Han Luoli's gaze lingered on that delicate silhouette, unable to look away until the corridor was empty. The yearning in his eyes still did not dissipate for a long time.
Shen Minghan's words echoed in his ears, yet his feet felt rooted to the spot, unable to move.
"She, she didn't admit she liked me," Han Luoli's voice was low, somewhat hoarse and deep.
Shen Minghan placed one hand inside his white coat, walked up to Han Luoli's side, and gave his shoulder a pat, offering the comfort only a fellow man could provide.
"You saw it too, she's very nervous about you. If that's not liking, what is it?"
"Then, do you think she will forgive me?" On her birthday, he had missed their date, and he had let her get soaked and fall ill in the heavy rain. Hearing Shen Minghan's retelling, his heart felt as if it was being severely clenched, the pain was unbearable.
Han Luoli suddenly chuckled bitterly, murmuring in self-mockery, "I can't believe I am hesitating over something like this."
"Luoli, Xiao Er is a good girl, I fully support you as your brother. But... I heard she came to Mofeng City, what are you going to do about it?"
"Sent her away," Han Luoli replied tersely with three simple words, clearly not wanting to elaborate. All he wanted at the moment was to hold Xinxin tightly, to fiercely, desperately meld that lass into his embrace.
Back at home, Gu Xiaoer stared blankly at the empty room; if it weren't for the note in her hand that he had written, she would have doubted his very existence. He had forcefully infiltrated her life, leaving behind a domineering contract; her person was bound, and it seemed her heart also lost its freedom.
"Xiao Er, do you like Han Luoli?"
Shen Minghan's question resounded in her mind again. She couldn't deny it, yet she didn't dare to admit that she had fallen for a rentable man. She had just leapt out of the pit of a scumbag, and now she had jumped into another pit with no potential outcome.
In truth, all she wanted was simple love, to earn their bread with their own hands and build their home together. She would rely on him to fall asleep in his arms, and he would give her a tender good morning kiss with longing.
But, these fantasies had appeared with a rentable man. He was even more perfect than she had imagined, giving her too many different emotions and expectations...
She fell into a confused sleep until she felt someone gently lift her in her dreams.
The familiar masculine scent was soothing, with a hint of tobacco.
"Da Luoluo, you're back?" Gu Xiaoer murmured groggily, as if things were still the same as before—lazily opening her eyes and then closing them again, snuggling closer into the embrace, and falling back into a peaceful sleep.
"I've waited for you for so long, you bad person..."
Her voice was a whisper, and Han Luoli held the lightweight form, with a momentary sharp pain flashing in his eyes; he didn't know whether her words referred to the day he missed their date or something else.
"Heartless girl, don't you know to call and scold me?"
His thin lips parted slightly, capturing Gu Xiaoer's pursed lips, as if the pent-up longing found an outlet for release in that moment.
So sweet, so wonderful, that he wanted more and more.
"Stop licking... it hurts..."
Gu Xiaoer was awakened by Han Luoli's not-so-gentle movements; she had thought she was dreaming, but the real pain brought her to full wakefulness.
She pinched Han Luoli's firm chest, indeed he was truly present before her, really and truly.
It wasn't a dream; Han Luoli was really back!
The drowsy person burst forth like a lit firecracker, immediately alert.
"What are you doing here?" she wanted to yell, but lowered her voice instead.
"Why can't I come here when you're here?" His eyes were deep and shimmering, riding waves of dark tides.
Gu Xiaoer gathered courage from somewhere, staring into his eyes, her voice cool, "Didn't you find another job? How's that job, does it pay well?"