Can't Hide My Love for You - Chapter 33

Having just woken from a nap, Cheng Yixin felt quite refreshed. She sat up and leaned against the headboard. Touching her forehead, she couldn’t tell if her fever had broken, but her back felt damp and uncomfortable from sweat.

She decided to take a shower. Just as she lifted the covers, Chi Yi returned, standing at the door with a plate of sliced apples.

“Where are you going?” Chi Yi asked.

“I sweated a bit; I want to wash up,” Cheng Yixin said, looking down at her clothes from earlier that day. “It’s uncomfortable to sleep like this.”

“Wait, take your temperature first.” Chi Yi walked to the bedside, set the fruit down, and pulled a thermometer from her pocket.

Seeing Chi Yi unwrap the thermometer and hand it over, Cheng Yixin couldn’t help but laugh. “Why are you carrying a thermometer around with you?”

Chi Yi glanced at her. “If you didn’t get sick, I wouldn’t have to.”

Knowing she was in the wrong, Cheng Yixin cleared her throat and sat on the edge of the bed to take her temperature.

“Eat some apples. You need the vitamins.” During the wait, Chi Yi pushed the fruit plate toward her. She had even thoughtfully provided toothpicks.

“Oh,” Yixin replied, picking up a piece. “I don’t like the skin on apples, though.”

“Why?”

“It feels astringent.” She took a bite anyway; the apple was crisp and juicy. Even if she didn’t like the skin, it wasn’t a deal-breaker.

Without a word, Chi Yi left the room again. Cheng Yixin looked after her curiously but didn’t ask. Bored, she checked her phone. Her friend Song Zheng had messaged her about the Ice Bucket Challenge video, asking if she really used ice water.

[Cheng Yixin]: Yeah, and thanks to that bucket of water, I successfully caught a fever.

Song Zheng replied instantly with a laughing emoji.

[Song Zheng]: You’re way too honest.

[Cheng Yixin]: ???

[Song Zheng]: Do you know how most actors handle that challenge? They use lukewarm water and fake ice cubes. You can’t tell the difference in a two-second video. Everyone in the industry knows it’s a trick. I can’t believe you actually used real ice!

Cheng Yixin stared at the screen, her mind blank.

“What are you looking at? You look stunned,” Chi Yi said, returning with a paring knife.

Cheng Yixin showed her the chat. “I’m genuinely heartbroken.”

Chi Yi arched an eyebrow. “Regretting the bucket of ice water?”

“No,” Yixin paused. “I’m just wondering how many more ‘surprises’ the entertainment industry has for me. Even a game can be cheated on…”

“Don’t worry about them.” Chi Yi smiled. As she spoke, she had already peeled a slice of apple and handed it over. “Here.”

Cheng Yixin was caught off guard. She didn’t take it immediately.

“Not eating?” Chi Yi asked. “Didn’t you say you don’t like the skin?”

“I don’t.” She took the peeled slice. It was sweet, crisp, and perfect. “I thought you were going to give me a lecture about how the skin has all the nutrients. My mom always called me picky for peeling them.”

“If you want to eat it, eat it. If you don’t, don’t. Peeled or unpeeled, it doesn’t matter,” Chi Yi said matter-of-factly.

Cheng Yixin burst out laughing. “Was that a tongue twister? But… I like your attitude.”

Once the apples were finished, the thermometer beeped. 37.3°C.

“The fever is down,” Chi Yi noted, frowning slightly. “Go ahead and shower, but don’t stay in too long. Keep warm, and do not wash your hair.”

“Why so strict?”

Chi Yi replied seriously, “I looked it up online. You can shower if it’s under 38°C as long as you stay warm. Over 38°C, you should only use a damp cloth.”

The sight of the all-powerful President Chi consulting the internet for medical advice was too much; Cheng Yixin let out a laugh. “Alright, I’m going.”

She hurried into the bathroom and stripped, but realized halfway through her shower that she had forgotten her pajamas. I’ll just ask Chi Yi to grab them, she thought.

Perhaps it was the hot water, but her head felt heavy. She turned off the shower, but as she stepped out, her foot slipped.

Thud!

