Qiao Anchen felt that the torture was finally over.
"I think we can go straight to bed now."
He solemnly lifted the covers, pulled Chu Yi into his arms, and his hand slipped naturally under her pajamas without batting an eye.
“We haven’t slept together for over a week, and my mind and body miss you so much.”
"..."
A shadow fell in front of me, the unique softness and warmth of her lips accompanied the movements of her hands.
"I really want to." Qiao Anchen said unconsciously while kissing her, rubbing his head against her collarbone, his freshly washed hair brushing against her chin, tickling her.
Chu Yi lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling, then reached out and hugged him, whispering softly, almost inaudibly.
"I miss you as well…"
Chu Yi didn't sleep very well. She barely sensed Qiao Anchen getting up; her mind was a jumbled mess, her eyes heavy and stubbornly closed.
I think I fell asleep too late last night. It wasn't even midnight yet. After taking a shower, I didn't put on any clothes and just held him and fell asleep. I don't know how long I slept, but I felt Qiao Anchen wake up again. He seemed to have regained his energy and was very hot.
She was half asleep and not fully conscious. She didn't struggle much, but was exhausted. She eventually fell asleep without knowing when it ended.
He drifted in and out of consciousness, dreaming almost all night, until Qiao Anchen got up to go to work.
The warm breath of someone's breath hit her face, and then she was kissed. Chu Yi woke up with a start and struggled to open her eyes.
"Don't kiss me in the morning..." She turned her face away, buried herself in the blanket, and curled up into a ball. Qiao Anchen seemed to be smiling as he asked her.
"Why can't we kiss?"
"I didn't wash my face..." she said sleepily, her voice soft and muffled, sounding a bit childish.
Qiao Anchen burst out laughing, pulled her face out from under the covers, and leaned down to give her a hard kiss on the lips.
I don't mind your appearance.
How could he dislike her? Qiao Anchen had never seen other girls just after waking up, but even when Chu Yi was asleep, she was fair-skinned and cute, and even had a bit more of a well-behaved feel. The way she nestled in his arms without any defenses was very much like a little girl.
After hearing what he said, Chu Yi pulled the blanket up over her head and drawled out her disbelief.
"But I despise myself..."
"Go to sleep." Qiao Anchen chuckled, then gently patted her head through the blanket and said softly, "I'm going to work."
Everyone is busy on Monday.
During her week-long trip to Beicheng, Chu Yi didn't draw any manuscripts. Readers and editors were urging her to finish them. In addition, the comic had now been signed for a film and television contract, so Chu Yi didn't dare to slack off. She started working diligently on her first day back.
Qiao Anchen remained silent until evening when he sent her a message, confirming that he was working overtime again.
He came home very late that night, and as soon as he got to bed, his head hit the pillow and he closed his eyes. He looked tired and seemed to be about to fall asleep.
Chu Yi was also very sleepy, and because she didn't sleep much last night, she relied on coffee to keep going all day with her drawings, but even so, she kept yawning.
She had gotten up to turn off the light, but when she saw Qiao Anchen's appearance, she couldn't help but stop and brush his eyelashes aside.
"Were you too tired last night? You just want to sleep as soon as you get home today."
"No, I was in court today, and there are still a lot of case files piled up in the office that I haven't finished reading..." Qiao Anchen answered in a low voice without opening his eyes. Chu Yi ignored him and continued on his own.
“You’re always like this at work. I’m especially tired today and I can’t muster any energy for work. You can’t do this next time; you need to be more disciplined.”
“I’m quite restrained…don’t we only do it twice a week…” Qiao Anchen answered casually with his eyes closed, seemingly extremely sleepy. Chu Yi blushed uncontrollably.
How could you just say something like that!
She got a little angry and started saying things she shouldn't have.
"So, were you planning to make up for both of last week's encounters last night in one go?!"
Perhaps it was the increase in her volume that made Qiao Anchen open his eyes. His dark eyes stared at her, reflecting the light, and contained a clean and simple confusion.
"No." He paused, seemingly searching for the right words in his mind, and finally frowned slightly as he spoke to her earnestly.
"You'd better wear pajamas next time you go to sleep, otherwise you keep moving around in my arms in the middle of the night and I can't sleep well either."
In particular, she likes to rub against him.
It's one thing when he's dressed, but when he's naked, Qiao Anchen is also in pain.
Chuyi: "..."
She looked at Qiao Anchen, who was giving her advice with a reasoned and earnest expression, and tried to hold back, but couldn't.
"Shut up!"
Qiao Anchen didn't understand why Chu Yi suddenly grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. Although the large pillow filled with down wasn't heavy, it still came as a surprise.
He pulled the pillow off his face and looked at Chu Yi with a puzzled expression.
Why did you hit me?
"Nothing, I just suddenly felt an itch to do something," Chu Yi said expressionlessly.
Author's Note: A humble author is asking for a comment.
