Chapter 56 — Will you help me tonight?
The next day was the weekend.
For once, Nan Xu woke up early on her own—without Xie Hejing calling her.
By the time he even came out of his room, she had already made breakfast and was sitting at the table, though her mind seemed elsewhere. She stirred her porridge absentmindedly, her gaze unfocused, her whole being in a daze.
Then came the soft creak of Xie Hejing’s door opening.
As if startled awake from a dream, Nan Xu quickly took a sip of the porridge that had already gone lukewarm, but she didn’t dare look up at him. Her eyes stayed fixed on the tabletop.
“Uh… you’re up, Brother,” she said awkwardly, pushing the bowl of noodles toward him. “I made breakfast. Let’s eat together.”
It was rare to see Nan Xu awake this early.
Xie Hejing looked a little surprised. He pulled out a chair and sat down across from her. “How come you’re up so early today?”
“I just woke up. I don’t really know why.” Nan Xu brushed it off casually and focused on her porridge.
“Did you sleep well last night?” Xie Hejing asked, stirring the noodles as if the question were nothing special.
Nan Xu immediately choked on her porridge. “Cough—cough…” Her head ducked even lower, practically buried in the bowl. “It was fine.”
“I drank some wine, so I slept pretty well. Maybe that’s why I woke up early today,” she added, fumbling for an excuse.
“Is that so? All thanks to the wine?” Xie Hejing paused, his eyes locking onto her face.
Nan Xu hesitated, sneaking a glance at him—he was watching her with that half-smile of his, the kind that made her feel completely exposed.
She quickly grabbed a sugar pancake and took a big bite, pretending to be casual. “Yeah, sometimes wine really helps, huh?”
Xie Hejing nodded slightly. “True. Wine can make the shy brave, and make the self-controlled lose their restraint. It’s a fine thing.”
Unfortunately, he hadn’t been the one drunk last night.
His words carried a teasing undertone, and Nan Xu understood it instantly. Heat crept up her face.
Trying to steer the conversation back, she said, “Brother, if you ever have trouble sleeping, you can try a bit of wine too. It might work for you.”
But Xie Hejing didn’t take the bait. “Nothing works when I can’t sleep—except holding you.”
Nan Xu: “…”
“You can’t possibly hug me every time you can’t sleep,” she muttered.
He raised a brow, silently conceding she had a point—though in his mind, having her sleep beside him seemed like the perfect solution.
Just one reach away.
He thought back to the night before—the way she had felt in his arms, her quick breaths gradually evening out, the faint scent of her hair warming his cold pillow.
Her soft head had nestled against his chest until she found a comfortable spot and drifted into deep sleep.
And whenever he moved, she would instinctively hold him tighter.
In those moments, he’d felt completely at peace. Every trace of restlessness faded away in that quiet embrace.
If he hadn’t been afraid he might lose control, he wouldn’t have sent her back to her room at all.
“Last night, you…” he suddenly brought up.
“I was drunk. I don’t remember anything—really, I don’t,” Nan Xu cut him off before he could continue, answering everything with the same excuse: she couldn’t remember.
“You don’t remember?”
Xie Hejing slowly repeated her words, glancing at her as if trying to tell whether she was lying.
For no reason, Nan Xu felt nervous. But since she’d already said it, she could only stick to her story. “Mm, I really don’t remember.”
“Not even a little?”
“Really, I’ve forgotten everything,” she said, forcing herself to sound calm instead of guilty.
Xie Hejing stared at her for a long moment. Seeing that she truly didn’t plan on admitting anything, he clenched his jaw silently.
“Fine.”
Nan Xu could hear the faint anger behind that single word, but she didn’t dare think about what had happened last night. Every time she tried, her whole body went weak—that suffocating, breathless feeling still lingered vividly in her mind.
All she could do was try to forget.
But Xie Hejing wanted the opposite—he wanted her to remember, to never forget.
If she claimed she couldn’t recall, then he would simply give her something unforgettable.
“You said wine helps you sleep, didn’t you? How about another drink tonight?”
“No way.” There was no chance she’d drink again. If she lost control one more time, she wouldn’t even be able to face him.
“Too much alcohol’s bad for you anyway,” she muttered, trying to sound reasonable.
Xie Hejing lowered his gaze, his expression unreadable. He took a bite of noodles and spoke in a calm voice: “We’re not eating dinner at home tonight. Xiang Weishi invited us out—with Wen Qi and Wei Qingxuan.”
