Chapter 84 - 83: Embracing Tightly

Chapter 84: Chapter 83: Embracing Tightly

Hearing the door open, the girl’s eyelids twitched and she sat up instinctively.

Her slender ankles found her slippers on the floor. She slipped them on and hurried to the door, greeting Xiao Ran as he was changing his shoes. "Brother Xiao Ran, you’re back."

’I was so busy watching videos, I completely forgot about Brother Xiao Ran!’

"Mhm," Xiao Ran nodded as he changed his shoes.

Noticing his movements were a little clumsy, the girl frowned and asked with concern, "Have you been drinking?"

"I’m fine."

To be honest, Xiao Ran had indeed had a lot to drink tonight, but he had no intention of telling her he was drunk. That would be a blow to his pride.

By the time he finished speaking, Xiao Ran had changed his shoes. When he looked up at her, he froze.

"New nightgown?"

He had to admit, silk was an inherently soft material. Paired with black lace, it added a perfect touch of allure to that gentleness.

And since Yan Xici never wore nightdresses at home, Xiao Ran’s eyes couldn’t help but light up.

He shook his head. He wasn’t sure if it was because he’d had too much to drink, but he found her exceptionally captivating tonight.

Seeing the dazed look in his eyes, the girl pouted. ’Who does he think he’s fooling? It’s obvious he’s drunk. What’s so hard about admitting it?’

"I’ll go make you some honey water."

As she spoke, she walked over to the dining table, picked up Xiao Ran’s cup with her fair hands, and turned to head into the kitchen.

Watching her go, Xiao Ran sighed.

’Why is she rushing around like that? I’m fine. There’s no need to go to all this trouble.’

’Besides, it’s just honey water. I’m not *that* drunk.’

With that thought, Xiao Ran followed her into the kitchen.

In the kitchen, the warm yellow light bathed the girl, giving her already flawless skin a soft-focus glow.

The lovely line of her bare shoulders was completely exposed.

And further down... a subtle, tantalizing glimpse of what lay beneath.

’It’s not like he was looking on purpose. He couldn’t help it; his height gave him a distinct advantage.’

’A single glance down and it was right there in his line of sight.’

Xiao Ran’s breath caught in his throat.

’He couldn’t be blamed. Appreciating beauty is human nature.’

’He was only human, after all!’

"This nightgown..."

’He’d never seen this dress before. If he wasn’t mistaken, she must have bought it today.’

Hearing Xiao Ran ask about her nightgown, the girl’s eyelids twitched.

’Sure enough!’

’Si Yingying was right! He really did notice me!’

’This is a really good sign!’

She instinctively glanced at Xiao Ran’s face. Seeing the look in his eyes made her blush, but at the same time, she couldn’t suppress a small, smug sense of satisfaction.

She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear with a fair hand, looking at Xiao Ran bashfully.

"So? Do you like it?"

After speaking, she even turned around to give him a better look.

’I bought this just for him, after all.’

As she turned, Xiao Ran’s gaze fell to her waist. He had to admit, this nightgown was nothing like her usual loungewear. It perfectly showcased her figure—a slender waist he could span with his hands, a flat stomach, and a hint of long, straight legs beneath the hem.

’It really is beautiful.’

Xiao Ran swallowed hard. Maybe it was the alcohol, but his heart began to pound traitorously in his chest.

’If it keeps this up,’ he thought, ’I’m going to have a heart attack.’

Perhaps sensing his intense gaze, the already nervous girl grew even more flustered. Her eyes became moist and glistening, and a faint blush crept up her cheeks, as if brushed with a touch of rouge. It was an incredibly lovely sight.

She involuntarily licked her slightly dry lips.

Realizing her discomfort, Xiao Ran swallowed again.

He said with feigned nonchalance, "Mhm, it’s not bad. It’s beautiful, but... a little revealing."

’Good thing she’s only wearing it at home!’

’If she dared to wear this for anyone else to see, he would...’

Hearing his approval, the girl flushed an even deeper shade of red with excitement. ’Brother Xiao Ran said it’s beautiful!’

’Beautiful is all that matters!’

’As for it being revealing... well, it’s not like she’s showing anyone else. She didn’t mind him taking a few extra glances. In fact, the more he looked, the happier she was!’

"It’s just so hot, and we’re at home anyway. You won’t mind, right?"

Xiao Ran: "..."

’Fine. He didn’t mind.’

"Mhm."

Perhaps because of the alcohol, Xiao Ran’s reactions were a bit sluggish.

He just gave a simple nod.

He instinctively took a step back. To be honest, alcohol already made a person impulsive, and after just one look at her, he could feel his temples throbbing.

’This feeling was really unpleasant.’

The water was nearly boiling. The girl turned toward the cupboards on the opposite wall to get the honey from a high shelf.

As she got closer, she could clearly smell the strong scent of alcohol on him, but it was different from what she was used to, mingled with something else entirely.

Seeing her walk toward him, Xiao Ran instinctively took a step back. The kitchen was full of cabinets, and the space near the counter was tight with a corner design. He backed right into it, and the jolt made him stumble forward.

Startled by his sudden movement, the girl instantly reached out and grabbed Xiao Ran’s arm to steady him.

Normally, a simple tug like that would have been nothing.

But at that moment, Xiao Ran was unsteady and had no strength. Her forceful pull sent him tumbling uncontrollably toward Yan Xici.

Afraid he would fall, the girl instinctively threw her arms around him, holding on tight.

Xiao Ran, in turn, instinctively wrapped his arms tightly around her to steady himself.

Skin met skin, warmth passing between them.

In an instant, both of them froze.

She dazedly lifted her head to look at him. From this angle, all she could see was his distinctly masculine Adam’s apple.

Her glistening eyes widened in surprise, her long lashes curling into a beautiful arc. Her soft, dewy face was a mask of disbelief.

The scent of him, mingled with alcohol, flooded her senses.

It completely enveloped her.

This close, she could even hear his heart beating!

Feeling his warm embrace, her own heart began to pound uncontrollably.

It felt as if it would burst from her chest, just to stand before him and confess her feelings.

Her face turned a shade of crimson so deep it was almost comical.

To be honest, Xiao Ran was also lost in the moment.

Her body was so soft and fragrant; he felt as if the slightest pressure might break her.

The sweet, gentle fragrance from her body and hair assailed his senses without restraint.

He felt something in his mind snap.

’He just wanted to hold her like this forever.’

In the dim yellow light of the kitchen, the two of them held each other tightly.

A full ten seconds passed before the girl finally snapped out of it.