Chapter 29: Soft and Sweet

The rain had eased slightly by now, though it still fell in a persistent drizzle. Beyond the rhythmic patter of the rain, the surroundings were deathly quiet. In the distance, the lights of the residential buildings across the way appeared hazy and dreamlike, veiled by the curtain of falling water.

Droplets from Gu Yao’s hood trickled down, landing squarely on the face of the man beneath her. He shifted slightly, his arm encircling her waist as he rose, lifting her up with him.

"What about the roof? What are we going to do?" Gu Yao adjusted her raincoat, shivering as cold water trickled down the back of her neck.

"It will have to do for now. I covered it with some material, so it should hold for a while. Once the weather clears tomorrow, I’ll hire someone to come and fix it properly." He set her down by the exit, gesturing for her to hold the ladder as she climbed down, then followed closely behind.

After returning the ladder and tools downstairs, the two returned to the apartment. Once inside, they found themselves soaked to the bone; the raincoats had been little more than head coverings, proving utterly useless against the deluge.

Gu Yao bent down to retrieve a pair of slippers for him. She then hurried to the kitchen to assess the damage. While it was still leaking, it was significantly better than before. A basin placed underneath would suffice; the water was no longer gushing down the wall like a miniature spring.

Su Yu had already washed his hands and followed her in. He helped her remove her raincoat and brushed against her cheek, which felt icy cold. He frowned and said, "You can't keep living here. This building is too old. What if something dangerous happens?"

Her hair was damp and uncomfortable, so she swept it back with her hands. "I’m planning to sell my old place and buy a new one. I’ve been preparing for it these past few days. I won't be staying here much longer."

He nodded. "Go wash up. Don't catch a cold."

Gu Yao studied him. "What about you?"

The man was currently inspecting the leaking section of the ceiling. He turned back at her question, his eyes glinting with a cryptic depth. "Are you inviting me to take a shower at your place?"

Gu Yao shrugged and fetched a large bath towel. "Forget it, then. Just dry yourself off."

With another person in the house, she didn't bother taking a full shower despite the hot water; she simply wiped herself down and changed into dry clothes. When she emerged, Su Yu was standing in the middle of the living room drying his hair. He was so tall that he looked almost comical in the cramped space.

Gu Yao stood in the bedroom doorway, watching him in silence. Because his clothes were soaked through, they clung to his frame, clearly outlining the contours of the muscles on his back. His physique was truly impressive—from his broad shoulders and narrow, taut waist to his long legs, every inch exuded a distinct, masculine strength.

She walked over and poked his back. It was rock-hard, much like his personality: usually silent and aloof, yet a source of endless security in critical moments.

Su Yu turned around promptly. He ruffled her hair, then effortlessly lifted her onto the sofa and leaned in close.

"You..." Gu Yao blinked. A bath towel was draped over her, obscuring her vision, and then his lips were pressed against hers. Her words were muffled between their lips, leaving only a soft, indistinct sound in her throat—a tone that was sweet and endearingly naive.

When they pulled apart, both were breathing unevenly. As the towel slipped away, Gu Yao’s face was visibly flushed, whether from the lack of air or some other reason, she couldn't be sure.

"Why did you kiss me again? Aren't you ever done?" She glared at him, feigning annoyance.

"This was a return gift for your kiss earlier," the man replied, his eyes dancing with amusement.

"Alright, can you let me go now?" She was still tightly enclosed within his space, and with the two of them so close, she felt breathless. She gave him a firm push with her arms.

The man stepped back with a laugh and took the towel to the bathroom to rinse it out. When Gu Yao followed, he was wringing it dry. As he applied force, the veins on his arm stood out in a way that was undeniably alluring.

He gave a slight, subtle wince as he supported his lower back.

Gu Yao caught the movement instantly. She stepped forward, pulled his shirt out from his waistband, and lifted it to find a flesh-colored medicated patch stuck to his skin.

Her expression shifted. "Is your back hurting?"

The question itself was innocent, but her tone held a subtle, mischievous nuance. The man in the mirror paused, hung up the towel, and turned around. He studied her for a few seconds, then suddenly hoisted her up onto the vanity, leaning in to press her for an answer. "Are you questioning me?"

"Not at all," Gu Yao replied with a wicked smile. She was well aware of the double meaning behind her words and made no attempt to dodge it.

Any man would be stung by an insult to his virility; she wanted to see how this stoic man would react.

