Hidden Love

"……"

Sang Zhi's movement to reach for her phone halted. She lifted her gaze to look at him, her mind going blank in an instant, accompanied by the feeling that she was still drunk and hearing things.

The car was quiet, filled with the soothing sound of background music.

It took a long moment for Sang Zhi to snap out of it, reacting belatedly: "Huh?"

Duan Jiaxu was still looking ahead, his profile sharply defined, the line of his Adam's apple creating an attractive curve. Hearing her voice, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly again, his tone casual: "What?"

Sang Zhi asked softly: "What did you just say?"

Duan Jiaxu pretended not to understand: "Hmm?"

Sang Zhi: "Huh?"

"What 'huh'." Duan Jiaxu's expression remained unchanged, looking refined and composed as he chuckled several times, "Did I say anything?"

"……" Sang Zhi paused, then said uncertainly, "You didn't?"

Duan Jiaxu continued laughing without speaking.

Sang Zhi's gaze toward him turned somewhat strange as she slowly averted her eyes, tilting her head in confusion. She lowered her head, rummaged through her bag for her thermos, and gulped down several mouthfuls of water in quick succession.

Noticing her movements, Duan Jiaxu glanced at her: "What are you doing."

Sang Zhi frowned, continuing to drink water: "Sobering up."

"……"

Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression showing no trace of guilt as he said gently: "Mm, drink more."-

The lingering effects of yesterday's alcohol were indeed quite strong. Sang Zhi still felt somewhat nauseous and heavy-headed. She had no appetite for a proper meal, only wanting some fruit or a bowl of hot soup.

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

Passing by a fruit shop, Duan Jiaxu went in and bought two boxes of strawberries. While Sang Zhi was ordering, he got up and went to the restroom to wash both boxes of strawberries clean.

After browsing through the menu for a long time, Sang Zhi finally only ordered a bowl of century egg and lean pork congee.

Seeing Duan Jiaxu return, Sang Zhi pushed the menu toward him: "I'm done ordering. Brother, see what you'd like to eat."

Duan Jiaxu placed the strawberries to the side, pulled over a tissue to wipe his hands, then took the menu. He glanced over it casually and asked: "Is a bowl of congee enough?"

"I don't want to eat any of these." Sang Zhi pointed, "I want to eat strawberries."

"Eat something to line your stomach first." Duan Jiaxu picked up a pen and added several dim sum items according to Sang Zhi's preferences, "Have some tea first. I have some questions for you later."

"……"

His tone sounded like he was going to settle scores later.

Sang Zhi immediately remembered yesterday's bar incident again and instinctively began explaining: "That bar is near our school. The clientele is mostly students, and students from our school go there frequently."

Duan Jiaxu handed the menu to the server, lifted his eyelids, and gave her a faint glance.

"And that drink was something I ordered randomly," Sang Zhi said honestly, "I'd never had it before and didn't know the alcohol content was so high. I thought my alcohol tolerance wasn't bad, and I didn't want to waste it after ordering..."

"Who did you go with?"

"My roommate."

"Is that so." Duan Jiaxu propped his chin with one hand, eyes lowered as he stared directly at her, "Then why did I also hear a male voice?"

Sang Zhi thought back: "That was my roommate's friend."

"And the voice sounded somewhat familiar?" As if remembering something, Duan Jiaxu suddenly added casually, "Sang Zhi, are you free?—"

"……" Sang Zhi was stunned, "What?"Duan Jiaxu raised the corner of his eye: "Is it this person?"

Sang Zhi still hadn't caught on: "What do you mean, this person—"

Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly remembered the voice message from Jiang Ming that Duan Jiaxu had overheard on the first night of his hospital stay. At that time, what Jiang Ming had said seemed to be exactly this phrase.

"..."

Why doesn't this old man become a police officer?

He can even recognize this.

Feeling like he knew everything about her, Sang Zhi felt somewhat aggrieved by his questioning: "What's wrong with that? I just know a few friends, and they're not bad people. I haven't done anything wrong either."

"Is this guy's nickname 'male fox spirit'?" Duan Jiaxu pretended not to hear, picking up the teapot to refill her cup, "Or is it 'central air conditioner'?"

"..."

