YJDNY - 63

It wasn’t until Su Jingnian left that Xiang Ge finally opened her eyes.

The pillow beneath her head had changed—she was now resting on Zhou Xingyan’s lap, looking up at him from below.

The man’s gaze was lowered, and he happened to be looking at her as well.

Xiang Ge blinked, her eyes slightly red. She slowly pushed herself up from the sofa, sitting upright as she looked at him.

For a long while, their eyes met, neither saying a word. Finally, Zhou Xingyan broke the silence. “When did you wake up?”

“Just now,” Xiang Ge replied in a hoarse voice.

Her eyes were still moist, and her cheek bore a faint red indentation from lying down.

Zhou Xingyan’s lips curved into a faint smile as he reached out to gently touch the shallow red mark. “You’ve turned into a little kitten.”

Xiang Ge didn’t speak. Her eyelashes fluttered, and a hint of moisture seeped from the corners of her eyes.

Suddenly, she moved, throwing herself into his arms. Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, her head buried against his chest. Her voice was raspy. “Xingyan…”

Zhou Xingyan raised his arm to embrace her. “If you’re awake, go take a shower and then sleep upstairs.”

Xiang Ge tightened her grip around his waist, burying her head deeper. “I don’t want to get up. Carry me upstairs.”

Zhou Xingyan gently rubbed her hair. “Then stay here and sleep. I’ll go upstairs by myself.”

“…”

Xiang Ge froze for a moment before lifting her head, her expression complicated as she looked at him. “Zhou Xingyan, that’s not what you said earlier.”

Zhou Xingyan lowered his gaze, his expression unchanged. “Hmm, what did I say earlier?”

Xiang Ge stared at him for three seconds before exhaling deeply, her shoulders slumping. “Fine, I’ll get up.”

She slowly slid off the sofa, standing up after slipping on her slippers. Just as she rose, she was suddenly pulled back.

Xiang Ge turned her head.

Zhou Xingyan sat on the sofa, holding her wrist and gazing at her. He let out a sigh.

Before Xiang Ge could react, he stood up, slightly bending down. One hand slipped beneath her knees, and he lifted her into his arms.

Before Xiang Ge could process it, she was already airborne. Reflexively, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes widening slightly.

Zhou Xingyan stood there with her in his arms. The person in his embrace had gained a little weight during this time, but she was still light as a feather, her bones prominent even through her clothing.

Zhou Xingyan looked down at her. “Have you gained some weight recently?”

Xiang Ge paused, her expression blank as she struggled slightly. “Then put me down.”

Zhou Xingyan chuckled softly, pressing her head back against his chest. He carried her upstairs.

Xiang Ge hadn’t stayed in her room much since college. The four-poster princess bed was adorned with pale pink and white curtains, partially drawn. Xiang Ge reached out to lift the veil, and Zhou Xingyan placed her on the bed. He then stood up to draw the curtains closed.

Turning around, he saw that Xiang Ge had turned on the bedside lamp and was sitting on the edge of the bed, removing her clothes.

The bedside lamp cast a warm glow through its shade. With the curtains drawn, the room was bathed in dim shadows. Through the delicate lace curtains, Xiang Ge sat on the bed, pulling off her socks inch by inch—from thigh to knee, to calf and ankle, until they finally slipped off her toes. Her skirt rode up with her movements, revealing her smooth, pale thighs.

A set of pajamas had been laid out at the foot of the bed by Su Jingnian. Xiang Ge tossed her socks aside, picked up the pajamas, and stepped barefoot onto the carpet. It was only then that she glanced up at Zhou Xingyan.

The man stood leaning against the window, motionless as if lost in thought. His profile was highlighted by the warm light, his nose sharp and defined, while his eyes remained shadowed. Only the faint line of his tightly pressed lips was visible.

Xiang Ge tilted her head. “What are you thinking about?”

Zhou Xingyan straightened up and walked over to her. Leaning on the bedpost with one hand, he lowered his head, his lips brushing the corner of her mouth. His breath was low and muffled. “Shall we share a kiss?”

Xiang Ge tilted her head back. “My mom is sleeping in the next room.”

Zhou Xingyan hummed in acknowledgment. “I know.” He captured her lower lip, leaning his body forward and pressing her against the bedpost. “So just a kiss.”

Xiang Ge chuckled softly, one hand holding her pajamas while the other arm looped around his neck, tilting her head to meet him.

In the quiet room, their lips intertwined with faint sounds. When Xiang Ge finally pushed him away, breathless, Zhou Xingyan still reluctantly licked the corner of her mouth.

Her pajamas hung loosely on her arm, nearly brushing the floor. Feeling his warm, lingering kisses, she couldn’t help but laugh and give him a light push. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Annoying,” Zhou Xingyan murmured hoarsely, planting delicate kisses along her ear. “Is your house soundproof?”

Xiang Ge shrank her neck to avoid him, then mercilessly pushed him away with both hands. “Rejected. I need to get up early tomorrow.”

Zhou Xingyan slowly straightened up, clicking his tongue in dissatisfaction.

