Chapter 27
Ji Ting held Tan Yucheng’s strong arm tightly around her waist, his fingertips exerting pressure.
In this narrow space, his kisses made her tremble all over. After a while, Tan Yucheng pulled back slightly, biting her lip, and whispered softly, “Should you leave first, or should I?”
Ji Ting’s lips were crimson, and she looked into his eyes.
“You go first.”
Tan Yucheng chuckled softly, “Are you teasing me?”
Ji Ting gritted her teeth, bent her knees, and was about to kick him.
Tan Yucheng tapped her waist, straightened up, rolled up his sleeves a bit, and walked out first. As soon as he left, Ji Ting’s body softened. After standing still for a few seconds, she followed him out.
Qiu Dan peeked and immediately waved, “Where did you go? To the small balcony?”
Tan Yucheng’s voice was faint, “Hmm, Ji Ting said she wants to see the small balcony, so I’m taking her.”
He walked to the dining table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
Ji Ting followed behind him, looking composed except for her crimson lips, though she had lipstick on, it had mostly been kissed off, revealing her natural lip color.
She sat down beside Qiu Dan.
Qiu Dan glanced at her, “What are you looking at on the small balcony?”
Ji Ting thought for a moment and replied, “There’s a lake.”
Xiao Xi handed Ji Ting a bowl of soup and smiled, saying, “The lake on the small balcony is small but very beautiful. During the day, there are swans on it. Auntie will take you down to see it tomorrow.”
Ji Ting smiled and agreed.
Beside her, Tan Yucheng opened a bottle of wine, took small wine glasses, poured for both fathers, giving each a glass. He also left a glass in front of himself, as both fathers preferred white wine.
He could only accompany them.
His sleeves rolled up, revealing his clear and powerful arms.
Everyone gathered around the round table, a rare occasion for laughter and conversation. The two mothers teased the two fathers about how once they start drinking, they can’t let go of the wine. Tan Hui and Ji Lindong clinked glasses and chuckled as they took big sips.
Tan Hui said, “Drinking with Old Ji is the most relaxing.”
Ji Lindong nodded, “It’s just a little pleasure.”
“Cheers,” Qiu Dan rolled her eyes.
Xiao Xi smiled and served dishes to Qiu Dan, and the two of them leaned in closer, gossiping about their respective men. The table was lively, and the dishes were gradually disappearing. While they continued chatting at the table, Ji Ting had already finished eating. She got up with Tan Yucheng and left the dining table for the large balcony. Opening the door to the balcony, they found two lounge chairs outside.
Ji Ting walked out, sat down, and leaned back comfortably.
Tan Yucheng leaned against the door, watching her for a few seconds before smiling and joining her. He sat down beside her on the lounge chair, which was very close to hers. As he sat down, a faint scent of tobacco and ebony that he carried floated over. Ji Ting glanced at him; Tan Yucheng had his long legs crossed, which looked exceptionally long on this spacious balcony.
His shirt collar was slightly open, and his arms were strong.
Ji Ting glanced at him briefly, feeling a slight warmth on her face. When she looked up, she saw a sky full of stars, which was quite incredible to see such beautiful stars under the lights of the city.
She took out her phone and aimed it at the starry sky, focusing on the brightest one in the middle.
Tan Yucheng tilted his head, looking at the camera on her fingertip. Ji Ting aimed uncertainly while asking, “Like this?”
Tan Yucheng lazily replied in a low voice, “A bit to the left.”
Ji Ting followed his suggestion and adjusted slightly to the left, successfully capturing a row of stars. She clicked twice, then noticed the moon peeking out from behind the stars, her eyes sparkling. “Wait until the moon shows up.”
Tan Yucheng murmured in acknowledgment.
They patiently waited together.
In the living room, the four parents finally finished their meal and left the dining table. Ji Lindong and Tan Hui had enjoyed quite a bit of drink, their faces filled with smiles as they moved to the small living room to make tea. Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan entered the small living room intending to call the two children inside.
As soon as they tiptoed, they saw Ji Ting and Tan Yucheng sitting on the two lounge chairs on the large balcony. Ji Ting was taking photos while Tan Yucheng looked on, separated by a large balcony door. It seemed like they were still chatting.
Tan Yucheng reached for an orange from the small round table, and after putting his legs down, he bent over to peel it there. Ji Ting was still taking photos, and after Tan Yucheng finished peeling the orange, he leaned back.
