Take the initiative
The car drove into the apartment's underground parking garage.
The driver respectfully opened the car door.
Chi Zhuo got out of the car first, and then very naturally reached out his hand to Lin Tingyue inside the car.
Lin Tingyue looked at the hand with distinct knuckles and hesitated for a moment.
Thinking about everything he had done today, Lin Tingyue's heart beat even faster.
Finally, she cautiously reached out her hand and gently placed her fingertips on his palm.
Chi Zhuo's palm was warm and dry, steadily enveloping her slightly cool fingers, and with a little force, he pulled her out of the carriage.
The moment their skin touched, Lin Tingyue instinctively wanted to pull her hand back.
However, Chi Zhuo did not immediately let go.
He took her hand and led her towards the elevator. His steps were unhurried, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Lin Tingyue followed half a step behind him, her head down, her gaze fixed on their clasped hands.
His hands were large, completely enveloping hers, exuding an undeniable sense of control, yet strangely making her feel at ease.
The elevator slowly ascended.
In the enclosed space, there were only the two of them. The air seemed to have become thicker, and their breathing became clearly audible.
Lin Tingyue could feel the warmth of his palm flowing continuously, soothing her skin and seemingly calming her chaotic emotions.
She could even feel his steady, strong pulse beating, each beat resonating in her heart through their skin.
She was so nervous that her palms were sweating.
Chi Zhuo seemed to notice, and gently stroked her fingers.
It was just a tiny movement, but it made Lin Tingyue tremble and suddenly look up at him.
Chi Zhuo kept his eyes fixed on the fluctuating numbers on the elevator, his expression calm and unwavering, as if that small action was merely an unconscious act.
But Lin Tingyue's heart went completely out of control because of his subtle action, pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.
With a "ding," the elevator arrived.
Chi Zhuo finally let go of her hand and walked out first.
The sudden loss of warmth and comfort in her palms left Lin Tingyue feeling a strange emptiness in her heart.
She stared at his retreating figure, then followed him out in a daze.
Back in the apartment, the warm lights dispelled the chill outside.
Chi Zhuo took off her coat and hung it on the hanger, her movements as elegant and composed as ever.
Lin Tingyue stood in the entryway, feeling somewhat lost.
"Go take a hot shower and relax."
Chi Zhuo's voice came from behind, his tone calm, yet carrying an undeniable concern.
Lin Tingyue gave a soft "hmm" and hurried towards her bedroom as if fleeing.
Soaking in warm water, my tense nerves slowly relaxed.
Even with my eyes closed, all I could see were Chi Zhuo's deep, unfathomable eyes.
She found that she wasn't so afraid anymore.
After taking a shower, she came out wearing soft pajamas, drying her wet hair, and her mood calmed down a little.
Upon entering the living room, they discovered that Chi Zhuo had not returned to the study.
He sat on the sofa, with a glass of water and a small first-aid kit on the coffee table in front of him.
Seeing her come out, Chi Zhuo looked up, his gaze falling on her slightly red and swollen eyes, and then gestured to the sofa next to him: "Come here."
Lin Tingyue paused for a moment, then walked over hesitantly.
"Sit down." His tone was as commanding as ever, but it seemed to have softened a little.
Lin Tingyue sat down as instructed, feeling a little uneasy, unsure of what he was going to do.
Chi Zhuo opened the medicine box and took out a beautifully packaged ointment.
He unscrewed the cap and dipped his fingertip into the clear paste.
Then, he leaned in and got closer to her.
Lin Tingyue held her breath instantly, her body stiff as she stared at his increasingly larger handsome face.
His fingers, coated with slightly cool ointment, gently applied it to her eyelids, which were red, swollen, and hot from crying.
The movements were so gentle, as if they were handling a rare treasure.
Lin Tingyue froze completely. She could clearly feel the cool touch of his fingertips and smell the reassuringly cold aura emanating from him.
He was so close that you could almost hear his breathing.
Why do we have to do this?
Her nose tingled, and her eyes welled up with tears.
After applying the ointment, Chi Zhuo did not immediately leave.
His fingertips were still lingering at the corner of her eye, his gaze fixed intently on her.
Lin Tingyue stared back at him blankly, forgetting to avoid him and forgetting her fear.
The air seemed to freeze.
His gaze slowly moved down to her lips, which looked especially moist and full after her shower, and his eyes suddenly darkened.
Lin Tingyue's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously pursed her lips.
This subtle gesture seemed like a silent invitation.
Chi Zhuo's Adam's apple bobbed, his fingers tightening slightly as he pinched her chin, and he lowered his head, tentatively moving closer.
Just as his lips were about to touch hers, Lin Tingyue suddenly closed her eyes, her whole body trembling violently.
This is not tacit consent; it's more like an ostrich-like escape.
She was scared again, but dared not resist, so she could only choose this method.
The expected tactile sensation did not materialize.
She could only feel his hot breath spraying on her lips, so close, so close that it felt like they were already touching.
Time seemed to stand still.
The pool stopped just a hair's breadth away.
He could see the fine downy hairs on her face, feel the uncontrollable trembling of her body, and hear her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.
With her eyes closed, she looked both vulnerable and nervously on the verge of fainting, her innocent yet alluring demeanor stirring his heart.
