Chapter 13

On the way back to the base, Ji Linyu was driving.
M Province had recently been vigorously developing its tourism industry, and the nightlife was bustling. Street vendors lined the roads, with locals and tourists lingering in the market.
While waiting at a red light, Ji Linyu noticed Zhu Xinyue in the passenger seat staring intently at the night market outside the window.
"Have you had a chance to explore since arriving in M Province?" he asked.
Zhu Xinyue withdrew her gaze and shook her head gently. "No. I took a taxi directly from the airport to the training base and have been there ever since."
The traffic light turned from red to green.
The car started moving again, but instead of heading back to the training base, it turned into a nearby parking lot, smoothly reversing and coming to a stop.
Zhu Xinyue looked at the person beside her in confusion.
"I got you the night off. Let’s go, take a stroll," Ji Linyu unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car first.
Zhu Xinyue wasn’t the rigid type, she had even dared to sneak outside food into the base right under the staff’s noses. What was skipping one class?
Besides, she had the big boss backing her up. The big boss had personally approved her leave, why not make the most of it?
Zhu Xinyue pushed the car door open and stepped out.
Ji Linyu was already waiting for her by the rear of the car.
This season in M Province, the evening temperature was just right. The cool night breeze lifted her long hair, tickling her slightly. Zhu Xinyue casually tucked her hair behind her ear and quickly caught up to Ji Linyu.
There was still a short distance from the parking lot to the night market. From afar, they could already hear the lively chatter and smell the aromas of food wafting over.
Reflecting on her life so far, Zhu Xinyue had never truly enjoyed a proper trip.
As a child, family vacations would always end in arguments over trivial matters, leaving everyone unhappy. In college, she had the time but not the money. After starting work, she saved up but had no time to spare.
The sign at the entrance of the night market was written in both the local ethnic script and Chinese characters. The entire street was dedicated to tourist shopping.
To showcase the local cultural flair, even the street signs and lampposts were designed differently from what Zhu Xinyue was used to, perfectly capturing the tourist appeal and making everything seem novel to her.
Entering the night market, strings of small light bulbs stretched overhead, with most of the stalls near the entrance being food and beverage vendors.
However, Zhu Xinyue had just eaten and wasn’t interested in filling meals. Occasionally, the aroma of some snacks would catch her attention, making her stop and watch the stall attendant flip an unnamed flatbread.
“Want to try it?” If Ji Linyu hadn’t spoken, Zhu Xinyue would have almost forgotten he was still there.
Zhu Xinyue shook her head, “I just ate. It’d be such a waste if I couldn’t finish it.”
In reality, the portion wasn’t large, just a few bites would finish it.
Though her words were a refusal, her eyes were fixed on the attendant’s movements, sprinkling sesame seeds onto a thin pancake slathered in sauce, using a spatula to lift the crispy edges, rolling it up, and placing it into a paper bag, releasing a faint buttery fragrance…
Seeing her practically salivating, Ji Linyu’s lips curved slightly as he said to the attendant, “Hello, I’ll have one of the same.”
Without looking up, the attendant focused on his work, speaking with a slight local accent, “35, scan to pay.”
Zhu Xinyue’s eyes widened. For a sesame pancake roll the size of a palm, it actually cost 35 yuan? Might as well rob someone!
Forget it, if the boss wanted to eat it, she’d better not say anything to spoil the mood. Zhu Xinyue watched helplessly as Ji Linyu scanned to pay and waited with him for the attendant to finish making the pancake roll.
The attendant placed the pancake roll into a paper bag and held it out between them, waiting for one of them to take it.
Ji Linyu didn’t take it but instead looked at Zhu Xinyue.
What did that mean? Earlier, he’d made her wait for over half an hour, and she had just gotten over her irritation. Now he wanted her to hold his pancake roll for him?
Hmph! So what if he’s the boss? Well, yes, the boss is something special!
Zhu Xinyue’s mind was running a mini-drama, but in reality, under her boss’s gaze, she obediently took the “overpriced pancake roll” with both hands and stepped aside.
“Ouch… it’s so hot.” Zhu Xinyue deliberately made a pained expression, hinting for Ji Linyu to quickly take his pancake.
It was Ji Linyu’s first time buying this kind of snack from a street stall, and he had misjudged its temperature. When she showed signs of being burned, he immediately supported the bottom of the paper bag for her.
The temperature was actually just right, ideal for “eating while hot.”
