Love For You - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: He Turned Back Into the House, Whistling Softly

He had touched his phone twelve times.

Chen Yi sat on the chair with his legs spread wide, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his brows knitted in a deep frown. His attitude was, as always, insufferably arrogant. Perhaps, once the call connected, he would offer an olive branch—he could go pick her up from work, and the matter of moving out could be discussed again. He could move out, he reasoned, and vacate this apartment for her...

After two rings, Miao Jing hung up directly. A moment later, a WeChat message arrived, saying she was in a meeting with colleagues and had arranged her own plans, telling him not to worry about her and to focus on his own affairs.

A meeting in the middle of the night.

He stared at the words on the screen, his expression turning slightly cold. He squinted with indifference, his tongue scraping against his cheek, until finally, he clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth in silence.

That was fine.

He leaned back comfortably into the sofa, draping his long legs lazily over the coffee table. The smoke from his cigarette filled his chest until it felt bloated, and only when a trace of pain finally welled up did he let it out slowly, the mellow, pungent mist blurring his features.

In Tengcheng in September, the weather remained hot and stifling. Chen Yi got up and went to the pool hall, burying himself in a game of billiards all night. The next day, when Bo Zai came over and saw Chen Yi lying on the sofa—looking completely listless, just as he had been lately—Bo Zai tried to talk to him. Chen Yi gave a noncommittal grunt, then shoved his hands into his pockets and walked out, his mind clearly elsewhere.

When he returned home, the place was naturally empty, and the cigarette butts on the coffee table had piled into a mountain. Miao Jing had been back for quite some time, yet there was no closeness between the siblings. Their chat interface was sparse; throughout the entire day, the only message Miao Jing had sent him was to tell him that the milk in the fridge was about to expire and to take care of it.

Chen Yi called some people, wanting to find some entertainment. He went to restaurants or KTVs and invited people for mahjong; his call was met with immediate response. Tu Li also arrived, bringing a table full of good food and wine. During the meal, everyone chatted until their faces were flushed and spit was flying, but Chen Yi just smoked one cigarette after another. At the KTV, he was equally restless. When Tu Li was playing mahjong with the others, she caught a glimpse of him curled up in the sofa watching the music video, beer in hand. The colorful light beams flowed over his deep, profound features, exuding a look of decadent and romantic sexiness.

When the party ended, Chen Yi called for a designated driver. Tu Li clung to his arm, watching him look lazy and slightly tipsy as he turned to look out the window. His profile was sharp and handsome, and he was twirling a lighter in his hand. Tu Li pried his fingers open; the silver lighter was scorching hot from his body heat, and the sensation made her shiver. Feeling soft and pliant, she slipped the lighter into his pants pocket, her fingers teasing him inside the pocket.

No reaction?

Chen Yi regained his senses and turned to look at her, his brows furrowed. His dark gaze swept over her face with a hint of impatience before he pulled Tu Li’s hand out.

"Go home."

"What’s wrong with you?" Tu Li whispered against his ear with a smile, "Going vegetarian?"

His gaze turned cold for a fleeting moment. His eyelids drooping slightly, his voice was deep and husky. He wasn't angry, just impatient, and he didn't bother to be gentle: "Get lost."

"What is it, really?" she persisted, trying to coax him in a coquettish voice, "Something on your mind? Want me to help you work through it?"

"Shut your mouth."

Tu Li rolled her eyes silently and looked down to pick at her manicure.

Just recently, Chen Yi had been constantly impatient, as if something were weighing on his mind. Although he hadn't exactly been warm toward her before, he had at least had his bouts of playfulness and debauchery. She had never seen him so somber; even when the sky seemed to be falling, he would lazily support it with his shoulders, his back held straight.

She had a vague intuition about it, but no matter how she pondered it, she couldn't find a lead.

The two returned to their respective homes. Tu Li was fuming in secret, and eventually, she sent a message to Miao Jing to ask about it. Miao Jing replied that she wasn't home; she was on a business trip and didn't know the situation.

The next morning, Chen Yi went to Miao Jing’s workplace, thinking that if they met in person, things would be settled more easily. Besides, what about all her things at home—did she really just want to leave them there? If she was truly going to live at the office, he could help deliver them.

He called her several times, but Miao Jing didn't answer.

The factory grounds didn't easily allow visitors. The security guard accepted a pack of cigarettes from Chen Yi and helped him call the extension, but no one answered at Miao Jing’s line. She wasn't at her station. After the guard asked around, he reported that Engineer Miao wasn't at the company—she had gone on a business trip.

"Gone on a business trip?" Chen Yi put his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes, "When did she leave?"

"She hasn't been here for a few days."

