Chapter 23: He Came Down from Her Bed

Seated in the car, Lin Xi took her time wiping the water droplets from her hands with a tissue.

“Third Brother, have you gotten familiar with the security here?”

Today, she wore a short skirt; the air conditioning’s cold wind poured in from the front, chilling her knees and making her legs feel icy. She tugged at her skirt hem, too occupied with her hands to spare him a glance as she spoke.

“Not exactly.” Qin Yu held the steering wheel with one hand, the sleeves of his black shirt rolled up to reveal his forearm. His suit jacket, which he had been wearing, was casually draped across Lin Xi’s legs.

Lin Xi paused, looked at the jacket on her lap, then at him. The fabric was slippery, sliding down her thighs, and she quickly lowered her head to pull it back up.

Qin Yu didn’t seem to think much of it, as if it were an absent-minded gesture. He continued the conversation, “I just told them, if you show up, to give me a call.”

“How would they recognize me?” Lin Xi didn’t fuss, adjusted the jacket to wrap her legs snugly. “Did you show them my photo?”

“No, I only described your appearance.”

Her lips curled into a faint smile. “They must have sharp eyes.”

He responded naturally, “Mostly because you’re beautiful.”

She didn’t have a forgettable face; her looks were distinctive and striking, not hard to recognize.

The compliment made her uncomfortable. Lin Xi turned her head away, adjusted her seatbelt, her gaze drifting out the window.

The car fell into silence. After a while, Qin Yu asked, “You haven’t exchanged your license since returning home? Do you need me to help?”

She replied, “I haven’t had time, maybe next month.”

Leaning against the seat, she studied his face in profile. He still wore his glasses, radiating a restrained, elegant air. His black hair was slightly damp, bearing traces of rain, and his sharp jawline still glistened with water droplets. Below, his collar was open, exposing a red scratch on his neck.

Lin Xi’s gaze sharpened. That mark was clearly left by a woman; he couldn’t have scratched himself like that. Instinctively, her mind conjured images not fit for children.

Qin Yu was about to respond when he caught her staring. As the car merged onto the main road, he glanced over, saw her lost in thought. “What’s wrong?”

Lin Xi hurriedly withdrew her gaze, offering only the back of her head.

“Nothing.”

Her eyes evaded his, her expression uneasy. Qin Yu looked into the rearview mirror, tracing her line of sight. When his eyes landed on the fresh scratch on his neck, he raised his brows, surprised.

Recalling its origin, he lifted his hand, rubbing the conspicuous mark, and chuckled, asking Lin Xi, “I hadn’t noticed it myself. Who do you think scratched me last night?”

His words held a hint.

Hearing “last night,” Lin Xi frowned. Was he referring to her? Impossible.

She feigned ignorance. “How would I know? Maybe some—”

Before she could finish, he shot her a sharp glare. “Where was I last night, and who did I leave from—you know best, don’t you?”

Lin Xi fell silent.

Whether it was deliberate or just her imagination, his words sounded odd. He’d only spent a short while at her place and left, but the way he phrased it made it seem as though he’d just gotten out of her bed.

Qin Yu didn’t let her protest, announcing her crime, “When I carried you inside last night, you scratched me. Don’t you remember?”

Last night’s memories rewound, as if on loop. The scene he described played on repeat in Lin Xi’s mind.

He was strong, one arm around her waist, fingers gripping tightly at her side. Without giving her time to react, she was suddenly swept up, held in his arms.

Startled, fearing she’d fall, her hands scrambled, and in the chaos, she must have grabbed his neck.

The entryway was dark, lit only by faint light spilling from the corridor outside; she hadn’t seen where her hands landed.

He walked, hoisting her closer, their bodies pressed together, breaths mingling in confusion. Her attention quickly shifted.

Recalling this, Lin Xi closed her eyes in frustration, choosing to go along with his narrative. “I drank too much last night, don’t remember a thing.”

Her voice was muffled; anyone familiar with her would know she was uneasy, and Qin Yu, who knew her best, certainly did.

He didn’t expose her, nodding as if he believed her.

Yet behind his glasses, his deep eyes shimmered with a beguiling smile.

He returned to their previous topic, mercifully, “Is there any car you like?”

His question signaled preparation.

“Third Brother intends to gift me one?” Lin Xi was drawn in.

“Depends on what you like. If you don’t want my input, just pick for yourself and use my card.”

“Thank you, Third Brother.” She turned, pursing her lips, but gave no outward sign of happiness. “But I have my own money.”

“No reward without merit. I’ll send the card to your company reception by courier someday.”

She hadn’t thought of it until he mentioned it—the card was a supplementary one, kept with her, but what did it mean?

“So precise with me?”

“That’s only right. It’s not a holiday, why accept such an expensive gift?”

During holidays, Lin Xi had always been the most pampered of the younger generation in the compound, receiving gifts by the armful. Especially from her older brothers, who were generous and never stingy.

Back then, they never treated her as just a neighbor’s little sister; they were truly like family.

As a child, every meal or homework session felt like a star’s tour, rotating among homes each day.

She thought it would always be like that.

“Isn’t your birthday coming up? Consider it a birthday gift.” Qin Yu’s voice sounded again.

Hearing “birthday,” Lin Xi’s smile faded.

She didn’t reply, turned her head, long lashes drooping low, hiding the turmoil in her eyes. From Qin Yu’s angle, she seemed lost in the raindrops gathering on the window.

Something struck him; his brows furrowed, realizing he’d said the wrong thing.

“Has Cheng Si spoken to you about next month’s welcome banquet?” He changed the subject, trying to distract her.

“Whose?” Lin Xi moved her stiff neck. “I’ve been back so long, is it really necessary?”

“It’s not just for you. The one from abroad is coming back.”

Abroad… Lin Xi blinked in confusion, a familiar figure flashing through her mind. She sat up in delight. “Second Brother!”