Chapter 24: You’re Cuter Than Her, What’s Wrong With That?

The doorbell broke the two of them out of their argument.  

Lin Xi walked toward the door as if relieved, but her hand paused on the doorknob for a second, as if hesitating.  

"...What are you doing? It's this late already?"  

Gao Qinghe stood by the sofa and heard Lin Xi's slightly reproachful voice coming from the doorway, but it quickly lowered.  

"I didn't go to the exchange meeting with you today, so I thought I'd bring you something to make up for it, and hang out with you for a bit."  

The voice coming from the door was, as expected, Xiang Bei's low, teasing tone.  

Gao Qinghe craned her neck to look. Sure enough, Xiang Bei was holding an enormous bouquet of roses, his head slightly bowed, a lazy smile on his lips as he looked at Lin Xi.  

...It seemed even bigger than the 99 roses she had given before—vivid and dewy, petals layered densely, wrapped in gold ribbon and far more elegantly packaged.  

Gao Qinghe pouted and plopped back onto the sofa. The hem of her knit dress flipped up from the sudden movement, and the fabric rubbed against the sofa with a soft rustle.  

...Show-off. Just because you have money, you think you're something special.  

"I've told you before, I don't need you to accompany me."  

Lin Xi crossed her arms in front of her chest, not intending to let Xiang Bei in. Her blond hair seemed even more dazzling than the bouquet under the light. "And I already said Qinghe is staying at my place now. You can't just come and go whenever you want like before..."  

"What's the big deal? We've already met, right?"  

Xiang Bei's voice sounded innocent, but carried a hint of roguish amusement. He pushed the bouquet a little closer to Lin Xi, the petals trembling slightly. "If you're both uncomfortable, I'll just sit for a bit and then leave. I won't stay the night."  

"Stay!"  

Gao Qinghe's voice was sullen, with a tone of reckless surrender. "Don't mind me. Just do whatever you guys need to do!"  

Xiang Bei looked at Lin Xi, then craned his neck to look at Gao Qinghe.  

"...What's wrong with her? Did you two have a fight?"  

"...I told you today isn't convenient. She's in a bad mood right now... Can you just go back first?"  

Gao Qinghe heard Lin Xi's helpless voice and was fuming.  

"Come on in, it's fine."  

Gao Qinghe sprang up from the sofa and rushed to the entrance, not even bothering to put on slippers. Her bare feet made soft patting sounds on the floor.  

She grabbed Xiang Bei's hand—the one not holding the flowers. Her fingers touched his wrist, and she clearly felt him twitch slightly. His warm pulse shot through her palm like an electric current, making her own heart skip a beat.  

But she couldn't care less. She simply dragged Xiang Bei straight into the living room.  

"Hey, Qinghe..."  

Lin Xi called out softly, seemingly at a loss for what to say. Her cat-like eyes swept over the two of them with a complex hint of helplessness. In the end, she just closed the door and followed them into the living room.  

The three sat silently in the living room, none of them speaking.  

The air felt sucked out, leaving only the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. Xiang Bei's huge bouquet of roses sat on the edge of the coffee table, nearly pushing everything else off. The floral scent was so strong it almost overwhelmed the incense and perfume in Lin Xi's room, making Gao Qinghe's nose tingle.  

She stared down at her toes. Her slender, fair feet pressed against the wooden floor, her toes unconsciously curling as if gripping onto a strand of unwillingness.  

"Hey, maybe I should just go. I do have something early tomorrow, so I might need to get to bed soon."  

Xiang Bei said as he started to get up. His tall frame leaned forward slightly in the dining chair, his palms pressing on his knees.  

"No, don't. You can sleep here. I don't mind being disturbed."  

Gao Qinghe was still sullen, as if she was sulking about something, and spoke angrily.  

"Uh... no, it's fine. It really doesn't seem convenient. I'll just head out."  

Xiang Bei picked up his car keys, twirling them lightly around his finger. "Lin Xi, I'll be going then..."  

Lin Xi stood up abruptly, shot a glance at Gao Qinghe, and now her tone carried anger.  

"No, don't go. You're staying here tonight. Qinghe already said she doesn't mind, so what else do I have to say?"  

She pushed Xiang Bei back down onto the sofa. "You said you need to sleep early? Then sleep. I'm going to wash off my makeup."  

Her voice was stiff. She stomped into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.  

Only Xiang Bei and Gao Qinghe were left in the living room.  

