53: Chapter 53 Night and Dawn
Liu Yanran placed her pen back into the holder and turned to leave the study. "Finished reading? Then let's go back."
Qiao Yichen followed her out of the study and closed the door. In the hallway, opposite the study was the secondary bedroom. At the end of the hall to the left was another closed door—that was the master bedroom.
His gaze paused on the master bedroom door for a moment.
Liu Yanran followed his line of sight, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"Want to take a look?" she asked, her voice sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet hallway.
Qiao Yichen looked at her, not denying it: "May I?"
"There's nothing you can't do." She walked to the end of the hallway, reached out, grasped the master bedroom doorknob, and gently pushed it open.
Warm yellow light spilled out from the crack of the door, carrying a faint scent that belonged to her—not perfume, but more like the clean smell of her shampoo mixed with her natural skin scent.
The room was more spacious than the secondary bedroom, still maintaining a minimalist style, but with many more traces of life.
He walked slowly into the room. His eyes first landed on the beige cashmere recliner by the window. A light gray thin blanket was draped over the armrest, and next to it, the small round table held a glass with half a cup of water.
His gaze shifted to the vanity—skincare products were neatly arranged, with only two lipsticks lying casually askew, one bright red, the other dusty rose.
Finally, his gaze settled on the bed that occupied the center of the room.
The light gray-blue silk bedding shimmered delicately under the light. The pillows were slightly indented, and an open book lay on the nightstand.
He didn't ask, nor did he even look at Liu Yanran. He walked directly to the bedside and sat down.
The mattress softly supported him.
Then, he leaned back, completely lying down on the bed.
The silk fabric felt cool and smooth against him. His nostrils were instantly filled with her scent—the clean smell of shampoo, mixed with the faint fragrance of body lotion, and her unique, warm aura.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Qiao Yichen." Liu Yanran's voice came from the doorway, laced with obvious exasperation. "Get up."
He didn't move.
She walked to the bedside and reached out to pull his arm. "Don't lie on my bed, get up."
He gripped her wrist in return, applying slight pressure.
Liu Yanran let out a soft gasp and was pulled off balance, stumbling to sit on the edge of the bed.
Qiao Yichen had already sat up, turning to face her.
They were very close; he could even see his own reflection in her eyes through her lenses.
He didn't kiss her immediately. Instead, he raised his hand, gently removed her glasses, and placed them aside.
Then, he lightly brushed aside a stray strand of hair near her cheek, his fingertips barely grazing her face.
Remember 101 Reading Website
Liu Yanran's eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Qiao Yichen captured her lips with a kiss.
Her lips were soft and slightly cool, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible sweetness. His hand slid from her cheek to the side of her neck, his thumb gently caressing her skin.
She was stiff at first, but quickly relaxed, even parting her lips slightly to return his kiss.
Qiao Yichen felt her response, and the kiss deepened gradually.
His other arm encircled her waist, drawing her entire body closer into his embrace.
Liu Yanran's hands also lifted, first resting lightly on his shoulders, and as the kiss deepened, she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck.
Qiao Yichen's arms tightened, almost crushing her into his chest.
He could feel the soft curves of her body, smell the clearer fragrance emanating from her hair, and hear their rapidly accelerating heartbeats and heavy breaths.
After an unknown amount of time, Qiao Yichen pulled back slightly, a faint wet sound accompanying the parting of their lips.
Their foreheads touched, both breathing lightly.
Qiao Yichen looked at her standing so close—her cheeks slightly flushed, lips moist, and eyes slightly dazed, all traces of her usual composure gone.
He almost wanted to continue.
But in the end, he just lightly pecked her forehead again, then slowly released his arms.
"I should go back," his voice was low and hoarse.
Liu Yanran glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand—eleven forty-three.
"Stop messing around," she said. "It's too late. Go sleep in the secondary bedroom. The sheets are clean."
Qiao Yichen looked at her and nodded: "Okay."
"Wait a moment," Liu Yanran got up, tidying her slightly disheveled clothes. "I'll get you toiletries."
