Chapter 36: A Blatant Secret Crush

When she saw him freeze, Lin Yuran realized that what she’d just said might have been a little too blunt. Her face flushed red. She pressed her lips together, swallowing back the instinctive urge to explain herself.

It was the beginning of the new year, and she had promised herself she’d be brave.

Chi Ye lowered his gaze and watched her quietly. The dim lights under the stage made it hard for him to see the pink rising on her cheeks. As always, he couldn’t quite read her. He didn’t know how to interpret what she had just said. But one thing he was sure of – he was genuinely happy. A small smile tugged at his lips.

It had taken nearly three months of careful buffering for him to finally be able to look at Chi Ye without blushing and stammering. And yet, under the weight of his quiet gaze, especially after what she’d just said, Lin Yuran felt the pressure mounting again. She peeked past him, hoping to ease her awkwardness by turning to Xu Jianwei and Qin Lang to wish them a happy new year. She hadn’t expected to catch them full-on making out, completely oblivious to the world.

Lin Yuran blinked and awkwardly turned her head away.

Maybe it was contagious, or maybe it was just the height difference between them, but all she had to do was tilt her head a little and she could see Chi Ye’s lips. Her eyes unconsciously landed there. She didn’t even notice it herself.

But every little movement she made, Chi Ye noticed with sharp clarity. A smirk tugged lightly at his lips, and he subtly licked them.

Just then, a soft light swept across his face, catching on the slight sheen of moisture on his lips and highlighting the faint, natural red. Lin Yuran’s eyelashes fluttered. She quickly averted her eyes.

Chi Ye let out a soft chuckle.

“Cold?” he asked, shrugging off his wool coat and giving it a shake. “Want to wear my coat?”

After the performance, it was almost midnight. Lin Yuran had rushed from backstage without putting on her own coat. Having run through the crowd, she was indeed a bit chilly. She waved her hand, unfolding her own jacket and throwing it over her shoulders. “I brought mine.”

Chi Ye glanced at her coat, then reached out and snatched it away, draping his much larger one over her shoulders instead. “Put your arms through.”

“…”

“You’re dancing in this weather wearing just stockings and a coat that doesn’t even cover your knees? You’ll freeze to death out there.”

Lin Yuran looked down at the black overcoat now covering her. Chi Ye was much taller than her, and his coat nearly reached her ankles. It still carried his residual body heat, warm and enveloping, instantly chasing away the chill. Lin Yuran obediently slipped her arms into the sleeves.

Chi Ye frowned at how she left it open for the sake of appearances. With a resigned sigh, he began buttoning it up for her, one by one.

Lin Yuran had always had great taste. Even if she mostly wore Xu Jianwei’s hand-me-downs, she paired them skillfully and still stood out as a fashion icon.

Now, bundled tightly in Chi Ye’s black coat, Lin Yuran frowned and grumbled, “Chi Ye, your coat’s too long for me. With it all buttoned up, I look short!”

Chi Ye ignored her, tying the belt around her waist with measured care.

“…”

Wrapped up this tightly, it didn’t feel like he was simply worried she’d be cold. After a beat of realization, Lin Yuran couldn’t help but chuckle.

Fine. She’d play the role of a shortie just this once.

With the countdown complete, the host on stage launched into a passionate New Year’s speech, officially closing out the evening’s festivities.

Qin Lang and Xu Jianwei finally came up for air. To avoid the coming rush, the four of them slipped out of the venue ahead of the crowd.

Xu Jianwei was still buzzing with excitement, clutching Lin Yuran’s arm and peppering her with questions. “Yuran, when did you learn how to dance?!”

Lin Yuran answered honestly. “The president of the dance club has been hounding me since I started school, saying I’d be perfect for the team, that I’d look great dancing. I figured I sit around painting all day, so a little exercise wouldn’t hurt. It seemed like a good way to stay active, and I was genuinely interested, so I said yes.”

“You sing really well too! How come I’ve never heard you sing before?” Xu Jianwei asked.

“I only just discovered that talent myself,” Lin Yuran laughed. “We had to rehearse that dance number for the New Year’s showcase. After hearing the song so many times, I started humming it during practice. Everyone insisted I sounded great and dragged me to a vocal coach. That’s how it turned into a sing-and-dance performance.”

“Well d**n, girl!” Xu Jianwei grinned. “Who knows what other talents are hiding in you?”

She glanced at Lin Yuran’s dress. “By the way, your dress tonight is stunning. Looks like the new Haute Couture line from GES Hobeika. Where’d you get it?”

“Huh? That’s haute couture?” Lin Yuran blinked, a little surprised. “Our club president got it for me.”

Xu Jianwei frowned. “What kind of club president preps haute couture for a basic school event?”

“No idea,” Lin Yuran said calmly. “He’s the guy I danced with.”

Xu Jianwei whipped her head around to glance at Chi Ye, then muttered under her breath, “Men really do all have the same d**n tricks.”