---  

Gao Qinghe remained silent, her expression full of anger, which Xiang Bei found amusing.  

"Gao Qinghe, you okay?"  

Xiang Bei's voice was low, with a hint of a smile. He called out to her tentatively and moved to sit beside her.  

"Get lost."  

Gao Qinghe shot him a glare and scooted away.  

"Hey, cheer up. Lin Xi can be a bit harsh sometimes, I get it."  

His voice was excessively gentle.  

'Screw you. Didn't you just buy Lin Xi a huge bouquet of roses? And now you're sitting on the fence? What the hell do you get?'  

"Stay away from me. If you want to suck up, go find Lin Xi."  

Gao Qinghe picked up her phone, not planning to acknowledge him any further. Her fingers swiped randomly across the screen.  

"I didn't come here for Lin Xi this time."  

Xiang Bei spoke again. As he said it, he fumbled in his pocket, the motion slow and deliberate, but slightly forced.  

"I have a gift for you."  

Xiang Bei suddenly reached around her neck. Before Gao Qinghe could react, a small golden arc dangled in front of her chest.  

She took a closer look—good heavens—the curve was studded with diamonds, blinding her under the light.  

The thin gold chain slid across her skin, cool enough to tickle her. The pendant landed precisely below her collarbone, nestled between her two breasts, the diamonds refracting tiny lights.  

Xiang Bei's fingers still lingered at the back of her neck, fumbling with the clasp in a seemingly casual way, but he deliberately let his fingertips brush against the most sensitive patch of skin at her nape. The touch was like a jolt of electricity, making her back immediately tense up, a tingle shooting from her neck straight down to her tailbone.  

Even someone like her, who never paid much attention to jewelry, could tell it was a classic Tiffany design—at least ten thousand bucks.  

A lot more expensive than the roses he gave Lin Xi.  

It seemed he wasn't lying; he had actually put some thought into it for her.  

"...Xiang Bei, what is this...?"  

Gao Qinghe's slender fingers gently touched the pendant, feeling the uneven texture of the diamonds.  

"A gift for you."  

He said it matter-of-factly. When his fingers left her neck, he intentionally brushed her hair, the tips of his fingers stirring a tiny static that made her ear tingle.  

"Like I said, I mainly came to see you. You might have the wrong impression of me because of Lin Xi's ex, but I genuinely want us to get along."  

He leaned close to her ear and said softly, his breath tickling her, the warmth creeping into her ear canal, making her turn her head slightly. The pendant on her chest swayed with the movement, diamonds glinting coldly.  

The sound of water from the bathroom stopped.  

"...What are you doing? Don't you already have Lin Xi?"  

Gao Qinghe was about to explode, but had to lower her voice.  

'Is this guy seriously that scummy? Giving another woman a gift in his girlfriend's house? Isn't he way too bold? Calling him trash isn't an exaggeration, right?'  

Even so, she couldn't suppress the slight curve at the corner of her mouth.  

"You're adorable—even cuter than Lin Xi. Cute people deserve the best gifts. What's wrong with that?"  

His eyes were bright, seemingly sincere and playful. Gao Qinghe felt her heart skip a beat. Sweetness and pleasure stirred in her lower abdomen like an undercurrent, making her press her legs together slightly.  

She clenched her fists but still pulled away. The movement made the pendant on her chest sway lightly, a mix of coolness and warmth disturbing her rhythm.  

The pattering sound of slippers came from the bathroom direction. Gao Qinghe quickly tucked the pendant under her clothes. The gold chain slid into her cleavage, the coolness making her tremble involuntarily.  

Xiang Bei, on the other hand, moved further away without batting an eye.  

He slipped the Tiffany blue box into Gao Qinghe's hand, then stood up, his movements utterly natural.  

"Hm? What's wrong? You're leaving?"  

Lin Xi frowned, surprised, when she saw Xiang Bei grab his coat.  

"Yeah, like I said, I have to get up early."  

He put on his coat, casually yet elegantly adjusting his collar and cuffs. "I've already delivered what I came to deliver." His voice was steady, but to Gao Qinghe, it felt loaded with meaning.  

The light fell from the side, sharply outlining Xiang Bei's tall figure. He twirled his car keys twice on his finger, then gripped them. He gently pulled Lin Xi into an embrace and planted a soft kiss on her hair.  

"Alright, I'll come see you another time."  

He stroked her hair. "I'll miss you."  

But his deep eyes were fixed straight on Gao Qinghe.