Chapter 88 I just found out, it's a merger...

Those words were like a pebble sinking into a lake of her heart, rippling outwards, yet suppressing her emotions that were surging to the point of near collapse. Xia Zhiyao leaned against him, stunned, tears still falling uncontrollably, but no longer as devastated as before.

After a long while, she finally raised her head, her eyes still moist, her eyelashes trembling slightly, her voice weak and self-deprecating: "Am I... making a mountain out of a molehill? Nothing has happened, yet I always think the worst."

Zhou Yue gazed at her, his eyes swirling with complex emotions. “This isn’t making a mountain out of a molehill.” His voice was steady and unhurried, yet it carried an undeniable certainty. “What you’re afraid of is a big deal. I’d rather you tell me than bear it all alone.”

Xia Zhiyao's heart skipped a beat as she was fixed on his earnest gaze. At that moment, she suddenly realized that she had indeed been overthinking things, yet in this serious attitude, she felt a long-lost sense of comfort and warmth.

She lowered her eyes, her voice so low it seemed to be swallowed by the air: "Okay... I'll try to say it next time."

Zhou Yue didn't press her for details, but simply pulled her back into his arms, as if to tell her that her emotions were allowed to exist.

She nestled quietly against him, her breathing gradually calming down, and her tears finally stopped. When she looked up at Zhou Yue, she noticed that his expression was tinged with an indelible weariness, his brows were furrowed, and the dark circles under his eyes were clearly visible. The composure and heaviness he maintained made her heart ache.

"Are you very tired?" she couldn't help but ask in a low voice, her voice filled with an unconscious heartache.

“Yes.” Zhou Yue raised his hand and rubbed his temples, his fingertips pausing at his temples, unable to hide the weariness that had been building up for so long. “This side, from my eye socket to my head, hurts.”

Xia Zhiyao didn't ask any more questions. She just silently approached him and looked at his slightly lowered eyelashes. Suddenly, she felt an urge to gently support him. She raised her hand and placed it on his temples, rubbing them very lightly and slowly.

Zhou Yue was stunned for a moment, his whole body almost trembled slightly. That long-lost gentleness carried an unfamiliar weight, making him subconsciously want to back away, but he relaxed his strength as he breathed out a long breath.

A moment later, he simply turned his head to the side, resting his forehead on her thigh, like a child who was no longer on guard. Her fingertips pressed down little by little with his breathing, as if gently wiping away the dark undercurrent between his brows.

The room was so quiet that only his gradually even breathing could be heard, and the light cast a soft shadow between the two of them.

The taut line between Zhou Yue's brows gradually relaxed, and his usually sharp and cold features appeared surprisingly soft in the light. Even his breath carried a hint of warm tranquility.

Xia Zhiyao looked down at him, and the panic in her heart was gradually soothed at this moment. Time became blurred at this moment, and breathing, pulse, and light were all stretched into an extremely slow rhythm, as if the whole world had slowed down by half a beat, leaving only this small corner of tranquility.

Suddenly, Zhou Yue raised his hand and gently grasped her wrist. The movement was light, yet carried a quiet and firm strength, causing her hand to stop at his forehead.

Xia Zhiyao was stunned. Just as she was about to speak, she met his open eyes. His eyes no longer showed the fatigue from before, but instead revealed a calm and profound meaning, like a cluster of fire lit in the dark night, which made her heart tighten suddenly.

"Stop pressing." Zhou Yue's voice was low and tired, but it was also soothing. "I know you're tired too. Let's go to sleep."

As he spoke, Zhou Yue slowly stood up and pulled Xia Zhiyao up as well. He leaned very close, his breath brushing against her ear, carrying a hint of weariness but also a burning heat.

“Zhiyao…” His voice was deep, with the last syllable emphasizing his words. His gaze was fixed on her face, as if trying to see right through her. “For so many years, I’ve only felt at peace when I’m with you.”

