She hadn't completely lied, either. Aside from a slight discrepancy in her thoughts and descriptions of him, the rest was fact.
Chen Ziming lifted his chin, squinting at her as if pondering something.
Su Yue said nothing and lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze. She truly couldn't understand him. Since he wasn't answering now, she decided to wait and see.
"Do you really miss me?" After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of warmth.
Su Yue hummed in response, still avoiding his eyes, afraid any flicker in her gaze might reveal a weakness.
"How much do you miss me?" His tone softened.
She noticed the change in his voice and the knot of anxiety in her chest eased. But talking to him was always mentally taxing; a careless word could easily trap her in one of his schemes.
Biting her lip, she thought for a moment and decided against answering the question.
Instead, she stood up and, under his questioning gaze, leaned in.
Gently, she kissed him.
The maiden's kiss, imbued with shyness and fluttering excitement, landed on the handsome man's cheek like a light, cool sprite on this summer evening.
She pulled away, her heart racing again. Dodging his eyes, she murmured, "I got so sweaty during the competition this afternoon, I'm going to take a shower."
Naturally, she didn't see the desire ignite in his eyes. She turned and quickly headed to the en-suite bathroom in the master bedroom, where her toiletries and change of clothes were.
However, as she was washing her hair, the shower door opened, and a tall figure stepped in. She blinked away the water, and he was already in front of her.
"What are you doing in here?!" Realizing what was happening, she asked in surprise.
"Showering," he said, though he reached out to rub her hair.
...
At the dresser in the bathroom, Chen Ziming held Su Yue around the waist with one arm, a hairdryer in the other, drying her hair.
He blew her hair haphazardly, the wet strands falling onto her face. Her heart was filled with a thousand resistances, but seeing his good mood and considering her own objectives, she endured it.
Once he finished, she looked up at him, meeting his eyes. There was even a hint of tenderness there.
"Thank you, Officer Chen, for drying my hair." Suppressing the urge to complain about him messing up her hair, she said with a sweet smile.
Perhaps sensing his changed demeanor, she grew bolder. When dealing with men, gentleness and vulnerability were always effective, and besides, getting close to a handsome man wasn't a disadvantage. So, she naturally wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Move in with me, and I'll dry your hair every day."
"What?" Her eyes widened as she looked at him. Was he suggesting they live together?
It wasn't impossible... and it would be more beneficial for her...
"As my girlfriend," he added.
???
What did he say? Girlfriend?!
Su Yue's mind went blank, a chaotic mess.
She wanted to release him, to give herself a moment to process the series of shocks she'd experienced since meeting him today.
She had originally intended to bring up the topic of him supporting her.
But he caught her hands, keeping her arms around him, and looked down at her, waiting for her reply.
"Officer Chen, do you know what you're saying?" she asked incredulously.
"I'm asking you to be my girlfriend," he replied.
His tone was very serious, not like he was joking.
Be. My. Girlfriend.
This was far better than she had ever imagined, yet she still couldn't quite believe it. She stared at him for a moment, then slowly asked:
"Why?"
Chen Ziming frowned but still answered, "Why so many questions? It's like this now, who else would you be a girlfriend to if not me."
It's like this now...
"Song Yan?" As she was still trying to process his words, he suddenly spoke again.
What did Song Yan have to do with anything? Where was he going with this?
"Officer Chen, give me a moment to sort myself out." She had never been in love before and had never expected him to make such a request. Her mind was a jumble, and she couldn't recall anything clearly.
He looked at her and released her hands. Su Yue breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to leave, but the next second, he scooped her up.
He carried her to the bed, set her down, and then covered her, his arms braced on either side of her body. He lowered his head and kissed her lips.
It was a long, long kiss, as if to release the longing of so many days.
When he finally stopped, Su Yue panted slightly and asked blankly, "Weren't you going to give me a moment..."
"You take your time," he replied, then moved lower.
"..."
What was there to take time for? It had already come to this.