Chapter 9 Winter Night Party (Part 1)

Ji Rendong's gaze lingered on Shi Banxia's lips for a moment, then she let go as if she had been burned and distanced herself.

A faint blush rose to Ji Rendong's face. Avoiding Shi Banxia's gaze, she whispered, "Thank you..."

When Shi Banxia felt her arms go empty, the warm touch disappeared, and a piece of her heart felt empty as well.

Ji Rendong avoided the topic too quickly, as if her vulnerability and dependence just now were just a dream. But the lingering warmth and faint fragrance in Shi Banxia's arms reminded her that the intimacy and embrace just now were real.

Shi Banxia smiled and said with a hint of amusement, "It's okay, Sister Rendong, you can come to me anytime."

Ji Rendong paused for a moment, her ears turning slightly red, and gave a faint reply, "Mm."

In the days that followed, the two tacitly avoided discussing that night. The weekend arrived quickly, and the research station held its usual nighttime relaxation party.

Shi Banxia was surrounded by her teammates, chatting and laughing. Ji Rendong didn't join their conversation; she simply sat quietly to the side, holding her black coffee.

Seeing that Ji Rendong remained silent, Shi Banxia walked up to her, bent down slightly, and smiled, "Sister Rendong, we're going to play a game, do you want to join?"

Ji Rendong gently stroked the inside of the cup, nodded after a few seconds, and followed Shi Banxia to the table.

When the team members saw Ji Rendong attend, their eyes widened in surprise—this workaholic actually went to a party?!

As soon as Shi Banxia sat down, Mu Xueqing gently nudged her with her elbow and whispered, "Banxia, ​​you're really something. Ren Dong never participates in anything except movie screenings and reading appreciation events."

Shi Banxia's eyes lit up, "Really?"

Mu Xueqing smiled and nodded.

Shi Banxia felt a surge of joy and a touch of pride. "Looks like I have quite a bit of influence? Being too charming can be a problem!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Rendong tightened his grip on the coffee cup slightly and glanced at Shi Banxia without making a sound.

Noticing Ji Rendong's gaze, Shi Banxia felt even better and suggested with a smile, "How about we play German Heart Attack?" With that, she took out the cards and pressed the bell.

Ji Rendong raised an eyebrow. "You brought this too?"

Shi Banxia snorted softly and skillfully shuffled the cards. Suddenly, an idea flashed into her mind. "Just ringing the bell is no fun! The loser has to play Truth or Dare, how about that?"

The suggestion was immediately supported. After Shi Banxia finished explaining the rules, the game began.

Shi Banxia was a gaming expert. She was like a fish in water and had extremely fast reflexes. Her hand was always the first to press the bell in the middle of the table, which caused the surrounding teammates to let out howls.

Shi Banxia was having a great time, her smug expression like that of a proud little dog wagging its tail.

On the other hand, Ji Rendong stared at the cards, her brows furrowed slightly. The chaotic cards and the game mechanics that required quick reactions left her somewhat at a loss.

She was either a step too slow and didn't press the bell in time, or she misjudged the situation and reached out when she shouldn't have, only to awkwardly lower her hand that had been hanging in mid-air.

Soon, Ji Rendong, who was unfamiliar with the game, became the first person to be punished.

Mu Xueqing smiled. "Honeysuckle, truth or dare?"

Ji Rendong pursed her lips, "The truth..."

Ji Rendong's question was relatively mild: Do you prefer kittens or puppies?

Shi Banxia pricked up her ears and leaned closer to Ji Rendong. She wanted to know more about Ji Rendong, even about such a small thing…

Ji Rendong's fingers traced the cards, and she answered almost without hesitation, "The puppy." After saying that, her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Shi Banxia.

Shi Banxia caught this glimpse, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Okay... let's continue!" Shi Banxia shuffled the cards in a flustered manner, and the cards slipped through her fingers, which made the team members laugh.

When it was time for the next round, Shi Banxia stared intently at the cards. Her eyes flashed, and just as she was about to make her move—

"Smack!"

A crisp bell rang, but it wasn't Shi Banxia who pressed it; it came from Ji Rendong, who was beside her.

Everyone was stunned. Ji Rendong's hand was still pressing on the bell, his knuckles were turning white. The cards on the table did not meet the conditions for ringing the bell at all.

