Burn Out - Chapter 71

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His hand pressed firmly on her lower back, and Ji Ting knew he was not satisfied with just kissing. She subconsciously hooked her arms wrapped around his neck and her head tilted slightly. Tan Yucheng sucked on her lips, his tongue probing inside.

Her long hair brushed lightly against the sofa and then parted. The depth of the kiss made her skin flush with a faint redness. Her soft body carried a delicate fragrance, and their bodies were pressed very close together.

Faint and tantalizingly distant.

His palm moved up her nightgown, and then he seemed to remember something. He lifted her up around the waist and carried her directly to the bedroom, where they continued on the bed. Ji Ting sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. Smiling, she said, “Who told you to install surveillance in the living room?”

Tan Yucheng kissed her neck and, in a lazy voice, replied, “I’ll turn it off later.”

Ji Ting laughed.

Soon, the sounds became fragmented.

An intelligent surveillance system was being tested. It had been distributed to many people. Tan Yucheng was in charge of this project and had brought it to Ji Ting for a trial a few days ago. It could be installed and removed at any time, which meant they couldn’t be careless in the living room and had to avoid the camera. The room was dimly lit, with a faint scent of incense drifting through.

Shadows flickered.

Ji Ting’s long hair was drenched again.

After a while, Tan Yucheng pulled away, kissed her lips, and wiped the sweat from her forehead. Ji Ting, exhausted, glared at him. He smiled and leaned in, asking, “Shall we take a shower?”

Ji Ting shook her head, wanting to be lazy.

Tan Yucheng responded with a hum, got up, and soon returned in just a pair of long pants, bringing her some water. Ji Ting lay on her side, casually adjusting her clothes and the blanket. Even though her dress was quite messy, she didn’t care. She just didn’t want to move.

After Tan Yucheng went out, the smart kettle was out of water and needed to be refilled and reheated. While doing this, he picked up the tablet and surveillance software, preparing to turn it off.

However, when he opened it, he saw Ji Ting moving around the room. She looked lazy, sometimes wearing soft shorts, other times a skirt, with her hair up or down.

She loved to nestle between the sofa and coffee table, sitting on the soft carpet, hugging a pillow while watching movies or using the tablet, occasionally reading a book. She appeared relaxed and casual at home.

Yet, she was exceptionally attractive.

Tan Yucheng raised his eyebrows, reluctant to turn off the surveillance.

The footage happened to show the moment they had just kissed. Tan Yucheng was already familiar with what Ji Ting looked like in his arms, but seeing it through the surveillance was a different experience. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, her hands crossed in a way he found beautiful—slender, fair, with minimal decoration, and a light pink nail polish that accentuated her paleness.

Tan Yucheng watched this scene for a long time.

Even though he was watching, his thoughts were stirred again.

He used the software’s built-in capture function to save this moment, edited it, and ended up with an image featuring only his lowered neck and her hands holding onto it.

He adjusted the filter and saved the image.

Returning to the sofa, he picked up his phone, which had fallen on the floor. The screen was still on the WeChat Moments post by Long Kong.

The comments were a long string of questions, with many likes, mostly consisting of question marks.

Tan Yucheng replied to Long Kong’s post, also addressing the other comments.

Tan: Hmm.

This simple “Hmm” immediately silenced everyone with doubts. Seeing his response, especially such a definite one, everyone fell silent.

Even those in the group chat who had been tagging him stopped.

Ji Ting was resting in her room but couldn’t fall asleep. She picked up her phone to reply to Zhou Hui, when Yu Xi sent a message with a screenshot of the image Tan Yucheng had just posted in response to Long Kong’s WeChat Moments.

Yu Xi: Tsk tsk tsk, he responded, saying he’s really secretly in love with you.

Yu Xi: I’m dying of laughter. He actually needed to secretly love you, but I heard from Long Kong that he has liked you since college, and that’s definitely true.

Ji Ting paused for a moment. She clicked on Long Kong’s WeChat Moments and saw that although his response was just a simple “Hmm,” no one else had posted question marks, and no one doubted it anymore. He rarely replied to other people’s Moments, so this reply was a significant one.

The living room lights were out. Ji Ting, holding her phone, peeked out. Tan Yucheng, carrying a cup of water, came to sit by the bed and glanced at her. “Aren’t you tired?”

Ji Ting held her phone tightly, her hair falling around her. She smiled slightly, “I’m looking at your reply to Long Kong’s post.”

Tan Yucheng responded with a hum, placed the straw at her lips, and Ji Ting sat up to drink. Her strap was loosely draped over her shoulder. As she drank, she continued to look at her phone, while Long Kong’s Moments became a discussion thread again.

They didn’t dare to tag Tan Yucheng much.

But many tagged Long Kong.

Asan: @Long Kong, tell us the details.

Jiang Li: @Long Kong, I’m really shocked. How did you find out?

Long Kong replied to Asan: There are too many details to explain. He admitted it himself.

Long Kong replied to Jiang Li: Of course, because he told me.

Other classmates were shocked.

One replied to Long Kong: So, Brother Cheng has been secretly in love with Ji Ting for all four years of college?

Long Kong replied: Yes.

