Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
The kiss ended with He Ran letting out a sharp hiss of pain.
“Shit!” He pulled away from Jian Xi, wincing. “Why’d you bite me?”
Jian Xi turned her head away, still simmering with anger.
He Ran tested his injured tongue. “Your teeth sure pack a punch.”
Jian Xi lowered her head slightly, her eyes red and glistening.
He Ran grabbed her wrist. “Come on, hit me here—right in the face.”
Jian Xi yanked her hand back angrily. “You’re such a scoundrel.”
Suddenly, He Ran leaned close, his nose almost touching hers, and whispered, “I’m sorry. I must’ve looked pathetic just now, embarrassing you like that.”
Jian Xi turned her head to look at him. “It’s not cool to be tacky.”
He Ran burst out laughing.
Jian Xi wasn’t actually throwing a tantrum; she understood why he had fled earlier. A man’s sense of pride and dignity often stemmed from his desire to protect the person he cared about.
Her nose tingled with emotion as she took his injured hand gently. “I’m not concerned about you—I’m just checking if it’s broken.”
He Ran suppressed a laugh, pretending to be pitiful. “I don’t know if it’s broken, but it definitely can’t handle anything on its own anymore.”
Unable to hide her concern, Jian Xi softened completely, like melting ice.
“The bandages are fraying. Let me take you to the hospital to get them rewrapped.”
Before He Ran could refuse, Jian Xi shot him a pointed look.
Feeling guilty, he relented. “Fine, but not your hospital.”
Jian Xi sighed inwardly. “Alright, I have a first aid kit at home.” She glanced past He Ran toward Lin Jia. “What about you? Are you hurt?”
“He’s fine. I blocked everything for him,” He Ran told Lin Jia. “Go home on your own.”
Lin Jia nodded repeatedly and came over with a wide grin. “Hello, Sister-in-law.”
Jian Xi greeted him politely.
“Sister-in-law, there’s something I need your help with.” Lin Jia seized the opportunity, scratching his head nervously. “My wife is due any day now. Do you think your hospital has room for her?”
“That might require waiting in line. Here’s what we’ll do: send me your ID information, and I’ll register you tomorrow. If a bed becomes available, I’ll let you know.”
“Great, thank you so much, Sister-in-law!” Lin Jia’s eyes crinkled with joy.
“You little schemer, quick thinking,” He Ran teased, patting Lin Jia on the head. “Now go.”
After sending Lin Jia off, Jian Xi and He Ran hailed a taxi back to her apartment.
Once they got out of the cab, He Ran said, “Wait here a moment.”
Before Jian Xi could ask, she saw his figure sprinting toward the convenience store.
The streetlamp at the entrance of the residential complex was shaped like an orchid, with a black pole and a hollowed-out cover. The warm yellow glow seeped through the lattice. With the Lunar New Year approaching, the property management had already hung red Chinese knots on the lamps.
Jian Xi’s gaze lingered on the knots for a moment before shifting back, only to see He Ran emerging from the convenience store, carrying a small bag.
“What did you buy?” Jian Xi asked.
He Ran simply smiled without answering. “It’s cold outside. Let’s go inside first.”
The bag was small, the contents square-shaped. Jian Xi assumed it was cigarettes. Once they were in the elevator, He Ran waited for her to unlock the door.
“How long have you been renting this place?”
“I started renting it when I began working at the hospital.”
“The interior looks new.”
“It was a bare unit when I rented it. My mom handled the renovations.”
“With that kind of money, why didn’t you just buy it?” He Ran frowned.
“My mom already owns two apartments nearby. They’re too big, and there’s no need to buy another one. Renting a smaller place works fine for me.” Jian Xi opened the door, and a light, pleasant fragrance wafted out.
“Besides, I hardly live here. I mostly come back to sleep.” Jian Xi handed him a pair of slippers.
He Ran examined them. “New ones? Did you buy these especially for me?”
Jian Xi hummed softly in affirmation.
“Are you trying to force me into cohabitation?” He Ran pressed against her from behind, pushing her forward as she changed her shoes.
Backed up against the wall with nowhere to go, He Ran took full advantage of the situation.
He leaned down to kiss her, but Jian Xi turned her head away. “Even with your hand nearly broken, you still can’t behave.”
“My mouth isn’t broken.” He Ran lightly pinched her chin, his tongue tracing her lips teasingly. “Last time, I didn’t even use my hands, and my tongue still made you climax.”
Jian Xi’s breathing quickened.
He Ran’s lips curved upward. “Breathing so heavily—are you trying to press your chest against mine? You’re soft, I’m hard. We’re a perfect match, Dr. Jian.”
Unable to hold back any longer, Jian Xi finally laughed. “Stop fooling around.”
“I’m going to take a shower.” He Ran pulled away from her lips. “We’ll continue our fun later.”
