Chapter 23: Stealing Home.

In the evening, at Bin City Airport.

“Qingxin, are you sure she came alone?”

Lu Zhao scanned the crowd around them, afraid of missing the person they were looking for.

“Yeah, she said she came by herself. Anyway, one more person doesn’t matter. Let’s go together.”

On the way, Yan Qingxin had bought a piece of bread and was eating it, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster’s.

“We’re about to have dinner. Can you still eat?”

“Hm? Baby, are you doubting my ability?”

“…No, I’m just worried you’ll overstuff yourself.”

“No way.”

Seeing his girlfriend’s carefree munching, Lu Zhao sighed inwardly.

The thought that this might be another trap made him slightly anxious, but he couldn’t show it.
He was honestly a bit exhausted.

Soon, someone emerged from the exit, looking around.
Spotting Lu Zhao and Yan Qingxin, they waved enthusiastically.

Yan Qingxin waved back.

When Lu Zhao looked over, he was taken aback.

Because Ling Cang was wearing women’s clothing—something he hadn’t expected.

Her hair was still in her usual high ponytail, but her outfit was far from masculine.

She wore a short-sleeved top with a sun-protective jacket, a backpack slung over her shoulders, a pleated skirt reaching her knees, white cotton socks, and sneakers.

Her fair, sun-deprived calves were exposed, looking almost translucent and eye-catching.

Even at school, Lu Zhao had never seen her dressed like this, though they’d only met a few times.

After lunch, Yan Qingxin had received a message from Ling Cang asking where she was.

Lu Zhao had no good reason to stop her from replying without seeming guilty.

Having just experienced his girlfriend’s sixth sense, Lu Zhao decided to stay calm and observe.

Ling Cang approached with a smile.
“Qingxin, eating already?”

“Mm, want some?”

“Uh… no, no, you eat.”
Seeing Yan Qingxin’s reluctant yet insistent offer, how could Ling Cang bear to take bread from a foodie?

Lu Zhao gave his girlfriend an exasperated look.
She was great in every way, except for her odd obsession with food.

Turning to Ling Cang, he asked, “You came alone?”

As he spoke, Lu Zhao glanced around.
He didn’t believe for a second that Ling Chenxi wasn’t here.

For some reason, Ling Cang seemed nervous, her eyes dodging Lu Zhao’s.

“Yeah, my mom was going to come with me, but she had to leave halfway for company business.”

“Is that so?”
Lu Zhao’s gaze carried a hint of scrutiny.

“Y-Yeah.”

To Lu Zhao, Ling Cang’s nervousness looked like the guilt of lying.

But on second thought, based on what he knew of her, if she were lying, her reaction would be more obvious.

Then he noticed her legs under the skirt fidgeting slightly.
Testing, he asked:

“First time wearing a skirt? Not used to it?”

Her thoughts exposed, Ling Cang’s cheeks flushed slightly.
Lowering her head, she said softly:

“Yeah, my mom said women should wear women’s clothes and told me to wear less menswear from now on.”

“Hiss…”
Lu Zhao paused to think.
With this girl, he always needed a moment to process.

After a moment, he nodded.
“Yeah, your mom’s right.”

When they first met, Ling Cang used to overload his brain.
He was much better at handling her now.

“Let’s… go… eat… dinner!”
Yan Qingxin, having finished her bread, spoke haltingly.

Seeing her adorable state, Lu Zhao and Ling Cang exchanged a glance, both stifling laughter.

“Sure, how about hot pot?”
Lu Zhao pulled out his phone to search for hot pot restaurants in the city.

They hadn’t eaten it last night, and Yan Qingxin had mentioned it several times.

“Mm!”
Her eyes lit up at the mention of food.

With dinner decided, the three called a car and headed into the city.

During dinner, while Ling Cang was in the restroom, Yan Qingxin whispered to Lu Zhao:

“Baby, looks like you’ll have to sleep alone tonight.”

“Hm?”

It wasn’t that he had to sleep with Yan Qingxin, but he was curious.

“You know how Ling Cang is—she’s… not very feminine, kind of soft, and not very bold.

Plus, she’s picky about beds.
She can only sleep at home or in her dorm, so… I need to stay with her tonight.”

Lu Zhao nodded in understanding.
“Fair enough. She’s here to hang out with you. It’d be wrong not to take care of her.”

Seeing him agree so readily, Yan Qingxin happily showered him with kisses.
“I knew my baby was the best!”

“Ugh, go away, your mouth’s all greasy.”
Lu Zhao teased her deliberately.

“Greasy? I’ll kiss you anyway!”

Outmatched, Lu Zhao could only wipe his face with a tissue in mock defeat.

After their playful banter, Yan Qingxin leaned close to his ear.
“Baby, leave the door unlocked for me. Once Ling Cang’s asleep, I’ll come to you. She’s picky about beds, but so am I.”

Her suggestive words, more intimate than sweet nothings, made Lu Zhao’s heart skip a beat.

Pinching her cheek, he said, “If she wakes up and you’re gone, you’re the one who’ll be embarrassed, not me.”

“Tch, just wash up and wait for me tonight.”

When Ling Cang returned, she noticed something different between the two across from her.

She couldn’t quite pinpoint what, but her peach-blossom eyes, inherited from Ling Chenxi, darted between them, trying to figure it out.

Having finally eaten the hot pot she’d been craving, Yan Qingxin was in high spirits, her appetite satisfied.
Only her wallet suffered, but she had money, so it wasn’t a big deal.

After dinner, they strolled by the river, the cool evening breeze dispelling the heat from the hot pot restaurant.

Lu Zhao gradually forgot about Ling Chenxi.
The three chatted and laughed as they reached the booked hotel.

They got two adjacent rooms.
Before entering, Yan Qingxin gave Lu Zhao a suggestive glance, her intentions clear.

Honestly, the sneaky thrill was kind of exciting, and Lu Zhao couldn’t help but feel a little anticipation.

After showering and slipping into a bathrobe, Lu Zhao turned off the room’s lights, quietly waiting for Yan Qingxin.

Around ten, while playing on his phone, he heard the door.
She was here.

He turned off his phone, pulled up the covers, and pretended to be asleep.

Click.

The sound of the door locking reached Lu Zhao’s ears, making his heart beat a little faster.

In the pitch-black room, with his eyes useless, his ears became hyper-sensitive.

The faint sound of shoes on the carpet seemed amplified several times over.

As the soft, almost tickling sound grew closer, his heartbeat quickened.

He felt the bed dip slightly—probably a knee pressing down.

Then a hand, through the blanket, began gently pressing and stroking, from his chest to his stomach, then lower.

“Hiss…”
Sensing some change, the figure in the dark let out a soft gasp.

Seeing Lu Zhao seemingly asleep with no resistance, the figure grew bolder, their movements more forceful, straddling his waist.

Hands reached his face, lips brushed lightly against his, then moved to his ear.
A familiar yet terrifyingly gentle voice whispered:

“So obedient, little brother~”