Chapter 336: The clothes she

"Stop, stop, stop! Don't get up yet—just stay like that, let me wipe you off, or it'll drip onto your legs."

Li Luo looked at this scene and quickly grabbed some tissues from the desk: "Don't move—I've got stuff all over your hair and back, let me wipe you down first, and you wipe your body too."

For Ying Chanxi at this moment, the bad news was that the drink had spilled all over her, which was embarrassing, and judging by the mess, she'd need to wash up.

The good news was that her pants were fine—the drink had only splashed her upper body, not reached below.

But even so, the sticky, wet feeling on her upper body made her extremely uncomfortable, especially with the drink stuck in her hair, which left her deeply troubled.

Yet even now, she still had the presence of mind to think of others, wiping her body as she asked Li Luo: "Did you get splashed?"

"I'm fine."

"What about the computer? Is the desk okay?"

"Everything's fine except you," Li Luo sighed helplessly. "What now? Your pants aren't dirty, but your head and body are a mess—shouldn't you go wash up?"

"Hmm…" Ying Chanxi nodded slightly, biting her lip as she glanced at the frosted glass of Li Luo's bathroom, her cheeks instantly flushing red. She whispered, "I—I might need to borrow… uh… borrow your bathroom."

"Yeah, go ahead." For some reason, Li Luo felt a faint, hidden anticipation inside, and he nodded in agreement, gesturing for her to hurry and wash.

"You're not allowed to peek," Ying Chanxi whispered. "Not even at that frosted glass over there."

"I won't look."

It was my eyes' fault, not mine, Li Luo.

But seeing Ying Chanxi's shy demeanor, Li Luo wondered if this wasn't inappropriate, so he volunteered: "How about you give me your hotel room card?"

"Why do you need the room card?" Ying Chanxi asked, puzzled.

"You can't wear that outfit anymore," Li Luo pointed at her soaked top. "I'll go to your room and bring you a clean set."

"Oh…" Ying Chanxi realized, quickly fished her room card out of her pocket, and handed it to Li Luo.

But as she watched Li Luo stand up and walk straight out the door, Ying Chanxi inexplicably felt a faint pang of disappointment.

Yet Li Luo had already reached the door, so she couldn't stop him—she could only see him out.

Before closing the door, Li Luo warned: "Go wash quickly, don't catch a chill."

"Mmm…"

After the door shut, Ying Chanxi quietly sighed, turned, and walked into the bathroom, peeling off her wet clothes and placing them in the sink to soak in hot water.

Then she took off her clean pants and laid them on the towel rack beside her.

Just thinking that she was now in Li Luo's bathroom, about to shower—even though he wasn't there—made her deeply shy; her cheeks burned red, adorably so.

Standing before the mirror, stripping off her clothes, feeling her own hands brush and rub against her skin, she instinctively curled her toes, her whole body tensing slightly.

…

On the other side, Li Luo took the elevator downstairs, arrived at the Quanjing Hotel, entered the lobby, took the elevator to the fifth floor, and walked straight toward Ying Chanxi's room.

Just as Li Luo pulled out the room card from his pocket and was about to swipe open Ying Chanxi's door, the neighboring room's door suddenly opened.

Ying Zhicheng stepped out, heading toward the elevator, and bumped right into Li Luo.

Seeing Li Luo, Ying Zhicheng wasn't particularly surprised—he simply said: "Here to see Xixi?"

As he spoke, his gaze dropped—and he happened to see Li Luo holding a room card, casually swiping open Ying Chanxi's door.

Because Ying Zhicheng appeared so suddenly, Li Luo hadn't reacted in time—the card had already swiped before he could pull it back.

And so…

The hallway fell into a strange, silent atmosphere.

"Cough… Good evening, Uncle Ying," Li Luo awkwardly greeted.

Ying Zhicheng ignored his greeting and asked: "Where did you get this room card?"

"Xixi gave it to me."

"Where is she?" Ying Zhicheng asked again. "Not in the room? Why did she give you the card?"

"She's not here—she came over to my place earlier to hang out," Li Luo coughed twice, then opened the door and stepped inside, explaining to Ying Zhicheng: "I'm just here to grab something for her, nothing else."

"Why didn't she just come back herself to get it?"

"It's late at night—unsafe for a girl to be wandering around alone," Li Luo bluffed. "So I came to get it for her."

Although lying wasn't right, how could he stand here in front of Ying Zhicheng and say, "Your daughter is taking a shower in my room"?

That would be asking for a beating.

To avoid a bigger misunderstanding, Li Luo had no choice but to say this.

But to his surprise, Ying Zhicheng followed him inside, watching as Li Luo opened his daughter's suitcase, his eyes narrowing: "So what exactly did she ask you to get?"

This instantly trapped Li Luo.