Long Kong replied to him: And the methods were extremely despicable.

Long Kong continued replying: Previously, Ji Ting went on a blind date with a man, which ended poorly. I even suspect he might have interfered.

A classmate responded with shock: Wow.

Ji Ting saw this and immediately looked up, saying, “Isn’t Long Kong talking nonsense?”

Tan Yucheng glanced at Ji Ting’s phone, noting Long Kong’s long message. Raising his eyebrows and smirking, he said, “It’s not entirely wrong.”

Ji Ting stared at him.

Tan Yucheng continued, “When Lu Hai was setting you up for a blind date.”

“I was very unhappy about it.”

Ji Ting paused and asked, “You still wanted me to try?”

Tan Yucheng lifted his eyes and nonchalantly said, “Didn’t I ask you if you had someone in your heart? You said no, but then later you admitted you had liked someone before. Weren’t you lying to me too?”

Ji Ting’s heart skipped a beat.

Anyway, they were evenly matched in this regard.

Ji Ting looked down, finished her water, and pushed the cup away. Tan Yucheng placed the cup on the bedside table, lifted the covers, and got into bed. Ji Ting put her phone aside, curled up in the blanket, and snuggled into his arms.

Tan Yucheng turned off the bedside lamp, and they fell asleep.

At this moment.

Zhong Yu sent a WeChat message to Shu Xiao.

Zhong Yu: What’s going on? Have you seen Long Kong’s Moments?

Zhong Yu: Shu Xiao, didn’t we say Tan Yucheng was still single before? How does he now have someone he secretly loves, and it’s Ji Ting!

Shu Xiao’s fingertips trembled as she saw the acknowledgement in the Moments. Everyone was discussing his relationship with Ji Ting. She curled up in her blanket, she was shaking with confusion and didn’t reply to Zhong Yu for a while.

Shu Xiao: It’s not just a secret crush, they’re already together.

Zhong Yu: What?

Shu Xiao: I saw it with my own eyes tonight.

Zhong Yu: Saw what?

Shu Xiao: They were kissing, right after Eason’s concert.

Zhong Yu: …..

Zhong Yu: So what Long Kong’s Moments said is true—he had a secret crush on Ji Ting during college?

Shu Xiao: I don’t know, but Meng Jia said he was very good to Ji Ting, so much so that there was no one else in his eyes.

Shu Xiao: Actually, thinking about it now, it seems to be true.

Shu Xiao: When I was threatened by Ben, I was so scared that I didn’t dare stay in the rented place. I asked Ji Ting for help, and she came with him. Ji Ting suggested I stay at her place for a night, but he refused and directly said no, telling me to stay at a hotel! He didn’t want Ji Ting to come with me because he was afraid she would be threatened too. He was protecting her.

Zhong Yu: …..

Zhong Yu: Did he ever go to the hotel where you stayed?

Shu Xiao: Not even once. The only time he came was to pick up Ji Ting when her period started.

Zhong Yu: ….. Why didn’t you tell me this?

Shu Xiao: I didn’t know how to say it.

Shu Xiao: Everything has changed, and I’m very anxious.

Early the next morning.

Tan Yucheng went to the company.

Ji Ting had breakfast, changed into a new outfit, and went to the store. The place was still quite busy today, as many people from the nearby concert had come over to enjoy coffee and shopping.

Two employees from the branch also came to help at the main store today.

To match the occasion, the store was playing Eason’s “Under Mount Fuji.” Since many hadn’t heard Eason perform live last night, the lyrics, “Who can claim Mount Fuji as their own with love,” drifted through the shop.

The song floated around the store while diners chatted and some stared off into space.

In the afternoon.

There were fewer people. Ji Ting was drinking a latte she had just made when the door opened, and Zhou Hui, carrying a laptop bag and wearing a blue shirt, walked in. Their eyes met.

Ji Ting smiled and put down her cup. “Senior brother.”

Zhou Hui adjusted his glasses and smiled. “I almost walked into the wrong place.”

“Come in quickly,” Ji Ting said to Xiao Zhou, “Get a cup of…”

She paused, looking at Zhou Hui. Zhou Hui smiled and said, “Do you have cold brew?”

Xiao Zhou, seeing the refined and elite-looking man, immediately nodded. “Yes, we do.”

“Thank you,” Zhou Hui said politely.

Xiao Zhou said, “You’re welcome,” and went to prepare it.

Ji Ting walked out from behind the counter and guided Zhou Hui to a seat by the window. After they sat down, they exchanged smiles. It had been four years since they last met.

The last time was at Ji Ting’s graduation when Zhou Hui came to see his mentor. They took a photo together, but it was later lost. Zhou Hui said with a smile, “I called you last night, but you didn’t answer. I thought you were sleeping, so I didn’t call again.”

Ji Ting apologized and said, “I wasn’t asleep last night. I went to the concert, and it was a bit noisy, so I didn’t hear my phone.”

“Oh, I see. A concert?”

“Yes, Eason’s.”

Zhou Hui recalled the sign outside the stadium.

Ji Ting nodded.

“I didn’t expect you to like his music. I like it too,” Zhou Hui said, slightly surprised.

