SFTD -Chapter 159 Ghosts Beneath the Bridge (Part 14)

Lu Xi smiled and spread her hands. “I’ll just be going back alone anyway. My parents went to Hainan for New Year with my uncle’s family. I was left behind in Dongnan. So if you don’t mind, how about we spend the New Year together?”

Zhou Hai’s movements paused. Thinking of what Lu Xi had said earlier about Xiao Luoluo, he looked up and met her eyes seriously.

“I’d love that. During the holiday break, I’ll cook for you two.”

Xiao Luoluo’s eyes widened in shock. “Brother Zhou can cook?! Oh my god! That’s unbelievable! Xi Xi, do you believe it?”

“In China, a lot of boys can cook. So dating a Chinese guy is actually pretty good—you’ll be well fed. Worst case, he can still make you a hotpot meal. Alright, stop talking and eat.”

Xiao Luoluo licked her lips, as if still savoring the taste of the last spicy hotpot. Zhou Hai suppressed a smile—Lu Xi had clearly figured it out too. If you wanted to win over this little girl, food really was the only way.

Even though Xiao Luoluo didn’t say anything, she sped up her eating. She placed two dumplings into her plate at a time—one dipped in sauce, the other bitten open slightly so she could pour sauce inside before quickly popping it into her mouth. Her chopstick skills had reached an expert level.

Zhou Hai almost wanted to cover his face. That eating posture really wasn’t something he could praise. Still, seeing the nearly empty plates on the table, he also sped up.

After the meal, Xiao Luoluo surprisingly volunteered to wash the dishes. Zhou Hai was happy to let her, as he had something he wanted to say to Lu Xi. The two sat down on the sofa and began talking.

“Your parents really aren’t coming back for Spring Festival?”

“Yep. I’ve decided to just stay at your place and freeload.”

Zhou Hai took out his phone and transferred 10,000 yuan to Lu Xi. A moment later her phone rang. She opened it and froze when she saw the amount.

“Why are you giving me so much money? Xiao Luoluo’s tutoring fees were already paid!”

“I don’t really know what needs to be prepared for New Year, so I’ll trouble you to handle it. I’ll pay.”

Lu Xi shook her head. “We won’t need this much.”

“Just keep it for now. I already feel bad for letting you spend money all the time.”

Lu Xi slowly put her phone down. “Did you hear what I just said?”

Zhou Hai looked at her. “Yeah, I heard.”

A flock of imaginary crows seemed to fly over Lu Xi’s head.

You heard it… and that’s it?
What kind of answer was that?
Calm? Indifferent?
Or… did he just not like her at all?

“You… don’t overthink it. I just think you’re… very… attractive. Yes, that’s it. Alright, it’s late. I’m going to sleep.”

Her words came out disjointed. Even though she was smiling, her disappointment was obvious as she stood up to leave.

Just as she got up from the coffee table, Zhou Hai also quickly stood and grabbed her wrist. His cold fingers wrapped around her warm, soft wrist. His throat tightened, and panic showed on his face.

“I didn’t explain myself clearly just now—you misunderstood me.”

“I don’t know how to express this properly. You made me feel warmth… and something like home. I haven’t felt that in a long time, so I didn’t dare to touch it easily. It’s not that I want to reject or avoid you. I can feel your feelings… I just don’t know what to do.”

“I value you… and everything about you. I like you—very much.”

Lu Xi’s lips trembled. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Most confessions happened under moonlight and flowers… hers somehow involved warmth and taste.

But that “feeling of home” still moved her deeply.

Zhou Hai had no parents and had almost locked himself in his own world. For him to open the door a little was already his limit. The rest of the road would have to be walked by her.

Thinking of this, Lu Xi followed the pull of his wrist and wrapped her arms around his waist.

For a moment, Zhou Hai’s mind went completely blank. His hands, still suspended in the air, were guided by her to rest on her lower back. The perfect curve under his palms made his heartbeat quicken.

Lu Xi pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to his rapid heartbeat. Her smile widened. She lifted her hand and poked his heart, then tilted her chin up to look at him.

“Your heart is beating so fast… is it because you’re holding me?”

Zhou Hai felt as if he had gone deaf. He didn’t hear her words at all. He only leaned down and gently pressed his lips against hers.

Before he could fully sink into the feeling, a sharp pain came from his lips.

He had been bitten.

Zhou Hai opened his eyes in confusion. Lu Xi was smiling triumphantly, her face slightly flushed, eyes bright.

She quickly pulled away.

“I don’t want my first kiss to taste like garlic chives. Good night!”

With a light laugh, she ran back to her room. Xiao Luoluo surprisingly didn’t come out to interfere or make her usual “condom advice,” but instead peeked out mysteriously and followed Lu Xi back into the room, closing the door behind her.

Zhou Hai touched his burning lips. Strangely, he felt satisfied.

He showered and went to sleep.

A phone rang early in the morning, pulling him from a half-dream state. He hated morning calls, but they were usually important. Seeing the caller ID—“Sister Zeng”—he immediately sat up.

“Sister Zeng, you’ve got results already?!”

On the other end, Sister Zeng laughed triumphantly.

“Haha, you brat, still asleep? I stayed up all night and finally matched the capsule you gave me. The toxicology results are also out, but I can’t explain it in a sentence or two. Come over and see for yourself.”

“Alright, I’m coming right now.”

He hung up and checked the time—barely six.

Then he remembered Xu Biao had taken his car last night. How was he supposed to get to the center?

He scratched his head and rushed to wash up. Just as he came out of the bathroom, he saw Lu Xi standing at the door holding a bag.

“Let’s go. I’ll drive you. No traffic at this time—it’ll take about an hour round trip. Xiao Luoluo won’t be up this early.”

Zhou Hai thought for a moment and nodded.

“Alright.”

They rushed downstairs and got into Lu Xi’s little Polo. Zhou Hai’s tall frame made him look like he was crouching in the passenger seat. Lu Xi started the car, suppressing a smile.

Only then did Zhou Hai realize what she had given him: a warm egg-filled pancake and a carton of milk.

He held it tightly.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Lu Xi asked.

Zhou Hai shook his head. “It feels warm holding it. I’ll take it to the office to eat.”

Lu Xi smiled even more at that implied meaning.

The roads were nearly empty. In twenty minutes they arrived at the center. Zhou Hai was surprised—he hadn’t even told her how to get there.

“How did you know the address?”

Lu Xi smiled mysteriously and put on her sunglasses against the morning sun.

“Use your brain and guess.”

Then she drove off.

Zhou Hai stood there holding breakfast, stunned.

Just then, a window rolled down.

“Hey! You came this early just to flirt?”

“You still want your report or not?”