Ji Linyu guessed her skin might be particularly delicate, which was why she found it so hot.
Seeing that he had a firm grip on the pancake, Zhu Xinyue let go, planning to wait for him to finish eating before moving on to the next stall.
With that motion, Ji Linyu brought the pancake to her lips.
Tempted by the food, Zhu Xinyue instinctively opened her mouth and took a bite of the fragrant pancake roll.
With that first bite, crispy bits of the pancake skin and sesame seeds scattered, while the savory-sweet sauce wrapped around fresh cucumber and perfectly grilled meat. It was neither too greasy nor too bland, everything was just right.
So it was bought for her to eat.
Chew, chew, chew, so delicious!
Savoring the delicious food, Zhu Xinyue’s gaze traveled up from Boss Ji’s wrist to glance at him. Seeing he was still staring at her, her heartbeat quickened. She lowered her eyes and took the pancake roll from his hand.
After swallowing the food, she commented, “It’s tasty.”
Ji Linyu waited until she had a firm grip on the pancake before letting go. “No rush, take your time eating.”
Even as she said this, she wasn’t someone accustomed to making others wait for her. Zhu Xinyue held the paper bag of her wrap, finishing the palm-sized snack in just a few bites.
When she looked up at him again, both of her cheeks were stuffed full.
Zhu Xinyue noticed what seemed to be sesame seeds stuck at the corner of her lips. After swallowing her food, she was about to ask a shop assistant for a napkin when a clean packet of tissues was handed to her from the side.
"...Thank you." Zhu Xinyue took the tissues from Ji Linyu, wiping her lips.
When you eat from someone’s hand, your words soften; when you take from someone’s hand, your arm shortens.
Zhu Xinyue switched into praise mode, "The boss is so thoughtful, even bringing tissues when going out."
She remembered the last time he had used a soft handkerchief to wipe her tears.
Ji Linyu: "Mm, just in case someone uses my coat to wipe their tears again."
Zhu Xinyue caught the teasing in his tone and pretended to glare at him in mock anger. Boldly confiscating his tissues, she then headed toward the next shop.
Ji Linyu watched her light-footed retreating figure, the corners of his lips lifting as he strode to catch up with her.
The night market had reached its peak, and the crowd was growing thicker.
On the narrow street, with the central streetlamp and benches for passersby to rest as boundaries, the flow of people on both sides no longer allowed companions to walk side by side.
Zhu Xinyue overheard some passing tourists saying that there was a professional performance team at the square, a once-a-week event, only on Sunday nights. Watching the show would make the trip worthwhile, so she decided to join in the excitement.
But the path had narrowed, with customers queuing in front of stalls and tourists moving in the opposite direction. She could only squeeze through the gaps with difficulty.
Zhu Xinyue shielded herself, avoiding contact with strangers. She sidestepped past a portly tourist and a shop with a long queue, about to continue forward when suddenly, someone grabbed her left wrist.
She turned around and met a pair of ink-dark eyes.
The people around her blurred into indistinct mosaics, but the man before her stood out vividly. His eyes were steeped in the deep hues of night, his brows slightly furrowed. Only after confirming she was fine did his expression relax.
Ji Linyu didn’t let go of her hand, stepping closer to her.
"It’s too crowded. I’ll walk ahead. Let me know if you want to stop."
This time, he took the lead through the bustling crowd.
With Ji Linyu, nearly 1.9 meters tall, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted like a model, clearing the way, Zhu Xinyue found it much easier.
Perhaps to match her pace, Ji Linyu didn’t walk too fast. Zhu Xinyue could have leisurely browsed the surroundings, but she no longer had the heart to look at the stalls around her.
His palm completely encircled her wrist, the man’s hand scorching hot against the back of her hand, as if she, too, were about to catch fire.
Gazing at his tall figure, Zhu Xinyue felt her cheeks grow warm for some reason. She placed her other hand over her chest, feeling her heart thumping wildly inside.
She hoped this stretch of the road would pass quickly, lest he feel her racing pulse and notice something amiss.
They walked like this for a while, until Ji Linyu, who was ahead, gradually slowed his pace and turned to look at her.
Zhu Xinyue snapped back to attention immediately.
"Am I walking too fast? Do you want to stop and look around?" Ji Linyu had never strolled through a night market with anyone before, or, to be precise, he had never gone shopping with anyone. He didn’t know what pace to set or when to walk or stop. Seeing that she hadn’t shown any intention of stopping, he turned to ask.
