Chapter 80 I might, next month...
Chapter 80
Xia Zhiyao was holding two small color swatches, caught in a sweet dilemma with the designer.
Not far away, Zhou Yue's figure was clearly outlined by a beam of slanted light. He was looking down slightly, the cold light from his phone screen illuminating his focused profile as he checked the numbers on the list with the foreman.
Although he didn't look at her, Xia Zhiyao could sense that every bit of her emotion seemed to be within his perception range.
“I want to change the living room walls to pearl white,” she said, closing the design drawings in her hand, her gaze lingering on the gentle rose color. She subconsciously tilted her head towards Zhou Yue, her tone revealing a dependence she herself didn't realize. “But… rose color is also very beautiful. What should I do?”
As if they had been waiting for a long time, the man on the other end immediately reacted. Zhou Yue put away his phone and strode towards her. His gaze did not look at the color swatch first, but lingered for a moment on her troubled expression before lowering his eyes to her hand.
"Pearl white for the living room, rose color for the bedroom."
Xia Zhiyao tilted her head and looked at him: "Oh? Is there some special meaning behind this, Mr. Zhou?"
Zhou Yue slowly lifted his gaze from the color swatch and said calmly, "The living room is the face of the business; it should be bright and clean."
He paused slightly, and the look in his eyes suddenly changed. His voice lowered unconsciously, taking on a seductive, slightly hoarse tone: "The bedroom... well, it should be a little more romantic."
He gently brushed against her earlobe, instantly igniting a burning sensation. Xia Zhiyao felt her breath catch in her throat. She forcibly suppressed the heat rising to her cheeks, turned her head away, and used a feigned, nonchalant hum to mask her panic: "You talk... as if you're the one who wants to sleep."
"Heh." Zhou Yue took another half step closer, and slowly asked, each word like a teasing touch on her heart: "If you won't let me sleep with you, who will?"
His warm breath almost brushed against her neck, his voice lowered, but the last syllable of his tone was maliciously teasing, "Hmm? Who else do you want to... sleep with?" This barrage of questions was domineering and shameless.
Xia Zhiyao tiptoed closer to his ear, her voice slightly teasing: "I'll let you sleep with me!"
The moment she finished speaking, she clearly saw Zhou Yue's eyes suddenly darken, and then a triumphant smile slowly curled up on his lips, deep and indulgent.
He didn't press further, but simply raised his hand and lightly brushed his fingertips against her burning earlobe before slowly turning and walking toward the foreman, a victor's smile still lingering on his face.
When it came time to choose furniture, Xia Zhiyao was called away by her company for a conference call and could only sit in a corner wearing headphones to speak.
Zhou Yue squatted alone next to the sample, seriously discussing the material with the saleswoman. He even personally tried out the firmness of the mattress. When she hung up the phone and came over, she saw Zhou Yue pressing down on the mattress.
As she approached, the saleswoman smiled and said, "Actually, you two can lie down together and try it out. Generally, men and women have different weights, so if you sleep on the mattress for a long time, the pressure will be uneven. You might not feel it if one person tries it alone. Lying down together will give you a more realistic experience."
Xia Zhiyao was taken aback, her ears burning slightly. Before she could refuse, the saleswoman added with a smile, "Looks like you're a newlywed couple, right? Buying a new house is a good time to furnish it, and this mattress is perfect for the young couple."
Xia Zhiyao's heart tightened, and she was about to explain when Zhou Yue, without changing his expression, nodded and said in a deep voice, "Yes, that's right. She finally agreed to live with me, and since neither of us sleeps very well, we wanted to find a more comfortable place."
Xia Zhiyao froze, her face burning even more. She instinctively wanted to deny it, but Zhou Yue had already turned his head away, his eyes filled with a mocking smile, as if waiting for her to respond.
"How about... we give it a try?" The saleswoman smiled gently, completely unaware of the undercurrent between the two.
Xia Zhiyao was speechless. They had been together for a long time, and had even done things more intimate than this countless times, but in broad daylight with other people watching, she still felt a strange sense of panic as if their relationship had been made public.
She pursed her lips, but ultimately lay down awkwardly on the other side. The moment the mattress sank slightly, she immediately felt Zhou Yue's weight beside her, and his unfamiliar yet familiar scent rushed towards her, making her heart tighten.
She suddenly found it funny. They had shared the same bed countless times, but here, she was as nervous as a girl falling in love for the first time, her heart pounding for no reason.
Zhou Yue, on the other hand, was relaxed, lying on his back, turning his head to look at her: "How are you feeling?"
Xia Zhiyao felt even more embarrassed and almost immediately sat up, pushing Zhou Yue: "Alright, let's go with this one, place the order!"
Zhou Yue slowly got up, chuckled softly, and said nothing more, but a smile he couldn't hide still lingered on his lips.
By the time she got home, it was already dark. Bags and packages were piled up in the living room. Xia Zhiyao changed her shoes and let out a long sigh: "Never mind that for now, I'm starving."
Zhou Yue put down the bag, unbuttoned his sleeves, walked to the kitchen doorway and looked around: "I'll make the steak."
Xia Zhiyao glanced at him and smiled, "Okay, then I'll make a soup and a salad."
