"Chen He, are you hiding something from me?"
The same night shrouded the entrance of the "Tian Ju·Galaxy Mansion" neighborhood in Hang City.
After her boyfriend, who had borrowed a Porsche Cayenne from "the company," drove her there, Ji Xiaoxi couldn’t help but ask before unbuckling her seatbelt.
If Ji Xiaoxi were to evaluate, it was a date that didn’t feel very satisfying.
Chen He’s flight to Yunan Province was scheduled for the next morning, as he needed to join the crew of "Chu Tianyao," and since they hadn’t seen each other for more than a week, the date should have been marked by longing and intimacy.
But in reality—
They sat across from each other like colleagues, had dinner, and watched a movie in the cinema like a pair thrown together at the last minute, after which Chen He simply drove her home.
Throughout the whole process, it couldn’t be said that Chen He was cold to her; quite the opposite, he expressed concern throughout, fetching various dishes while eating and even surprisingly prepared wet wipes in advance for her cleanliness preference.
What touched Ji Xiaoxi the most was when Chen He, for the first time, considered her preferences and carefully chose a Japanese animated film that most guys wouldn’t be interested in for the movie...
Originally, Ji Xiaoxi was prepared to compromise with Chen He and go watch "Alien."
But until the movie ended, Ji Xiaoxi finally understood the source of the oddity hidden beneath his warm expression.
Chen He didn’t make a single move to take advantage of her throughout the entire process.
Even though Ji Xiaoxi usually resisted any intimate acts without cleaning, requiring Chen He’s hands to be sweat-free before holding his hand, he never gave up.
He couldn’t hold hands if sweaty, but maybe a grip on the wrist over clothing would be fine, right?
If you don’t want to hug me due to my sweat smell, then how about wrapping my arms around your waist?
Saliva exchange is unsanitary, but surely a kiss on the cheek wouldn’t be too much?
In short, it was typical male behavior, and since they hadn’t been together long, naturally, Chen He tried every possible way to take advantage of whatever he could...
But today, Chen He was incredibly well-behaved.
No, not just well-behaved, he even seemed to be avoiding her on purpose, such as when crossing the street before entering the cinema; as Ji Xiaoxi subconsciously tried to grab Chen He, he dodged away...
Ji Xiaoxi at first thought she was overthinking, until inside the cinema, she had decided maybe it didn’t matter if it was unsanitary or sweaty today; if Chen He wanted to take advantage, she would play along just this once.
This mindset mainly derived from guilt.
Even though she resented Chen He so much, she had nearly given everything to that man...
Ji Xiaoxi couldn’t understand her own heart, but when clear-headed, she feared that fallen version of herself so much, she couldn’t help but think, "I’m already this ’dirty,’ so there’s no need for such laughable persistence."
But during the movie, not only did Chen He refrain from touching her, he even leaned against the other side, staying at least 30 centimeters away.
Was this animated movie really that engrossing?
Watching Chen He’s "focused and oblivious" manner, Ji Xiaoxi was exasperated.
She hadn’t hoped for any closeness between them, yet Chen He suddenly became such a gentleman that she felt uncomfortable, hence her current question.
"No way, baby, I even told you when I first started shooting. How could I hide anything from you?"
Facing Ji Xiaoxi’s question, Chen He responded with a smile.
The more gentle and patient he appeared, the more frustrated he became inside.
If he hadn’t been about to join the crew immediately, with them unable to see each other for a long time, Chen He would have definitely wanted to cancel this date.
To see without being able to touch was torture.
Although Zhou Wang seemed not to be watching over him, Chen He grew paranoid, always feeling Zhou Wang’s men were secretly watching him...
That maniac with special tastes even dug up Sister Yan’s affairs. Chen He didn’t believe he could hide his whereabouts.
Thus, all night, while dating Ji Xiaoxi, Chen He was on edge, feeling watched by Zhou Wang’s people no matter who looked at him.
Tomorrow he would enter the crew, a chance to leap across social strata that he had longed for; Chen He feared any mishap, making this night grueling.
Finally, just as the date ended and seeing Ji Xiaoxi showed no sign of getting out of the car, Chen He was beyond bothered...
"Please, just go. I want to go home, play a bit of Black Monkey, and then sleep."
"Then... okay."
Seeing Chen He deny it, Ji Xiaoxi refrained from pressing further, hesitating as she spoke before getting out of the car: "Um... Chen He, should we hug before you go?"
"Ahaha, never mind, I’m sweaty, doesn’t smell pleasant..."
"I, I don’t mind."
"I mind myself, sweetie, go on up. Hasn’t your aunt already called for you a few times?"
Chen He chuckled as he spoke.
"You..."
Ji Xiaoxi never expected that her plucking up the courage to speak would still be rejected by Chen He, and although he acted normally, she couldn’t help but feel inexplicably wronged and indignant.
Bang!
Watching Ji Xiaoxi slam the door and leave, Chen He’s eyelid twitched... Damn, good thing it’s not my car; otherwise, I’d be heartbroken.
...
Rushing upstairs, ignoring her mother’s questions and complaints, head down, Ji Xiaoxi ran straight to her room, slammed the door shut, and locked it.