Was it because they were too familiar, making it hard to act?
After the events of that day, Jiang Yuekai had been pondering her feelings for Lin Jingchu, and before she knew it, Friday arrived.
Lin Jingchu, despite having no classes, deliberately came to pick her up from school.
Zhou An walked out of school with Jiang Yuekai. Upon seeing Lin Jingchu, she winked at Jiang Yuekai, who immediately understood her meaning. Later, Zhou An left.
Jiang Yuekai, as usual, sat in the passenger seat of Lin Jingchu's car. As soon as she got in, her gaze fixed on his face, tracing the contours of his features, her thoughts drifting. She was so lost in her reverie that she didn't even hear Lin Jingchu reminding her to buckle her seatbelt.
After reminding her a few times with no effect, Lin Jingchu personally reached over to help her. His arm went around her body as he pulled the seatbelt. Jiang Yuekai snapped back to reality with a jolt, her body brushing against his arm, and that spot…
Lin Jingchu felt the elastic and soft touch on his arm, and his throat suddenly felt dry.
"Seatbelt," he said, fastening it for her as quickly as possible before swiftly sitting back.
Jiang Yuekai looked down at the strap across her body, her face growing redder, her heart pounding in her chest.
She wasn't someone easily embarrassed, yet it seemed that in the only two instances of physical contact with Lin Jingchu, her reactions had been somewhat exaggerated, so much so that she felt a sense of unfamiliarity with herself.
Perhaps it was because of what had happened earlier, but both of them remained silent on the way home. Jiang Yuekai feigned composure and looked out the window.
Lin Jingchu's breathing was somewhat heavy. He gripped the steering wheel, the veins on the back of his hand clearly visible. He kept stealing glances at the person beside him, the heat within his body intensifying.
He was a man in his early twenties; how could he not know what this signified?
The car stopped downstairs, and neither of them spoke. They walked into the elevator in unspoken understanding. With only the two of them in the confined space, Lin Jingchu's gaze involuntarily lingered on Jiang Yuekai's chest, his arm still seemingly holding the lingering sensation…
Something felt like it was about to explode within his veins. Fortunately, his self-control was sufficient, otherwise, he would have already pinned her down and indulged himself.
Ding, the elevator stopped. For the first time, Lin Jingchu didn't look at Jiang Yuekai and walked out on his own.
Jiang Yuekai noticed Lin Jingchu's tightly drawn lips and his unwell expression, which made him look as if he were feeling physically unwell or in a bad mood, suppressing something. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Lin Jingchu replied, asking her, "Want to see Latte?"
Jiang Yuekai said "Oh" and followed him.
Latte had already heard the movement outside the door. The moment the door opened, she ran towards them, her tail wagging furiously.
However, Lin Jingchu did not pick up Latte as he usually did. He changed into his slippers and said to Jiang Yuekai, "Keep her company, I'm going to the restroom."
"Are you really not sick?" Considering his reaction just now, Jiang Yuekai couldn't help but worry. "Maybe you should see a doctor."
"...It's nothing, I just need to go to the restroom," he said briefly and left.
Jiang Yuekai's confusion grew. Was he perhaps feeling an urgent need to urinate just now… Well, as long as he wasn't sick, that was good.
Latte was in the most energetic phase of her life. Seeing people, she wanted to be petted and played with. Jiang Yuekai played with Latte in the living room, the sounds of their play filling the air, naturally leaving her with no extra energy to spare for the restroom.
However, Lin Jingchu's trip to the restroom took quite a long time. Jiang Yuekai played with Latte for nearly half an hour before Lin Jingchu finally emerged from the restroom.
Jiang Yuekai looked at him. His complexion was not as bad as before, though his face and neck were flushed. She casually asked, "Are you really not going to see a doctor?"
"Mm, no need." Although his voice was still a bit off, it was not as hoarse as before. Lin Jingchu cleared his throat and asked her, "Do you want to eat out tonight or at home?"
"Let's eat out, and we can take Latte for a walk. I think she has a lot of pent-up energy," Jiang Yuekai said.
Lin Jingchu listened to her. After she made the decision, they took Latte out together.
By the time they returned home after dinner, it was already ten o'clock. Latte was clinging to Jiang Yuekai, so Jiang Yuekai went to Lin Jingchu's place to continue playing with her.
As they played, Jiang Yuekai grew tired and fell asleep.
When Lin Jingchu came out of the kitchen, he saw Jiang Yuekai sleeping on the sofa. Latte was also tired and had gone to her cage to sleep.
Lin Jingchu walked closer to the sofa and stopped, his gaze falling upon her face, which was incredibly striking. Her long, thick eyelashes, her pink lips slightly parted.
Lin Jingchu drew a breath and gently nudged her shoulder, "Yuekai?"
After trying a few times, she didn't wake up. In fact, she let out a dissatisfied hum as her sleep was disturbed, soft like a kitten's mew, each sound scratching at his heart.
It was impossible to wake her up. Lin Jingchu then picked her up and carried her to the guest room, tucking her in.
Only he knew how much willpower he had exerted to suppress the primal urges and desires while doing these things. After closing the guest room door, Lin Jingchu immediately returned to the master bedroom and headed straight for the bathroom, taking a cold shower.
While showering, the images that flashed in his mind were the few instances of physical contact he had with Jiang Yuekai since they had grown up. The cold water did not quench his desire; instead, it made his body even hotter.
Things seemed to be developing in an uncontrollable direction.
Although Lin Jingchu had had such thoughts before, they had never been as strong as they were today, so strong that he wanted to rush out of the bathroom, find her in the guest room, and do all sorts of intimate things to her.
He guessed it was probably because he had suppressed himself for too many years, and now it had reached a qualitative change, erupting so fiercely.
That night, Lin Jingchu took a long time to fall asleep, and even in his dreams, he couldn't escape Jiang Yuekai.
When he woke up, Lin Jingchu's body was tense, stiff, as if he were about to explode.
He got out of bed and was about to go to the bathroom when he suddenly heard a knock on the door. "Jingchu ge, are you awake?"
Hearing Jiang Yuekai's voice at this moment was like adding fuel to the fire. If he spoke, Jiang Yuekai would be able to hear how hoarse his voice was. Lin Jingchu pursed his lips tightly. At this moment, the person outside the door called again, "Jingchu ge, I'm ordering takeout. What do you want to eat?"
"The same as you," Lin Jingchu suppressed his voice and managed to utter four words.
"Oh, did you just wake up?" Jiang Yuekai did notice his voice was not normal, but she didn't think much of it. "Then I'll order steamed buns and fried dough sticks!"
With that, the sound of footsteps receded. Lin Jingchu heard her affectionately call out "Latte," and his lower abdomen tightened again.
After ordering the takeout, Jiang Yuekai prepared breakfast for Latte. Although Latte lived with Lin Jingchu, Jiang Yuekai considered herself half of her owner. Feeding her dog food was something she was adept at.
Latte finished her meal in less than five minutes. Jiang Yuekai played with her while waiting for the takeout and Lin Jingchu. Finally, the takeout arrived, but Lin Jingchu still hadn't come out. Jiang Yuekai had no choice but to knock on his door to call him.