But he did not continue.
He simply stopped very close, greedily tracing the shape of her lips with his gaze, his breathing becoming heavier, as if he were enjoying this extreme ambiguity that was on the verge of spiraling out of control.
The next second, Chi Zhuo released her again, seemingly intending to let her go.
The sudden increase in distance startled Lin Tingyue, and a sense of loss welled up inside her that she hadn't even noticed herself.
Chi Zhuo stood up, took a glass of ice water from the coffee table, gulped it down, and then said, "Remember to apply the ointment again tomorrow."
Lin Tingyue looked up at him, nodded awkwardly but politely, and said, "Thank you."
Apart from their breathing, the only other thing in the living room was the ambiguous atmosphere.
Lin Tingyue hurriedly stood up from the sofa, pointing frantically to the bedroom, "I...I'm going to sleep first, you...get some rest..."
After saying that, she practically fled, rushing into the bedroom without looking back.
Sitting on the soft bed, Lin Tingyue finally dared to slowly savor the scene from earlier. She couldn't help but gently touch her lips with her fingertips, as if Chi Zhuo's scent still lingered on them.
What exactly does "池濯" mean?
Was he teasing her? Or did he find her reaction particularly pleasing?
Outside the living room, Chi Zhuo remained seated on the sofa, motionless for a long time.
Just now, he almost lost control.
Seeing her helpless eyes, he instinctively wanted to get closer, to possess her, to have her.
However, he cannot do so at the moment.
Lin Tingyue had just gone through a storm, and her mind was in complete turmoil. He knew that if he were to be firm, she wouldn't resist him, but what difference would that make from taking advantage of her vulnerability?
But that's not what he wanted. He wanted Lin Tingyue's willingness, for her to consciously succumb to him.
But the time is not right yet.
He picked up his phone, the cold light of the screen reflecting on his inscrutable face, dialed a number, and his voice returned to its usual icy calm.
"Has the matter been investigated thoroughly? Who is behind today's events, pulling the strings?"
...
The next few days were peaceful.
The controversy surrounding the exhibition hall went unnoticed; all reports were suppressed and silenced, as if it had never happened.
Chi Zhuo seems to have returned to his usual busy routine, leaving early and returning late.
The two rarely met, and even when they did occasionally bump into each other at the breakfast table, they would only nod politely and distantly.
The almost intimate moment that occurred in the living room that night was like a dream deliberately forgotten, and no one ever mentioned it again.
But some things are ultimately different.
Lin Tingyue found herself subconsciously paying attention to his movements.
After finishing breakfast, Chi Zhuo picked up a napkin, wiped his mouth, and stood up.
Lin Tingyue involuntarily held her breath.
He walked to the entryway and put on his coat. His movements were fluid and without the slightest hesitation.
Just when she thought he would leave as usual, he paused slightly, without turning around, and his voice came clearly:
"It's getting colder today, wear more layers when you go out."
After he finished speaking, the door opened and then closed again, leaving the room in complete silence, along with his words that, while devoid of emotion, were clearly expressions of concern.
Lin Tingyue stared blankly at the tightly closed door.
The cup that my fingertips touched had cooled down, but somewhere deep inside my heart, it felt slightly warm.
This uncertain gentleness made her feel more lost than a direct question.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
We can no longer be passively trapped in his influence.
She picked up her phone and dialed Xia Xiaoran's number.
"Xiao Ran, let's talk about the studio in detail today."
Her voice carried a resolute determination.
afternoon.
Lin Tingyue and Xia Xiaoran arranged to meet at a quiet coffee shop.
"Are you really sure?" Xia Xiaoran looked at the long-lost gleam in her friend's eyes and was somewhat excited.
“Yes.” Lin Tingyue nodded. “I can’t keep going like this. I have to do something.”
She took out several design sketches she had drawn and spread them on the table.
With its smooth lines, unique ideas, and distinctive personal style, it embodies her distinctive personality.
"That's great!" Xia Xiaoran said in a low voice, "However, start-up capital and venue..."
This is also a question that Lin Tingyue is currently pondering.
Her savings were limited, while the rent for a suitable studio was quite high.
"I'll see if there are any smaller apartments or shared workspaces first." She didn't want to invest too much at the beginning.
Xia Xiaoran still didn't quite understand. "Yueyue, it's actually quite good that you work at the Lin Group. You have Chi Zhuo backing you up, so you don't need to worry so much."
“It’s different.” Lin Tingyue looked at Xia Xiaoran seriously. “When I worked at Lin’s before, on the one hand, I had just returned to China and was not very familiar with the country, so my father arranged a position for me as a training ground. After I married Chi Zhuo, he was watching my every move all the time, and I didn’t have much room to develop myself. Besides, now that the Chi family has also intervened in Lin’s Group, my position is even more of a decoration.”
"Then I'll help you with whatever you want to do!"
Xia Xiaoran raised both hands in agreement, "Yueyue, I unconditionally support any decision you make!"
Lin Tingyue was almost moved to tears and couldn't help but hug Xia Xiaoran, "Xiaoran, you're so kind!"
Xia Xiaoran smiled brightly, "Who told you to be my best friend!"
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