Chapter 3 Chapter 3 And he was openly using the tip of his nose...

Chi Chen's expression was genuinely innocent, but it couldn't hide the offensive nature of his words.

The word "tracking" was like a needle, easily piercing some unpleasant memories sealed in his mind.

But Xu Yan's rationality quickly returned. His expression remained unchanged, only his eyes were cold. "Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?"

"Sorry." Chi Chen straightened up readily, his bright and clean smile making him hard to dislike. "It seems I've made a fool of myself again because of my poor Chinese."

The annoyance in his tone seemed genuine.

After saying that, he blinked and raised his hand, "Look, it took me quite a while to find the convenience store."

Xu Yan's gaze fell on his hands.

A convenience store bag was hanging loosely at the moment, containing several bottles of Coke.

The bottle was still covered with fine water droplets, as if it had just been taken out of the freezer.

There's nothing wrong with it.

Xu Yan withdrew his gaze, but the doubts in his heart had not been dispelled. Even he could not be sure whether Chi Chen had done it on purpose.

Even if the other party had just helped him, the verbal probing and offense were still true.

Xu Yan's tone was calm, but it was barbed. "If your language skills can't keep up with the job requirements, you can learn to shut up first."

Chi Chen's smile froze for a moment without her speaking. Instead, she stared at him for three seconds before her eyes lit up with the excitement common among new employees. "I didn't expect to receive guidance from Director Xu even after get off work. Thank you, I'll remember that."

His tone was sincere, and Xu Yan couldn't tell if he genuinely didn't understand or was pretending not to.

Chi Chen's Chinese is not bad, and he speaks fluently, but he seems unable to understand the implied meaning, or rather, he doesn't understand the art of speaking Chinese.

But Chi Chen's identity might not require these things.

Xu Yan didn't want to waste any more time with this person, so she didn't say anything more.

Fortunately, the ride-hailing car arrived shortly afterward. Xu Yan opened the car door and got in without hesitation. Through the car window, he could see Chi Chen with a cheerful and bright smile on his face, waving goodbye to him.

The greyish-white car quickly disappeared into the twilight, and the smile on Chi Chen's face vanished, leaving only a hint of amusement.

He walked towards the bar, his long, slender fingers deftly toying with his phone, a lighthearted expression on his face.

"Yan" would never talk to him like that.

Is he a lecturing old-fashioned man who loves to lecture people? ...That's even more interesting now.

...

Xu Yan felt her eyelids twitching the whole ten-minute drive.

He took out his phone, opened Lin Weiwei's chat window, and asked if Chi Chen had returned to the bar.

Lin Weiwei replied quickly, "You just asked and then came back. Why are you interested in him again?"

After saying that, he added a lewd, gossipy emoji.

Xu Yan rubbed his temples, realizing he had indeed been overthinking things.

The next second, the phone rang.

It was a call from the property management company.

As soon as he answered the call, he heard an urgent voice on the other end, "Mr. Xu, the water pipe upstairs has burst and is leaking badly. The landlord and I are already at the door. Please open the door, we'd like to discuss compensation with you."

Xu Yan was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I'll be home soon."

The car quickly stopped downstairs at the apartment building, and Xu Yan strode into the elevator.

Just over ten seconds later, the elevator doors opened, and several people were standing in front of his apartment.

The cleaning staff carrying tools, the property management uncle, and an aunt who was probably the landlord from upstairs.

Xu Yan frowned. This was his private space, and he didn't like so many people gathering here.

“Mr. Xu, I’m so sorry. We will compensate you for the rent, house repair costs, and damage to your belongings this month.” The aunt stepped forward, her face full of shame. “We will definitely replace them with the best materials, but the repairs will take about a month. We will also compensate you for your accommodation expenses during this period.”

Xu Yan thought it would take some time to communicate, but she didn't expect the other party to be willing to pay the full amount directly.

“Okay, I’ll give the list to the property management.” Xu Yan didn’t like trouble either, so this was perfect.

Xu Yan doesn't have many items; she only has some things for live streaming, as well as daily necessities and clothes.

He packed a large suitcase because the water-damaged walls and floors were in the living room and kitchen area, and the bedroom wardrobes shouldn't be affected if repairs were done.

He gave the password to the property management before leaving, and said he wouldn't handle the rest of the process. Xu Yan would only come back to inspect everything after the final cleaning was completed.

After finishing everything, it was already two or three in the morning. Standing on the street, Xu Yan felt a long-lost sense of exhaustion.

He needs to stay in a hotel for the night. He's not a germaphobe, but he can't stand a hotel with such a poor environment.

