38 Chapter 38
◎I just want to hold you like this forever◎
The next morning, sunlight streamed into the office through the glass window. Sang Xinqi rested her chin on her hand in a daze, her pen unconsciously drawing circles on the paper. The sweet memories of yesterday made her chuckle from time to time, and she looked around hurriedly, afraid that someone would notice her abnormality.
"Boss! Something happened!" Assistant Xiao Zhang pushed the door open in a panic, interrupting her thoughts.
Before Sang Xinqi could come to her senses, she heard a sharp female voice coming from the corridor, "You must return the money to me today! We agreed to lend it to you for a month or two, and it's already been four months!"
She walked quickly to the door and saw Brother Zhou from the studio grabbing a middle-aged woman with an angry face. The woman had curly hair, wore a black down jacket, and was waving her arms excitedly.
"What's going on?" Sang Xinqi asked Xiao Zhang in a low voice.
Xiao Zhang hesitated, "That... seems to be Brother Zhou's lover, who keeps yelling for you to pay back the money..."
"Me?" Sang Xinqi opened her eyes wide in surprise. "When did I..."
Before she could finish her words, the middle-aged woman rushed over to her, her red-polished fingernails almost poking her nose. "Are you the boss? When are you going to pay us back the 100,000 yuan you owe us? It's not that I don't want to lend it to you, but we're in urgent need of the money. Please pay it back quickly."
Sang Xinqi subconsciously took a half step back and turned to look at Brother Zhou.
This usually honest middle-aged man's face flushed, with beads of sweat oozing from his forehead.
"Enough!" Brother Zhou suddenly yelled, "I didn't lend the boss any money! That money...that money was used for my mother's medical treatment!"
The air froze instantly. Mrs. Zhou's raised hand froze in mid-air. The anger on her face gradually turned into astonishment. "What did you say?"
"Mom, I needed money for surgery some time ago..."
Brother Zhou's voice dropped. "I knew you had a bad relationship with her, so I... I just lied..."
Mrs. Zhou's lips began to tremble, and the corners of her lipstick-coated mouth twitched slightly. She looked around, seeing the employees around her with eyes that were either surprised or sympathetic, and suddenly realized how big a joke she had made.
"I'm sorry, little girl..." She rubbed her hands awkwardly, her voice choked with sobs, "I'm... I'm..."
Sang Xinqi sighed softly, "It's okay, you guys go back and take care of your household chores first."
She turned to Brother Zhou and said in a gentle but firm tone, "Come back to work after this matter is resolved."
Brother Zhou lowered his head, grabbed his wife's sleeve and walked away quickly.
The corridor was filled with the suppressed sobs of Mrs. Zhou and the consolation whispered by Brother Zhou, "Let's talk about it when we get home, let's talk about it when we get home..."
The office returned to silence, but the air was still filled with awkwardness. Sang Xinqi rubbed her temples, she never thought that something like this would happen.
As the night deepened, streetlights lit up one after another on both sides of the street. Sang Xinqi looked at Liao Yishen who was driving and told him about the farce in the studio during the day.
"You didn't see it. When Brother Zhou's wife pointed at me and asked for money, I was completely stunned." She curled her lips, her fingers unconsciously twisting the seat belt, "I became a debtor for no reason."
"But Brother Zhou did go a bit too far. No matter what, he shouldn't lie to his wife. And a lie requires countless lies to cover it up."
Liao Yishen frowned slightly and unconsciously slowed down the car. "Master Zhou was indeed inappropriate in this matter, but..." He tilted his head to glance at her, then looked straight ahead. "Next time you encounter this kind of situation, remember to stay away from it."
"What?" Sang Xinqi blinked.
"What if you meet someone unreasonable and get hurt?" His thumb gently stroked her shoulder, "I'm not by your side..."
Hearing this, Sang Xinqi's eyes lit up with a smile, "Are you worried about me?"
"Yeah," Liao Yishen answered simply.
This straightforward answer made Sang Xinqi's heart warm.
She hated those roundabout and covert dramas the most, and she liked this kind of blatant preference.
The scenery outside the car flew by quickly. She held the seat belt with her good hand and leaned sideways. "I know."
The ending note rises briskly, like a kitten that has stolen candy.
While waiting for the traffic light, he looked at her and felt itchy in his heart. If he was not driving, he really wanted to hug her in his arms and rub her into his bones and blood.
-
On a Wednesday afternoon, sunlight streamed into the office through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sang Xinqi gently pushed open the glass door of Liao Yishen's company. The receptionist had been waiting for a long time. "Miss Sang, is this you? Mr. Liao asked me to take you there."