The clean clothes lay right there in the suitcase—but Li Luo couldn't take them, and he couldn't leave them, caught between a rock and a hard place.

Finally, under Ying Zhicheng's watchful gaze, Li Luo reluctantly picked up a bottle of Tiger Balm from the side, stood up, and gave Ying Zhicheng an awkward smile: "I've got mosquitoes in my room—she happened to bring Tiger Balm, so I came to get some."

"Oh." Ying Zhicheng nodded, then followed Li Luo out of the room, watching him close the door before saying: "Don't stay up too late tonight—doesn't Xixi have a competition class tomorrow? Tell her to get back early and rest."

"Yeah, I know," Li Luo nodded, glancing occasionally at Ying Zhicheng, wondering if he could wait until he left, then sneak back into Xixi's room to retrieve the clothes.

But Ying Zhicheng glanced at him too, then patted his shoulder and walked forward with him: "You're heading back to the Jinjiang Hotel, right? We're going the same way—let's go together."

"Huh… what?" Li Luo froze, then realized, and couldn't help asking, "Uncle Ying, are you going to see Aunt Yuan?"

"Mmm…" Ying Zhicheng nodded silently. "I need to talk to her about something."

Uncle Ying, is this really a serious matter?

Li Luo mentally grumbled, but outwardly maintained the innocent, clueless boy act, following Ying Zhicheng onto the elevator and riding with him to the Jinjiang Hotel.

After all, he was the junior, still a kid—Ying Zhicheng certainly wouldn't say anything too explicit in front of him.

But what could possibly be so urgent at this hour that he'd go see Yuan Wanqing?

Li Luo wanted to warn them both to take it easy, not to go too far and end up causing a scandal.

If Yuan Wanqing got pregnant before they even cleared things up, it'd be a nightmare to clean up.

But since Ying Zhicheng was ultimately a major company executive and Yuan Wanqing had now returned to the public eye, the two of them should still maintain some restraint in this regard.

Thinking of this, Li Luo said no more.

Walking into the Jinjiang Hotel lobby, the two reached the elevator and pressed the button; Ying Zhicheng took this opportunity to chat casually with Li Luo.

"You know your Aunt Yuan went to Hulan TV to record a show the day before yesterday?" Ying Zhicheng said. "She successfully challenged the show and has now officially stayed on the team. What comes next depends on whether she can hold her ranking."

"Yeah, I heard it from Zhusheng too," Li Luo nodded in understanding.

"So how's the plot of your novel progressing?" Ying Zhicheng asked again. "At the beginning of the month, Wenxue Group made contact—related activities and resources have all been arranged. It all depends on you now."

"Don't worry, it's fine," Li Luo gave an OK gesture and smiled. "Today's the 16th; Aunt Yuan's show airs on the 21st."

"The editor also told me—when the scene where the female lead Mo Qinghan sings 'Empty Heart' on 'I Am a Singer' airs, I'll release that part of the novel simultaneously."

"Qidian will also cooperate with pop-up recommendations and in-app floating ads, launching a new album support campaign."

Hearing this, Ying Zhicheng nodded. In terms of professional ability, he still trusted Li Luo completely.

The two stepped into the elevator; Li Luo pressed the button for the 8th floor, then helped Ying Zhicheng press the 20th floor.

Ying Zhicheng's hand, already raised to press his own floor, retracted at this sight; yet thinking that this kid still held leverage over him, he couldn't help feeling a bit displeased.

But since things had come to this, he could only hope Li Luo would be reliable enough.

And fortunately, with Li Luo here, when Chanxi came to visit him at night, she wouldn't notice that Ying Zhicheng wasn't in his room at Quanjie Hotel.

In a way, that was also an advantage.

The elevator stopped at the 8th floor.

The doors opened, and Ying Zhicheng watched Li Luo step out.

He actually wanted to follow and check on his daughter's condition.

But remembering that Li Luo and Ying Chanxi had lived together in Bihai Lanting for so long, Ying Zhicheng abandoned the thought, let the elevator doors close, and headed upward to the 20th floor.

After stepping out of the elevator, Li Luo walked a few steps, waited for the doors to close, then stepped back, wondering whether he should return.

After thinking it over, Li Luo headed toward his own room first, reached Room 8018, swiped his card to open the door, and immediately heard a steady dripping sound.

Huh?

It's been over ten minutes—why hasn't she finished yet?

Li Luo kept his expression calm, though internally slightly surprised; he walked into the room, shut the door, and knocked on the bathroom door.

"Chanxi, are you still washing?"

"Mmm… I'm washing," Ying Chanxi's voice was muffled. "I'm shampooing."

"Why's it taking so long?"

"My hair's all sticky with drink. One rinse still feels uncomfortable, so I thought I'd rinse twice." Ying Chanxi said this, then asked, "Did you bring my clothes?"

