Chapter 12
Click.
The door opened.
Ji Kailan pushed it open gently and stepped into the guest bedroom. His gaze landed on the figure sleeping soundly in the bed, and a helpless smile crept into his eyes.
This little kitten really had no sense of caution.
She hadn't even locked the door.
He approached slowly, step by step, making almost no sound, and finally stopped at the bedside.
Ji Kailan lowered his head, quietly gazing at Su Louzhi in her sleep.
The curtains blocked out the light well, leaving the room dim, but his vision was unaffected. He could clearly see her peaceful sleeping face—lashes resting obediently, nostrils flaring gently with each breath, lips slightly pursed. She was sunk into the soft bedding like a curled-up little animal.
The darkness in Ji Kailan's eyes deepened.
What an adorable little kitten.
She dared to drink with a man she'd only known for two days. She came to his home and didn't even think to lock the door.
Actually, he hadn't planned to do anything to her.
Really.
But in the cinema, she was clearly shy to death, yet she still endured her embarrassment to feed him popcorn one kernel at a time. She was just too cute.
He couldn't help himself.
Though he didn't really want to resist either.
There was nothing in that jug of fruit wine. He wouldn't stoop so low. She had to go to the library in the afternoon—if he'd put something in it, what if she couldn't wake up? What if she noticed something?
He just knew that the fruit wine at that private restaurant was known for making people sleepy.
He only wanted her to sleep a little better.
Who told her to drink a few extra cups and end up sleeping so soundly now?
It wasn't his fault.
Ji Kailan slowly bent down.
He leaned in bit by bit, his nose drifting close to her face.
That was it.
Yesterday in the alley, he hadn't gotten close enough. Now, at this distance, he could finally smell a faint, subtle fragrance—her own natural scent. Clean, sweet, elusive.
Ji Kailan felt his breath tighten.
It was the first time he realized a person could smell so good.
His nose continued to close in, greedily inhaling that fragrance. At first he was cautious, afraid of waking her, so his nose didn't touch her skin.
But soon, he couldn't help it.
He buried his face into the curve of her shoulder.
His nose brushed against her collarbone, his lips grazing her skin almost imperceptibly.
At that moment, his entire body trembled.
It wasn't just the scent.
It was the feel.
Her skin looked smooth, but touching it was even better—delicate, soft, warm, like fine silk laid over warm jade.
Ji Kailan couldn't resist rubbing against her.
Again.
Then he extended his tongue and gave her the lightest lick.
Su Louzhi shifted slightly, turning from her side to face away from him, and continued sleeping soundly.
Ji Kailan straightened up.
His eyes had darkened beyond measure.
After she turned over, the back of her neck was exposed without any guard. That stretch of skin was so pale it was almost blinding in the dim light.
Ji Kailan stared at the nape of her neck.
A powerful impulse surged from deep within—
Bite down.
Bite down.
He wanted to bite down.
But he closed his eyes and forcibly suppressed the urge.
Su Louzhi didn't have a scent gland. She wasn't an alpha, beta, or omega. She was just a clean, ordinary person with no pheromones at all.
If he bit down, she'd only get hurt.
It would hurt, bleed, wake her up, and she'd see him like this.
Then she'd be scared, wary, and avoid him.
It wouldn't be worth it.
Ji Kailan stood there, staring at her.
For a long time.
Long enough for his own breathing to finally settle.
He turned around quietly, walked out of the guest bedroom, and the door closed soundlessly behind him.
—
When Su Louzhi woke up, she was still buried in the soft bedding, too comfortable to want to move. She stretched languidly, squinting as she idled for a moment, then reached for her phone to check the time.
[14:32]
Time to get up.
She hesitated for two seconds, then dragged herself out of bed. No sooner had she sat up than a light knock came at the door.
Su Louzhi got out of bed and went to open it.
Ji Kailan stood at the door, holding a cup and an unopened toothbrush set in his hands. He looked up, just starting to form a faint smile, when he froze.
His gaze lingered on her for a second, then two.
On the third second, he abruptly turned his head away, the tips of his ears seeming to flush slightly.
“Zhizhi,” he said, his voice very soft, eyes fixed on the hallway wall, “this is a new toiletries set. Use it however you like.”
Su Louzhi took the items and realized she hadn't brought her phone, so she couldn't type a thank-you.
She was about to turn around and grab it when Ji Kailan spoke first: “Zhizhi, go ahead and wash up. I'll close the door for you.” With that, before she could react, he reached out and gently pulled the door shut.
Su Louzhi stood there, holding the toiletries, feeling a bit bewildered. What's wrong with Senior Ji?
She shook her head, went into the bathroom, and froze when her eyes met the mirror.
In the mirror, she was wearing that loose men's bathrobe.
After a midday of tossing and turning, the robe was no longer in its just-put-on state. The collar hung wide open, one shoulder exposed, with her collarbone and a small patch of chest clearly visible. Her hair was mussed from sleep, her cheeks still faintly flushed from just waking up, and her eyes held a sleepy haze.
She looked...
Su Louzhi's face turned bright red in an instant.
She'd opened the door for Ji Kailan looking like this?!
No wonder he'd glanced away after one look.
No wonder he'd closed the door for her so quickly.
Su Louzhi covered her face, letting out a silent wail.
But then again, Senior Ji was such a gentleman.
Even though it was her own carelessness, he didn't stare, didn't embarrass her, and even helped her out considerately.
Su Louzhi patted her burning cheeks in front of the mirror and took a deep breath. Now! Wash up! Change clothes! Then go thank him properly!
Ten minutes later, Su Louzhi finished getting ready and opened the guest bedroom door.
Ji Kailan was sitting on the living room sofa. Hearing the sound, he turned around, and when he saw her neatly dressed, he curved his lips into a smile. “Zhizhi's all set?”
Su Louzhi nodded, walked over, and held up her phone screen, where she'd already typed out a message: [Thank you for having me, Senior Ji. I was a bit out of it just now—sorry if I was rude.]
Ji Kailan lowered his head to read the line, and the smile in his eyes deepened. “It's not rudeness. It's my fault for not being prepared. I didn't have a proper nightgown ready for you.” He raised his eyes to Su Louzhi and continued in a gentle voice, “After we finish the tutoring session, I'll go buy a new one for you.”
Su Louzhi was stunned.
Huh? A nightgown?
She quickly typed: [You don't need to buy one for me, Senior Ji! I'm only coming this once.]
She held up the screen, a little flustered.
Ji Kailan read it, and his brow furrowed slightly. He was silent for a moment, then lowered his lashes, and when he spoke again, his tone carried a hint of just-right dejection. “Is it because I didn't take good care of you? Why doesn't Zhizhi want to come again?”
Su Louzhi was dumbfounded. That's not what I meant!
She quickly typed again: [I didn't say I don't want to come! You took great care of me, and I slept really well just now!]
Ji Kailan looked at the line, and the furrow in his brow slowly eased. He raised his eyes, a trace of hope in his gaze. “Then, Zhizhi,” he asked softly, “for the rest of the National Day holiday, can you come over every day?”
Su Louzhi blinked.
“And after National Day,” Ji Kailan continued, his tone warm and sincere, “as long as Zhizhi is free, you can come anytime. I'll prepare all the daily necessities you need, alright?”
Ji Kailan looked into her eyes.
Su Louzhi looked into those eyes.
And then, once again, as if possessed, she nodded.
——————————
Author's Note:
[Little Side Story]
Ji Kailan now (contemptuous): I wouldn't stoop so low!
Ji Kailan later (calm): What do you mean "low"? It's just the fun between lovers!