Adored by Him: My Blissful Days as the Girl Next Door-Chapter 100 - 99 Clinging to You (Part 2)

Da Bao’s eyes brightened, and he habitually wanted to put his arm around Zhao Meimei’s shoulder.

Seeing a dark patch under his armpit, Zhao Meimei quickly stopped him: "Stop! Look at all that hair! Don’t touch me if you’re not wearing clothes! It’s disgusting!"

Da Bao lifted his arm and glanced at it: "What? You find it gross? You don’t understand! All guys are like this! It’s called charm! Do you see anyone who’s smooth under there?"

In Zhao Meimei’s mind flashed the handsome face of her Brother Yangyang. Thinking back carefully, she realized she never really noticed whether her Brother Yangyang had hair under his armpit or not. Mainly because since she started fifth grade, they hadn’t slept shirtless together, so she hadn’t seen it, no impression.

Zhao Meimei chuckled and asked, "How’s the cooking coming along?"

Da Bao looked proud and flexed his arm at her: "See this? With these arms, flipping a big pot is as easy as play!"

Zhao Meimei laughed out loud at his sturdy arm. She pulled a plastic bag from her backpack and handed it to Da Bao: "Here, a gift for you."

Da Bao opened it to find a large, dark blue checkered apron, looking big and probably the largest size.

Da Bao looked at Zhao Meimei in surprise.

Zhao Meimei grinned: "Work hard, in all professions there are champions. When you’ve made it big, remember to give me a discount!"

Da Bao looked at Zhao Meimei with gratitude, paused, then laughed: "You underestimate me! When I’ve made money, I’ll treat you to meals every day."

Zhao Meimei shouldered her backpack: "Alright, you should go in now. I’ve got nothing else, so I’m off."

Da Bao stood there, watching Zhao Meimei disappear around the corner, then unfolded the apron again, sizing it up against himself, mumbling: "It’s pretty damn...nice."

Zhao Meimei was lying on her desk doing homework at night. After a while, feeling tired, she picked up her phone and texted her Brother Yangyang: Brother, what are you doing?

Shi Yang received the text while he was out dining with a client, along with Qu Chaozong. A group of men gathered around the table, building relationships and trying to cozy up to each other.

Shi Yang was the one trying to curry favor, so he had to be humble, pleasing the bosses, drinking, smiling, and keeping his demeanor submissive, while trying to maintain a bit of dignity so that people wouldn’t truly look down on him.

After the meal, his stomach felt uncomfortable, his nerves numbed by the alcohol, somewhat burning.

Shi Yang found an excuse to slip away to the bathroom, where he stuck his finger down his throat to throw up.

He had just washed his face, glaring at his swollen, bloodshot eyes and pale face in the mirror when his phone rang.

Just four simple words, Brother, what are you doing?

Shi Yang squinted at the time, guessing Zhao Meimei was probably taking a breather, stretching at her desk, so he dialed her number.

No matter how tough one acts, there are always moments of softness. Shi Yang was feeling quite soft now, his body, heart, everything soft, like a gust of wind could blow him into fragments.

Soon Zhao Meimei’s surprised voice came through the phone: "Brother!"

This surprised tone made Shi Yang’s heart twinge. How long had it been since he last called Zhao Meimei?

Zhao Meimei was older now, more sensible, not like before when she would call anytime, anywhere, solely based on her mood. She would chat until she was satisfied.

Now she would always send a probing text first, like testing the waters, and only when she got a response would she dare to maintain contact.

Zhao Meimei’s sensibility made Shi Yang feel guilty. Even though it was because of work that he ignored Zhao Meimei, it was still neglect, regardless of the reason.

Zhao Meimei: "Brother, where are you?"

Shi Yang cleared his throat, looking at himself in the mirror: "Having dinner with a client outside."

Zhao Meimei: "Oh no! Am I disturbing you?"

Shi Yang pressed his temples: "No."

There was a pause on the line, and Zhao Meimei’s voice questioned: "Why does your voice sound strange? Did you drink?"

Shi Yang mumbled in response.

Zhao Meimei: "Why are you always drinking? Are they forcing you again? This bunch is so mean, just because they have money..."

Listening to Zhao Meimei rambly complaining on the phone, Shi Yang felt a burst of sour, bittersweet, tingling, and itchy feelings in his heart. These complex emotions surged for a moment, then converged into a strong warmth, making his chest and eyes feel hot.

Shi Yang paused, then spoke, his voice soft like water: "And you?"

Zhao Meimei was still grumbling when she suddenly heard his question and replied a beat late: "Huh? Oh, I’m studying."

Shi Yang leaned against the sink, tilting his head, watching his reflection as his face slowly returned to a normal shade of red: "Tired?"

Zhao Meimei immediately complained: "Of course tired, the homework isn’t much, but it’s all copying definitions and concepts, so cumbersome. It’s enough to memorize them, but they still make us copy."

Shi Yang’s voice was gentle: "And you still write?"

Zhao Meimei sighed: "Ugh, I have to. The teacher will check tomorrow. Who says I’m a student? I have to study!"

Shi Yang exhaled, mimicking her tone: "Exactly, this month’s revenue relies on boosting this business. Who says I’m the boss? I have to make money!"

After Shi Yang finished speaking, he heard Zhao Meimei’s carefree laughter over the phone: "Hehe, Brother, why are you working so hard to make money?"

Shi Yang also laughed, his voice low and deep: "I have to take care of you."

Shi Yang’s rare moment of tenderness immediately made Zhao Meimei beam with joy.

She pressed her face against her textbook, biting the pen cap, her eyes crinkled with laughter.

With happiness visible in her eyes, she felt a flutter in her heart.

Hearing Zhao Meimei’s suppressed laughter over the phone, Shi Yang suddenly became playful, teasingly asking: "What’s so funny? Are you really that happy to let me take care of you?"

Zhao Meimei: "Yes, I’d love for you to take care of me forever, Brother."

Shi Yang laughed softly: "You’re sticking to me, huh?"

Zhao Meimei: "Mm, I’m sticking to you, isn’t that good?"

Looking at the mirror, at the bright and lively eyes with laughter, Shi Yang gently replied: "Good."

Taking care of you for a lifetime, treating you well for a lifetime.

After hanging up, Shi Yang tidied his appearance in the mirror, and when he pushed open the restroom door to leave, the originally oppressive mood dissipated completely. He walked lightly along the corridor towards the private room, murmuring to himself: "I have to work hard to make money. Without money, how can I take care of you, treat you well..."