Chapter 81: "Qin Yichi, I want to take a bath"

In the end, Qiao Zhen finally got her wish and entered Qin Yichi’s home. It was as if she had returned to her joyful old nest; her happiness was almost visible to the naked eye, her once downcast gaze now shining, wide and bright.

She even had her own pair of pink cotton slippers here.

Half-dazed, Qiao Zhen changed her shoes, quietly praising herself for being clever and resourceful. The house key had actually been secretly tucked into her sleeve long ago. This way, she could openly stay with Qin Yichi for the whole night.

Yet as she thought about it, guilt and unease crept up, a sour ache swirling in her chest, making her want to cry for no reason at all.

What she did was so wrong.

She was the sort of person who would stop at nothing for love, not good at all…

But she didn’t know that Qin Yichi had already caught every nuance of her emotions.

A drunken little bunny, gleefully hopping about one moment and nearly crying the next.

Well, she was rather mercurial.

Qin Yichi coaxed her all the way to the bedroom, not forgetting to pour her a glass of honey water to soothe her.

The bedroom was spacious and bright, clean and tidy, decorated in minimalist shades of black, white, and grey, with photos of world-class racing drivers on the walls.

The only incongruous spot was the bedside table, where an array of adorable plush toys, bursting with girlish charm, were arranged.

All gifts from Qiao Zhen in the past.

Qin Yichi carefully tucked a knitted rose into the arms of one of the teddy bears, giving its head a gentle pat, as though he were patting Qiao Zhen herself.

While watching him place the rose, Qiao Zhen sipped her honey water, sweetness blooming and spreading within her.

She sat obediently at the edge of the bed, asking cautiously, “Qin Yichi, am I sleeping here tonight?”

Qin Yichi picked up the remote and switched on the warm air conditioner, replying with a lazy hum, “As long as you don’t mind.”

He planned to sleep on the sofa in the living room, or perhaps in his mother’s room.

But Qiao Zhen thought he would share the bed with her, and once again, a spring breeze of sweet anticipation rose in her chest, as if she were sinking into a giant, soft cloud of cotton candy.

Wouldn’t that mean she could hug him all night long?!

“Yay!” She smiled, two dimples appearing at the corners of her lips.

So happy, so happy, so happy!

Qin Yichi took off his down jacket, grabbed his pajamas and went to the bathroom to shower, instructing Qiao Zhen to sit still on the bed and not wander about.

This time, he made sure to lock the bathroom door.

He didn’t want a certain tipsy little troublemaker sneaking in to peek at him again.

He turned on the shower, the sound of water pattering filling the room, a misty haze rising in the air.

He wasn’t sure if it was the cold weather or the alcohol, but through the mirror, Qin Yichi could clearly see a blush creeping up his ears and neck.

Heaven help him...

Nearly eleven o’clock, the air conditioner was blowing gentle waves of warmth.

Qiao Zhen had to shed her white down coat, revealing the red dress she’d worn for the competition.

When Qin Yichi emerged, he was greeted by this striking scene.

The girl’s drunken gaze was dreamy, her cheeks dusted pink, like a delicate rose blooming with a hint of allure.

The vibrant red dress contrasted sharply with her snow-white skin.

Tonight, she bloomed only for him.

Qiao Zhen had finished her honey water and was sitting quietly, as pretty as a porcelain doll. She slowly raised her eyes, her voice soft, “I want to take a shower too.”

Qin Yichi let out a chuckle, suddenly amused. “Drunk as you are, you still want to shower? What if you drown?”

Qiao Zhen pouted, a little angry, her eyes reddening as she weakly protested, “I am not drunk!”

Her temper flared instantly.

Qin Yichi settled beside her, sinking into the bed, patiently soothing her, “Mm, you’re not drunk.”

Qiao Zhen hung her head, stubbornly muttering to herself, growing ever more aggrieved, “I want to shower, I just want to shower…”

She was going to sleep in Qin Yichi’s bed tonight.

She had to be clean, couldn’t just crawl in dirty—otherwise, she was afraid Qin Yichi would be displeased.

This shower, Qiao Zhen was determined to take.

Her anger and grievance mingled, and she even pushed her luck further, grumbling, “I… I want to wear your pajamas too.”

When Qin Yichi didn’t reply, Qiao Zhen grew anxious, her eyes reddening further, mist gathering in her gaze.

“I want to, can’t I?”

Her crystalline tears looked ready to fall at any moment.

How could Qin Yichi resist?

Not just pajamas—if she wanted the stars, he’d try to pluck them down for her.

Qin Yichi took a deep breath, turned to the wardrobe, and fetched a thin white men’s shirt and a pair of pants.

Brand new, never worn.

He placed them in Qiao Zhen’s hands, Adam’s apple bobbing, “Will these do?”

The tears that had threatened to fall instantly retreated.

Qiao Zhen gripped the clothes tightly, her eyes curving into a smile, politely nodding, “Yes, thank you.”

Such a good man.

Qiao Zhen was thoroughly satisfied, bouncing off with the clothes to shower.

A dozen minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom, peeking out, a hint of confusion in her eyes, “Qin Yichi, I can’t find the hair dryer…”

Qin Yichi looked up, and the next moment, he was utterly stunned.

The men’s white shirt was oversized, hanging on Qiao Zhen like a nightgown, and so thin it was nearly transparent.

She had left the collar open, exposing her pretty collarbones and the curve of her chest. Her legs, straight and slender, were dazzlingly pale.

Clean and pure, yet tinged with temptation.

Qin Yichi’s ears turned scarlet, his blood surging.

He stared for a long moment before finding his voice, “You… aren’t wearing the pants?”

Qiao Zhen blinked her clear, bright eyes, nodding seriously, “Mm, your pants are too long, I couldn’t wear them.”

The more innocent and trusting she was, the more Qin Yichi felt like a depraved beast.

How could he possibly look like a good man?

His dark eyes swirled with complicated emotions; after a brief silence, he went to the bathroom to find her the hair dryer.

Half of Qiao Zhen’s long hair was wet, the other dry.

Qin Yichi narrowed his black eyes, “Did you wash your hair?”

Qiao Zhen shook her head, “No.”

That settled it—he could guess what had happened.

Probably the little drunkard had muddled through, switched on the handheld shower, and somehow ended up with the overhead one, getting her hair soaked without even meaning to.

Pitiful.

Qin Yichi sighed, holding the dryer, his voice a bit rough, “Come here, I’ll dry it for you.”

Qiao Zhen’s happiness was visible, her cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling as she obediently approached, “Thank you!”

Qin Yichi stood behind her, leaning slightly, one hand holding the dryer, the other gently combing through her hair, his tone lazy, “You’re welcome.”

His fingers threaded through her hair, softly untangling the strands and smoothing the crown of her head.

Inside the bathroom, mist swirled and the air was humid.

The dryer buzzed, masking the thunderous beat of their hearts.

The two faced the mirror, able to see each other’s expressions clearly.

Suddenly, Qiao Zhen turned, facing Qin Yichi, and hugged him tightly, her arms wrapping around his waist.

Qin Yichi’s breath caught.

Qiao Zhen stood on tiptoe, whispered in his ear, her voice tinged with intoxication and even more seductive, “Not only am I wearing your clothes, I used your shower gel too.”

Qin Yichi switched off the dryer in time, listening to her words, gazing down at her, eyes brimming with deep affection.

Qiao Zhen buried her head against his chest, hugging him even tighter, like a shy kitten willing to nuzzle close, earnest and obedient as she declared, “So now, I’m yours too~”