Chapter 29: Xu Wu’s Soft and Plump Face…

Xu Wu wiped her wet hair with a towel, the droplets of water sliding down her face as she moved. Beneath the towel, Xu Wu hadn’t expected things to unfold this way.

She had originally come to explain the reason for their breakup, but instead, they ended up kissing in the bathroom just moments ago. For a fleeting moment, it felt like a bud that had been wilting in the fog was suddenly bathed in light, beginning to grow again.

Xu Wu pursed her lips, still feeling the lingering warmth and touch of his kiss on hers.

They had kissed before when they were together. Zhou Jinye, despite dating many women, never became overly intimate with them. From awkward beginnings to practiced ease, his kisses always left her weak and breathless.

The kiss just now, amidst the hot shower, felt like a torrential downpour where they poured out years of longing and grievances.

“That should be enough. I’ll go get the hairdryer for you,” Xu Wu said.

Remembering his injured right hand soaked with water, she added, “Your wound hasn’t healed yet. Let me re-bandage it for you.”

As she prepared to stand up, Zhou Jinye grabbed her arm. “No need.”

Before she could speak, she watched as he removed the gauze from his hand.

She saw the reddish-brown scabs forming on his arm. “Is this considered healed?”

He tossed the thoroughly soaked gauze into the trash bin by his feet. “More or less.”

“I’ll go get some iodine.”

Xu Wu still got up to fetch the first-aid kit, which she had placed there last time.

His wound needed iodine applied externally so the scab would naturally fall off.

From that incident, his wound wasn’t too deep. The reddish-brown scab stretched along a line on his skin.

Her mind once again flooded with memories of that event.

After applying the iodine, Xu Wu had him roll up his sleeve. The room was warm with the heater on, and both she and Zhou Jinye were drenched.

The hot water soaking their clothes cooled in the air, leaving them chilled. With the heater blowing warm air throughout the room, she couldn’t help but sneeze.

“I’ll go change into dry clothes. You should too. The flu is going around—be careful not to catch a cold.”

Xu Wu turned toward the door.

Just as she took a step, Zhou Jinye grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to him. “Are you planning to leave just like that?”

That was true. Just moments ago, they had kissed, but afterward, Xu Wu hadn’t made any promises to Zhou Jinye.

They hadn’t clarified the past yet. Xu Wu looked at him. “I’ll come back after I change. There’s something I need to tell you.”

Only then did his hand, with veins subtly visible beneath the skin, release her wrist. “Alright.”

As she reached the doorway, she saw Pudding lying on the small rug, blocking the entrance. His head was tilted toward them, as if sulking. Perhaps the sounds from the bathroom earlier made him think they were fighting, and now he was stopping her from leaving.

After their breakup in the past, Pudding hadn’t been with either of them. Unaware of the situation, it didn’t have a chance to intervene.

Even when Zhou Jinye dried its fur, it stayed away.

Xu Wu patted Pudding’s head and gently reassured him, “Be good. I’ll come back later.”

Pudding finally stood up and moved aside, barking twice at her.

After changing out of her soaked clothes and drying her half-wet hair, she found some cold medicine and brewed herself a cup to drink.

She also prepared a disposable cup for Zhou Jinye.

Still needing to go over to his place, she tidied her hair, which had been tousled by the hairdryer. Her smooth, sleek hair cascaded down her back, and her pale cheeks flushed with a soft pink.

Once satisfied with her appearance, she picked up the prepared cold medicine and headed over.

Pudding remained stationed at the door.

As soon as she entered, she stepped back slightly and crouched down to look at it.

Zhou Jinye hadn’t come out yet, so she set down the cold medicine.

________________________________________

The lights in every room of the spacious apartment were on. Though Xu Wu had been inside Zhou Jinye’s place before, she had never really taken a close look at his living room.

The decor wasn’t lavish but rather simple. All the furniture shared a cohesive style, similar to her side, with warm lighting that gave the entire space a cozy, homey feel.

By chance, she noticed a small wooden fence enclosing a circle. Looking at the decorations, it was Pudding’s little nest.

Feeling her gaze on its nest, Pudding wagged its tail and trotted over to it.

Xu Wu followed behind to take a closer look.

The nest was spacious, perfectly suited to Pudding’s size. Above its sleeping area hung a small scarf she had knitted for it.

Pudding confidently entered its nest and licked the tiny plush version of itself, knitted with yarn at the end of the scarf.

“Ever since it got this, Pudding insists on sleeping while holding the scarf every night.”

The familiar scent of sandalwood wafted into her nose.

Zhou Jinye had already changed into comfortable, loose-fitting cotton clothes. His damp bangs fell lazily over his forehead, and through the rolled-up sleeves, she could faintly see the scab underneath.

Xu Wu glanced at the small toys beside Pudding’s nest. They were merely decorative.

It seemed Pudding cherished the gift she had given it.

“What did you want to tell me?” Zhou Jinye’s voice sounded beside her again.

She turned to face him. “About our breakup in the past… I hid some things from you during your hospital stay.”

“Mm, go on.” His expression didn’t seem particularly surprised—it was as if he had known all along.

She hadn’t told him about this before, had she?

“Our breakup—those words were all lies. I didn’t fall for someone else. Everything I said back then was meant to hurt you. I’m sorry. I truly apologize.” As Xu Wu spoke, her eyes welled up with tears.

In the past, to break up, she had said hurtful things, enduring the pain like a spring rainstorm battering her body.

Zhou Jinye didn’t say anything. Instead, he walked over and pulled her into his arms. Her scent enveloped him as his hand brushed through her hair. “It’s fine. It’s all in the past. So, what are your intentions now?”

“Before, you confessed and pursued me. This time, it’s my turn to chase you back.” Xu Wu’s voice choked near his ear.

