Chapter 83: Do You Like Me?

Their lips brushed against each other’s faces, breaths entwined, heartbeats resonating as one.

The girl’s lips were gentle and soft, carrying a sweet scent, like a shy little rabbit giving him a quiet kiss—just a quick peck before scampering away.

There was a hint of innocence and bewilderment in her touch.

That tender sensation pressed against his cheek, as pure and flawless as a white feather—ticklish, delicate. But in no time, the feather ignited into a scorching flame, leaving a deep mark on his face.

Qin Yichi was stunned for a heartbeat, his heart nearly exploding, his entire body going weak in an instant.

Thump—thump—thump—

The pounding of his heart was deafening. He hurriedly sat up and switched on the light.

A harsh white glare filled the room, illuminating every corner of the bedroom, forcing his eyes to squint and adjust to the brightness.

With his movement, Qiao Zhen ended up kneeling astride him, separated only by a thin quilt, their bodies pressed close.

“You…” Qin Yichi drew a deep breath, struggling to calm himself, but his heart raced ever faster, blood surging to his head, threatening to burst.

This was no dream.

Qiao Zhen had truly taken advantage of her tipsiness to kiss his face.

And the culprit herself just blinked at him in confusion, utterly unaware of any wrongdoing, even staring at him with a brazen, defiant look, as if she were saying—

“So what if I kissed you?!”

Suppressing the overwhelming turmoil in his heart, Qin Yichi reached out and pinched her cheek, deliberately adopting a teasing tone as he asked, “Do you like me or something?”

Late at night, the world outside the window was utterly still, and inside the bedroom, one could hear a pin drop.

The ambiguous, languid atmosphere spread wantonly, silently filling the entire room.

Qiao Zhen’s fair, soft face was gently pinched in his hand, like a little dumpling you could knead endlessly.

Her lashes drooped, brows furrowing in deep thought.

She did like him—she liked Qin Yichi, very much, a secret tucked away in her heart.

But the wretched Qin Yichi refused to let her sleep beside him, and suddenly, she didn’t like him anymore!

Qiao Zhen bore grudges—she was very good at holding grudges. Fuming, she opened her mouth, ready to deny any affection.

But then, she worried he might be hurt, might be sad.

After a moment’s hesitation, Qiao Zhen lifted her pale fingers and carefully gestured, her voice tentative: “Just a little bit~”

She was afraid he would get too cocky, so it was only a little bit.

The moment her words fell, a thunderclap exploded in Qin Yichi’s mind. His heart was utterly pierced by Qiao Zhen, the words echoing over and over in his head.

All the previous pangs of jealousy and resentment vanished instantly, melting into a sweetness like honey.

But Qiao Zhen was already very, very sleepy—her eyelids drooped, her eyes refused to stay open.

She yawned, no longer caring about feelings or confessions, burrowing into his covers, her voice clear and sweet: “Shh! I’m going to sleep now~”

Qin Yichi, however, remained frozen in place.

By the time he came to his senses, Qiao Zhen had already fallen asleep.

She lay beside him obediently, curled into a small ball, taking up hardly any space.

As she slept, her breathing was steady and calm, her sleeping face serene, eyelashes fanned out like a tiny brush, her entire being shrouded in gentle tranquility.

It was as if sharing a bed with him was the safest, most wonderful thing in the world.

But Qin Yichi knew—the floor was no place to sleep comfortably.

Once Qiao Zhen drifted off, he quietly scooped her up in his arms like a princess, carefully settled her on the soft bed, and tucked her in snugly.

Sitting by the bedside, his lips curved upward as he gently smoothed the stray hairs from her forehead, his voice low and tender:

“I like you too.”

“I like you very, very much.”

He thought, perhaps he had truly waited long enough—waited for this pearl to finally be moved.

It was time to prepare his confession.