DXXZL - 68

The night in Beijing was cold, and passersby glanced at the embracing couple with envious eyes. Hearing her words, Jiang Tu lowered his head and gently kissed her hair, a smile tugging at his lips. He helped her into the car and murmured: “I’m afraid that if I get too busy to look after you, you might not be safe on your own.”

Zhu Xingyao fastened her seatbelt and turned to him naturally: “Wherever you go, I’ll follow. That’s all there is to it.”

Jiang Tu looked at her: “Aren’t you afraid of being seen by others?”

“Afraid of what?” Zhu Xingyao blinked innocently. “You’re so handsome.”

Jiang Tu froze, narrowing his eyes slightly as he studied her.

Zhu Xingyao asked: “Hasn’t anyone ever told you that you’re good-looking?”

Jiang Tu had never paid much attention to appearances—it wasn’t like looks could put food on the table. Suddenly, he remembered Lin Jiayu’s criteria for boyfriends included being handsome. Did all girls think this way?

He reached out, pulling her closer by the neck, and leaned over to kiss her deeply.

Caught off guard, Zhu Xingyao let out a soft “Mm,” her lashes fluttering as she tilted her face up to meet his unexpectedly urgent kiss. Her heart raced, and she wrapped her arms around him, her cool fingertips brushing against his neck. Jiang Tu stiffened momentarily before tilting his head and continuing the kiss.

When the long kiss finally ended, Jiang Tu’s breathing had grown heavy. Resting his forehead against hers, he murmured softly: “Some have, but you’re the first to say it like this.”

“Really?” Zhu Xingyao struggled to recall. Hadn’t she once complimented him for looking better without glasses? “Then should I say it more often in the future?”

Jiang Tu chuckled softly. “No need. This is enough.”

By the time they returned to the hotel, it was already past 11 PM. The product launch for Weichuang Technology was scheduled for the next day in the hotel’s third-floor conference hall. Jiang Tu’s room was a large suite on the top floor. After swiping the card to open the door, he led Zhu Xingyao inside.

“All the suites are booked. I didn’t know you were coming…” Jiang Tu placed her suitcase in the living room and looked down at her. “Make do for tonight. Once the event ends tomorrow and someone checks out, I’ll arrange another room for you.”

Zhu Xingyao hadn’t told him her flight details until just before boarding. She hugged him tightly and whispered: “There’s no need to change rooms. You’ve already slept in my room for two nights before.”

Jiang Tu gazed down at her: “That was different.”

Zhu Xingyao asked how it was different, but Jiang Tu only smiled faintly and didn’t answer. Just then, Lao Yuan called him away.

In the closet hung two suits. Zhu Xingyao hung up her clothes, leaving only a cotton spaghetti-strap nightgown. She grabbed her toiletries and headed to the bathroom. As she stood under the showerhead, she nervously pondered what Jiang Tu meant by “different.”

At 12:30 AM, Zhu Xingyao finished drying her hair, carefully applied moisturizer to her face and body, and sat on the bed feeling drowsy. She sent Jiang Tu a WeChat message asking when he’d return.

Jiang Tu declined the cigarette Lao Yuan offered and replied while looking down: “Go to sleep first. Don’t wait for me. I have a spare keycard.”

Lao Yuan smirked and lowered his voice: “So Zhu Xingyao really came?”

Jiang Tu gave a calm “Mm” and looked up. “Anything else? Let’s hurry up and finish so we can rest early.”

An hour later, Jiang Tu swiped the card to open the door. Only the hallway light was on, as if left specifically for him. The deeper he went into the suite, the dimmer the lighting became. Entering the bedroom, he found the room warm from the heating. On the two-meter-wide bed, Zhu Xingyao occupied only a small corner, covered lightly by a blanket, sound asleep.

Jiang Tu sat on the edge of the bed. In the dim light, he could make out her delicate features, her thin white straps, and pale shoulders.

Cradling her face in his hands, he murmured softly, almost to himself: “You really trust me completely… Just falling asleep here without a second thought. Is that too much faith in me?”

Zhu Xingyao was usually a light sleeper. The moment he touched her face, she woke with a start.