44. Chapter 44
Before we knew it, it was already midsummer in Lancheng, a time when air conditioning was essential for survival. Chu Yi didn't want to go out, so she decided to stay home and focus on her work.
Cheng Li saw the photos she posted on her WeChat Moments. They were taken in Beicheng. It was a rare occasion when Chu Yi went out to play, and she posted nine photos every day, including many of them with Xiao Gao.
She commented: "Kid, you actually cheated on me with someone else behind my back."
Chuyi: "..."
She was speechless and choked with emotion, then put away her phone without replying.
Just two days after returning, Chu Yi received an invitation from Cheng Li, along with a photo and a message.
Cheng Li took a selfie in a bar. The bar was dimly lit, and in front of her was a red and green cocktail. She was resting her chin on her hand and pouting. The thin tank top was hanging on her dazzlingly white shoulders, almost invisible.
"My ex is online, waiting for a reply from this scumbag."
Chuyi: "..."
She stopped writing, leaned back in her chair, and started typing on her phone.
What are you doing?
"Let's drink." This time, Cheng Li was much more normal, replying directly.
"Are you coming or not? Same place as always."
"Okay." Chu Yi thought for a moment. It had been a while since she had seen her, and Qiao Anchen was also working overtime tonight, so she replied.
"I'm coming over now."
After getting married, Chu Yi rarely went to bars anymore, although she hadn't been there much before, even though it was a quiet bar.
Chu Yi still sent a message to Qiao Anchen to let him know, and then went out wearing a tank top and shorts.
She has a small frame, with delicate shoulders and collarbones, giving her a petite and adorable look when wearing a tank top, while also exuding an indescribable sexiness.
But she didn't dare wear it in front of Qiao Anchen, because he would frown slightly and then take a thin cardigan out of the closet for her.
Sometimes, Chu Yi really couldn't stand this old-fashioned man.
When Chu Yi arrived at the bar by taxi, it was already dark. He immediately spotted Cheng Li inside, for no other reason than that she was surrounded by the most men.
Chu Yi walked over and sat down next to her, raised his eyes, glanced around, and spoke lightly to the few people who were chatting with him.
"I'm sorry, she's already married and has two children."
"Ah..." The man looked embarrassed, then raised his glass to her and nodded politely.
"Then I won't bother you any longer."
After everyone around had left, the area finally became quiet. Cheng Li glanced at her and lazily dragged out her words.
"Who said I already have a child? Don't spread rumors."
"Why are you so free today?" Chu Yi ignored her, glanced at the new products section on the wall, and waved to the bartender.
"A glass of mint at night."
"What do you mean I'm so free today?" Cheng Li picked up the glass in front of her and took a sip, the wine staining her lips beautifully.
"I've been quite free lately."
"Huh?" Chu Yi exclaimed in surprise, staring at her with wide eyes.
"Where is your beloved darling?"
"Stop talking." Cheng Li sighed, then picked up her glass and drank with a gloomy expression.
"He's been busy with business trips lately, and I haven't seen him for almost a month."
"Ah..." Chu Yi felt a mix of sympathy and感慨, racking her brains to recall her boyfriend's profession, before finally asking uncertainly, "Isn't he in the tech field? A project manager?"
"Yes, their company has been restructuring recently, and he often has to go to talk to clients. He's been doing this for several months now."
"So what have you been up to lately?" Chu Yi asked curiously, noting that he hadn't been contacted much.
"I'm busy with work, I have my own regular job, okay? And I try to fly over to be with him whenever I have free time. I'm a bit tired lately, so I want to take a break."
Cheng Li glared at her and said reproachfully, "Hmph, unlike someone who found a new love so quickly."
"No, that's a friend I've known online for several years," Chu Yi explained. "I happened to be in Beicheng this time, so I met her."
"Okay." Cheng Li raised her glass to her, her expression relaxed, and under the bright lights, her eyes exuded a charming allure.
"Then you have to keep me company tonight."
...
Chu Yi felt that she had been acting as a dumping ground for Cheng Li tonight, listening to her pour out her troubles about feeling lonely and depressed because her boyfriend hadn't had time to spend with her lately.
She looked genuinely disappointed and sad. Cheng Li seemed to get more and more agitated as she talked, drinking one glass of wine after another like water. When Chu Yi tried to stop her, she got angry and slapped her hand, which stung painfully.
"It's no fun drinking alone, come on, cheers!" The drunk woman was completely irrational, insisting that Chu Yi drink with her. If she refused, she would start making a scene. Chu Yi couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she resignedly sent a message to Qiao Anchen, asking him to come pick her up later.
The two continued their back-and-forth, and later, whenever their glasses were empty, the bartender would automatically refill them. Chu Yi was relatively reserved, only taking a couple of sips before putting the glass down, while Cheng Li downed her entire glass in one gulp.
At 10:30 p.m., when Qiao Anchen pushed open the bar door, he saw Cheng Li with disheveled hair leaning on Chu Yi's shoulder, crying her heart out, just like a woman who had just broken up with her boyfriend and was deeply hurt.