Edge of A Burning Kiss - Chapter 5

The doorbell kept ringing incessantly.

“Coming! Coming! Stop rushing me!!” Xia Jin hastily hid the wine bottle and jogged to the door.

Fanbao, equally excited, scampered alongside her, looking as if he were about to burst into joyful tears at the sight of family.

Xia Jin guiltily cracked the door open a sliver, only to see Xia Ziling standing there with a stern face, holding a bag of medicine and glaring coldly at her.

Xia Jin forced an awkward laugh and fully opened the door, only to realize there was someone else standing behind Xia Ziling.

Xie Qiran waved at her from behind Xia Ziling. “Xiao Jin, long time no see! I told you I spotted someone who looked just like you at noon, so I asked Ziling about it. Turns out, it really was you.”

Xia Ziling nodded in agreement. “I ran into Brother Qiran while waiting for a ride in the evening. It was too late to get a taxi, so he offered to drop me off.”

“Oh? Director Xie, thank you for going out of your way to bring Ziling home.”

“No trouble at all. We’re all like family here. Besides, I wanted to check in and see how you’re doing.”

Inside the house, Qin Yu, who had overheard the conversation, felt his alarm bells ringing.

Who the hell is this guy? He’s already calling them “Xiao Jin” and “Ziling”? Aside from Ye Tiyan, there’s another rival I missed?!

As a man himself, Qin Yu knew exactly what Xie Qiran was up to.

Helping Ziling get home? Please. This is clearly a case of “the drinker’s heart is not in the cup”!

Before Xia Jin could thank Xie Qiran, Qin Yu suddenly appeared at the door, pushing her aside.

With practiced ease, Qin Yu took the medicine bag from Xia Ziling’s hands and gripped his hand tightly, forcing a handshake. “Ziling, it’s been years! Look how tall you’ve gotten!”

Xia Ziling: “???”

Of course, Xia Ziling recognized Qin Yu, he’d seen Xia Jin mercilessly bully him back in high school more than once.

But why was Qin Yu at his sister’s place now?

Pushed against the shoe rack, Xia Jin stared at Qin Yu in disbelief. Why are you so excited about my brother showing up?

Qin Yu then turned to Xie Qiran. “Thank you for bringing our dear Ziling home. It’s quite a trip, why don’t you come in for some tea before you go?”

Xie Qiran remained unflappable, replying with his usual grace, “That sounds lovely. Thank you for your hospitality.”

He didn’t care why this man was in Xia Jin’s home. As long as she wasn’t married, he still had a chance.

Xia Jin clenched her teeth, barely holding back a scathing remark. Dude, do you really think this is your house now? You’re even playing host to my guests?!

Qin Yu patted Xia Jin’s head with exaggerated familiarity. “Why are you just standing there? Go grab some slippers for them.”

With outsiders present, Xia Jin had no choice but to mentally note this offense for later. She pointed at her own head and whispered to Xie Qiran, “Don’t mind him, he’s got a few screws loose.”

Xie Qiran smiled. “No worries.”

So Xia Jin isn’t actually with Qin Yu. No need to take him seriously.

Qin Yu, now fully embodying the role of the man of the house, stood by the fridge and asked, “What would you like to drink? Jasmine tea, oolong, or aged pu’erh?”

Xia Ziling’s lips twitched, he knew exactly what those “teas” really were. “Jasmine tea.”

Xie Qiran politely added, “I’ll have the same as Ziling.”

Qin Yu brought over two bottles of jasmine tea and set them on the coffee table. “Enjoy.”

Xia Jin noticed a slight twitch at the corner of Xie Qiran’s lips. As the deputy director of the hospital, Xie Qiran certainly hadn’t expected Xia Jin’s home to have Oriental Leaf tea.

Nevertheless, he politely said thank you and accepted the jasmine tea.

Xia Ziling didn’t like pets. Fanbao circled around him again and again but failed to catch his attention. With its tail drooping, it plopped down between Xia Ziling and Xie Qiran.

Xie Qiran reached out to pet Fanbao, but the dog suddenly stood up, dodged his hand, and resolutely trotted over to Qin Yu’s legs instead.

Qin Yu’s thin lips curled slightly as he watched Xie Qiran’s failed attempt. The cans he’d been secretly feeding Fanbao these past few days hadn’t gone to waste.

Xie Qiran calmly withdrew his hand, his smile unfaltering, as if nothing had happened.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Xia Jin was just about to say something when Xie Qiran spoke first.

“Hello, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Xie Qiran. I work at Beijing Affiliated Hospital.”

“Qin Yu.” Qin Yu handed Xie Qiran a business card. “Feel free to come to the Qin Group if you have any issues.”

Xie Qiran’s gaze darkened slightly. He hadn’t expected this man to be Qin Yu, the only son and sole heir of the Qin family.