As soon as she opened her eyes, a familiar shadow loomed over her, accompanied by his scent. She called out softly, “Tu Ge,” and Jiang Tu removed his glasses, leaning down to kiss her deeply. Zhu Xingyao’s slender shoulders tensed, and every kiss with Jiang Tu felt different—intense, restrained, tender…

Now, Jiang Tu was both urgent and dominant, kissing her until she nearly couldn’t breathe. Her white strap slipped off her shoulder, and she bore his weight, clutching his short hair tightly as she closed her eyes, panting through parted lips. Suddenly, she understood what he meant by “different.” Last time, she wasn’t his girlfriend yet.

Now, they were lovers.

Intimacy between lovers was natural, expected.

Even someone as cold and restrained as Jiang Tu had moments of losing control.

Jiang Tu lifted his head from her, pulling the blanket back over her. Clenching his eyes shut, he ran his fingers through her hair affectionately, his voice strained and hoarse: “I’ll take a shower. Go back to sleep. I’ll sleep on the couch later.”

He pushed himself up, but Zhu Xingyao suddenly grabbed his hand and whispered: “The bed’s so big. Why would you sleep on the couch?”

Jiang Tu looked down at her, prying her hand away with difficulty. “Let me shower first.”

He turned and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Zhu Xingyao’s cheeks burned, and she felt a slight ache in her chest. Climbing out of bed, she turned on the bedside lamp. Something felt off, and she realized her period had started. Opening her suitcase, she rummaged for sanitary pads and clean underwear. Standing anxiously by the bathroom door, she wondered:

Isn’t Jiang Tu supposed to be showering? Why hasn’t she heard any water sounds?

After a long while, she heard a muffled groan from inside. Startled, she froze outside the door.

Inside the bathroom, Jiang Tu’s eyes were slightly red. Lowering his lashes, he took a deep breath and turned on the cold water.

Ten minutes later, the bathroom door opened, and Jiang Tu emerged wearing a black T-shirt and sweatpants. Seeing her standing at the door, he paused. Zhu Xingyao held her things and rushed into the bathroom, mumbling, “I need to use the restroom.”

Jiang Tu noticed the open suitcase and its contents on the floor, immediately understanding the situation.

In front of the mirror, Zhu Xingyao saw the marks he’d left on her neck and collarbone. Touching them lightly, she winced—they stung a little. Blushing, she stepped out of the bathroom to find him standing coolly by the table, waiting for the kettle to boil. His demeanor had reverted to its usual aloofness. What a stark contrast this man presented…

Zhu Xingyao approached him. Jiang Tu poured a cup of hot water, mixed in some mineral water, and handed it to her. Lowering his voice, he asked: “Are you feeling uncomfortable?”

He remembered how, during high school, she would sometimes feel so unwell that she’d collapse onto her desk, her face pale.

Zhu Xingyao held the cup, taking a sip before looking up at him: “A little…”

It was already past 2 AM. Instead of sleeping on the couch, Jiang Tu turned off the bedside lamp and lay down with Zhu Xingyao in his arms. She seemed wide awake now, resting against his chest with curious curiosity in her tone: “Tu Ge, I heard that college guys in dorms would gather to watch those kinds of videos. Did you ever do that?”

Jiang Tu paused, looking down at her: “Who told you that?”

Zhu Xingyao replied: “Xixi mentioned it. It’s also in novels and movies.”

She simply couldn’t associate such things with him. During his teenage years, Jiang Tu had been an outsider—he didn’t play basketball, didn’t game, didn’t visit internet cafes. None of the activities other boys indulged in seemed to interest him.

After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Tu chuckled helplessly: “Don’t think of me as so detached from worldly pleasures.” Of course, Lao Yuan and the others in the dorm had watched such things openly, never hiding it. Naturally, he’d seen them too.

Thinking about their earlier intimacy and the suppressed groan she’d overheard, Zhu Xingyao blushed and said shyly: “I’ve never done anything like that.”

Jiang Tu had been so busy lately that he hadn’t rested properly. Placing his hand over her eyes, he closed his own, murmuring softly: “Sleep.”

________________________________________

The next morning at 7 AM, Jiang Tu woke up and glanced down at Zhu Xingyao nestled in his arms.

Zhu Xingyao didn’t wake until 9 AM. While applying makeup, the room phone rang. She answered, then hurried to open the door. Outside stood a robot delivering breakfast.

