao Bei," Qi Yi'an's mother said with a smile, her brows relaxing. "An'an is inside, but she's still unconscious. Why don't you go in and check on her?"
"Uh-huh."
Pushing open the door, Zou Yibei quietly walked in. Qi Yi'an lay asleep with his eyes closed, his face pale, receiving an IV drip on the hospital bed. He had lost so much weight. This period must have been very difficult for him.
Zou Yibei squeezed Qi Yi'an's slightly cool hand, got up, put the flowers into a clean small glass milk bottle, filled it halfway with water, and placed it on the bedside table. "Phew, at least you didn't die. I was so worried about you before. You're not allowed to die after this, okay? You hear me?" Zou Yibei muttered to the sleeping person.
"Qi Yi'an, wake up! Everyone is waiting for you."
The lung damage meant Qi Yi'an's breathing was still heavier than before, but now it had suddenly become somewhat irregular. Then,
It stopped abruptly.
Zou Yibei was startled. Seeing that the rise and fall of her chest had suddenly stopped, he pressed the call button to call a doctor while yelling at Qi Yi'an, "Qi Yi'an, don't scare me! You're crazy! You just pretended to be dead to scare me when you saw me coming?"
"Wake up right now!"
…
Author's Note:
When it comes to writing papers, it really is...
I see no ancients before me, nor any successors after me. Contemplating the vastness of heaven and earth, I am overwhelmed with sorrow and tears stream down my face.
Congratulations on finishing my thesis! Now the novel's plot is about to unfold.
Chapter 5 I'll take responsibility for you, okay?
Qi Yi'an closed his eyes and gradually regained consciousness.
She felt like she couldn't breathe; it was as if a thick wall blocked her air completely. She couldn't open her eyes either; it was pitch black. She couldn't move a single part of her body.
She was left with only consciousness, but that consciousness could not control her breathing.
They're lacking oxygen.
Her consciousness began to race, and her brain sensed that death was approaching.
What's going on? What's going on? Why can't I breathe or move?
Was it because it was buried in that woman's chest? Wait, which woman?
You need to turn over first. Can't move?! Are you going to suffocate?!
"...Qi Yi'an, don't scare people!"
The sound was faint and indistinct, approaching from afar. Was that voice... Zou Yibei...? The background noise was chaotic, with rapid beeping sounds from machinery, the door being pushed open, and the sound of many footsteps...
"...Wake up right now!"
Move! Move! With her last ounce of consciousness, Qi Yi'an finally managed to turn over. But she still couldn't breathe. No, she had to call for help!
Get moving, open your mouth! Make a sound!
"Ugh!" Qi Yi'an finally heard himself cry out hoarsely.
…
A soft, panicked female voice sounded beside her, "Ah? What's wrong? Baby? What's wrong?" A warm arm gently touched her neck and shoulder.
"Ha...whoosh..." She was finally able to breathe!
Qi Yi'an was panting heavily, her eyes still closed. Qin Ruoshui was awakened by her screams and hurriedly checked her body, "What's wrong? Baby, are you alright?"
Qi Yi'an gasped for breath for a while before managing to utter, "...suffocating..."
Oh my god, that was close! What happened?
Qin Ruoshui stroked her face worriedly and asked, "How are you now? Are you alright?"
“...Mmm…” Qi Yi’an rolled over and snuggled into her arms.
Qin Ruoshui breathed a sigh of relief and hugged her. "You scared me to death! It's good that you're alright. It's still early, let's sleep a little longer..."
Was it a nightmare? She was still in Qin Ruoshui's bed.
Thank goodness it was just a dream.
She hugged Qin Ruoshui tightly. Thankfully, this warmth beside her was real. Truly and undeniably in her arms. It felt so good.
…
After sleeping soundly for a while, Qin Ruoshui said lazily, "Sigh~ Time to get up and go to work."
"Good morning, Miss," Qi Yi'an said, sitting up first.
"Hmm, good morning~" Qin Ruoshui lay down and gently stroked the young man's smooth back from behind. Qi Yi'an combed his hair back with his hand, letting her touch him.
