Secretly, But Unable to Hide It

Chapter 40

“…….”

Sang Zhi’s action of reaching for her phone paused. She looked up at Duan Jiaxu, her mind going blank, and she felt as if she was still drunk and experiencing an auditory hallucination.

The car was quiet, filled with soothing music.

It took a while for Sang Zhi to return to her senses and react, “Huh?”

Duan Jiaxu was still looking ahead, his profile sharp and defined, with his Adam’s apple forming a nice line. Hearing her voice, his lips curved up some more and he asked casually, “What?”

Sang Zhi asked in a low voice, “What did you just say?”

Duan Jiaxu seemed not to understand. “Hmm?”

Sang Zhi repeated, “Huh?”

“What ‘huh’?” Duan Jiaxu’s expression didn’t change, looking refined and composed. He laughed for a while, “Did I say something?”

“……No?” Sang Zhi hesitated, unsure.

Duan Jiaxu was still smiling but didn’t respond.

Sang Zhi’s gaze towards him became a bit strange. She slowly turned her eyes away and tilted her head in confusion. She looked down, took out a water bottle from her bag, and gulped down several mouthfuls.

Noticing her action, Duan Jiaxu glanced at her. “What are you doing?”

Sang Zhi frowned and continued drinking water. “Sobering up.”

“…….”

Duan Jiaxu slightly raised an eyebrow, his expression showing no guilt as he gently said, “Mm, drink more.”

The alcohol from yesterday was indeed strong and Sang Zhi still felt a bit nauseous and heavy-headed. She had no appetite for food, only wanting some fruit or a bowl of hot soup.

After some thought, Duan Jiaxu found a nearby Cantonese restaurant.

When they passed a fruit shop, Duan Jiaxu went in and bought two boxes of strawberries. While Sang Zhi was ordering, he went to the restroom to wash all the strawberries.

Sang Zhi spent a long time looking at the menu and eventually ordered just a bowl of lean pork and century egg congee.

When Duan Jiaxu returned, Sang Zhi pushed the menu towards him. “I’ve ordered. Brother, see if there’s anything you want to eat.”

Duan Jiaxu placed the strawberries aside, wiped his hands with a tissue, and then took the menu. He glanced at it casually and asked, “Is a bowl of congee enough?”

“I don’t want to eat anything else.” Sang Zhi pointed out, “But I also want to eat strawberries.”

“Eat something to fill your stomach before having some.” Duan Jiaxu picked up a pen and added a few dim sum dishes according to Sang Zhi’s taste. “Have some tea first, I have something to ask you later.”

“…….”

His tone sounded as if he was going to settle some score.

Sang Zhi immediately remembered going to the bar yesterday and instinctively explained, “That bar is near our school and is mainly frequented by students. Our school’s students go there often.”

Duan Jiaxu handed the menu to the waiter and gave her a faint glance.

“And I just randomly ordered one drink.” Sang Zhi admitted honestly, “I’ve never had it before so I didn’t know it was that strong. I thought my drinking capacity was fine and didn’t want to waste it……”

“Who did you go with?”

“My roommates.”

“Really?” Duan Jiaxu propped his face with one hand, his eyes slightly downcast, staring straight at her. “Why did I hear a male voice?”

Sang Zhi recalled. “That was my roommate’s friend.”

“That voice sounded familiar too.” As if he remembered something, Duan Jiaxu suddenly added, his tone leisurely, “Sang Zhi, are you free—?”

“…….” Sang Zhi was stunned. “What?”

Duan Jiaxu’s eyes lifted. “Is it that person?”

Sang Zhi still didn’t understand. “What person—”

Before she could finish, she suddenly remembered the voice message Jiang Ming sent on Duan Jiaxu’s first night in the hospital. At that time, Jiang Ming had said those exact words.

“…….”

This old man should become a detective.

He could recognize Jiang Ming’s voice with just one unfinished sentence.

Feeling like Duan Jiaxu knew everything, Sang Zhi felt a bit aggrieved. “What’s wrong with that? I only have a few friends but they’re all good people. I haven’t done anything wrong either.”

“Is that the guy nicknamed ‘Male Vixen’?” Duan Jiaxu pretended not to hear her, picked up the teapot, and filled her cup. “Or ‘Central Air Conditioner’?”

