Chapter 53

Looking at the sunflower offered to her, Wen Xihan didn’t take it. Instead, she cast a complex glance at the shopping bag in Ruan Xinyi’s other hand. When she looked at her again, her expression was hard to describe.

“…”

Only then did Ruan Xinyi belatedly glance at the shopping bag in her hand. A flicker of surprise and embarrassment crossed her eyes. After a brief hesitation, she tentatively withdrew the sunflower and, instead, slowly extended her other hand.

Lowering her gaze, Wen Xihan took the shopping bag without a change in expression. She naturally pulled out a box of yogurt, inserted a straw, took a sip, and asked in an indifferent tone, “Why did you go to the supermarket?”

After gently closing the door, Ruan Xinyi placed the sunflower on the dining table. She picked up a glass of water that had long since gone cold, took a sip, and found it too chilly. Walking over to the water dispenser, she poured herself some warm water.

The sound of water filling the cup echoed in the quiet space, making her voice seem even softer as she answered, “I suddenly had a craving, so I went to the supermarket to grab a few things.”

Wen Xihan responded with a light “Oh.” She reached into the bag, pulled out a bunch of grapes, and took them to the kitchen to wash. Once they were clean, she placed them in a porcelain bowl on the coffee table.

Standing by the table, she ate a few grapes. The juice glistened on her lips, and the sweet aroma spread gently through the air. The fruit was plump and bursting with flavor.

The small box of yogurt in her hand was quickly finished. Almost unconsciously, Wen Xihan prepared to peel off the plastic seal on the lid, but just as she applied pressure, she stopped. She glanced sideways at Ruan Xinyi, who was drinking water, pressed her lips together, and turned away to toss the empty carton into the trash.

Since Wen Xihan had her back turned, Ruan Xinyi didn’t notice the conflicted look on her face as she gripped the yogurt box. Seeing her standing by the coffee table, Ruan Xinyi assumed she liked the grapes and made a mental note to buy more next time.

Wen Xihan did enjoy grapes, but at that moment, her mind was more occupied with the yogurt she had just thrown away.

Out of sight, out of mind.

She plucked a few more grapes from the bunch and spoke in a voice laced with an almost imperceptible sulk. “I’m taking a nap. If you go out, let me know.”

Ruan Xinyi nodded immediately. “Okay.”

Wen Xihan bit her cheek lightly. Before returning to her room, she glanced at the trash can again, her frustration growing.

After Wen Xihan went inside, Ruan Xinyi sat down on the couch, holding the sunflower bouquet. She adjusted the angle and took a picture, making sure to include the bowl of freshly washed grapes glistening with droplets of water.

Without adding a caption, she posted the image to her social media feed.

The meaning of sunflowers: My eyes only see you.

She sat on the couch for a while before quietly putting the yogurt and fruit into the small kitchen’s refrigerator. Then, careful not to make any noise, she returned to her room.

It was rare for her to have such a long midday nap. By the time she woke up, it was already past four in the afternoon.

Slipping on her slippers, Ruan Xinyi headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. She changed into a hoodie and a pair of light gray cotton lounge pants. Hugging her laptop, she curled up on the couch and started playing a game.

Worried about disturbing Wen Xihan, she put on a pair of headphones and tried to type as quietly as possible.

About half an hour later, the faint sound of a door opening reached her ears.

Hearing the movement, Ruan Xinyi removed her headphones and let them hang around her neck. She turned to see Wen Xihan standing there in her pajamas, her face still drowsy from sleep.

“Sister, did you sleep well?”

The soft shuffling of slippers sounded as Wen Xihan walked forward slowly. Her mind was still groggy, making her response a bit delayed. “…Mm.”

Ruan Xinyi’s entire focus was on Wen Xihan now. The game she had been playing was left unattended as she gazed at her with a gentle smile. Her tone was warm. “Sister, what do you want to eat for dinner?”

Wen Xihan rubbed the back of her stiff neck and stifled a yawn. Her peach-blossom eyes were slightly misty, her gaze carrying a subtle allure that was hard to define. Her voice was husky. “Let’s eat out.”

After sleeping for so long, Wen Xihan felt a bit lightheaded and dazed. She didn’t want to spend the entire day cooped up in the hotel—her brain would start rusting from boredom.

Going out for a meal would at least be refreshing.

Hearing this, Ruan Xinyi wasn’t the least bit surprised. She exited her game and asked softly, “Do you have anything in mind, Sister?”

Freshly woken, Wen Xihan found her mouth tasteless and bland. She thought for a moment before tossing the question back. “You decide.”

Ruan Xinyi: “???”

That answer was… really something.

Wen Xihan simply fetched a glass of water before heading back into her room.

Ruan Xinyi stared at the closed door for a moment, rubbed her fair chin, then put her headphones back on and seriously began searching for good restaurants nearby.

After about ten minutes, she finally found a Western restaurant with outstanding reviews, frequently recommended by food bloggers.

It was located on the top floor of a mall in the city center. The ambiance and decor were among the best in town, the food was exquisite, and the service was top-tier.

Most importantly, the restaurant had even been endorsed by a famous actress. Many comments mentioned spotting her and her partner dining there, with some fans even posting pictures as proof.

Ruan Xinyi checked the restaurant’s location. It was a bit far—about a 40-minute taxi ride from the hotel—but still within an acceptable range.

