Chapter 144: It’s My Promise to You

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

After taking a few more steps, she saw the man leaning against the sofa. His handsome features were hidden in the smog, and his head was lowered. There was still a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers, and smoke lingered on his fingertips.

He had completely lost his usual elegance and pride. Instead, he looked dejected and exhausted.

Xu Jiaojiao’s heart twisted in her chest. She subconsciously lightened her footsteps and walked up to him. Her voice trembled as she said, “Qi Shenbai…”

Qi Shenbai’s body stiffened when he heard her voice. Then, he slowly raised his head. When he met her nervous gaze, a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes.

“Jiaojiao?”

He could not believe it. Was he dreaming?

Shouldn’t she be in Luo City right now, having fun with her family?

Xu Jiaojiao gave him a sweet smile and replied softly, “No, you’re not seeing things. It’s me, Xu Jiaojiao.”

Qi Shenbai spoke slowly. His voice was even hoarser than it was on the phone. “Why are you here?”

Xu Jiaojiao’s red lips curled up slightly. “I wanted to say Happy New Year to you in person, so I came.”

After that…

She crouched down in front of Qi Shenbai and tilted her head to look at him. There seemed to be stars twinkling in her doe-like eyes as she said in the sweetest voice, “Qi Shenbai, Happy New Year.”

Qi Shenbai’s breathing stopped, and his deep eyes gradually darkened with a burning passion.

His chest felt like it was overwhelmed by some kind of emotion. Excitement, passion, a wild desire…

After extinguishing the cigarette between his fingers, he bent down and held her firmly in his arms. He buried his head in the crook of her neck and took in her warmth, his breath no longer heavy.

He was squeezing her so tightly that Xu Jiaojiao felt like she was about to suffocate.

However, she did not say anything. Instead, she liked being held tightly in his arms like this.

It was as if… she was the only one who could bring him warmth and stability. The thought made Xu Jiaojiao very happy.

Still-

Xu Jiaojiao could not help but cough at the strong smell of tobacco all over his body.

Qi Shenbai subconsciously let go of her and touched her face with his fingertips. It was still cold. “Sorry, is it that bad?”

Xu Jiaojiao coughed and nodded with tears in her eyes. “You smoked too much.”

The ashtray on the coffee table was almost full of cigarette butts.

Qi Shenbai suppressed the urge to kiss her and said in a hoarse voice, “Go back to your room and rest first. I’ll go to you after I take a shower.”

Xu Jiaojiao obediently returned to her room.

Qi Shenbai got up and opened the window to let the smell of smoke in the room dissipate. Then, he went to the bathroom to take a shower, changed into a white bathrobe, and walked into the room.

Xu Jiaojiao sat on the chair like a child, holding the red packet he had placed under her pillow.

“Do you like it?” Qi Shenbai took out a bottle of milk from the fridge, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to her.

Xu Jiaojiao shook her head. “I was in a hurry to find you, so I didn’t have time to open it.”

Qi Shenbai signaled her to open it with his eyes.

Xu Jiaojiao opened the red packet. There was a stack of cash, all new notes, and a paper card. There were a few words written on it in elegant handwriting: “Xu Jiaojiao, you will be always healthy and happy.”

Xu Jiaojiao read through the card a few times and could not help but smile. However, she still asked, “Aren’t your well wishes a little old-fashioned?”

Qi Shenbai sat on the chair beside her and stared at her with his deep eyes. His thin lips parted slightly. “It’s not a wish. It’s my promise to you.”

Xu Jiaojiao’s heart was filled with sweetness as if she had eaten an entire jar of honey. Her eyes curved into crescents as she changed the topic. “How much money is in here?”

“Why don’t you count for yourself?” Qi Shenbai knew that she was feeling embarrassed, so he stopped teasing her.

“Sure, I love counting money.” Xu Jiaojiao took out a stack of banknotes from her red packet and started counting the cash seriously.

Qi Shenbai kept looking down at her, his gaze unconsciously attracted to her slightly moving lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed a few times, as if he was trying hard to suppress some impulse.

“5,100 dollars, 5,200 dollars…” She suddenly paused and looked up at him. “520, as in ‘I love you’?”

Qi Shenbai nodded and said nothing.

Xu Jiaojiao stuffed the cash back into the red packet neatly, along with the greeting card. “Actually, you don’t have to do this. 1 don’t really want…”

“But I do.” Qi Shenbai suddenly interrupted her. “I’ve never liked anyone else before, and I’m ten years older than you. 1 may not know what kids your age like, so I’ll try whatever I know works.”

“Wait a minute.” Xu Jiaojiao blinked her big eyes. “Are you saying that I’m the first person you ever liked?”

Qi Shenbai raised his eyebrows slightly in acknowledgment..

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