Soon, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of steam and fragrance. Xia Zhiyao peeled the cooked shrimp, cut them into small pieces, mixed them into the avocado puree, added diced tomatoes and a little lemon juice. The bright colors made it look very appetizing.
Xia Zhiyao tasted the cream of mushroom soup and then handed the bowl to Zhou Yue: "How does it taste?"
Zhou Yue flipped the steak with one hand and took it with the other, took a sip, and nodded, "Just right." Then, he glanced at her and smiled slightly, "What you make is always delicious."
The oil in the wok sizzled and popped, and he casually explained, "You can't keep flipping the steak. You have to wait until one side locks in the juices before gently flipping it to the other side. Too high a heat and it'll get tough, too low and it won't be fragrant."
Xia Zhiyao was chopping vegetables beside him, the sound of the knife striking the cutting board crisp and clear. Hearing his serious tone, she couldn't help but laugh out loud: "When did you become a steak expert?"
Zhou Yue didn't look up, his tone indifferent: "What skill is involved in pan-frying steak? If you time it right and control the heat, you can naturally make a decent-tasting steak."
After saying that, he gently pressed the steak with tongs to make sure it was heated evenly, and then slowly added, "The salt should be sprinkled last to lock in the juices and make it tender."
Xia Zhiyao casually replied, "You know, when you're grilling steak, it's like you're doing data analysis." It was a joke, but her heart skipped a beat.
He spoke with a serious tone, as if he were dealing with something important, but to her, his earnestness carried a subtle tenderness, as if he had long taken taking care of her for granted.
The aroma of meat in the pot grew stronger, and the steam carried the scent of oil. Xia Zhiyao couldn't help but sniff, and sighed softly, "It really does smell quite authentic."
Zhou Yue then looked up, his gaze falling on her face, and a slight smile appeared on his lips: "Try it in a bit and we'll see."
Once the food was served, the two steaks were cut open, and the juices seeped out, emitting a fragrant aroma. Xia Zhiyao took a bite and had to raise an eyebrow and nod: "It's really delicious."
Zhou Yue looked at her, a smile playing on his lips: "As long as you think it's good, it's worth it even if you only know this one dish."
Xia Zhiyao suddenly exclaimed "Ah!" and stood up abruptly.
Zhou Yue was taken aback: "What's wrong?"
Xia Zhiyao frowned, looking disgusted: "How can we eat steak without red wine? What kind of ritual is that if we don't have red wine with it?"
Zhou Yue chuckled softly and untied his apron. "Okay, I'll go get it." With that, he turned and went to the wine cabinet, quickly bringing out a bottle of his prized red wine, along with the corkscrew.
The wine was slowly poured into the stemmed glass, its deep red color shimmering under the light. The two sat facing each other, with steak and salad laid out on the table. The refreshing avocado complemented the rich aroma of the meat. The wine glasses clinked gently together, producing a crisp sound.
"That's more like it." Xia Zhiyao took a sip and nodded in satisfaction.
Zhou Yue cut the steak with one hand and held up a glass with the other, his movements so elegant that it seemed more like he was in a high-end restaurant than at home.
He said calmly, "If you continue to be this particular, I'll have to stock up on a few cases of wine."
Xia Zhiyao rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile: "Then I'll have to drink some good wine."
Zhou Yue slowly put down his wine glass, which was particularly clear in the quiet night. He stared at the remaining wine in the glass.
"Twenty years ago, neither of us could have imagined that life would turn out like this." His voice was low and slow, each word seemingly dug from the deepest part of his heart, carrying the unique hoarse texture that comes with the passage of time.
Xia Zhiyao vaguely recalled summer nights from her childhood. She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting dappled shadows under the lamplight. After a long while, she finally raised the corners of her lips, a smile that was a mixture of bitterness and sweetness, like the lingering taste of the red wine in her mouth. "Yes, who could have imagined it?"
The light shone through the wine, mirroring the changing light and shadow in their eyes. Their smiles held a sense of relief and ease, yet also a heavy burden that had been building up for years, like memories buried at the bottom of a lake, stirred up by this unexpected topic and brought back to the surface.
Xia Zhiyao lowered her head even further: "Twenty years ago, I only thought about going as far as possible. I always felt that only by leaving that home could I find true freedom."
Zhou Yue's gaze towards her gradually deepened from its initial gentleness, becoming stubborn and focused.
"But twenty years ago, I followed you around like a little tail every day." His voice was filled with the tenderness of memories, and every word was full of emotions treasured for many years. "You taught me to play football, taught me to practice calligraphy, and ran around with me in our courtyard. At that time, I vaguely knew that you were more than just the pretty older sister who lived next door to me."
He paused for a moment, but his tone was so serious that it made one's heart tighten instantly: "You are the person I most want to catch up with in this life, the person I have always wanted to walk side by side with and see all the scenery in the world together."
These words were like a pebble thrown into Xia Zhiyao's calm heart lake, stirring up ripples.
Even though they had been together for so long, and he had said these words countless times, when he repeated them in such a serious and deliberate manner, her heart still felt as if it were being tightly gripped by a warm hand, and she felt a complex mix of emotions, a bittersweet feeling that spread from her heart to her fingertips, making it almost impossible for her to hold the wine glass firmly.