If they finished eating early, they could even stroll around the mall downstairs.

After finalizing her choice, Ruan Xinyi immediately called the restaurant and reserved a table for two.

She then spent another half-hour casually playing a web game on her laptop before Wen Xihan finally emerged from her room.

This time, she had freshened up. Her earlier sleepiness was gone, replaced by a refined and elegant appearance. She wore a subtle touch of makeup, her features exquisite and well-defined. Her straight nose was framed by a familiar pair of silver-rimmed glasses. The reflective lenses partially obscured her eyes, which now carried a cool and distant air.

Her slightly wavy black hair cascaded over her shoulders. A pale blue blouse was tucked neatly into the waistband of her skirt, accentuating her slender figure. The sleeves were rolled up slightly, revealing fair skin that was almost tempting to the imagination.

Ruan Xinyi swallowed and forced herself to look away. She glanced at the time—it was already past six.

Wen Xihan nonchalantly brushed her long hair behind her ear. As she raised her wrist, the cuff of her sleeve slid down, revealing the sharp outline of her wrist bone.

She turned to Ruan Xinyi, who was sitting on the sofa with her legs folded, still holding her laptop. The screen was frozen on some web-based mini-game. Raising a delicate brow, Wen Xihan asked, “Are you really going out in that?”

Hearing this, Ruan Xinyi looked down at her own clothes. They seemed… probably fine? “If I wear this, I guess it won’t be a problem.”

Wen Xihan responded with a soft “Mm” and said no more.

Stretching lazily, Ruan Xinyi shut down her laptop and extended her legs, preparing to get up from the sofa. But she hadn’t expected that sitting cross-legged for too long would cut off her circulation. The moment she stood up, her left leg went completely numb.

Losing her balance, she toppled forward, unable to regain her footing.

Just when she thought she was doomed for an intimate encounter with the cold, hard floor, a slender, cool hand firmly gripped her waist. Although Wen Xihan staggered slightly from the sudden weight, she managed to steady them both, taking two steps back to prevent what could have been a rather disastrous fall.

Ruan Xinyi clutched Wen Xihan’s shoulders, awkwardly hooking her foot around a stray slipper and slipping it back on. With one leg still numb, she lowered her gaze in embarrassment and murmured, “Thanks, sister.”

Wen Xihan’s hand remained naturally and effortlessly on Ruan Xinyi’s soft waist. Without realizing it, her tone carried a hint of concern. “Is it feeling any better now?”

Ruan Xinyi attempted to move her leg, but the tingling sensation made her suck in a sharp breath. Frowning, she admitted helplessly, “It’s actually even more numb than before.”

“…”

With no other choice, Wen Xihan continued holding her in place, waiting for the numbness to subside.

It was only then that she became fully aware of how… intimate their position was.

Beneath her palm, Ruan Xinyi’s waist was exceptionally soft. The thickness of her sweatshirt was just right—not too thick, not too thin. Whether it was a trick of her mind or not, Wen Xihan couldn’t shake the sensation of warmth beneath the fabric. She could also feel the faint definition of toned abdominal muscles—lean but strong, with a certain explosive energy.

Her fingers instinctively curled slightly. Quietly, she shifted her hand a little away from Ruan Xinyi’s waist, tilting her head as her breathing turned slightly uneven. After a few minutes, she asked again, “Is it any better now?”

Ruan Xinyi moved her leg stiffly, her posture rigid. Keeping her head down, she rubbed her numb leg and finally let out a small sigh of relief. “Still a little numb, but it’s better than before.”

Saying this, she let go of Wen Xihan’s shoulder and attempted to take a few steps on her own.

Wen Xihan observed her struggling movements and slowly withdrew her hand. Watching her fumble forward, Wen Xihan frowned slightly—not out of disapproval, but concern. “Take it slow. If you really can’t walk, just rest a little longer.”

The moment she finished speaking, Ruan Xinyi suddenly lurched forward.

Wen Xihan, who had been watching her closely, reacted instantly, reaching out and catching her just in time.

Compared to earlier, this time they were in much more of a mess.

Though Ruan Xinyi wasn’t particularly heavy, she wasn’t exactly light either. More importantly, everything happened so fast that Wen Xihan had no time to think—her first instinct was simply to pull Ruan Xinyi toward her.

As a result, Ruan Xinyi stumbled straight into her arms. Wen Xihan hastily steadied her with one hand on her waist, but the momentum sent them both stumbling back several steps before they finally regained balance.

By then, Ruan Xinyi’s clothes had been thrown into disarray. One side of her shirt clung tightly to her waist, exposing a fair expanse of soft skin, while the other side was firmly held in place by Wen Xihan’s grip, barely keeping her covered.

But even so, Wen Xihan’s fingers inevitably made contact with Ruan Xinyi’s bare skin—cool and smooth. With each breath, a faint, fresh scent of roses lingered between them. It didn’t seem like perfume.

Ruan Xinyi was practically draped over Wen Xihan, her hair slightly disheveled. The chill against her waist made her instinctively shrink back, a flicker of embarrassment crossing her eyes as she mumbled, “Sister, my other leg just went numb too.”

Then, in pure mortification, she buried her face in Wen Xihan’s neck.

Heaven help her—she really was just embarrassed! She had absolutely no intention of taking advantage of the situation.  

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