Chapter 169: Your kiss made me heated up

Xi Xi's ointment slipped from her hand, unknown where it landed; all she heard was a 'pa' sound, and the taut string inside Xu Yanfeng's body snapped as well. The hand he had braced on the sofa lifted, rubbing her waist, feeling the soft cotton T-shirt, beneath which lay an even softer slender waist.

He lost focus for just a second, then went on the offensive; she only appeared formidable but was actually no match, and before she could do anything she was defeated, a strained little moan leaking from her mouth, akin to a begging tone.

Gradually, Xi Xi could no longer support herself; her straight spine bent, her soft waist collapsed, her whole weight dropped, and she landed solidly on Xu Yanfeng's chest.

He accepted it completely, offering no resistance, his body falling back with that force, the back of his neck resting on the sofa arm, atop which lay the towel he had casually tossed aside for wiping his hair, softer to the touch than genuine leather.

Xi Xi was boneless, lying limp like water over him, no longer needing to prop herself up, she relaxed into enjoying the kiss, her hands roaming over his chest, arms, and waist.

Xu Yanfeng's breathing grew erratic and heavy, a sheen of sweat appearing on his back; the bath was wasted, the ointment applied for nothing.

While kissing Xi Xi, unwilling to pull away even a bit, he caught her restless hand to stop her from wandering. She might not realize, her touching isn't just contact—it's setting fire everywhere.

Xi Xi had never been an obedient, compliant person; she had a rebellious streak, the more she was forbidden from doing something, the more she insisted, twisting her wrist to break free from his grip and press against the waistband of his trousers.

Xu Yanfeng stiffened all over, the fire inside him blazing higher, a crimson glow rising in the depths of his eyes.

At some moment, Xi Xi seemed to sense something; all her movements froze, even her breath halted, as if her acupoints had been sealed, yet her mind was the opposite—abnormally active, as if someone inside was frantically roaring.

He-he-he……how could there be……a reaction?! So intense!

The kiss ended, Xi Xi pressed both hands against Xu Yanfeng's chest, lifting a face full of astonishment; her eyes widened, her breathing heavy, she could not speak for a long while. Were it not for the reddening corners of her eyes and slightly swollen lips, her expression would look like she'd seen a ghost in broad daylight.

After a long while, Xi Xi's shocked and broken voice echoed in the silent room: "You……you don't have a hidden ailment, do you?"

Xu Yanfeng gripped her slender waist with both hands, lifted her off him, and without an ounce of pity tossed her to the floor; he sat up, drawing up one leg to keep a certain part from being too conspicuous.

"When did I ever admit I had one?" he said, his expression bland; just a second ago he'd been lost in tenderness, not knowing day from night, and in an instant he'd changed his face—"Isn't it all just your imagination?"

Xi Xi sat on the clean floor, knees drawn up, head lifted to look at him, recalling that day on the golf course: indeed she had been the first to say he had a hidden ailment, while he continually stressed that his body was perfectly healthy with no issues; she clung to her belief, thinking it was male pride at work, unwilling to admit his physical weakness in front of someone he liked, even though she had said she wouldn't look down on him.

What did she do after that?

To help him "cure his ailment," she frequently stimulated him.

Thinking of this, Xi Xi closed her eyes in despair, still feeling it insufficient, she covered her eyes with both hands.

Xu Yanfeng couldn't read her expression, and asked sincerely: "My body's fine; shouldn't you be relieved? Why this look?"

Xi Xi didn't want to speak.

Xu Yanfeng also felt his current state unsuitable for chatting, so he didn't press further, got up, and walked toward the bathroom.

Hearing his footsteps recede, Xi Xi lowered the hand covering her eyes, gazed at his back, struggling to contain her mortified fury, and asked: "Where are you going?"

Xu Yanfeng's steps paused slightly, his voice tense: "Taking a bath."

Xi Xi instinctively blurted out to stop him: "You just applied the ointment and now you're going to wash it off—won't that render it useless?"

Xu Yanfeng had his back to her; she couldn't see his expression, only hearing his tone grow a bit more subdued than before: "Otherwise?"

In an instant, Xi Xi imagined something, re-covered her eyes, the skin of her cheek where her palm touched burning hot, as if roasted by fire. Know this: she is not someone who easily flushes.

The bathroom door gave a soft 'click,' and moments later came the sound of rushing water.

Over the next two days, Xi Xi spent them in regret.

