Chapter 23 Knowing His Size

This is absolutely insane!

Qiao Shu realized what was happening, pushed him away, leaned against the car, her chest heaving violently from breathing heavily, and her lips burning.

Yu Zeheng wasn't much better off; his lips were bright red, raindrops slid down his high nose, and his wet eyelashes made his eyes appear even darker, with a bright light shining in them.

Qiao Shu glared at him, then viciously wiped her lips with the back of her hand. If her eyes were blades, she would have already torn him to pieces.

A surge of anger still coursed through her body, her mind filled with the thought that Yu Zeheng had actually kissed her. How dare he? Who was it that kept talking about boundaries and then put them in writing?

That bastard! He says one thing and does another, he's two-faced, a lunatic, who does he think he is?

Yu Zeheng stiffened for a moment, then took a step forward.

Qiao Shu clenched her fist and slammed it into his chest: "Bastard, pervert!"

She kept repeating the same words over and over; she would never swear.

Yu Zeheng finally came to his senses. His near-manic state calmed down amidst her repeated groans of "bastard" and "pervert." He didn't think about anything before kissing her.

He just watched her lips move, not a single word of which he wanted to hear. He wanted to shut her up so she couldn't utter a single word.

Yu Zeheng looked at her, not intending to apologize. Why should he apologize? He would do the same thing again if it happened again. How could such a soft mouth say such hurtful things?

He let her hit and scold him, and then calmed down and said, "Get in the car after you're done scolding me."

Why should I listen to you?

Two figures, one tall and one short, faced each other in the rain. Qiao Shu pursed her lips and turned her face away, her jawline cold and stubborn.

Yu Zeheng didn't intend to say much to her. He opened the car door, grabbed her arm, and shoved her into the car. Qiao Shu tried to push the car door open, but he bent down and blocked the door with one hand.

Qiao Shu tried twice to open the car door but failed, and she cursed the bastard under her breath.

Two pairs of eyes met silently through the car window.

One was as calm as the sea, the other was burning with rage.

Yu Zeheng lowered his eyelashes, his face cold and stern, revealing nothing of his thoughts. Only he knew how wildly his heart was beating in his chest.

Qiao Shu gritted her teeth and viciously raised her middle finger.

This is the second time.

Yu Zeheng pressed his palm against the cold metal car body, and suddenly chuckled silently. The joy in his smile spread to his eyes, without any reason or warning.

Qiao Shu frowned, looking at him with a sense of incomprehension. He was simply insane. What was he laughing at?

She sat back down and stopped looking at him. There was no doubt that she was angry, but she didn't feel offended. Otherwise, given her temper, she would have slapped him again and kicked him hard to vent her anger.

Qiao Shu pulled out a tissue and wiped the rain off her face. Her pants were completely wet, not so wet that she could wring them out, but they were sticking to her legs and were uncomfortable.

Yu Zeheng realized how inappropriate his smile was, so he stopped smiling and didn't get into the car directly. Instead, he stood by the car, tall and with his back to her, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

The two of them just stayed there quietly for a while.

As darkness fell, Qiao Shu grew increasingly agitated. She couldn't help but roll down the car window and coldly beckon Yu Zeheng to get in: "If you catch a cold, I'll be the one in trouble. I don't want to be in this desolate place with a mentally unstable patient."

"Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about yourself. Roll up the window." Yu Zeheng was unmoved.

Qiao Shu crossed her arms, feeling the cold wind, but she endured it: "Do as you please, I don't want to be in the same car as someone like you anyway."

"Afraid I'll do something else to you?" Yu Zeheng looked at her. "Then you should indeed be more vigilant."

"You're crazy." Qiao Shu's sympathy vanished, and she rolled up the car window again.

She pulled out a tissue and wiped the water off her body. Her clothes were soaked and clung to her skin, feeling sticky and uncomfortable. Looking around at the desolate scene, she realized she had never been so disheveled in her life.

Yu Zeheng turned his head and glanced at them: "The car is here."

"They're here?" Qiao Shu immediately turned her head and saw lights in the distance illuminating the fine rain. She breathed a sigh of relief, temporarily putting aside her earlier displeasure.

A middle-aged man got out of the driver's seat. He was wearing a raincoat and greeted them.

"Hello." Yu Zeheng extended his hand.

The man glanced at the car and recognized that they weren't locals: "Are you here for tourism? Going to the temple? The weather isn't very good."

Yu Zeheng nodded: "I didn't expect the car to break down halfway."

Qiao Shu got out of the car and greeted the other person. The man looked at her and said, "It's still raining, so stay in the car. We'll take you down the mountain."

"Thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

The tow truck pulled the car down the mountain.

The two sat in the car, tacitly avoiding mentioning what had just happened, without making eye contact or exchanging a word the entire time.

