Jiang Yilan probably knew that Xiao Qiqi would yell at her if she called, so she didn't answer the phone at all. Xiao Qiqi dialed several times, and only hung up angrily when she heard the message that the phone was turned off.
Chen Yuanxing came in, holding up two DVDs. "Qiqi, Zhang Xiaoyi brought me the highest-rated Korean drama of the year. I'll watch it and tell you about it later, okay?"
Seeing him like this, Xiao Qiqi could no longer vent her anger, and sat down on the bed in frustration, burying her face in her hands.
Chen Yuanxing rushed over and asked with concern, "Qiqi, what's wrong? Do you have a headache?"
"Chen Yuanxing, others may not know, but don't you know? I wasn't a good girl in the past, and I won't be a complete good woman in the future. Why are you still so good to me?"
"I'm used to it." Chen Yuanxing walked to Xiao Qiqi's side indifferently, simply lay down, and swung his long legs.
"No." Although Xiao Qiqi found it difficult to say, there were some things she still had to say. "Those things, those past events, even if you don't care, I will, and... I can't forget them. So, why is such an excellent boy like you stubbornly staying by my side? Wouldn't it be better to do your own thing and pursue the girl you like who is suitable for you?"
"I'm pursuing a girl I like," Chen Yuanxing replied casually, resting his head on his hand.
"Do you even understand what I mean?" Xiao Qiqi said angrily. "I mean, you don't want to stay by my side anymore. I don't want to see you hanging around me every day."
Do you find me annoying?
“Yes! It’s so annoying, so incredibly annoying,” Xiao Qiqi replied resentfully.
Chen Yuanxing chuckled softly, "Xiao Qiqi, don't you know that when you care about someone, you get upset? What a coincidence, I'm annoyed by you too."
Xiao Qiqi was powerless and slapped his swaying leg. "Stop swaying and be serious."
"I'm being serious." Chen Yuanxing's smile faded, his voice unusually grave. "Everything I said last night was genuine, Qiqi. I'm used to you, used to watching you, used to taking care of your affairs, used to your scent, used to being with you. So, please don't close your heart and keep rejecting me, okay? Try opening your heart, try accepting me, just like I am. I'm slowly figuring things out, slowly learning to care for someone, to like someone. Isn't that good?" Chen Yuanxing sat up, turning Xiao Qiqi's shoulders to face him. "I don't accept your suggestion because I know that once I leave here, I'll never be able to come back."
Xiao Qiqi avoided Chen Yuanxing's burning gaze and shook her head: "No, you're still young, you don't understand what liking someone is at all..."
“I understand, I’m not a kid anymore. Don’t always treat me like a child. I’m a man.” Chen Yuanxing suddenly smiled, turned his head and whispered in Xiao Qiqi’s ear, “Do you want me to prove it to you?”
Seeing that he had resumed his nonchalant expression, Xiao Qiqi angrily pushed away his face, which was so close to hers. "Seriously, stop fooling around."
Chen Yuanxing turned his face away with a grin, but his hand was still gripping Xiao Qiqi's shoulder. "Sister, I'm being very serious."
Xiao Qiqi bit her lip helplessly, "Then you should listen to me. I won't like you, and I won't accept your so-called 'open your heart' argument. I think I'm fine right now, I'm not doing anything wrong, and I'm not deliberately rejecting anything. As for you, you don't understand real feelings yet. You just think I'm curious, like an older sister. You won't think like that when you meet a girl you really like."
Chen Yuanxing released his grip and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"why are you laughing?"
"Laugh at your foolishness. Do you think you understand love better than me?" Chen Yuanxing looked at Xiao Qiqi with amusement.
Xiao Qiqi couldn't help but slap him when he laughed, "Don't laugh!"
"If you don't want to laugh, then don't laugh. Why did you hit me again?" Chen Yuanxing rubbed his leg, which had been slapped by Xiao Qiqi. "To tell you the truth, I, Chen Dashao, have been dating since the second grade of elementary school. I've dated more girls than you've ever seen. I've never seen anyone like you. A handsome, charming, universally loved, flower-attracting, dog-attracting, bird-attracting number one super handsome guy like me is offered to you, and you still dare to kick me out!" After saying that, he looked at the roof with great sorrow and sighed for a long time.
Xiao Qiqi, exasperated by his antics, pinched his leg in frustration, but Chen Yuanxing grabbed her hand and wailed, "Don't hit me again! Or else..."
"Otherwise what?"
“Otherwise…” Chen Yuanxing’s voice suddenly lowered, and he quickly said, “I’ll kiss you.” Then he quickly kissed Xiao Qiqi on the cheek.