Ji Ting smiled gently.

Xiao Zhou brought over the coffee and placed it next to Zhou Hui. Zhou Hui thanked him, and Xiao Zhou nodded with a wink before quickly returning to the counter. He stole a glance at the two people who were chatting happily and secretly took out his phone.

Five minutes later.

Ji Ting’s phone rang. It was a call from Tan Yucheng.

She paused her conversation with Zhou Hui and answered the call.

Tan Yucheng’s voice was low and lazy. “There’s a delivery arriving this afternoon. Remember to sign for it.”

Ji Ting responded with a soft “Hmm.”

Tan Yucheng’s relaxed and pleasant voice came through the phone, and Zhou Hui, recognizing it from the morning, fell silent. He listened carefully to the voice on the other end.

Ji Ting replied to Tan Yucheng and asked, “Is there anything else?”

Tan Yucheng replied, “Aren’t you going to ask what was bought?”

Ji Ting’s voice was gentle as she said, “There are so many deliveries recently, I’m too lazy to ask.”

Tan Yucheng chuckled and then said, “Is your senior brother here?”

Ji Ting looked at Zhou Hui and responded, “Yes, he just arrived and is in the store.”

Tan Yucheng acknowledged this with a “Hmm.”

“I’ve booked a private dining room at a restaurant. I’ll invite your senior brother there later.”

Ji Ting was surprised and thought, Why is he being so considerate today?

She said, “Okay.”

“Then I’ll hang up.”

“Alright.”

After hanging up, Ji Ting set her phone aside. Zhou Hui adjusted his glasses and asked, “Is that your boyfriend?”

Ji Ting nodded.

Zhou Hui smiled and said, “I’m a bit surprised, but it makes sense. We’re both at the age where marriage is expected.”

Ji Ting gently asked, “Has your family been pushing you to get married too?”

“Yes, for several years now.”

Ji Ting nodded, “I’m in a similar situation.”

“Can I ask what your boyfriend does?” Zhou Hui looked at Ji Ting.

Ji Ting paused, then smiled and said, “You’ve met him, Tan Yucheng from Yanchun Intelligent Co.”

“Yanchun Intelligent? Tan Yucheng?”

Zhou Hui immediately recognized who she was talking about. The top computer team from Beijing University that won all the computer-related awards in recent years. The two leading male members were unforgettable because of their striking looks and had countless admirers.

Moreover, they had played against each other on the basketball court. That was when Zhou Hui first felt challenged, and it turned out to be his last basketball game. During the game, their eyes met while Tan Yucheng was dribbling, his dark eyes carrying an air of defiance and challenge.

It was a memorable experience.

Zhou Hui snapped back to the present and said with a smile, “So he’s from Beijing University.”

Ji Ting nodded and smiled, “Yes.”

Zhou Hui smiled again.

In the evening.

As night fell.

Ji Ting took Zhou Hui upstairs to the Yonghe Private Kitchen. As soon as they entered, a young staff member approached and said to Ji Ting, “Sister Ting, Brother Tan has reserved a private room for you two and ordered your favorite dishes. He’s still working late, but he’ll pick you up after dinner.”

Zhou Hui glanced at Ji Ting upon hearing this.

Ji Ting accepted the tablet and said, “Thank you.”

The staff member opened the door, and Ji Ting gestured for Zhou Hui to enter. She also handed the tablet to Zhou Hui for ordering. Zhou Hui glanced at the menu and saw that the dishes had already been chosen in detail.

There were a few items he didn’t know were Ji Ting’s favorites.

Ji Ting looked at him and said, “Senior brother, go ahead and order.”

Zhou Hui paused for a moment, then, coming back to his senses, agreed and placed his order. Since he had already ordered many of Ji Ting’s favorite dishes, he ordered a few less, just enough for both of them.

After ordering.

The staff member left.

Ji Ting and Zhou Hui chatted while eating.

Zhou Hui was here to assist with the Series C financing for a gaming company, the same one run by Xu Xu. The company had a very promising future, attracting many investors. The investment amount for this Series C round had been raised to a high level, making it challenging for other investment firms.

Fu Heng also hoped to get a share of the action as well.

That’s why Zhou Hui was here.

Ji Ting knew Xu Xu.

But since she wasn’t involved in this industry, she didn’t inquire further.

After finishing their meal, night had fallen.

Zhou Hui called for a car, and Ji Ting accompanied him downstairs to see him off. As they reached the street, Zhou Hui prepared to get into the ride-hailing car he had called. Just then, a black SUV pulled up, and Tan Yucheng got out of the car. He was holding his jacket, and as he looked over, Zhou Hui met his gaze. Tan Yucheng took long strides towards them.

With a polite and considerate smile, Tan Yucheng said, “Senior brother Zhou, are you leaving?”

The memory of playing basketball with him years ago resurfaced for Zhou Hui. Meeting Tan Yucheng’s dark eyes, he smiled and replied, “Yes, I’ve called for a car.”

“Take care,” Tan Yucheng said lazily, reaching out to take Ji Ting’s hand.

Zhou Hui glanced at their joined hands and nodded, saying, “Thank you.”

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