novelWe Can't Stay at Home Right Now
| ← Ch.329 | Ch.331 → |
Chapter 330: We Can't Stay at Home Right Now
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Ruan Danchen exhaled roughly. She thought that the alcohol would only turn her face slightly pink, but it had turned puffy and crimson.
Her face felt numb and swollen. As she put her phone away, she whispered softly, "I never even intended to let you sleep with me!"
"I meant to get in my bed 1, what were you thinking about?" Qi Chenglin stopped texting as well. He lowered his head and closed the distance with Ruan Danchen's ear, and whispered. His warm breath flowed into Ruan Danchen's ear, tickling it more than it should.
Ruan Danchen's forehead felt hot and itchy. She snorted softly and said, "If you want to get in your own bed, I couldn't care less."
Without realizing it, his hot and dry palm reached out and grabbed her hand that was on her thigh. Rubbing the back of her palm gently and speaking softly, he said, "But if you got in my bed, I'd definitely care."
Ruan Danchen felt as if her head might explode, and as though she had shut down, she inhaled sharply—her entire body had been set on fire by his flirtatious words.
"Qi Chenglin!" she warned softly as she turned and tried to draw her hand back but could not. The back of her hand felt like it was burning under the heat of his palm."Who said I would want to... to get in your..." she commented awkwardly.
"Then if I get in yours, that works too, " Qi Chenglin said nonchalantly.
"That's enough from you!" In that moment, Ruan Danchen felt ten million 'motherf*cker' surging through her heart. When this fellow wanted to be shameless, he had no limits! It was simply boundless thirst!
The two of them were the main characters for the evening, sitting there murmuring to each other with their heads lowered. Ruan Danchen's face was so red, it was obvious she had never been the center of attention.
Qi Youxuan's big eyes—with its contrasting blacks and whites—were darting to and fro his father and Aunty Ruan. It seemed like the two of them got along well and were very happy.
Ruan Danchen was also afraid that if she kept speaking to Qi Chenglin, Qi Youxuan would feel left out. So at the same time, she made sure to devote some of her attention to Qi Youxuan by using her chopsticks to take food for him from the table. Qi Youxuan liked to eat mantis shrimp but the shell would easily cut one's hands, so Ruan Danchen helped him peel the shell.
Eventually, Qi Chenglin felt bad for Ruan Danchen's hands and could bear it no more. He reached over to take all the shrimp. His bony and long fingers still looked elegant even while he was peeling shrimp shells.
The little boy Qi Youxuan could not be happier as he ate the deshelled mantis shrimp.
...
...
It was eight thirty in the evening. The adults around the table had already finished chatting and the children were getting tired, so they began to leave.
Qi Chenglin held Qi Youxuan's hand in one hand, and Ruan Danchen's in the other. They walked out with Qi Chengzhi and Song Yu, while Xiao Yang and Chang Lai were already waiting outside.
As they walked to the door, they coincidentally saw Mu Huaisheng coming in with some clients.
Mu Huaisheng waved to Qi Chengzhi and Song Yu first before his gaze fell upon Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen holding hands. He was stunned for a moment before he glanced sideways at Ruan Danchen.
Ruan Danchen felt embarrassed under his gaze. Previously she told him that she had no intention of getting involved in romance, and now here she was holding Qi Chenglin's hand. It most definitely did not look right.
Qi Chenglin seemed worried that she would draw her hand away so he gripped it tighter.
Ruan Danchen tried to assuage him by squeezing his hand in return. Qi Chenglin's facial expression seemed to relax a bit and he relaxed his grip on her hand as well.
"Who would've thought I would meet the two Mr. Qis here, " one of the clients who were with Mu Huaisheng said in muted awe. He seemed especially happy to be able to meet Qi Chengzhi and Qi Chenglin.
Both of them greeted the clients politely."You're here to talk business with Mr. Mu, correct? We won't disturb you, " Qi Chenglin said cordially.
"Very well, " the clients all said while smiling.
In front of the clients, Mu Huaisheng could not say anything and could only give one last look at Ruan Danchen before he left with the clients.
Qi Chengzhi brought Song Yu to his Range Rover. Similarly, Qi Chenglin brought Ruan Danchen and Qi Youxuan to the car.
Qi Youxuan very familiarly climbed into the car and sat himself in the child's safety seat inside, buckling the seatbelt.
After Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen had secured themselves in the back, Qi Chengyi spoke."Let's go back to Prestige Residences."
Ruan Danchen tensed up and slowly tugged at Qi Chenglin's sleeve."Send me home first."
Qi Chengling tilted his head to look at her. This made Ruan Danchen's heart beat harder, unsure if he would agree. If he insisted on bringing her back to Prestige Residences, she would not be able to do anything about it.