Her roommate noticed her low spirits, assumed she and Xu Yanfeng were having relationship trouble, and expressed concern: "You and Xu Yanfeng didn't have a fight, did you?"

"No." Xi Xi called back her wandering thoughts, focused her gaze on the three worried faces, gave a small smile, and asked: "Why would you ask that?"

"You seem to be in not-so-good spirits."

Xi Xi covered her face, wondering if her distress was that obvious.

She sighed vexedly: "It's not a fight; it's… I did something stupid. Every time I think of it I regret it to the point of wanting to beat myself up—how could my brain have short-circuited back then?"

Everyone present deeply related to the situation she described.

"I get it; when I can't sleep at night I recall my past embarrassing moments, cringing so hard my scalp goes numb and my toes curl, making sleep even harder."

Xi Xi felt she'd found a kindred spirit: "Exactly, exactly, exactly—that's it!"

"There's no better solution; why not try finding something else to do to divert your attention?"

Xi Xi sighed again, slumped onto the desk, her phone buzzed a few times above her head; she picked it up, rested her head on her arm, and laid the phone flat before her. In the three-person group chat, Zhou Du sent a message, and Liang Yuan followed up.

Zhou Du: "When are you taking your boyfriend out for a walk? @Xi Xi"

Liang Yuan: "Agreed!"

Liang Yuan: "I've long heard of Xu Yanfeng's reputation; though I haven't met him yet, we relatives ought to get a look and size him up."

Liang Yuan: "Xi, don't hide him too tightly; we won't eat him."

Xi Xi has good judgment; the person she chose is surely one in a million, and moreover Xu Yanfeng himself is well-known; setting aside his outward appearance, his family background and learning are commendable. People like him, they want to know whether he's truly easy to get along with in private, and whether he'll give Xi Xi grief.

Don't underestimate a meal—it can reveal many issues.

Xi Xi laughed at the group message; she wasn't hiding him too tightly, she just hadn't found a suitable time.

Today there's no time; she first glanced at her schedule—tomorrow is Wednesday, with just one class in the afternoon, though it's slotted later, so after class they could go out to eat without issue, if only she knew whether Xu Yanfeng was free.

She said in the group: "I'll go ask Xu Yanfeng for his opinion."

Seeing her chime in, Liang Yuan teased: "Your family status isn't enough, Xi. Shouldn't it be him calling the shots, with you fully cooperating?"

Xi Xi wasn't so easily provoked: "Get lost; our treasure is a busy person—you think everyone's as idle as you, with time to grow mushrooms on their heads."

Liang Yuan: "Our treasure, tsk tsk, Xi Xi, who are you trying to make sickly sweet?"

Xi Xi didn't reply to her, instead called Xu Yanfeng to ask if he was free tomorrow evening.

Xu Yanfeng left room in his words: "A bit busy. Tell me what it is first."

"It's nothing urgent; if you're busy we can reschedule." Xi Xi said, "It's my childhood friend, we've grown up together, our relationship is especially close—I just want to grab a meal with you."

Xu Yanfeng guessed who it was; Xi Xi had posted about her on Moments, and he also wanted to know what kind of person she was, so he readily agreed: "No problem." He had indeed been busy lately, first informing Xi Xi: "I might be late."

Xi Xi was very understanding: "What's the issue? Come after you're done. I'll go ahead and send you the location when I arrive."

Xu Yanfeng grunted, then asked her: "What are we eating tonight?"

Xi Xi told him: "The tripe noodles on the second floor of the cafeteria, at the newly opened stall next to the chicken pot, with a bit of sesame sauce and chili oil—absolutely delicious; next time I'll treat you."

"Aren't you supposed to be getting angry inside? Yet you're eating spicy?"

"Their chili oil is only moderately spicy." Xi Xi switched the phone to her left hand, pulled open the balcony door with her right; mid-April, the night was still a bit chilly, the air humid, her skin feeling as if soaked in cool water—"You don't know why I'm getting heated up, do you?"

Xu Yanfeng's calm tone mixed with a hint of innocence: "What does it have to do with me?"

"How could it not have to do with you." Xia Xi covered the receiver with one hand, her voice soft, like a kitten's paw scratching a human's pant leg, "You got me heated."

At this moment, not facing him, Xia Xi forgot the previous embarrassment and dared to joke around.

Xu Yanfeng's breath tightened, he was silent for three seconds, then spoke again, his voice a little lower: "Xia Xi, don't tease."