Chapter 24

The following week felt like I was completely drained, spending almost every day in a haze of sleep.

It wasn’t the alarm clock that woke me, but Ye Shuo’s call.

“Hey, Ji Shan, did you forget something?” Ye Shuo asked me in a sarcastic tone.

“Forget what?”

“We’re still boyfriend and girlfriend!”

“Oh, so?”

“So you need to fulfill your girlfriend duties!”

“What duties?”

“Come enjoy the duties your boyfriend fulfills for you!”

“How to enjoy?”

“Are you only capable of asking questions now?”

“Then what do you want me to say?”

“Say ‘I want to kiss hubby~'” Ye Shuo said in a playful voice.

“I’m hanging up.”

“Hey, hey, hey, don’t! Don’t!”

“Then what do you want?”

“Come hang out with me tomorrow, I miss you.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Don’t want me, or don’t want to hang out?”

“Neither.”

“Aw, so sad, you promised me after I helped you publish the report you’d continue being my girlfriend, boohoo~ you heartless woman~ boohoo~”

“Fine, fine, I promise you.”

“Yay!”

The next morning, I made a point to wash my hair, put on light makeup, and wore a misty blue slip dress.

I checked myself in the mirror; this was my top-level sincerity.

When I went downstairs, I saw Ye Shuo standing by his ice-blue Porsche Taycan, the same color as my dress.

“Wow, how did I get such a beautiful girlfriend!” Ye Shuo exclaimed with delight, “And one who’s so in sync with me!”

“Are you complimenting me or yourself?”

“Both.” He smirked and ushered me into the car.

Ye Shuo took me to Universal Studios, where we wore Hogwarts robes, picked out wands, and tried many attractions. He even took lots of photos of me.

Though I’m not fond of taking pictures, he always managed to capture my back.

I must admit, he truly is an experienced boyfriend.

The photos turned out great.

Each one, even the back shots, was full of stories.

Indeed, someone well-trained is different.

After dinner, he drove me home.

The car stopped by the roadside, and he got out with me.

“Did you have fun today?” he asked.

I nodded with a smile, “Very fun, thank you.”

But Ye Shuo stiffened a bit, “Actually, you don’t have to force yourself to smile.”

“Hmm? I’m not forcing myself.” I felt a bit puzzled.

Ye Shuo, shedding his playful demeanor for a rare moment of sincerity, said, “Honestly, I can see you smiling, but I don’t feel your happiness.”

His words unexpectedly eased my tense heart, “You noticed.”

“I don’t know what I can do to make you happy,” he gently pulled my hand, drawing me into his embrace, “but I hope if you’re not happy, you don’t have to smile for me. With me, you don’t need to pretend.”

I didn’t refuse the hug, whispering, “Thank you.”

“Won’t you give your kissing boyfriend a thank-you kiss?” His tone shifted, lightening the mood.

I tilted my head, “No, don’t push your luck.”

“Hey, we’ve kissed so many times before, why not now?”

I stepped out of his embrace, lowering my head, trying to explain, “Those were all with a purpose, all for…”

I couldn’t continue.

A long story, not knowing where to start.

“Oh~ what purpose did you have before?” He leaned closer to my face, “Was it to secretly learn my kissing skills?”

I widened my eyes, momentarily unsure how to respond.

“No way, no way, you really wanted to learn my kissing skills!” Ye Shuo feigned realization, “My kissing skills are passed to women, not men! You better not teach other guys! It’s my secret–”

I silenced his babbling.

Of course, with my hand.

To be precise, I pinched his lips.

“Indeed, it was to learn your kissing skills. Rest assured, I won’t pass them on.”

I said with a mischievous grin, then released his lips.

“Then I want to see the results of your learning.”

He closed his eyes, puckering his lips, waiting for my kiss.

I sighed, placed my hands on his shoulders, and tiptoed to give him a light peck on the cheek.

Ye Shuo opened his eyes in surprise, feigning disappointment, “Ah~ just a cheek kiss?”

“What else did you expect?”

“I thought you might slap me.”

I burst into laughter, tears streaming down my face.

He reached out to wipe the tears from the corners of my eyes, “You finally laughed happily.”

“Thank you, Ye Shuo.” I looked at him, expressing my gratitude.

“You really don’t need to thank me, it’s what I should do as your boyfriend.” Ye Shuo said, then glanced behind me, “Oh, your other person is here.”

“Actually, he’s been here for a while.”

Following his gaze, I turned to see Ji Ming standing at the entrance of my apartment building, watching us with a sullen expression, not intending to approach.

“He’s not my other person.” I explained, “He’s my–”

“I know, I know, he’s your brother.” He interrupted, then furrowed his brow, pondering for a long time before speaking with difficulty, “But you don’t know, when you were asleep in the hospital, he and I–”

“I don’t want to know, you don’t have to tell me.”

I quickly interrupted him, covering his mouth with my hand.

I didn’t need to think to know, for Ji Ming to let Ye Shuo visit me in the hospital, a lot must have happened.

But I prefer to know nothing; knowing too much adds another thread to my thoughts.

My mind simply has no space for another thread.

After bidding farewell to Ye Shuo, I headed towards the apartment building.