Meanwhile, Qin Yu’s eyes were equally profound. Xie Qiran and Xia Ziling both worked at Beijing Affiliated Hospital and were so familiar with Xia Jin. Didn’t that give him the advantage of proximity?

Their eyes met briefly before both quickly looked away.

One glance was enough to confirm, this was a formidable rival.

The clock in Xia Jin’s home chimed once. She glanced at it. “It’s already eleven.”

Xie Qiran stood up. “It’s late, so I won’t disturb you any further, Xia Jin. Ziling, are you…?”

Xia Jin said, “It’s already eleven. Ziling, just stay here tonight. I’ll drive you to work tomorrow morning.”

Xia Ziling had no objections. “Sure.”

Xia Jin glanced at Qin Yu. “No need for me to see you out, President Qin. Your car is downstairs.”

Qin Yu leisurely followed Xia Jin to the door before speaking in a deliberately unhurried tone. “Oh, I forgot to mention, I live in 602. Right next door to you.”

“Huh?” Xia Jin’s voice rose in disbelief. “Since when did you move in next to me?”

Qin Yu unlocked the fingerprint scanner of Unit 602 right in front of her. “Since now.”

Xia Jin suddenly recalled her earlier question. No wonder the security guard had let Qin Yu in, he was also a homeowner in Sheng’an.

She felt a vein throbbing at her temple. “What are you doing living in Sheng’an for no reason?”

Qin Yu leaned against the wall, grinning lazily. “Sheng’an is great. Beautiful scenery, beautiful surroundings… and beautiful people.”

Xia Jin couldn’t be bothered to engage. She rolled her eyes at him dramatically.

“Ziling, why don’t you walk Xie Qiran downstairs?”

Xie Qiran smiled warmly. “No need. You should head back inside. The hallway is cold, wouldn’t want you to catch a chill.”

With that, he gave her a final smile and stepped into the elevator.

Qin Yu stood there with his arms crossed, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Tonight’s tea at President Xia’s was quite enlightening. I hope we can maintain good neighborly relations in the future-”

Before he could finish, Xia Jin expressionlessly pulled Xia Ziling inside and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

Qin Yu narrowed his eyes, his deep gaze carrying a mix of playfulness and intrigue as he stared at Unit 601 for a long moment. Then, he grinned.

No matter. Xia Jin, we have plenty of time ahead.

At home, Xia Jin sat obediently on the sofa, hands properly placed on her knees as she listened to Xia Ziling speak.

For every sentence Xia Ziling uttered, Xia Jin would nod vigorously and say, “Right,” “Okay,” “No problem.”

Finally, Xia Ziling let out a long sigh. “Sis, you really need to take a break. You can’t keep pushing yourself like this.”

Xia Jin replied, “Next month, I’ll have Song Qianrou take over Stellar Cube for me. I’ve signed up for a variety show, it’ll be a good chance to give myself a vacation.”

“Oh? Which show? Is it Stellar Cube’s latest teaser, The Long Journey?”

Xia Ziling didn’t usually pay much attention to the entertainment industry, but he would carefully click through every Weibo post Xia Jin shared.

Xia Jin shook her head. “No, it’s Almost Lovers from Lelai, a dating show.”

Xia Ziling fell silent for a moment. “Well, that’s fine too. You’re already twenty-six, sis. It’s good to join a dating show, see if there’s anyone suitable.”

Xia Jin chuckled. “Silly kid, dating shows are all fake. Even if people really end up together, it’s usually for ulterior motives. Of course, I’m talking about most cases.”

Xia Ziling didn’t understand the twists and turns of the entertainment industry. He couldn’t fathom why someone would date a person they didn’t like just for fame and clout.

But he wanted Xia Jin to be happy.

“If you can’t find someone you like, forget it, don’t force yourself. But I still think Brother Shen Du would be a good choice.”

Xia Jin shot him a sharp glare, and Xia Ziling quickly shut his mouth and changed the subject. “Sis, how did you run into Qin Yu today…?”

Xia Jin explained in a few words, deliberately omitting the part about He Zimo and her fainting.

Xia Ziling nodded thoughtfully. “So, what do you think of Qin Yu?”

Xia Jin eyed him suspiciously but answered anyway. “Not bad-looking, powerful, and no scandals to his name.”

“What about Brother Qiran?”

Xia Jin frowned. “I don’t like dealing with people like him. He’s too calculating, always composed no matter what happens. You can never tell what he’s thinking.”

She looked at Xia Ziling seriously. “I know Xie Qiran is your senior, but he climbed from an ordinary person to vice president of the affiliated hospital. There are things you can’t overlook.”

“I don’t object to you interacting with him normally, but remember, it never hurts to be cautious.”

Xia Ziling nodded. He knew Xia Jin would never steer him wrong. “I’ll be careful.”