A soft chuckle came from above her head. “What about what happened in the bathroom just now?”

“Aren’t you the one who said I had to take responsibility?” Xu Wu pulled away from his embrace and looked him in the eye. “I admit that night I got drunk was a mistake. So, am I not allowed to chase you back?”

“I never said no.” Hearing her words, Zhou Jinye’s eyes softened with indulgent affection. He simply smiled at her.

But Xu Wu didn’t understand. Before she could ask, the phone in her pocket rang.

Glancing at the caller ID, she turned to Zhou Jinye. “It’s Jiang Zihan’s call. I’ll go back to my room to answer it. I’ll call you over for dinner as usual.”

Seeing her report to him like this, Zhou Jinye’s lips curved into a smile, and he nodded in agreement.

Closing his door gently behind her, Xu Wu walked back to her own apartment and answered the call. “Hello, Hanhan.”

“Wuwu, do you have a little nest for me to stay in for a few days?” Jiang Zihan’s voice came through the noisy background.

________________________________________

Half an hour later, Jiang Zihan arrived at her apartment, dragging her luggage.

“What’s going on?” Earlier, the call had been too noisy for her to hear clearly, so she only caught the gist of it.

“I switched shifts, but I couldn’t escape him showing up at my house.” Jiang Zihan rubbed her wind-tousled hair. “Why is he so stubborn? We’re both adults. Why does he insist on taking responsibility for me? Sending food to the hospital was one thing, but now he’s even waiting outside my door during these few precious days of peace.”

Hearing her words, there was no doubt she was talking about Li Qingyang.

Speaking of responsibility, she had just said those words to someone else earlier.

“I’ll stay here for a few days to hide. Wuwu, don’t abandon me, okay?” She rested her hand on Xu Wu’s arm.

“What are you talking about? I’ll prepare your bedding. You can stay here as long as you like.”

Xu Wu’s voice was gentle.

The door was still open, and Jiang Zihan ran over to give her a big hug. “Wuwu, you’re the best! I love, love you!”

As she spoke, she touched Xu Wu’s face, which was soft and smooth. Back in college, she loved touching Xu Wu’s face—it felt so comforting.

The only difference now was that her face had gained some plumpness.

Xu Wu didn’t mind, allowing Jiang Zihan to fondly pat her cheeks.

Just then, a knock on the doorframe interrupted them. Xu Wu turned her head, and Jiang Zihan’s hand froze in mid-air. Turning around, they saw the injured man Xu Wu had accompanied at the hospital earlier.

The door was still open, and Zhou Jinye leaned against the frame. “I came over to cook dinner with you.”

Cooking dinner sounded casual and direct, but the key word was “together.” Even though they were exes, it was unusual for him to come over to her place to cook.

Jiang Zihan turned to Xu Wu and whispered loudly enough for both of them to hear, “Did you clear things up with him about what we discussed this afternoon?”

Xu Wu nodded.

Surprised by how quickly Xu Wu resolved the issue, Jiang Zihan teased, “Wow, Wuwu, you’re fast!”

Xu Wu introduced Jiang Zihan to him and explained that she’d be staying for a few days.

Zhou Jinye greeted her and walked in, with Pudding following behind.

Seeing the adorable creature, Jiang Zihan asked permission before gently petting Pudding’s head.

Pudding was friendly toward her, clearly enjoying the attention.

“Oh, right,” Jiang Zihan remembered something. “You and Li Qingyang are still on good terms, right?”

Zhou Jinye nodded in response.

“Then please don’t tell him I’m here.” Dragging her suitcase, Jiang Zihan headed toward the room Xu Wu had prepared for her. “You two go ahead and cook. I’ll go make my bed.”

Jiang Zihan closed her bedroom door.

“Didn’t I say I’d call you over for dinner? Why did you come?” Xu Wu turned to him.

“My hand is better. How could I let you cook alone? I came to help.” Zhou Jinye’s gaze lingered on her face.

“It’s not fully healed yet.”

“Then I’ll handle tasks that don’t involve water—like washing and cutting vegetables.”

When they reached the kitchen, Xu Wu suddenly remembered the noodles Zhou Jinye had cooked last time—he didn’t know how to cook.

“How about you just wash the vegetables?” Xu Wu took ingredients out of the fridge and handed them to him. “This will do.”

“No need. You go ahead and cook your dishes.”

“Okay.” Xu Wu moved away from the fridge and plugged in the rice cooker.

While making a quick egg drop soup, Xu Wu returned to find Zhou Jinye slicing vegetables.

The greens were cut into thin strips, and his speed and technique were impressive—he didn’t look like someone who didn’t know how to cook.

“You know how to cook?” she asked incredulously.

Finishing the last strip of greens, he raised his eyes. “Yes, I’ve known for a long time.”

“Then… you…”

If he had been cooking for a long time, he should know how much noodles to use for one person.

Yet he had used enough for three people. Could it be…

He did it on purpose?

“What?” Zhou Jinye grabbed a large plate from the side and placed the sliced vegetables inside.

Xu Wu pressed further. “Last time you helped out and cooked noodles for two people. Did you already know?”

“Would you believe me if I said my hand slipped and I accidentally poured in too much?” Zhou Jinye teased with a playful smile.

“No,” Xu Wu replied without hesitation, her tone firm yet laced with amusement.

Zhou Jinye didn’t respond further. Instead, he grabbed a paper towel to dry his fingers and then walked over to her.

Before Xu Wu could react, his hand was already reaching up.

The cool touch of his fingers brushed against her warm cheek, which had noticeably gained some softness.

Zhou Jinye curled his fingers instinctively, giving her cheek a gentle pinch. “Hmm, looks like someone’s been eating well. Your face feels so soft.”

Xu Wu’s plump, tender face only added to the charm.