"Do you know?" Su Yu reached out to pin her restless hands, his gaze fixed on her small, pale earlobes. He ground his teeth slightly and leaned in to nip at her ear, his voice low and indistinct. "Whether a man's back is 'good' or not isn't proven by words, but by real, raw action."

He emphasized the word 'action' with a weight that left no doubt about his meaning.

Gu Yao clicked her tongue. She hadn't expected such a serious man to have such an irreverent side. She played along, asking, "And how, pray tell, would one test that?"

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes darkened. "Shall we try?"

"Well, now..." Gu Yao drew out the words, her right hand slipping free of his grip to press firmly against the patch on his back.

The man stiffened, his handsome brows furrowing.

Taking advantage of his lapse, she deftly hopped off the cold vanity and trotted out in her slippers.

When she returned, her face had regained its cool, detached composure. "With your back in that state, you have the nerve to talk about such nonsense? Don't think I don't know how you got injured. You were trying to be a hero when you were already in this state! Come into the bedroom, let me take a look."

She shook the small first-aid kit in her hand and strode into the bedroom, her long hair tied in a ponytail that swayed with each step.

Su Yu leaned against the counter, his gaze sweeping over her long, slender, fair legs, and he rubbed his chin in thought.

Most girls' bedrooms are off-limits, usually cluttered and messy, but Gu Yao’s was the opposite. Everything was arranged with surgical precision; even her clothes were color-coded—a sign of genuine obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

This was a result of her upbringing, a habit she had maintained for years. Her mother’s condition was even more severe, often requiring her to check things repeatedly. For instance, she would turn off the bedside lamp six times every night because she was terrified that one time simply wouldn't be enough.

Her bedroom featured a large bed with neatly arranged sheets and a quilt in a crisp, light blue. She used a firm mattress, as she couldn't sleep on anything soft.

She sat on the bed, kicked off her slippers, and crossed her legs, patting the spot beside her. "Come on over. I’m not going to eat you."

"Are you sure?" Su Yu crossed his arms, his expression relaxing into a look of leisurely ease. "What if I decide to eat you instead?"

"Are you coming in or not?" Gu Yao raised her voice, her patience wearing thin.

He finally strode in and, at her instruction, lay face down on the bed.

Gu Yao adjusted his position, but when she went to lift his shirt to apply the medicine, she found the angle awkward and could not apply enough pressure. She simply moved over and sat at his hip.

She frowned as she peeled off the patch, revealing skin that had turned a mottled blue and purple. Before she had seen it, she hadn't hesitated to press down, but now she felt a pang of reluctance. She touched the area lightly with her fingertips, her voice softening involuntarily. "Did you go to the hospital?"

"It's an old injury. I know what I'm doing; a patch is enough." He didn't seem to care, then asked, "As a neurosurgeon, can you even handle this kind of injury?"

"I can," Gu Yao replied coldly, her tone tinged with a hint of menace. "But I'm much better at using a scalpel. If you let this injury drag on any longer, I’ll be forced to cut you open and see what’s going on inside for myself."

She continued to work, massaging the bruised area and applying the ointment. She left his shirt open so the medication could soak in.

Just as she started to stand up, the man on the bed could hold back no longer. He rolled over and pinned her down, his hands bracing the bed on either side of her head. He looked down at her. "Do you really think I’m going to let you go that easily?"

Gu Yao was not afraid. "And what, pray tell, are your plans then?"

She poked his nose with a slender finger. "Don't try to scare me. I'm not afraid of you."

He went silent, leaning down for another long, lingering kiss. His large hand clasped hers, unconsciously rubbing against the sheets. The atmosphere in the room grew thick with ambiguity.

After the kiss, the man’s voice was low and gravelly. "I feel like our relationship has reached the point where we should take the next step. Don't you think?"

Even though he was supporting his weight with his hands, his body was heavy, making it hard for her to breathe. Gu Yao pushed him away with a look of disdain, forcing him to rise slightly so she could carefully wiggle out from beneath him.

Su Yu watched her slow, snail-like movements with genuine interest, letting her scramble away.

But in the next second, he saw the woman sit up and look down at him with utter contempt. "The next step isn't happening today. Give up on that idea."

"Why?" Su Yu sat up as well, stretching his long legs out as he leaned against the headboard.

The woman parted her red lips and spoke only four words: "Your back isn't up to it."

With that, she jumped off the bed and trotted out in her slippers.