"Ah!" Xiao Qiqi jumped up and slapped Chen Yuanxing, but he quickly grabbed her and made her unable to move. He pulled her forcefully, and Xiao Qiqi crashed into his arms, hearing his deep and hateful laughter: "Sister, throwing yourself into my arms?"
26. Child
The conversation ended without a conclusion.
Knowing Chen Yuanxing's feelings for her, Xiao Qiqi felt awkward and refused to sleep in the same bed with him. Chen Yuanxing was even more persistent than she had imagined. No matter how she tried to shoo him away, he would still naturally climb into bed at night. Xiao Qiqi's room wasn't locked, so he couldn't be kept inside. Xiao Qiqi could only sigh; Chen Yuanxing had some of the typical spoiled brat traits, such as being unable to stand without air conditioning, let alone sleep at night.
But he remained well-behaved and didn't make any advances. After two tense nights, Xiao Qiqi felt relieved. She knew his character and that he wouldn't be so audacious. At most, he would unconsciously put his arm around her waist at night, which often happened before, but she would just shake him off.
Although Xiao Qiqi tried her best to be cold to Chen Yuanxing, Chen Yuanxing sometimes seemed to have no nerves at all. No matter how much she kicked him, he would only hurt himself and continue doing what he was doing, which left Xiao Qiqi feeling very helpless.
That day, Xiao Qiqi received a call from an unfamiliar number—it was Lin Wen. Xiao Qiqi was both happy and surprised; she had called Lin Wen from the company phone before, and it turned out Lin Wen had called the company to ask for her cell phone number. They chatted happily for a long time, and after Xiao Qiqi hung up, past memories inevitably surfaced. She sat there blankly for a long time, lost in thought, randomly browsing the web. She logged onto the alumni QQ account, typed in that agonizing password, and felt another wave of daze. Chen Yuanxing, who had been flipping through a game guide with his legs crossed, noticed her strange expression and understood. After a long pause, he walked over and slammed the computer shut, saying, "Go to sleep!"
"Huh?" Xiao Qiqi was startled by his voice, and then by his stern gaze. She stood up unconsciously, awkwardly avoiding his eyes, and whispered, "If you're going to sleep, just sleep. Why are you making such a racket?"
Chen Yuanxing watched Xiao Qiqi go to wash up, then turned on his computer and stared thoughtfully at the alumni directory webpage Xiao Qiqi had opened. He stroked his chin, gave a strange smile, and quickly typed a string of letters. Within minutes, a decryption program downloaded, unlocked the password, and he muttered, "Sister, I didn't do it on purpose. Since you're always unhappy looking at it, I might as well help you solve it." The password was quickly unlocked, and Chen Yuanxing thought for a moment, then his expression suddenly changed.
With his fingers tapping on the table, Chen Yuanxing's face was as changeable as the clouds in the sky. So that's how it is! He typed letters, changed the password, and pressed confirm. Everything was done in just a few seconds. "Sister, when will you figure out this new password?" The bathroom door remained closed. After finishing everything, Chen Yuanxing closed his laptop, then lay down on the bed and went to sleep, as if nothing had happened.
The next day, when Xiao Qiqi logged onto QQ, she found her password was wrong; no matter how she tried, it didn't work. Her alumni email password was also incorrect. She thought for a moment and asked Chen Yuanxing that evening. Chen Yuanxing looked completely innocent, shook his head, and assured her he absolutely didn't know. Xiao Qiqi then nudged him, saying, "Aren't you a computer expert? Help me retrieve my password." Chen Yuanxing looked even more innocent: "Sister, I'm studying chemical engineering, not computer science." Then, he smiled mysteriously: "Sister, maybe you've forgotten your password."
Xiao Qiqi shook her head: "How could that be? How could I forget my password?" A hint of melancholy appeared on her face. All of QQLXX's passwords were the same. She had changed them to this password during the sweetest days of her life, and she would never forget them.
Seeing her like this, Chen Yuanxing gave her a strange look, then lay down on the sofa and went to watch a soap opera. "It's just a stupid password, so what if you lost it? Maybe you just got it wrong and you'll remember it someday."
"There's no mistake." Xiao Qiqi clearly didn't notice Chen Yuanxing's unusual expression. "How could there be a mistake?"
“Some people, when they’re a little slow-witted, might make a mistake.” Chen Yuanxing swung his leg and put it on the table next to the sofa.
Xiao Qiqi slapped it across the face, "Where are you going to put this?!"
