Edge of A Burning Kiss - Chapter 29

Xia Jin picked up the freshly brewed medicine, took a deep breath, and walked into the bedroom.

Only to find that Song Zhijian had woken up at some point.

He was leaning against the headboard, his eyes slightly downcast, his face pale, looking utterly frail.

Song Zhijian’s eyes were slightly red, his gaze tinged with a hint of grievance and pitifulness as he asked softly, “Sister Xia Jin… are you leaving now?”

His voice was hoarse, tugging at the heartstrings.

Xia Jin’s heart instantly softened.

In Xia Jin’s mind, she had always regarded Song Zhijian as a second younger brother. Ever since Xia Ziling started high school, he no longer acted spoiled around her like he did when he was little.

But Song Zhijian was different, he always appeared fragile and pitiable in front of her, instantly reminding her of Xia Ziling’s childhood demeanor.

So it was impossible not to feel extra sympathy for him.

“Mm…” Xia Jin fell silent for a moment.

She had already agreed to pretend to be Qin Yu’s girlfriend. Now, being alone in a room with another man, just the two of them was indeed a bit inappropriate.

She regretted letting Xiao Zhi take leave now. With Song Zhijian sick and alone in the apartment, she couldn’t bear to leave him to order takeout and make do with a meal.

After hesitating for a moment, she tentatively suggested, “How about you come home with me for dinner?”

Song Zhijian: “!!!”

Was this a blessing in disguise?

Song Qianrou drove the car, occasionally glancing at Song Zhijian, who was resting with his eyes closed in the passenger seat.

Song Zhijian’s face was still pale, his mask covering most of his features, leaving only his tired eyes exposed.

This was the first time Song Qianrou had seen Xia Jin bring a work colleague home. Could it be that Song Zhijian was about to ascend to the position of her boss’s husband?

But little did she know, the real boss’s husband had already made himself at home.

Xia Jin sat in the back seat, appearing calm on the surface, but her heart was pounding. Was this really appropriate?

She tried to convince herself, Song Zhijian was just an ordinary colleague. What was wrong with bringing a sick colleague home for a meal?

Absolutely nothing! After all, Ye Tiyan used to do this all the time back in the day!

The kind-hearted him, the fragile her, the him who took her home!

But when Xia Jin stood at her doorstep with Song Zhijian, she unexpectedly hesitated.

Wouldn’t Qin Yu throw a fit when he found out?

Wait… no! She and Qin Yu were just contractual partners. What right did he have to make a scene?

Then again, wasn’t it her who proposed that neither of them should betray the other during the contract period?

But this didn’t count as betrayal, right?

Xia Jin stood at the door, tangled in her thoughts, to the point where even Song Zhijian behind her almost asked if she had forgotten the passcode.

Just then, the door suddenly opened.

Qin Yu’s strikingly handsome face instantly came into view.

Three pairs of eyes met, and silence fell.

Qin Yu had initially opened the door with a smile, but the moment he saw the masked man standing behind Xia Jin, his expression froze.

He narrowed his eyes and, in a daze, found himself laughing in exasperation at Xia Jin again.

True, Xia Jin had promised to come home for lunch, but she never specified whether she’d be coming alone.

His tone remained unchanged as he lowered his head to meet Xia Jin’s eyes. “So this is the designer you mentioned?”

Xia Jin felt a pang of guilt under his gaze and stammered, “Ah, yes. This is Song Zhijian. He’s sick, so I…”

Xia Jin’s voice grew softer as she spoke, until she finally closed her mouth and stopped explaining altogether.

Qin Yu pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth. Just as everyone thought he was about to lose his temper.

No one expected Qin Yu to simply step aside the next second.

“Well, since it’s Xia Jin’s colleague, it’s only natural to show some concern when they’re not feeling well. Mr. Song, please come in and rest.”

At this moment, Qin Yu’s magnanimity as the rightful partner was on full display.

“Thank you for your hospitality!”

Song Zhijian bowed slightly in gratitude before stepping inside alone and obediently taking a seat on the sofa.

Though Qin Yu nodded with a faint smile, he didn’t spare Song Zhijian so much as a glance as the latter passed by him.

Xia Jin also intended to follow Song Zhijian inside, but Qin Yu suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her into the hallway and pinning her against the wall.

With a thud, Xia Jin’s back hit the cold wall, the chill making her gasp.

Qin Yu’s presence closed in instantly, his warm breath brushing against her neck with a hint of danger.

Xia Jin couldn’t help but shrink back.

Qin Yu wrapped his long arms tightly around her, using his forearm to shield her lower back from the cold wall.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “What was that just now? My girlfriend bringing a male colleague home, only for me to catch them at the doorstep, hmm?”

His voice was slightly hoarse, unbearably seductive.

Xia Jin’s heartbeat instantly quickened, her cheeks growing warm.

Knowing she was in the wrong, she hurriedly explained, “I… I gave his assistant the day off today. He was alone at home, and I didn’t want to bother the assistant to come back to work, so I had no choice but to bring him here for dinner.”

She tried to stay composed, willing her racing heart to calm down.

Qin Yu raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with amusement. “Just for dinner? Not to assert dominance in front of me?”

“Does Ye Tiyan also bring Xia Zhixue over for dinner every day?”

His voice grew heavier, clearly displeased.

Xia Jin let out a surprised exclamation, her tone turning astonished. “Huh? How did you know? Ye Tiyan always brings Xia Zhixue over for meals. He told me he only sees her as-”

Qin Yu cut her off. “Just as a little sister, right? What? Are you going to say the same that you only see Song Zhijian as a younger brother?”

Xia Jin pressed her lips together, knowing she had no defense.

The air grew heavy, tension thickening between them.

Qin Yu’s face drew closer.

Xia Jin could even feel strands of his hair brushing against her forehead, tickling slightly.

She held her breath nervously, her heart pounding so hard it felt ready to burst, turning her head away to avoid his gaze.

Qin Yu reached out, gripping her chin and forcing her to look at him. “Sweetheart, you’re not doing a very good job as a girlfriend. How are you going to fool the audience on the show later?”

His thumb stroked her cheek repeatedly, his gaze half-smiling as it lingered on her moist lips.

Xia Jin watched helplessly as Qin Yu drew nearer, frozen in place without dodging.

Just as their lips were about to meet, something furry suddenly wedged itself between them.

Fanbao shoved forcefully, causing Qin Yu’s cool lips to land at the corner of Xia Jin’s mouth instead.

“Woof woof woof!”

The lightbulb dog had to show up at the worst possible moment just as the two were about to kiss and insist on wedging its nearly hundred-pound bulk right between them.

Its big head kept nuzzling against Xia Jin’s leg, its tail wagging like a rattle drum.

“Fanbao, stop squeezing in the middle!”

Qin Yu said helplessly as he made room for the dog.

He never expected that after all the buildup, the moment would be ruined by a Fanbao.