"Miao Jing, want to give it a try?" Lu Zhengsi raised his eyebrows with a bright laugh. "I'm not qualified to play with Yi Ge. How about us two beginners playing a round?"
Chen Yi offered his cue stick to Miao Jing, arching an eyebrow: "Want to try? I'll teach you?"
Miao Jing thought for a moment, then took the cue stick, applying chalk to the tip before imitating what she'd seen others do.
She wore simple draped wide-leg trousers and a silk blouse, originally serene and elegant like still water reflecting flowers. Now she had rolled her sleeves up to her elbows, revealing arms as delicate as fine porcelain. Leaning close to the billiard table, she arched her waist, the simple clothing accentuating graceful curves at several points of contact with her body. After positioning her bridge hand, she tested sliding the cue: "Is this alright?"
The wall mirror perfectly reflected her posture, clear and distinct, so bright it left nowhere to hide.
The billiards hall was fairly crowded, with many boys sitting or standing around nearby. Lu Zhengsi was measuring shot angles from across the table while Chen Yi stood beside her, his broad frame shielding her slender form. His eyes glanced at the mirror, his sharp Adam's apple bobbing as he pressed his sword-like eyebrows down. His pupils were unfathomably deep as he expressionlessly reached out, fingertips supporting the sharp bone of her elbow, a spot of scorching heat lingering on her smooth skin.
"Straighten your arm." His fingers slid from her elbow all the way to her shoulder, pressing down with two fingers, his voice low and deep. "Don't tense your shoulders, keep them level."
Correcting her posture, he taught her how to stroke and strike. His tall body leaned down alongside hers, hands braced on either side, leaving her space to move. Their breath and scents were intimately close, their breathing mingling near her ear.
She felt a body press against her back - broad, substantial, with a heavy, oppressive presence that almost isolated her in a separate space. Tilting her head slightly, away from the noisy crowd, her limpid eyes curved into a charming arc as a soft, silent laugh escaped her throat: "Do you teach other girls like this too?"
Warm breath sprayed against his neck, slightly reddening Chen Yi's ears. His Adam's apple bobbed heavily, his jawline tightening as he gripped her wrist, hoarsely whispering: "Relax your wrist!"
Chapter 15: Is There Noise Next Door?
Normal social interaction - time, occasion, company, sounds, and space were all perfectly adequate. Fleeting touches, fingers like falling rain, briefly dripping on shoulders, waist, back, arms. Temperature and sensation quietly seeped through clothing - only blacklight could reveal the complete fingerprints. Voices and breath were absorbed by pores, masculine tobacco scent mingling with elegant, light fragrance - like a thin black thread trembling as it burrowed from skin into muscle, swimming into blood vessels, retracing its path through arteries back to the heart. The thread was strung with fine needles that unexpectedly pricked heart valves, causing persistent slight pain and itching that was hard to remove.
Chen Yi quickly composed his expression, his face carved into proper sternness, eyebrows severe and serious, tone dropping to its deepest register. He desperately tried to ignore the graceful waist and flawless skin, the delicate features and raised refined chin, instructing her on how to read the balls, aim, apply force...
Talking and laughing, swinging cues, moving back and forth - the surrounding noise and everything else became faded, meaningless background. Only that black thread kept winding tighter and tighter. Why did no one notice the clues? Such conspicuous color and traces, right under everyone's noses, brazenly wrapped as tightly as a silkworm's cocoon.Miao Jing released the cue stick, shaking her head apologetically at Lu Zhengsi before retreating to rest on a chair. Chen Yi had vanished without a trace, standing gloomily by the roadside smoking, his exhalations forming clouds. A young girl glanced at him with flickering eyes, causing his thick brows to relax slightly as he curled his lips into a roguish smile, making her shyly slip away.
When he returned to the billiards hall, the table was empty. Miao Jing and Lu Zhengsi had already left. Bo Zai said they had taken two plush toys and gone to explore the nearby snack street, not planning to return. Chen Yi grunted in acknowledgment, leaning back in his chair to rest. Hearing Bo Zai describe Lu Zhengsi as a polite, upright young man with striking features who seemed well-suited for Miao Jing, Chen Yi’s eyes fixed rigidly on the ceiling. Bo Zai then mentioned a call from Lily, but Chen Yi, annoyed by his chattering, shooed him home, choosing to stay alone in the shop for peace.
That night, Chen Yi didn’t return home, remaining at the billiards hall to practice. He happened to receive a call about a snooker expert visiting a neighboring city for a few days. Without a second thought, Chen Yi drove off early the next morning.
The club was opulently decorated, and everyone present that day was exceptional—ranked players with notable achievements and reputations. The club owner knew Chen Yi well. Though he didn’t compete in public tournaments, his skills at the table were undeniable. The owner had once tried to recruit him as a player but failed. A crowd gathered around the table, and Chen Yi watched quietly before finally picking up a cue and stepping forward. His posture was exceptionally elegant, complemented by his handsome, youthful face under the lights, giving the impression of a showy performer. But with one powerful stroke, the entire room fell silent.
His skill was already at the level of a professional player, ranking in the top tiers.
Tu Li couldn’t reach him for several days and asked Miao Jing, who also didn’t know his whereabouts. Chen Yi had only sent a message saying he’d be away for a couple of days. It was only after inquiring with Bo Zai that she learned Chen Yi had traveled for a match. Having worked as a cashier at the billiards hall, Tu Li knew it generated around 200,000 yuan in annual profit. Chen Yi split half with Bo Zai, keeping over 100,000 for himself. He spent lavishly, always footing the bill when out with his rowdy friends, and occasionally earned quick money through side bets on games.
Miao Jing asked Bo Zai, “How much do they usually bet per game?”
“Sometimes a few thousand, occasionally up to ten thousand. Yi Ge knows his limits and doesn’t go overboard.”
“Does he play often?”
“Not really. He doesn’t allow students to gamble here either, especially with the school nearby and strict checks.”
Hearing this, Miao Jing said nothing more. Chen Yi had been playing in small pool halls since middle school, starting with bets of ten or twenty yuan—everyone was used to it by now.
After a week away, Chen Yi returned from his trip as the weather turned cooler. Dressed in black clothes and camouflage boots, he sported a gold chain around his neck—origin unknown—paired with a jade pendant, exuding a rugged, seasoned aura. He had returned to his usual carefree, languid demeanor.
Noticing the gold chain, Miao Jing asked if it was real.
Tossing the heavy chain in his hand, Chen Yi raised his brows triumphantly. “A club owner lost it to me. What do you think?”
She didn’t ask about his match results, but from overhearing him invite friends for karaoke and sauna, it seemed things hadn’t gone poorly. After ending the call, he noticed her distant, autumn-water eyes and strode over to sit before her. “How’ve you been at home these days?” he asked.
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