Nan Xu blinked in surprise. “Didn’t he say last time that he’d never go out with us again?”
By now, Xie Hejing’s bowl was nearly empty. He slurped the last bite of noodles, wiped his mouth, and set his chopsticks down.
Nan Xu froze for a moment watching the motion, then quickly averted her gaze. He noticed—and his brows lifted slightly. His movements slowed, deliberately unhurried.
Nan Xu couldn’t understand it. He’d eaten so fast, yet somehow took forever to wipe his mouth. She’d already had several sips of porridge, and he still hadn’t left the table.
Just as she was about to ask, Xie Hejing stood up, grabbed his jacket, and said, “I’ve got a meeting. Stay home for a bit—or go out if you want. Just let me know, and I’ll pick you up for dinner.”
“Where are you going? How long will it take?” Nan Xu was thinking about going out herself, but she needed to know his schedule first.
Xie Hejing seemed rather pleased that she asked. “To see Cheng Keyi. He needed my help with something last time, but I didn’t have time.”
He fastened his watch. “If I don’t go now, he’ll probably show up at my office to bug me. It’s a bit of a hassle—should be done by four or five this afternoon.”
Then, a thought crossed his mind. “Want to come with me?”
“No way.”
It was finally her day off—she definitely wasn’t wasting it on that.
He only shrugged; it had just been a casual offer.
“Alright then. If you go out, just let me know.”
“Got it.” Nan Xu walked him to the door and waved with a small smile. “Drive safely.”
After Xie Hejing left, the house fell completely quiet.
Nan Xu put on a song and changed her clothes. She planned to sit for a while at the newly opened teahouse, then go find Qi Zhiyu, who happened to have the day off too.
While waiting for the elevator, Nan Xu was typing quickly on her phone, sending Xie Hejing the place she planned to go and what time to pick her up.
When the elevator doors opened, she heard a familiar barking. Sure enough, Jiang Zhiyu stood there with the little dog, Xiao Daizi.
She smiled and greeted Jiang Zhiyu, then bent down to pet Xiao Daizi.
Watching Xiao Daizi wag its tail like crazy, Jiang Zhiyu teased, “Looks like Xiao Daizi really likes you. I bet if I let go, it would follow you home.”
“Really? Then I should show it my front door—who knows, one day you might not be careful and it’ll come find me!”
“There was almost a case like that, actually—just yesterday. When I took it in the elevator, our neighbor from across the hall happened to get off on the 25th floor, and Xiao Daizi went crazy trying to follow him down.”
“I’m sure it was trying to find you. Ungrateful little thing—it’d ditch its owner for you.”
Nan Xu laughed and thought about whether she should carry some snacks in her bag next time to give to Xiao Daizi.
On the way to the teahouse, Xie Hejing sent her a message.
[Probably going to be an hour late.]
Nan Xu wasn’t bothered—it gave her an excuse to hang out at Qi Zhiyu’s place a little longer.
Qi Zhiyu had stocked up on all their favorite snacks when she found out Nan Xu was coming. Since they both finally had a day off, they decided not to go out and instead stayed in to binge a show.
They watched episode after episode. Nan Xu got so into it she lost track of time and didn’t reply to Xie Hejing’s texts.
Only when her phone rang did she remember they were supposed to go out for dinner. She quickly turned the volume down.
“I’ll be right down.”
A second later a new message popped up.
[Three minutes is more than enough time to come down from the seventh floor.]
Nan Xu hurried downstairs after telling Qi Zhiyu, and found Xie Hejing’s car waiting at the curb. She was startled—she’d only told him the name of the complex, so how did he even know the floor?
Once in the car, Nan Xu noticed the atmosphere was a bit tense. Sensing Xie Hejing might be angry, she quickly said, “I’m sorry, I was engrossed in the drama and lost track of time.”
But that wasn’t what had bothered him. When she didn’t answer earlier, he’d actually wanted to come and fetch her, but he’d held back because she was at a friend’s place.
Hearing no response from Xie Hejing, Nan Xu went on, “Next time I’m watching a drama, I’ll definitely remember to reply to your messages. Don’t be mad, okay?”
That seemed to ease him: “When you don’t reply, I get worried, you know?”
Nan Xu nodded quickly. “”I know, I won’t do it again.”
Xiang Weishi’s reason for inviting the four of them over this time was simple:
He wanted lessons on how to chase someone.
“You guys have experience! Tell me quickly, how do you chase someone?”
“Do you send flowers? Besides that, what else do you do?”
