Top-Tier Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 46
Chapter 46: Holding Hands
Huo Yichi had thought long and hard about how to bridge the distance between them.
One of her strategies was to use everything to her advantage.
Like Xiao Xing, like the keys.
These were all ways to create more opportunities for interaction with Pei You.
If they wanted to get closer, they needed to interact more, otherwise, they would only drift further apart.
Pei You, after a moment of thought, replied, "Okay.”
A smile bloomed on Huo Yichi’s face, her eyes sparkling like stars, bright and dazzling.
"Thank you," she said.
Pei You put the keycard and key in her bag, puzzled. "What are you thanking me for?”
"For… accepting them," Huo Yichi said.
Pei You immediately understood, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Just then, Xiao Xing meowed, interrupting their moment.
Pei You, relieved, quickly changed the subject. "Let's feed Xiao Xing; we need to go to my place soon." She added, playfully, "It’s my birthday; I can’t be late, can I?”
"Why not?" Huo Yichi asked, getting Xiao Xing’s food. "It's the birthday girl’s prerogative to do whatever she wants, isn't it?”
"Is that so? I’ve never heard of that before," Pei You said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Huo Yichi looked at her. "Do you… have anything in mind?”
"No," Pei You shook her head, "I just thought it was… an interesting concept."
Xiao Xing, knowing it was about to be fed, circled Huo Yichi’s legs, its tail swishing excitedly.
Pei You obligingly wiped Xiao Xing's bowl with a tissue before Huo Yichi placed the food in it.
The scene was strangely domestic.
The thought surprised Pei You.
It felt so natural being around Huo Yichi now, unlike before, when, despite their physical closeness, there had been an invisible wall between them.
Xiao Xing ate enthusiastically. They squatted down beside it, watching as it devoured most of its food.
Huo Yichi nodded, satisfied. "Let’s go, I’ll drive.”
"Okay," Pei You said, attempting to stand up.
Having squatted down for even that short time, she felt a wave of dizziness as she stood and instinctively reached out to steady herself.
The only person beside her was Huo Yichi.
"Are you okay?" Huo Yichi asked, her voice laced with concern, as she steadied Pei You, one hand on her arm, the other around her waist.
Pei You blinked, the dizziness subsiding. "I'm fine," she straightened up. "Just a little lightheaded.”
Huo Yichi, looking worried, asked again, "Are you sure you’re okay?”
"I'm fine," Pei You smiled. "I haven’t squatted down like that in a while, so I got a little dizzy. I’ll be more careful.”
She was prone to dizziness; it was something she was used to.
Seeing that she was fine and her color had returned, Huo Yichi relaxed slightly. "Okay.”
"Let's go," Pei You said, "otherwise, my dad will start calling.”
Just as they were leaving Huo Yichi's apartment, before they’d even reached the elevator, Pei Junsheng called.
Pei You sighed. "Dad, I’m on my way.”
"Hurry up! The birthday girl can’t be late!”
After hanging up, Pei You chuckled. "See? My dad also said the birthday girl can’t be late.”
Huo Yichi's gaze softened. "Don’t worry; I won’t let you be late," she said, shaking her car keys. "You know I’m a good driver.”
Their conversation was normal, like friends who hadn’t seen each other in a few days.
But beneath the surface of normalcy, there was an undercurrent of anticipation, a tension neither of them could ignore.
The warmth of Pei You’s down jacket lingered on Huo Yichi’s hand.
She slipped her hand into her pocket, slowly clenching it into a fist.
Trying to preserve the warmth.
Strangely, when they’d been pretending to be a couple, she’d easily taken Pei You’s hand and placed it in her pocket, but now, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
And she couldn't even use “acting” as an excuse anymore.
Because Pei You knew she liked her.
As Huo Yichi drove out of the underground parking lot, the car heater, which had just been turned on, hadn’t warmed up the car yet. Pei You shivered in the cold, then sneezed.
Huo Yichi pursed her lips. "I should have charged the hand warmer.”
"It’s fine," Pei You turned to look at her, "I'm not that fragile.”
Then, glancing at Huo Yichi’s hand, where the chilblains were still visible, she asked, "When will your chilblains heal?”
"I don’t know, but they’re not too bad; they don’t itch or hurt that much anymore.”
"So, they do still itch and hurt," Pei You said, her lips curving downwards slightly. "I’ll apply some more ointment for you tonight.”
Huo Yichi: "Okay.”
She couldn’t think of any other response.
Refusing was out of the question.
Pei You looked out the window. It was only a little past 6 pm, but with the short winter days, the streetlights were already on.
Huo Yichi knew the way to Pei You’s place; the drive was smooth and uneventful.
As they got out of the car, they ran into Tian Jia.
Tian Jia, seeing them, waved enthusiastically. "Youzi!"
Huo Yichi nodded at her in greeting.
Tian Jia was carrying a bag, which she handed to Pei You. "Youzi, happy birthday! Here’s your present.”
"Thank you," Pei You smiled.
Huo Yichi fell silent, walking beside Pei You, saying nothing.
