Chapter 484: Yixia, Silu, and Sifan’s Family Moves into the Villa

Chapter 484 -259: Yixia, Silu, and Sifan’s Family Moves into the Villa

“It’s fine,” he said with a smile. “We can talk about it some other time.”

“Yeah!” He Lingyi nodded vigorously and smiled again. “There will definitely be a chance! Once I’m done with my college entrance exams and get into university, I’ll find an opportunity to come visit your parents!”

Jiang Sifan just smiled and didn’t reply.

In the afternoon, they went to Beijing Road Pedestrian Street.

He Lingyi bought a bunch of things.

A silk scarf for Aunt Zhang, souvenirs for her classmates, and a pair of white sneakers for herself.

Jiang Sifan carried her bags, following behind her like a porter.

“Brother Sifan, are you tired?” He Lingyi asked with a smile, looking back at Jiang Sifan, whose hands were full of bags.

“I’m not tired,” Jiang Sifan said, shaking his head.

“Liar,” He Lingyi said, running over and taking a few bags from his hands. “Let me help you with some of these.”

“Brother Sifan, tonight is my last night in Yangcheng,” He Lingyi said suddenly, her voice dropping a little.

Jiang Sifan paused. “You’re leaving tomorrow?”

“Mhm, my flight is tomorrow morning.” He Lingyi looked down, kicking at a small pebble on the ground. “My mom said my dad misses me, so she wants me to come back early. I also have a lot of winter break homework, and I have to go to cram school.”

Jiang Sifan didn’t say anything.

“Can you stay with me tonight?” He Lingyi looked up at him, her eyes glistening. “It’s my last night, and I’m scared to stay in the hotel by myself.”

Jiang Sifan looked at her, silent for a few seconds before nodding. “Alright.”

He Lingyi broke into a smile, her eyes curving into little crescents.

They had dinner at the mall, then walked back to the hotel along the bank of the Zhujiang River.

A cool breeze blew in from the river. He Lingyi linked her arm through Jiang Sifan’s, leaning her head on his shoulder as they walked at a leisurely pace.

“Brother Sifan, Yangcheng is wonderful,” she said softly. “I’ll definitely come back again.”

“Okay!”

“Then it’s a deal. When I come back, you have to take me to try all the best food in Yangcheng.”

“Okay.”

He Lingyi laughed and buried her face in his arm, mumbling something that Jiang Sifan couldn’t quite hear.

By the time they got back to the hotel, it was almost nine.

He Lingyi placed her shopping on the table, then turned to Jiang Sifan with a smile. “Brother Sifan, have a seat. I’m going to take a shower.”

Jiang Sifan nodded and sat down on the sofa.

He Lingyi took her sleepwear out of her suitcase and went into the bathroom.

The frosted glass of the bathroom door lit up, followed by the sound of running water. Jiang Sifan turned on the TV and cranked up the volume. He stared at the screen, but none of it registered.

Twenty minutes later, He Lingyi came out.

She was wearing a light pink slip-style nightdress with spaghetti straps. The hem fell to mid-thigh, revealing her long, pale legs.

Her hair was still damp, draped over her shoulders. Droplets of water trickled from the ends, landing on her collarbones before sliding down her skin.

“Brother Sifan, could you help me blow-dry my hair?” she asked, her voice soft and coaxing.

“Okay.” Jiang Sifan took the hair dryer, his hands fumbling nervously as he combed through her silky hair.

When she decided it was dry enough, she suggested, “Alright, Brother Sifan. Your turn to shower.”

“Mhm.”

Jiang Sifan glanced at her and noticed how low-cut her neckline was—he could clearly see the hint of her cleavage. He quickly averted his eyes, stood up, and hurried into the bathroom.

He took a long time in the shower, dousing himself with cold water again and again until his skin was flushed red. Only then did he turn off the water, get dressed, and come out.

He Lingyi was already in bed, the covers pulled up to her chest. Her hair was fanned out across the pillow, and one strap of her nightdress had slipped down, revealing a smooth, rounded shoulder.

When she saw Jiang Sifan come out, she patted the space beside her on the bed and smiled. “Brother Sifan, don’t sleep on the sofa tonight. It’s uncomfortable. You should sleep on the bed.”

Jiang Sifan shook his head. “No, it’s fine. The sofa’s good enough.”

“What’s so good about it? I heard you tossing and turning all night,” He Lingyi said with a frown. “The sofa is so short you can’t even stretch your legs out. How are you supposed to sleep? You have to take me to the airport tomorrow. You can’t show up with big dark circles under your eyes.”

Jiang Sifan opened his mouth as if to say something.

“Just sleep on the bed. I don’t mind,” He Lingyi said with a smile. “I trust you.”

Jiang Sifan looked at her face, hesitated, but still shook his head. “It’s not really appropriate.”

“What’s not appropriate about it?” He Lingyi asked, tilting her head at him.

“Unrelated men and women shouldn’t be so close,” Jiang Sifan repeated.

He Lingyi laughed, her eyes curving into crescents. “Brother Sifan, why are you so old-fashioned? What century are you living in, still going on about that? We haven’t done anything wrong, so what is there to be afraid of?”

Jiang Sifan remained standing, unmoving.

“If you don’t sleep on the bed, I’m going to get angry,” He Lingyi said, putting on a mock-angry expression.

Jiang Sifan looked at her, sighed, and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed.

He perched right on the very edge, as far from He Lingyi as possible, with half his backside hanging in the air.

“Why are you sitting so far away? Are you afraid I’m going to eat you?” He Lingyi laughed, scooting over to make room in the middle. “You can sleep in the middle. I promise I won’t touch you.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Sifan swung his legs onto the bed and lay down.

He lay stiffly on the very edge of the bed, flat on his back and staring at the ceiling, his hands placed rigidly at his sides like a wooden plank.

He Lingyi turned off the lights.

The room fell into darkness, save for a sliver of light seeping through a gap in the curtains.

Silence fell for a moment.

“Brother Sifan, are you asleep?” He Lingyi’s voice sounded through the darkness.

“No.”

“Me neither.”

Another moment of silence passed.

“Brother Sifan, I have something to tell you.” He Lingyi rolled over to face him.