Chapter 68 Stars Falling to Earth

The car drove smoothly into the underground parking lot of Chuyi Apartment and parked in a familiar fixed parking space.

The engine was turned off, and the interior of the car instantly fell into relative silence and darkness, with only the dashboard still emitting a faint fluorescent light.

Seeing that the car was already turned off, Chu Yi naturally reached out and unbuckled his seat belt. The buckle made a crisp "click" sound. He made a gesture to push open the car door and get out.

However, just as his fingers were about to touch the door handle, the clear sound of the car locking "click" suddenly rang out, which was particularly abrupt in the silent car.

Chu Yi paused as he pushed the door. He raised his eyebrows slightly, then with a hint of understanding and a helpless smile, slowly turned his head and looked at Zhou Ai in the driver's seat.

Zhou Ai's hands were still loosely placed on the steering wheel, his body lazily leaning against the back of the chair, his index finger tapping lightly on the leather edge of the steering wheel from time to time.

In the dim light, the outline of his profile seemed a little blurry, but the eyes looking at Chu Yi were surprisingly bright, flashing with cunning and expectation.

"Teacher Chu," Zhou Ai's voice echoed in the closed carriage, with a long, lazy tone, like a cat with evil intentions, "You're leaving now? You haven't paid the fare yet?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yi withdrew his hand from the door handle, turned around calmly, and faced Zhou Ai completely.

But there was no surprise on his face. Instead, he followed Zhou Ai's words and asked calmly, "Oh? Then, Teacher Zhou, how do you think we should give it to you?"

Zhou Ai was delighted to see Chu Yi's cooperation, but on the surface, she pretended to be innocent and embarrassed, shrugging her shoulders. "This... Teacher Chu, why don't you think about it carefully? I have a special car to pick you up, and the service is thoughtful. I can't make a wasted trip, right?"

He deliberately threw the question back, wanting to see how Chu Yi would "pay the bill".

But Chu Yi didn't answer immediately. He simply lowered his head and smiled softly, indulgently. Then he slowly began to move - first he raised his hand to untie the soft cashmere scarf from his neck, one circle at a time, folded it, and gently placed it at his side.

This action itself was nothing special, but in this situation, it inexplicably carried a sense of ritual, causing Zhou Ai's heart to skip a beat.

Then, he watched Chu Yi reach out and press the adjustment button on the side of the seat. The passenger seat slowly tilted back with a slight motor sound, leaving more space for stretching.

Zhou Ai looked at Chu Yi's series of slow but meaningful actions. His original intention of just teasing him and staying with him for a while suddenly became a little unsure, and his heart began to beat.

This...isn't he angry?

He originally just wanted a kiss or a hug...

An inexplicable sense of tension gripped Zhou Ai. He opened his mouth and was about to turn around and explain, "I was just kidding," but it was too late.

A pair of slightly cool hands suddenly and gently held his cheeks. The fingertips even carried the residual chill from the outside, but the touch was unusually soft.

Zhou Ai subconsciously raised her eyes and met Chu Yi's eyes which were so close to her.

In the dim light, Zhou Ai couldn't actually see the true emotions in Chu Yi's eyes.

But in the next second, before Zhou Ai could react, Chu Yi's handsome face came up.

A gentle kiss, carrying his unique and refreshing scent, landed unexpectedly on Zhou Ai's cheek.

Instantly separate.

The gentle touch on his face was vague, but Zhou Ai froze completely, his mind went blank, and he could only stare blankly at Chu Yi.

However, this is just the beginning.

Chu Yi looked at the obvious stunned disbelief in Zhou Ai's eyes, and a slight yet cunning curve curved his lips. He leaned in again, and this time, with a clear purpose, he covered Zhou Ai's lips, which were slightly parted in surprise.

It's not a fierce demand, but an extremely gentle touch.

Again and again, like a dragonfly skimming the water, kissing gently and then slowly separating.