Qiao Shu turned her head to the side, and raindrops splashed onto the car window, turning into irregularly intersecting water streaks.

It was just a kiss. We're both adults. Even if we slept together all night, once we got out of bed and got dressed, we could act like nothing had happened.

There's only one town at the foot of the mountain, and not a single decent hotel. It's a five-story building with a sign that reads "Qingling Mountain Villa" at the entrance; it's the only place to stay in town.

Neither of them had ever stayed in a hotel like this before, but now was not the time to be picky. Qiao Shu pursed her lips and said nothing. Uncle Qin would come to pick them up tomorrow.

"One room or two rooms?" the landlady asked with a smile.

Yu Zeheng: "Two rooms."

Qiao Shu: "One room."

He turned around, and Qiao Shu met his gaze, calmly saying, "One room, but twin beds, thank you."

The landlady smiled and opened a room for them on the computer.

Qiao Shu ignored his gaze: "We're in an unfamiliar place, so we definitely need to stick together. Haven't you seen what happens to those who are alone in movies?"

She was worried because the building had no elevator and anyone could come and go as they pleased.

"8301, here are your room cards, please take them." The landlady handed over the room cards. "It's on the 3rd floor. If you need anything, call the front desk."

"Thanks."

The two went upstairs one after the other. It wasn't like they hadn't stayed in the same room before, so she didn't need to be awkward. They disliked each other now, so nothing would happen.

Even if something happens, she won't suffer a loss.

Before swiping his card to open the door, Yu Zeheng turned around and asked, "What kind of movies do you watch?"

Qiao Shu was taken aback.

"Have you never seen a horror movie?" she asked back.

"The main characters go on a road trip and encounter a deranged serial killer in the wilderness. He targets pitiful lone wolves and then..." Qiao Shu makes a throat-slitting gesture.

Yu Zeheng paused for a second: "..."

"Thank you for your explanation; it's very helpful for our current situation."

"You're welcome."

The door to the room was opened.

Qiao Shu frowned when she saw the room's furnishings. The room was small and cramped, barely enough to fit two beds. The narrow aisle was only wide enough for one person to pass through. There were two bedside tables, a small, old television hanging on the wall, and a set of yellow, worn-out wooden tables and chairs by the window.

The bathroom was even worse; it was less than three square meters, and the white sink was stained with yellow.

“I’d rather live in the car.” Qiao Shu even resisted going inside.

Yu Zeheng knew that Qiao Shu was not used to living there. He checked that hot water could be turned on and let Qiao Shu come in and take a shower first: "Isn't it uncomfortable to wear cold clothes? I brought a spare shirt, you can take it and wear it first."

"Give me what you're going to wear?" Qiao Shu asked, standing on the porch.

Yu Zeheng said calmly, "I don't have to wear it."

But Qiao Shu couldn't. She just said "oh," took the clothes, and thanked him.

Everything here is just so-so. Qiao Shu closed her eyes and told herself that this was also an experience. She took off her wet clothes and rinsed her cold skin with hot water to drive away the chill.

Finally, Qiao Shu put on her underwear and then picked up Yu Zeheng's white shirt and put it on.

As she went out, Yu Zeheng took off his wet shirt and hung it in the closet to dry. She caught a glimpse of his muscular upper body, his pale skin, and the clearly defined muscles on his chest, without a single ounce of excess.

Qiao Shu came out carrying wet clothes: "You can go in now."

"Um."

The two passed each other, brushing past each other.

Qiao Shu's clothes hung loosely at the hem, revealing her two straight, snow-white legs.

Yu Zeheng entered the bathroom without looking to the side. When he came out, he had even taken off his trousers, leaving him only in a pair of black men's underwear. When he reached his bed, he had to walk around Qiao Shu's bed.

Qiao Shu was already in bed, her head down, her hand covering her eyes in an attempt to block her view, but the room was narrow and she could still see clearly out of the corner of her eye.

She didn't intentionally lower her gaze; she glanced at a spot and then flinched away as if electrocuted.

Qiao Shu knew his size.

Having seen and touched it, even in a calm state, it was enough to make her earlobes burn.

Why didn't you wear a towel when you came out?

Even if it's not clean, it's still better than coming out like this. She thought with a sneer.

Yu Zeheng lifted the covers and lay down on another bed.

Although there are two beds, the aisle is only separated by the bedside table, so the two people are not far apart.

The rain outside the window had not stopped, the sound of raindrops pattering. Inside, a dim yellow light cast two shadows on the mottled white wall.

I can't fall asleep for a while.

Qiao Shu was scrolling through her phone, but the internet speed was too slow, so she put it down impatiently and glanced at the person next to her: "Yu Zeheng, are you asleep?"

"No." A deep voice followed.

Qiao Shu gave an "oh" and then didn't know what else to say. She had already said enough today, and none of it was pleasant to hear.

