Chapter 069: Temptation in the Kitchen

Chapter 069: Get Out!

"What… What did you just say? You said you're my brother's comrade?"

Chen Xiaoman stared at Chu Fei in astonishment. The nervousness and excitement she had felt a moment ago evaporated, replaced by an expression of utter disbelief.

"That's right. I'm your brother's comrade." Chu Fei nodded, feeling a sense of reassurance settle in his heart as he spoke. His gaze softened as he looked at Chen Xiaoman. "I approached you on purpose before, too."

Chen Xiaoman didn't speak. After a long silence, she finally asked softly, "Where's my brother? Where is he?" She fixed her gaze on Chu Fei, her voice trembling uncontrollably. She was a clever girl, and from Chu Fei's words, she vaguely sensed a foreboding premonition…

The chill of her suspicion seemed to seep into her very bones.

"Your brother is fine. He's on a mission and can't come back, so he asked me to check in on you." Chu Fei couldn't bring himself to tell the truth when he saw the terror in Chen Xiaoman's eyes.

"You're lying." Chen Xiaoman suddenly shouted, her voice loud and sharp.

Her eyes filled with even more fear as she stared at Chu Fei. "You're lying to me, aren't you?"

Chu Fei sighed.

"My brother… did something happen to him? Did he… did he die?" Chen Xiaoman asked in a trembling whisper, so quiet it was almost inaudible.

But Chu Fei heard her. He shook his head. "He didn't die. He's just missing."

"Missing?" Chen Xiaoman didn't believe him.

"It's true, he's missing," Chu Fei said earnestly. "About two months ago, your brother and I encountered an enemy ambush while on a mission. We were forced to jump off a cliff, and after that, your brother disappeared."

In the end, Chu Fei couldn't bring himself to say it outright. Chen Xiaoman's intense reaction made him fear she wouldn't be able to bear the blow of losing her brother.

Chen Xiaoman said nothing, only shook her head forcefully, clearly refusing to accept Chu Fei's explanation. But she didn't press further…

"Xiaoman, I've told you the truth. We both jumped off the cliff. If I survived, your brother must have too. He's probably hiding somewhere, recovering from his injuries. Once he's healed, he'll show up." Chu Fei, feeling a pang of sympathy, gripped Chen Xiaoman's shoulders.

"Really?" Chen Xiaoman lifted her tear-stained face.

"Of course. Your brother is like a cockroach—impossible to kill. Even the King of Hell wouldn't dare take him." Chu Fei forced a smile.

"Yeah, my brother's always been wild since he was a child. Even the King of Hell wouldn't want him." Chen Xiaoman nodded, her lips pressed tightly together as tears slid down her cheeks.

Then, she sniffled and forced a smile, saying awkwardly, "Sorry to make a fool of myself in front of you. I didn't mean to." She tried to smile, but couldn't.

"Your brother's not here now. So I'm your brother. There's nothing to be embarrassed about in front of your own brother." Chu Fei smiled, gently patting her head. But in his heart, he sighed. In the end, he still hadn't dared tell her the truth, afraid she couldn't handle the blow. All he could do now was take things one step at a time…

"Cut it out—you’re not my brother." Chen Xiaoman brushed his hand away and suddenly said, "It's late. I'm going to bed."

"Uh, alright. You get some rest. I'll head back, too. If anything comes up, call me." Chu Fei nodded, seeing that she was at least somewhat stable. Only then did he turn to leave her room.

But he didn't leave right away. Standing by the door, he silently took out a cigarette and stared into space. He wasn't at ease walking away just yet. Soon, his face paled; he could clearly hear Chen Xiaoman's muffled sobs from inside the room—quiet but laden with grief…

Chu Fei sighed inwardly. He knew she wouldn't believe his lies. In fact, he hardly believed them himself. But at that moment, he truly hadn't dared to tell her the truth…

Bang—

Chu Fei quietly unlocked the security door and reentered Chen Xiaoman's room. He immediately saw her slumped at her desk, head in her arms, sobbing uncontrollably—her slender back shaking violently with each sob…

"Why… Why did you come back?"

Hearing his footsteps, Chen Xiaoman spun around. Seeing Chu Fei, her face turned ashen, and she instinctively wiped away her tears…

"Silly girl, if you want to cry, then cry. Don't hold it in—"

Chu Fei sighed and gently pulled her head into his embrace.

"Ah—"

With those words, Chen Xiaoman's emotional defenses collapsed. She gripped his waist and wept bitterly—her cries torn from the depths of her soul, raw and desperate…

Chu Fei stood motionless.

He only stroked her hair gently, his face dark and grave…

Time ticked by.

Chen Xiaoman cried for more than half an hour before she gradually calmed, then sobbed quietly for a long while before finally regaining control. She looked up, her face streaked with tears like a forlorn kitten, and said awkwardly, "Chu Fei, I'm sorry. I… I didn't mean to just now."