Every brief contact felt like a tiny electric current running through Zhou Ai's lips, and the numbing sensation spread from his lips to every part of his body.

Zhou Ai gave all the initiative to Chu Yi and completely lost the ability to think. She could only passively feel this sudden and extremely gentle "fare".

He even widened his eyes unconsciously, looking at Chu Yi's slightly trembling eyelashes that were so close to him, and feeling his somewhat awkward but extremely sincere kiss.

Seeing Zhou Ai's surprise at not responding, Chu Yi paused for a moment, as if to give her some time to react. Then, without hesitation, he kissed her again.

This time, Chu Yi was no longer satisfied with just a light taste. He first licked Zhou Ai's lower lip with the tip of his tongue. The wet and soft touch made Zhou Ai shudder unconsciously. Then he gently and clumsily tried to pry open Zhou Ai's teeth.

Feeling Chu Yi's deeper exploration, Zhou Ai's hands unconsciously tightened and pinched Chu Yi's slightly thin shoulders, his knuckles even turning slightly white due to the force.

That awkward but proactive probe was like a feather, gently plucking his already restless heartstrings.

A strong impulse surged in his heart, and Zhou Ai almost instinctively wanted to deepen the kiss, wanting to take the initiative and completely seize and possess this sudden tenderness and affection.

However, just as his Adam's apple rolled and his hand climbed up to the back of Chu Yi's head in an attempt to respond, his breath became hot and rapid at that moment -

Chu Yi seemed to have anticipated his reaction and withdrew the kiss just in time and lightly.

Zhou Ai's touch was empty. The soft touch on his lips suddenly disappeared, leaving only cold air and an even stronger sense of emptiness. He subconsciously pursued forward, his eyes hazy and filled with unsatisfied desire.

But a slightly cool index finger gently pressed against his lips, effectively preventing him from taking any further action.

Chu Yi leaned back slightly, creating a dangerous distance between the two of them where they could hear each other's breathing.

In the dim light, he could clearly see Zhou Ai's peach blossom eyes, which were always full of spirit. Now they were covered with a layer of wet mist, with abnormal red at the corners of her eyes, and visible emotions and unsatisfied desires surging in them.

Chu Yi narrowed his eyes, like a cat that had successfully teased its prey, with a bit of pride and scrutiny.

Instead of retreating, under Zhou Ai's burning gaze, he suddenly leaned forward again, with his entire upper body almost completely leaning over the central armrest, instantly closing the distance that had just been deliberately created.

The refreshing scent with a hint of citrus on his body surged into Zhou Ai's nostrils as he moved, domineeringly invading all his senses.

Zhou Ai's breath was choked, and his brain went blank for a moment because of the sudden approach and the strong smell. He almost forgot how to breathe.

Just when Zhou Ai thought Chu Yi would kiss her again and her heart was pounding as she prepared to greet him——

“Crack.”

A clear unlocking sound suddenly rang out in the silent carriage.

Chu Yi reached out and pressed the central locking switch at some point.

The sound of the lock popping open was like a wake-up call, breaking the extremely charming atmosphere in the car.

Chu Yi raised his eyebrows slyly, a smile on his face that looked like he'd succeeded in a prank. After unlocking the car door, he quickly sat up straight and retreated to the passenger seat. His movements were smooth and natural, as if he hadn't been the one who had initiated the flirting, their auras intertwined.

He reached out and picked up the neatly folded cashmere scarf at his side, and slowly put it around his neck again, covering half of his face, leaving only a pair of eyes that were still moist and smiling.

Then he slowly turned around and looked at Zhou Ai, who was still standing there frozen with a blank look in his eyes, obviously not recovering from the sudden turn of events.

"Teacher Zhou, this is the end of today's fare settlement."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Yi didn't wait for Zhou Ai to react. He reached out and pushed open the car door, took a step with his long legs, and got out of the car.

Before closing the door, he turned around and winked at Zhou Ai, his eyes full of ridicule that said, "You digest this slowly."

With a soft "bang", the car door closed.

