A unique fragrance drifted into his nose. Xie Dingyuan’s eyes glazed over, his entire body going rigid.
Even his breathing turned cautious.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Boom!
His cheeks flushed scarlet. “N-Nothing! I didn’t mean anything by it!”
“Oh, okay then. Never mind.”
Jiang Fuyue stepped back, straightened up. The scent faded as she moved away. She lowered her head, took a sip of fruit tea, and continued walking.
The man stood rooted in place, momentarily dazed.
“Never mind?”
What did she mean by that?
Panicking, he hurried after her. “Just now, you said ‘never mind’? So if I had meant something, you’d have…”
“There’s a dessert shop ahead. Let’s check it out.”
“No, I mean just now—”
“What about just now?” Jiang Fuyue blinked. “Did I say something?”
Xie Dingyuan: “?!”
“If you’re not going in, I’ll go by myself.”
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Some chances, once missed, are just… missed.
Clenching his teeth, he silently vowed: Next time, I’ll catch the cue!
…
When they left the dessert shop, Jiang Fuyue had a mango mille crepe cake in hand, nibbling as she walked.
Xie Dingyuan held her fruit tea in one hand and a takeaway bag in the other—it had a durian crepe and an Oreo crepe inside.
As for the two plushies…
He’d asked the store clerk for a satin ribbon, tied the husky and bunny together, and slung them over his shoulder.
And honestly? The two little plushies, head to head, soft and adorable—plus the man carrying them—made for an unexpectedly cute combo.
“Is that comfortable to carry? Give me the plushies.”
Xie Dingyuan shook his head. “No need. I’ve got it.”
Jiang Fuyue glanced at him, then at the husky on his shoulder, thoughtful.
Unbeknownst to them, from the moment they walked into the dessert shop to the moment they left, two girls hiding in the corner had been covering their mouths, eyes sparkling with gossip-fueled fire.
“Phew—did they leave?”
“Gone, gone!”
“I didn’t dare lower my hand the whole time—scared I’d scream!”
“Chicken coop warning! Ahem, though I’m guilty too…”
“Oh my god! It really was Sister Yue and Professor Xie! Did you record it?”
“Yup! Sending it to you now.”
“No, just drop it in the group—sugar this sweet needs to be shared!”
“Right right! Almost forgot about the girls…” She opened a chat group named ‘YuanYue Sugar Refinery’ and hit send.
While the video uploaded, she quickly typed:
[Guess who I just ran into? Sugar drop incoming tonight! So sweet it’s basically free!]
Soon, the video was sent successfully.
But the group stayed silent.
The girl blinked. “…Why isn’t anyone reacting?”
“Really? Let me see…” Her friend pulled out her phone and opened the group chat.
Still nothing.
“Maybe they’re not home yet? They’ll probably see it soon—”
Ding ding dong dong—
Suddenly, the chat exploded.
—
【Holy cr*p! Is that MY God Xie holding plushies?! I can’t—this is beyond imagination!】
【When they came out, God Xie carried her fruit tea, the dessert bag, and slung the plushies on his shoulder. OMG. So cute!】
【Wait—is God Xie trying to act cute?】
【Probably just for Sister Yue. We’re just peeping. That’s fine. Totally fine. hehe】
【In the news and reports he’s “Cool Xie,” but in front of Sister Yue he becomes “Milk Xie”—OMG this ship is delicious!】
【Girl!! Is this the only video? Got anything else?】
【Just this one. They left after, and it didn’t feel right to keep filming.】
【This alone is satisfying! So much sugar! I’ve only watched it like… twelve or thirteen times. Forgot to reply to any messages.】
【Same!! I was too busy watching. That’s why I didn’t comment earlier.】
【No wonder no one said anything when it was sent!】
【Cough! I watched it three times.】
【Six.】
【Sixteen times and counting…】
【God we’re out of our minds.】
【But they’re just so sweet, I can’t stop!】
【This is the sugar I chose—I’ll choke on it happily!】
【Did anyone else notice when Sister Yue was picking desserts, God Xie already had his phone out, ready to pay?】
【Ahhh you’re right! As soon as she picked, he pulled up the QR code. Too considerate!】
【Am I the only one who noticed Sister Yue likes sweets? I share the same taste as my goddess!】
[Picture]
[Picture]
【What’s this?】
【Look at God Xie’s face when Sister Yue took the first bite. Look closer, savor it—!】
【So tender, so in love… He’s totally gone for her.】
—
At 10 PM, Xie Dingyuan dropped Jiang Fuyue off at her hotel.