Zhou Yue didn't press her any further. He simply placed her hand in his palm and gently pressed it against his chest. His heartbeat was deep and strong, and through the thin fabric, it felt as if it could penetrate directly into her bones and blood.

"Did you hear that?" His voice was low and hoarse, filled with an unwavering certainty. "I really am here."

Xia Zhiyao stared blankly at him, the steady beating of his hand beneath her palm a vivid, real sensation, so intense it almost burned away the composure she had carefully cultivated. The familiar scent of him wafted to her nose, a blend of faint tobacco and cologne, carrying an oppressive realness.

Zhou Yue's gaze was too close, too serious. Her breathing gradually became erratic, and the thin layer of defense in her heart was crumbling.

"Zhou Yue..." she finally spoke, but her voice was so weak that it sounded like a low plea for help in the dark, or an unconscious surrender.

Zhou Yue didn't say anything more, he just looked at her quietly, his gaze so deep it seemed to swallow up all his emotions.

Xia Zhiyao felt a sudden pang in her chest, and her eyes welled up with tears again. She had been trying her best to hold back, but at this moment, all her restraint and pretense began to crumble. Before the tears could fall, she buried herself in his arms.

The strong heartbeat and breathing in her arms seemed to be a silent response to all her panic and vulnerability. The room was extremely quiet, with only the intertwining of their breaths remaining. All the suppressed emotions found an outlet at this moment.

Xia Zhiyao returned to the bedroom and crawled into bed. A short while later, the bathroom door was pushed open, and Zhou Yue came out amidst the steamy air. He lifted the covers and lay down, saying nothing, but casually reached out and gently stroked her shoulders and back with his fingertips, the force almost imperceptible, as if subconsciously comforting her.

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of breathing. Xia Zhiyao suddenly spoke, her voice low and abrupt, yet it seemed like a tentative question that had been suppressed for a long time: "Do you... want to do it?"

Zhou Yue paused, remained silent for a moment, and did not avoid the question. His voice was low and hoarse, yet he was frank and made no attempt to hide it: "I want to."

Xia Zhiyao didn't speak again, but slowly turned around. Her gaze briefly met his in the darkness. The next moment, she gently leaned closer and placed her lips on his lips, trembling slightly, yet perfectly clear.

It was a wordless answer, an almost tacit intimacy. Zhou Yue was stunned, his breathing slightly disordered. He had never felt Xia Zhiyao like this before.

They used to be swept up by their emotions, like a storm, with suppressed outbursts and loss of control. But this time, he responded cautiously, the touch of his lips and tongue so gentle as if afraid of startling her.

His hand rested on her back, the pressure extremely light, stroking her gently, as if confirming her presence. The kiss was neither hasty nor forceful, but tender and patient, slowly allowing their heartbeats to synchronize.

Xia Zhiyao closed her eyes, letting herself sink into this rare tenderness. She suddenly realized that Zhou Yue could also hug her with such restraint, no longer with eager demands, but with care, as if he were protecting something of utmost importance.

Zhou Yue's lips pressed against hers, his breathing deepening little by little. He slowly tightened his arms, pulling her into his embrace, as if trying to melt her into his own body.

Zhou Yue lowered his head and kissed her again, this time deeper than before, yet still unhurried. Their lips met with passion, yet restrained, like a patient confession.

Xia Zhiyao's breathing gradually became erratic, and her hand subconsciously reached for his shoulder. The light fell on the headboard, reflecting the weariness and stubbornness between his brows and eyes, but at this moment, it all turned into a gentle gaze.

"Zhiyao..." he whispered her name, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

Xia Zhiyao did not respond, but simply rested her forehead against his chin, her heart pounding with tenderness and affection.

She suddenly realized that there had never been such a moment between them before, without storms or uncontrolled repression, only quiet and careful closeness, as if they were using all their strength to protect this moment of vulnerability.

