Font Size:
Before long, the Mercedes pulled into the underground parking lot of Jing Wang Plaza.
Even though she was far removed from the circles of high society, Shang Li knew that Jing Wang Plaza was one of the most prestigious luxury residences in Jingbei.
She lifted her lashes, the corners of her lips tugging slightly as she softly asked, “Why are we suddenly coming here?”
“This is my place. I usually stay here alone.”
Lu Tinghe added, “I bought this apartment with my own money. Didn’t rely on my Father. So, what do you think? Is he—your secret crush—as impressive as I am?”
Shang Li froze for a second, the tips of her ears tinged red. Her voice was as light as a sigh. “He’s not as impressive as you.”
Lu Tinghe seemed satisfied with that answer. With a smooth motion of one hand on the steering wheel, he executed a graceful turn, and the Mercedes parked perfectly in the designated space.
Shang Li followed Lu Tinghe into the elevator and rode with him all the way to the top floor. When the door opened, she was stunned by what lay before her.
The size and luxury of the duplex penthouse far exceeded anything within her realm of experience. She couldn’t help but wonder—didn’t Lu Tinghe get scared living here alone?
She removed her shoes and stepped cautiously onto the floor, as if even her socks might dirty the spotless surface.
Lu Tinghe took out a pair of teddy bear slippers and handed them to Shang Li. The bear was holding a little book, looking adorably studious. The sight made Shang Li burst into laughter, instantly lowering her guard.
“Oh wow, how did you end up buying something this cute?”
Lu Tinghe looked at her, his gaze clear as sunlight on still water. His thin lips curved slightly. “Couldn’t help it. She liked it.”
Shang Li didn’t bother asking whether “she” meant Ning Mo or some other girl. She crouched down, hugging her knees, and gently stroked the fuzzy teddy bear on the slipper. Then she looked up at Lu Tinghe and smiled. “What a coincidence. I like it too.”
Lu Tinghe said, “If you like it, then come again next time. I’ll let you wear them whenever you’re here.”
The way he said it made her heartbeat quicken all over again. That’s when Shang Li realized—they were alone together in this sealed space.
A slight panic crept up on her. She was afraid the sound of her racing heartbeat would betray her, so she quickly stood up and said, “Go change your clothes. I’ll wash your shirt for you.”
Almost the instant the words left her mouth, Lu Tinghe’s long, defined fingers began unbuttoning his shirt.
One button. Two. Three…
More and more came undone, revealing the man’s firm abs and the sharply defined V-line of his waist—completely and unapologetically on display before her.
Shang Li was completely entranced, momentarily forgetting to look away.
Lu Tinghe took off his shirt. “You enjoying the view?”
Shang Li snapped back to her senses, quickly turning her head away and squeezing her eyes shut. The words tumbled out of her mouth without passing through her brain: “How can you just undress in front of a girl like that? Why don’t you go ahead and take off your belt too?”
Lu Tinghe chuckled indulgently. “You want to see me take off my belt? Sure, I’ll do it for you.”
“No!” Shang Li practically shouted. She snatched the shirt from his hand and bolted to the side.
“Where’s the bathroom?”
“Over there.”
“Do you have baking soda? It works really well on coffee stains.”
“I’ll bring some to you in a bit.”
“Okay.”
Inside the spacious bathroom, Shang Li stood quietly in front of the sink, her gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror.
The fair, delicate face that usually looked soft and pale was now flushed crimson, like a ripened apple ready to burst with color. The blush stretched from her cheeks to the tips of her ears, even tinging the slender curve of her neck with a gentle pink hue.
The redness from her embarrassment was so vivid, even a blind person could’ve sensed the haze of tension and intimacy thickening in the air, a palpable manifestation of the stirring emotions surging inside her.
Silently, her emotions grew unchecked. That flicker of thrill spread to her mind, flooding her body with waves of warmth and heat.
Shang Li turned on the faucet and splashed cold water onto her face, trying to chase away the burning sensation under her skin.
She had warned herself a thousand times, and yet—why did that tiny line of defense in her heart collapse so easily, every single time?
She really was hopeless.
Pulling herself together, Shang Li grabbed the shirt, rubbed a bar of soap over the area stained with coffee, and began scrubbing vigorously.