In the office at the end of the corridor, Liao Yishen was staring intently at the computer screen, his slender fingers tapping on the keyboard. When he raised his head at the sound of movement, his stern brows softened instantly. "Wait for me for ten minutes."
His voice was steady at work.
Sang Xinqi sat obediently on the reception sofa, her eyes casually sweeping across the entire office - simple gray and white tones, neatly arranged folders on the bookshelf, and finally, her gaze fell back on the figure who was concentrating on his work.
Sang Xinqi was mesmerized by the man's slightly furrowed brows, his occasionally pursed lips, and his serious eyes, until she heard a low laugh, "Have you seen enough?"
"I haven't seen enough," she winked frankly, "I'll go home and continue watching."
Liao Yishen chuckled, closed his computer, and tidied himself up. As they walked out of the company side by side, Sang Xinqi suddenly remembered something, "Hey, Jiang Xun isn't here today?"
"Going to meet a client," Liao Yishen pressed the elevator button and his eyes fell on her.
"My arms have been itching these past two days," Sang Xinqi couldn't help but speak, gently scratching the spot on her hand.
Liao Yishen's eyes fell on her dazed arm, "The itching is probably because the wound is healing. Don't scratch it, it will easily leave scars."
"I feel like I'll get scars even if I don't scratch. I'm prone to scarring," Sang Xinqi complained softly.
As they talked, the two of them went to the basement.
After getting in the car, the two chatted for a while and soon arrived at the hospital.
In the hospital, the doctor carefully handled the sticky gauze. Every time Sang Xinqi frowned, Liao Yishen couldn't help but say, "Doctor, can you be a little gentler?"
"Young man," the old doctor pushed his glasses, "my technique is more delicate than embroidery," and he deliberately pulled it open with force, causing Sang Xinqi to gasp.
"You did it on purpose!" Liao Yishen's face instantly darkened.
Sang Xinqi quickly grabbed his sleeve and said, "It's okay, it doesn't hurt anymore."
He turned to the doctor and smiled, "Don't tease him, he takes it seriously."
The old doctor said cheerfully, "You are a good young man. You know how to love your wife."
After saying this, their cheeks flushed and they lowered their heads silently.
After being re-bandaged, Sang Xinqi was like a bird out of a cage, eagerly moving her arms, "Finally free!"
"Slow down," Liao Yishen followed closely, afraid that she would tear the wound.
"It's okay," Sang Xinqi said to him.
On the way back, they passed by a supermarket and went in to have a look.
Sang Xinqi watched eagerly as Liao Yishen put the pig's trotters into the shopping cart, "I want the extra spicy kind."
"The wound hasn't healed yet," Liao Yishen chose the mildest seasoning without even looking up.
Even after reaching home and getting in the elevator, Sang Xinqi still felt unwilling to give up.
"It's just a little spicy~" She tugged at the corner of his clothes and shook it.
In the elevator, Liao Yishen stared at the constantly jumping floor numbers, ignoring the expectant eyes of the people around him.
Sang Xinqi finally said, "Okay, okay."
After saying that, he hummed, walked out of the elevator, walked to the door, entered the password and opened the door.
Looking at her slightly willful back, Liao Yishen smiled helplessly.
Sang Xinqi knew that Liao Yishen was doing this for his own good, so he wasn't angry, he just threw a tantrum a little.
After she changed into her home clothes, she opened the door opposite.
When she walked in, a rich aroma was already wafting from the kitchen.
"It smells so good~" She put her arms around Liao Yishen's waist from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder. On the stove, a casserole was bubbling with steam, and pig's trotters were stewed in the bright red soup.
The kitchen was filled with rich aroma. Sang Xinqi stared at the bubbling casserole, like a kitten waiting to be fed.
When Liao Yishen turned around, he met her sparkling eyes and couldn't help but reach out and rub the top of her head, "Be patient, stew it until it's more tender so that it can be more flavorful."
The soft touch from his fingertips made his heart tremble. As their eyes met, the distance between them unconsciously shortened, their breaths blended, and their lips touched.
After a long time, their lips finally parted.
Sang Xinqi blushed and buried herself in his arms, her nose filled with a reassuring scent.
Liao Yishen gently hugged her waist, feeling a surge of satisfaction in his heart.
The two hugged each other for a long time until the timer on the stove rang and they separated.
Liao Yishen let go of her and turned off the fire. The moment the lid of the casserole was opened, the rich aroma of sauce wrapped in a slight spicy taste hit his face.
The fragrance is so sweet that it makes people dizzy.
The two of them quickly served it and placed it on the dining table.
Sang Xinqi's saliva was secreted.
"Didn't you tell me not to eat spicy food?" She picked up the trembling pig's trotter and winked cunningly. The amber gelatin trembled on the tip of the chopsticks, and the bright red chili oil slowly slid down the grain.