The night enveloped the room in a quiet and ambiguous atmosphere. Their breaths mingled, and Zhou Yue whispered in her ear, "Call me." His voice was extremely low, hoarse, and passionate.

Xia Zhiyao's heart tightened, not understanding why. Her fingertips gripped the bed sheet, and she didn't dare to answer.

He didn't stop, his breath trembling with suppressed emotion, and he leaned close to her again: "Call me by my name."

Xia Zhiyao's eyelashes trembled slightly, her breathing became erratic, and she finally managed to speak, her voice trembling so much it was almost broken: "...Zhou Yue."

As soon as he heard that, Zhou Yue stiffened, then, as if ignited, he hugged her tightly. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, his voice filled with unprecedented certainty and tenderness: "Call me, and I'll be there."

As night deepened, only the even breathing could be heard in the room. The two lay side by side, the storm of emotions finally subsided, as if they were trapped in the same tranquility.

Zhou Yue quickly fell into a deep sleep, his breathing becoming long and even, and his brow relaxed. Xia Zhiyao, however, woke up in the middle of the night.

She turned over and looked at him quietly. Moonlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, falling on his profile and softening his hard features. His eyelashes cast faint arcs in the light and shadow, quiet to the point of being fragile.

She recalled what she had just said, her mother's weeping figure, and her father's perpetually unsatisfied gaze. Those shadows did not completely dissipate because of Zhou Yue's embrace; they still lurked in her heart.

At the same time, she felt the warmth of the person beside her, and the lingering warmth of his hand on her palm. That sense of reality made her involuntarily quiet down.

She let out a soft breath, tucked the blanket around him, and felt a sense of peace as her fingertips touched his burning skin.

Perhaps I could trust him a little more.

Xia Zhiyao shrank back and lay down again, her eyes still open, but calmer than before. The weight on her chest hadn't completely disappeared, but at least in this moment, she wasn't so lonely anymore.

As night slowly faded outside the window, the city lights gradually went out, and the sky transitioned from deep blue to gray-white. She closed her eyes, letting the gentle warmth and faint heartbeat spread beside her. Her breath carried an unfamiliar tenderness and weariness. For a moment, she felt as if she had been briefly lifted up, only to quietly fall back into her daily routine.

The next morning, in the conference room, the last slide of the PPT flashed on the screen, and team members closed their laptops one by one, the atmosphere revealing a relaxation after tension.

Xia Zhiyao stood at the head of the table, looked around, and said in a crisp voice, "Everyone is well prepared. Now it's time to put your skills to use. That's all for today. Meeting adjourned."

Colleagues left the meeting room in twos and threes, their footsteps gradually fading away, and the large space suddenly became quiet.

"Zhiyao." Zheng Xiaotian leaned back lazily in his chair, and his voice drifted over softly after the last person closed the conference room door, "Wait a moment."

Xia Zhiyao was tidying up documents when she heard the voice. She looked up at him, her expression still sharp: "What is it?"

Zheng Xiaotian's originally casual demeanor concealed an unusual seriousness: "Let me go for this bidding."

Xia Zhiyao frowned, straightened up a bit, and locked her sharp gaze on him: "You're going? This isn't your forte. The team's plans all revolve around my ideas; it's not appropriate for you to step in at the last minute."

Zheng Xiaotian's lips curled slightly, his smile seemingly nonchalant: "You can't do everything yourself, can you? All the preliminary preparations are done, I just go there and act out the script."

"Don't give me that." Xia Zhiyao slammed the folder shut, her tone turning cold. "What are you hiding from me?"

Zheng Xiaotian stiffened slightly, his gaze drifted away, and he twirled his phone twice in his hand, but he didn't say a word.

"Zheng Xiaotian." Xia Zhiyao took a step closer, her aura suddenly becoming more imposing, her voice lower but sharper, "Tell me the truth, what is it?"

Zheng Xiaotian's smile finally faded. He straightened up, his eyes unusually serious: "I just found out that the people Heyi sent this time are Zhang Luyuan's team."