"Phew."
Seeing that the shadow behind Li Guanqi was no longer bumping into them, Su Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. However, feeling the touch in his hand, he subconsciously gave it a squeeze.
Small, soft, and smooth.
If he were to smell it, it would probably be fragrant too.
This kind of touch...
Su Cheng lowered his head to look at his left hand, which was gripping Li Guanqi's hand. He then moved his hand to her wrist, planning to continue holding it like that as they walked. But when he looked up, he froze.
Because Li Guanqi was staring straight at the hand he was holding. Then, she flipped her wrist over, and their palms pressed together. With her fingers, she clasped his tightly.
"This way, we can support each other and won't trip," Li Guanqi said, her expression as indifferent as ever, her voice calm, as if this was the most normal thing in the world.
"Don't let go."
"Ah, okay."
Su Cheng nodded and clasped her hand in return.
And so, their fingers intertwined.
This action was indeed quite intimate for Su Cheng, but since the girl herself didn't seem to mind, he could only pretend it was nothing and continue walking forward.
He noticed that Li Guanqi's skin was as soft as cotton candy, and holding her hand gave him a very comfortable sensation. It was a strange but pleasant feeling.
Thus, the two of them walked hand in hand through the mall, one in front and the other behind.
Su Cheng led the way, while Li Guanqi followed.
As it was his first time accompanying a girl shopping, he felt a bit awkward and didn't know what to say.
"I want to go into this store," Li Guanqi suddenly spoke from behind.
Hearing her voice, Su Cheng stopped and saw that it was a clothing store.
"Sure."
He turned his head to ask her.
Li Guanqi nodded: "Mhm."
Su Cheng led her into the women's clothing store. Since there weren't many people inside, he let go of her hand, planning to let Li Guanqi choose her own clothes while he waited nearby.
"Sir, would you like to pick out some clothes for your girlfriend?" a sales assistant immediately approached with a smile.
Su Cheng was stunned, realizing that the assistant had overlooked Li Guanqi. But luckily, Li Guanqi spoke first: "We're just looking around."
"I'm sorry, I didn't notice you," the sales assistant quickly bowed and apologized.
Li Guanqi shook her head, indicating she wasn't upset.
Then, she glanced around and went to the hat section, where various styles of hats were displayed...
She picked up a black beret, put it on, and turned to look at Su Cheng.
With the hat, although her expression remained unchanged, she exuded a gentle charm. This contrast between her usual coldness and the warmth of her beauty made her even more unforgettable.
"What a champion's relic..."
Su Cheng subconsciously looked away but couldn't help complaining inwardly.
"Hmm... It looks good," Li Guanqi nodded, apparently satisfied with her choice. She then turned to the sales assistant and said, "Please pack it up for me."
The sales assistant nodded repeatedly: "Of course, please wait a moment!"
After a while, Li Guanqi held the shopping bag and looked at Su Cheng beside her, saying, "Let's go."
With that, she raised her hand, signaling for Su Cheng to continue holding it. Su Cheng didn't refuse.
Once again, their fingers intertwined as they left the women's clothing section, one leading and the other following.
...
As the mall grew more crowded, the two of them shifted from walking one behind the other to side by side. After weaving through the crowd for a while, Su Cheng's breathing became more and more labored, and sweat began to form on his forehead. Still, he forced himself to keep going.
With so many people around, the air was hardly circulating, and for him, it was pure torture.
"Let's rest for a bit," Li Guanqi's concerned voice came from beside him.
"Okay."
Hearing this, Su Cheng paused for a moment, then looked around and spotted a nearby cold drink shop. He walked over to the nearest seat, let go of her hand, and sat down. Li Guanqi followed and sat beside him.
Su Cheng's breathing finally returned to normal.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Li Guanqi took out a tissue from her bag and gently wiped the sweat from Su Cheng's forehead, her voice filled with concern.
Su Cheng's body stiffened slightly. However, since Li Guanqi had previously wiped his mouth for him, he didn't resist and simply lowered his head to thank her before saying, "I'm sorry, it's my first time in a place like this. I get a bit dizzy in crowds."
Upon hearing this, Li Guanqi put away the tissue and picked up a fan from the table at the cold drink shop. She began fanning Su Cheng while speaking in a self-reproachful tone: "I should be the one apologizing. It's my fault for being so willful."
"It's not your fault. I overestimated my stamina."
After saying that, Su Cheng picked up the menu beside him, ready to order two drinks. He was incredibly thirsty and needed to replenish his fluids.
But Li Guanqi reached out and stopped him: "Cold drinks are bad for your stomach."
With that, she took out a water bottle from her bag, opened it, revealing a straw-like spout.
She held the bottle in front of Su Cheng and said, "Drink this."
"Uh..."
Seeing the water bottle that Li Guanqi had drunk from, Su Cheng was utterly embarrassed. This way...