Chen Yi froze, a dazed and unreadable expression crossing his face. It looked terrible. "Alright, thanks for your help."

It was a wasted trip. As he drove back, there wasn't a single other vehicle in sight along the long stretch of road in the development zone. The road was deserted, and there was a bit of wildness deep in his bones. The speed of the car suddenly picked up, and a bitter curse drifted out from the window: "Stubborn girl!"

If she could leave just like that, then she wasn't really Miao Jing.

This girl had a hidden streak of malice deep in her bones—taking advantage of his absence to pry open the door and move in. Did she even know how to write the words "seizing another's nest"?

Miao Jing really was on a business trip, accompanying her supervisor to a supplier's facility to inspect equipment. She had also brought along some stamped car body parts. The thirty-pound flight case was difficult for her to carry alone, so she had asked Lu Zhengsi to come along.

The destination was a heavy industrial city in the north, and the schedule was tight. Her supervisor wanted to train the new hire, so he handed the project over to Miao Jing. During the day, she went into the workshop and up to the operating platforms with the project manager and the supplier’s engineers. In the north, the "drinking table culture" was prevalent, so there were social dinners in the evening. After returning to the hotel, she still had to write reports. Lu Zhengsi, who was less experienced than Miao Jing, assisted her, and the two of them essentially worked until one or two in the morning before resting.

In the few days they were on this trip, every single-status engineer they encountered took the initiative to add Miao Jing on WeChat—female engineers were rare, and she was beautiful, soft-spoken, and possessed impeccable professional skills—she was perfect to an unbelievable degree. She was the only woman at the dinner table, making her a sight for sore eyes. The project manager loudly touted his own engineers to Miao Jing, suggesting they could provide on-site technical support after the project was delivered, and that settling down in Tengcheng wasn't out of the question. Miao Jing’s leader, whose surname was Tan, helped her block the alcohol, anxiously declaring that "fat water shouldn't flow into outsiders' fields" (i.e., keep the best for ourselves). He said she was the only female engineer in the department and had to be treasured; no one else could try to steal her away.

The reason Miao Jing had entered this industry was that she liked this work atmosphere, not because she wanted special treatment. The people around her were all male engineering types, purely technical professionals. Most of what they talked about was work and projects, without the complicated hidden agendas and infighting found in business circles.

After the dinner, she returned to the hotel to continue working. Upon entering her room, she called Chen Yi—having seen his call from that morning.

"Hello." The voice on the other end was husky, sounding as if it were coming through static.

Miao Jing tapped away at her laptop keyboard, her phone on speaker on the side. Her tone was cold and clear: "Did you need something?"

"Nothing much."

"Hmm."

The call seemed about to end. After a moment of silence, the man’s lazy voice drifted through again.

"Where did you go for this trip?"

"Jincheng."

"When are you coming back?"

"Friday, I’ll be home."

She said home.

Chen Yi was silent for a while, his voice sounding ethereal: "Didn't you say... you were never coming back in this lifetime? Why are you coming back?"

Miao Jing’s tone was as faint as smoke: "Didn't you also tell me to get lost, to get out cleanly? Why did you go to the company to find me?"

He scoffed, his tone casual: "Aren't you going to move those things out of your room? I’m going to throw them away sooner or later."

"You said that when I was in college, too. Did you throw them away?"

"..."

Chen Yi rubbed his face, pressed his lips together, and didn't speak.

The silence stretched on for a moment before Miao Jing asked him: "Where are you?"

"The pool hall. I’m watching the shop tonight."

"Is that so? It’s very quiet on your end." Miao Jing curled the corners of her lips.

Chen Yi retorted: "Did you think it would be lively?"

Before he could hear her answer, there was a knock on the hotel door. Miao Jing stood up to put on her coat: "Hang up the phone. My colleague is here; we have some work to do."

"What kind of work this late?" A trace of dissatisfaction leaked into his voice, "A man or a woman?"

"Lu Zhengsi. Talking about work."

The person knocking was indeed Lu Zhengsi. He was holding a laptop bag, standing at the hotel door with a smile: "Engineer Miao, did you see the email?"

"I saw it. I also found the drawings. There are a few locating holes that need to be modified. Let’s hurry up and revise the drawings so we can send them to the supplier to fix the molds." Miao Jing turned to pack her things, "Wait a second, let me grab my laptop. There’s a small reception room downstairs; we’ll go there."

"Alright." Lu Zhengsi shook his phone, "I saw that you only ate a few bites at dinner. The barbecue in Jincheng is quite famous; the lamb skewers and grilled lamb chops have excellent reviews. Shall I order a late-night snack to be delivered to the hotel?"

"That would be great," Miao Jing smiled, "Our thoughts are perfectly aligned. I was also thinking about getting a late-night snack. Do you drink coffee? How about I buy two cups?"