He handed a slice to Ji Ting.
Ji Ting turned her head.
The two of them faced away from the small living room, where the light was dim. Tan Yucheng directly fed her a piece into her mouth.
Ji Ting was a bit startled, lowered her head, bit off the slice of orange, then turned back to continue waiting for the moon to appear and taking photos.
Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan didn’t see Tan Yucheng feeding her the orange, but they saw the backs of the two children. They glanced at each other, Qiu Dan shrugged, Xiao Xi sighed, pulled Qiu Dan to sit down, both feeling a bit regretful.
These two kids had known each other for so many years without developing any romantic feelings. Qiu Dan felt a bit regretful, but Xiao Xi wasn’t too concerned. Tan Yucheng was indeed good, but he was too wild.
She was still worried that Ji Ting couldn’t handle him.
So it was better if they didn’t develop romantic feelings; having a good relationship was enough.
Xiao Xi felt somewhat annoyed and pulled out her phone, opening a photo to show Qiu Dan, saying, “A friend recently introduced this girl to me. I think she’s pretty good. Can you take a look?”
Qiu Dan took the phone and looked at the very beautiful girl with long hair, wearing a white dress, looking very gentle.
The oranges were finished.
Tan Yucheng wiped his fingertips with a tissue, stood up to go wash his hands. As he opened the balcony door, Xiao Xi immediately said, “I’ll send a photo of the girl to your phone for you to see.”
Tan Yucheng glanced over, turned aside, and walked out without responding to Xiao Xi.
Ji Ting was photographing the moon and heard the conversation. She paused, staring at the moon through the camera lens, unmoving.
Beep, beep, two sounds.
Tan Yucheng’s phone on the round table buzzed, and he glanced over. It was a message from Xiao Xi with a photo attached. Tan Yucheng finished washing his hands and walked out onto the balcony. He approached the round table, picked up his phone, glanced at the photo casually, his expression unchanged, then closed it after viewing.
Qiu Dan’s voice came from the living room, saying to Ji Ting, “Check your phone too. I sent you a photo. Take a look. Even Xiao Yi approves. Remember to add her.”
Ji Ting’s phone buzzed, beeped twice.
She hesitated for a moment.
Tan Yucheng stood by the round table, heard the conversation, and glanced at Ji Ting. Ji Ting blinked, and opened the photo of a man in a suit displayed on her phone. The man smiled brightly, exuding confidence. Ji Ting stared at the photo in a daze.
Tan Yucheng leaned against the railing, watching her intently.
“Taking so long to look? Handsome?”
Ji Ting snapped out of her reverie and looked at him.
Tan Yucheng stood against the railing, with the vast starry sky behind him. He leaned back, his eyes slightly squinted. The wind tousled his collar, and in the hand holding the phone (looking at Xiao Xi’s public account: xttntn), his finger bones were distinct. He was accustomed to being unrestrained, always carrying a bit of casualness and assertiveness.
Ji Ting chuckled and teased him, “You’re still handsome.”
A flicker passed through Tan Yucheng’s Adam’s apple, his eyes deepening further.
They locked eyes with each other.
Ji Ting glanced briefly at the phone in his fingertips, then looked away, continuing to take the final photo of the moon and stars. After watching her for a few seconds, Tan Yucheng also looked away, leaning against the railing. He took out a cigarette and a lighter, lighting it with a lowered head. As he looked up at the starry sky, a hint of a smile played on his lips, something he himself hadn’t noticed.
A smile that pleased him.
Ji Ting finally finished taking the photos. She adjusted the colors on her phone and asked, “I’m done taking the photos. Should I send them to you?”
“Sure,” Tan Yucheng replied.
Ji Ting adjusted the colors and clicked on his profile picture, selecting the best three photos to send to his chat box. There were a few beeps, and Tan Yucheng, with a cigarette in his mouth, opened the three photos and casually looked at them.
Ji Ting stood up and walked over to his side. From this angle, he could truly see the lake beyond, shimmering with reflections, adorned with beautiful lights hanging from drooping branches.
With the cigarette in his mouth, Tan Yucheng finished looking at the photos and turned his head to look at her.
Ji Ting leaned against the railing, lifting her gaze to meet his in the dim light. Her lips were crimson, and as they locked eyes, she watched the smoke dissipate lazily. His features seemed even deeper, more enigmatic and seductive under the dim light. She said, “Can I try?”