“Are you… free tomorrow?” he asked, his voice low and deep in the quiet car.
“My uncle’s picking me up. I’m going home.”
He fell silent.
Jiang Fuyue unbuckled her seatbelt. “I’m heading up. Thanks for today.”
“Wait—” Xie Dingyuan got out too. “I’ll walk you.”
“No need.”
“I’ll help carry your things.”
She glanced into the backseat. Aside from the plushies, there were quite a few paper bags.
“…Okay. Thanks.”
He followed her upstairs and set everything down inside the room.
“Can I use the bathroom?”
“Of course,” Jiang Fuyue nodded, “it’s over there.”
He went in. She sat on the bed, sorting through her things.
Suddenly—bang! A loud noise from the bathroom.
“What happened?” she rushed over and knocked.
The door cracked open a second later. His face was wet, and his coat was soaked through.
Jiang Fuyue blinked.
Xie Dingyuan gave a helpless smile. “The pipe burst.”
…
The front desk was called, and a staff member was sent up immediately.
“We sincerely apologize. We’ve upgraded you both to the penthouse suite. You may move now, and we’ll have your luggage brought up shortly.”
With his clothes soaked, Xie Dingyuan couldn’t leave. So Jiang Fuyue brought him to the penthouse.
“You should shower first.”
“…Okay.”
“Take off your clothes and give them to me.”
“…Huh?”
“Unless you plan to keep wearing them? I’ll have the hotel dry them for you. It’s not soaked all over, so it shouldn’t take long.”
“…Okay.”
His coat and shirt were the most wet. Only the bottom of the pants were slightly damp.
Jiang Fuyue handed the coat and shirt to a staff member. As for the pants, she decided to dry them herself with a hairdryer.
By the time the water in the bathroom stopped running, the pants were mostly dry.
She went over and knocked.
There was no response.
“Xie Dingyuan? Are you still in there?”
“…I’m done.”
“Open up.”
“That’s… probably not a good idea? I’m not dressed yet…”
Jiang Fuyue laughed. “What are you thinking? I’m handing you your pants.”
Silence.
Then a sliver of the door opened.
Warm steam drifted out, carrying a faint scent of body wash.
“Open a bit more. I can’t reach.”
“…Oh.” The door opened a little wider.
A well-defined hand reached out. Jiang Fuyue placed the pants in it.
“They should be dry. Try them on.”
“…Thanks.”
She turned and walked away.
Five minutes later, Xie Dingyuan called, “I’m done.”
Jiang Fuyue looked up. “Your coat—”
She froze.
He was bare-chested, skin still dewy from the shower, chest broad and firm, abs clearly defined.
Hiss…
She sucked in a breath, her eyes pausing. “You—”
“There wasn’t a robe inside.”
Their eyes met.
The air thinned.
The temperature spiked.
It may have been a second. Maybe a minute.
Jiang Fuyue looked away first. She picked up a T-shirt from the bed and handed it over.
“Try this. See if it fits.”
The hotel had already delivered their luggage. The T-shirt was one she’d casually bought earlier while shopping for Jiang Da.
She’d also bought a women’s version for Han Yunru.
Xie Dingyuan turned around and pulled on the shirt.
Jiang Fuyue turned her head—right in time to see his lean back and perfectly tapered waist.
Her gaze froze.
At the back of his neck—and down to his ears—bright red.
Almost like they’d start dripping blood.
Clearly, someone was even more nervous than she was.
Just then, he turned around, shirt on, and caught her mid-stare. His pupils constricted.
“You… what are you looking at?”
Jiang Fuyue gave a satisfied nod. “Not bad. Fits pretty well.”
Xie Dingyuan: “…”
“Want to dry your hair?” She pointed at the desk. “The dryer’s over there—I just used it, didn’t put it away.”
He walked over, picked it up, and began haphazardly blowing at his head.
Jiang Fuyue stared. “That’s how you dry your hair?”
Xie Dingyuan, dryer still whirring: “What? I couldn’t hear you.”
“I said, that’s how you dry your hair?”
“Is there a problem?”
Her mouth twitched. She stood up and walked over, hand outstretched.
Xie Dingyuan: “?”
“…Give it to me.”