Mentioning this, Sang Zhi immediately felt guilty, her confidence dwindling. She didn't dare look at him, pretending to drink water while mumbling, "No."

Duan Jiaxu curved his lips into a smile: "Then tell your brother about it?"

He's starting to fish for information.

This guy is as gossipy as ever.

Sang Zhi said decisively, "No."

After a moment of silence.

Sang Zhi glanced at him secretly and found he wasn't looking at her either, just staring at the table as if lost in thought. Just when Sang Zhi thought he had given up on gossiping and was about to change the subject.

Duan Jiaxu suddenly repeated thoughtfully, "Male... fox... spirit."

"..."

Duan Jiaxu turned his head and asked, "Does he look like a little girl then?"

Sang Zhi originally didn't want to engage with him anymore. But hearing this, she couldn't help looking over, her gaze lingering on his face for two seconds as she defended him: "No, he's a..."

She paused abruptly, struggling to find the right adjective before finally saying after a long while, "A very manly male fox spirit."

"..."

Duan Jiaxu nearly choked, his voice carrying a trace of absurdity: "What?"

The person she was describing was sitting right in front of her, but this person was completely unaware and seemed to find the image she described utterly unbelievable and impossible to exist.

Sang Zhi felt this sensation was somewhat subtle, muttering, "Anyway, I didn't describe it wrong." That's exactly what he's like."

Just then, the congee Sang Zhi had ordered arrived.

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

Duan Jiaxu moved the bowl closer to her: "You have it."

Sang Zhi nodded, pretending to be focused on eating and fell silent.

As if it would never end, soon Sang Zhi heard Duan Jiaxu start asking again: "Does little Sang Zhi like muscular men?"

"..." Sang Zhi didn't want to answer, saying displeasedly, "Can't you stop being so gossipy?"

"How is this gossipy?" Duan Jiaxu laughed, "Your brother has never seen someone like this before and just wants to satisfy his curiosity."

Sang Zhi forcibly swallowed back the words "just look in a mirror" and accused him sullenly, "This is gossip. You're the most gossipy man I've ever met."

"..." Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow, "The most?"

Sang Zhi didn't even blink: "Yes."

Duan Jiaxu: "That serious?"

"Mm."

"Alright then." Duan Jiaxu lightly tapped his fingers on the table, "Hearing you say that, your brother feels a bit hurt."

Sang Zhi looked over, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something.The next moment, Duan Jiaxu lifted his gaze, his tone casual and tinged with a faint smile. "But your brother really is quite nosy."

"..."

"So, little Sang Zhi, why don’t you tell your brother about it?"

"..."

Sang Zhi had long known this person was shameless, so she ignored him. As for the questions he threw at her, she selectively answered only a few, pretending not to hear the rest.

After finishing their meal, the two of them sat for a while longer. When it was about time, they finally set off for the airport.

Sang Zhi settled into the passenger seat, pulling out the remaining box of strawberries to nibble on. Having eaten something warm, she felt much more comfortable, and her head wasn’t as heavy as before.

Duan Jiaxu said, "It’ll take about an hour to get there. Do you want to take a nap?"

"I don’t feel like sleeping," Sang Zhi shook her head. "I’ll sleep on the plane later."

She lowered her head, plucking the leaves off the remaining strawberries. Just then, they hit a red light, and Sang Zhi casually asked, "Brother, do you want a strawberry?"

Duan Jiaxu turned his head, staring at the strawberries in her hand for a couple of seconds. The corners of his eyes curved slightly as he hummed softly in agreement, then leaned closer. His hands remained still, but his mouth opened instead.

An obvious hint.

Sang Zhi was stunned. "You want me to feed you?"

Duan Jiaxu: "Mm."

"Why should I feed you?" Sang Zhi bristled, immediately shoving the box toward him. "I already took the leaves off for you. Eat them yourself."

"My hands aren’t clean," Duan Jiaxu said leisurely. "I’ve been holding the steering wheel."

"..."

They remained at a stalemate for several seconds.

Sang Zhi took a deep breath, remembering that she had once fed Sang Yan candy before and hadn’t thought much of it then. Not wanting to overreact, she reluctantly picked up a strawberry and brought it to his lips.