She thought for a moment and asked, "Is it because the lights are on?"

Yu Zeheng didn't answer, but asked instead, "Why are you afraid of the dark?"

Qiao Shu lay on her side, hugging the blanket tightly. She yawned sleepily and said casually, "Because when I was little, my older brothers tricked me into locking me in the basement. It was so dark all night."

There were no windows, and with the power off, it was pitch black, and the surroundings were deathly silent.

The reason for her being locked up was quite simple. She was raised by the old man and treated like a precious gem. Her older brothers saw this and, seeing that she was still a child, felt resentful because the adults compared her to them every day. One night, they woke her up and coaxed her to play in the basement.

The basement contains some wine and other miscellaneous items.

She was locked up all night. She was too young at the time, and in the darkness, she imagined all sorts of terrifying stories. She was so frightened that she fell ill after being found. She recovered, but was left with a fear of the dark.

In the end, it just ended as a prank, and no one was punished.

Therefore, Qiao Shu likes bright light, which can illuminate every corner clearly.

"She's asleep."

The sound of rain lulled me to sleep, and drowsiness washed over me. I closed my eyes listlessly.

Long, drawn-out breaths filled the room.

Yu Zeheng tilted his head.

Only when she was asleep would Qiao Shu be completely unguarded, her fair and serene face revealing her thick, curled eyelashes, a glint of light on the tip of her nose, swollen lips with an unusual red hue, and her hair flowing like a waterfall.

Yu Zeheng had met many people, but none of them were like Qiao Shu.

Her coquettishness and coquettishness were natural, and even when she deliberately acted coy, she did it clearly. She was ruthless, even more so to herself. Of course, she had many flaws: she was spoiled, picky, and difficult to please, and she was extravagant... She was annoying, but not that annoying.

All of these constitute her vibrant and unique personality.

Yu Zeheng closed his eyes and thought about it seriously. Living like this in a daze wasn't so bad.

The rain stopped early the next morning. Uncle Qin drove to the hotel and brought clean clothes that Aunt Chu had packed. The two of them changed separately and then got into the car to go to the temple.

A secluded ancient temple nestled halfway up a mountain, with blue stone steps, red walls and green bricks. The fir trees planted on both sides are clearly quite old, with thick trunks and pine cones hanging from their branches.

Qiao Shu first went into the temple to fulfill the old man's vow.

The abbot of Qingling Temple is a monk who is nearly fifty years old. When he learned that she was Qiao Zhenkai's granddaughter, he was grateful for his grandfather's annual support, which allowed Qingling Temple to continue operating.

After devoutly fulfilling her vow, Qiao Shu went for a walk, played with the lazy orange cat lying around, and then saw the red ribbon wishing plaques hanging in the yard. On a whim, she bought one herself, picked up a pen, and carefully wrote down her wish—

Bad luck is gone, and wealth is on the way.

Finally, sign your name at the end.

Yu Zeheng was outside the courtyard. He had never believed in gods or Buddhas. His gaze fell on Qiao Shu, who was writing not far away. Her profile was soft and gentle. In the quiet temple, she looked very refined. She was focused and wrote each stroke very carefully.

Qiao Shu put down her pen, holding the prayer plaque in her hand. Just as she was about to hang it up, her hand went empty. When she turned her head, Yu Zeheng had already taken it. After reading the contents, Yu Zeheng wrote "Yu Zeheng" next to "Qiao Shu" in a large stroke of his pen.

"You're so lazy, don't you know how to write it?" Qiao Shu said with disdain. "You have to be sincere to make a wish. Who will bless you if you're like this?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she slapped a brand new prayer plaque over and said fiercely, "Write it yourself."

Qiao Shu raised her phone to scan the QR code to pay.

Yu Zeheng finished writing in a few strokes, and before Qiao Shu could see what he would write next, he had already raised his hand and hung hers up high.

Qiao Shu couldn't reach him.

She clasped her hands together and told the deity that her wish had higher priority.

Looking at Qiao Shu's devout appearance, Yu Zeheng twitched his lips and said, "Wouldn't you say that you don't usually burn incense, but only pray to Buddha at the last minute?"

"Shut up."

Qiao Shu bowed again: "Please don't listen to him, I always have Buddha in my heart."

A low chuckle sounded beside me.

Qiao Shu glanced at him and said, "Not only do you have a foul mouth, but you also force kisses on others."

She meant to express how terrible he was.

Yu Zeheng's smile faded, his eyes fixed on her, his voice cold: "Who are the others?"

"I."

The mouth moves faster than the brain.

Yu Zeheng looked at her without speaking, his gaze like tangible threads, winding around her.

Qiao Shu felt a burning sensation in her ears and shut her mouth.

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Author's note: Although it's short, it's quite sweet, isn't it? (Trying to be forgiven)

50 red envelopes, randomly distributed, it depends on luck!