Chapter 42

Chen Lüli was cut off mid-sentence by a kiss. Those soft lips made him raise a brow. It seemed she liked his body a little more. He held her waist and kissed her back.

And beneath the rush of hot water, they moved together once more, like fish swimming and dragons winding.

Lin Yu murmured, the sound swallowed between their lips and tongues.

That afternoon.

Outside, the sun blazed down from a little after two until half past five, when it slowly began to sink westward. In the master bedroom on the twenty-eighth floor of building sixteen, the curtains were drawn tight, and only a bedside lamp was on. Figures shifted in the dim light. It was broad daylight... yet it was so wonderful that anyone who saw it would be parched with longing. At last, Lin Yu grew drowsy and fell asleep nestled in his arms, wearing only his shirt, which covered part of her long legs.

Time ticked by. A faint sound came from outside the door, something between a cat's meow and the patter of paws against the door. Chen Lüli woke and lowered his eyes to the woman in his arms. She was still fast asleep, her cheeks flushed, her long hair tousled across her shoulders and tangled around his arm.

Her lashes curled upward, and her lips were a deep red.

He watched her for a few seconds, then held her closer and kissed the top of her head.

In her sleep, Lin Yu nuzzled into his arms, her soft body settling against him. Chen Lüli wanted to sleep a little longer too, but the kitty outside the door was rather noisy.

He brushed aside a strand of her hair and kissed her between the brows.

Then he got up, tucked the covers around her, and climbed out of bed. His long legs were straight beneath his black trousers, his shoulders broad and his waist narrow. Scratch marks covered his back and shoulders.

Chen Lüli took a black shirt from the wardrobe and put it on.

It covered his lean abs perfectly. He pulled the door open just as Xiao Diu was raising a paw, and the moment the cat saw the door open, it meowed at him.

Chen Lüli narrowed his eyes slightly and shushed it.

Xiao Diu didn't know why, but it understood its master's warning and immediately behaved itself.

Chen Lüli closed the bedroom door and went to the cat's corner. He took out some cat food and poured it into the bowl. Xiao Diu's tail rose as it buried its head and ate and ate.

Chen Lüli poured it some water while he was at it.

When he turned around, he nearly bumped into Tray. He pressed the back of Tray's head with a slender fingertip, and with two beeps, Tray started moving. Tilting its head, it watched Xiao Diu eat with its big eyes. The broom underneath it began sweeping of its own accord, sucking up the cat hair that had just gathered.

Chen Lüli returned to the bedroom.

After washing his hands, he went back to the bed. She was sleeping soundly, and though he had tucked her in, half a leg had slipped out from under the covers again.

The sight made his heart melt.

He lifted the covers and wrapped an arm around her waist from behind, planning to sleep a little longer.

But Lin Yu sensed that he was back. She turned over and nestled in his arms, asking drowsily, "What time is it?"

Chen Lüli glanced at his watch. "Almost six."

Lin Yu was still sleepy, but she knew she had to go home. Her voice was soft and languid. "I have to go back."

"Mm. What time?"

Lin Yu mumbled, "Whenever."

"Then go back after dinner."

"Okay."

"What do you want for dinner?" Chen Lüli pulled back a little and looked at her face as he asked.

Lin Yu snuggled closer to him. He smelled so good, a blend of wood and cedar, like pristine snow on a high mountain peak. Seeing her move closer, Chen Lüli held her waist and pulled her even closer.

Lin Yu murmured, "Congee. I want some from Huangsheng Congee Shop."

"Okay."

He agreed.

He reached for the other phone on the bedside table and placed an order right then. It was his work phone, and the money in its account was used almost entirely for large purchases.

Now he had ordered takeout with it.

After putting down the phone, Chen Lüli brushed Lin Yu's hair aside and asked, "Why aren't you wearing the necklace?"

Lin Yu was trying hard to wake up. For a moment, she didn't understand what he meant and mumbled, "What necklace?"

Chen Lüli narrowed his eyes and caught her chin, tilting it up.

Lin Yu met his gaze and woke up a little more. She snuggled into his arms and said softly, "I couldn't bear to wear it."

Chen Lüli raised a brow. "Why?"

Lin Yu nestled back into his arms and said softly, "It's pretty. I just couldn't bear to wear it."

Chen Lüli was instantly appeased.

He cupped the back of her neck and kissed her lips. "It looks even prettier on you."

The corners of Lin Yu's lips curved up.

She kissed him.

His lips were so warm.

But a few minutes later, Lin Yu shrank back. Chen Lüli held her waist and buried his face in her neck, calming himself. Just then, the doorbell rang.

The takeout had arrived.

Xiao Diu was scratching at the bedroom door.

Chen Lüli kissed Lin Yu's forehead. "I'll get the takeout. Get yourself ready and come out. I hung your dress and underwear on the clothes rack."

"Okay."

Lin Yu's face was red as she answered.

Chen Lüli got out of bed and went out.

Xiao Diu realized Lin Yu was in the room. It had caught her scent and heard her voice, and its short little legs instinctively carried it toward the door. Chen Lüli caught it by the scruff of the neck and carried it away.

Xiao Diu spread its paws and gave him a fierce little meow.

Chen Lüli glanced at it and snorted.

He tossed it onto the sofa.

She hasn't put anything on yet, and you dare go in! I'll chop you up.