“Try what?” he asked, smoke curling from his lips.
Ji Ting pointed at the cigarette he was holding.
Tan Yucheng raised an eyebrow slightly. After a few seconds, he took the cigarette out of his mouth and handed it to her.
Ji Ting looked at the cigarette tip, brought it closer, and took a puff.
Almost instinctively, Tan Yucheng reached out and held her waist. Ji Ting raised her eyes provocatively, biting the cigarette under the dim light, looking at him. Tan Yucheng swallowed, provoked by her actions.
He stared at her intensely.
The hand gripping her waist tightened.
He was on the verge of pulling her into his arms right in front of both families.
Ji Ting took a drag of the cigarette.
Unexpectedly, the cigarette had a faint, pleasant fragrance, not entirely the sharp nicotine taste that usually accompanies smoking. However, since she had never smoked before, Ji Ting involuntarily coughed a bit. Tan Yucheng reached out and took the cigarette from her mouth, patting her shoulder gently. His lips curled into a slight smile, “If it doesn’t work, don’t try it.”
He took another drag from the spot where she had just bitten.
Ji Ting rested both hands on the railing and smiled.
“Many female customers in our shop smoke,” she said.
“Mm,” Tan Yucheng responded.
Ji Ting lazily leaned against the railing with him, gazing together at the distant night scenery.
This neighborhood was relatively well-known in the area, with a high threshold for entry. It had a central lake, backed by mountains, and was close to a large public park connected to the biggest shopping center. Despite being in a quiet location, it was a popular residential area in the bustling Li City.
Behind them, there was the sound of parents discussing going to get the Go board game.
Xiao Xi couldn’t find the Go board and called out to Tan Yucheng, “Yucheng, where did you put the Go board?”
Tan Yucheng took a drag of his cigarette and turned around, walking out onto the balcony to find the chess set for them. Ji Ting was enjoying the cool night breeze, dressed appropriately for the weather. She gazed at the beautiful night sky, returned to her lounge chair, and looked up.
She remembered her deceased grandmother, who had doted on her. Before she passed away, her grandmother had held Ji Ting’s hand, pointing to the brightest star outside the window, saying, “Tingting, I’ll live there from now on. Whenever you look up, you’ll see me.”
Ji Ting gazed at the brightest star in the sky, and as she continued gazing, she started to feel drowsy. From the living room came the sound of both sets of parents setting up the chessboard. Under this comforting sound, she gradually drifted off to sleep.
Tan Hui and Ji Lindong used to enjoy playing chess earlier, but in recent years, they switched to Go. Now, they were sitting cross-legged on the sofa, with a Go board between them, calmly and confidently beginning their game.
Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan sat beside their respective husbands, offering support.
Seeing their competitive spirit, Tan Yucheng stubbed out his cigarette absentmindedly in the ashtray, watching the two fathers play with the black and white pieces. He stood with his hands in his pockets, observing.
After watching them make several moves,
He smirked slightly, withdrew his gaze, and walked off the balcony.
Seeing him like this, Xiao Xi leaned closer to her husband. “Your son is teasing you.”
Tan Hui made a move with the black piece and shrugged. “Forget about him. He doesn’t teach me either.”
Xiao Xi chuckled softly.
Tan Yucheng walked onto the balcony and immediately spotted Ji Ting sleeping on the lounge chair. She had pulled her black suit jacket around herself, wearing slippers, her toes pointed, head tilted to the side. The skirt swayed in the wind, and her hair brushed across her cheeks, her expression gentle. Tan Yucheng watched her for a few seconds, then walked into the living room. He picked up a black blanket from the sofa and draped it over her.
He covered her up to her neckline.
In the darkness, he leaned on the back of the lounge chair, his gaze on her nose, eyes, and the lips that the wind had brushed over.
After a few seconds,
He straightened up and sat down on another lounge chair nearby, picking up his phone.
As soon as he unlocked it, he saw the photos she had sent him, and Tan Yucheng saved each one.
Similarly, he noticed the photo Xiao Xi had sent him and the business card of the girl, but he chose to ignore them.
As the night grew deeper,
Tan Hui was being completely defeated by Ji Lindong. Tan Hui called for reinforcements from Tan Yucheng, and Xiao Xi poked her head out, “Son, come help your dad.”
Tan Yucheng clicked his tongue, put away his phone, and got up to walk into the living room.