"Maybe beer and barbecue would be better?" Lu Zhengsi’s thick brows relaxed as he laughed, "I’m fine with coffee, though. What kind of coffee do you like, Engineer Miao?"

"Then you would probably like iced coffee with beer..."

Lu Zhengsi stood at the hotel door chatting with Miao Jing. As Miao Jing grabbed her laptop and phone, she noticed that the call duration on her phone was still ticking upward. She raised an eyebrow, hung up, shoved the phone into her bag, closed the door, and walked out with Lu Zhengsi.

Chen Yi didn't pay it any mind. He tucked his phone back into his pocket and sat at the bar with a frown.

Miao Jing had been closest to Lu Zhengsi lately.

The two were assigned to the same team, responsible for the design of the same car body components. At work, Miao Jing would look out for Lu Zhengsi, and since they often worked overtime together, they had plenty of contact and would chat a bit during their spare time.

Lu Zhengsi knew that Miao Jing was also from Z Province; their hometowns were not far apart. Later, he learned that she hadn't returned home for many years and that her memories of her hometown were quite vague. He would occasionally give her some snacks from their hometown, which sometimes helped awaken Miao Jing’s childhood memories. Miao Jing would also talk to him about the customs and food of Tengcheng. Sometimes, when he had errands to run, she would offer him advice and strategy.

They got along easily and pleasantly, and their conversations were very harmonious. Lu Zhengsi was attentive and thoughtful toward her, and they interacted normally as "good" colleagues, without crossing any boundaries. Miao Jing actually had many choices; the number of single young men at the company was vast, enough to pick from by the handful. For the new female engineer in the light design department downstairs, the department had even taken it upon themselves to find her a boyfriend. Miao Jing’s outstanding beauty and work ability had many ambitious young men eyeing her covetously.

However, she possessed an icy, detached grace, and at work, she was all business—meticulous and never joking around or messing about with anyone. Those who didn't know her didn't dare to approach her easily. Even though Lu Zhengsi had feelings for her, he hadn't dared to make them clear.

During this business trip, they occasionally talked about personal matters while traveling. Miao Jing asked him if he had ever been in a relationship. Lu Zhengsi felt a bit melancholy: "I had a girlfriend in college, but she took a job in a different city, and due to other reasons, we had a peaceful breakup."

"That’s a bit like a relationship I had before." Miao Jing smiled.

Having had similar experiences, they had new topics to discuss. Lu Zhengsi took the opportunity to ask about her love life. Miao Jing shared openly—a few sparse words, simple and straightforward, free and easy.

"Engineer Miao, you don't look like a girl who has been in love."

"Is that so?" Miao Jing smiled, "Do I look like a girl from a nunnery?"

"That’s not what I meant. I meant you… you are very special…" He racked his brain to organize his words.

Lu Zhengsi actually wanted to say that she looked like the type of person who would be pursued relentlessly by suitors while she walked on ahead, looking at them with disdain and arrogance.

Miao Jing changed the subject: "So, do you have a girl you like or are pursuing right now?"

"I’m not pursuing anyone else. As for someone I like…" Lu Zhengsi looked at her and smiled, scratching his head in embarrassment, unable to finish his sentence. "What about you, Engineer Miao?"

The atmosphere shifted subtly. Miao Jing gave a bright smile and sighed: "I don't either. I probably won't fall in love again."

Lu Zhengsi felt a momentary sense of melancholy in his heart.

"However…" She thought for a moment, her clear, quiet eyes fixed on Lu Zhengsi, "Can you do me a favor?"

"What kind of favor? You just need to say the word, Engineer Miao."

"If you don't mind, could you pretend to be my new boyfriend?" Miao Jing asked with a gentle, soft expression, "Of course, it doesn't have to be real, and it won't be for very long. Two or three months would be enough."

"?" Lu Zhengsi’s heart gave a violent leap. He blinked heavily, his expression dazed. "Engineer Miao… you…"

Miao Jing explained leisurely: "A family member is suffering from a serious illness. I want to give them some good news to make them happy."

"..."

She offered an apologetic smile: "This request is a bit sudden. If I’ve made you uncomfortable, then I apologize. Let’s pretend I never said anything."

Miao Jing and Lu Zhengsi returned to Tengcheng on Friday. He walked her home, and the two carried their luggage upstairs. Before Miao Jing could take out her keys, the door opened from the inside—Chen Yi was leaning against the frame, chewing gum, his long legs blocking the path, silently sizing the two of them up.

Miao Jing frowned almost imperceptibly, glanced at him once, and then generously invited Lu Zhengsi inside: "Zhengsi, come in and sit for a while."