She slowly raised her eyes and looked at him through the misty tears: "You always say things like that."
Zhou Yue gently reached out his hand, his slender fingertips covering her delicate hand: "Because I'm afraid you'll forget. Forgetting means that from the summer I was twelve, you've been the only one in my heart, unchanged for twenty years."
Xia Zhiyao was completely stunned for a moment. Something flickered in her eyes, like starlight, like tears, or even more like the light ignited by this burning emotion. She blinked hard, trying to suppress the surging tide, but ultimately couldn't help but chuckle softly. The laughter contained emotion, helplessness, and the happiness of being deeply loved: "You big fool, how could I forget something I haven't forgotten in twenty years?"
By the end of the meal, the wine bottle on the table was empty. Xia Zhiyao put down her knife and fork, got up to clear the dishes: "I'll wash them."
Zhou Yue couldn't sit still and followed him into the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves: "Together."
The sound of running water filled the air, and the dishes clattered in the water. Xia Zhiyao washed one and handed it to him, while he rinsed it clean beside her. Their tacit understanding seemed to be something they were already used to.
They stood side by side, their shoulders occasionally brushing against each other, and even a brief touch was enough to make one's heart skip a beat.
Xia Zhiyao handed over the last bowl and was about to say "It's done" when Zhou Yue grabbed her wrist.
She was startled, and looked up to meet his eyes. They were tinged with the effects of alcohol, but not hazy. Instead, they were incredibly hot, so deep that they seemed to engulf her. The next second, he lowered his head and pressed his lips down, carrying a faint taste of red wine.
Xia Zhiyao's breath hitched. A thought flashed through her mind: even though they were already together, she still felt flustered and excited at such an unexpected moment, just like when she was kissed for the first time.
After a moment of stalemate, she responded to the kiss, raising her wet hand and gently pressing it against his face. Water droplets slid down her palm, carrying a coolness, but were swallowed up by his heat the moment they touched his skin.
Zhou Yue was stunned for a moment, then his breathing became deeper, as if he had finally waited for her response. He deepened his kiss, the scent of red wine lingering between his lips and teeth, creating a strange yet real intimacy.
Xia Zhiyao's heart was pounding. She looked up, her eyes still filled with panic, and her voice trembled slightly: "...What are you doing in the kitchen, Zhou Yue?"
Zhou Yue pressed his forehead against hers, his breath hot, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips: "We've never done it in the kitchen, have we?" His voice was low, but the last syllable was ambiguous. The alcohol mixed with his unique scent made the small space feel hot.
Xia Zhiyao was stunned for a moment. He had already leaned down and kissed her again, more urgently than before, with the frankness and certainty of someone drunk. The sound of water flowing behind them was loud. She was forced between the sink and his embrace, with nowhere to retreat.
Xia Zhiyao's breathing became disordered from his kisses, and she finally couldn't help but raise her hand to press against his chest, her voice urgent: "...The kitchen is not suitable."
Zhou Yue didn't stop, his forehead gently touching hers, his breath hot: "Where is it suitable? Hmm?"
She glared at him, her ears turning bright red, her voice trembling: "Zhou Yue, stop it..."
Instead, he chuckled, then gently lifted her up and placed her on the countertop. The tiles were cold, but his heat made her feel numb all over.
Xia Zhiyao bit her lip, her heart in turmoil, her fingertips instinctively clutching the fabric of his shirt. She clearly wanted to refuse, but the next second, she closed her eyes and met his passionate kiss.
The water continued to flow, the rhythm of the dripping water mingling with their heartbeats, as if providing accompaniment to their loss of control.
Xia Zhiyao lay on the bed, still feeling sleepy, and reached out to turn off the bedside lamp. Zhou Yue glanced at her, then suddenly spoke, his voice low: "Zhiyao."
She hummed in response and turned her head groggily.
Zhou Yue stared at the ceiling, remained silent for a few seconds, and then slowly said, "I might have to go back to headquarters for good by the beginning of next month."
Xia Zhiyao turned around, stared at him for a moment, then chuckled softly, her tone flat: "It's good, it saves you from always running back and forth and making yourself suffer."
She spoke casually, as if she really didn't care, but Zhou Yue felt his heart sink even more. He pulled her into his arms, rested his head on her shoulder, and said in a muffled voice, "I don't want to go back."
Xia Zhiyao was stunned for a moment, and before he could speak, he added in a low voice, "If I go back... I won't be able to work with you every day."
Xia Zhiyao felt his forehead pressed against her shoulder, sensing the suppressed weariness and reluctance in his voice. Her heart suddenly ached, and she raised her hand to gently pat his back, her voice tinged with amusement: "Are you being affectionate? It's the same no matter where you work."
She paused, then lowered her head and gently rubbed the top of his head, her tone tender yet resolute: "Anyway, we sleep in the same bed every night, don't we?"
Zhou Yue didn't reply immediately, but just mumbled, "Mm." He tightened his arms around her, as if afraid she would slip away from his embrace at that moment.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com