Asked this, Li Luo felt awkward.

"Uh… I didn't bring the clothes…"

"Huh?" Ying Chanxi paused, momentarily confused. "Then why did you go out for so long?"

"It's a long story," Li Luo coughed twice and explained to Ying Chanxi. "When I went to your room, I ran into your dad. He insisted on coming in with me to ask what I was taking."

"I couldn't very well tell him I was getting your change of clothes."

"If he found out you were bathing in my room, I'd be killed."

Ying Chanxi fell silent in the bathroom; the water stopped. Then Li Luo heard her cautious voice: "So… my dad doesn't know, right?"

"Yeah, he doesn't know. I didn't tell him."

"Good…," Ying Chanxi exhaled in relief. "But if you didn't bring clothes, what did you bring?"

"I only brought a bottle of menthol oil," Li Luo said awkwardly. "Should I go back now? Or go downstairs and buy you a new one from a nearby store?"

"No, don't bother," Ying Chanxi shook her head. "Too much trouble. Don't go out."

"Then what about your clothes?"

"Hmm… this…," Ying Chanxi's cheeks flushed pink; she whispered to Li Luo outside the door: "I remember… when I packed your suitcase, I put in three spare outfits. You… you still have extra clothes, right?"

"Oh… that?" Li Luo, reminded, suddenly understood. He hurried to his suitcase, flipped through it quickly, and pulled out the last spare shirt. "Yeah, there's still one left. I've worn the other two these past two days—this one's still clean."

"Then just give me that one," Ying Chanxi whispered. "I'll wear yours for now."

"Won't the size be too big? It looks way too large for you."

"N-no problem. Too big's better than too small."

"So you'll wear this one?" Li Luo's expression turned strange as he stared at the deep red shirt, instantly imagining Ying Chanxi in it—he involuntarily swallowed.

"So which one is it?"

"The red shirt. I only wore it twice last summer," Li Luo said. "I usually prefer T-shirts—shirts require buttons, it's such a hassle."

?

"Oh… oh okay…," Ying Chanxi recalled. "Since that's the only one, I'll wear it then."

"Alright, let me know when you're done," Li Luo said, placing the shirt on the bed, then instinctively glanced toward the bathroom and called out to Ying Chanxi inside: "I'll leave the clothes here—I'll bring it in later."

"Mm-hmm."

Ying Chanxi nodded, turned the showerhead back on, and bent forward again to rinse her hair.

At that moment, Li Luo happened to look toward the bathroom and saw two small bunnies bouncing playfully against the frosted glass, pressing affectionately against each other—Li Luo was instantly stunned silent.

He had to admit—he'd slightly underestimated Ying Chanxi before.

Or perhaps, bending over makes them appear larger?

Compared to Yan Zhusheng's flatness, Ying Chanxi might not rival Xu Youyu's dramatic curves, but she certainly had gentle ripples.

At least these ripples were clearly visible.

Li Luo involuntarily observed and compared them, then realized his mistake—he quickly returned to his desk, sat down, and opened his computer.

But some things simply cannot be resisted by willpower.

Beside his ear was the gentle trickle of Ying Chanxi bathing, and Li Luo's head seemed to have developed some kind of gravitational pull toward her in the bathroom, constantly being drawn to glance over.

To be fair, compared to Xu Youyu's full figure or Yan Zhusheng's astonishingly long legs, Ying Chanxi's frame was arguably the most proportionate of the three.

Aside from her small hands and tiny feet, every other part of her was tender and adorable, beautifully perfect.

One couldn't help but marvel at the Creator's artistry—how such a flawless work could be sculpted.

Unfortunately, all Li Luo could see now was a glimpse through the frosted glass—a mere sliver of the iceberg.

Yet even just glimpsing those adorable little feet beneath the transparent glass, it was undeniably a pleasure.

…

Finally, after several more minutes, the water sounds in the bathroom ceased.

After drying her hair and body, Ying Chanxi called out to Li Luo inside the room: "I'm done. Can you hand me my clothes?"

"Coming." Li Luo stood up, picked up the deep red shirt from the bed, walked to the bathroom door, and watched as Ying Chanxi opened a narrow crack, poking her head out, her blushing face looking toward him.

"Thank you." She extended a slender, milky-white arm, took the shirt from Li Luo's hands, and immediately shut the door.

After changing into the shirt and pulling on her underwear, Ying Chanxi stood before the mirror, staring at how the hem covered most of her thighs, then glanced at the pants on the towel rack, lost in thought.

Li Luo waited outside for a long time, and when she didn't come out, he wondered if something was wrong and asked hesitantly: "Is there a problem with the clothes? Why's it taking so long to put them on?"

"N-no problem!" Ying Chanxi replied, sounding nervous, then opened the bathroom door and stepped out timidly.

