(A huge chunk of the previous chapter got deleted. It felt like the atmosphere at the end vanished in an instant.)
Li Jie slept deeply. When he opened his eyes, he felt refreshed, as though all his pent-up frustration and violence had faded away.
Harleen lay sprawled beside him without a shred of elegance, one hand resting on his chest.
The scattered clothes, torn stockings, and faint salty tang mingling with the scent of the bedding reminded him that everything last night had been real.
I slept with... Harley Quinn?
He slipped out of bed quietly, tucked Harleen's hand beneath the covers, and went into the bathroom to turn on the shower. When he came out after washing up, Harleen was already awake. She had gathered the covers beneath her and was lying on her stomach at the edge of the bed, watching him. In the morning light, her smooth back seemed coated in a delicate honey glaze, glowing softly.
"Hi, Mr. Jay." Harleen smiled at him. "Not bad."
Li Jie smiled, walked over, and sat beside her. He gently smoothed her hair, then pulled a corner of the blanket over her back.
"Hmm..." After a moment's silence, he said quietly, "Maybe... I should cancel my trip?"
"Cancel?" Harleen asked, propping her chin on her hands. "Why?"
"I'm a little..." Li Jie scratched his head. "Worried about leaving you all here..."
"Huh? Hahahahaha!"
Harleen froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. Wrapping herself in the blanket, she rolled back and forth across the bed.
"You don't think sleeping with you means you have to take responsibility for me, do you?"
She rolled back, pressed her cheek against his hand, and tilted her head to look at him with one eye. "I've already had you, anyway. Maybe I'll like someone