“…….”

Mentioning this, Sang Zhi immediately felt guilty and her momentum faded. She didn’t dare to look at him and pretended to drink water, muttering, “No.”

Duan Jiaxu’s lips curved up in a smile. “Then tell Brother about him?”

Starting to pry now.

This person was as gossipy as ever.

Sang Zhi decisively said, “No.”

There was a moment of silence.

Sang Zhi sneaked a peek at him, finding that he wasn’t looking at her but just staring at the table, seemingly lost in thought. Just when Sang Zhi thought he had given up on gossiping and was ready to change the topic, Duan Jiaxu suddenly repeated thoughtfully, “Male, Vixen.”

“…….”

Duan Jiaxu tilted his head and asked, “Then isn’t he like a little girl?”

Sang Zhi originally didn’t want to pay attention to him, but hearing that, she couldn’t help but look over. Her eyes fixed on his face for two seconds and she defended, “No, he’s a……”

She paused, struggling to find the right word, and after a while, said, “A very manly male vixen.”

“…….”

Duan Jiaxu almost choked, his voice tinged with incredulity, “What?”

The person she described was sitting right in front of her, yet he seemed completely unaware, finding her description utterly unbelievable.

Sang Zhi found this feeling a bit strange and mumbled, “Anyway, I didn’t describe it wrong, that’s what he’s like.”

Just then, the congee Sang Zhi ordered arrived.

She didn’t want to continue this topic, afraid that if he asked more, she might really expose something. Sang Zhi scooped half a bowl of congee with a ladle and casually asked, “Brother, do you want some?”

Duan Jiaxu moved her bowl closer to her. “You have it.”

Sang Zhi nodded, pretending to focus on eating and remaining silent.

But soon Sang Zhi heard Duan Jiaxu asking again, “Does little Sang Zhi like muscular men?”

“…….” Sang Zhi didn’t want to answer, annoyed. “Can you stop being so gossipy?”

“How is this gossiping?” Duan Jiaxu laughed. “Brother has never seen such a person. I’m just curious.”

Sang Zhi forced herself to swallow the words ‘just look in a mirror’ back, and accused in a muffled voice, “This is gossiping, you’re the most gossipy man I’ve ever seen.”

“…….” Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow. “The most?”

Sang Zhi didn’t even blink. “Yes.”

“Is it that serious?”

“Mm.”

“Alright.” Duan Jiaxu’s fingers tapped lightly on the table. “Hearing you say that, Brother feels a bit sad.”

Sang Zhi looked over and her lips moved, wanting to say something.

But the next moment, Duan Jiaxu looked up. His tone was nonchalant and he had on a slight smile, “However, Brother is indeed very gossipy.”

“……”

“So why don’t little Sang Zhi tell Brother?”

“……”

Knowing how shameless he was, Sang Zhi chose not to respond. She selectively answered only a few of his questions, pretending not to hear the rest.

After finishing their meal, they sat for a while longer. When it was almost time, they headed to the airport.

Sang Zhi sat in the front seat and took out the remaining box of strawberries. After eating something warm, she felt much better and her head wasn’t as heavy as before.

Duan Jiaxu said, “It’ll take an hour to drive there. Do you want to sleep for a bit?”

“I don’t want to sleep.” Sang Zhi shook her head. “I’ll do it on the plane.”

She lowered her head, pulling off the leaves of the remaining strawberries. At a red light, she casually asked, “Brother, do you want some?”

Duan Jiaxu turned his head and stared at the strawberries in her hand for a couple of seconds. His eyes slightly curved as he let out a soft hum and then leaned closer. Instead of moving his hand, he opened his mouth.

It was an obvious hint.

Sang Zhi was confused. “You want me to feed you?”

“Mm.”

“Why should I?” Sang Zhi was a little nervous and immediately handed the box to him. “I already removed the leaves for you. Eat them yourself.”

“I’m holding the steering wheel right now.” Duan Jiaxu said leisurely. “My hands aren’t clean.”

“……”

There was a few seconds of awkward silence.

Sang Zhi took a deep breath, recalling that she had fed her brother, Sang Yan, candy before, and didn’t think it was inappropriate. She didn’t want to react too strongly, so she reluctantly picked a strawberry and held it to his lips.