His dark eyes were half-lidded, his expression calm, yet there was a hint of委屈 in his gaze, as if silently protesting being sent to the guest room.

He looked like a fluffy little animal.

Though perhaps this particular animal was feeling unsatisfied.

Xiang Ge burst into laughter, earning her a cold, displeased glance from the man. She licked her lips, tilting her head thoughtfully. “I could use—” She extended a hand, palm open before him, her fingers slender, her palm soft and smooth. “This?”

She wiggled her hand. “I’ll give you half an hour.”

Zhou Xingyan’s temple throbbed, and he narrowed his eyes, hissing. “You’re torturing me.”

Xiang Ge blinked innocently, leaning closer. “Do you want it or not?”

Zhou Xingyan raised his hand to swat away the annoying hand she was waving in front of him. “Go take a shower.”

She quickly withdrew her hand, then dragged him by the wrist toward the door and opened it.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Xiang Ge leaned in for a quick peck on his lips before pulling back just as fast. “I’m going to take a shower now. You go to sleep early. Goodnight.”

Before he could react, the door clicked shut.

Zhou Xingyan stood at the bedroom door, staring at the closed door, slowly licking the corner of his lips.

Just then, the little boy sleeping in the next room came out to use the bathroom, rubbing his sleepy eyes and looking up at him. “Why are you standing outside my sister’s room? Are you too scared to go to the bathroom alone at night?”

“…”

Zhou Xingyan calmly nodded and walked over to him. “A bit. Let’s go together.”

Zhou Xingyan only stayed at Xiang Ge’s house for a day before moving to a hotel, citing that it would be more convenient.

That night, as Xiang Ge’s head was pressed into the pillow and the person behind her moved from nipping her nape to her waist, leaving deep and shallow marks, she finally realized what exactly was inconvenient about staying there.

In comparison, this arrangement was indeed much more convenient.

The major fashion weeks had their shows scheduled between September and October. Xiang Ge, as a backup model, lounged around backstage for two days. On the afternoon of the second day, while she was casually munching on sunflower seeds with her legs crossed, the person in charge stormed into the backstage area, phone in hand. Fu Rongsen followed him in, leaning lazily against the doorframe and throwing her a flirtatious wink.

The main person in charge was a bearded Italian man wearing a light blue denim shirt under a white casual blazer. His shirt collar was wide open, revealing chest hair as thick as his beard, exuding a flamboyant vibe.

He was still on the phone, apparently dealing with some issue involving another model. Xiang Ge discreetly hid her sunflower seeds behind her back just as his gaze swept over. Pointing at her, he barked an order in perfect French for her to change clothes.

Xiang Ge hesitated for only a second before quickly getting up to follow the stylist.

It was Xiang Ge’s first time participating in an international fashion week, but she was completely unfazed, chatting animatedly with the makeup artist and remaining calm throughout.

Once everything was ready, the opening model stepped onto the runway. Xiang Ge took a shallow breath and stepped onto the stage.

The flashlights were blinding, burning against her skin, while the audience below seemed dimmer in comparison. The runway stretched endlessly, but once she stepped onto it, she realized reaching the end felt like just a single breath.

Chin slightly raised, Xiang Ge walked back with an impassive expression. Out of the corner of her eye, her gaze lingered for half a second.

Su Yinan sat elegantly in a red dress, watching her from below.

Beside her sat the man who, just that morning, had been dripping wet, wearing only a bathrobe, biting her shoulder and hoarsely whispering, “I’ll wait for you to come back.”

Xiang Ge’s gaze slid past them without a flicker.

Below the runway, Su Yinan tilted her head, crossing her legs with a slight smirk. “My future daughter-in-law is quite impressive.”

Zhou Xingyan said nothing, narrowing his eyes slightly before standing up and leaving.

Despite being called upon at the last minute, Xiang Ge performed with remarkable poise and grace. Once offstage, even the head organizer’s attitude softened considerably. Xiang Ge exhaled deeply, only now feeling the tension. She hunched her shoulders, hopping lightly on the spot before heading to the restroom.

As she flipped through her phone and walked toward the restroom, head down dialing Zhou Xingyan, she suddenly looked up to see him leaning against the wall nearby.

Zhou Xingyan wore a light-colored suit, tailored yet understated, with a natural drape that accentuated his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs. Without a tie and with the top button of his white shirt undone, he exuded a relaxed, effortless charm.

Xiang Ge lowered her hand, walking over in small steps. Her high heels made no sound on the carpeted corridor.

When she reached him, Zhou Xingyan just happened to raise his eyes.

Xiang Ge had never seen him in a suit before and couldn’t help but stare. With no one else around, she grinned mischievously like a little troublemaker, her gaze glued to him as she licked her lips.

Her heels were high, significantly reducing the height difference between them. Tilting her head, she asked, “You came without telling me?”

Zhou Xingyan didn’t respond, his gaze trailing down her figure until it stopped at her chest.

After a long silence, he finally spoke in a low, flat tone. “Do models always walk the runway without wearing bras?”