Chapter 26

Of course, Xiao Diu couldn't run as fast as a dog, but he wasn't slow either. The fluffy little thing ran ahead while Lin Yu held the leash, afraid he would jump into the bushes. She followed close behind, breaking into a run without realizing it, and called softly, "Xiao Diu, slow down."

"Meow, meow."

He answered her.

Helpless, Lin Yu could only follow close behind. There was a bend up ahead, with a bush beside it. Xiao Diu leaped straight into it, and Lin Yu cried out, skidding to a stop only to crash into someone approaching from the other direction. A familiar scent of cedar reached her. Chen Lüli had heard her calling Xiao Diu from a distance and watched Xiao Diu's figure leap into the bush, as though he had made some kind of decision. Before Chen Lüli could react,

a figure fell into his arms. At the familiar fragrance and voice, Chen Lüli reflexively wrapped an arm around her waist.

Momentum carried Lin Yu into his chin. He hissed and gently pushed her forehead away with his other hand. She tilted her head up and met his long, narrow eyes.

Lin Yu hurriedly said, "Sorry, Xiao Diu-Xiao Diu ran into the bushes."

The leash in her hand was still moving.

Xiao Diu was darting around in the bushes.

Chen Lüli looked into her eyes. "I saw."

Lin Yu tried to step back a little, but his arm tightened instead, leaving her unable to move an inch. She searched for something to say. "Why are you back?"

Chen Lüli moved his hand up to support her back, then loosened his hold a little. "I came back after I finished work. I guessed you'd be taking him out for a walk around this time, so I came over to see."

Once Lin Yu was steady on her feet, her ears warmed slightly. "I only brought him down a little while ago."

Only then did she notice his black gloves. He had ridden his motorcycle back. Chen Lüli pulled off one glove and strode toward the bushes, his tall frame clad in a black coat today. Without the glove, his hand showed clearly defined knuckles. He stood there watching for a moment, and Lin Yu hurried forward, switching on her flashlight to give him light.

After watching for a few seconds, he took a long stride into the bushes and reached out, catching Xiao Diu as he circled a tree.

When Xiao Diu was lifted up, his paws spread wide, and he spun around once in midair. His golden eyes gazed innocently at the two people before him, especially his male owner.

"Meow~"

He let out a guilty little cry.

It was directed at Lin Yu.

Save me.

Chen Lüli recognized Xiao Diu's sweater at a glance. "Nice new clothes, but you're not allowed to wear them until New Year's."

A little punishment.

Xiao Diu: "Meow~~~~"

He appealed to Lin Yu for help.

Seeing this, Lin Yu hurried forward to scoop him up. She reached out and said, "He didn't even get dirty. Give him to me."

Chen Lüli glanced sideways at her.

Lin Yu's eyes flickered.

He looked into her eyes. "You're always defending him."

Setting things up.

Let me set things up.

Another 100 red envelopes this chapter. See you tomorrow.

Chapter 26

"Give him to me." Lin Yu didn't answer him. She muttered and reached out. Xiao Diu looked tiny in his hand, his paws opening and clenching again, a particularly pitiful sight. Chen Lüli watched her for a few seconds, then shook the dust and leaves off Xiao Diu before placing him in her arms. As soon as Xiao Diu reached her embrace, he let out a little yowl and clung to her clothes.

Lin Yu quickly raised a hand to soothe him, straightening his sweater and hat.

Chen Lüli looked down as she fussed over him, until Xiao Diu relaxed completely and lay soft and fluffy across her arm. Xiao Diu's golden eyes flicked toward him.

Chen Lüli cast Xiao Diu a brief glance and said to Lin Yu, "Come on, let's go back first."

"Give me the leash," he said.

Lin Yu also thought it was best to go back. Xiao Diu had gotten a fright, and they couldn't continue the walk. The main thing was that he hadn't come downstairs much lately and was too excited. When he got excited, he easily got carried away, and on top of that, he loved bushes. How many times would he dive into them tonight? She certainly couldn't catch him on her own.

She gave Chen Lüli the leash.

Chen Lüli took it, and the two of them walked toward the lobby.

They walked one behind the other, less than half a step apart. Lin Yu could see him whenever she turned slightly. She lowered her lashes, her heart beating a little faster. The hand holding the leash was the one still wearing a glove, giving him an intangible sexiness. Once they entered the elevator, Chen Lüli pressed the floor button and was about to close the doors when rapid footsteps sounded outside. Someone stopped the elevator, and an intricately carved wooden screen was pushed inside. Chen Lüli stepped sideways, shielding Lin Yu, while the two people pushing the screen called out behind him, "Handsome, press twelve for us."

Chen Lüli raised his eyes and pressed the button.

Then two more people got in, going to the thirteenth and fifth floors respectively, and did the same. Lin Yu watched him press both buttons for them without much expression. Fortunately, the elevator doors finally closed.

Xiao Diu meowed in her arms. Lin Yu stroked his fur, the faint scent of cedar from Chen Lüli reaching her in the confined space.

