696: Chapter 685: The Timid Young Girl 696: Chapter 685: The Timid Young Girl “Morning, you silly idiot…”
Xu Xiaoqing yawned as she emerged from the room, rubbing her bleary eyes with a listless air—she clearly hadn’t slept well the night before.
As soon as she came out, she saw Ning Fan already dressed and instinctively greeted him.
“Oh oh oh…”
Ning Fan watched Xu Xiaoqing somewhat awkwardly, raising his hand with a stiff smile on his face.
Xu Xiaoqing was still somewhat groggy.
Although she had left Ning Fan’s room contentedly last night, she hadn’t slept well after returning to her room.
Out of embarrassment from doing such a bold thing, her mind remained excited until it finally calmed down in the wee hours.
She could still sense something odd about Ning Fan’s expression, but her mind wasn’t fully awake yet, so she didn’t dwell on it.
Seeing Xu Xiaoqing’s groggy state, Ning Fan gave a wry smile.
He wanted to say something but hesitated, not knowing how to greet Xu Xiaoqing, especially knowing all too well what she had done last night.
Xu Xiaoqing, still thinking Ning Fan was unaware, didn’t think much of it.
She walked downstairs in her nightgown and sat dumbly at the dining table, propping up her chin and squinting her eyes as if she could fall asleep at any moment.
“Xiaoqing, did you sleep poorly last night?”
Xu Ruolan asked with concern, looking at the groggy Xu Xiaoqing.
The girl nodded and then shook her head, suddenly starting to giggle when she saw Ning Fan.
This confused Xu Ruolan completely; she thought her sister might be feverish or something was wrong with her, immediately placing her hand on Xu Xiaoqing’s forehead to check her temperature.
“You don’t have a fever…
What time did you finally go to bed last night?”
Her temperature was normal.
Xu Xiaoqing didn’t have a fever; she was just still sleepy.
Xu Ruolan shook her head helplessly, wondering what Xu Xiaoqing was up to last night that she was so out of it this morning.
Xu Xiaoqing rubbed her eyes, seeming a bit more awake.
She blinked and suddenly her face turned red.
Covering her face, she lowered her head, looking like a child who had done something wrong, unable to meet Xu Ruolan’s gaze while also stealing glances at Ning Fan.
Seeing her finally wake up, Ning Fan instantly perked up.
The girl was so shy now.
It seemed best not to bring up last night’s incident.
Last night’s event was known only to Heaven, Earth, Ning Fan, and Xu Xiaoqing.
Even Xu Ruolan wouldn’t be told by Ning Fan; it would remain their little secret.
Moreover, Ning Fan knew that exposing this incident would absolutely lead to a fierce reaction from the girl.
So, at this moment, Ning Fan remained impassive, his face giving nothing away.
“What’s wrong?
Do you feel unwell?”
Xu Ruolan asked, seeing Xu Xiaoqing suddenly burying her head in a strange fashion.
Feeling her sister’s concern, Xu Xiaoqing felt even more embarrassed and couldn’t raise her head.
Her mind was filled with the events of last night—she had acted so foolishly.
For Xu Xiaoqing, the thrill was intense, and considering the intimate nature of Ning Fan and Xu Ruolan’s relationship, going behind her sister’s back like that made Xu Xiaoqing unable to face her sister now.
“No, nothing.
I just didn’t sleep well last night!”
Xu Xiaoqing rubbed her cheeks vigorously, forcing herself to calm down, and lifted her head, avoiding the gazes of both Xu Ruolan and Ning Fan as much as possible.
Xu Ruolan didn’t think much of it, assuming Xu Xiaoqing indeed had just not slept well.
She reminded her sister to go to bed earlier in the future, not to end up like today.
What else could Xu Xiaoqing say?
She could only nod.
As for Ning Fan, at this time, it was best to play dumb and remain silent.
Xu Xiaoqing currently didn’t know that Ning Fan was aware of last night’s incident, and that was that.
If she knew the truth, all hell would break loose!
An entire morning passed in Xu Xiaoqing’s awkward chatter, intended to divert attention.
“You going to the company alone is fine, or should I drive you?”
“No need, didn’t you mention you had something to do today?”
“I’d still prefer to take you.”
“I’m fine, you stay behind, and in the meantime take care of Xiaoqing.
I find her a bit strange today, keep a closer eye on her.”
Ning Fan and Xu Ruolan were talking at the door, while in the living room, Xu Xiaoqing had her head buried in the pillow, her face flushed red like a ripe apple, irresistibly tempting one to take a small bite.
Today, because he had a date with Huo Qiuran, Ning Fan had taken the day off with Xu Ruolan’s permission.
Xu Ruolan went to the office, and Ning Fan stayed behind.
He actually didn’t want to stay, but Xu Ruolan, out of concern, insisted that he stay to look after Xu Xiaoqing.
This left not only Xu Xiaoqing feeling awkward but also Ning Fan.
Although he pretended to be clueless, he was more aware than anyone about what was really going on with Xu Xiaoqing.
“Little girl, what time did you go to bed last night?”
Ning Fan, sitting on the sofa, asked casually, his tone filled with concern.
As Xu Xiaoqing buried her head even deeper in nervousness, Ning Fan realized he had said the wrong thing; this was bringing up exactly what should not have been mentioned, considering Xu Xiaoqing’s current state stemmed from last night’s events.
Now, in the presence of the person involved, how could Xu Xiaoqing remain calm?
After awkwardly scratching her cheek, the living room fell into a spell of uncomfortable silence.
In the eerily quiet living room were two internally restless individuals, especially Xu Xiaoqing, whose heart was in utter turmoil.
Unsure of how to proceed with Ning Fan right beside her, memories of the bold actions from the previous night unsettled her further, causing emotional waves to churn.
Similarly, Ning Fan was not at peace.
He too was troubled, pondering how he could help Xu Xiaoqing recover.
Confession was definitely not an option; if he confessed, Ning Fan couldn’t guarantee what Xu Xiaoqing might turn into.
“I…
you…”
About two minutes later, Xu Xiaoqing was the first to speak, her eyes stealing glances at Ning Fan, her conflicted feelings evident as she wanted, yet didn’t want to look at him.
“If you’re not going to school, I can keep you company until five in the afternoon.”
“Really?”
Xu Xiaoqing’s spirits lifted as she turned to look at Ning Fan.
Upon meeting Ning Fan’s eyes, Xu Xiaoqing quickly turned her face away in embarrassment.
Ning Fan sighed helplessly, “Of course.”
He could keep her company until five in the afternoon, but he definitely didn’t want to be late for his date afterward.
After receiving Ning Fan’s assurance, Xu Xiaoqing finally regained some of her usual demeanor.