She tugged on Lin Yuran’s arm. “Yuran, you’re seriously clueless. Stay away from that club president of yours. Tricking you into joining just so he could get you to dance something that flirty? He’s definitely not up to anything good.”

“I doubt it,” Lin Yuran said, unbothered. “It was just a dance. And all the moves might look that way from the audience, but they’re all just illusions, no real contact.”

“…” Xu Jianwei was speechless.

Behind them, Qin Lang nudged Chi Ye in the ribs. “Dude, you better keep a close eye on her, or you’re gonna lose her.”

Chi Ye let out a deep sigh but said nothing.

At the parking lot, Xu Jianwei was still buzzing. “The night’s still young. It’s New Year’s, let’s hit a bar, have a few drinks!”

“I’m in,” said Qin Lang. “Zhang Kun and Ye Shaowen are already partying at Club Nine. Let’s join them.”

He turned to Chi Ye. “You in?”

Chi Ye looked at Lin Yuran.

“Sure,” she replied without hesitation.

It was the holidays, no need to get up early the next day. After a year of nonstop grind, a little indulgence was well-earned.

— — — 

Inside the VIP room at LOUNGE Nine

Everyone was paired up, and the place was packed. Mini-games were in full swing and the vibe was wild. When Lin Yuran and the others arrived, Zhang Kun welcomed them enthusiastically, waving them into the fun.

Remembering her last experience, Lin Yuran was firm. “I’m just here to hang out. I’m not playing your insane drinking games.”

Zhang Kun laughed. “C’mon, Goddess Lin! You’ve got Chi Ye with you. Who’d dare mess with you?”

Lin Yuran glanced at Chi Ye, a faint blush tinting her cheeks.

“Still not playing,” she insisted.

The room was toasty. Chi Ye’s coat, Loro Piana, 100% cashmere, was crazy warm. After just a few minutes, Lin Yuran couldn’t take the heat anymore and slipped it off.

“Whew…”

The moment she did, every guy in the room went slack-jawed.

“Goddess Lin, how are we supposed to survive this?!”

“Have mercy! You’re dressed like that and expect us to act normal?”

Lin Yuran rolled her eyes. “Ugh. Men.” Then turned to their girlfriends with a smirk. “Ladies, aren’t you gonna keep them in check?”

The girls were just as wide-eyed. “It’s fine, it’s fine. Totally understandable. We can’t look away either.”

“…”

Lin Yuran burst out laughing.

Then a suit jacket suddenly dropped over her shoulders, carrying a soft, clean woodsy scent. She looked up to see Chi Ye, now down to just a dress shirt, looking a bit annoyed. She obediently put the jacket on.

Liang Size handed Chi Ye a drink, glancing at Lin Yuran’s legs in sheer black tights and muttered, “Chi, I seriously admire your self-control. How are you not losing it?”

Chi Ye shot him a warning glare. But Liang Size just clapped him on the shoulder and leaned in, whispering, “Bro, I’m telling you, holding back too long is not good for your health.”

Chi Ye smacked his hand away. “Cut the crap.”

Liang Size snickered.

Chi Ye’s phone rang. He checked the caller ID, turned to Lin Yuran, and said, “I’m gonna take this outside,” before stepping out.

Liang Size took the opportunity to slide into the empty seat beside her. He snapped his fingers at a server and quietly ordered something. Soon, a cocktail that looked like iced tea was set in front of her.

Liang Size offered it to her with a grin. “Goddess Lin, this one’s specially for you. Fruit-based, totally girl-friendly.”

“Thanks.” Though she hadn’t met him many times, Lin Yuran knew he was a close friend of Chi Ye’s, so she didn’t think much of it. She smiled and took the glass.

Qin Lang frowned slightly, about to speak, but Xu Jianwei pulled Lin Yuran aside and quietly asked, “Yuran, you’ve been quiet these past few months. What’s your situation? Still chasing Chi Ye or what?”

Lin Yuran bit her lip and muttered, “Still chasing.” Then frowned. “But how? It’s so hard. I don’t know how to do this!”

“Just go for it,” Xu Jianwei grinned, pushing the cocktail back toward her. “Drink.”

“…?” Lin Yuran didn’t get it.

But since it was from Chi Ye’s close friend, and Xu Jianwei wasn’t stopping her, she figured it was safe and drank it.

It tasted just like juice, sweet with a strong citrusy tang. No hint of alcohol at all. Quite good, actually. After performing earlier, Lin Yuran had gotten a bit thirsty. Thinking it was just juice, she finished the whole thing.

Moments later, Chi Ye returned, phone call done, and took the seat beside her.

Xu Jianwei leaned over and tugged on his sleeve. “Chi Ye, Yuran’s tipsy. Can you take her home?”

……

T/N: Yess, take her home and help her settle in… she should be very comfortable, yes 🤭