It was nine in the evening. It had become Xue Jinxu's habit to stop by Apartment 201 every night. It had been a few days since they last saw each other. The last time was that night – when Chen Linyun had suddenly poured out his emotions for this lady.

Xue Jinxu could not answer. Surely it was the same question that he had asked myriads of times in the past. It was exactly the same phrase.

But this time it had made her blush and bashful. She could not even look at his eyes.

"N-Not yet." She was gazing at the floor. After speaking with much difficulty, she glanced at him, to see how he had been. He was the same.

'Am I the only one that's so worried? That's unfair.'

Where had her dominating aura gone to? No one knew.

She was still standing at the doorway of Apartment 201. Chen Linyun grabbed her hand and led her in.

She tried to break free. "Let me go." It was soft as a whisper. She tugged at their intertwined hands.

It was only then when Chen Linyun noticed, turned his head towards her and stopped. "Sorry." He said. He freed her hand. His touch still lingered.

He went to the kitchen and prepared the food. She sat in silence, and after a few minutes, she ate, still in silence. Chen Linyun sat beside her, watching her.

It was the first time that they met after his confession. He was studying her every movement. It did not show but he was nearly getting deaf from the loud drumming of his heart. It was earsplitting. Coupled with the dead silence between them while she was eating, it was extremely unbearable.

He stood up and cleaned the table. Soon he washed the dishes. He was saddened by the awkward interaction between them. He was actually contemplating whether or not it was a good idea after all to finally confess. When suddenly…

His back tensed.

"W-What's wrong? What's the matter?" He nearly dropped the plate that he was was.h.i.+ng.

Xue Jinxu, without any noise or hint, approached him from behind and – wrapped her arms around him! Who would have thought that she'd do it?

"Nothing." Her voice was firm, unfeeling. But her hug was warm and soft and tight. Her head which she turned sideways leaned on his back. She stayed like that for a few breaths. They both held their breaths.

As abruptly as it started, she let loose of her hold on him and walked away to the living room as if nothing happened.

Chen Linyun was burning red in the face, ears, and on his back where she just hugged.

His woman was really difficult to comprehend. That's why she's his chosen woman among all others.

At the living room she called out, "How's your day? Busy with work?"

It seemed that she had recovered from the awkwardness before. Perhaps it's the works of having a full stomach from a delicious meal.

He was done was.h.i.+ng the dishes. He served the both of them tea. "We're on catch up mode. It was hectic. The team still had animosity towards me as their new leader. Some of them think I still don't know their ways. I still need to win their trust."

They shared each other's trivial things.

"En. Where's Wenbin? Still working, or asleep already?" She looked around and noticed that there wasn't any trace of him.

"Still working."

She blushed. They were alone in the apartment again.

"I better go now."

"Why?" He said. He was rather amused by her reaction. He realized that she was beginning to be affected by him, infected by him. His eyes had a hint of mirth in them. He's becoming rather playful.

He pushed his gla.s.ses upwards with his index finger then lowered his head to her head's level. "It's still too early, isn't it?" He inched his face forward.

In her panic she threw back her head which had hit the couch.

"Careful." Chen Linyun grabbed her head that b.u.mped the sofa and rubbed the point of contact. He laughed gently.

She appeared to be like a kitten who jerked because it was surprised.

'He's playing with me.' She thought. She was blus.h.i.+ng and she was feeling weak. But she decided to play along. 'Huh.' She smirked.

"You be careful." She warned. She pounced at him. Since they were on the couch and because she intentionally pushed him hard, he was thrown off-balance. She was taking control of the situation. She's now the one inching her face towards him, slowly and a bit more slowly. She was dragging it.

She was kneeling on the sofa while her paw, rather her hand was on his chest, and the other hand landed on the sofa past his head, supporting her weight. She was on all fours, ready to pounce again. He was lying on his back. They were staring at each other's deep gazes, both drowning at each other's souls. She drew nearer and nearer to his face until their faces were almost touching. Her jet black hair fell on their sides, forming a curtain.

The lady who was like a scaredy little kitten a while ago was now like a fiery lioness ready to devour her prey whole.

The man who initiated the play, was now burning red on the face, and even weak on the knees.

Then she stood up straight and laughed hard.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA." Both her arms akimbo. She was laughing hard at him.

*Ehem* *Ehem* Chen Linyun sat up at first, then stood up. His face couldn't be any redder. It seemed that their 'play' was not yet finished.

"You playing with me?" He grabbed her waist and grabbed her close.

She gasped, but sneered, "Yes!" He was surprised that she shamelessly admitted. What could he have done more?

"Huh! I concede. You win, milady." Chen Linyun freed her from his grip and shook his head. "What am I going to do with you?"

"You cannot win against me." She said confidently.

"Well, I don't have to." He gazed at her so deeply that she blushed again. She was blus.h.i.+ng so much more often lately.

"You have the answer now?" He intently inquired. The mood became serious.

She blushed again but with conviction, she said, "Not yet." She was fluttering her eyelashes and it had a maddening effect on him. He clenched his fists.

He approached her again. She cowered. He extended his hand, she closed her eyes.

The next moment, he was patting and rubbing her head again with the hand he extended earlier. He lowered his head at her eye level and said, "As long as you're thinking about it."

"It's important, but not urgent. I can wait." He kissed her on top of her head.