"Hey! Honeysuckle, you pressed the wrong button!" a teammate teased. "You'll be punished even if you press the wrong button!"

Shi Banxia blinked. "Sister Rendong, you..."

Ji Rendong gently withdrew her hand, and amidst the cheers of the crowd, Shi Banxia noticed that her ears were turning red.

Mu Xueqing chuckled softly, "Rinpoche, you've already chosen Truth or Dare, so this time it's Truth or Dare?"

Ji Rendong sighed, "A bet is a bet."

Mu Xueqing was surprised that Ji Rendong agreed so quickly. She raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting back and forth between Shi Banxia and Ji Rendong.

"Then... Honeysuckle, hold hands with the person on your left for thirty seconds~"

The person to Ji Rendong's left was Shi Banxia.

The jeers grew louder, and the air around the two instantly heated up.

Shi Banxia looked at Ji Rendong, her eyes filled with questioning and a hint of expectation, "Sister Rendong, is it okay...?"

Ji Rendong's body stiffened, and a blush appeared on her beautiful face.

She hesitated, seemingly wanting to refuse, but seeing everyone's high spirits, she didn't want to spoil the fun. In the end, Ji Rendong nodded very slightly.

Shi Banxia couldn't contain her joy. She carefully inserted her fingers between Ji Rendong's fingers.

Ji Rendong's hands were a size larger than hers and slightly cool. The moment their fingers intertwined, it felt as if an electric current passed through them, and both of them trembled slightly.

Ji Rendong tried to pull her hand away, but Shi Banxia held it firmly.

A sly glint flashed in Shi Banxia's eyes. Suddenly wanting to tease Ji Rendong, she leaned forward slightly and asked, "Rendong, are your hands shaking?"

Shi Banxia placed her other hand on either side of Ji Rendong, encircling her on the sofa, tilting her head and feigning innocence.

Is it because of me?

Ji Rendong's breathing became erratic, and her palms sweated slightly. She steadied herself and looked up to meet Shi Banxia's gaze.

Ji Rendong neither confirmed nor denied, but looked at her and tightened his grip slightly.

Shi Banxia was stunned. Ji Rendong's serious gaze shattered the last bit of bad thoughts in her mind.

Shi Banxia buried her face in her scarf, her voice muffled, "I give up..."

"Thirty... Okay! Time's up! Let's continue the game~" Mu Xueqing clapped her hands with a smile, turning everyone's attention back to the game.

The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously let go of each other's hands.

The moment their hands separated, Shi Banxia felt Ji Rendong gently press her fingertips.

"Sister Rendong?!" Shi Banxia's fingertips trembled slightly, and she quickly withdrew her hand. She looked at Ji Rendong, only to find that the other party had a teasing look in her eyes.

“Now we’re even.” Ji Rendong’s lips curled up slightly as he turned around, picked up his coffee cup, and took a sip.

Ji Rendong moved with composure; no one would expect such a person to be a "game black hole." Shi Banxia felt that Ji Rendong was definitely not as aloof as he appeared—

After all, a truly aloof person wouldn't hold her tightly in the dark, nor would they childishly retaliate after the punishment is over.

Ji Rendong looked at the laughing crowd, but her thoughts drifted to Shi Banxia.

Shi Banxia's words, "Is it because of me?" kept replaying in her mind. She clearly remembered the warmth of the girl's palm and the sly, adorable smile when she leaned closer.

Ji Rendong rubbed his temples. "German Heart Disease"? That name is quite fitting.

After several rounds of games, when she got tired of being the winner, Banxia leisurely leaned back on the sofa.

Ji Rendong handed her a cup of hot cocoa. "Not playing anymore?" Shi Banxia nodded, took a sip, and felt a warmth in her heart.

Ji Rendong was unusually relaxed, leaning back on the sofa, but with a more languid air.

Suddenly, Shi Banxia mysteriously grasped Ji Rendong's hand and whispered, "Rendong, do you want to come to my room?"

Ji Rendong paused, his gaze lingering on Shi Banxia's face for a moment before...

"good…"

A note from the author:

The two of them are so young and innocent.

I'll be very busy for the next two weeks starting next week, so I'll probably only be able to update every other day... Thank you all for your support and understanding!

Waaah, I really love this chapter... Why aren't there any clicks... TT Is anyone actually reading this? .·`(>▂<)`·.