This feeling of blushing and racing heartbeats—it was intoxicating.
Jian Xi muttered under her breath as she watched his retreating back. “Old pervert.”
The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Jian Xi went to the bedroom to gather some clothes for washing and noticed the shopping bag from the convenience store sitting on the table. Curious, she peeked inside and found two boxes of condoms.
An odd sensation washed over her. She didn’t say anything, though she had already purchased some online—they were sitting on her vanity.
He Ran emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, his freshly washed underwear twisted into tight bundles. “Where should I hang my clothes to dry?”
Jian Xi held out her hand. “Give them to me. Sit down while I tend to your wound.”
After hanging the clothes, Jian Xi brought him a set of pajamas.
“They’re my brother’s—you’ll have to make do.”
They were a garish blue color with drawstrings. Honestly, He Ran wasn’t fond of them.
“Let me see your hand.” Jian Xi sat beside him, causing the couch to dip slightly. Fortunately, the wound wasn’t deep. After disinfecting and bandaging it, He Ran thoroughly enjoyed the attention.
No sooner had she finished than he grew restless again. Kneeling on the couch, the towel around his waist slipped dangerously low.
Jian Xi was trapped within his arms. The fresh scent of his shower mingled with his body heat, leaving her dizzy.
He Ran’s kisses started at her forehead, gentle pecks, then moved to her nose, nibbling slowly, and finally reached her lips—a spark igniting desire.
“Damn, stop clenching your tongue so tightly,” He Ran murmured huskily, his voice muffled. “Just three days apart, and you’re acting like you haven’t been satisfied.”
He guided Jian Xi’s hand downward, brushing aside the towel until her fingers grazed the coarse hair at the base.
“Later, you’ll focus here… and here.”
Jian Xi tried to pull away, but He Ran held her firmly. “You woke it up—you can’t run now. That wouldn’t be fair, sweetheart.”
Jian Xi chuckled and tilted her head up, lightly biting his chin. “Whoever runs is the fool.”
He Ran grinned, his warm breath fanning across her face. “In that case, you’re the fool, and I’ve got the balls.”
Relaxing her body, Jian Xi closed her eyes, ready to welcome him.
Like spring water rippling in waves, He Ran reached over to grab a condom from the table, tearing it open impatiently.
Once prepared, he leaned close to her ear. “Xixi, I also bought lubricant.”
A fiery blush exploded across Jian Xi’s cheeks, as if a crimson cloud had ignited.
At that exact moment—urgent knocking at the door—
“Sis, are you home? Open up!”
“Shit!” He Ran nearly lost his resolve.
Jian Xi quickly stood up. “It’s my brother. Hurry and get dressed.”
He Ran felt the crushing weight of frustration.
Jian Xi, irritated, shuffled to the door. Once she saw He Ran dressed and scowling, she opened it.
Tao Xinglai made a flashy entrance. “What took so long? I’ve been waiting so long, my collagen’s probably all drained. Don’t tell me you’re hiding some wild man in there.”
His left foot had barely crossed the threshold when his right nearly buckled. “Holy crap, there really is someone!”
Jian Xi was exasperated. “Are you coming in or not? If not, I’m closing the door.”
Tao Xinglai held up an elegant paper bag. “Sis, you were a model student in first grade, yet you treat me so poorly. I just came straight from filming to bring you strawberries.”
Jian Xi’s head throbbed as she stepped aside. “Come in.”
Tao Xinglai glanced at He Ran’s stern expression and felt a pang of fear. Why did he look so serious, like he was about to storm a bunker?
Nervously, Tao Xinglai greeted him. “Hey.”
He Ran gave a curt nod—an insincere gesture that screamed reluctance.
Tao Xinglai’s mind raced with dramatic scenarios. Pulling Jian Xi aside, he whispered, “Sis, were you two about to get naughty? Let me remind you—you were once a model student in first grade.”
Good grief, Jian Xi was torn between laughter and tears. “What nonsense goes through your head?”
“Pfft, I’m just looking out for the world. You don’t appreciate good old Tao.” Tao Xinglai popped a strawberry into his mouth, chewing loudly. “Never mind, I’ll go chat with him.”
Jian Xi’s headache worsened as she hurried after him.
Tao Xinglai bore a striking resemblance to Jian Xi—a male version of her delicate features, like a national 5A scenic spot. No matter how much He Ran wanted to explode internally, one look at Tao Xinglai’s face melted his anger.
“Brother Ran, life is full of coincidences. After three or four days, we meet again. These strawberries are imported. Try one.” Tao Xinglai proudly offered the most beautiful-looking berry.
He Ran accepted it. “Thanks.”
He popped it into his mouth, chewing it to pieces.
Tao Xinglai felt uneasy, sensing that He Ran hadn’t extended a hand of friendship.
“On vacation?” He Ran asked.