After a long while, only did Qi Chenglin speak."Let's send her home first."
Ruan Danchen sighed in relief.
...
...
The car stopped in front of Ruan Danchen's house. Qi Chenglin got out of the car first to let Ruan Danchen, who was sitting in the middle, to get out.
Qi Youxuan was too tired and had fallen asleep in his chair. Ruan Danchen looked at Qi Youxuan's sleepy appearance and felt a little unwilling to go. She looked at him gently and leaned down to kiss his petite, fragrant face, before getting out of the car.
Qi Chenglin closed the door and stood under the pale light of the moon and the dim streetlight. His features looked all the more brooding and his expressions looked even more exceptional.
Ruan Danchen was a little shy, but as usual, she gathered up her courage and took the initiative to hold his hand.
This small action made Qi Chenglin raise his eyebrows. He felt the softness of her palm and held her hand in return.
"Thank you for sending me home, " Ruan Danchen said softly.
Qi Chenglin knew that she was referring to him respecting her wishes by sending her home instead of insisting on taking her to Prestige Residences.
"I respect your decisions, " Qi Chenglin replied with a grunt.
Afraid that he would be unhappy, Ruan Danchen pushed on and explained, "I just think it's too fast. While seven years ago we had already... but that time we had no romantic feelings for each other. Now, we're really with each other. Qi Chenglin, you're my first man, and also the only one all through these years. Right now we are courting each other, and you're my first love. I'm not afraid of your jokes. I'm already 26 and have never been in a relationship. I don't know the steps in romance and what they should be, but I feel that going home with you right now would be a bit..."
Qi Chenglin looked into the car, before replying, "I'll walk you upstairs."
Ruan Danchen did not reply but let Qi Chenglin lead her by the hand upstairs.
The lights in the elevator were very bright. It was a stark contrast to the gloomy darkness. Both of them still did not speak, making Ruan Danchen feel uneasy.
She forced herself to look up at Qi Chenglin's elegant and handsome face. His expression was stern, as though he was displeased.
Ruan Danchen wondered if he was unhappy because she insisted on coming home.
If that was the case, she would be unhappy that he was so petty and would have drawn her hand away from his palm.
"What's up?" Qi Chenglin raised his eyebrows, holding her hand tighter and not letting go.
"Are you upset?" Ruan Danchen asked a little sullenly.
Qi Chenglin's eyebrows arched once more, and he frowned."Who said I'm unhappy?"
"..." Ruan Danchen paused, unable to say anything.
The elevator stopped at the 7th floor, and Qi Chenglin led her out to her unit entrance before he spoke lowly, "Open the door, we'll talk about it when we're inside."
Ruan Danchen had just unlocked the door and walked in when she heard the door slam behind her. She did not have the time to react as Qi Chenglin was already embracing her, pressing his lips against hers as he pinned her to the door.
Ruan Danchen panicked but did not resist. She gently rested her hands on his shoulders.
He was too tall and she was almost lifted off of her feet. She felt so fragile in his arms.
Her lips felt raw and were swollen from his kisses; her body weak and trembling. When he broke away, she wanted to pull him back in.
He brushed her forehead and lifted her into his arms. His forearms felt as if they were chiseled from stone—holding her in his embrace seemed like no effort at all."Just because you follow me home now doesn't mean I'd think of you as easy and won't respect how well you've treated me. I've always felt a sense of impatience when it comes to you. I don't deny that, neither do I try to cover it up. Ever since I met you and started courting you, I've always wanted to lure you into my bed."
Ruan Danchen was trembling, unable to imagine that he would speak so directly. His actions all this while certainly did not cover up this goal, but was it a good idea to speak so candidly about it?
"You think we're going too fast, and I won't insist. But I just wanted to let you know that I fear I can't wait much longer." Qi Chenglin's voice was uniquely low at that point.
Ruan Danchen felt that his chest was really warm, while his lower regions were stirring slowly. It was so hot. Her abdomen contracted tightly, and she dared not move. However, being squeezed like this, her heart could not help but flutter.
"Give me some time to get ready, " Ruan Danchen said quietly. She had not thought of rejecting Qi Chenglin.
Qi Chenglin buried his face in her hair and breathed in deeply before raising his face, looking at her and smiled."I'm your first love?"
Ruan Danchen slowly lowered her head. It was not a surprise that she would be embarrassed. She was already 26 and have never had a boyfriend—it was very embarrassing.
Qi Chenglin was able to read her thoughts, and he spoke gently to her "It's not embarrassing. I'm very glad."
"Qi Chenglin." Ruan Danchen lifted her head slowly and unsurely, a little ashamed to call out his name.