“Alright, go to bed now!” Xia Jin stood up and ruffled his hair. “Seems like you’ve grown taller, Xiao Ling.”

Xia Jin returned to the master bedroom and locked the door. Without turning on the lights, she walked to the balcony and fished out a pack of cigarettes hidden in the corner of a potted plant.

Leaning against the railing, she squinted into the autumn breeze before pulling out a slender cigarette with her teeth.

When had she started smoking?

She used to hate the smell of cigarettes.

It must have been back when she first graduated from college and started her business, pulling investors, scouting talent, fighting for resources. Every day was a relentless grind.

Back then, Song Qianrou worried she’d collapse not from exhaustion, but from smoking too much.

Later, Xia Ziling and Song Qianrou insisted she quit, so Xia Jin had no choice but to stash a pack secretly by the balcony plants.

She pulled out a lighter, but after clicking it several times, it wouldn’t light.

Probably been sitting too long, the lighter was out of fuel.

Xia Jin clicked her tongue in annoyance and turned back to her bedroom, searching for a while but failing to find another lighter. Reluctantly, she prepared to put the cigarette back.

She returned to the balcony only to find Qin Yu standing on the adjacent balcony of Unit 602.

Qin Yu stood there like the indifferent winter sunlight, lazy and aloof or like the faint starlight of an autumn night, distant and detached.

One hand rested on the windowsill, his slender fingers holding a cigarette, its tip glowing a deep red.

Xia Jin turned on her balcony light, the sudden brightness making Qin Yu squint.

Once his eyes adjusted and he recognized Xia Jin, the coldness in his gaze instantly melted into amusement.

Xia Jin whistled at him playfully, as if teasing a young girl. “Mind lending me a light?”

The window facing Unit 602 was often left open for ventilation. She naturally reached out, asking for his lighter.

Qin Yu glanced at the cigarette between her lips and chuckled softly before opening his window and extending his hand.

Then, he gave her outstretched palm a firm slap.

“No. No smoking this late at night.”

Xia Jin protested, pointing at the cigarette in Qin Yu’s hand. “Why can you smoke, but I can’t?”

Qin Yu replied nonchalantly, “Oh? Well, who told you not to have a lighter?”

Xia Jin gritted her teeth in frustration. Rubbing her stinging hand, she suddenly noticed some food crumbs near the windowsill.

As a responsible pet owner, she immediately recognized them as remnants of pet food.

It all clicked, no wonder Fanbao had taken to Qin Yu so quickly the first time they met. Turns out, he’d been secretly feeding Fanbao while she was away.

Heartbroken, Xia Jin looked up and scolded him, “Do you know how fat Fanbao has gotten?! You’ve been feeding him meat cans! If no female dogs like him anymore, are you going to be the one comforting him when he’s heartbroken?!”

Caught red-handed, Qin Yu guiltily rubbed the tip of his nose. “I didn’t feed him that much…”

Xia Jin scoffed. “Do you know how much weight Fanbao gained this week? Six pounds! A whole six pounds! He’s already ninety-six pounds now!”

Qin Yu refused to take the blame. “That’s definitely because you never walk him. Lack of exercise is the reason.”

Xia Jin sneered. “Bullshit! I have someone walk him every single day.”

Finally left speechless, Qin Yu fell silent for a moment before turning and heading back inside.

“Huh?”

Confused, Xia Jin thought he was fleeing from accountability until she saw him return with a box in hand.

“I really didn’t feed him much,” Qin Yu said, handing the box to her. “Just two cans a day.”

Xia Jin took it. “The balconies are at least five and a half feet apart. How did you even feed Fanbao?”

Qin Yu picked up a stand on his balcony, its front end designed to hold items. He sighed. “I even collected the cans afterward. Who knew the dog was such a messy eater?”

Xia Jin couldn’t help but laugh. “This box looks fancy. What’s inside?”

Qin Yu replied, “Open it and see.”

When Xia Jin unwrapped the package, she was met with an array of exquisitely crafted osmanthus cakes.

For a moment, she froze, staring silently at the cakes, feeling her eyes grow moist.

Qin Yu looked at Xia Jin, whose eyes were slightly red, and spoke with a hint of panic, “Why are you crying? Back in high school, I remember you staring at Yunman’s osmanthus cakes for the longest time. I thought you liked them.”

The Yunman brand had become popular during Xia Jin’s high school years, expensive, something the wealthy kids often bought and ate.

But in reality, even the smallest box only cost around a hundred yuan.

Xia Jin, however, had never tasted them once. Partly because she couldn’t afford them, and partly because of other reasons.

Xia Jin sniffled. “Actually, I don’t like osmanthus cakes.”

“If you don’t like them, forget it. Tomorrow I’ll take you to buy something else-”

Before Qin Yu could finish, she saw Xia Jin casually pick up a piece of osmanthus cake from the box and pop it into her mouth.