“Ah—!” Cheng Yixin cried out, collapsing onto the floor. Pain flared in her knee, and tears pricked her eyes. She tried to grab a towel but couldn’t stand. “Chi Yi!”

Three seconds later, there was a knock. “Did you forget your clothes?”

Cheng Yixin whimpered, feeling a sudden wave of vulnerability. “I fell…”

The door opened instantly. Chi Yi froze for a split second seeing Yixin unclothed, but she moved quickly, grabbing a bath towel and wrapping it around Yixin’s body.

“Where are you hurt? Is there blood?” Chi Yi asked, her brow furrowed with worry.

“No blood. My foot slipped, and I hit my knee.”

“Let me help you up…”

As Chi Yi grabbed her arm, she paused. “Hold onto me.”

Cheng Yixin wrapped her arms around Chi Yi’s shoulders, and Chi Yi lifted her from the cold tiles. As they moved, the towel slipped slightly. Cheng Yixin felt a flush of shame and tried to pull it up, but she noticed Chi Yi was staring strictly upward, refusing to look down.

Chi Yi practically tucked her into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. “Which leg? Let me see if it’s serious.”

This “gentlemanly” reaction left Yixin feeling a bit defeated. Was her figure that unappealing? Was Chi Yi treating her like some sort of beast to be avoided?

“The right one,” Yixin said, lying flat. “It hurts too much to move. See for yourself.”

Chi Yi carefully rolled up the bottom of the quilt, inch by inch, terrified of seeing something she shouldn’t. “It’s red. I need to apply ointment, or it’ll bruise tomorrow. I have some at my place; I’ll be right back.”

She vanished like a gust of wind.

Left alone, Cheng Yixin picked up her phone and messaged Song Zheng.

[Cheng Yixin]: Quick question. If two people are in an “ambiguous” relationship, and one person ends up naked due to unforeseen circumstances, but the other person doesn’t react or even want to look… what does that mean?

Song Zheng’s gossip senses tingled.

[Song Zheng]: Who is it?! [Cheng Yixin]: …A friend. [Song Zheng]: Oh, simple. Either they aren’t actually interested and are just stringing your friend along, or… they’re shy? Or maybe your friend has a bad figure? If it’s already ambiguous, just ask!

Cheng Yixin pondered this. She exercised regularly and had a great figure—people told her that all the time! She refused to believe Chi Yi wasn’t attracted to her.

Ten minutes later, Chi Yi returned with a jar of green ointment. “Can I apply the medicine?”

“Mhm.”

Chi Yi lifted the quilt halfway, but in 0.01 seconds, she slammed it back down. Her calm facade cracked. “Why haven’t you put clothes on yet?!”

Cheng Yixin propped herself up on one elbow. “You didn’t tell me to.”

“…” Chi Yi was speechless. “Put them on first.”

“Wait,” Cheng Yixin commanded. “Is my figure bad?”

“It’s great,” Chi Yi said, nodding.

“Then why do you look so disgusted?” According to every romance novel Yixin had read, this should be the moment of intense tension and undeniable attraction.

“I saw you,” Chi Yi admitted, her ears turning bright red. “But I’m not a pervert. You’re sick and in pain; staring at you would be disrespectful. It’s not like I won’t see you again in the future—do I have to be ‘in the heat’ right now? Besides… I’m shy, okay?”

Now it was Cheng Yixin’s turn to be speechless.

Who wouldn’t fall for someone with such principles and boundaries?

After Yixin changed into a nightgown, Chi Yi massaged the ointment into her knee. It hurt so much Yixin nearly cried, but Chi Yi didn’t stop until the swelling was addressed.

As Yixin lay there grumbling about her bad luck, her phone chimed. Chi Yi had sent her two digital red envelopes.

“One is 200 yuan, the other is 2 yuan. Let’s see if you’re lucky enough to pick the big one.”

“I’m not playing,” Yixin pouted. “If I get the two yuan, I won’t be able to sleep.”

“Try it. If you get the 200, it’ll balance out today’s bad luck.”

Yixin clicked one. It was the 200. She beamed. “Maybe my luck isn’t so bad after all.”

Just as they settled into bed, Chi Yi’s phone rang. It was her cousin, Feng Siqi.