Qi Chenglin arched his eyebrows once more, but his expressions were warm. His clear and elegant features were gentle—the corners of his mouth and his eyes showing the hints of a warm and gentle smile.
Ruan Danchen felt a warmth flow from her abdomen. She blushed and quickly pecked him on the lips."Thank you."
Qi Chenglin was surprised. This was the first time she had kissed him of her own accord, and not him shamelessly pulling her into his arms for the kiss. Even though it was fleeting, it filled his heart with joy.
Her soft and fragrant body was still in his arms, and Qi Chenglin's heart was all over the place. It took a lot to get his passions under control, and all it took was a fleeting kiss to rekindle them again.
He suddenly kissed her passionately to the point where Ruan Danchen was unable to compose herself.
After a long while, his burning lips were nibbling at her ear lobe, as he whispered hoarsely."I want it so bad!"
"Youxuan is still waiting in the car, " Ruan Danchen said, her voice trembling.
Qi Chenglin finally put her down, and her feet touched the ground, and saw his face in a half-smile, having read her intentions.
"I'm going, " Qi Chenglin said as he let her go and reached his hand out to open the door.
Suddenly, he stopped again, turned and asked, "Just now when we saw Mu Huaisheng, why were you so uncomfortable?"
"..." Ruan Danchen had not come to her senses yet, and he already asked such a question. She paused before answering, "I told him I had no intention of getting into a relationship, but a few days later, he sees me holding your hand and walking together. I couldn't help but be embarrassed."
Qi Chenglin smiled and said, "Go to bed."
He then left.
...
...
Qi Chenglin returned to the car. Qi Youxuan had woken up a while ago but he was still half asleep and in a daze.
When he saw Qi Chenglin return alone, Qi Youxuan rubbed his eyes and asked, "Daddy, why did you come back alone? Where's Aunty Ruan? Didn't you say Aunty Ruan could sleepover tonight?"
"She's sleeping at her place tonight, " Qi Chenglin said and sighed when he saw Qi Youxuan's disappointed face."I wanted to eat Aunty Ruan's homemade breakfast tomorrow."
Qi Chenglin raised his eyebrows before mumbling, "You won't have breakfast with her, but it's the same if you have dinner with her."
"Daddy, what do you mean? Aunty Ruan will sleepover at ours tomorrow night?" Qi Youxuan immediately perked up.
Qi Chenglin smirked and looked gently at his clever little boy."We'll see."
"Okay! Daddy, I believe you can do it!" QI Youxuan raised a little fist in encouragement to Qi Chenglin.
...
...
The next day, Ruan Danchen had just finished her breakfast and was heading to the nearby supermarket to buy some groceries. She was debating between going home, going straight to Prestige Residences, or just giving Qi Youxuan a call to discuss the matter of renovating his playroom.
She wanted to see Qi Youxuan and to talk to him—just thinking about it made her heart warm—but she was worried that if she went there directly, she would be seen as being too direct by Qi Chenglin.
Whilst thinking of Qi Chenglin's handsome and elegant face, she also thought that if she was too direct, he would never let her go.
After deciding to go with the first option, she stepped off the elevator with her groceries in a bag and turned the corner to her apartment door. As she made the turn, she stopped in surprise, nearly dropping the groceries that were in her hand.
She saw the father and son pair, Qi Chenglin and Qi Youxuan, standing in front of the door to her apartment, each with his own luggage.
"Aunty Ruan, you've finally come back!" Qi Youxuan said as he ran over to Ruan Danchen the moment he saw her. He threw himself at her thighs and hugged her.
Ruan Danchen stumbled to pick him up and looked at Qi Chenglin in surprise."What are you two..."
"Aunty Ruan, our house is under renovation. You were supposed to design my toy room and my daddy's bedroom right? Today daddy called up some workers to clear out all the furniture in the rooms, so right now there's no way we can stay in the house!" Qi Youxuan did not look unhappy at all that he could not go home. His little face was so happy.
"Once the renovations are done, the house would be smelling of formaldehyde, so it's still not inhabitable. If Youxuan is affected by it, I wouldn't know what to do, " Qi Chenglin explained matter-of-factly.
"..." Ruan Danchen had nothing to say.
Could it be that Qi Chenglin's parents had nowhere to stay?
"My parents have nowhere to stay as well, " Qi Chenglin said very solemnly.
"..." Ruan Danchen was still speechless.
"Aunty Ruan, I'm so hungry. I haven't even eaten breakfast yet." Qi Youxuan rubbed his little round tummy, sounding so miserable.
"You guys came over without eating?" Ruan Danchen said, shocked, and scrambled to grab a key to open the door.