Liao Yishen took a tissue and wiped the sauce off the corner of her mouth. "I saw you couldn't have it, and I was so anxious, so I put some in it." His tone was helpless, but his eyes were full of indulgence.
Sang Xinqi chuckled twice, "Of course, I love spicy food more and more now."
After a satisfying meal and a few drinks, the two of them nestled on the sofa. Sang Xinqi contentedly rubbed her slightly bulging belly, then suddenly looked up as if remembering something. "Tomorrow..."
"Um?"
"I still want to eat the food you cook," she rubbed against his arms, her hair brushing his chin.
The lights outside the window were just coming on, and the warm yellow light shone through the gauze curtains, casting tiny spots of light on the overlapping figures of the two people.
"Okay, I'll make it for you." Liao Yishen held her arm tighter. "What do you want to eat?"
"Let's make fried rice noodles," Sang Xinqi looked up at him, her fingers unconsciously touching his chin, the newly grown beard was a little prickly.
Liao Yishen let her touch him, he really enjoyed her touch.
As dusk deepens, the moonlight outside the window quietly climbs up the window frame.
Time flowed silently in their embrace, and before they knew it, the clock had pointed to eleven o'clock in the evening.
"Time flies so fast," Sang Xinqi bit her lower lip lightly, with a hint of reluctance in her voice.
Liao Yishen felt the warmth of the person in his arms and responded in a low voice, "Yes."
"I really don't want to go back..." She buried her face in his shoulder, her voice muffled, "I just want to hold you like this forever."
Liao Yishen's Adam's apple moved slightly, and the words "stay" rolled between his lips, but he couldn't say it out loud in the end. He was afraid of offending her.
Silence stretched between the two.
Sang Xinqi raised her head and looked into his deep eyes. After a long while, she sighed softly, "I should go back now. You still have to go to work tomorrow."
She slowly withdrew from his arms, and the rustling of clothes made a slight sound. The sudden emptiness of his arms made Liao Yishen's heart tighten, as if something important had been taken away.
"I'll take you there," he stood up hastily.
Sang Xinqi's face brightened when she heard that, and her eyes curved into crescents. "Okay."
When she reached the entrance, she suddenly chuckled, "This is probably the shortest path you've ever taken me on."
Liao Yishen looked at her smiling face and said softly, "It really can't be closer than this."
In front of the door, the two stood facing each other.
Sang Xinqi turned around, opened the door and went in.
Only after her figure had completely left the room did Liao Yishen gently close his door. In the night, the two doors facing each other stood quietly, as if telling unfinished words.
-
On a sunny Saturday morning, Sang Xinqi and her group drove to the ancient city in a neighboring city. Jiang Xun had been suggesting this for a long time, telling everyone he met that he wanted to visit the ancient city, and he finally convinced Sang Xinqi and Liao Yishen.
Originally, there were only three of them traveling together, but when Chang Yisi learned about it, she also joined with great interest - her cousin happened to work in the ancient city, so this was a good opportunity for them to get together.
The three-hour drive didn't seem so long as we chatted and laughed. It was already evening when we arrived. The ancient city was brightly lit in the twilight, and the ancient buildings with flying eaves and pointed corners were even more charming under the warm yellow light.
"It really lives up to its reputation," Jiang Xun rolled down the car window and sighed at the street view, "This ancient and charming atmosphere is completely different from our Qingcheng."
Sang Xinqi pointed at the navigation system and said, "The B&B we're staying in is near the scenic area. This area is full of well-preserved historical buildings."
After checking in, the four of them came to the two-bedroom, one-living room homestay they had booked, simply settled their luggage, and gathered in the living room to discuss dinner arrangements.
Chang Yisi suddenly said, "I won't be having dinner with you guys in a while. I've made an appointment with my cousin and plan to stay with her for two days."
"Ah?" Sang Xinqi said, "We'll take you there."
Chang Yisi waved his hand and said, "Don't bother, I can just call a car."
Jiang Xun frowned when he heard this, "It's so late, it's not safe for a girl like you to take a taxi."
Sang Xinqi nodded in agreement, "Yes, we'll take you there. We can look for somewhere to eat on the way."
Liao Yishen nodded in agreement, "This is a good arrangement. It's both safe and convenient."
Seeing that everyone said so, Chang Yisi no longer refused, "Then I'll trouble you."
As the night deepened, the four of them walked out of the B&B. The evening breeze in the ancient city was chilly, and the red lanterns on the street swayed gently in the wind, casting flickering light and shadows on the bluestone road.
They walked along the brightly lit alley toward the parking lot, their laughter gradually blending into the night of the ancient city.
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