Chen Yuanxing reluctantly withdrew his leg and glanced at her, "Things that have been there for so long should be thrown away. Don't be sad, I'll help you apply for a new one later."
The old memories were put aside. Years later, Xiao Qiqi finally figured it out and unleashed all the suspicions she had held back for years on Chen Yuanxing. How would Chen Yuanxing react at that time?
Finally having a weekend off, Xiao Qiqi went grocery shopping herself. Chen Yuanxing's grocery shopping skills were still terrible; either the produce was overpriced or of poor quality. Xiao Qiqi was usually too busy to do anything else, so she just let him mess around.
Chen Yuanxing, who was walking with Xiao Qiqi towards the market, was unusually talkative. As he spoke, his long arm casually reached out and wrapped around Xiao Qiqi's shoulder. Xiao Qiqi glared at him, but he remained oblivious, continuing to scrutinize the beautiful woman with the long legs in front of him, wondering if she had a face as pretty as her legs. Xiao Qiqi had no choice but to use her hand. Chen Yuanxing, feeling the pain from her pinch, released his grip and exploded, "Xiao Qiqi, don't you know it hurts?"
"You know that's why you pinched me." After spending so much time with Chen Yuanxing, no one can be serious anymore. Xiao Qiqi has also learned to be shameless and doesn't need to be polite with him at all. "I told you not to touch me." As she spoke, she pinched his firm arm again. It was all muscle and actually quite hard to pinch. She muttered, "Leave some meat on your body."
Chen Yuanxing jumped up and down again, but behind him came the sweet laughter of a child, a childish voice saying, "Auntie hit Uncle! Uncle looks like he's in pain, so pitiful." This made Chen Yuanxing chuckle to himself. Xiao Qiqi turned around and looked thoughtfully at the delicate-looking boy. Her previously cheerful face gradually dimmed, like dark clouds obscuring the sun, instantly robbing the world of its color. Chen Yuanxing looked at Xiao Qiqi's lifeless eyes and lowered his head in silence. Sullenly, they went grocery shopping. Chen Yuanxing excused himself and left for a while. Xiao Qiqi no longer had the energy to deal with him and let him go. A little while later, Chen Yuanxing came running back, eagerly carrying her groceries, his eyes lecherously scanning the young woman's surroundings as before.
After buying groceries, Xiao Qiqi and Chen Yuanxing walked back along the same route. They saw the four- or five-year-old boy again. Xiao Qiqi couldn't help but say, "What a cute little kid!" A rare tenderness and affection appeared on her face. Chen Yuanxing winked at the boy, who, while eating ice cream, suddenly pointed at them and shouted, "Look, that's the woman hitting the man! What a shameless woman!" His words caused the men and women at the roadside stalls to burst into laughter. The boy seemed even more smug, grabbing his popsicle and smearing it all over Xiao Qiqi. Startled, Xiao Qiqi tried to dodge but was still covered in ice cream.
Taking advantage of the situation, Chen Yuanxing quickly said, "Look, that kid is really annoying." Xiao Qiqi frowned as she looked at her wet and sticky clothes. "Annoying," she glared at the child, but the child kept his distance, his big eyes fixed on Chen Yuanxing. Afraid that he would yell something else, Chen Yuanxing pulled Xiao Qiqi away. "Let's go, let's go. He's just an annoying kid, it's irritating to look at him." Xiao Qiqi nodded.
The little boy behind him caught up and tugged at Chen Yuanxing's sleeve, saying, "Uncle, I've already scolded this auntie, but we're out of ice cream. Can you buy me another one?"
Chen Yuanxing was embarrassed, and Xiao Qiqi's expression changed. After thinking for a moment, she understood the key point. She glared angrily at Chen Yuanxing and strode quickly home. Chen Yuanxing reluctantly pulled his hand away from the little boy and hurriedly said, "Little friend, I'll buy it for you tomorrow," before chasing after him.
"Hehe, well, hehe..." Chen Yuanxing scratched his forehead and looked at Xiao Qiqi's expression, not knowing what to say.
Xiao Qiqi ignored him and went home to cook as usual, pretending not to hear anything Chen Yuanxing said. Finally, Chen Yuanxing couldn't take it anymore and said fiercely, "He's just a kid, is it necessary to be so cold and heartless to me?"
Xiao Qiqi slowly shoveled all the vegetables into his bowl, raised an eyebrow and said indifferently, "I just like children!" Her tone was resolute, without any strong emotions, just plain and calm.
"I hate green vegetables!" Chen Yuanxing gritted his teeth. "And I hate crying and fussing children too!"