After a while, Qin Ruoshui sat up slightly, let out a soft hum, and hugged the girl from behind. Warm flesh pressed against her back, Qi Yi'an could feel the two small breasts pressing against her back. "Your back is so smooth."
Qi Yi'an was still sleepy, so he closed his eyes slightly and lingered in the softness around him.
"Could you please open the curtains for me?" Qin Ruoshui whispered in her ear.
"Hmm," she said, getting out of bed and pulling open the curtains on both sides in one go.
Sunlight instantly flooded the entire room, illuminating her body. Her skin was radiantly white, slender, smooth, and shapely. Her medium-length, glossy black hair cascaded over her shoulders, slightly disheveled from sleep.
Qi Yi'an turned her head and saw Qin Ruoshui staring blankly at her. She quickly reacted and grabbed the clothes from the back of the chair next to her. "Ah! Don't look at me!"
Qin Ruoshui was genuinely stunned. This was the body she possessed ten years ago. Although she was well-preserved now, it ultimately lacked the freshness and allure of a young girl.
"You're still looking!" Qi Yi'an exclaimed anxiously.
"Hahaha," a crisp laugh rang out in the sunlight. "Okay, okay, I won't look at you." Qin Ruoshui turned her head away.
Qi Yi'an also turned his back to put on his clothes.
"I did want to," Qin Ruoshui said, still sneaking a glance out of the corner of her eye. "You wouldn't let me see, but you let all my neighbors see, with the curtains drawn so wide open."
Qi Yi'an then realized that the curtains were drawn too far. She quickly got dressed and pulled the curtains back towards the center. Looking down from her second-floor bedroom into the small backyard, she saw lush green grass dotted with yellow and white daisies. Daisies, so beautiful. She paused, stunned.
Qin Ruoshui finished putting on her shirt, then came up from behind and hugged her waist, resting her head on her shoulder. The two of them, together, absorbed the warmth of the morning sunlight and each other, peaceful and comfortable, not in a hurry to speak.
"What are you thinking about?"
Qi Yi'an looked out the window and softly recited: "In the morning, the sunlight shines on the grass. We stand, leaning against our doors and windows; the doors are low, but the sun is bright. The grass is forming its seeds, and the wind is shaking its leaves."
Qin Ruoshui realized she was reciting a poem. Ah, what a literary young woman, so cute! Qin Ruoshui couldn't help but tilt her head and kiss her cheek. A strand of hair fell down, landing on Qi Yi'an's shoulder.
But she stopped talking. Ah, is this... the feeling of liking someone? How dangerous.
Although Qi Yi'an didn't have much formal romantic experience, she had loved before and knew how dangerous it was to fall in love. Having been hurt before, she knew to be careful next time. This woman was clearly a very manipulative person, charming, and dangerous.
"Then what?"
It is perfectly beautiful for us to stand still and not speak.
Qi Yi'an didn't say the last sentence aloud, and smiled sheepishly. Qin Ruoshui hugged her and smiled too. "Let's go downstairs, I bought you milk this time."
…
This time, without the confusion and bewilderment that comes with waking up from a one-night stand, Qi Yi'an was able to properly tour Qin Ruoshui's small house where she lived alone.
Although it's called a small house, it's actually quite spacious for one person. It's a detached two-and-a-half-story house with a small attic on the second floor, bright, spacious, and simply comfortable. There are two small courtyards, front and back, enclosed by wooden fences, with daisies dotting the lawn. Compared to the Qin family's luxurious mansion back home, Qin Ruoshui much prefers her cozy little house here. Besides, she's always alone anyway, and the small house saves her the trouble of hiring many people to maintain it.
After putting on her makeup, Qin Ruoshui changed to a Bentley before heading out. She was dressed a little more formally today, her makeup exquisite, her long black hair styled in a slightly wavy but not overly curly style, falling naturally and gracefully. Her lips were a vibrant red. She had a purchasing meeting at the company later that evening, which she needed to attend.