Chapter 76: Completely Absorbed

“It’s already this late—aren’t you going back?”

Ji Xueli looked over at Duan Qingyu, who had taken the initiative to wash the dishes after dinner. She felt a bit moved. Looking at his back, he kind of looked like a stay-at-home husband…

“I’ll take you back later.”

“It’s too late. If I go back now, I’ll probably get interrogated. I’ll just go back tomorrow and say I just got back from the film set,” Ji Xueli shook her head, signaling that he didn’t need to take her.

“You’re staying here for the night?” Duan Qingyu wiped his hands and walked over.

“Yeah, Han Chen will bring me a change of clothes tomorrow,” Ji Xueli had already decided.

“Wait a second—”

Ji Xueli saw that Duan Qingyu wanted to say something, but her phone rang. She quickly cut him off and jogged over to answer.

“Ji Yanzhou? Why are you calling me?” Ji Xueli lowered her voice slightly in surprise after seeing his name—why was he calling so late?

Hearing her, Duan Qingyu followed behind.

“Why did you hang up on me?” Ji Yanzhou’s voice carried some annoyance.

“I didn’t hang up. My phone died.” Ji Xueli was confused. He called her? When?

Ji Yanzhou took a deep breath. “Where are you now?”

“I’m… at home.” Ji Xueli hesitated, glanced at Duan Qingyu, then unplugged the charger and walked out to the balcony.

Duan Qingyu narrowed his eyes as he watched her retreating figure.

“You went to that yacht party. You left with Duan Qingyu, right?” Ji Yanzhou asked. He had called her several times, but after the first one was cut off, it had been “powered off” every time.

“… Chengdu dragged me along. I ended up twisting my ankle, so Duan Qingyu took me home. How did you know I went to the yacht party?” Ji Xueli decided to go with a half-truth.

Ji Yanzhou didn’t catch any inconsistencies. “They invited me too.”

“Oh, so you were also going just for the actresses, huh?” Ji Xueli deliberately teased.

“Ji Xueli.” Ji Yanzhou’s voice dropped in warning.

Ji Xueli pouted. “Sorry, okay?”

“I’ll take you to the set tomorrow,” Ji Yanzhou softened his tone.

“I’m off tomorrow. Planning to just stay home and chill,” Ji Xueli replied. It was a rare day off—no one was allowed to mess with it.

“Then let’s have dinner together.” Ji Yanzhou’s tone left no room for refusal.

Ji Xueli turned around, intending to see what Duan Qingyu was up to—but as soon as she did, she locked eyes with him.

He was sitting there eating fruit, smiling at her, but there wasn’t a hint of warmth in his eyes.

“I…” Ji Xueli suddenly felt a chill. She wanted to agree to the dinner but couldn’t seem to say the words.

“I’ll send you the address tomorrow. Get some rest.” Ji Yanzhou said when she didn’t respond.

“…Alright,” Ji Xueli turned away as she agreed.

She couldn’t let Duan Qingyu find out she was talking to Ji Yanzhou—let alone that she was going to have dinner with him. Otherwise, she’d really seem like a two-timing heartbreaker…

“Lili, who were you talking to so secretly?” Duan Qingyu smiled at her.

“Han Chen. He was asking when to come pick me up,” Ji Xueli kept a straight face and answered flawlessly.

“Oh, I see.” Duan Qingyu nodded—it was impossible to tell if he believed her or not.

Ji Xueli glanced at him, still lounging on the couch like it was his own place. “Aren’t you leaving? Don’t you have work tomorrow?”

“I do. But this place is closer to the office. It’s late, Lili—are you suggesting I sleep on the sofa?” Duan Qingyu looked at her, as if he’d leave immediately if she said no.

“There’s not just one room here, right?” Ji Xueli asked, though she had no real objection.

“The staff already left while waiting for you to wake up. What do you want me to do—sleep on the ocean?” Duan Qingyu stood, towering over her, lowering his head slightly to look at her.

She looked up and his handsome, alluring face was right there in front of her, his starry eyes shimmering beneath long lashes.

Ji Xueli shrugged, showing she didn’t mind. “I didn’t say you couldn’t sleep here. After all, this is the Crown Prince’s territory.”

“Alright, I’ll crash on the sofa tonight.” Duan Qingyu raised a brow.

“It gets cold at night. Turn the AC up a bit,” Ji Xueli advised. Last time she’d ended up in bed because the sofa was freezing—and ended up sleeping for hours.

Duan Qingyu replied, “Okay. Good night, Lili.”

“Yeah, night. Let me know when you leave in the morning, okay?” Ji Xueli didn’t want to wake up to an empty room.

“Don’t worry.”

Ji Xueli gave him one last look before heading back to her room to freshen up.

She had to admit, the room was seriously luxurious. Everything was provided—even the bathroom was fully stocked, and all high-end brands to boot. There was even…

Ji Xueli curiously picked up a bottle of lube and a box of square-shaped items. This hotel was… surprisingly thoughtful.

“Lili, what are you looking at?”

A voice suddenly came from behind, playfully curious.

Startled, Ji Xueli quickly hid the items behind her back and turned around. Duan Qingyu was right behind her with a teasing smile.

“What are you doing in here? You were silent as a ghost!” Ji Xueli clutched her chest, demanding an explanation.

“I came to wash up. You were so absorbed in that you didn’t hear me.” Duan Qingyu spread his hands in mock innocence.

“I… I wasn’t looking at anything!” Ji Xueli stammered, her voice rising in guilty protest.

Duan Qingyu stepped closer, leaning down to take the items from her hands.

As he came near, his uniquely clean and pleasant scent enveloped her. She instinctively backed away until her waist hit the sink—no escape.

Duan Qingyu braced his hand beside her, trapping her between his arms, his voice low and deep, “Let me see.”

Ji Xueli scrunched her face in regret. She should never have let her curiosity win. Now she was trapped—show him or not, there was no escape.

She reluctantly let him take the items from her.

“Ohhh~ so this is what Lili was looking at,” Duan Qingyu drawled, drawing out the syllables deliberately.

Ji Xueli wanted nothing more than to cover his mouth. “I was just curious! Don’t overthink it!”

“I know… curious about lube and con—” His magnetic voice tickled her ears, laced with mischief.

As he said it, the tone made the whole thing sound way more suggestive. Ji Xueli panicked and reached up to cover his mouth. “Shut up! Don’t say another word!”

Duan Qingyu laughed at her reaction, the tear mole at the corner of his eye swaying with his smile.

Her palm felt warm—she’d actually touched his lips. Ji Xueli quickly pulled her hand back, avoiding his gaze and muttering, “Say one more word and I’ll kill you.”

Duan Qingyu chuckled even more. “Okay, I won’t say anything.”

“Then go wash up already!” Ji Xueli hurriedly shut the door behind her and exhaled deeply.

What a menace… she thought, touching her now-warm cheeks. But… that smile was kinda nice to look at.

Duan Qingyu watched her leave, then put the items back in the cabinet, a smile still lingering in his eyes.