Chapter 26 Straight Men Are So Painful
Suddenly, there was a noise outside the door, accompanied by footsteps and the sound of the door opening.
Xia Li hurriedly turned her head to look, the look of panic still lingering on her delicate face. Upon closer inspection, one could even see that sweat had already clung to the strands of hair at her temples, and tiny beads of sweat were still glistening on her forehead.
Ji Ling suddenly entered from outside the door without any explanation. The moment the door opened, his eyes, full of spring-like tenderness, casually opened as he stood in the doorway, looking at Xia Li from a short distance away.
"Is it hot?" He noticed the beads of sweat on Xia Li's head and the slightly damp ends of her hair, frowned, and asked Xia Li.
Xia Li was flustered and opened her mouth, unsure how to answer.
Of course it's not hot. The indoor temperature is just right, extremely comfortable, with no scorching heat. In Guangda, where summer is long and winter is short, you won't feel any chill at all.
But for some reason, Xia Li felt a cold sweat breaking out on his back. Perhaps it was because he had done something wrong, or perhaps it was because he had seen something he shouldn't have.
Xia Li hurriedly shook her head, then nodded blankly, and replied in a low voice without much confidence, "It's a bit hot."
Ji Ling frowned and looked her over. She was dressed in long sleeves and trousers, completely covered up, but he didn't say anything. Then he ordered someone to lower the temperature in the room.
Xia Li quickly waved his hand to stop him, and stammered, "No need, I've already finished."
She was referring to the photos being edited. As she spoke, she glanced at the black-screened computer next to her and noticed the USB drive Xia Qingqing had given her, which was still on the table and had been forgotten to be put away. She immediately took it back and put it in her bag.
Even though she hadn't done anything for Xia Qingqing, she felt sorry for Ji Ling and indebted to him.
Xia Li lowered her eyes and thought. Perhaps it was because there were too many accumulated conflicts that things could not be clearly defined. Some misunderstandings had been resolved with the passage of time, and some answers had become clear as if the clouds had parted and the sun had come out in their daily interactions.
They should have been able to let go of the past with ease, but it seems that because neither of them took the initiative to resolve the issues, the doubts were not fully expressed. There is always a layer of rough sandpaper between them, which inadvertently causes pain in their lives.
Seeing Xia Li say this, Ji Ling didn't continue. As he slowly approached, he handed Xia Li a wet wipe, indicating that she should wipe the sweat from her forehead.
Xia Li thought he was disgusted, so she hurriedly took it and dabbed it on her forehead in a fluster, saying repeatedly, "I'm sorry."
Ji Ling frowned and said coldly, "No need to be embarrassed."
Xia Li stopped wiping her sweat. She sat down on the stool, and Ji Ling stood in front of her. Xia Li was already shorter than Ji Ling.
At this moment, she had no choice but to look up at Ji Ling. With just one glance, she noticed his slightly furrowed brows, which further solidified her resolve.
Ji Ling must be disgusted with her, but he won't say it.
She comforted herself, saying that Ji Ling was right and there was no need to be embarrassed. It was only natural for people to sweat.
Just as she was about to throw away the tissue, she heard Ji Ling say, "Next time you feel hot, tell me in advance, don't wait until I come over. Not only this, but if there's anything else, you can tell me too."
Xia Li paused, her eyebrows slightly raised. She dared not meet Ji Ling's gaze. Just staring at him made her feel as if she had been burned by his sincere words. She couldn't imagine what it would be like if they met eyes.
She swallowed hard amidst her stiff, halting movements, then nodded slightly and replied stiffly, "Okay."
Afterwards, Xia Li sent the repaired photos to the staff of the publicity department. As she left, she overheard a man and a woman chatting in the tea room.
"Why did you suddenly change the photo without any prior notice?"
"Who knows? Anyway, we don't have to film it, so who cares?"
"That's true, but the photographer who came today isn't from the company, is he? I don't think I've seen him before."
"He looks unfamiliar to me too."
"I heard it was brought by Young Master Ji, do you think it might be..."
What is it?
"Oh, didn't I hear he got married?"
"Oh, is that his secret fiancée whom he's hiding at home?"
Doesn't it look like it?
……………
Xia Li's deliberately slowed pace lost its rhythm at this moment, her mind in turmoil.
Just then, Ji Ling walked straight over. When he reached her, he familiarly grabbed her hand and led her towards the door in full view of everyone.
Xia Li's eyes widened slightly. Even though Ji Ling had been holding her hand and interlocking their fingers frequently these past few days, she still couldn't get used to it, especially when she overheard the conversation between two strangers in the tea room.
Feeling the warmth and softness enveloping the back of her hand, she felt even more uncomfortable. She moved her knuckles, actually resisting, but because her palm was being held so tightly, she lost her strength and it seemed as if she was hooking Ji Ling's hand, scratching at her heart inch by inch.
Ji Ling looked at her with some confusion and his breathing was a little unsteady. He looked down at her and said in a low voice, "What's wrong? Are you still hot? I've already had someone lower the room temperature."
Xia Li shook her head in astonishment. She hadn't expected that Ji Ling would remember the words she had casually made up, and that he would bring them up again when she was about to leave.