Xiao Diu sensed its master's fierceness, but it was fierce too. Crouching on the sofa armrest, it meowed at him nonstop.

"Protest."

"Protest."

Lin Yu had no idea Xiao Diu and Chen Lüli were nearly fighting outside. She got out of bed to fetch her clothes. Her fitted sweater dress was hanging neatly, along with her underwear.

She took down her underwear and unbuttoned the shirt.

A blush spread across the peaks of her chest, and there were plenty of red marks on her waist, not to mention the occasional mark on her long legs. Mostly, her skin was simply too fair.

She glanced at the mirror, her face and ears turning red. His shirt was quite long on her, but it looked good. Lin Yu lowered her head and got dressed, not daring to look anymore.

Once dressed, she went into the bathroom to wash her face.

She found an extra towel on the washstand, along with an extra toothbrush and cup. They were in a light color she liked, the same as the set the housekeeper at the villa had prepared.

Lin Yu picked up the towel and poked her head out. "Are the extra toiletries mine?"

Chen Lüli's voice came from outside, his tone lazy. "Whose else would they be?"

Lin Yu's eyes curved, and she said, "Oh," before lowering her head to wash her face.

When she was done, she dried her face and turned to go out. Xiao Diu had been waiting for her and ran over as soon as it saw her from beside the sofa. Lin Yu smiled, bent down, and picked it up.

The aroma of food filled the room.

Chen Lüli opened the takeout bag and poured her congee into a bowl.

Lin Yu walked over and sat down beside him. He pushed the congee toward her.

Lin Yu put Xiao Diu down.

Xiao Diu lay on her lap, perfectly well-behaved.

Lin Yu reached for a disposable spoon, but Chen Lüli handed her one from the house. "Use this."

"Oh."

Chen Lüli ate with her.

Lin Yu ate her congee slowly. After he finished, he leaned back in his chair and waited for her, casually picking up his phone to browse. He spotted several messages from Jiang Yan'an.

After reading them, Chen Lüli glanced at his girlfriend, who was still eating. He looked back at the chat, and a few seconds later, he replied to Jiang Yan'an.

CLL: What if I don't?

Jiang Yan'an: ????

The sky's falling. What happened?

I, I, I, the great Jiang Yan'an, have another rival in love?

And it's Brother Lü?

No!

Huangsheng Congee Shop was famous for its delicious congee, but it was hard to get an order in. This time, Chen Lüli had actually managed to order its signature congee, and it was one Lin Yu liked.

Besides, congee was warm and comforting in winter. Lin Yu savored it slowly, and Xiao Diu grew drowsy lying on her lap, wanting to fall asleep there again.

A dozen or so minutes later.

Lin Yu finished, and Chen Lüli took the bowl to the dishwasher. When he came back, he picked Xiao Diu up and tossed it onto the sofa.

The fur on Xiao Diu's back stood on end. "Meow???"

Lin Yu hurried to soothe it. "I'm going home now. Bye-bye, Xiao Diu."

Seeing Lin Yu, Xiao Diu meowed and rubbed against her palm.

Lin Yu's heart melted. She buried her face in its fur and rubbed against it.

Chen Lüli stood to the side, narrowing his eyes as he watched for a few seconds. Then he reached out, took her hand, and said, "Let's go."

"All right." Lin Yu had no choice but to let Xiao Diu go.

Xiao Diu meowed twice, its golden cat eyes fixed on their joined hands.

"Meow-"

It wasn't an illusion during the day.

Chapter 42

As they passed Tray, it was still working hard to sweep the floor. Lin Yu bent down, patted it, and said bye-bye. Tray opened its big eyes in innocent bewilderment. Though it didn't respond, Lin Yu still thought it looked adorable. Chen Lüli picked up her coat and helped her put it on in the entryway, then took his car keys and closed the door.

It was the New Year, and the people across the hall didn't seem to be home either. They hadn't even put up Spring Festival couplets, and the corridor felt empty.

Lin Yu and Chen Lüli waited for the elevator.

Chen Lüli turned to look at Lin Yu.

Lin Yu raised her eyes, her lashes fluttering slightly, her expression soft and gentle.

For an instant, Chen Lüli couldn't bear to let her go home. The thought stirred, and he bent his neck to kiss her lips.

Lin Yu paused, then moved her lips to return his sudden kiss. There was no desire in it, yet they still couldn't bear to part until a ding sounded.

The elevator arrived and the doors opened. A man and a woman were inside, and they looked a little surprised at the sight.

Chen Lüli remained perfectly composed, leading Lin Yu inside with a calm expression. Lin Yu wasn't nearly as composed. Her face was bright red, and she couldn't help feeling that they were sizing her up.

Which they certainly were. How could anyone resist taking a look at such a beautiful couple?

Chen Lüli lowered his eyes and glanced at her.

Lin Yu edged a little closer to him. Her hand, hidden in her coat sleeve, instinctively landed on his wrist and gave him a tap. A trace of amusement appeared in Chen Lüli's eyes.

Fortunately, the man and woman got off on the first floor.

Before leaving, the man took another look at Lin Yu. Chen Lüli swept his long, narrow eyes toward him, cold as an iceberg. The man froze for a moment, then hurriedly looked away and pushed his girlfriend ahead of him.

His girlfriend was irritated just looking at him. Compared with the man in the elevator, he was nothing to look at. Annoyed, she said, "Stop pushing me."