Wen Qi burst into laughter, laughing so hard she couldn’t even straighten her back. Leaning on Wei Qingxuan’s shoulder, she said, “You newbie! Why would she be with you if you just sent flowers? You need to know what she likes!”
Xiang Weishi had been ready to argue, but when he heard the second half of her sentence, he realized she actually had a point.
He stared blankly at the dishes in front of him for a long while, then said, “Handsome guys, I guess.”
After adding the girl on WeChat, he’d gone through every single post on her Moments—trying to figure out where to start.
Turned out, out of more than 120 posts, at least 110 were about some handsome guy.
Probably a celebrity—he’d even looked it up last night, but had already forgotten who it was.
“Wow!” Wen Qi exclaimed, but then fell silent again.
Everyone thought she’d come up with an idea and looked at her expectantly—especially Xiang Weishi, who craned his neck forward. “Come on, just say it already!”
“You sure you want me to say it?” Wen Qi asked with a mysterious smile.
“Ugh, stop keeping us in suspense,” Xiang Weishi urged, growing impatient.
Finally, Wen Qi took pity on him and spoke up. “If that girl likes handsome guys, then shouldn’t you go get some work done? Cosmetic surgery, I mean. Go now—maybe you’ll even recover in time.”
At that, the five people at the table burst out laughing—everyone except Xiang Weishi, who just sat there speechless.
“…Wow, thanks a lot,” he said dryly. “You never say anything helpful. Seriously, how did Wei Qingxuan even end up with you?”
Wen Qi grinned proudly. “Because I’m worth it!”
Xiang Weishi: “…”
He gave up completely. Then he turned to Wei Qingxuan, looking genuinely puzzled. “So how did you manage to win her over? She’s such a weirdo, and yet you pulled it off. You seem good at this stuff—come on, share your experience.”
Wei Qingxuan pressed his lips together.
It was simple. Direct, even.
Just drag Wen Qi back when she tried to flirt and run, and make sure she stayed—until she accepted him.
But he hesitated to say that out loud.
Wen Qi, hearing Xiang Weishi’s question, suddenly remembered exactly how Wei Qingxuan had “chased” her—and for once, she actually felt shy.
Her gaze darted away, and after a long pause she stammered, “There’s really nothing to share. Everyone’s different, you know.”
“How can there be nothing? Even you got chased successfully! What’s wrong with sharing a few tips?” Xiang Weishi frowned.
Seeing that Wei Qingxuan actually looked like he was about to explain, Wen Qi pinched his leg hard under the table and quickly said to Xiang Weishi, “This one’s off-limits.”
She wasn’t lying—Wei Qingxuan’s entire “pursuit process” was made up of scenes that couldn’t be spoken of in public.
Xiang Weishi gave the odd couple a long look, decided there was no point trying to learn from them, and turned to Nan Xu and Xie Hejing instead.
“Nan Xu, how about you tell us—how did Xie Hejing chase you?” He pinned his last hope on that pair. Surely they could give a normal answer.
“Ah!”
The first thing that flashed through Nan Xu’s mind was what had happened last night.
In an instant, she couldn’t even look at Xie Hejing. Her face burned hot.
“What’s wrong?” Xiang Weishi frowned when he saw her embarrassed expression. “Don’t tell me—was his way of chasing you that bad?”
“Uh…”
How was she supposed to answer that?!
Nan Xu bit her lip, forcing out three words: “It was good.”
At that, Xie Hejing let out a soft chuckle or two, his warm breath brushing against her, making her ears burn bright red.
Xiang Weishi turned his questioning toward Xie Hejing. “So how did you chase her? Come on, man, give us something this time!”
Nan Xu shot Xie Hejing a quick, worried glance. Given everything that had happened recently—especially this past month—if he really said what he’d done, she’d probably die of embarrassment right there at the table.
But Xie Hejing was as tight-lipped as ever. He simply sipped his tea, completely ignoring Xiang Weishi’s question.
“Hey, Xie Hejing! What happened to brotherhood? You’re really keeping that a secret?”
Still calm and unhurried, Xie Hejing set down his cup and continued peeling shrimp for Nan Xu. “Not convenient to say.”
Xiang Weishi: “…”
“What’s wrong with you two? Aren’t we friends? You can’t even help me with this tiny thing?”
Everyone else agreed—after all, Xiang Weishi had basically invited them here for this. It’d be too cruel if they refused to share anything.
Wei Qingxuan and Xie Hejing exchanged a look—there was a flicker of mutual understanding between them.
