Chapter 601 - 243: Why Don’t You Stay at My Place Tonight?

Chapter 601: Chapter 243: Why Don’t You Stay at My Place Tonight?

Her cheeks seemed to grow even hotter.

Tonight...

’Which one should I wear?’

The beautiful girl’s gaze finally settled on a black garment.

She reached out, carefully pushing aside the other hanging clothes. When the pad of her finger touched the soft fabric, she froze for a moment, as if scalded.

A flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes.

’Should I really...’

She bit her lower lip.

’Forget it! It’s winter, Li Zhi!’

’Besides... besides, you’re just going to see the cats! There’s no need to get so dressed up!’

Li Zhi gave her head a little shake, feeling a bit dazed.

The beautiful girl looked at her wardrobe. Finally, under the glow of her desk lamp, she selected an outfit.

In the dim light, slender fingers rose to her collar and gently unzipped her down jacket.

Her shadow on the wall flickered silently.

The winter night’s chill seeped through the glass, while inside, the clothes she had picked out lay waiting on the bed.

In the quiet room, the only sound was the soft rustle of fabric, like the soundtrack to a racing heart.

The light cast the girl’s silhouette on the wall. The shadow bent down, then rose again, pulling something on.

After a few moments of silent activity, the faint CLICK of a lock turning sounded. The bedroom door was pulled open a crack.

Shen Yuan was leaning against the tiled wall next to door 1902, head down, swiping his phone screen.

At the sound, he immediately looked up.

Warm yellow light spilled from the crack in the door, outlining the silhouette of the beautiful girl who had reappeared in the doorway.

Li Zhi had changed her clothes.

The door was pulled fully open.

She was wearing a thick down jacket.

It was the jacket that enveloped her completely, the very same one she’d worn the day she confessed.

Shen Yuan’s gaze fell precisely on her smooth, bare neck.

The high-collared sweater that had tightly hugged her neck, guarding some sort of evidence, had vanished!

Now, exposed in the warm light, was the graceful line of Li Zhi’s neck, her fair skin glowing with a delicate luster.

Shen Yuan’s gaze was fixed on it, as if drawn by a magnet.

That distinct curve, like a tiny feather, lightly tickled a corner of his heart.

He vividly remembered the mark he’d left on that smooth neck not long ago.

’So bold, Li Bao...’

"What are you looking at, you jerk!"

Li Zhi felt scalded by his direct, searing gaze. Her cheeks flared up again, and she instinctively raised a hand to cover her neck.

She had clearly caught where his gaze had landed, and her feigned composure shattered in an instant.

"Come on, let’s go! Naonao and Genggeng are getting impatient."

With that, Li Zhi practically pushed Shen Yuan toward his apartment.

"This eager, Li Bao?"

Shen Yuan’s voice was laced with teasing.

"Ugh! You jerk! Who’s eager?! I said I’m here to see Naonao and San Geng!"

Flustered and annoyed, Li Zhi pinched Shen Yuan’s arm hard.

"Hurry up and open the door!"

The laughter in Shen Yuan’s eyes deepened, as if they held an entire night sky full of stars.

"Alright, alright." He stopped his teasing, pulled the keys from his pocket, and smoothly unlocked the door.

CLICK.

The door swung open, and a familiar scent from inside washed over them.

The motion-sensor light in the entryway flickered on, spilling soft, warm yellow light and illuminating the two of them.

Shen Yuan stepped aside, holding a hand over the top of the doorframe to shield her head. "After you, Princess."

"Hmph!"

With her head down, Li Zhi darted inside like a nimble rabbit, crossing the entryway to stand in the more spacious foyer.

With her eyes slightly downcast, she remained bundled up in her thick down jacket, looking like a perfectly wrapped gift, revealing only her flushed cheeks and the elegant curve of her neck.

The indoor air carried the still, faint chill of a room left closed for a while, and she instinctively hunched her shoulders.

Shen Yuan gently closed the door behind them, shutting out the last of the noise from the hallway.

He flipped the switch for the main foyer light, and a brighter glow banished the shadows from the corners.

Shen Yuan led Li Zhi further into the room.

The CLICK of the lock had barely sounded when two small, eager "meows" echoed in the room.

Immediately after, two little white furballs came dashing over.

The two little ones had clearly recognized the familiar scents and footsteps, and now they charged toward the door like little rockets, tails held high.

Li Zhi’s eyes lit up instantly. Any lingering trace of shyness was swiftly replaced by the tender joy of seeing the beloved cats.

"Naonao! San Geng!"

She called their names softly, a delighted, natural smile gracing her lips.

The beautiful girl bent down, not even bothering to take off her heavy down jacket, and squatted right there on the floor.

"Come here, let Mommy give you a hug!"

She reached out, her pale fingers gently scratching under Naonao’s chin.

The little one immediately tilted its head back in pleasure, eyes squinting as the purr in its throat grew louder.

Her other hand reached for San Geng’s back, her fingers sinking nimbly into its warm, soft fur and stroking gently along its spine.

San Geng half-closed its eyes, slightly arching its back in response to her caress.

Shen Yuan switched on the main room light. The glow poured down, bathing the girl who was squatting on the floor, cooing at the cats.

Strands of her hair slipped over her shoulder. The puffy down jacket spread out beneath her, resembling a soft, blooming flower.