She walked out of the master bedroom, crossed the hallway towards the storage cabinet next to the study opposite the secondary bedroom, and quickly returned with an unopened toothbrush, towel, and a set of dark gray men's pajamas.
"New ones," she handed the items to him. "The bathroom is at the end of the hall; turn left for hot water."
Qiao Yichen accepted them: "Thank you."
"Good night." She stood at the master bedroom doorway, the light shining through from behind her.
"Good night." Qiao Yichen looked at her.
The master bedroom door gently closed.
...
April 24, 2025, Thursday, light rain, 16 ~ 22°C.
The next morning, when Qiao Yichen woke up in the secondary bedroom, the first thing he heard was the pattering sound of rain outside the window.
He checked his phone: seven fifty-four AM.
He got up, washed, and then changed into his suit.
When he walked out of the room, the master bedroom door was already open, and the sound of a hairdryer could be heard from inside.
When Liu Yanran emerged, she was already dressed for work—a light apricot silk shirt paired with black suit trousers, her hair half-dry from blow-drying, and light makeup on her face.
"Awake?" She walked toward the entryway cabinet. "The rain isn't light; I'm driving to the company. You... want to come along?"
Qiao Yichen nodded: "Sure."
Liu Yanran took the car keys from the cabinet: "The car is in the underground garage. Follow me."
They went downstairs together. In the underground garage, a white Audi A4L was parked quietly, covered in a thin layer of dust.
Qiao Yichen glanced at the car: "It seems like you don't drive this much?"
"Mhm," Liu Yanran pulled open the driver's side door. "When there's traffic, the subway is faster. The company is only a few kilometers from here, just two subway stops."
"No wonder I rarely see you driving."
"Only on rainy days or when I go home on weekends," she expertly started the car. The wipers swept away the water streaks on the windshield. "Actually, my dad always says I should sell this car. The cost of keeping a car in Hangzhou is high, and I don't use it often."
The engine hummed softly in the quiet garage. The car slowly pulled out and merged into the morning rush hour traffic.
Qiao Yichen recalled the medical books he saw in the study: "Is Uncle still busy at the hospital?"
"Chief of Cardiology; he's incredibly busy," Liu Yanran looked straight ahead, her tone calm. "My mom always says he should reduce his stress at his age, but he can't stand to be idle."
"Are all doctor families like this?" Qiao Yichen asked.
"Pretty much," she signaled and slowly turned the car. "When I was little, dinner at home often waited until eight o'clock because my dad couldn't get home on time due to surgery. While other kids went out to play during holidays, I spent my time doing homework in the hospital's duty room."
She spoke very plainly, as if recounting someone else's story.
"So you didn't study medicine later?" he asked.
Liu Yanran laughed lightly: "On the day we filled out our college applications, I looked at the options for medical schools and suddenly felt I didn't want to live that kind of life anymore."
She paused and added, "Thinking about it now, it's not that I hated studying medicine, but I didn't want my life to be predetermined."
...
The car pulled into the company building's garage.
After parking, she pulled out the key: "We're here."
They both got out and walked toward the elevator lobby. When the elevator door opened, Qiao Yichen naturally extended his hand.
Liu Yanran glanced down at his open palm, said nothing, and placed her hand in his, their fingers interlocking.
The elevator went straight to the first-floor lobby.
When they walked out of the office building, the rain had lessened significantly, turning into fine drizzle.
The breakfast shop was just across the road, its sign glowing warmly in the mist.
The shop was steamy, filled with the aroma of breakfast.
They found a window seat, ordered two bowls of small wontons and one steamer basket of soup dumplings.
While waiting, Qiao Yichen didn't let go of her hand. Liu Yanran didn't pull hers back either, letting him hold it while she flipped through work emails on her phone with her other hand.
The small wontons were served, floating in clear broth with pinkish meat filling and bright green scallions.
Qiao Yichen finally let go of her hand and handed her a spoon: "Eat while it's hot."
"Mhm."
After finishing breakfast quietly, the rain had become even lighter.
On the way back to the company, their hands naturally intertwined once more.