Under the Dusk - Chapter 30

Ruan Shu never imagined she’d be given candy.

In her eyes, such things were only for children. But when Ji Yan handed it to her, she secretly clenched it in her palm.

The weather after six in the afternoon was still a little warm.

The lingering heat of the sun baked the ground.

Not just her tongue—her heart, too, seemed coated in a sticky sweetness, tangled with the warmth of the summer dusk, impossible to shake off.

After Xia Chunchun quit her job, the summer break entered its most unbearable phase.

Last time, Ji Yan took her to go racing. He had originally planned to ask if she wanted to switch part-time jobs—Mai Jie mentioned their company was hiring design interns, and once the merchandise drafts were done, she could give it a try.

But because the bubble tea shop was short-staffed and couldn’t adjust her shifts, she never went.

Mai Jie felt it wasn’t his place to bring it up with Ruan Shu. Since she was his girl, if anyone was going to ask her opinion, it had to be with Yan-ge’s approval. So he asked Ji Yan to talk to her instead.

Ji Yan did ask, but Ruan Shu didn’t want to go.

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” Ruan Shu murmured, head bowed as she finished editing the draft. “School starts in just over two weeks. Even if I went, I’d only be there for a few days. And once classes pick up, it’ll be too much. I’ll wait until winter or summer break next year.”

Besides, she’d already promised the shop manager she’d stay until the semester began.

Going back on her word wouldn’t be right.

That night, Ji Yan leaned against the glass door of her balcony.

Last time he came over, he’d noticed how flimsy her window was and wanted to replace it. But if he didn’t come inside, Ruan Shu would shut it completely, complaining that mosquitoes would get in and bite her. So Ji Yan had no choice but to stand outside, swatting at bugs, watching the sunset lamp cast warm light over her desk as her pen traced graceful lines across the paper.

An owl? Or a red panda?

He couldn’t tell.

Ruan Shu covered the draft. “What are you looking at?”

“I’m the one paying you to design this merch. What’s wrong with taking a peek?” He tapped the glass with his knuckle. “Open the window.”

No.

Mosquitoes would get in, and the AC would leak out.

She’d already showered and didn’t want to work up another sweat. Ji Yan, however, waited with endless patience, a cigarette between his fingers. After flicking the ash away, he tucked his hand into his pocket.

Ruan Shu said, “There’s a door, you know. Why do you always come through the balcony?”

Now you’re stuck outside. Serves you right.

Ji Yan found it amusing, but he also knew when to yield.
“Then I’ll beg. Let me in?” He leaned against the window frame, his profile all she could see. His fingers—elegant, well-shaped—rapped lightly against the glass. Ruan Shu wavered.

Before she could answer, he added, “The mosquitoes are eating me alive.”

His arms were covered in bites.

Ruan Shu admitted she just wanted to mess with him a little. Earlier, she’d scrolled through Ji Yan’s social feed and noticed that the high-ponytailed senior from their racing day had also been there. From her team jersey, her name seemed to be Qin Lu.

It wasn’t really Ji Yan’s fault.

The club had tons of members, and it wasn’t like she followed him around all day. But it still annoyed her.

A woman’s intuition was irrational like that.

Qin Lu didn’t like her, and she didn’t like Qin Lu either.

So what if she was a senior from the same university? Just thinking about people from campus irritated her now.

This wasn’t jealousy.

Ruan Shu refused to believe she’d reached the point of being jealous over Ji Yan.

Keeping him outside to be mosquito bait was a little inhumane, though. The moment she let him in, Ji Yan lifted her off her feet, pinned her against the door, and kissed her until she could barely breathe.

Ruan Shu pushed at his shoulders. “Mm… Yan-ge…”

“What was that, huh? Locking me out—you asking for it?” His large hand squeezed her ass.

Ruan Shu insisted she wasn’t.

But a tiny, prickling envy gnawed at her. She couldn’t cling to him like a shadow, and Ji Yan wasn’t some puppet she controlled. They were two separate people. If she didn’t go, did that mean he shouldn’t either?

Besides, this delayed frustration and conflict felt misplaced.

“Then what’s wrong?” Ji Yan gripped her chin.

Had he been too busy lately? Neglected her?

That couldn’t be it.

Just two days ago, he’d helped her babysit, and Ruan Shu had been so happy she ate two extra bowls of rice, her cheeks round and full. Even her thighs had gotten softer under his touch.

Ji Yan took pride in that.

“I’ll get you some mosquito repellent.” Ruan Shu wriggled out of his hold.

She went to her nightstand to look, but remembered she’d left it in the living room yesterday. By the time she returned with it, Ji Yan was already sitting on her bed.

Legs spread, he pulled her between them. He was so tall that even standing, Ruan Shu felt dwarfed by him. She asked where the bites were.

Ji Yan held out his arm.

She inspected it—not a single bite. The only notable thing was the faint mole on his wrist, teasingly tempting to touch. “You lied to me,” she said.

He wasn’t even a target for mosquitoes.

“Missing you isn’t lying.” Ji Yan wrapped his arms around her waist. “Let me hold you.”

If he hadn’t said that, who knew how long she’d have made him wait outside her window—or door.

The AC hummed, newly refilled with coolant, leaving the room crisp and cool. Comfortable.

Her body was soft, molding perfectly against his. He wondered if all girls were this smooth, their waists this slender. He didn’t want to let go.

Ruan Shu asked, “Are you done?”

Being held like this was a little embarrassing.

Ji Yan’s face was buried against her chest, his hair prickling her skin. His body heat enveloped her, relentless.

His scent was everywhere—wild, untamed.

Ruthlessly invading what was supposed to be her space.

“Yan-ge…” Ruan Shu started, but Ji Yan’s legs tightened around her, his arms pulling her flush against him.

“What?” His voice had gone rough as he unhooked her bra.

Ruan Shu shook her head.

Her heart trembled. “Just… missed you.”