"My brother, Chen Yi," Miao Jing introduced. "My company colleague, Lu Zhengsi."

"Hello."

"Hello."

The two men shook hands in a polite manner. Lu Zhengsi felt the grip was a bit heavy, a bit tight—tight enough to be straining.

After being away for a week, the house was messy again. Miao Jing invited Lu Zhengsi to sit on a chair, found a cup to pour him some water, and smiled, saying she was sorry for the mess. She went to her room to change her clothes, leaving Chen Yi and Lu Zhengsi waiting in the living room.

Lu Zhengsi’s gaze quietly measured Chen Yi, filled with a sense of curiosity and vague ambiguity.

"Did the business trip go smoothly?" Chen Yi’s posture was not very welcoming, his tone aloof, "Are you two in the same department?"

"Very smoothly." Lu Zhengsi then introduced himself, mentioning that he and Miao Jing were from the same hometown in Z Province, had studied the same major in university, and were in the same team at the same department, responsible for the same car body components.

A broad smile appeared on Chen Yi’s handsome face: "No wonder you two work overtime together."

"Do you smoke?"

"Thanks, brother, I don't smoke."

Before they could say much more, Miao Jing came out of her room. She had changed into a modest, elegant dress, and the lipstick on her lips was a bit vivid. When she met Lu Zhengsi’s gaze, her eyes sparkled slightly. She bowed her head, smiling as she tucked her long hair behind her ear, and invited Lu Zhengsi to go out for a meal.

"Shall we have hotpot?"

Lu Zhengsi naturally agreed. Miao Jing picked up her bag and started to head out. Lu Zhengsi followed her, looking back at Chen Yi with hesitation.

"Isn't Chen Yi brother coming?"

"My brother has many friends and many social engagements. He doesn't eat with me." Miao Jing didn't turn her head, her voice carrying a laugh. "The two of us will just go."

"You two go ahead. I have something to take care of tonight." Chen Yi shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

The two left Chen Yi behind.

He turned on the TV, his eyes fixed on a mindless serial drama, and he curled up on the sofa to smoke in peace. However, the cigarette didn't stay lit; a tiny spark flickered on and off at his fingertips.

An hour and a half later, Miao Jing returned alone after eating. Smelling the smoke that filled the house, she frowned and asked Chen Yi why he was still there.

"Aren't you going to the pool hall today?"

Chen Yi gave a faint "hmm," turned off the TV, and took his cigarette to the balcony. Miao Jing went to her room, but emerged shortly after, having changed into loose, baggy T-shirt and long pants, carrying a bundle of dirty clothes to toss into the balcony washing machine.

The two each occupied a corner of the balcony.

Miao Jing asked with her back to him: "Do you have any outer garments that need washing? Dark-colored ones? I don't have enough clothes of my own here."

"I do." He spoke lazily, then reached out to lift the T-shirt he was wearing. Both hands crossed to grab the hem, pulling it upward in one swift motion. A narrow waist, cinched by the drawstring of his gray sweatpants, slid out, followed by a flat, hard abdomen, bulging small clusters of muscle, and chiseled pectoral muscles that climbed upward like a slope. The man’s honey-colored collarbone and the Adam’s apple on his neck were fully exposed.

The black T-shirt was tossed through the air, whumping onto Miao Jing’s head. Her field of vision went dark, blinded by the T-shirt that carried his lingering body heat—the rich scent of sweat and tobacco, mixed with the faint, fresh smell of skin and soap.

Miao Jing’s heart skipped a beat, and her hand, holding the detergent bucket, wavered. She noticed detergent spilling over onto her fingers.

"Chen Yi!!" Her voice trembled, like a lake disturbed by ripples.

The clothing completely covered the top of her head, wrapping around her head and shoulders. Miao Jing heard a low, husky, and frivolous laugh from him, followed by footsteps approaching. He stood just a small distance behind her; the heavy pressure of his back and his scorching body heat were transmitted to her across the small gap.

He reached out a hand, brushing past her shoulder to roughly pull at the T-shirt on her head. The clothing slid down with his force, mussing her hair and letting it all spill over her face. His elbow bumped into her shoulder, the hard, solid bone pressing against her. She stood silently, waiting for the final scrap of fabric to slide off her cheek. When her vision finally cleared, the clothing was in his hand. His distinct, well-knuckled fingers loosened, and the shirt fell into the washing machine.

Miao Jing’s face felt scorching hot, and her entire body stiffened. She sensed him grinning behind her—a dazzling, wanton, and wicked smile that bloomed silently in the dim evening, mixing with the relentless lingering heat of autumn, vibrant and steaming.

"Alright, go ahead and wash it."

He turned back into the house, whistling softly.