Chapter 36: Looping Playback

Chen Wan was at home, following her favorite soap opera, glancing every now and then at the clock on the wall. That rascal Lu Yiqi still hadn’t come home—and it was almost six thirty!

As the last minute before six thirty ticked away, Chen Wan’s eyes remained on the television, but in her heart she was already preparing exactly how she’d scold Lu Yiqi when the girl finally came through the door.

The doorbell rang sharply. Chen Wan stood up leisurely to answer it. As she opened the door, she spoke without thinking, “Why are you back so early?”

Oh no—she’d accidentally blurted out what was on her mind.

What?

“Aren’t you the one who gave me strict orders not to come home a minute later than six thirty?”

Chen Wan turned to check the clock—it was still six twenty-nine. She looked back.

She gave a dry laugh. “You really know how to cut it close.”

“Just trying to keep a low profile,” Lu Yiqi replied.

Chen Wan was speechless. She’d already thought out every word of her scolding, decided how much allowance to dock, and yet this girl had made it back exactly on time?

The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she felt—but there was nothing she could do. Huffing, she turned back inside. Suddenly remembering something, she hurried her pace. “Ah, I think I just missed the main couple’s kiss scene!”

Lu Yiqi was silent.

Madam Chen shot her a glare. “This is all your fault.”

Lu Yiqi could only stand there in mute grievance.

...

Night had fallen before anyone realized. Lu Yiqi picked up a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom.

She settled comfortably into the tub, so relaxed she nearly drifted off to sleep.

Xie Xu’s words echoed in her mind.

“Once you get on my bike, you’re not allowed to give me the silent treatment anymore.”

So, she’d gotten on his bike.

Did that mean the two of them had made up?

...

Xie Xu curled up in a single armchair. The most popular variety show played on the TV, but he’d only turned it on to distract himself. His eyes hadn’t stayed on the screen for even a second; his mind kept replaying the scene from this afternoon, when Lu Yiqi sat behind him on his bike.

At first, she must have felt awkward, only clutching the hem of her shirt. But midway through the ride, he’d run over a stone, and the bike lurched to one side. Gripping the handlebars tightly, Xie Xu tried to steady them, but before he could, a pair of soft, boneless hands wrapped around his waist. His whole body went rigid and he forgot to steer, though his feet kept pedaling, sending the bike weaving down the road.

She’d let out a startled “ah!” from behind, as if he’d already thrown her off the bike.

That single cry snapped Xie Xu out of it, and he quickly steadied the bike, riding on as if nothing had happened.

But now, his head was full of the sensation of those hands encircling his waist.

The more he tried not to think about it, the more those thoughts played on an endless loop in his mind.

The air around him grew increasingly stifling.

Damn.

This was hell.

...

The next morning at the crack of dawn, Lu Yiqi opened her door to find Xie Xu waiting outside, his bicycle parked beside him.

As soon as he saw her, Xie Xu patted the seat. “Get on.”

“What?”

Lu Yiqi stared at the bike for a few seconds, recalling his riding skills from yesterday. Her expression turned complicated. “Maybe… we should just walk instead?”

After yesterday’s ride, she never wanted to get on his bicycle again.

If she hadn’t been in such a hurry yesterday, she wouldn’t have gotten on at all—never mind a second time, she’d have skipped the first one too.