"It's fine. Just help me wash my clothes later," Chu Fei joked, trying to distract her.

Chen Xiaoman managed a feeble smile, but couldn't quite pull it off. In the end, she asked, "Chu Fei, you said my brother is only missing, not dead, right?"

"Yes. We never found his body." Chu Fei nodded. That, at least, was the truth.

"That means there's still hope he's alive, right?" Chen Xiaoman's eyes held a glimmer of hope as she looked at him.

"Of course. Who knows, he might pop up in a few days." Chu Fei forced a laugh. Though he said it, he didn't believe it himself—if Ergou were still alive, he'd have shown up long ago. But he would never say this to Chen Xiaoman.

"Yeah, I have a feeling he's still alive too. Maybe he'll come see me tomorrow." Chen Xiaoman smiled as well, though her tear-reddened eyes made her look even more pitiable.

Chu Fei didn't dare shatter her fragile hope, so he nodded. "Of course."

"I'm really fine now, Chu Fei. You should go rest too." Chen Xiaoman stood up.

"I'm not leaving tonight." Chu Fei shook his head.

"What?"

"I'm not comfortable leaving you here alone. I'll stay with you tonight," Chu Fei said casually. He really didn't dare leave, worried she'd break down in tears again. Crying for too long could make someone ill, and he couldn't bring himself to leave her alone.

"But I only have one room. There's nowhere for you to sleep…"

Chen Xiaoman stammered for a while before blurting this out…

—

It was a long night.

Exhausted from crying, Chen Xiaoman soon drifted into sleep, paying no mind to the extra man in her room.

But that meant hardship for Chu Fei.

He certainly wouldn't climb into her bed—that would harm her reputation, and he didn't want to disturb her sleep. So he spent the night sitting on a hard chair.

Through the night, Chu Fei's mood grew heavier and heavier, especially as Chen Xiaoman spoke in her sleep—crying quietly, even in her dreams…

Chu Fei knew that Chen Xiaoman, despite pretending to be strong and repeatedly asking if her brother was still alive, didn't truly believe it deep down. She was only pretending for his sake.

—

As dawn broke, Chu Fei got up and quietly left her apartment. He'd sensed that Chen Xiaoman was awake, only pretending to sleep. He didn't expose her; she needed time alone to come to terms with Ergou's fate. His constant presence wouldn't necessarily help…

"Brother, have you really left me?"

As the door closed, Chen Xiaoman slowly opened her eyes. Tears slipped down her cheeks once more, but this time, no sound escaped her lips. She had cried too much, until there were no more tears left to shed.

—

Bang—

Pushing open the door to his own place, Chu Fei's eyes lit up. A stunningly beautiful woman was coming out of the kitchen, holding a breakfast tray and yawning, exuding a captivating allure…

Most eye-catching of all, she wore only a sheer lace nightgown—with nothing underneath. The faint outline of her breasts and the subtle movement of two rosy tips could be seen with each step…

"Chu Fei, why are you back so early?"

Ximen Lu was startled by Chu Fei's sudden entrance. Then she noticed his burning gaze and, instantly embarrassed and angry, snapped, "Don't look!" Without even setting down the tray, she spun around and dashed into the bedroom, slamming the door shut.

Does Ximen Lu parade around like this every day?

Chu Fei stared after her, swallowing unconsciously, then slowly changed his shoes and walked into the living room…

Soon, the bedroom door opened again. Now wearing a shirt over her nightgown, Ximen Lu stormed out, glaring at Chu Fei. "Why did you come back so suddenly? Why didn't you tell me first?"

"This is my home," Chu Fei said with a pout. He didn't appreciate being scolded, and his eyes flicked with disappointment to her chest—now completely concealed.

"You—" Ximen Lu was momentarily speechless.

"What did you make for breakfast? Did you make any for me?" Chu Fei grinned cheekily, sidling up.

"If you want to eat, make it yourself. You… you’re shameless!" Before she could finish, Chu Fei had already taken the plate from her hands, making her so furious she nearly choked.

"Ximen Lu, I have to say, your behavior is really indecent. Now that we're living under the same roof, you can't just walk around like that. I don't mind, but if anyone else saw, they'd think I was living with some exhibitionist lunatic. That would be so humiliating!" Chu Fei said, popping a snack into his mouth.

"Chu Fei, do you believe I'll come at you with a butcher knife?"

Ximen Lu was nearly hysterical. She'd just been embarrassed, and now he was putting it all on her—could he be any more shameless?

With that, she stomped into the kitchen.

Damn, is she really going to come at me with a knife?

Chu Fei jumped, hurrying after her. But when he reached the kitchen door, he relaxed—Ximen Lu had picked up a knife, but only to make herself another breakfast, since Chu Fei had taken hers.

"Boss, I have something to do this morning. I'd like to take some time off." Now that he was reassured, Chu Fei switched gears and put on a fawning smile.

"Get out!"

Ximen Lu's reply was as sharp and domineering as ever!