Wei Qingxuan took Wen Qi’s hand, kissed it lightly, and said quietly, “Do—”
——until she says yes.
But before he could finish, Wen Qi pinched him hard.
Xie Hejing began, “Tease—”
——until desire stirs.
He didn’t get to finish either, because Nan Xu suddenly covered his mouth in a panic.
Realizing how abrupt her movement was, she quickly grabbed a napkin and dabbed at his perfectly clean lips. “Your, um… your mouth looked a little dirty, Xie Hejing—uh, I mean, Brother—let me wipe it for you.”
Wen Qi jumped in fast. “Wei Qingxuan, my spoon fell. Pick it up for me.”
Xiang Weishi stared blankly at them, completely thrown off—but he had heard those two words clearly.
Do… Tease…
He thought about it for a second, and then—like a light bulb going off—his eyes widened.
He suddenly stood up, voice ringing with excitement. “Wait, are you guys saying… be a dog?”
Honestly, it kind of made sense. With the way those two were, it fit.
In his own strange way, Xiang Weishi felt he’d gotten an answer after all.
. . . . .
After the dinner, Nan Xu and Xie Hejing got back in the car.
She turned to him anxiously. “You scared me back there! I really thought you were about to say—”
Xie Hejing glanced sideways at her, smiling faintly. “Say what?”
“N–nothing.” Nan Xu quickly turned her head away.
It was all because last night’s events were too shocking; even after drinking, she could still remember them.
Which was exactly why she couldn’t stop thinking about it during dinner. For a second there, she’d honestly believed he was going to bring it up in front of everyone.
Thankfully, he hadn’t.
She let out a deep breath of relief and resolutely kept her eyes off him—because she knew that with just one look, he’d probably coax the truth right out of her.
Xie Hejing didn’t press the matter further, taking the bag he had placed in the car and focusing on organizing the contents.
He was contemplating what to use first tonight.
The car remained parked, and for a moment, it became quiet.
Nan Xu’s tense thoughts also relaxed. She turned her gaze to look out the window and saw a pharmacy.
Right, Xie Hejing had many tiny scars on his waist, and they weren’t fully healed. He had wine poured on them and then went to take a shower. She wondered what condition they were in now.
She also didn’t know if there was a first-aid kit prepared at home.
“Brother, do you need to buy some medicine for the scars on your body…” Nan Xu turned her head back.
As soon as her voice faded, Xie Hejing’s voice softly echoed: “Nan Xu, when did you see scars on my body?”
“!!!”
Nan Xu’s pupils contracted as she realized what she had said, overcome with regret.
The thing she had been avoiding all day was just exposed by her slip-of-the-tongue concern.
She tried to struggle: “I dreamt about it.”
But her crestfallen look clearly admitted the truth. Even if she didn’t remember every single detail of last night’s events, she hadn’t forgotten the important things.
Xie Hejing leaned closer to Nan Xu, clearly seeing the panic in her eyes.
“Didn’t you say you couldn’t remember anything? Little liar.”
Nan Xu clenched her hands into fists, her palms marked with crescent-shaped indentations.
“I, I…”
She surrendered, not knowing how to reply.
“Good girl, people who lie will be punished.”
“Come here.” Xie Hejing waved her over, signaling for her to look at the bag in front of him.
Nan Xu refused, pressing her back tightly against the car door.
His tone was gentle: “Disobedient people will be punished too.”
Xie Hejing lightly touched a button, and the car door locked. He reached out and hooked his hand around Nan Xu’s neck, pulling her above the bag and pushing her head down.
Nan Xu was forced to look down. After clearly seeing the contents, she gasped.
“Why would you think of buying these?!”
“Which one do you like?” Xie Hejing casually hooked a finger. “We’ll use this one tonight?”
Tonight!!!
Nan Xu was shocked. Xie Hejing was practically a ‘model worker’; apart from the days when she had her period, he hadn’t wasted a single night.
And he was getting increasingly daring.
Last night had been almost at Nan Xu’s limit of what she could endure. She had initially thought that it couldn’t get any more intense than that, and there shouldn’t be anything else.
But she never expected Xie Hejing to be even more outrageous!
If they were truly together, wouldn’t the following days only escalate this behavior?
Nan Xu’s heart was pounding. This was too terrifying, and she was too stunned to speak.
Xie Hejing gently rubbed her lips: “Not talking? Then we’ll take our time using them.”
“Good girl, get moving. Will you help me tonight?”