Chapter 84: The End of a Secret Crush Is Within Sight

Outside the window, the night was tranquil and deep. Moonlight, gentle and lingering, slipped through the gap in the curtains, casting its glow across the room where a small lamp shone dimly. The only sounds were the faint hum of the warm air conditioner and the soft, steady breaths of the girl asleep.

Each breath she took was like a spring breeze brushing over a sea of blossoms, pale pink petals swirling dreamily in the air.

Qin Yichi was awash in a storm of confusion, his mind filled with nothing but the memory of a kiss pressed to a cheek, and those words—“a little bit of like.”

Unspoken love is affection hidden in the shadows, a cautious, secret tenderness that never sees the light of day. He walked this cold, dark road alone, not knowing its direction or where it would end, nor how long he would have to walk. He only knew that no matter what, he must keep going.

Until just now—

A breath of fragrant spring wind swept through, a beam of warm light illuminated his path. The oppressive, damp gloom slowly dissipated, replaced by a heady, intoxicating fragrance.

It was as if the end of that lonely road was suddenly within reach.

Even the smallest spark of affection could give him boundless courage.

He had endured so many years of waiting, but now, after that spontaneous kiss, he could hardly bear to wait any longer.

Sleep eluded Qin Yichi completely. His gaze lowered, serious and solemn, he opened his phone and created a new group chat.

[WeChat Red Packet: Do me a favor.]

Some of the boys in the group were already asleep, having drunk too much, but others were still awake. At the sight of a red packet, sleepy eyes sprang wide open—everyone was instantly alert!

[Oh come on, Yichi, we’re all brothers here. Of course we’ll help you. Why bother with red packets?]

[Exactly! With our friendship, is money really necessary? It’s almost insulting!]

But no sooner had the two finished their sentimental protests than they scrambled to snatch the red packet, terrified of being a second too late.

The group instantly erupted:

[Damn! That’s a huge red packet! I’ll call you dad from now on! @Yichi]

[Aaah! I got 188 yuan! You’re my real father! You’re on fire! This is amazing! I’m in tears!]

[Yichi, you’re a man among men! So generous, so bold, the most generous guy in the world!]

[Alright, what’s the favor? You even made a special group for this? Leave it to me!]

Late at night, Qin Yichi was surprisingly calm, extraordinarily composed. He typed his words on the screen, as if pouring all his strength into each letter:

[I’m going to confess to Qiao Zhen.]

A confession of love should begin with a bouquet of flowers and the words “I like you.” But a simple “I like you,” a standard bouquet—those weren’t enough for him.

Not nearly enough.

He didn’t want any regrets. He wanted to prepare the most romantic, most beautiful, most passionate confession for his princess.

Perhaps all he needed was a little time, and a stroke of fortune…

Noon.

Golden sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, bathing the entire bedroom in a gentle glow.

Qiao Zhen lay curled up in the soft bed, wrapped snugly in a small blanket, her hair splayed carelessly over the pillow.

She had slept for a long, long time, and it had been a deep, dreamless sleep.

When she finally blinked awake, the unfamiliar yet familiar room startled her out of her drowsiness.

Qiao Zhen: ?

Isn’t this Qin Yichi’s room?

A sudden realization flashed through her mind. Her face changed as she sat up abruptly, glancing down at the white shirt she wore and the blanket covering her, her eyes widening in shock.

Isn’t this Qin Yichi’s bed?!

In an instant, the jumbled memories of last night came flooding back:

—“Once you accept these flowers, you’re mine!”

—“Qin Yichi, could you… let me stay the night?”

—“I’m going to take a shower, I am, I am!”

—“I not only wore your clothes, I even used your shower gel~”

—“I don’t want… I don’t want to sleep alone! Qin Yichi, you can’t leave, sob…”

—“Just a little bit of like~”

Vivid images seared into her mind—not just the tight embrace in the bathroom, but the kiss pressed to a cheek on the mattress…

Wait! A kiss?

Did she kiss Qin Yichi while drunk? Did she force a kiss on the person she liked?!

Qiao Zhen’s eyes flew wide, pupils contracting sharply as her heart pounded wildly in her chest. She sat on the bed, frozen, dazed, her gaze vacant.

Stunned.jpg

Just then, the bedroom door creaked open.

A man leaned lazily against the doorframe, dressed in dark sleepwear, the collar slightly open, an air of unruly temptation about him.

“You’re awake?”

“I’ve bought lunch. Come eat when you’re ready.”

His tone was casual, as relaxed as ever, without a hint of awkwardness or discomfort—as if nothing had happened the night before, as if it had all just been a dream.

Qiao Zhen stared blankly for a moment before yanking the blanket over her head, curling up like an ostrich burying its head in the sand.

Wait, was lunch really the issue here? After everything that happened between them last night… how could he be so nonchalant about eating?

Eat? How could she eat now!

Under the blanket, Qiao Zhen’s face was burning, her heart raging with embarrassment as if a frantic little deer was stomping, screaming, and spinning inside her chest.

Why was her drunken self so bold and forward? Couldn’t she spare just a little of that courage for her sober self?

Qin Yichi seemed to chuckle softly. Through the blanket came his low, mellow voice:

“Don’t worry, I slept on the floor last night. We didn’t sleep together.”

“We’re both still innocent.”

Qiao Zhen: ?

Wait… why did that sound make things even more awkward?

She clamped her hands over her ears, nearly dying of embarrassment.

What to do, what to do, her brain was overheating—where was her strategist, her advisor? Someone come save her!

After a long session of mental pep talk under the covers, she finally mustered the courage to crawl out, get out of bed, and head to the bathroom to wash up.

She consoled herself over and over:

No matter what, at least she’d managed to kiss him.

That was a win!

In the bathroom, Qin Yichi had thoughtfully prepared a disposable toothbrush and a fresh face towel for her.

As she brushed her teeth, Qiao Zhen frowned, plotting her strategy. She decided to pretend she remembered nothing.

Yes, she was a genius!

After washing her face, she took a deep breath and, putting on a show of nonchalance, sat down at the dining table, flashing him a sweet smile. “Hi, good morning~”

Qin Yichi sat across from her, giving a soft “Mm,” his gaze lingering on her face. He said quietly, “It’s already noon.”

Qiao Zhen: “…Oh.”

Lunch was from her favorite shumai shop—bamboo shoot and pork shumai, with a bowl of mung bean soup.

She was starving, and the first few bites warmed her up and soothed her instantly.

Qin Yichi sat opposite, picking up a piece of shumai with his chopsticks. His movements were relaxed and unhurried, exuding a steady, reliable aura—every casual gesture was enough to set her heart fluttering.

As she ate, Qiao Zhen stole glances at him, her gaze drifting to his right cheek. Suddenly, she felt a pang of guilt.

Was that where she kissed him last night?

Her ears reddened as she quickly ducked her head, heart pounding.

Suddenly, she felt like she’d lost out—lost big time!

If only she’d kissed his lips too, maybe touched his abs… Now that would’ve been a real victory…

Qin Yichi seemed to sense something, leaning back in his chair, asking offhandedly, “By the way, last night—”

But before he could finish, Qiao Zhen, on high alert, cut him off in a panic, blurting out, “I don’t remember anything from last night!!”