Chapter 16 The Confession
"Huo Chichen..." He called my name in a low, hoarse voice that barely sounded like his own.
I looked at the redness at the corners of his eyes and gave a soft laugh. "Want me already?"
Yeah, the dream had flipped—I was the one underneath.
It felt good. So whatever—bottom it is.
Lin Qi's throat bobbed. He didn't answer. He just lowered his head and kissed me again. His palm slid down along my side, fingertips burning hot.
I let him do whatever he wanted. Only when he threw the blanket off and pressed his whole body over mine did I murmur with a low laugh, "This is a hospital."
He bit my earlobe. His voice came out low and rough, carrying an edge that brooked no refusal.
"I locked the door."
The day my foster parents were taken away, I finally let out a long breath. The biggest crisis in the book had ended early. Lin Qi was safe now.
He stood beside me, his fingers hooking mine, giving them a gentle squeeze.
I turned my head to look at him. Sunlight caught on his lashes, painting them with a thin layer of gold.
His lips still carried the trace of a wound, yet his smile was more beautiful than ever.
I squeezed his hand back. "Let's go home and cook."
He burst out laughing. "You're so thirsty."
That night we curled up on the sofa. Some boring news droned on the TV. Neither of us paid attention.
Lin Qi's fingers toyed lazily with my hair. I leaned against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
"Lin Qi," I said suddenly.
"Hm?" He looked down at me.
I hesitated, then decided to be honest.
"I'm not Huo Chichen."
His fingers paused. But he didn't look surprised. He just gave a soft "Oh."
I propped myself up and frowned at him. "That's all you have to say?"
He raised a brow, eyes glinting with amusement. "What else should I say?"
"You already knew?" I narrowed my eyes.
He nodded. His fingers gently rubbed the back of my neck, the way you'd soothe a bristling cat.
"When?"
"The day you saved me." His voice dropped softer, but his gaze stayed warm. "The real Huo Chichen wouldn't have cared whether we lived or died."
I froze for a second. Then I laughed. "So you fell for me—not this body?"
His ears turned faintly red. Still, he nodded seriously. "Yes."
I leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Tonight's your reward."
His face flushed crimson in an instant. His fingers tightened. His throat moved. His voice came out hoarse again.
"We just finished. Don't tease me."
I chuckled low. My fingers slipped inside his collar.
"No can do. Time to cook."
Afterward I curled back into his arms.
He asked, "So what's your real name?"
I smiled. "Huo Chichen."
He blinked once in surprise, then smiled too. "It's a nice name."
Yeah. My name was given to me by Grandma.
Back in the village a lot of the elders said kids should have cheap names so they'd live longer and stronger. But Grandma said, "My little darling is so good-looking. Only a beautiful name is worthy of him."
Grandma never went to school. Yet she gave me the prettiest name—at least I thought so.
Lin Qi had to go back to school. In a city far away from me.
I held him tight. "Can't you skip it?"
He kissed my forehead. "No."
I felt like crying. "Why not?"
He looked at me seriously. "I want to work hard so I can deserve you."