Chapter 19: NEIGHBORS (3)
Xue Jinxu closed her eyes while waiting for his next actions. He went straight towards her walk-in cabinet.
After a good while he emerged carrying a towel. He threw the towel across her back then said, "'Kay. Bye." He slammed the door shut.
Xue Jinxu was left standing in the middle of the living room, while holding the towel around her shoulders. She was bewildered.
Slowly she calmed down. She went to the kitchen to get one of her bottles of red wine. She poured herself some red wine on a goblet. The goblet in one hand, she grabbed the bottle with her free hand then went straight to the bathroom.
She slid herself into the bathtub filled with warm water. She took a sip of her red wine. She has not totally recovered from the earlier shock. She was embarrassed, but he was considerate enough to act accordingly.
Her fluttering lady heart was touched.
Still on the bathtub, she leaned her head at the edge and closed her eyes.
Whether her eyes were close or open, the scenes from that evening earlier kept on playing on loop. It wouldn't stop.
Her cheeks were flushed and she's sure that it was not solely caused by the red wine.
Chen Linyun did not stop walking until he reached the second floor. He had taken the stairs. He was sweating profusely from all the walking and excitement. When he reached Apartment 201, he went straight to the kitchen and drank cold water. He paced back and forth and around the house. He had encircled the perimeter of the house for several times.
His mind was actually empty except for the image of her back's milky white skin from the shoulders to the waist, and the beautiful contrast it produced against the lady's lacy black brassiere. He clenched his fists. He walked around the room again.
Afterwards he did some push-ups repeatedly, followed by several jumping jacks.
He still could not calm himself. Somebody had to take a cold, cold shower tonight.
The next day was a Saturday. The birds were happily chirping on the hidden tree branches of the surrounding trees. The morning sunlight penetrated through the window's curtains. The floor-to-ceiling glass window was slightly opened letting a gust of fresh autumn air enter the room.
Xue Jinxu woke up early. Her sleep was shallow as well. Under her beautiful almond eyes were dark and deep circles. She looked tired even after that night's sleep.
'How can I face him again? It felt as if I lost my leverage.' She thought.
She donned her tank top paired with leggings, and pulled her jet black hair into a pony tail. Soon she went out for a jog.
Upon reaching the playground she did some calisthenics to tone her body up. Then she heard someone calling her. "Xue Jinxu!" A grinning guy was waving his arms above his head. It was Mo Wenbin. He ran towards her.
Following behind, a dark-haired lanky young man wearing black-rimmed glasses emerged. He walked slowly towards the two.
"Good morning, Xue Jinxu! You're up early. Do you usually wake up around this time? " Mo Wenbin pried. He was as bright as the sun. He was flexing his arms and legs.
"En. How about you? Going for a jog?" She returned the questions.
"Yeah. Let's go!" Mo Wenbin started off.
"W-wait!" Xue Jinxue started off too. However Mo Wenbin had quite an overwhelming lead already from her. She kept her pace.
Soon Chen Linyun caught up with her. They jogged side by side with each other. Neither tried to break the silence. Truth be told, Chen Linyun's usual pace was a bit faster than hers. With his long legs, he could easily overtake her, but he chose to adjust to her speed.
After a few minutes, they were both overcome with exhaustion. She slowed down bit by bit. He followed. Then they rested at a nearby playground. They were both panting.
Once their breathing normalized, he decided to break the silence and finally engaged into conversation.
"Did I ruin your dress?"
'Here it comes' She thought. She sighed. 'Does he really need to ask about it?'
"No, it's fine." She smiled. It was her genuine unique smile. Her almond eyes were clear as day. Her pale face was slightly flushed with the exercise, and although it was fully covered with sweat, she looked refreshed and young. "It did not sustain any further damages."
"Thanks again for last night. I'm really sorry to bother you though." She did not want to talk about it anymore so she ended it there.
Mo Wenbin came running from behind them. They did not notice him.
Coincidentally he heard parts and parcel of their enigmatic conversation. He probed, "What did you two do last night?" In his thoughts he added, 'Why didn't they invite me? I was left out!'
Chen Linyun who was now drinking water from his tumbler spat all the water on his mouth into a spray.
"What the hell Chen Linyun!" Mo Wenbin said while dodging the unintended attack.
"Wenbin what do you mean? We didn't do anything." Xue Jinxu answered hurriedly.
Mo Wenbin squinted his eagle eyes and stared at them closely, individually. "Hmph, the two of you are too suspicious. Just spit it out!"
"You should have invited me too!"
The two who were put into interrogation looked at each other knowingly. Chen Linyun answered, "You were already sleeping. I just helped her carry Guangxi back. He couldn't walk on his own."
"Whatever." Mo Wenbin seemed convinced.
Chen Linyun took in the picturesque lady in front of her – her sweat-dampened hair pulled back into a ponytail, her heart-shaped face, almond eyes, sweet smile and even the dimple on her left cheek. Together with the background of a beautiful day, bright blue sky with feathery clouds, colorful playground equipment surrounding them he could not help but drown to her magnificence.
However he noticed the dark eyebags under her eyes. "Had you not been sleeping well lately?"
"Uhm, y-yeah. But I'm used to it. It's no big deal." She laughed lightly.
"Drop by at our house later, I have a remedy for those eyebags."
"Agree, agree. Drop by later. No, you go with us now. Let's not waste any more time." He led the way towards their apartment.
"What is it?"
"You'll know soon enough." He was grinning excitedly.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone