Chapter 90 - Confront Shuang (1/2)

”Ah yes, the file!”

He spoke a little loudly that made her jump in a scare. Both of them were already jumpy since last night. Nobody knew if they should talk about it or just avoid the topic and let it go.

He widened his eyes, seeing her step back.

”Sorry!” Zhiyuan was apologetic. ”I-I scared you. I...I am feeling a little sick so…”

What nonsense am I spouting? Such horrible excuses!

Xinyi was taken aback. ”You are sick?”

She hurriedly kept the file on the table and rushed towards him. She placed the back of her palm on his forehead. In the light of his health, all of her anxiety flew away.

Zhiyuan stiffened. Just a moment ago, they were apprehensive and stood at a distance, but now she was suddenly so close to him. His gaze lowered as he saw her worriedly checking on him.

”You don't seem to have a fever. But we can't be sure. Maybe it's a cold.”

Her brows scrunched up in thought, making Zhiyuan stare at her in a stupor. Once again, his sight unconsciously fell on her lips. He took a sharp breath and their intimate moment flashed in his mind.

He was going to kiss those lips last night…

Zhiyuan felt a strange urge to hold her. There was restlessness growing in his chest. He felt his throat jammed to say anything because at this moment just like last night, he wanted to press his lips on hers. He wanted to taste and slowly devour them as they mingled. At such proximity, her natural scent was working like an aphrodisiac, making him feel dizzy.

”I don't think you should work today-”

Still in deep thoughts, she looked up at him and froze. She didn't realize when they had gotten so close. They could hear the other's soft, raspy breaths in that silence.

Zhiyuan clenched his fist as he tried to control his thoughts from going haywire.

Stop it! Stop it!

Xinyi quickly took a step back, widening the distance between them. Zhiyuan felt a little chilly with the warmth suddenly gone.

The awkwardness in the atmosphere settled once again.

No, no! I cannot go on like this! Zhiyuan thought. I have to clear everything otherwise...ahhh I cannot bear this tension anymore!

Zhiyuan said, ”That l-last night-”

Xinyi stiffened and quickly cut his words. ”That you are sick!”

He blinked his eyes. ”Huh?”

She lowered her head and clasped her hands together. ”You may have caught a cold, s-so you shouldn't work today...if you want, I can attend the meeting for you…”

”No, I am not sick…”

She pursed her lips. ”But you just said you were feeling sick. Don't lie and push yourself.”

Last night...I don't want to talk about it.

She was really afraid to listen to what he had to say. Maybe he would say it was a mistake? Maybe he would apologize?

And somehow, she didn't want to hear that…

She didn't know how or why it happened, but even for a little while, even for just a small moment, she felt special. She felt closer to Zhiyuan. At that precious moment, she even felt as if Zhiyuan was hers.

And Xinyi didn't want to hear his apology...once again.

Zhiyuan was stumped. ”No, I am not talking about that.”

Suddenly, they heard his assistant's voice. ”Sir, the meeting is going to start.”

Xinyi grabbed the file and quickly said, ”I will attend the meeting. Don't worry, I know all the details so it wouldn't be a problem. You are sick, so you should head back home…”

Xinyi didn't meet his eyes and turned to leave.

Before he could stop her, she was already gone. ”Wait Xinyi!”

Silence.

Zhiyuan laughed self-deprecatingly. A painful and prickly feeling arose in his chest.

She doesn't want to talk about it. She is avoiding me.

When she had stepped away from him, he felt hurt and a certain tightness enveloped his heart.

It is all my fault. I ruined everything...does she hate me now?

---

The next day at school, Siying was finally relieved to meet Leina. He saw Chyou with her too, and his eyes brightened. ”Leina! Chyou!”

Leina and Chyou waved their hands though Chyou seemed sad.

Siying frowned. ”Why are you sad?”

Tears pooled in her eyes. ”Dada yelled at me yesterday,” she sniffled, ”and he also said that I cannot go to meet Aunty Xinyi anymore. I am not talking to Dada!”

Now Siying was about to cry too. ”En...Mama also said that I cannot take classes from Aunty Caihong anymore…”

Leina pursed her lips in seeing the two on the verge of crying. She smacked their heads. ”No crying! We have a super important thing to discuss!”

Siying nodded hard. Chyou looked questioningly. ”What important thing?”