Suddenly, Zhou Ai was the only one left in the car, with the scent of Chu Yi still lingering in the air, and his own heartbeat that was still beating like a drum and had not yet calmed down.

Zhou Ai remained in that forward-leaning, frozen posture for several seconds before suddenly coming back to his senses.

He raised his hand and touched his lips that had just been pressed, then looked at the empty passenger seat, and finally looked outside the car at Chu Yi's cool and somewhat "annoying" back as he walked towards the elevator.

A mixture of shame and anger after being teased and an even stronger desire surged into his heart. He cursed softly, but the corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably, eventually turning into a helpless and doting sigh.

"Chu Yi...you really are..."

This guy usually looks cold and aloof, but when he starts to seduce people, he is simply deadly.

Chu Yi walked briskly towards the elevator with an unfinished smile on his face. He tapped his fingertips on the screen of his mobile phone and was about to send a WeChat message to Zhou Ai saying "Drive home, be careful."

He had just typed halfway when a big hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.

Chu Yi was caught off guard, staggering and nearly dropping his phone. He looked up from under his scarf in shock, but before he could even see who was coming, a tall, familiar figure shoved him into the elevator, which had just opened.

“Hmm…!”

Her back gently hit the cold elevator wall, and then Zhou Ai's hot body covered her, and with a long-suppressed and almost fierce breath, the kiss fell heavily.

This kiss was completely different from the gentle exploration in the car just now. It was full of plunder and possession. It was eager and deep, with a hint of punishment, as if to get back all the "grievances" that had been teased just now and the desires that had been forcibly suppressed.

Chu Yi was caught off guard by this sudden attack and kiss. It seemed that all the oxygen was taken away from him. His brain was blank and he could only passively endure it. His fingertips unconsciously grabbed the fabric on Zhou Ai's chest.

An unknown amount of time passed, but just when Chu Yi felt like he was suffocating, Zhou Ai pulled away slightly, her forehead still pressed against his. Her breath was heavy and hot, spraying between their lips and noses. The narrow space of the elevator was filled with the sound of ambiguous breathing.

"You haven't said good night yet." Zhou Ai's low and hoarse voice sounded in Chu Yi's ears, with a heavy nasal tone and lingering emotions, like sandpaper rubbing against the heart, numb to the bones.

Chu Yi had not yet fully recovered from the passionate kiss, his eyes were hazy and his cheeks were flushed.

Zhou Ai looked at him like this, his eyes darkening as he suppressed the urge to continue. He raised his hand and gently stroked Chu Yi's lips, which were slightly swollen from the kiss, with his fingertips, then restrainedly rubbed the soft top of his head.

Then, Chu Yi watched Zhou Ai hold his shoulders, gently exert force, turn him in a direction, and push him out of the elevator.

One person was inside the elevator and the other was outside the elevator, and their eyes met.

Chu Yi stood outside the elevator in a daze, looking at Zhou Ai in the car.

Zhou Ai pressed the elevator door open button with one hand and put the other hand in his coat pocket. He stood straight and tried to calm his rapid breathing.

There was still a blush on her face, but her eyes had regained some clarity, but the waves surging deep within her were still surging.

He gave a slightly ruffian yet extremely gentle smile to Chu Yi, who was somewhat dazed outside the elevator.

"Goodnight, sweetheart. Bye."

With a "ding" sound, the elevator door began to close slowly.

A second before the door completely closed, Chu Yi clearly saw that Zhou Ai's forced composure collapsed the moment the door blocked his view.

He raised his hand and wiped his face heavily, leaned against the elevator wall, raised his head and exhaled long and silently. His back revealed an almost embarrassing restraint and forbearance.

Zhou Ai knew that if she had hesitated for even a second, once she stepped out of the elevator and followed Chu Yi to his door, she would really not be able to leave tonight.

All rationality and plans of "taking it slow" would fall apart under Chu Yi's gaze.

