Lin Cheng stood in place, watching Lu Xiaoxiao leave.
The faint scent of her perfume still lingered at the tip of his nose—very light, like the fragrance of some white flower, perhaps an orchid. He still held the umbrella in his hand as the rain began to pour down.
In his mind, the image lingered of how he’d leaned close to Lu Xiaoxiao’s cheek, only for her to turn her face away.
Rejected, just like that.
Even though he was usually thick-skinned, the moment had still filled him with embarrassment. Lin Cheng glanced at the umbrella in his hand, hailed a taxi, and arrived at his destination half an hour later. He knocked on the door.
Xu Wanyue opened the door wearing a white nightgown. Beneath it were those knee-high lace-trimmed white silk stockings. What the hell—why wear stockings at home?
Her long legs were tightly wrapped in the sheer fabric, almost transparent yet shimmering faintly with a glossy sheen. He really wanted to touch them.
Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, slightly damp, with two glistening droplets of water on her collarbone. She’d clearly just showered. Lin Cheng gazed at her and handed over the umbrella. “Here, your umbrella back.”
“Oh… why come return it so late at night?”
“I happened to be free.”
“But it’s still raining out there. How are you getting home without it?”
“Thanks for inviting me in to sit.” Lin Cheng smoothly slipped into Xu Wanyue’s small apartment and casually shut the door behind him.
Xu Wanyue crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes fixed intently on him, trying to stare him down until he showed even a hint of guilt. Unfortunately, his skin was far too thick. In the end, she sighed helplessly. “Sit in the living room for a bit. I’ll go put on some underwear.”
“I wouldn’t be able to see anyway.”
“No way.” Xu Wanyue huffed and retreated to her room, closing the door firmly.
When Xu Wanyue emerged from her room, the faint outline of white underwear was now visible beneath her thin nightgown—a clear difference from before. She sat on the chair opposite Lin Cheng, propping her hand on her pale thigh as she looked at him. “So, why are you here?”
“Couldn’t sleep and wanted to come chat with you.”
“…But I just showered and was about to dry my hair and go to bed.”
“Need help? I know how to blow-dry hair!” Lin Cheng winked at her.
“Sure.” Xu Wanyue moved to the vanity mirror. Lin Cheng picked up the hairdryer and carefully began drying her hair.
Xu Wanyue’s hair was long, silky, and jet-black, seemingly never dyed but lightly permed. It gave her the gentle vibe of a friendly big sister next door.
Lin Cheng spent a good ten minutes drying it. Xu Wanyue sat obediently the whole time. When he finally set the hairdryer down, she turned to him with a touch of surprise. “You actually know how.”
“…Because I used to do it for someone else all the time.”
“I get it, I get it—that girl you lived with before. But… why come to my place in the middle of the night?” Xu Wanyue’s eyes watched him warily.
“It’s raining at home—leaks everywhere, can’t go back. Plus, I suddenly thought of something to ask you.”
“Go ahead.”
“With your laid-back attitude, you don’t seem to crave power boosts at all. What do you need the Evolution Blood for?”
Xu Wanyue froze, a flicker of panic in her eyes. But before she could respond, Lin Cheng answered for her. “For your sister?”
“You—you—you… you investigated me.” Her voice stumbled over the words.
“Every organization does basic checks on new collaborators. Litchi told me you have a sister whose powers went out of control, leaving her in a coma. Have you used that half vial of Evolution Blood on her yet?”
“Not yet…”
“I’ll go with you tomorrow to check her out. I should be able to figure out her ability and why she’s comatose.” Lin Cheng’s tone was gentle.
Xu Wanyue stared blankly for a long moment, her tense heart finally easing. She muttered softly, “I… I thought…”
“Thought what?”
“That you… got drunk at night… and came over to do something bad.” Xu Wanyue replied timidly.
“Do I look drunk?”
“Your hair’s all wet, and there’s a bit of booze on you.”
“You’ve got quite the nose—got a little dog’s sniffer or something?”
“You’re the little dog.” Xu Wanyue stood, grabbed a towel, and started drying his hair. “How’d your hair get wet if you had an umbrella?”
“Wanted to feel the rain.”
“You’re not a kid anymore.” There was a hint of reproach in Xu Wanyue’s voice. Lin Cheng fell silent and sat obediently as she dried his hair. Once she finished, she took his hand, pulled him up, and pressed him down in front of the vanity mirror. She picked up the hairdryer and started blow-drying his hair.
Lin Cheng sat still as she worked. Xu Wanyue said softly, “Your hair’s so long. Want me to braid it into a little ponytail?”
“You’re so bored.” Lin Cheng turned his head and blinked at her. “Can I stay here tonight?”
Xu Wanyue tensed up again, her hand lightly clutching the hem of her nightgown. “Huh?”
“We can head out together tomorrow anyway—your place is close to the hospital where your sister is. It’s pouring outside. You really gonna kick me out?”
“…I can lend you the umbrella. You can return it next time I come over—no need to run here.”
“I’m gonna kill myself. For real!”
