Chapter 33: Cherries

"My apologies for what happened last time, Mom. Next time, I’ll be sure to ask for the facts first, alright?"

Yu Youchu didn't truly hold a grudge against Li Guifang. Any normal mother would be overwhelmed upon hearing such news so suddenly.

"Alright, Mom, we’ve arrived."

Yu Youchu parked the car in a nearby lot and led her parents into the hotel.

[Are you not taking your aunt and uncle out to have some fun this afternoon?]

Yu Youchu opened her phone and saw a message from Pei Jiayin. She suddenly remembered her mother’s attempts to set her up on dates, and for some reason, the previous distress in her heart began to fade.

[Will you still be driving this car this afternoon?]
[I have other cars.]

Yu Youchu navigated to the transfer interface and sent the fuel money to Pei Jiayin.

[Thank you, this is for today’s fuel.]

He didn't reply, nor did he accept the transfer.

After settling her parents in, Yu Youchu asked, "There are many parks here in Beijing. Would you like to go see one?"

She had originally intended to leave after getting them settled, but since she had borrowed Pei Jiayin’s car, it was only right to take them out for a proper outing. Li Guifang and Jiang Jiancheng were both in high spirits; having spent so long in Hebei Province without a chance to explore, they readily agreed to her proposal. The family spent the rest of the day touring Beijing.

It was already eight in the evening when Yu Youchu dropped her parents back at the hotel. She drove back to the villa alone.

Upon arriving home, she saw Pei Jiayin standing at the entrance. The streetlights cast a Rembrandt-like light across his face; his sharp, defined bone structure, illuminated by the shadows, made him look mysterious and tender, as perfect as an ancient Roman sculpture. He was dressed in a well-tailored suit with a light overcoat, likely just having returned from outside. His broad shoulders and narrow waist were accentuated as he stood there, his silhouette so striking that Yu Youchu couldn't look away.

He spotted her, too. His deep, steady gaze met hers from a distance, evoking a strange sense of reverence in her. Yu Youchu swallowed hard, her throat feeling suddenly dry.

"Pei Jiayin, what are you doing standing here?"

Pei Jiayin chuckled, his voice laced with a soft, magnetic quality. As Yu Youchu stepped closer, she was once again enveloped by the scent of woody cologne. This time, the base notes were more prominent—compared to the cool, slightly bitter scent from before, the vetiver brought a hint of warmth.

The subtle fragrance was intoxicating.

"I was waiting for you," he said firmly.

"What?"

Yu Youchu wondered if she had misheard, but as the meaning sank in, her face burned. Before she could figure out how to handle this suddenly flirtatious Pei Jiayin, he spoke again.

"I want to eat Longjing tea pastries. Will you make them for me?"

Pei Jiayin reached out to take her hand. His eyes were moist, clear, and devoid of the cold intensity that usually made her skin crawl; they looked like the agate she had once seen in a museum. Those eyes held only her reflection.

But what was he saying? It made no sense.

Yu Youchu suddenly noticed something. Her eyes darted around, and the shyness vanished, replaced by curiosity. She held his hand back. In the cool night air, his palm was scorching, the heat radiating through her entire body.

"Pei Jiayin... are you drunk?"

Pei Jiayin obediently let her lead him. She leaned in closer and, sure enough, caught the faint scent of alcohol beneath his perfume.

"I’m not drunk."

Yu Youchu smiled softly. "Do you still want those tea pastries?"

"No."

Pei Jiayin leaned in closer, sniffing her hair like a puppy. "You’re Yu Youchu, right?"

Yu Youchu was speechless. "Did you not recognize me just now?"

She let go of his hand and opened the front door, gesturing for him to come in. Instead, he turned his head away and remained motionless.

"Come on in."

Yu Youchu shivered in the cold wind.

"You didn't ask what I wanted to eat..." He paused. "And you didn't hold my hand."

Yu Youchu’s thoughts drifted. Shen Wang and Pei Jiayin were two entirely different people when drunk. Shen Wang would pass out immediately, silent as the dead. But Pei Jiayin changed into a state completely unlike his usual self—it was like watching a man with a paralyzed face turn into a child begging for candy.

It was impossibly cute. Yu Youchu felt her maternal instincts surging.

"Then what do you want to eat?" she coaxed patiently, reaching out to lead him inside, much like taking in a stray dog.

"I want cherries."

"We don't have any cherries at home."

Yu Youchu reached for the light switch; the pitch-black room made her feel uneasy. Pei Jiayin, however, had turned the tables, gripping her hand with a slight tug that made it impossible for her to pull away.

"Be good, I’m going to turn on the lights. Once they’re on, I’ll find you some cherries, okay?"

She coaxed him patiently, her back against the door, feeling him wrap his arms around her. The air was filled with his moist, heavy breath. Her legs began to feel weak. Yu Youchu bit her tongue, trying to pry his hand from her left wrist, but the disparity in their strength made her efforts futile.

Suddenly, she heard Pei Jiayin murmur, "Aren't there cherries right here?"

He released her hand and lowered his body, wrapping his arms around her. His face, which had been above her, now loomed close. His narrow eyes seemed to hold pools of spring water, reflecting the moonlight on the floor. The temperature rose, and his scorching breath washed over her face, leaving her tingling.

He seemed to occupy all her senses, his humid, domineering presence making her break out in a light sweat. Yu Youchu’s heart hammered like a drum. She stared into his eyes, hypnotized, and asked him, "Where?"

A soft rustling sound followed. Pei Jiayin leaned in and gently bit down on her lips, beginning to suckle.

Yu Youchu’s mind exploded. She stood frozen, not knowing how to react. In the darkness, she saw him close his eyes. He was no longer satisfied with the surface; he slipped his tongue inside, laying siege to her senses.

Yu Youchu snapped back to reality and hurriedly pushed him away, her face flushing with an irrepressible heat. Fortunately, the lights were off, saving her from even more embarrassment.

As soon as she pushed him away, he seemed to lose consciousness. She felt a sudden weight on her shoulder as he buried his face there. Yu Youchu staggered back several steps before she managed to steady herself.