She’d bought a gift, too, but it was in her suitcase, and she couldn’t exactly go back to the car to retrieve it now, could she?
Tian Jia seemed excited. "I haven't had Uncle Pei's cooking in ages!"
"Then eat your fill tonight," Pei You said with a smile.
"Definitely!" Tian Jia replied.
Pei You cleared her throat, turning to Huo Yichi, who was unusually quiet. "You too," she said.
"Hmm?" Huo Yichi looked at her.
"You should eat a lot, too. My parents are great cooks.”
"Okay, I will," Huo Yichi replied.
Pei You was carrying the gift in her right hand; her left hand was empty.
They were about the same height, and as they walked, their shoulders brushed against each other.
"Are you… nervous?" Pei You asked as they entered the building.
Huo Yichi exhaled softly. "A little.”
Pei You hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took Huo Yichi’s hand. "Here, let me give you strength. Don’t be nervous.”
Tian Jia tried not to stare, but she’d heard what Pei You had said.
Inwardly, she squealed with delight—kswl![1]
Huo Yichi froze, surprised by Pei You holding her hand.
But beneath the surprise was a surge of happiness.
"Okay," she said, her voice slightly higher than usual.
They entered the elevator.
And their hands separated.
Tian Jia, scrolling through her phone, felt like a third wheel.
It was strange, she thought.
Was the allure of a second-chance romance really this strong? Pei You and Huo Yichi seemed even sweeter than before.
Lost in thought, she didn't realize they'd reached Pei You's floor.
Huo Yichi had been here before; she knew the way.
But this time felt different.
Han Zhao was waiting at the elevator to greet them. Tian Jia, who also knew him, greeted him enthusiastically. "Xiao Han! Long time no see!"
"Jia-jie," Han Zhao greeted them one by one, "Youzi-jie, Xiao Huo-jie.”
"You have so many ‘jiejies’," Pei You chuckled.
"All thanks to you," Han Zhao replied.
The four of them entered Pei You’s apartment.
Pei You always kept her birthday celebrations simple; a dinner at home was enough.
There weren’t many guests: the Han family, Tian Jia, and Huo Yichi.
"Mom, Dad, this is Huo Yichi. You can call her Xiao Huo.”
"Hello, Uncle, Auntie," Huo Yichi greeted them politely.
Pei Junsheng and Xu Ruyun, meeting Huo Yichi for the first time, smiled and nodded, impressed by her polite demeanor. "Welcome, Xiao Huo.”
They were already familiar with Tian Jia and Han Zhao, who had been coming to Pei You's birthday dinners for years.
The dining table was large, laden with food.
A truly celebratory birthday feast.
Huo Yichi sat beside Pei You, trying to appear relaxed, answering the elders' questions with a smile.
Grandma Pei kept putting food on her plate, as if afraid she wouldn't eat enough.
"Thank you, Grandma," Huo Yichi said repeatedly.
Grandma Pei then asked, her voice filled with concern, "Xiao Huo, have you been applying the ointment?”
"Yes, Grandma, of course I have," Huo Yichi nodded quickly.
Pei You chimed in, "Grandma, don't worry, I’ll apply some more for her tonight.”
With so many people at the table, the conversation flowed easily, everyone either enjoying the food or chatting happily.
Pei Junsheng opened a bottle of red wine. "Xiao Huo, would you like some?” he asked.
"Thank you, Uncle, but I’m driving later.”
Pei You blinked. “You can drink; I’ll drive you home. We’ve done that before, right?"
"And then you’d have to drive yourself back," Huo Yichi said, leaning closer to Pei You, lowering her voice, "it's too much trouble. I’ll pass.”
Huo Yichi’s breath against Pei You’s ear made her shiver slightly.
Pei You subtly shifted away, taking a sip of her drink to hide her reaction. "Fine.”
After dinner, they had cake, homemade by Pei You's mother, Xu Ruyun.
Candles were lit, the lights dimmed, and Pei You, hands clasped together, made a wish as everyone sang "Happy Birthday.”
Huo Yichi, watching this, felt a pang of envy.
This warm, familial atmosphere was something she’d never experienced.
Not even once.
After the cake, it was free time.
Han Zhao gave Pei You his birthday gift, a small bag, which Pei You didn’t open immediately.
She had only one thing on her mind right now: applying the ointment for Huo Yichi.
She’d bought an extra tube last time, just in case.
"I’ll apply the ointment now, so you won’t be uncomfortable later," Pei You said, pulling Huo Yichi into her bedroom.
The living room was lively, but closing the bedroom door behind them was like entering another world.
This was the second time Huo Yichi had been in Pei You’s bedroom.
The last time had been on New Year's Eve.
Barely half a month ago.
"Pei You," Huo Yichi said, standing by the door, "happy birthday.”
Pei You, who had been searching for the ointment, paused, then turned to look at Huo Yichi. "And…?”
"My gift is in my suitcase," Huo Yichi said, a hint of helplessness in her voice.
"Not that," Pei You walked over to Huo Yichi. "Don't you want to hug me? Because I really want to hug you.”
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