She was still wearing the slippers Lu Tinghe had bought for the girl he liked.
What on earth was she thinking?
Suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of sour and bitter emotions, Shang Li felt a tightness in her chest, making it hard even to breathe.
She was just an ordinary girl—nothing special. Her family’s financial situation didn’t even count as modestly well-off. So why had she set her sights so ridiculously high, falling for a man like Lu Tinghe, who stood at the top of the food chain?
If anyone ever found out, they’d probably laugh her to death.
Her eyes burned with heat. Shang Li reached up and wiped her face with the back of her hand.
*Click.*
The bathroom door opened, and Lu Tinghe walked in.
He placed a small container on the sink. “Baking soda.”
Still scrubbing the shirt, Shang Li looked down and muttered, “Oh… thanks.”
Lu Tinghe didn’t leave. Instead, he leaned down, tilting his head slightly to look at her. “Shang Li, why won’t you look at me?”
A pang struck her heart. She suddenly lifted her head. “I am looking at you.”
Her nose was slightly red, and a mist of tears clung to the corners of her eyes.
That delicate, soft, and sweet face—it practically begged to be cupped in one’s hands and kissed hard.
Lu Tinghe reached out and gently tapped the tip of Shang Li’s tiny nose.
The warm brush of his fingertips made Shang Li nearly jump out of her skin. “Lu Tinghe, what are you doing?!”
He held his palm up in front of her and waved it slightly. “You got soap bubbles on your face.”
Instinctively, Shang Li reached up and rubbed her face again. That only made it worse—now she had even more soap bubbles smeared across her cheeks.
The adorable mess she’d become made Lu Tinghe laugh. His eyes shimmered with light.
“Shang Li, right now you look like a little cream cake. Stick a candle in your head, and it’d be a birthday party.”
Shang Li flushed even redder. “Go away!”
“This is my home. I’ll stand wherever I want. You’re trying to kick me out?”
She threw the shirt onto the sink with a huff. “Then I’m not washing it anymore!”
Lu Tinghe chuckled. This little thing really had a temper. When she got mad, she was like a squirrel whose tail had been stepped on—fur all puffed up and fiercely adorable.
“Fine, I’ll leave. Take your time washing. Just don’t get so worked up you end up stripping completely and washing yourself too.”
Shang Li: “…”
Not long after, Shang Li walked out of the bathroom with the now-clean white shirt in hand. “Where should I hang this to dry?”
Lu Tinghe had already changed into his loungewear. He casually pointed to the side. “Just leave it there. I’ll take care of it in a bit.”
“Oh,” Shang Li responded obediently. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out now.”
Lu Tinghe asked, “You’re not staying for dinner?”
There was no way Shang Li dared to stay and eat. Her heartbeat had already gone completely out of rhythm—any longer here and she’d probably have to check herself into the cardiology department.
“No, I won’t eat. I still have something to do. I’m working a shift at the restaurant later.”
Lu Tinghe didn’t seem surprised by her refusal. He stood up and handed her a paper bag. “Make sure you eat properly. Stop buying those convenience store sandwiches.”
Shang Li looked up in confusion. How did Lu Tinghe know she bought sandwiches from the convenience store?
She tried to stay stubborn. “Convenience store sandwiches are cheap and delicious.”
Lu Tinghe replied, “They’re also full of additives. You’ve got such a clever little head—don’t let it get dulled by junk food.”
Shang Li froze for a second, not even managing a retort before Lu Tinghe slipped his car key into his pocket. “Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”
“No need. I can get there myself,” Shang Li said, though her feet didn’t move. Biting her red lips, she softened her voice, “Lu Tinghe, thank you for today.”
“No need to thank me.” Lu Tinghe’s voice was low and magnetic, with a teasing undertone that seemed to numb the very heart.
“Oh right,” Shang Li suddenly added, “don’t get the wrong idea. There’s nothing between me and Ning Mo. We had dinner together because Professor Ning was supposed to come too. He couldn’t make it last minute, so I didn’t eat anything and left.”
Shang Li was shocked. “Huh? Really? Then… who were those teddy bear slippers for?”
Lu Tinghe said, “So you’re allowed to have a secret crush, but I’m not?”