Ji Lindong won the third game. Tan Hui’s Go skills were really lacking compared to his prowess in chess. Tan Hui gave up his seat to Tan Yucheng. After sitting down, Tan Yucheng buttoned up a few buttons on his collar and looked at the board, saying, “Uncle, please enlighten me.”
Ji Lindong coughed, “Enlighten you? I dare not. You’re quite skilled.”
Tan Yucheng smiled casually and made his move with the black stones.
A new phase of the game began.
Qiu Dan noticed that Ji Ting seemed to have fallen asleep. She got up to check on her, covered her again with the blanket, and adjusted her bangs. Then she returned to the living room to watch her husband play Go.
As the night deepened,
The game was difficult to conclude from the start. Ji Lindong had met his match, and Tan Yucheng might have even given him some leeway. Whenever the two families gathered, it was either a game of chess or some mahjong, with a bit of drinking and chatting.
Tonight was no different.
By the time it ended, it was past eleven at night. Xiao Xi went to the balcony to check on the sleeping Ji Ting, then returned to the living room, took Qiu Dan’s hand, and said, “Just sleep here tonight. You haven’t really rested and relaxed this year. Look, even Tingting is asleep. She must be tired too.”
Qiu Dan saw her daughter sleeping soundly. Considering they had been staying up late recently and both Ji Lindong and her had some alcohol, they couldn’t drive. Besides, she didn’t want to wake up the deeply sleeping Ji Ting now.
Qiu Dan thought for a moment, glancing at Ji Lindong.
Ji Lindong has indeed been busy these days. He rubbed his forehead and said, “Since Tingting is asleep, let’s not disturb her by going back now. Let her sleep well.”
Qiu Dan nodded in agreement.
Xiao Xi looked at Tan Yucheng and said, “Why don’t you carry Ji Ting inside? She can’t sleep like this.”
Tan Yucheng leaned against the balcony door, arms crossed, and nodded slightly.
Xiao Xi pulled Qiu Dan aside and said, “There are a few rooms here you don’t know about. Let me show you; they’re hidden away.”
Tan Yucheng relaxed his arms, walked towards the woman on the lounge chair. She was deeply asleep, holding onto a corner of the blanket. He moved another lounge chair, bent down, and carefully lifted Ji Ting along with the blanket. Ji Ting nestled softly into his arms. He gestured to the nanny to open the balcony door a bit wider, then walked inside.
Heading towards the guest bedroom.
Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan were talking at the entrance of the guest bedroom when he arrived. Xiao Xi pushed open the hidden door. Tan Yucheng was about to enter when he caught a faint smell of dust inside. He paused and looked at Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan, saying, “She’ll sleep in the master bedroom tonight. I’ll take this room.”
Xiao Xi sniffed the air inside, wrinkling her brow. “This room hasn’t been used before. It’s not very pleasant.”
Qiu Dan also felt uneasy. “It’s okay, she can sleep in the other room. Ji Lindong and I will sleep here.”
“I’ll sleep here,” Tan Yucheng stated firmly.
After saying that, Tan Yucheng turned and walked towards the master bedroom nearby. Xiao Xi opened the door for him, and he walked in, gently placing Ji Ting on his oversized bed.
Ji Ting stirred slightly, showing signs of waking up.
Tan Yucheng reached out to switch off the bright lamp on the bedside table. Unbuttoning his shirt, he walked out. Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan were still standing at the door, glancing inside. “Is she asleep?”
Tan Yucheng murmured in confirmation.
Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan relaxed, and the night grew deeper.
Xiao Xi and Qiu Dan each went back to their rooms. Tan Yucheng entered the adjacent dressing room, grabbed his pajamas and shorts, and walked into the bathroom next to the small balcony.
Several minutes later, the man emerged from the bathroom. The entire spacious floor was exceptionally quiet, the mist following Tan Yucheng as he emerged, towel draped around him, drying off.
He casually pushed open the door to the master bedroom to retrieve a black shirt; his pajamas had gotten wet during the shower. Drying his hair, he walked out of the dressing room, his eyes scanning the large bed in the dim light.
Ji Ting had woken up once, shedding her coat and now curled up in the bed, her long legs peeking out from the gray blanket.
Everything was quiet and still.
Tan Yucheng approached her, stopping by the bedside. He wiped the water droplets off his shoulders, gazing down at her for a moment. After a few seconds, he casually tossed the towel into the nearby laundry bin, lifted the blanket, and lay down.