Chapter 35: Smiling Without a Word

He looked at her with a cryptic smile for a long moment before releasing her and turning to leave the lounge. Left behind, Chu Yitong was baffled, left to wonder if she had spoken too harshly or if he was devising some new strategy.

She sat up, head slightly bowed, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes flickered with faint, shimmering light as she lost herself in thought.

Xie Chenjing, who had just entered with a glass, stood at the doorway, unable to take another step. The sunlight filtering through the gaps fell upon her, casting soft, hazy shadows. The way her hair hung down obscured her expressions, making her appear distant and blurred, as if she might vanish at any moment. His heart tightened with an intense, suffocating sense of helplessness. He reached up to press his temples, and once his agitation subsided, he walked to the bedside: "Yiyi!"

As she looked up, she saw the familiar glass before her. Chu Yitong silently turned her head away; she saw nothing, she heard nothing.

"Be good," his deep voice was laced with doting affection, carrying an indescribable charm.

"Is there nothing else?" Since she couldn't avoid it, she decided to face it head-on.

"There is." Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, he added, "Yiyi, you need to drink some milk. It will calm your mind and help you sleep."

"I'm already awake!" Did she really have to drink it?

"Yes, you are awake. It will soothe your nerves!" Somehow, no matter what he said, he always had the upper hand.

"I won't drink it!" A warrior may die, but she would not drink milk!

"Yiyi, be a good girl~"

Resentfully, she took the glass, her eyes wide with indignation. The moment she heard that term, her hair stood on end and her resistance vanished. She wanted to chop off her own disobedient hand, but she couldn't let him have his way so easily. "I want to get up."

"Mm."

"You are still here."

"Mm."

"What's with all the 'mms'?"

Ah, the little kitten was bristling. Xie Chenjing smiled without a word, his gaze fixed on the glass in her hand, showing every intention of staying until she finished it.

Chu Yitong gripped the glass tighter and tighter. Knowing oneself and the enemy was the key to victory, but she had lost because she believed the rumors. Picking up the glass, she gulped the milk down in large mouthfuls, ignoring his look of surprise. If she couldn't win against him, she would at least annoy him; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to swallow her pride!

But she clearly forgot that he was someone who defied rumors, and therefore could not be treated with common logic. Seeing her finish the milk in one breath, he offered unsparing praise: "Yiyi, that’s wonderful. A glass every day from now on!"

"What did you say~" She nearly spat out the last mouthful of milk. Staring at him in disbelief, she saw nothing but sincerity on his refined face. Pursing her lips, she pulled his hand over and placed the glass heavily into it. She didn't want to engage in battle for now; there would be plenty of time in the future to see how things unfolded.

Xie Chenjing took the glass and gave her a long, deep look. "I'll be waiting for you outside."

Once the lounge door closed, Chu Yitong quickly got up and tidied herself. She stretched, feeling truly refreshed from her sleep, and walked to the window to pull back the curtains.

The sun was gradually setting. She had slept quite soundly. The horizon was painted red by the sunset, but within the vibrant glow, a faint streak of black was mixed in—perhaps tomorrow would not be a sunny day.

She withdrew her gaze and scanned the lounge. The design was simple and elegant, much like the man himself: black and white, cold and lonely. She let out a soft breath. From this day forward, she would face everything with a smile, no matter how uncertain the future might be.

Stepping out of the lounge, she saw him standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows. He leaned lazily against the frame, his back bathed in the sunset glow. Tall, slender, and handsome, he was a sight that made it impossible to look away. It seemed that, after all, some rumors were true.

...

Happy New Year, everyone!