Chapter 57

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He scrolled through the playlist and asked, “Anyone else you want to listen to? Jay Chou?”

Jiang Chuyi immediately thought of that breathtaking performance of Love Loser he sang back in Guangzhou.

She propped herself up and leaned over, casually picking a daily-recommended English playlist.

As night fell, the vibrant, dazzling cityscape was best appreciated in dim lighting. So, the main lights were turned off. Jiang Chuyi leaned against the window, with Zong Ye right next to her.

Maybe just to start a random conversation, Zong Ye asked, “Chuyi, have you known Bu Xiangchen for a long time?”

“Not really. I debuted early, so I know quite a few people in the industry. We were once hyped as an on-screen couple, but we’re not that close in private.”

“Really?” Zong Ye said quietly, “But he calls you Xiao Yi.”

Jiang Chuyi hesitated. “I don’t know… he’s just that kind of person, I guess—really familiar with everyone right away.”

Realizing he seemed to care a lot about Bu Xiangchen, Jiang Chuyi found it odd. “Do you just not like him or something?”

Zong Ye lowered his eyes and forced a smile. “Yeah… I don’t like him.”

But how could he explain it?

It wasn’t just dislike.

It wasn’t just annoyance.

He hated that man.

Back when he could only watch her from afar, powerless, he resented every person who could talk to her—equally and deeply.

Trying to cheer him up, Jiang Chuyi said, “If you don’t like him, then I’ll just talk to him less, okay?”

Zong Ye: “Okay.”

But seeing that he was still down, Jiang Chuyi wondered—was he actually jealous over those past rumors between her and Bu Xiangchen? But Zong Ye should understand how the entertainment industry works, better than she does.

She cautiously asked, “Don’t be upset, okay? Want me to hug you?”

At that, Zong Ye opened his arms, leaning against the wall, quietly waiting for her to make the move.

Their sitting position—side by side, backs to the wall—made hugging a little awkward.

Just as Jiang Chuyi was struggling with how to approach, Zong Ye spoke: “Wanna sit on my lap?”

Jiang Chuyi: “…”

The darkness bred both ambiguity and courage, and Jiang Chuyi suddenly felt much bolder. She lifted the blanket from her lap and straddled him.

Kneeling on either side of his waist, she leaned in and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

She felt his knees shift beneath her.

His hands moved patiently across her back.

After a while, she straightened up. “Feeling any better now?”

“No.” Zong Ye looked at her in the dark. “I want a kiss too.”

She remembered how he’d teased her in the classroom earlier and playfully kissed his earlobe. “Like this? Just like how you messed with me this afternoon?”

As expected, Zong Ye’s brows furrowed and his body tensed immediately.

“And?” he asked.

Jiang Chuyi teased, “I don’t remember.”

He studied her, calm and serious. “Then I’ll give you another demonstration.”

In an instant, the world spun—Jiang Chuyi was pinned beneath him on the blanket.

Zong Ye leaned over her, covering her mouth as he kissed from the base of her ear down her neck, biting gently along the tight, slender line of her throat.

“Mm… mm…”

The tingling, spreading sensation made her squirm, her legs kicking involuntarily. Right before she felt like she was going to suffocate, she yanked his hand away.

“What’s wrong?” Zong Ye propped himself up beside her ear, his voice hoarse. “Did it come back to you yet?”

Their breaths were heavy and tangled. Jiang Chuyi’s chest rose and fell as she mimicked his move—pressing her lips to his neck.

Almost instantly, Zong Ye’s hand clenched.

Whether it was revenge or selfish desire, Jiang Chuyi bit the little crimson mole on his neck.

The sensation made him tremble slightly, his whole body softening against her.

After a few nibbles, Jiang Chuyi finally snapped out of it.

Zong Ye lay on the blanket like a languid big cat, all his strength drained. He bit down on the plush bunny ear on the blanket, trying hard to suppress something, but his unsteady breath still gave him away.

“You okay?” Jiang Chuyi poked him.

Zong Ye didn’t respond.

After a while, he let go of the bunny ear, opened his eyes, and stared straight at her—like he was looking at a playful child who didn’t know the weight of her games.

After a long pause, Zong Ye whispered, “Chuyi… I’m sorry.”

She blinked. “For what?”

His palm pressed against the wall. “Because I’m going to kiss you now.”

Zong Ye sat up, staring straight at her. His hand slid down the wall and rested on her shoulder.

The room was completely dark, except for the glow of neon lights outside the window that cast a hazy rainbow across the side of his face.

In the corner, their phone screen lit up briefly before going dark again, switching to the next English song.

“Bad boys are like expensive, pretty toys.”

“But I can’t help falling willingly.”

Bang. Bang. Bang. Her heart pounded in panic. Jiang Chuyi struggled to steady her breath.

“I’m going to kiss you now.”

That line wasn’t a question, not a request for consent. It was his final warning—after all his patience had been spent.

She lay there on the white cashmere blanket, beneath him, her black hair a mess from their earlier tangle. Her shirt was wrinkled, collar askew, a thin strap slipping off her shoulder.

The hotel air conditioning sent out cool waves, as if trying to lower the heat in the room. But Zong Ye felt unbearably hot—his self-control melting away like a candle left on burning rock.

“You tormented me, discarded me like trash.”“Still, I always longed for your affection.”“Demons lurk. Angels turn a blind eye.”

He slowly lowered his head, his breath warm and hazy, brushing a gentle kiss against her temple—like a hunter giving his wounded prey one last, tender farewell.

“Chuyi…” His voice had already gone strange. “I might need to call in sick for you tomorrow.”—