Seeing his righteous indignation with his brows furrowed, Xiao Qiqi laughed. Chen Yuanxing, with his mouth full of rice and vegetables, stared blankly at her smiling face.
"What are you looking at! Haven't you ever seen a beautiful woman smile before!" Xiao Qiqi glared at him angrily and tapped his head with her chopsticks. "Don't look!"
Chen Yuanxing exaggeratedly dodged her chopsticks, grabbed her hand in return, and muttered, "Qiqi, your smile is making my heart race." He held her hand to his heart, and Xiao Qiqi's smile froze on her face. She felt his strong heartbeat at her fingertips, and the rhythmic throbbing and warm body temperature traveled from her fingertips to her heart, creating an indescribable ripple.
Xiao Qiqi abruptly pulled her hand back and said sternly, "Eat!" But the sternness in her tone carried a clear hint of weakness and gentleness, and Chen Yuanxing suddenly found the vegetables delicious. Throughout the meal, he left rice grains scattered all over the floor, probably because his mouth was constantly open.
Xiao Qiqi cleared the dishes, secretly splashing water on her flushed cheeks in the kitchen, feeling a little annoyed that she'd actually been moved by him. Of course, she understood his intention in wooing the child—to prevent her from being saddened by seeing the adorable child, right? He was always like this, acting like a big kid who didn't understand anything, seemingly carefree, but sometimes so considerate and thoughtful that it was heartbreaking. Take those cheesy TV dramas, for example; he could give up watching football just to tell her the plot at night, patiently watching episode after episode. How many men could do that?
Xiao Qiqi washed her hands and came out of the kitchen, only to find Chen Yuanxing sitting on the sofa in a daze with a serious expression. She asked curiously, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"
"Okay." Chen Yuanxing looked up at Xiao Qiqi. "I'm going out tonight. If it's too late, I won't be back. Remember to lock the door." He stood up, reached out and touched Xiao Qiqi's soft short hair. He seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.
Xiao Qiqi rarely saw him so serious, and couldn't help but worry, "Are you really alright?"
"Old Zhou said my parents want me to go home." Chen Yuanxing smirked. "Don't worry, nothing will happen."
"Then go home and explain it to your parents properly. Don't act childish." Xiao Qiqi looked up at him worriedly. "Explain the whole story to them, and they might feel better."
Chen Yuanxing nodded, "I know, don't worry. I'm my parents' only son. They'll just scold me at most, what else can they do?" He then put on a nonchalant smile.
"Stop smiling like that." Xiao Qiqi frowned. "It looks like you want to punch me."
"Hehe, only you would hit me. No one has ever dared to hit me like this before." Chen Yuanxing changed his shoes and went out, not forgetting to remind him again, "Don't stay up late, don't sit on the balcony and smoke, go to bed early."
"I understand." Xiao Qiqi watched him go downstairs, still somewhat worried. She wondered how her parents and brother would be if something like that happened to her. She thought back to what happened a year ago; if her family knew, they would surely be both angry and heartbroken.
However, after staying for more than a month, he finally left. Ah, I can finally have a night to myself.
27. Awkward
Xiao Qiqi wasn't as relaxed as she had imagined. The absence of that noisy guy in the house that evening made her feel uneasy, and she couldn't help but stand up several times when she heard footsteps on the stairs. Finally, seeing that it was already past midnight, she chuckled to herself, realizing he probably wouldn't be back that night.
She stretched comfortably, changed into a loose slip dress, and took off her bra. Wow, it had been so long since she felt this comfortable! Xiao Qiqi hummed a tune as she sat on the sofa with her bare legs bent, painting her toenails with dark purple nail polish. Without that guy, the nights were so much better; at least she didn't have to be fully dressed and feel uncomfortable.
At this moment, Xiao Qiqi was in a very good mood and didn't hear the door open. When she did hear the door open, she saw Chen Yuanxing pushing it open and staring at her blankly, his jewel-like phoenix eyes filled with an indescribable mix of bewilderment and amazement. Xiao Qiqi was also a little stunned. He was still in the same position, his short nightgown pulled up to his thighs, his long legs bent seductively, clearly revealing his black panties underneath. The extremely low-cut tank top straps had slipped down to his shoulders, revealing most of his snow-white, rounded breasts.
Chen Yuanxing returned with anger, sadness, and disappointment, but what he saw when he opened the door was a scene he never dared to dream of. He leaned against the door dumbfounded, his blood surging, and he swallowed hard, but his eyes were involuntarily fixed on that youthful and alluring body.