"Yeah, early this morning they came to clear out the room. Nanny Zheng also went home to her own house." Qi Youxuan followed behind her like a little tail, explaining as he walked in through the door.
Ruan Danchen hurriedly brought the groceries into the kitchen."Just wait a bit. I'll prepare something right now."
"I'm not eating." Qi Chenglin walked to the kitchen entrance and almost blocked out all the light from outside for a moment.
"I know. I'm only making two portions." Ruan Danchen blushed and thought, 'Why is this grown man trying to compete with a kid. '
Qi Youxuan did not stay in the kitchen. He dragged his luggage and casually walked into Ruan Danchen's bedroom and started to unpack.
Ruan Danchen took out milk, white bread, ham, and vegetables. She hastily made a simple ham sandwich, and poured two glasses of warm milk—one for Qi Chenglin and another for Qi Youxuan.
After they finished, she took the plates and cups into the kitchen to wash. Not long after, she saw Qi Chenglin walking in from the corner of her eye. His lanky body squeezing in through the door and closing it as he walked in.
"This small apartment of mine isn't enough for so many people, " Ruan Danchen said softly.
"Then you want to chase Youxuan out? He was so happy to come here and stay with you." Qi Chenglin arched his eyebrows, as he needled her.
Ruan Danchen could not bear to chase Qi Youxuan out. Hearing Qi Chenglin's needling voice once more, "Or do you want to kick me out, his dad?"
Ruan Danchen stopped. Just based on Qi Chenglin's tone, she dared not speak.
"I didn't say that, " she said weakly."It's just that this place isn't enough. You could let Youxuan stay here, you..."
"In a while, we'll go to the furniture store to buy a small bed for Youxuan to sleep in the living room. I've done the research. If we put the bed near that window and put a screen to block it, he'll be perfectly fine." Qi Chenglin did not wait for her to finish, cutting her off, and completely negating whatever Ruan Danchen intended to say.
Ruan Danchen did not ask where he would be sleeping. They already brought their luggage and his intentions could not be clearer. She did not need to ask unnecessary questions.
This man clearly said he could wait, and then? It was only for a night?
She had never seen such a shameless, bold man!
After Ruan Danchen finished cleaning up and walked out to the living room. She could not see Qi Youxuan so she walked straight to her bedroom and found that he had already brought his luggage into her room and unpacked.
Seeing Ruan Danchen and Qi Chenglin walk in, the little boy was excited and shy at the same time, nervously pinching at his tummy."Aunty Ruan, where should I put my clothes?"
Ruan Danchen looked at Qi Youxuan putting his clothes on her bed. He kept his underwear in a separate clear bag.
At this time, Ruan Danchen felt a very unique sense of happiness—living with a son and feeling very much like a family.
"In a while, we'll go to the furniture store. Let's look for a small wardrobe for you to keep your clothes, " Ruan Danchen said."But you brought so little, is it enough?"
"If it's not enough, we can go home and grab more, " Qi Chenglin said."The house is under renovation and it's uninhabitable. But clothes can always be kept there."
Qi Youxuan was very excited. It felt like they were going to move in. Following Ruan Danchen and Qi Chenglin to the furniture store, he got to choose a small single bed that he liked. In the end, he chose a very cartoony one. They made arrangements for it to be delivered in the afternoon.
They had originally wanted to let him choose a screen, but decided to get him a shelf instead so that he could put his books and toys on them, and also use it to partition a small space for himself.
The apartment Ruan Danchen rented had limited space so the nice-looking wardrobes would not fit. They could only give Qi Youxuan a simple wardrobe and a small chest for his personal belongings since they were not particularly bulky anyways. The wardrobe was foldable, and the chest for personal belongings was not big. They put it in the boot of Qi Chenglin's car and transported it home.
Even though she knew Qi Youxuan was only living there temporarily, but being unable to buy nice furniture made Ruan Danchen felt very bad.
—
Mini scene
At the furniture store, Qi Youxuan saw a round water bed and excitedly jumped onto it. It felt like he was floating on the surface of the water, soft and cool. The fluttering feeling was extremely unique.
"Daddy, buy this big bed for your bedroom, it's so interesting!" Qi Youxuan rolled around on top of the bed, he was so happy.
One of the staff saw them and came to promote the benefits of the bed to them.
Qi Chenglin looked at the bed, and then at Ruan Danchen before saying bluntly, "This bed doesn't transfer force well."
Ruan Danchen: "..."
Salesman: "..."
A sketch within a sketch:
Qi Youxuan: "What does it mean?"
Old Man: "Your dad means he needs more monthly votes."
| ← Ch. 329 | Ch. 331 → |