Chapter 27: Making a Phone Call

A slender, alabaster arm like a lotus root slowly slipped around the back of An He’s neck. He could feel his head being gently guided closer, until his face came to rest against a soft, fragrant mound. Even with his eyes closed, An He knew exactly what his face was pressed against, and his heart pounded all the faster for it.

He could distinctly feel the smooth, supple skin, nothing between them to shield the contact. Clearly, the other person was as unclothed as he was.

What on earth is happening here?

An He’s heart thudded wildly in his chest. He cautiously cracked open his eyes to a narrow slit. The first thing he saw was a snowy expanse, and as for the other—well, that was pressed beneath his face.

His gaze drifted upward, skimming over an exquisite collarbone, and finally landed on the stunning features of Nobue Ito.

She seemed oblivious to him, eyes fixed intently on the flip phone in her hand, as though composing a message. Her expression, however, was less than pleasant.

After a while, An He noticed her movements slowing, as if she had finished typing. He hurriedly shut his eyes again.

Sure enough, in the next instant, Nobue Ito turned to look at him.

It was her first time observing a man’s face from such close proximity, and Nobue found herself momentarily dazed. Then, recalling the lollipop he’d given her earlier, a peculiar smile curved her lips.

“I’ve smoked for so many years, and you’re the first to make a fuss about it. I can’t tell if I’m the one taking advantage, or if you are.”

She murmured these ambiguous words, raising the hand draped around An He’s neck to gently stroke his peaceful, sleeping face with her slender fingers.

The sensation tickled, but An He did not open his eyes. He sensed she wasn’t finished yet.

Indeed, after a while, Nobue stopped caressing him and picked up her phone again—this time, not to send a message, but to open the camera app.

Adjusting the angle to ensure An He’s face remained hidden, she pressed the shutter.

The repeated clicks made An He tense.

She’s taking pictures!

Realizing this, An He dared not continue pretending to be oblivious. He was just about to move when the inner narration in his mind spoke up first:

[Unclothed, messages, photos, advantage? Stringing these words together, you’re still unsure of her intentions, yet you feel a measure of relief. If this is supposed to be mutually beneficial, then whatever she’s doing must serve you both—though being used as someone’s tool leaves a sour taste. Feeling the soft warmth pressed to your face, you make up your mind to ensure she regrets dragging you into this infirmary…]

Hmm?

To my benefit?

The narrator’s words made An He pause, halting the motion of his head. After a moment’s hesitation, he let his face settle back into place.

Having spent nearly seventeen years with this internal voice, An He knew it could be flippant at times, but when it came to sharing information, it was rarely wrong.

Since the narration suggested Nobue Ito meant him no harm, he decided to wait and see, at least until he figured out her true intentions.

Sensing the movement in her arms, Nobue glanced down in surprise. Yet when she saw the boy’s eyes still closed and his expression utterly serene, she was perplexed. At that moment, her phone rang sharply in her hand.

One look at the caller ID, and Nobue’s face grew visibly cold.

Her gaze lingered on the peaceful face nestled against her for a moment. Then, pulling the blanket over them both to cover their exposed bodies, she finally answered the call.

No sooner had she picked up than a deep male voice, barely suppressing its fury, sounded over the line.

“Who is that bastard?!”

“My new boyfriend, of course. Didn’t I tell you already?” Nobue replied airily, stretching out her hand and examining her nails, making no effort to hide her indifference toward the heavy breathing on the other end.

Under the covers, with his head completely hidden, An He simply opened his eyes. The infirmary’s blanket was rather thin and pure white, so even when fully covered, he could make out everything in the faint light.

Outside, Nobue continued her casual conversation with the man on the phone.

From the snatches of dialogue, An He quickly pieced together the caller’s identity and Nobue’s intentions.

Displeased with her parents’ arranged marriage plans, Nobue had left Osaka for Tokyo on her own. But her parents didn’t give up—instead, they even considered sending her barely-acquainted fiancé after her.

Left with few options, Nobue hit upon the idea of finding a fake boyfriend to quash her family’s hopes. Yet after weeks of searching, she still hadn’t found anyone suitable. As her parents’ pressure mounted, Nobue was at her wit’s end—until An Yuusheng appeared.

With looks that could outshine Takuya Kimura, a physique that rivaled Eddie Peng, the cunning of Zhuge Liang, and a magnetism that couldn’t be contained, An Yuusheng drew Nobue in irresistibly.

And so…

Though the latter part was mostly An He’s own speculation, he felt it was close to the truth.

Understanding all this, a trace of cold amusement flickered in An He’s eyes.

She wants to use me as a human shield for free?

…

Outside the covers.

“That’s right, we’ve been together for half a month now. Don’t worry, we haven’t used any protection this whole time. It won’t be long before you’re holding a grandchild—mm…”

A sudden sensation made Nobue break off with a soft gasp.

Her father, detecting the change in her tone, immediately demanded, “What are you doing?!”

Flustered, Nobue hurriedly slipped her hand under the blanket to push away the mischievous head, stammering, “N-nothing, I… twisted my ankle.”

“That doesn’t sound like ‘nothing’ to me! Do you take me for a fool?” her father’s voice climbed several notches, brimming with anger that even the blanket and the phone couldn’t muffle.

But this didn’t deter An He in the slightest—he continued his mischief unabated, even grabbing the hand that tried to push him away.

Nobue’s face flushed a deep crimson. After a few futile attempts to pull her hand free, she gave up.

Understanding the implication in her father’s tone, she simply let go and chuckled, “Yes, it’s just as you think, Father. My boyfriend can hardly wait to give you a grandchild. What’s the matter? Do you intend to keep listening?”

“You…!”

Her father was so incensed by Nobue’s shameless words that he was rendered speechless. With a cold snort, he hung up.

Relieved, Nobue tossed the phone aside. Despite the persistent activity at her chest, she kept her face stern, cheeks burning, and threw back the blanket.

“An He, are you really that obsessed?”