Volume One, Chapter 16: I've Figured Out What This Studio Is For!

After asking Pei Xi for the password to the USB drive, Xu Qingning still didn’t open it to see how much was inside. Instead, she carefully put it back in the drawer and even covered it with several layers of unrelated documents, trying to deceive herself.

After showering, she habitually came out to heat some milk, only to find that Pei Xi had already done it, with the hairdryer resting on the sofa.

“Come here, let me dry your hair.”

At those words, Xu Qingning obediently sat on the sofa, removing her drying cap and placing it aside.

“Maybe just a quick dry this time? Last time you spent over half an hour, your wrist must have been sore.”

“No problem. I really like drying your hair, Qingqing.”

Hearing this, Xu Qingning felt her ears warm. “Your preferences… are quite unique.”

“I just like drying your hair.”

“*Ahem*!” Xu Qingning choked and quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe her mouth. “Pei Xixi, your way with words is way too much. You open your mouth and I just can’t handle it!”

“Don’t you like it, Qingqing?”

There was a slight tone of grievance in his voice, and in her heart, a huge thought flashed.

*I really deserve this!*

“No! I don’t dislike it at all!”

She couldn’t always be so thoroughly overwhelmed by Pei Xi. Xu Qingning’s eyes flickered as she quickly thought of a cheeky idea.

“Ahem, Pei Xixi, I’m thinking of getting a card here.”

“What kind of card? Should I get my wallet?”

Xu Qingning shook her head. “I’m thinking… of a long-term hair-drying card! How about charging a hundred and getting a thousand in return? Every time I come for hair drying, you get a five-yuan tip!”

After a few seconds of silence behind her, Pei Xi chuckled softly. “Okay, no need to charge a hundred, one yuan is enough.”

“One yuan? Boss Pei, that’s a losing deal!”

“Not at all. Serving you, Qingqing, makes me very happy.”

Another round of sweet talk. Xu Qingning couldn’t argue and covered her face, burying herself in her knees.

“Pei Xixi, you’re playing dirty!”

The sound of the hairdryer stopped. She heard Pei Xi put it down and stand.

“W-why stop?”

A shadow fell before her. She saw Pei Xi half-kneeling in front of her, his warm palm gently stroking her cheek.

“Qingqing, are you shy? Sorry, I just can’t help but speak my heart whenever I see you.”

“If I make you troubled, I will… try to hold back next time.”

*

Deliberate! Pei Xi was purposely softening her heart! Xu Qingning, with her iron will, wouldn’t fall for this… but no, her heart softened. With that face and the tone of grievance, how could she remain indifferent?!

“No! I like it! I really like it!”

Afraid Pei Xi wouldn’t believe her, Xu Qingning opened her eyes wide and even cupped his face with both hands, looking straight into his eyes. “See my sincere big eyes!”

He smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting noticeably. “Mm, I see. Your eyes are beautiful, like stars in the galaxy, mesmerizing.”

“I really like it. Thank you for not disliking what I say.”

Under his gaze, Xu Qingning felt a little shy. She looked away, preparing to withdraw her hands, but he held onto them.

Her eyes blinked rapidly, and she even began to stammer involuntarily.

“W-what’s wrong?”

“N-nothing’s wrong.”

“Why are you imitating me?” He laughed softly. Xu Qingning leaned forward to push him away but only brought them closer, their noses lightly touching.

“Qingqing…”

Xu Qingning panicked, not knowing where to look. “A-are you thinking of kissing me?”

Pei Xi boldly admitted, “Yes. May I, Qingqing?”

“If I say no, will you stop?”

“I will. If you don’t like it, I won’t do it.”

Hearing this, Xu Qingning finally dared to meet his gaze.

She saw the desire in his eyes, but more than that, his seriousness and sincerity.

“Um, please kiss me gently.”

“Okay…”

Pei Xi’s hand rested on the back of her neck, soothingly massaging.

Their distance closed again, just a paper’s width apart.

“Qingqing, close your eyes.”

As she obediently closed her eyes, their lips met.

Pei Xi’s kiss was restrained, yet irresistible. Though yearning for a storm, he feared hurting the one he cherished, so he chose a gentle breeze, soothing and tender.

What Xu Qingning didn’t know was that throughout, Pei Xi’s eyes stayed fixed on her face.

He dared not close his eyes, fearing that if he did, the beast he had restrained for so long would break free. He also feared she might see the hidden mischief behind his mask.

He thought, if she ever hesitated, he would notice immediately and stop.

*

But she didn’t. Except for her hand gripping his pajamas a little tighter, Xu Qingning was like a docile little rabbit, allowing him to take whatever he wished.

Qingqing, don’t be so obedient. Indulging me so fully will only make me want more.

Pei Xi thought this, feeling for a moment as though he might truly become a beast and devour this rabbit whole.

“Mm…”

The air vanished from her chest. Xu Qingning felt she couldn’t breathe but didn’t realize that this soft hum pulled Pei Xi back from the edge of reason.

He released her, holding her close, resting his chin on her shoulder to calm his breath.

“Sorry, Qingqing…”

Xu Qingning blinked and patted his back. “It’s okay. Hopefully, it didn’t leave a mark.”

Silly girl, she actually thought his apology was about that?

He reached up to stroke her hair. “Mm, no marks. Qingqing, did you feel good just now?”

“…Mm.”

Since their first kiss in the car, Xu Qingning knew kissing was a delightful thing. Not only that, as long as Pei Xi’s bitter-sweet scent surrounded her, she felt safe.

She felt cherished, cared for, and loved.

And that feeling only made her want to be closer to Pei Xi, ever closer.

Hearing her reply, Pei Xi kissed the corner of her eye and picked up the hairdryer to continue drying her hair.

The warm breeze brushed past her ear, making Xu Qingning shrink her neck.

“So ticklish!”

“Sorry, Qingqing, please bear with it. It’ll be done soon.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Pei Xixi, don’t you think it would be great if a person could be like the wind—free to go anywhere yet always able to return home?”

“Maybe one person can’t, but a group of people can.”

“One person… a group?”

Hearing Pei Xi’s words, Xu Qingning seemed to have an idea. After he finished drying her hair, she jumped up from the sofa.

“Pei Xixi, I just thought of something! I know what the studio should do!”

Too excited, she hugged Pei Xi’s neck and bounced a few times in place, nearly bringing her head too close to his chin.

She grabbed his hand and shook it. “Pei Xixi, thank you! I knew you were the best!”