“Sister! It’s Yike’s birthday! You promised to come but bailed. You can’t be busy now. Come out for late-night snacks and watch the sunrise with us!”

Chi Yi glanced at Cheng Yixin. “I have work tomorrow.”

“Bullshit! It’s the weekend!” Siqi whined. “You’re a lonely old soul with no nightlife. Maybe you don’t have a nightlife because you sleep so early! Come play!”

Chi Yi hesitated, trying to think of a polite refusal. To Yixin, that hesitation looked like she was considering leaving.

Feeling a surge of annoyance at the voice on the other end, Cheng Yixin sat up, grabbed Chi Yi’s collar, and pulled her into a kiss.

“Hello? Sister? Are you there?”

There’s your nightlife, Yixin thought.

Chi Yi hung up the phone immediately.

When they finally broke apart, Cheng Yixin smirked. “So, you had plans tonight?”

“Siqi’s friend’s birthday. I sent a gift already.”

“What did you send?”

“A ‘Starry Sky Bear’ lamp. Siqi said her friend liked them.”

Yixin noted that those designer bears were expensive. President Chi was generous. “If you bought the gift, why didn’t you go?”

“Because you are more important to me,” Chi Yi said simply. “I needed to be here for you. Why would I leave an opening for someone else to show you kindness instead of me?”

Cheng Yixin was satisfied with that answer. They lay down in the dark, the moonlight casting soft shadows across the room. Eventually, Yixin moved closer, resting her head against Chi Yi’s collarbone. Listening to the steady thrum of Chi Yi’s heart, she drifted off to sleep.

The Next Morning

Cheng Yixin woke up to her manager, Li Wenjing, calling to give her the morning off. Since it was the weekend, Chi Yi invited her to visit the office.

“You left these at my place,” Yixin said, handing Chi Yi the earrings she had forgotten.

“I don’t have a mirror; I can’t put them on,” Chi Yi lied smoothly.

Yixin got the hint. She leaned in, tucked Chi Yi’s hair behind her ear, and carefully hooked the earrings in.

“Does your knee hurt?” Chi Yi asked.

“A bit. It’s fine.”

“I’ll apply more medicine tonight.”

“Just say you want to come over to my place,” Yixin teased.

“I want to come over tonight and watch TV with you,” Chi Yi admitted, her eyes full of warmth.

They spent the morning at “Yixin Commerce.” Yixin was impressed—Chi Yi didn’t just manage a mall; she ran a massive trade and investment corporation. While Chi Yi worked, Yixin napped on the office sofa.

Later, during a quick lunch, Li Wenjing called with news.

“Two things,” Wenjing said. “First, Interstellar Odyssey and Han Lian had a falling out. They called and want you for the lead. What do you think?”

“Tell them no,” Yixin said firmly. “I want to win awards, but I won’t be someone’s ‘fallback’ after being rejected once.”

“Fair enough. The good news? The luxury brand Gris is willing to provide your gowns for free. They want you as a ‘Friend of the Brand’ for their upcoming product launch.”

“Gris?!” Yixin was shocked. She looked at Chi Yi. “We couldn’t even rent from them before. Chi Yi, did you do this?”

Chi Yi smiled as she drove. “If I had negotiated for you, I would have gotten you the ‘Brand Ambassador’ title, not just ‘Friend of the Brand.’ You’re underestimating me.”

Cheng Yixin laughed. “Yes, yes, President Chi is the best.”

When Chi Yi dropped her off at her work van, Yixin saw her assistant, Xiao Yu, scrolling through her phone.

“What are you looking at?”

“A friend got fined by customs for a toy,” Xiao Yu said. “Those ‘Starry Sky Bears’ are trending. They cost over 10,000 yuan each and are sold out everywhere. People are making a fortune reselling them.”

Starry Sky Bear… the gift Chi Yi gave that girl.

Cheng Yixin narrowed her eyes. “Your friend is selling them? Order ten for me.”

“Ten?!” Xiao Yu gasped. “You said they were a waste of money! Why ten?”

“Just do it,” Yixin said, her competitive streak flaring. “It’s a matter of pride!”