Zhu Xinyue shook her head. "I..."
Her voice was still a bit tight as she spoke.
"Ahem." She cleared her throat. "I want to check out the square up ahead."
"Alright." Ji Linyu took her hand again and continued forward, this time quickening his pace. Having a destination made things easier.
Zhu Xinyue pursed her lips, suddenly wishing this part of the walk wouldn’t end so soon.
She couldn’t quite figure out what she was thinking; her mind was a mess, and her vision was completely filled by his presence.
Whether she wanted it to be fast or slow, the street wasn’t long, and they soon emerged from the entrance into the open central square.
The crowd in the square surrounded the central performance area in layers, and latecomers could only catch glimpses of the performing troupe through the gaps, dancers in brightly colored costumes, beating drums and gongs, with bells tied to their wrists and ankles as they performed a traditional folk dance.
Even after leaving the street, Ji Linyu still hadn’t let go of her wrist.
Zhu Xinyue’s ears tinged slightly red, and she wondered whether she should remind him.
Before she could speak, he led her toward the spectator stands, where there were fewer people.
The stands were some distance from the center of the square. Though not as good as the spots right below, they had the advantage of being less crowded and even had seats.
It wasn’t until they reached the stands and sat down that Ji Linyu finally released Zhu Xinyue’s wrist.
A cool evening breeze blew, dispersing the clouds that had obscured the moon, and the bright moonlight spilled over the stands.
Ji Linyu had initially intended to ask Zhu Xinyue if she wanted to move to a different spot, as the music from the performance seemed faint from here. But when he turned, he caught sight of the faint blush at the tips of her ears.
Against her fair skin, that touch of red was as striking as red plum blossoms in the snow.
He instinctively clenched his palm slightly but said nothing, quietly averting his gaze.
Zhu Xinyue leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees and cupping her face in her hands, pretending to watch the distant performance. Her eyes followed the troupe’s shifting formations and the dancers’ spins and leaps, but her thoughts had already drifted far away.
She thought to herself, The big boss is only holding my hand because I didn’t bring my phone, and he’s afraid I’ll get lost. He said he has no other intentions toward me. Ji Qingyuan also said that his brother is just kind to everyone, and I shouldn’t misunderstand. Ji Linyu is just a good person, compassionate, unable to bear seeing others suffer, it’s the same with everyone.
With that thought, the heat in Zhu Xinyue’s cheeks gradually subsided, and she focused on the performance.
Ji Linyu wasn’t particularly interested in the performance. He had seen similar ones before, or even better ones.
He sat beside her, from his perspective, he could only see her profile. Whenever the evening breeze blew over, her long hair would flutter up, covering the side of her face. The ends of her hair traced a soft arc before falling back, revealing her profile clearly once again.
It was like playing hide-and-seek.
Zhu Xinyue watched a dancer spin around continuously, twirling on the spot while circling the inner ring of the audience, her skirt billowing beautifully. She straightened up and applauded along with the crowd below.
The moment she moved, Ji Linyu withdrew his gaze and looked toward the performing team below.
The dancer bowed and exited the stage, making way for the next performance, the choir.
As the musical prelude began, Zhu Xinyue excitedly shared with Ji Linyu beside her, "I've learned this song before. We sang it in a choir competition back in the day."
Ji Linyu watched her animated expression, and his mood lifted along with hers, becoming more cheerful.
Zhu Xinyue softly sang along with the choir below: "...How beautiful the night is, it captivates my heart, on this enchanting evening..."
She closed her eyes, completely relaxed, her hands propped behind her, leaning back. Her shoulder bumped against Ji Linyu beside her, and she turned to look at him.
Ji Linyu asked, "Are you happy?"
Zhu Xinyue nodded, "Very happy! I never thought being the boss's employee came with perks like this!"
Her eyes curved into crescents, her smile exceptionally sweet.
"Not a perk."
Zhu Xinyue was taken aback, and in her daze, he had already shifted his gaze to the choir in the distance.
The song happened to reach the next verse: "My beloved sits beside me, secretly watching me without a word..."
Zhu Xinyue's heart thumped against her chest.
She stared at him and asked, "If it's not an employee perk, then what is it?"
The night was quiet, and he turned back to meet her gaze.
Silver moonlight lingered in his eyes, and a faint smile played on his lips.
"I'm coaxing you."