Xu Yan found a place that was both conveniently located and suitable for the conditions, and then opened her phone to call a ride-hailing service.

The app keeps showing that it's calling for a driver, and it's getting late, so it's not certain that I'll be able to get a ride.

Xu Yan had no other choice but to wait by the roadside.

The sound of the box wheels scraping the ground was amplified in the quiet of the night, sounding somewhat jarring.

He hadn't felt this sense of wandering for a long time since he had a stable job.

Fortunately, not many people on the street will see him like this now.

But when he got to the roadside, the ride-hailing app was still calling, even though Xu Yan had already added several red envelopes.

It was already 3 a.m.

The night breeze carried a hint of chill, penetrating the cardigan he had casually draped over his shoulders when he left.

Xu Yan hadn't rested since eight in the morning and was now extremely tired.

He leaned against his suitcase, his eyes slightly closed, as feelings of frustration and helplessness welled up inside him.

Just then, I heard the sound of wheels rolling over the road.

Xu Yan opened his eyes and saw a car slowly slowing down and finally stopping in front of him.

When did you manage to hail a taxi?

Xu Yan had just straightened up when she saw the car window slowly roll down, revealing Chi Chen's slightly surprised face.

"Director Xu?" His gaze naturally shifted from Xu Yan's face to the suitcase beside him. "Where are you going so late?"

Just what I feared most came to pass.

Unfortunately, this guy, whose intentions he couldn't figure out, happened to be the one who made him look foolish.

"The house is leaking, so I'm going to stay elsewhere for a few days," Xu Yan explained, pressing down on her eyes.

He didn't want to be misunderstood as some kind of stray dog ​​who had fled in the middle of the night or been kicked out of his home.

My already irritable mood was on the verge of exploding when Chi Chen suddenly appeared.

Xu Yan stared at Chi Chen's face under the streetlight and asked gloomily, "Why?"

Chi Chen tilted his head slightly, his face revealing genuine confusion.

"Why are you here again?" Xu Yan's voice was deep, almost an undisguised question.

“I live in this neighborhood… after all, there are plenty of places in this area that are close to the company, have a good environment, and are reasonably priced.” Chi Chen looked innocent and frank. “I’ll take you to the hotel.”

As he spoke, he unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car.

Although Xu Yan was angry, he did not doubt the coincidence, after all, he had specifically asked Lin Weiwei, and Chi Chen had indeed returned to the private room at that time.

There was no reason to follow him, and it just so happened that he arrived at the entrance of the residential area right after he had been dealing with so many things.

While he was thinking, Chi Chen was already in front of him, reaching out to gently grasp the handle of the suitcase.

"Need not."

Xu Yan subconsciously tightened the lever in his hand, but the other party did not move at all. Instead, he was pulled so hard that he almost fell. He instinctively raised his hand and pressed it against Chi Chen's chest to avoid colliding with him.

Chi Chen stared at him blankly for two seconds. His usually meticulous and composed boss was now wearing an inappropriately aged knit sweater, his lips were pale, and he looked sickly.

She looked pitiful nestled in his arms, as if she desperately needed to be cared for.

However, Xu Yan was clearly not so obedient. His eyes were tinged with red, and after straightening up, he immediately turned his anger on him. Even with his breath unsteady, he still spoke up, "What did you eat to grow up with such brute strength?"

He was so angry that he completely lost his usual calm demeanor.

Unlike Yan, she wasn't as adept at handling things.

Chi Chen smiled; he really liked Xu Yan's expression.

"I'm sorry, Director Xu, but you don't look well."

Chi Chen's warm and natural concern was impossible to dislike. "I just wanted to take you to the hotel. It would be troublesome if you had a fever tomorrow and missed work."

Xu Yan felt uncomfortable under the other person's somewhat direct and blatant gaze. His day was already going badly, and being seen in such a disheveled state made him lose control.

But Chi Chen's reason was perfect.

Xu Yan felt unwell, and it was time for the project to come to an end.

He cannot get sick.

Xu Yan suppressed her immature emotions with reason, then released her suitcase. "Lucky Star Hotel."

Chi Chen grinned, seemingly unconcerned about Xu Yan's ungrateful attitude, and naturally took the suitcase and placed it in the back row.

In the car, Xu Yan kept looking out the window, avoiding talking to the other person, but Chi Chen seemed to have taken Xu Yan's previous words to heart, and remained unusually quiet throughout the journey.

They soon arrived at the hotel lobby. Chi Chen helped him take his luggage, but Xu Yan couldn't budge it.