And when Li Luo turned to look, he saw a rare scene of beauty—

The girl's damp, long hair hung down on either side of her shoulders, her delicate, pure face revealing an expression of cuteness and shyness.

At a glance, she seemed to wear nothing but a large men's deep red shirt.

On her, the shirt looked extremely loose, making Ying Chanxi appear like a very youthful little girl.

Add to that the small sliver of snow-white thigh visible beneath the shirt, along with her knees and calves, shuffling out in slippers step by tiny step, and Li Luo found himself reluctant to blink.

But the next second, he couldn't help asking: "Where are your pants?"

"I didn't wear pants…" Ying Chanxi whispered. "I'm going to sleep tonight anyway… I figured, since I don't want to sleep in pants, I might as well not wear any."

As she spoke, she held the shirt hem with one hand and gripped the sleeve with the other, shielding her mouth, her face filled with delicate embarrassment and timidity.

Watching this, Li Luo compared it to Xu Youyu's effortless poise the night before and Yan Zhusheng's innocent purity last night—now, shy and blushing Ying Chanxi carried a different kind of charm.

"Cough… Why don't you sit over here? I'll blow-dry your hair so you don't catch a chill." Li Luo cleared his throat, masking his discomposure, and quickly rose to invite her to sit.

At home, she often walked around in her pajamas in front of him, but this—wearing his shirt, walking before him—felt like the first time.

Not to mention she wasn't wearing pants…

Just her underwear on, the air conditioning breeze made her feel chilly, deepening her embarrassment until she lowered her head completely, unable to meet Li Luo's gaze.

Thinking this, she hurried to the chair, pulled the shirt hem down as she sat, ensured she wasn't exposing too much, then finally lifted her head, shaking her damp hair.

"Mm, just sit still." Li Luo looked at Ying Chanxi, whose seated posture revealed another long stretch of soft, pale thigh skin, took a deep breath, steadied himself, then turned on the hairdryer and began to dry her hair.

After successfully drying her hair, Li Luo said: "Go rest on the bed. I'll finish writing a bit more, then come."

"Mm-hmm." Ying Chanxi obediently climbed onto the nearby bed, curled up neatly inside Li Luo's blanket, watching his focused back, her heart still pounding.

Especially with the sensation of her smooth legs rubbing against the blanket, her mood grew both anxious and excited.

Was this the first time she'd slept in the same bed with Li Luo outside, in a hotel?

Thinking this, Ying Chanxi's cheeks flushed even redder; she yanked the blanket over her face, refusing to look at Li Luo again.

Meanwhile, Li Luo finished editing his latest draft, stood up, and went to the bathroom for a shower.

Since his last piece of clothing was worn by Ying Chanxi, he didn't change—he'd just wear this one for another day.

After showering, he walked out, carried his laptop to the bed, lifted the blanket, and slipped inside.

"You're not asleep already?" Li Luo chuckled, seeing Ying Chanxi buried entirely under the covers. "If you're asleep, we won't watch the movie."

"I want to watch!" Ying Chanxi immediately pulled the blanket down, sat up slowly, her cheeks flushed, and quietly leaned against Li Luo, pressing her arm against his.

Seeing he didn't react, she felt a quiet thrill inside, yet feigned calmness as she asked: "What movie do you want to watch? You pick. Whatever you like, I'll watch."

Neither cared much about the movie—after all, the wine wasn't the point; it was the scenery between the mountains and rivers.

Li Luo casually browsed the movie list, his peripheral vision occasionally stealing glances at Ying Chanxi's tender face and the shirt she wore.

If Xu Youyu wore this shirt, the effect would be striking… but for Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng, the effect was about the same.

After all, the shirt was too loose for both of them—even Ying Chanxi, with her considerable figure, now looked rather plain.

He randomly picked a niche film and started playing it.

The two watched and chatted casually.

As time passed, Ying Chanxi quietly wrapped both arms around Li Luo's arm, rested her head on his shoulder, snuggling close to him.

Until late at night, Ying Chanxi fell asleep unconsciously, peacefully wrapped in an atmosphere of happiness.

Li Luo glanced at Ying Chanxi's adorable sleeping face, closed his laptop, placed it on the nightstand, then gently laid her head on the pillow.

But remembering how this girl liked to steal the blanket in the middle of the night, Li Luo simply pulled her into his arms.

So she wouldn't wake up chilled by the air conditioning.

"Li Luo…" Ying Chanxi stirred awake, half-asleep, murmuring in his arms.

"Mm?"

"I'm so happy~"

"Mm." Li Luo lowered his head, gazing at Ying Chanxi's sweet smile, and finally couldn't resist, lightly kissing her forehead. "Me too."

And now, Ying Chanxi sank back into deep sleep, unaware whether she had been dreaming or awake.