Chapter 262: How To Touch You

Zhiyi leaned toward the screen as the shark passed beneath the camera.

Its back nearly brushed the hanging remains of a ceiling panel, and for a moment its body filled the image. Then it turned through the open doorway and disappeared into the flooded hall.

Zeyu kept his hand on the controls, waiting for it to return. "I know that room," he said. "There used to be a reception desk beside the door."

"The desk is still there." Zhiyi pointed toward the dark shape against the far wall. "It’s lying on its side."

Qinghe called the others while she watched small fish emerge from beneath the overturned furniture.

They moved cautiously at first, then spread through the room again. The shark had left a chair turning slowly near the doorway.

Jingwei arrived before Hanchuan and Shichen. He stood behind Zhiyi’s chair, resting one hand on its back while Zeyu replayed the clearest part of the recording.

"How far below the occupied floors?" Jingwei asked.

"Several," Zeyu replied, bringing up the stairwell view beside it. "Nobody’s sleeping near that level anymore."

Jingwei watched the empty landing. The water covered the steps below it, hiding the turn of the staircase.

Zhiyi reached up and touched the hand beside her shoulder. His fingers moved beneath hers, then closed around them while he continued looking at the screen.

"The people downstairs have been fishing from the windows," she said. "They may have seen it already."

"Maybe." Jingwei looked down at her before returning his attention to the flooded room. "I’ll watch where they’re lowering their lines."

Hanchuan came in with Shichen, and Zeyu showed them the recording. For a few minutes, all six stood around the same screen, watching an animal swim through a room built for people.

Zhiyi had seen fish during the previous Flood, but knowing they would come hadn’t prepared her for the sight of that broad body passing between office chairs.

She wanted to see it again. She also wanted every boat they owned to remain exactly where it was, dry and well above the water.

Shichen leaned closer when the shark turned.

"I’m glad we finished checking the diving equipment before we had anything to look at down there," he said. "I’d rather discover a bad hose in the storage room."

Zeyu glanced toward him. "You couldn’t pay me to go looking for that."

Zhiyi looked up at Zeyu’s face. "Nobody has offered."

His startled laugh made her smile. Hanchuan bent to kiss the top of her head as he passed, leaving his hand briefly against her shoulder.

They kept the underwater view on a spare screen, but the shark didn’t return while Zhiyi watched.

Eventually, Qinghe retrieved their book from where she had left it and carried it back upstairs. Shichen went to finish putting away the equipment he had checked that morning, taking Zeyu with him.

Jingwei remained beside her.

When Zhiyi stood, he released her hand so she could move around the chair. She took it again before he could turn toward the desk.

"You’ve finished your watch," she reminded him. "Zeyu came to take over."

Jingwei glanced at the doorway through which Zeyu had just disappeared.

"He’ll be back in a minute," Jingwei said. "I can wait."

Zhiyi waited with him. She leaned against the desk, close enough that their joined hands rested beside his thigh, and watched him save the recording. When Zeyu returned, she was still there.

Zeyu stopped just inside the doorway, looking from her to Jingwei.

"I’ve got it," Zeyu said, setting a mug beside the keyboard. "Go before she decides to carry you out."

Zhiyi frowned at him. "I couldn’t carry him comfortably."

Jingwei laughed under his breath and led her into the corridor before Zeyu could answer.

They went to his room, where the curtains were open behind the raised shutter on the sheltered side of the building.

Gray daylight reached across the bed and Zhiyi liked that he had left the space beneath the window clear; she could see the distant buildings without having to stand among boxes.

Jingwei let go of her hand to move a folded shirt from the chair. "You can sit there," he offered. "Unless you’d rather have the bed."

Zhiyi sat on the edge of the mattress and held out her hand again. "I’d rather have you beside me," she told him.

He left the shirt on the chair and came to her.

When he sat, she moved close enough for their shoulders to touch, then rested her head against him. His arm came around her after a moment, warm and firm across her back.

She had learned to give him that moment. He no longer pulled away when she reached for him, but sometimes his body stiffened before he recognized the touch. She didn’t want him pretending it never happened.

"Is this comfortable?" Zhiyi asked, moving her hand onto his knee.

Jingwei covered it with his. "Yes. I’m still getting used to how much I like it."

She turned toward him, pleased by the answer. He brushed her hair away from her face and kissed her before she could decide what to say.

Zhiyi liked the way he held her now. His hand settled at the back of her neck, and he stayed close when the kiss ended, his thumb moving just below her ear.

She touched the side of his face. "Will you lie down with me?" she asked. "We don’t have to sleep."

Jingwei looked toward the pillows, then back at her. For a moment, she thought he might make another excuse about the cameras, but he reached down and removed his shoes.

Zhiyi did the same.

They settled facing each other, leaving enough room that neither had to hold an uncomfortable position. She waited until he drew her closer before resting her hand against his chest.

His heartbeat was quick beneath her palm and Jingwei watched her notice it and smiled faintly.

"You’re going to ask whether I’m all right," he said, brushing his fingers along her wrist.

"I was going to ask you to kiss me again," Zhiyi replied. "But you can answer both."

He kissed her slowly, his hand warm against her back. When she moved closer, he welcomed her without hesitation, and she felt him relax beneath her touch.

Afterward, Jingwei rested his forehead against hers.

"I want you to stay tonight," he said. His fingers tightened gently around her hand. "I’ve wanted to ask since our first night here."

Zhiyi lifted their joined hands and kissed his knuckles.

"Then I’ll stay," she told him. "And when you’re ready, I’d like to find out how you want me to touch you."

Jingwei held her gaze for a moment before drawing her hand back to his chest.

This time, he guided her fingers beneath the open collar of his shirt.