He subconsciously frowned and looked up, only to see Chi Chen holding the lever without moving, his face still bearing a harmless smile, "Director Xu."

His voice seemed lower than usual, with a hint of ambiguous hoarseness.

Xu Yan's heart sank, even though it was he who had asked not to call him by his name.

However, it seemed a bit strange in a setting with only two people.

Chi Chen seemed oblivious, still looking at him, "You look so beautiful right now."

Xu Yan's face froze, a surge of anger rising to her head, mixed with a hidden sense of shame.

He wanted to curse, but accidentally met the other person's sincere and praising gaze, making it difficult to categorize it as flirting or offense.

I can't bring myself to curse.

Chi Chen seemed to need no response and suddenly released the lever.

"I'm leaving." Xu Yan grabbed her luggage and turned to check in.

He was finding it difficult to cope, so he continued to choose to escape.

"Hello, do you have a reservation?" The receptionist yawned and sat up from her chair.

"Yes, Xu."

The receptionist looked up, her gaze naturally passing over Xu Yan, and then she smiled sweetly, "Would you like a king room or a double room?"

"A large bed." Xu Yan didn't think much of it.

"Okay, then please show your ID cards." A knowing glint flashed in the receptionist's eyes.

In the dead of night, two extremely handsome men booked a double room.

Two people? Xu Yan suddenly realized something was wrong and subconsciously turned around.

Chi Chen was standing a meter behind him, blinking innocently at him.

It seems they didn't understand the receptionist's implied meaning.

Realizing she was the only one feeling awkward, Xu Yan snapped angrily, "Why are you following me?"

Chi Chen looked at him with a wronged expression, "I just wanted to make sure you got back to your room safely. After all, it's so late, and you don't seem to be feeling well."

"..." Xu Yan handed her ID card to the receptionist. "I'm the only one here."

After saying that, he felt he was only trying to cover up the truth, so he simply shut up.

After Xu Yan took the room key, she went to wait for the elevator. On the elevator door, she saw a figure following her.

"Are you a dog? How long are you going to follow me?" Xu Yan didn't even bother to turn around.

"I'll wait for you to go up." Chi Chen said frankly.

Xu Yan entered the elevator, and as the elevator doors closed, he saw Chi Chen still waving at him.

It was already 3 a.m., but the other person seemed to have inexhaustible energy, constantly sticking to him and trying to win his favor.

The elevator doors closed, and Xu Yan was left with only her own reflection in the mirror.

You look so beautiful right now.

Chi Chen's voice appeared in my mind without warning.

For the first time, Xu Yan carefully observed herself in the mirror. Her unkempt hair casually fell between her tired and somewhat gloomy brows, making her look so decadent and unfamiliar.

Despite it being the most hated word, Xu Yan couldn't help but remember the tone of voice when the other person said it.

He ran his fingers through his hair in annoyance, trying to forget the unexpected events of the evening.

Tomorrow, everything will be back on track.

*

Chi Chen waited for the elevator to stop before turning around and getting back into his car.

His gaze fell on the passenger seat next to him, and he suddenly reached out and hooked the seatbelt down.

Just minutes ago, that thin strap was pressing against Xu Yan's chest, rising and falling slightly with her breath.

Chi Chen lowered his head slightly, his nose lightly touching Chi Chen's.

A faint, lingering scent of unfamiliar shower gel entered my nostrils.

The clean and cool atmosphere, however, becomes extremely alluring, even sexy, because of the intimacy.

Chi Chen closed his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing, and everything in the darkness seemed magnified infinitely.

It's as if Xu Yan is still sitting here.

He was openly rubbing his nose against the other person's chest.

The temperature under the clothes must be extremely hot.

Chi Chen chuckled to himself.

What kind of expression will he have?

She stared at him with shock and anger in her wet, red eyes.

Yet they couldn't break free.

I long to see it, record it, and savor it repeatedly on countless nights.

A moment later.

Chi Chen leaned back in the driver's seat, opened the company group chat on his phone, accurately found Director Xu's WeChat, and then sent a friend request.

"Director Xu, what would you like to eat tomorrow morning? I can pick you up on my way to the company."

"No need." The message simply read, "I'm declining your friend request."

Chi Chen stroked his phone screen, finding it somewhat amusing.

Even trying to add him as a friend when I'm so vulnerable and exhausted didn't work out. I really don't want to have anything to do with him at all.

A note from the author:

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Yanyan: Get lost, you scumbag!

Woof woof woof [dog head holding a rose]