Duan Jiaxu leaned in further and took the fruit into his mouth.

Sang Zhi’s fingertips accidentally brushed against his lower lip.

It was as if she had touched something hot and Sang Zhi reflexively pulled her hand back. Maybe it was psychological, but she felt the spot that touched him starting to heat up.

She awkwardly rubbed her fingers against her clothes.

Duan Jiaxu noticed it too. He munched on the strawberry and the sweet and sour taste flooded his mouth. Then he lightly licked his lips, which were now stained a bright red by the juice, making his face look even more alluring. Suddenly, he called her, “Little Sang Zhi.”

Sang Zhi reluctantly responded, “What?”

“Be careful.” Duan Jiaxu’s smile had a hint of roguishness and he seemed to be in a very good mood, his tone slightly raised, “Don’t take advantage of Brother.”

“……”

Sang Zhi almost choked on her breath.

Would he ever stop being shameless?!

———pr

After sending Sang Zhi to the security checkpoint, Duan Jiaxu left the airport and returned to his car. He glanced at his phone and saw a missed call from Qian Fei. He immediately called back.

Qian Fei answered in seconds, “Old Xu.”

“En?”

Qian Fei said bitterly, “I won’t be asking you to be my groomsman for my wedding.”

“Why?” Duan Jiaxu chuckled. “Do you have a problem with me?”

“I have a problem with both you and Sang Yan.” Qian Fei continued, “With you two standing next to me, it will look like you’re trying to steal my bride.”

“What are you talking about?” Duan Jiaxu said, “Is that all you want to say?”

“Wait, there’s more.” Qian Fei laughed. “Let’s talk about that girl you mentioned. I’ve never seen you in heat before.”

“I’m hanging up.”

“Wait!” Qian Fei’s tone became a bit reproachful, “Have we not seen each other for so long that you don’t consider me a brother anymore?! Why aren’t you telling me about anything that’s going on with you?!”

“Just for this?” Duan Jiaxu laughed in exasperation. “Do you know how many calls you’ve made to me about this?”

“Well, you never said anything! I’m curious!” Qian Fei said, “Don’t give me that guilt trip. It’s not like she’s underage.”

Duan Jiaxu rubbed his forehead. “Why do you talk so much?”

Qian Fei asked, “How did you meet her? Is she from your company?”

“No.”

“Then you never mentioned where you usually hang out.” Qian Fei said, “Seriously, have you even started pursuing her? Don’t tell me you’re chickening out because of the age difference.”

Duan Jiaxu was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. “I’m taking it slow.”

She still saw him as a brother.

Moving too fast wouldn’t work.

Thinking about what he did today, he cleared his throat. “I’ve never done something like this before, but for some reason, I feel like……”

“……”

“I’m pretty good at it.”

Hearing Duan Jiaxu answer just like he wanted, Qian Fei was surprised. “Didn’t you just tell me a couple of days ago that nothing was going on? You said she was too young and to not bring the matter up anymore. What’s with you today?”

“……”

“Guilt gone?”

“How old am I?” Duan Jiaxu laughed softly. “What do I need that thing for?”

“……” Qian Fei shouted, “Beast!”

Another few seconds of silence passed.

Duan Jiaxu turned his head to look at the seat next to him.

He suddenly remembered the morning he woke up in the hospital, seeing her curled up asleep on the folding bed beside his bed.

He remembered how, when he was splashed with water in public, her first reaction was to protect him.

He remembered how, even when she was drunk and couldn’t count the date properly, she still remembered things he shouldn’t do because of his surgery.

He remembered her sitting in the front seat of his car, cheeks puffed up like a pufferfish while eating strawberries.

He remembered the small dimples that appeared whenever she smiled.

And how she cried because of someone.

Duan Jiaxu lowered his eyes, smiling faintly. “It feels pretty good.”

Qian Fei asked, “What?”

“I’m almost thirty and haven’t done many things I wanted to do. I just want to give it a try.” Duan Jiaxu said softly, “But if it scares her, then forget it.”

“……”

“But I think,” Duan Jiaxu rubbed his lower lip with his fingertip, recalling Sang Zhi’s reaction earlier. He chuckled, “I’m doing pretty well.”