“Fine, fine… Go take a shower then. I’ll order you some pajamas via delivery.” Xu Wanyue reached out, pinched his cheek, and shoved him toward the bathroom.
When Lin Cheng emerged from the bathroom, Xu Wanyue handed him the pajamas. He obediently went back in to change, then came out again. Xu Wanyue was already in bed, curled up on her side under the covers, not even lifting her head until she heard his footsteps. She peeked out a little. “You sleep on the left, I’ll take the right. Don’t cross the body pillow, or else…”
She froze mid-sentence. Lin Cheng grinned and pressed, “Or else what?”
“Or I’ll get mad.” Xu Wanyue tried to put on a stern face to make it convincing, but her eyes betrayed her timidity. Lin Cheng lifted the covers and lay on the left side. The two were separated by a moderate distance. The TV was right in front, perfectly visible when turned on. Xu Wanyue poked her head out and switched it on—Kamen Rider was playing.
“You called it childish before.”
“Nothing else on when I’m bored…” Xu Wanyue replied guiltily. Lin Cheng turned his head curiously to look at her. “Did you take off your stockings?”
“Not yet—I’ll do it before bed. Why do you care?”
Lin Cheng winked. “Want me to help?”
“No, no.”
Xu Wanyue quietly lifted her side of the covers, sat up, and bent down to peel off her white silk stockings. Lin Cheng’s eyes fixed on her unblinkingly, watching as she carefully rolled them up, her snowy, slender legs gradually revealed beneath the hem of her nightgown—porcelain-white in the lamplight.
Slender, pale, soft—like legs straight out of a manga. He’d have to find a way to pillow them for the night.
Soon, Xu Wanyue had the stockings off. The veins on her pale foot were clearly visible, like blue patterns on fine porcelain. She quickly covered her legs with the blanket again, turned to him, and poked his forehead.
“You’re not behaving at all.”
“If I behave, will you like me?”
“No way, you won’t change.”
“I can change for you.”
“I don’t believe it. Men’s words are the biggest lies.” Xu Wanyue sat up a bit, tugged the covers over herself, and turned her gaze to the TV screen. “Watch TV quietly. No more talking.”
“Your pillow’s too hard—uncomfortable to lean on.”
“Too soft a pillow’s bad for your neck.” Xu Wanyue reached back to ruffle his fluffy hair. “Be good.”
“Can I lie in your lap then?”
“No, you’re so annoying.”
Rejected again.
Why did he get this weird thrill from acting shameless around her and getting shot down? Was she secretly some super cunning beauty who’d already trained him without him noticing?
Lin Cheng never crossed that body pillow line. All his moves were just talk. But after watching TV for a bit, Xu Wanyue picked up the pillow and hugged it to her chest. She was actually watching with rapt attention!
“You’d rather hug a pillow than me!”
“Pillows are soft—feels nice to hold.”
Xu Wanyue murmured, glancing at his aggrieved expression. She reached out and ruffled his hair. “Be good and go to sleep.”
“Pillow’s too hard. Can’t sleep.”
“You’re so demanding…” Xu Wanyue eyed him wistfully, hesitating for a long moment before setting the pillow aside. She patted her flat stomach lightly. “Come here.”
“Hm?” Now it was Lin Cheng’s turn to look puzzled.
But Xu Wanyue’s eyes were utterly pure. Lin Cheng slowly shifted over and rested his head on her stomach. She was sitting up, so the position worked well enough. Her bed was big, so even with him lying sideways, it was fine.
So soft. And it smelled nice.
“This make you sleep like a good boy?”
“What about you? How will you sleep?” Lin Cheng tried to look up at her face, but her chest was in the way.
“Once you’re drowsy, I’ll set you down. You won’t make so many demands when you’re tired.”
“You’re so smart.”
“Heh heh.” Xu Wanyue seemed a little smug. She pinched his cheek lightly. “Sleep now. I’m turning off the light.”
“You were so scared of me earlier. What happened to that?”
“I was scared you’d go crazy from booze. But you’re not drunk, so you won’t do anything bad.”
“Even drunk, I wouldn’t. I never lose it like that.”
“Okay, okay.” Xu Wanyue replied gently. Her slender fingertips brushed his collarbone—ticklish, yet comfortable. She said softly, “You’ve gotta help me check on my sister tomorrow, so… treating you nice a bit isn’t a big deal.”
“Heh, so that’s it. You won’t even say something sweet to coax me.”
“I’m not good at lying.” Xu Wanyue whispered. “But you act like such a kid so often.”
“I’m not.”
“You totally do—like a child who wants pampering and candy. Tantrums if you don’t get it, but sweet and obedient if you do. And you’d treat people great.”
“Fine, truth is I’m a three-year-old at heart. Mommy, I want boobies.”
Xu Wanyue reached out and pinched his chest—right where he’d been cheeky. Lin Cheng yelped in pain, eyes watering. She leaned down, eyes locked on his without blinking, like scolding a child. “Gonna ask for boobies again?”
“No, no more!”
Lin Cheng trembled.