Chen Lüli lowered his gaze to watch her soothe Xiao Diu. His eyes sharpened when he saw the red mark on her wrist. He took her wrist and pulled it a little closer to look.

Their skin touched, startling Lin Yu.

Chen Lüli's voice was low. "Did you get this pulling on Xiao Diu's leash?"

Lin Yu looked down and only then noticed the red mark the leash had left around her wrist. Her skin was fair, making the mark stand out. She pulled back slightly and said, "It's fine. It'll fade in a little while."

"Will it?" Chen Lüli asked, his long-fingered hand still holding her wrist.

His hand was handsome too, but Lin Yu still pulled back instinctively. She said softly, "Yes."

Chen Lüli's gaze rested on her face. She was perfectly open and at ease with Li Yin, yet around him she kept her eyes lowered and behaved so meekly. He could feel her pulling back.

He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Am I a flood or a fierce beast?"

Lin Yu's eyes flew up, shimmering with moisture. Chen Lüli stared into them and tugged her wrist toward him. "Put some medicine on it later."

"Don't say you don't need it. Say yes," he said.

Helpless, Lin Yu met his gaze for a few seconds. "Okay."

Chen Lüli gave a soft huff.

By the time the elevator reached the twenty-sixth floor, only the two of them were left. Chen Lüli released Lin Yu and took Xiao Diu into his arms. Lin Yu rubbed her wrist lightly; the warmth of his skin still lingered there. Xiao Diu struggled a little in Chen Lüli's arms, but a press of his hand made him settle down again. He opened the door and glanced at her.

Lin Yu saw the layout of his home, that cold yet familiar place that marked his territory, and almost instinctively began looking for an excuse to leave again.

"What are you thinking? Come in," he said.

Lin Yu sighed and walked in.

Xiao Diu was delighted to see her come in and followed at her feet. Tray obediently came over carrying a glass of water. Lin Yu took the glass and patted Tray, who tilted his head at her before obediently returning to his place. Xiao Diu ran over and circled Tray, showing off his sweater.

Chen Lüli picked up the medicine box, set it on the table, and took out a bottle of Yunnan Baiyao. He sat down beside Lin Yu, who looked at his face, her thoughts drifting.

Could he like me?

The verification he spoke of...

Was it to verify whether that impulse he'd had toward me came from liking me, or from some other emotion?

Ever since that night, the way things had developed had felt entirely beyond her control. Too many tangled images surfaced in her mind now, some vivid, some faint, including the photo Jiang Zao had sent her last night: a snowy night in Jing City.

Chen Lüli drew her wrist over and sprayed the medicine on it. Her skin was truly fair, pale and delicate. She sat on his sofa in a beige dress, looking soft and gentle as she watched him.

Chen Lüli asked, "What are you looking at?"

Lin Yu's lashes fluttered, and she abruptly came back to herself. She shook her head. "Nothing."

The liquid trickled down. Chen Lüli wiped it back over the mark and rubbed it in. His voice was low and languid. "Still thinking about Li Yin?"

"No." She hurriedly denied it.

"Then you're thinking about me." Chen Lüli raised his eyes.

Lin Yu's heart skipped a beat. He was too direct. Her arm instinctively drew back again, but Chen Lüli refused to let her pull away. Holding her wrist in one hand, he rubbed with his fingertips. He wiped away the medicine that hadn't soaked in and said, "You can tell me what you're thinking about me."

I'm really a little stuck.

I've been writing since this morning and have already scrapped 1,500 characters. This is all that's readable.

I'll work overtime tonight. The most important thing is to ensure the quality and move toward the plot I want.

Another 100 red envelopes this chapter. See you tomorrow.

Chapter 27

Lin Yu's ears felt a little hot.

Only then did she notice that the spot he had been rubbing was a little redder than before. Chen Lüli naturally noticed it too. A red ring circled her wrist; her skin was as white as jade, half hidden in her sleeve and half exposed. He asked softly, "Have you kissed Li Yin?"

This time, Lin Yu pulled her hand back harder.

Chen Lüli felt her pulling. He clicked his tongue softly and used his other hand to grasp her waist and draw her toward him. Lin Yu was wearing a long dress and was no match for his strength. Her knee came to rest right between his parted legs, and she braced a hand against the back of the sofa, against which he was leaning.

One hand held her waist as he raised a brow and looked at her.

Lin Yu felt her long hair drift across his brow as they gazed at each other from close range. Chen Lüli asked, "Have you?"

Lin Yu held herself up firmly, afraid she would fall onto him if she relaxed. She pressed her lips together, a hint of defiance rising in her heart, and deliberately said, "Yes. Why?"

Chen Lüli said, "Didn't you say you were only getting to know each other?"

Lin Yu pressed her lips tight. "Kissing counts as one way of getting to know each other, doesn't it?"

Chen Lüli stared into her eyes and laughed in anger.

"He doesn't know how to hold back. Don't you either?"

Lin Yu retorted, "And you do?"

Chen Lüli freed one hand and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I'm different. How long have I known you?"

Lin Yu braced her hands on either side of him and looked down at him. "Chen Lüli, is there really no one you like?"

Chen Lüli looked into her eyes.