Duan Jiaxu leaned in a little closer, biting the strawberry into his mouth.

Her fingertip accidentally brushed against his lower lip.

As if she had touched something scalding, Sang Zhi reflexively pulled her hand back. Maybe it was just in her head, but the spot where she had touched him seemed to grow warm.

Feeling awkward, Sang Zhi rubbed her finger against her clothes.

Duan Jiaxu noticed it too. He bit into the strawberry, the sweet and sour flavor instantly spreading across his tongue. Lightly licking his lips, now stained a vivid red from the juice, his face looked even more devilishly handsome as he suddenly called out to her, "Little Sang Zhi."

Sang Zhi replied stiffly, "What?"

"Be careful," Duan Jiaxu’s smile carried a hint of roguishness, his mood seemingly quite pleased as his tone lifted slightly. "Don’t take advantage of your brother."

"..."

Sang Zhi nearly choked on her breath.

Could he! Just for once!

Have! Some! Shame!

After seeing Sang Zhi through the security checkpoint, Duan Jiaxu left the airport and returned to his car. Glancing at his phone, he noticed a missed call from Qian Fei and immediately called back.

Qian Fei picked up instantly. "Old Xu."

Duan Jiaxu: "Hm?"

Qian Fei said mournfully, "I’m not having you as my best man at my wedding."

"Oh?" Duan Jiaxu chuckled. "You have a problem with me?"

"I have a problem with both you and Sang Yan," Qian Fei replied. "If you two stand next to me, it’ll look like you’re here to steal my bride."

"Don’t be ridiculous," Duan Jiaxu said. "Is that all?"

"Wait, there’s more," Qian Fei said with a grin. "Let’s talk about that girl you mentioned earlier. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen you so smitten."Duan Jiaxu: "I'm hanging up."

"Wait!" Qian Fei's tone carried a hint of accusation, "Hey, has it been too long since we last met? You don't even treat me like a brother anymore! Otherwise, why wouldn't you tell me about your situation?"

"Is that all?" Duan Jiaxu laughed in exasperation, "How many calls have you made to me during this period?"

"You never said anything! I'm just curious!" Qian Fei said, "Don't give me that guilt trip, making it sound like that girl is underage."

Duan Jiaxu rubbed between his eyebrows: "Why do you have so much to say."

Qian Fei: "How did you meet? Is she from your company?"

"No."

"Then I haven't heard you mention going out anywhere either." Qian Fei said, "Seriously, have you started pursuing her? You're not actually holding back just because she's young, are you?"

Duan Jiaxu fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: "Let's take it slow."

That girl still sees him as an older brother.

Going too far all at once probably wouldn't work either.

Thinking about what he had done today, he cleared his throat: "I've really never done this kind of thing before, but somehow it feels quite—"

"..."

"Natural."

Hearing the answer he wanted, Qian Fei was instead shocked: "Weren't you just telling me two days ago that there was nothing going on? You said she's young and to drop the subject. What's with you today?"

"..."

"Guilt's gone?"

"How old am I?" Duan Jiaxu chuckled softly, "What would I need that for?"

"..." Qian Fei raised his voice dramatically, "You beast!"

Another few seconds of silence.

Duan Jiaxu turned his head, looking at the passenger seat.

He suddenly remembered that morning when he woke up in the hospital, the young girl curled up asleep on the accompanying chair;

Remembered how her first reaction when someone splashed water on him in public was to protect him;

Remembered how even when she was too drunk to calculate the months properly, she still remembered his postoperative precautions;

Remembered how just moments ago she sat in the passenger seat, cheeks puffed up like a pufferfish while eating strawberries.

Remembered the two small dimples that appeared by her lips when she smiled,

And how she cried for someone else.

Duan Jiaxu lowered his eyes, smiling faintly: "This feeling is actually quite nice."

Qian Fei: "What?"

"I'm almost thirty, and I haven't really done many things I wanted to do. I just want to try." Duan Jiaxu said quietly, "But if it scares her, then forget it."

"..."

"But I feel," Duan Jiaxu rubbed his lower lip with his thumb, thinking of Sang Zhi's reaction earlier, and chuckled quietly, "I'm actually doing pretty well?"