He could only take advantage of the fact that he still had a trace of consciousness and use this method to forcibly draw a safety line between himself and Chu Yi for tonight.

The elevator went down, leaving the person who made him lose control and yet was extremely attached to him upstairs.

Zhou Ai leaned against the cold wall of the elevator, closed his eyes, and felt his heart still beating violently.

Outside the elevator, Chu Yi stood there until the elevator number started to jump, then he slowly raised his hand and gently touched his still numb lips with his fingertips.

Recalling Zhou Ai's last restrained and forbearing look, and his hurriedly fleeing back, he was stunned at first, and then shook his head with a smile.

This idiot.

Chu Yi opened the door, and the sensor light at the entrance lit up. Soft light poured down, illuminating the house, which was as clean as ever and even a little deserted.

Everything seems to be the same as before, yet everything seems different.

He didn't immediately change his shoes and go back inside. Instead, he leaned against the cold door, tilted his head back slightly, and closed his eyes. His arms subconsciously crossed over his chest, a gesture that hinted at thought and self-protection.

In the quiet space, the only sounds were his own breathing and heartbeat, which had not yet fully calmed down. Every scene was incredibly clear and carried a strong emotional impact.

Chu Yi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze somewhat unfocused as he gazed upon the empty living room. A strong sense of unreality enveloped him.

In fact, from the time Zhou Ai broke into this house last night to now, only about twenty-four hours have passed.

But this short day seemed to be infinitely stretched, crammed with strong emotions and dramatic turns that were enough to overturn the trajectory of his life for the past twenty-seven years.

Moreover, strangely, every minute and every second he spent with Zhou Ai, even when he was nervous, flustered, or even being "bullied", he did not feel tired at all. Instead, there was an unprecedented, fresh vitality coursing in his veins.

This reminded him of his youth, when he grew up under strict discipline, always followed the rules and strived for perfection.

The most rebellious and craziest thing I did at that time was probably to secretly put on a mask and a hat, blend in with the crowd, and become a silent fan named "Pi", chasing the shining boy on the stage with the camera.

That was the only secret and passionate outlet in his boring youth.

And now, at the age of 27, he seems to have done something even crazier and more incredible - he is actually in love with the "star" that he could only admire from afar.

It's not an idol-fan relationship, but a real, equal relationship between lovers.

He originally thought that his life would go on like this, step by step, like a calm river, with clear goals but no surprises.

He was used to staying quietly in his own world, looking up at the starry sky like an astronomy enthusiast, content with the distant and constant beauty, and never expected to actually touch it.

But who could have imagined that his brightest star would actually fall from the sky and land right in his arms.

Not only did it fall off, but she also blinked her amazingly bright eyes and told him with confidence and a little bit of grievance that she should take the initiative to love him.

Whenever he met those eyes and saw the undisguised love, dependence, and even the occasional childishness in them, Chu Yi felt that all his principles, calmness, and plans could collapse in an instant.

Zhou Ai was like a beam of strong light, shining into his orderly but slightly gray world without any explanation, bringing noise, color and warmth.

Chu Yi even felt that even if the universe was destroyed at this moment, as long as Zhou Ai still looked at him with that kind of eyes, he would probably accept it all and be happy with it.

Thinking of this, Chu Yi couldn't help but lower his head and laughed softly.

He straightened up and finally began to change his shoes, his movements neither hurried nor slow. He scanned the apartment, which he had once considered merely a shelter, and for the first time, he felt that perhaps this place could truly be called "home."

Because from then on, on the other side of the city, there was a lamp that would light up for him and make him care about him.

And the name of that lamp is Zhou Ai.

Chu Yi took out his phone and looked at the note on the screen that Zhou Ai had forcibly changed to "Good Husband". He gently stroked it with his fingertips, then clicked on the dialog box and typed:

【Are you home yet?】

After sending the message successfully, he walked towards the living room with the phone in his hand.

Outside the window, the city lights are still bright, and in his heart, there lives a unique, everlasting star.