62. Warmth is strong

Neither of them could remember what the movie was about. All they knew was that the night was getting darker outside the window, while the warmth was growing thicker inside the house.

As he watched, Chi Jin yawned slightly.

"Are you sleepy?" Chen Yisheng asked in a low voice, his voice shaking with chest vibration.

"A little bit." Chi Jin rubbed against his arms like a lazy cat.

"Then...shall I take you home?" He asked deliberately seeking advice.

Chi was silent for a moment, then nodded gently: "Okay."

"No." Chen Yisheng lowered his head and kissed her, gently holding her lips. It was a kiss that was both lingering and a bit coquettish, lingering and long.

"Hmm." Chi Jin hadn't expected his sudden attack. Her heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and her hands subconsciously pinched the fabric on his shoulders. But it wasn't to push him away, more like a throbbing that had nowhere to go. She was a little dizzy from his kiss, and with great difficulty, she turned her head slightly and protested with an unsteady breath, "...Chen Yisheng!"

Chen Yisheng looked at her and asked in a low voice, "Would you like to stay?"

Chi Jin's cheeks were burning, and his reason was still making a final struggle: "No..."

Because the voice is soft and sticky, it sounds unconvincing.

"Why not? I won't eat you." Chen Yisheng said, "Are you afraid of your roommate? Or are you afraid of Ah Qi checking on you?"

"Neither." In fact, Chi Jin was a little embarrassed to be so "intimate" with him, so she made an excuse, "I haven't washed yesterday's dirty clothes yet. I walked on the beach all afternoon today, and my body smells sticky from the sea breeze. I want to go back and change into comfortable clothes..."

Chen Yisheng glanced at the time and spoke faster, as if he was afraid she would really run away. "It's still early. Let's go to the commercial street downstairs and buy new things! Pajamas, home clothes, casual clothes, and slippers. Don't you dislike disposable ones? Buy a pair with soft soles. It will be convenient for you later..."

He paused, as if he felt that the word "later" was particularly smooth to use. His eyes brightened a little, and he leaned close to her neck and sniffed it, saying seriously, "It doesn't smell at all. It's the smell of the sea breeze and... you. It smells very good."

He was so eager to keep her, even a little bit "unruly", that he looked nothing like the cold and reserved King of Hell he usually was in the company. Chi Jin couldn't help but burst out laughing, and the little bit of perseverance in her heart collapsed. She stretched out her index finger and gently poked his chest: "The King of Hell really did everything he could to keep me."

Chen Yisheng's thoughts were exposed, his face flushed, and he whispered, "Actually, yesterday was my first time."

"What?" Chi Jin raised his head suddenly, almost hitting his chin, and stared at him with wide eyes in disbelief, "You...really?"

With his age, appearance, and status, he actually...

Chen Yisheng looked at her shocked expression, a trace of embarrassment flashing across his eyes, but he pretended to be relaxed and raised an eyebrow, twisting a strand of her hair with his fingertips. "Why? It seems... you are quite satisfied with my performance last night?"

Now it was Chi Jin's turn to blush, his eyes wandering, and he said stubbornly, "Who, who is satisfied! I just... just asked out of humanitarian concern..."

Now it was Chi Jin's turn to blush.

The two of them laughed and joked, the air filled with a sweet scent. Having played enough, Chen Yisheng held her hand, his fingertips gently stroking the inside of her wrist. His tone became serious and gentle again: "Okay, I won't tease you anymore. If you don't want to stay, I'll take you home right away. You're tired from work, and you should rest well during the New Year's Day holiday. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable."

As he spoke, he made a move to stand up, but his eyes were still glued to her, with obvious reluctance to leave.

Just when he was about to let go, Chi Jin grabbed his fingers with his backhand.

Chen Yisheng paused and looked down at her.

Chi Jin lowered her eyelashes slightly, the blush on her cheeks not yet completely faded. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito, but it clearly penetrated his ears: "Then... can you see if there are any pajamas for takeout?"

Chen Yisheng's eyes lit up instantly. He tried his best to suppress the urge to pick her up and spin her around, but he couldn't suppress the smile on his face. "Let's go to the supermarket together."

Supermarket? Chi Jin has never been to a supermarket with her boyfriend. It sounds very romantic.

"Then I have to pay for my own things myself." Chi Jin said, "You've been spending a lot of money these past two days."

"As you say." Chen Yisheng nodded. "I know my limits. I'll definitely take you home tomorrow. Don't worry."

"So...let's go now?"

"good!"

He quickly took their coats and carefully helped Chi Jin put them on, wrapping her scarf tightly around her, as if she was going not to the Walmart downstairs but to an Arctic adventure.

Since it was almost closing time, the two of them made a quick purchase in the homewares section. They only managed to find a set of simple cotton pajamas, a few disposable changes of clothing, a pair of matching soft-soled slippers, and some basic toiletries.