She looked down at their intertwined hands, her fingertips instinctively curling up, trying to pull away from Ji Ling's palm, but she hesitated halfway due to politeness, her knuckles turning slightly pale.
After thinking it over and over, and realizing there was no way to break free, he casually asked, "Where to next?"
It's just a matter of going home; it's hot outside, and there's nowhere else to go.
Ji Ling's answer was exactly what she expected. The difference was that Ji Ling added shortly afterward, "Jiang Xue's wedding is next month. I had someone send over the new season's clothes. Go back and try them on to see if any of them are suitable."
Xia Li misunderstood Ji Ling's meaning, thinking that he cared about Jiang Xue. Her words revealed a sadness she herself was unaware of: "Do you care a lot?"
Ji Ling was confused by her question, but then realized that Xia Li had misunderstood, so she immediately explained, "No."
He then added, "I know the other party; there will be quite a few people there."
He regretted owing Xia Li a public wedding, but dared not make it public and could not find a suitable way to make it up to her. He could only use the most clumsy method to bring her by his side, integrate her into his social circle, and openly tell everyone that this person was his.
It's really foolish. If we're not careful, it could become a new fuse and ignite a conflict.
They were so close, yet hesitated to speak. Their hesitant responses, one after another, always vanished halfway through, leaving only scattered fragments of explanation that disappeared into the silent space, untouched by anyone.
After arriving at Cloud Top Garden, Xia Li tried on clothes sent by the brand in the dressing room. They were all newly arrived items, and each piece seemed to have been carefully selected, perfectly matching her temperament.
Correspondingly, there were also men's clothes. Xia Li thought that Ji Ling had probably prepared them for himself, but for some reason, just thinking about it, and imagining that she might appear in public wearing matching clothes with Ji Ling in the future, made her chest feel hot and a layer of fire ignited.
The flames burned straight up his cheeks, turning the back of his ears and neck crimson, searing his earlobes like fresh blood.
She shook her head, teetering on the edge of reason, forcing herself to stay sober.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door from behind, and Ji Ling's cool voice came through: "Have you made your choice?"
Xia Li glanced at the pile of clothes she had just tried on, casually put them aside, then tied her loose hair up loosely, gathered it in front of her left chest, and went to open the door: "All done."
As the door opened, sunlight streamed in. She wore a champagne-colored long dress, the fabric clinging to her slender waist. Under the bright light, the folds shimmered, highlighting her delicate and elegant figure.
Ji Ling's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked her up and down. A hint of hesitation lingered between his brows, and his pupils, backlit by the light, gleamed with a dark green, swirling with complex emotions, as if he had a thousand words to say. But when his gaze fell upon her bewildered face, it turned into a soft, hoarse cough.
“This one is quite nice,” Ji Ling said in a low, hoarse voice.
Xia Li glanced at her outfit. She had tried on many pieces and felt they were all similar, with no significant difference. Since Ji Ling had mentioned that this one was nice, Xia Li made up her mind and decided to wear it.
“Okay, this one will do.” Xia Li replied, and then walked into the dressing room. Before opening the door, she swept all her hair to one side of her chest, and her fair neck was now exposed to Ji Ling without any defense.
And the slightly loose drawstring at the back of his waist—Ji Ling noticed it at a glance. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he was on the verge of desire. Just as he was about to find an excuse to leave, Xia Li turned around and walked over at that moment.
In her hand was a navy blue suit she had chosen to match, paired with a light gold tie, creating a gentle contrast with the warm champagne color.
“This suits you very well,” she said directly and simply.
Ji Ling stared straight at her, not hearing a word she was saying. His breathing became heavy and labored as time passed, and he was as tense as a fully drawn bow, radiating an irrepressible restlessness.
"Yeah, I think so too," Ji Ling echoed, but his eyes didn't even glance at the clothes.
Xia Li felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze. She bit her pale lips until they were a deep red, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks. Fortunately, the lights in the dressing room were not fully on, making it slightly dim, so her shyness was not revealed.
Xia Li put the clothes in her hands aside, preparing to change back into her home clothes. Just as she was about to signal Ji Ling to leave, Ji Ling suddenly stepped forward and approached her.
She was momentarily stunned as she was relentlessly pursued. As she retreated, her back accidentally bumped into the glass. Fortunately, Ji Ling noticed and reached out to put his arm around her shoulder.
The area for trying on clothes was not spacious, and the air was filled with a stuffy, hot atmosphere from being too close together. Xia Li could even smell Ji Ling's familiar fragrance.
"The strap on your back is loose."
The straight man spoke without thinking, and his voice sounded uncomfortable, very hoarse.
Xia Li was startled, thinking that the drawstring had never been tied tightly. She stood in front of the mirror, turned to the side and looked behind her, only to realize that Ji Ling meant the drawstring was loose.
"Can you help me out..."
"I'll help you..."
An ambiguous atmosphere continued to rise. No one knew who spoke first or who made the first move. Their breaths mingled and intertwined, causing their heartbeats to become erratic. No one could say for sure when things started to get out of control.
As their fingers intertwined and skin touched, their body heat flowed through their palms. His kisses were rapid and intense, and she tilted her head back to meet them, letting out soft sobs as she breathed, unable to distinguish between indulgence and gratification.
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