Chapter 493: Chapter 493

He continued massaging her.

He looked down and saw that she had already closed her eyes, her thick lashes casting two little fans against his vision.

Qiao Xi nodded in his arms,

Smiling without speaking.

Shen Dang bent down and pecked her red lips, his voice emerging from between thin lips, "How about a walk before we go back to the hotel?"

The light from the car window illuminated her blushing cheek, as if inviting someone to pluck its flush.

Qiao Xi, lying in his embrace, had no desire to move: "No thanks, let’s go back. I have an interview tomorrow." Follow current novᴇls on NovᴇlFire(.)nᴇt

She remembered the interview, so she couldn’t have been that drunk.

Shen Dang laughed lowly: "Then let’s head back."

Qiao Xi nodded again.

As soon as they returned to the hotel room, Shen Dang didn’t expect to be pressed by Qiao Xi against the door.

Her fragrance mixed with the smell of alcohol flooded his nostrils.

Shen Dang humorously raised an eyebrow.

Qiao Xi stared at him with bright, hawkish eyes, missing the glint that slipped through his own: "I don’t want to bathe."

"It’s alright if you don’t, I don’t mind."

How could he be so indulgent?

She would mind, herself.

Qiao Xi blinked: "I haven’t removed my makeup and it feels uncomfortable."

Qiao Xi felt she might be slightly drunk, some movements and behaviors seemingly out of her brain’s control.

Like wanting to act spoiled and capricious in front of him.

She was really feeling lazy, not wanting to do anything—letting her husband give her a helping hand wasn’t a big deal, right?

Shen Dang lowered his lashes, his eyes brimming with deep mirth: "Then let me help you remove your makeup, and take a bath along the way?"

Qiao Xi pouted: "Just a bath, no doing anything else, okay? I still have the interview tomorrow."

She repeated the warning with her fingers tapping on his chest.

She had said this a few times now.

It seemed she was truly afraid she’d forget.

Shen Dang’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he couldn’t help but laugh: "Alright, just a bath and makeup removal, nothing else."

Her eyes were filled with trust.

Shen Dang found it amusing.

Of course, he couldn’t betray her trust.

Seeing his easy agreement, Qiao Xi was exceptionally pleased and tiptoed to peck his lips as a reward.

Her smile was as radiant as blooming flowers.

Shen Dang knew she was tired, so he quickly bathed her and removed her makeup, then carried her back to bed.

Qiao Xi was obedient.

He pulled over the blanket to cover her.

Shen Dang was planning to tidy himself up before cuddling with her to sleep, but just as he turned around, he heard his name.

Her voice was soft and clingy.

Shen Dang turned to see Qiao Xi pulling both hands out from under the covers, her eyes fixed in his direction.

He walked back, bending down and gently stroking her cheek: "What is it?"

Qiao Xi’s hand reached out; his clothes were wet, so Shen Dang caught her small hand and tucked it back under the covers.

Half coaxing, half forcing: "Go to sleep first, I’ll come snuggle with you after my shower."

Qiao Xi’s eyes opened wide as she nodded generously: "Then go."

Shen Dang chuckled: "Sleep."

Teacher Qiao was still so adorable after drinking.

If the timing were right, he should have let her drink a bit more.

Qiao Xi watched his retreating figure head toward the bathroom.

Shen Dang, worried Qiao Xi might need him, didn’t close the bathroom door.

He tidied himself quickly, and when he emerged from the bathroom, Qiao Xi hadn’t fallen asleep as expected.

Her spirited phoenix eyes were still watching him.

Wherever he went, her gaze followed.

Her eyes seemed to cling to his body.

Shen Dang’s heart softened on the spot.

He got into bed, cradling Qiao Xi in his arms, and began patting her back gently as one would soothe a child.

Qiao Xi nestled in his embrace, the familiar and reassuring scent filling her nostrils, and she fell asleep quickly.

The next morning, Qiao Xi awoke to Shen Dang’s kisses.

After drinking the night before, she woke with a light headache, and her breath was cut off, her cheeks blushing slightly.

Qiao Xi’s somewhat damp eyes fixed on him: "What are you doing?"

He smiled lazily, irresistibly charming as his fingers gently stroked her lips.

"Is this how you wake someone up?"

Qiao Xi was speechless.

Too stimulating for first thing in the morning.

Shen Dang smartly changed the subject: "Does your head hurt?"

Qiao Xi pressed her forehead: "It’s nothing, I just need to take it easy for a bit."

Just the aftereffects of drinking.

Qiao Xi turned lazily, and that’s when she suddenly realized something.

Qiao Xi glared at him fiercely: "Where are my clothes?"

Shen Dang smiled with a bend in his eyes: "You kept fussing last night, so I didn’t dress you, but I’ll get them for you now."

His expression was one of innocence.

She almost believed his nonsense.

Who had been fussing?

She wasn’t really drunk, okay!

This damn man must be lying through his teeth!

Before Qiao Xi could speak, Shen Dang had already brought her clothes: "Do you need help putting them on?"

Remembering the events of last night, she buried her face in the pillow.

Too embarrassed to face anyone.

She hadn’t been drunk, so why did she say those exaggerated things to Shen Dang?

Had that really been her last night?

Seeing her hide herself, Shen Dang raised an eyebrow: "Hmm?"

Shen Dang wanted to pull her out of bed.

Qiao Xi immediately batted his hand away.

Without even looking at him: "No need, I’m hungry. Have the hotel bring up breakfast."

Qiao Xi pursed her lips, wanting to shoo Shen Dang away.

Shen Dang’s eyes overflowed with laughter, a significant meaning to it: "We’ve been open and candid so many times, are you still shy?"

Qiao Xi ignored his words, not giving him an inch, only repeating herself.

"Alright, I’ll make the call."

Shen Dang didn’t dare to tease her too much.

While Shen Dang made the call, Qiao Xi quickly dressed.

After the call, Shen Dang returned to see her lying languidly in bed, not even playing with her phone.

Wondering what she might be thinking.

Her pose was casual, yet it sketched out her body’s perfect lines—her waist slender like a willowy branch, swaying in his vision.

Shen Dang knelt on one knee at the edge of the bed, brushing away the hair covering her face: "Get up, time to wash up and eat breakfast."

Qiao Xi slapped his hand away again: "We’ll talk after breakfast arrives."

Qiao Xi hummed lightly, neither here nor there: "You woke me up while I was still dreaming."

"What did you dream about?"

"I dreamed I was getting an award. Just as I was about to take the trophy, you woke me up." Qiao Xi turned to glower at him: "And then I see your face."

At that moment, she really wanted to hit him.

Was it him who ruined her sweet dream?

He didn’t mention the film festival, but he knew Qiao Xi must have felt somewhat down about it.

Shen Dang suddenly became serious: "Xixi..."

He was about to say something when Qiao Xi burst out laughing: "I was kidding."

Shen Dang went along with her laughter: "My wife is so capable, if you don’t win this time, there will be many more awards to come. It just means they were shortsighted this time."