Back home, carrying the newly bought clothes, I felt something really different. Chi Jin put on new slippers and stepped on the soft carpet. They were the right size and warm and comfortable.

"Chen Yisheng, you try it too." She squatted on the ground, looked up at him, and pointed at the pair of pink slippers in the shopping bag that were obviously men's sizes. A sly glint in her eyes said, "I just... I think I accidentally picked up the wrong color."

Chen Yisheng had watched her search the shelves for a long time before she "precisely" picked up the largest pair of pink slippers. He saw through her, but didn't say anything. He simply flicked her forehead with his finger as a punishment.

"Ouch." Chi Jin cooperated by shrinking his neck and pretending to be in pain.

A smile spread across his eyes, and he took off his shoes as he was told, slipping on a pair of pink slippers that were a stark contrast to his style. The size was surprisingly right, but the color was a bit off.

"Oh my, so cute!" Chi Jin immediately took out his phone, clicked it at his feet, and smiled like a kitten who had successfully stolen some fish. "Hey, hey, I have the evidence! When I go back to work the day after tomorrow, I'll print it out and stick it on my workstation to remind you, Lord Yama..."

"You dare." Chen Yisheng laughed and reached out to pinch her cheeks, which were puffed up with laughter. "Okay, let's go take a bath and relax first. The hot water should be very refreshing."

Chi Jin nodded, carrying her newly bought pajamas into the bathroom. The hot water washed over her, washing away her fatigue and bringing a new, grounded feeling. When she emerged, steamy and scented with shower gel, she found Chen Yisheng, also dressed in home clothes, standing at the kitchen island, warming milk.

"Drink something hot to help you sleep." He handed her a cup of warm milk.

"Yeah." Chi Jin walked over, wiping his hair with a towel, sniffed the faint milky scent in the air, and asked casually, "Do you still have to deal with some emails tonight? I saw that you didn't seem to check your phone or computer this afternoon."

It is almost impossible for a workaholic like him to completely block out work during the holidays.

Chen Yisheng handed her the warmed cup of milk and picked up another one himself. "Well, I'll probably have to spend half an hour reading this before bed. The Sunday editor just sent me a data report for a project before the holidays, and I need a preliminary review."

"Thank you for your hard work, leader." Chi Jin said, "I feel a little lonely at the top now."

He took a sip of milk and looked at her. "What about you? After the holiday, Faces will have a topic selection meeting, right? And the day after tomorrow, which is the beginning of the month, is the editor-in-chief's report. Are you ready?"

"We are just a few unlucky guys who were kicked out of the editorial department and are reporting to you, the ruthless editor-in-chief." Chi Jin muttered, "I will go home tomorrow and will definitely be ready to come out the morning after tomorrow. You can wait for me to amaze everyone in the afternoon."

"You're the excellent 'class representative' I've always admired." Chen Yisheng chuckled, his tone becoming more serious. "During the previous reports... did you think I was too businesslike and seemed cold and heartless?"

"Of course not. You've always been like this, keeping your public and private lives separate. I think that's great." Chi Jin said, "It would be unprofessional to bring personal emotions into work. That's what you taught me before."

Chen Yisheng smiled, as if relieved: "Fortunately, we are not in the same office now, otherwise...it would be difficult to grasp the right balance."

"Who are you in the same office with now? The new assistant?" Chi Jin asked casually.

"Um."

"oh……"

Chen Yisheng took the initiative to explain, "Actually, whether it's Assistant Lin or the person sent later, I never feel as comfortable as I did at Faces. Ultimately, they are, to some extent, the 'eyes' that Editor-in-Chief Lin has placed beside me."

Chi Jin stopped wiping his hair and looked at him: "So after your promotion, you weren't as happy and glamorous as you imagined?"

"But everything has two sides." He changed the subject, looking at her deeply, his tone becoming low and meaningful. "I think if I had stayed at Faces and been your direct supervisor, you might never have accepted my pursuit, right?"

He naturally took the towel from her hair and gently wiped the water droplets from the ends of her hair.

Chi Jin was slightly startled, then gave a frank, soft "hmm." She had to admit, he was right. The change in status gave her emotions room to explode.

Afterward, the two of them huddled back on the sofa, the movie playing on TV becoming insignificant background noise. Chi Jin sipped her milk, her stomach and heart warmed. She stole a glance at the man beside her. He was looking down at his phone, his profile soft. Sensing her gaze, he raised his head, smiled at her, and then naturally reached out to embrace her.

Chi Jin leaned into his arms, listening to his steady heartbeat, his eyelids gradually becoming heavy.

"Go to sleep if you're sleepy." He turned off the TV, put down his phone, and his voice was as soft as a feather.

"Hmm..." Chi Jin found the most comfortable position in his arms and closed his eyes peacefully.

Chen Yisheng lowered his head, placed a light kiss on her hair, and held her in his arms, not moving for a long time.