Xiao Qiqi finally realized what was happening, jumped up, and in her panic knocked over her nail polish, splashing it all over her foot. Not caring about anything else, she frantically searched for her clothes, but then tripped over a chair leg and was about to fall to the ground.
Chen Yuanxing naturally pounced on her and wrapped his arms around her slender waist. The silky nightgown felt incredibly comfortable in his hands. Almost her entire naked body was pressed against Chen Yuanxing's chest. Chen Yuanxing could even hear the gurgling of his own blood vessels. He spoke with difficulty, his hoarse voice low and seductive, "...You?"
"Ah!" Xiao Qiqi finally screamed, pushing hard against Chen Yuanxing's chest, trying to get away from him. But Chen Yuanxing held her even tighter, pressing her against his pounding chest as if she were suffocating. "Be good, don't move."
"...No, Chen Yuanxing!" Xiao Qiqi was suffocating, and her soft voice of resistance sounded like a thousand-year-old temptation to Chen Yuanxing, weak and powerless.
Chen Yuanxing slowly lowered his head, looking down at Xiao Qiqi's flushed cheeks. Xiao Qiqi stared in horror at his increasingly hazy and deep eyes, which revealed a leopard-like light. Her anxiety and fear intensified, but what came out of her mouth was, "What happened to your face?" Bright red fingers were imprinted on Chen Yuanxing's wheat-colored cheeks.
Chen Yuanxing suddenly woke up, wondering what he was doing. His fingers slowly loosened, and his eyes gradually faded. Xiao Qiqi sensed his change, quickly broke free from his embrace, grabbed a shirt, and put it on.
Chen Yuanxing was still staring blankly at Xiao Qiqi, but the beast-like aura from before was gone. Xiao Qiqi breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll go get some ice to put on your face." She ran out of the room as if fleeing, took out the ice from the refrigerator, wrapped it in a towel, and first pressed it against her own face for a while. Damn it, why is my face flushed and my heart racing? After calming her wildly beating heart, Xiao Qiqi took a few deep breaths before returning to her room, seemingly calm.
But she found that Chen Yuanxing had already rolled onto the bed and buried his face in the big bear's furry neck. She went over and shook his arm, "Get up, let me see your face." Chen Yuanxing didn't move at all. Xiao Qiqi called him several times but to no avail. She had no choice but to use her free hand to turn his head and make him lie on his back, "Stop being stubborn."
Xiao Qiqi carefully applied the ice to Chen Yuanxing's already somewhat red and swollen cheek. Chen Yuanxing then gasped and frowned, saying, "It hurts so much."
Xiao Qiqi breathed a sigh of relief when he finally spoke, and looked at him cautiously, "...Are you alright?"
"Something's wrong." Chen Yuanxing suddenly reached out, turned around, and hugged Xiao Qiqi's waist, burying his head in her lap. "Qiqi, my parents don't want me anymore."
Xiao Qiqi was so frightened that she dared not move. She could clearly feel his warm breath lingering between her legs through her thin pajamas. The indescribable tingling sensation made her face turn red again. "Let...let me move my face aside, let me put some compress on it for you."
"Not enough!" he mumbled childishly, still clinging tightly to her waist.
Xiao Qiqi's heart softened. She wondered if his face had been slapped by his mother or father, and he must be feeling terrible right now. Her voice softened even more. "Don't be stubborn. Be good, okay?" She took a scalp and tickled his neck. "Get up, or I'll tickle you."
Chen Yuanxing hummed in agreement, and after a long while, he lazily rolled over and lay back on Xiao Qiqi's lap. He reached out and grabbed Xiao Qiqi's wrist, put the ice pack on his face, and winced in pain. "Qiqi, my parents said they've severed their father-son relationship with me. I'm really going to be unwanted by anyone in the future. What should I do?" He blinked his pitiful peach blossom eyes and looked at Xiao Qiqi with a wronged expression.
Xiao Qiqi's heart softened even more. "Then stay here with me. I'm not kicking you out."
Chen Yuanxing smiled happily, his long, slender eyebrows raised. "Qiqi, I knew you were the best to me. Let's stay together forever, don't send me away, okay?"
Xiao Qiqi was taken aback. A lifetime? This guy is too good at taking advantage of people's moods! She pressed the ice against his face forcefully, "Stop arguing, I'm just letting you stay for a few days."
"Ouch!" Chen Yuanxing cried out in pain, muttering, "The most vicious heart is a woman's! Even my mother, a woman known for her kindness and gentleness, can be so cruel as to hit me, just like you!"