“No, my schedule’s packed to the brim. I just came to visit my sister because we’re close.”
Tao Xinglai’s tone carried a hint of pride, clearly marking his territory and subtly reminding He Ran that he hadn’t approved of him yet.
He Ran’s expression remained neutral, betraying nothing.
Tao Xinglai turned to Jian Xi. “Sis, I’m staying here tonight. It’s too late, and it’s unsafe for a rising young actor like me to walk alone at night. Don’t worry about giving up your bed—I’ll sleep on the couch.”
Jian Xi groaned inwardly, grabbing a cushion from the couch and tossing it at him. “There’s a straw mat. Sleep on the floor!”
Undeterred, Tao Xinglai suggested to He Ran, “It’s boring this late at night. How about we play Dou Di Zhu (Fight the Landlord)?”
Jian Xi couldn’t argue with him, but He Ran readily agreed. “Sure.”
Tao Xinglai was thrilled. Since childhood, he’d excelled in math, even placing twenty-eighth in a community primary school Olympiad competition.
The three gathered around the glass coffee table to play cards.
Tao Xinglai was the landlord in the first round, but his hand was terrible. Within minutes, he suffered a crushing defeat.
Jian Xi, harboring lingering resentment, declared, “Losers get their faces painted.”
She rummaged through her bag for lipstick and mercilessly drew a giant “X” on Tao Xinglai’s face.
In the next round, He Ran was the landlord. Though his hand wasn’t great either, his card-counting skills were impeccable. He calculated every remaining card and snatched victory in the nick of time.
Tao Xinglai leaned closer. “Be gentle—it’s expensive lipstick. Don’t make her feel bad.”
He Ran relaxed his brows and painted Tao Xinglai’s nose entirely red.
Jian Xi burst out laughing. “Stop acting. You’re circus material.”
“It’s your turn now. Don’t get cocky, and no favoritism allowed.” Tao Xinglai protested.
Holding the lipstick, He Ran smirked mischievously at Jian Xi.
Jian Xi leaned forward, tilting her chin up slightly.
He Ran extended his hand, gently outlining her lips with the lipstick.
“Holy crap, this is rigged!” Tao Xinglai cried out. “This isn’t punishment—it’s public affection!”
The couple ignored him. Jian Xi muttered, “You put on so much—it’ll be hard to wash off later.”
He Ran feigned aggression. “Hardly. I’ll clean it off with my kisses. Stay still and take it!”
Tao Xinglai felt like he was suffocating.
“I’m done playing.” He didn’t want to embarrass himself further. “Let’s eat strawberries.”
Jian Xi was used to her brother’s antics. Patting his head, she said, “You always cause trouble. Fine, I’m going to take a shower.”
Left alone in the living room, He Ran and Tao Xinglai sat in silence.
Tao Xinglai muttered to himself, “My sister usually treasures only me.”
He Ran caught on—he was jealous.
Growing up, both parents had been busy, so the siblings naturally grew close. Now, seeing his sister’s affections shift outward, Tao Xinglai struggled to adjust.
“Don’t you like me?” He Ran pulled out a cigarette, holding it unlit between his lips.
Caught off guard by the directness, Tao Xinglai let his guard down.
“It’s not that I dislike you—it’s just… a little sad.”
He Ran indulged in the scent of tobacco, speaking calmly. “I’ll take care of her.”
“And how exactly do you plan to do that? Tell me your plans for morning, noon, and night—I’ll review them.” Tao Xinglai’s tone was playful, but his eyes were sincere.
He Ran returned the cigarette to its pack and looked up. “I’ll give her a good life. Give me a year, and I’ll prove myself to you.”
Pausing, he added deliberately:
“If this world treats her poorly, I’ll be the first to fight for her.”
When Jian Xi emerged from the bathroom, she thought her eyes were deceiving her.
Tao Xinglai and He Ran were sitting together, chatting animatedly?
“What happened next? Next? Wow, that’s incredible!” Tao Xinglai, now an enthusiastic fanboy, turned to Jian Xi. “Sis, step aside. Don’t interrupt my storytime.”
He Ran had indeed lived a flamboyant past. Tao Xinglai was utterly captivated, unable to tear himself away.
Jian Xi shrugged helplessly and went to dry her hair with a hairdryer.
He Ran watched her slender figure intently, his gaze burning. After a while, he shifted his eyes, clicking his tongue in slight irritation.
Tao Xinglai felt a wave of resentment wash over him.
Lowering his voice, He Ran issued what sounded like both a warning and a threat: “Kid, don’t come over late at night again. You’re interrupting me and your sister. Got it?”
Tao Xinglai’s heart sank. Damn, that stung.
________________________________________
Inside the bathroom.
Jian Xi’s hair was still only 70% dry when her phone rang—
It was Lu Pingnan calling.
Google Sites
Report abuse