“Thank you…” Zhu Xingyao accepted the meal and couldn’t help but smile.

From the bag, she pulled out a note written in Jiang Tu’s left hand.

Was he planning to write all future notes with his left hand?

At 9:50 AM, Zhu Xingyao made her way to the third-floor exhibition hall. Inside, numerous robots were displayed, with “Xiao Jiang” positioned prominently in front of a large screen—the new product being launched today. The hall was packed with clients, partners, and journalists.

Wearing a fisherman’s hat, Zhu Xingyao texted Jiang Tu: “There are so many people inside. I won’t go in.”

A short while later, Lao Yuan rushed out to find her: “Jiang Tu sent me to bring you in. He reserved a secluded spot for you. Just be careful—no one should notice you.”

The hidden spot was tucked between a display cabinet and the wall, creating a small space. Zhu Xingyao sat there, watching Jiang Tu on stage in a black suit, his gaze calm and composed. Pushing his glasses up, his voice remained low and steady: “The ‘On-Demand Service’ feature has successfully passed testing. Users can set a single designated caller for the service.”

Zhu Xingyao was taken aback. Testing had succeeded?

Then why hadn’t he fixed Xiao Jiang for her?

Behind her, a girl sighed: “This CTO is so handsome. I wonder if he has a girlfriend.”

Her companion replied: “With looks like that, how could he possibly be single?”

On stage, the host asked: “What inspired you to develop this feature?”

Jiang Tu responded: “Personal reasons.”

The host teased with a smile: “Because of your girlfriend?”

Jiang Tu paused briefly before murmuring softly: “Yes.”

The audience erupted in whispers, and the host exclaimed excitedly: “How romantic! Whoever says engineering men aren’t romantic, I’ll fight them!”

Zhu Xingyao was momentarily stunned. Looking at Jiang Tu’s indifferent expression on stage, she recalled the eighty-seven love letters and the star-shaped lamp. How could someone who wrote a letter every Friday and spent over a month crafting a star lamp not be romantic? It was just that no one knew about it.

Behind her, the girl huffed: “I knew it. Someone this handsome couldn’t possibly be single! I wonder if his girlfriend is pretty…”

Zhu Xingyao thought silently: Of course she’s beautiful.

The product launch, along with the signing ceremony, dragged on for hours. Feeling unwell and fearing recognition, Zhu Xingyao returned to the room after more than an hour.

Lying on the bed, she called Li Xixi and told her she was in Beijing. Excitedly, Li Xixi asked: “So, did you two share a bed last night? Don’t tell me you only cuddled under the covers and slept!”

Zhu Xingyao replied: “That’s exactly what happened.”

Li Xixi: “….”

Zhu Xingyao admitted bashfully: “I got my period.”

Videos and press releases from the event were shared online that afternoon. Later that evening, as Zhu Xingyao and Jiang Tu were having dinner, Jiang Lu’s live stream exploded again. The chat was flooded with messages: “K God, I saw your brother!” “Everyone, search for Weichuang Technology’s product launch—there’s a surprise!” “Honestly, I think the older brother is hotter!”

Jiang Lu nearly dropped his keyboard, suddenly remembering his brother’s product launch in Beijing that day.

Forcing a calm tone, he said: “What are you talking about? I don’t know anything about Weichuang Technology.”

Beside him, Zhou Yan scratched his head: “Uh… Brother, you might not be able to keep pretending. Last time, your brother’s name blew up in the live stream. This time, his name and photo were all over the product launch. A quick search confirms everything.”

Jiang Lu: “….”

His lips twitched. Heaven was truly against him!

Minutes later, Lin Jiayu called, furious: “I knew you must’ve done something shady! No wonder you ran off so fast that day and posted nonsense on Weibo.”

Jiang Lu was baffled: “Why are you more panicked than I am?”

Lin Jiayu was on the verge of tears: “Because I might be in even worse trouble than you.”

Lin Jiayu had seen the heated discussions in fan groups. Screenshots of Jiang Tu’s photos were posted, and someone @’d her: Is Jiang Xing’s prototype Jiang Tu?

So, was Waiting for the Stars about Jiang Tu and Zhu Xingyao?