197: Chapter 197 If you don't come out soon, I'm going in.

Ye Xueying turned her head and met his gaze.

His face was very close to hers, close enough that she could see the faint, shimmering light in his eyes.

"I, I'm not chickening out. I just, I just feel a bit unaccustomed to this. It's my first time coming to a place like this with a man."

Wang Yang smiled, reached out to wrap his arm around her waist, and gave a gentle tug.

Ye Xueying tumbled into his arms, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest.

"You'll get used to it after coming a few more times."

Ye Xueying's face was so red it felt like it was about to smoke. She wanted to break free from his embrace, but his arm was wrapped tightly around her, and she couldn't escape.

"Who, who wants to come here with you a few more times."

Wang Yang lowered his head and kissed her lips.

This time it wasn't a mere peck, nor a fleeting taste; it was a deep kiss in the truest sense.

Ye Xueying's mind exploded with a buzz, and her hands slid up from his chest to wrap around his neck.

This time, she remembered to breathe.

Although still very clumsy, at least she didn't end up unable to catch her breath.

Wang Yang's hand gently caressed her waist, and through the thin chiffon shirt, he could feel the warmth and softness of her skin.

His fingers slid from the side of her waist to her back, then slowly slid back again.

Ye Xueying's body slowly went limp, and she leaned into his arms entirely.

It was unknown how much time had passed when the two slowly separated, their foreheads resting against each other, their breathing intertwined.

Ye Xueying's eyes were watery, and her lips were slightly red and swollen.

Wang Yang's breathing was also a bit ragged, but there was a smile on the corners of his lips.

"You've improved at breathing this time."

Ye Xueying reached out and punched his chest.

"You, you aren't allowed to critique."

Wang Yang laughed and pecked her lips lightly again.

"Alright, no critiques."

Their bodies were pressed together, and through their thin clothes, they could feel each other's body heat and heartbeat.

Ye Xueying leaned against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat.

Her heartbeat was still fast, but that nervousness was slowly being replaced by another feeling.

A warm, full, and comforting feeling.

Wang Yang's hand slid down from her waist and gave her bottom a light tap.

The crisp sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet living room.

Ye Xueying shuddered all over, and a soft hum escaped her lips.

"You, what are you doing?"

"Go take a shower."

Ye Xueying's face turned red again; she buried her face in his chest, refusing to move.

Wang Yang looked down at her.

"If you don't go wash up, then I'll take you to wash together. The bathtub is big enough anyway; it wouldn't be impossible for two people to use it."

Ye Xueying sprang up from his arms, her face burning like it was on fire, and grabbed her bag from the sofa to retreat.

"I'll go! I'll go myself! You aren't allowed to follow me!"

Wang Yang leaned back on the sofa, hands behind his head, a mischievous smile on his lips.

"The bathroom is inside the bedroom. Don't go the wrong way."

Ye Xueying clutched her bag and ran a few steps toward the hallway, then stopped and glanced back at him.

He was leaning on the sofa, the light falling on him, a smile on his lips as he watched her.

Her heart skipped a few more beats; she quickly turned her head and ran into the bedroom.

Wang Yang leaned back on the sofa, listening to the sound of the door closing in the bedroom, and laughed out loud.

She ran pretty fast.

He leaned on the sofa, looking at the dazzling city night view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, his fingers tapping lightly on the sofa armrest.

No rush, take it slow.

The night is still long.

...

In the bathroom, the sound of water splashed loudly.

Ye Xueying stood under the showerhead, hot water pouring down from above.

It slid down her hair, over her shoulders, down her spine, and past the back of her knees, splashing into a fine spray on the floor tiles.

She lowered her head, looking at her toes, her face flushed intensely.

It wasn't because the water was hot.

It was because of shyness.

Ye Xueying raised her hand and placed it slowly over her chest; she could feel her heart thumping.

It was so fast it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, her chest rising and falling.

The bathroom mirror was covered in a layer of mist, and her reflection was hazily cast upon it.

It was unclear, but her mind was filled with the scenes from tonight.

Him holding her hand, him wrapping his arm around her waist, him kissing her mouth.

He said, "From now on, no one can bully you, absolutely no one."

He said, "If you don't go wash up, then I'll take you to wash together."

Ye Xueying covered her face and let out a muffled hum.

I'm going to die.

I'm really going to die.

She slowly lowered her hands, picked up the body wash, squeezed it into her palm, lathered it up, and rubbed it on her body.

Her fingertips slid over her collarbone, over her chest, and over her lower abdomen.

Her body was very soft, and her skin was very smooth.

Having used good skincare products for years, every inch of it was like satin.

It was full where it should be full, and slender where it should be slender.

Her waist was very thin, her legs were very long, and the curve of her chest was just right for one hand to hold.

Ye Xueying washed very slowly and carefully, as if she wanted to wash every inch of her skin spotlessly clean.

In reality, it was because she didn't dare to go out.

If she went out, then what?

Would he really do nothing?

Or would he do something?

If he really wanted to do something, should she push him away or cooperate?

She bit her lip and buried her face in her palms.

Ye Xueying, you are so shameless.

To actually be thinking about these things.

She stood under the showerhead and rinsed for a long while more before slowly turning off the water.

Just then, Wang Yang's voice came from outside the bathroom.

"Xueying, are you done yet? You've been showering for almost twenty minutes; you must have rubbed off a layer of skin by now."

Ye Xueying's hand trembled, and the towel almost fell to the floor.

"Almost, almost done. Just a second."

Wang Yang's voice carried a smile, lazy and languid, as if he were speaking while leaning against the doorframe.

"How long is 'just a second'? If you don't come out, I'm coming in. I haven't washed up yet anyway, so we can just do it together."

Ye Xueying's face turned bright red instantly, and she scrambled to pick up her bathrobe and put it on.

"You aren't allowed to come in! I'm almost done! Really, almost done! Wait five more minutes for me!"

Wang Yang's low laughter came from outside.

"Five minutes? Are you sure?"

"Su-sure. Just five minutes."

"Alright, then I'll give you ten more minutes. Once ten minutes are up, I'm opening the door. Whether this lock can hold me back, I don't know."

Ye Xueying was so flustered she almost tied her bathrobe sash into a knot.

"Ten minutes! Just ten minutes! You aren't allowed to come in early!"

It was quiet outside for a moment, then Wang Yang's voice rang out again, carrying a sense of certainty that made her heart race.

"Alright, ten minutes. I'll be waiting. Don't make me wait too long."

Ye Xueying leaned against the bathroom wall, clutching her chest, panting heavily.

She looked down at herself; the white bathrobe was wrapped tightly, and the sash was tied twice.

The neckline was pulled up high, and she desperately wanted to cover her neck too.

Ten minutes.

After ten minutes, she would have to go out.

She took a deep breath, looked at her flushed face in the mirror, and muttered to herself.

Ye Xueying, don't chicken out.

You are the eldest daughter of the Ye family.

It's just a man.

It's just the man you like to death.

It's just...

She covered her face.

Forget it, I'll just chicken out.

...

Ten minutes later, the bathroom door opened a crack.

Ye Xueying poked half her head out and looked left and right.