Under the Cheongsam Skirt - Chapter 25

“Huh? Lawyer Xu has a partner?”

“If this news gets out, all the girls in this alley will be heartbroken.”

“Do you need to turn off the power? Yes, earlier this light bulb flickered a few times and then went out. Can you smell it? There’s still a burnt smell in the room.”

“Listen, young people these days have so many options. When choosing a partner, you really need to keep your eyes open. A girl isn’t necessarily good just because she comes from a wealthy family. She should be sensible and hardworking. That way, both partners can understand and support each other. Several families have come to me asking about you…”

***

Since the door was only slightly ajar and Auntie Ge had a loud voice, the conversation from next door easily drifted into the house. Zhao Ciqin was forced to eavesdrop for a while before finally retreating to the bathroom to take a shower.

The sound of running water drowned out the other noises.

When she came out, Xu Xing happened to be washing his hands in front of the kitchen.

After helping fix the electrical circuit, his hands were stained with a bit of grease. Xu Xing rinsed them for a while before they were clean, then efficiently tidied up a few bowls. When he turned around, he saw Zhao Ciqin standing there, watching him, dressed in a silk robe.

Her eyelashes were thick and long, and her skin still glowed with the warmth of the shower. She held a basin in her hands, likely containing freshly washed clothes. Unlike the radiant beauty in the cheongsam during the day, she now had a more down-to-earth aura.

The corners of Xu Xing’s lips lifted slightly, but only for a moment. He turned his head and said, “Qin Qin, could you grab some clothes for me?”

Zhao Ciqin was momentarily stunned.

Xu Xing said, “Put them in the bathroom. I’ll go in to shower afterward.”

“But I…” She hesitated, holding the basin awkwardly.

Xu Xing looked at her for a few seconds, then made the decision for her. “I’ll hang the clothes for you. You help me with this.” He paused, then asked, “Is that okay?”

Zhao Ciqin gave in. No one could refuse Xu Xing when he was like this.

Xu Xing’s clothes were actually easy to find. His wardrobe, like the man himself, was always neatly organized, with clothes sorted and stored in an orderly manner. It was only after she moved in and took up half the space that it started to feel a bit crowded.

After fetching his clothes, Zhao Ciqin didn’t idle. She climbed onto the desk by the bedroom window, stretching her arms to hang the clothes outside.

This was one of the inconveniences of living here. Without a balcony, every household had to string up clotheslines outside their windows, requiring a bit of climbing to hang the laundry properly.

Just as Zhao Ciqin was about to turn around to grab the next piece of clothing, someone suddenly wrapped their arms around her waist from behind.

She let out a soft “ah,” and in the next moment, she was lifted and placed on the desk, her slender, pale legs dangling in the air, her hands naturally resting on Xu Xing’s neck.

“Are you done showering?” she asked him.

So quickly.

Xu Xing’s upper body was bare, his well-defined muscles still glistening with a few un-dried water droplets. Clearly, he had rushed through his shower. Instead of answering, he gently rubbed her temple with his fingers and asked, “Did something upset you today?”

Zhao Ciqin didn’t tell the truth, shaking her head. “No…”

Xu Xing stared at her intently, as if trying to find any trace of what was bothering her. Backlit, his eyes didn’t appear overly sharp but instead carried a unique softness, as if filled with deep affection.

After a few seconds, he asked again, “Then are you tired of me?”

Zhao Ciqin’s voice caught in her throat, her eyes widening slightly.

“…Why would you think that?”

Her reaction was indeed strong, looking utterly incredulous. Xu Xing’s eyes gradually filled with amusement. “If not, then why did you tell me not to go to Beijing with you? I thought you were tired of me, regretting being with me, and wanting to leave me for someone else.”