Wasn't this an indirect kiss?
How unconcerned could she be? Could she really give him this to drink?
"It's new. I haven't used it yet," Li Guanqi explained, then held the bottle to his lips again and said, "Drink it quickly~."
Her tone at that moment was like a mother coaxing a stubborn child.
This feeling... was really... very strange.
But, it was also somewhat impossible to refuse.
After all, she had said it like that.
"Thank you."
So, he took the water bottle and took a sip. He found that the white straw was a bit soft, and the water was indeed very refreshing. It was clearly mountain spring water that had been boiled and bottled.
He couldn't help but glance at Li Guanqi beside him. She was still sitting on the chair, expressionless, fanning him. Their eyes met in the air, and she asked, "What is it?"
"Nothing... I'm going to the restroom."
Su Cheng stood up and walked towards the restroom.
Li Guanqi watched his figure disappear from her sight before slowly moving the cup to her side. She raised her right hand, using her thumb and index finger to pinch the rim of the cup.
Soon, a white synthetic fiber swab fell out.
She carefully examined the swab, finding saliva and lipstick traces on it. Then, she took out a tube from her bag.
The tube contained some strange liquid. She quickly placed the swab inside, tightened the cap, shook the tube, and then put it back in her bag.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Su Cheng was at the sink, splashing water on his face with both hands.
He realized that Li Guanqi had noticed he was wearing contact lenses and had applied lipstick, which made him feel extremely embarrassed.
Fortunately, she hadn't discovered his true appearance.
At most, she might think he was a bit effeminate.
After all, which normal guy wears lipstick?
But just to be safe, he decided to take Li Guanqi to the hospital for a check-up later and have the doctor fabricate a very healthy result.
Despite Li Guanqi's usual deadpan demeanor, he could feel her concern for him. If she found out the truth, God knows what she might do.
Thinking of this, he took a deep breath, wiped his face with a tissue from the side, and then noticed that the black on his lips was showing. He quickly took out his lipstick from his pocket and applied it to cover the black.
Just as he was puckering his lips, ready to leave the restroom, a muscular man walked out of the men's restroom next door, staring at the lipstick in his hand with disgust.
"I thought I had walked into the women's restroom," the muscular man said with disdain, his tone full of malice.
In short, it was very sarcastic.
Su Cheng didn't explain, nor did he feel the need to. He simply put away the lipstick and took another tissue to wipe off the lipstick marks around his mouth.
"Damn sissy..."
The muscular man also came to the sink to wash his hands. Seeing Su Cheng's appearance, he couldn't help but curse again.
"Actually, I'm sick. Wearing lipstick is just to cover the sickly look of my lips," Su Cheng explained calmly, using his ultimate move of sincerity.
Next to him, a burly man washing his hands froze upon hearing this. He glanced at Su Cheng, noticing the serious expression on his face, and then lowered his head, adding, "I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. After all, it's quite unusual for a boy to wear lipstick."
Su Cheng smiled, appearing very kind.
However, in the burly man's eyes, this smile seemed somewhat forlorn.
Overcome with guilt, he felt like he deserved to die.
He continued to rinse his face with water, as if doing so could wash away his sins.
After a long while, he wiped his face, took a deep breath, and slowly walked out of the men's restroom.
As soon as he stepped out, he encountered a couple passing by.
The male was the same young man who had claimed he was sick for wearing lipstick, and beside him was a very serious-looking girl.
The couple seemed very well-matched, and their hand-in-hand gesture indicated their closeness.
"Are we going to the hospital now?"
The girl suddenly asked.
The boy replied, "Yes, but I feel perfectly healthy. Still, just to be safe, I'll get checked. Don't worry."
"I'll go with you."
The girl immediately responded.
Hearing their interaction, he realized what it truly meant to be a man.
To prevent his girlfriend from noticing anything unusual and worrying, he had no choice but to wear lipstick.
This filled him with both guilt and admiration for the young man.
His gaze fell on Su Cheng's back, and he couldn't help but sigh before turning away.
He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, as today had taught him not to judge by appearances.
………………
Hospital
Examination Room.
Su Cheng was inside getting a check-up, while Li Guanqi waited outside.
At the moment, the doctor was on duty.
The doctor first checked his blood pressure and examined his pupils before slowly asking, "Are you a mixed-race?"
"No."
"Prosthetic eye?"
"No."
"Then why do your pupils have a resemblance to Pang Hu?"
"Sorry, I forgot to take off my colored contacts."
It was then that Su Cheng realized and quickly explained.
"That's why. You had me confused for a moment!"
The doctor slapped his thigh, laughed, and shook his head, nodding. Then, he used an instrument to observe Su Cheng's heart.
After a while, he said, "Your body's various functions are abnormal, and your heart is very unusual. An electrocardiogram is needed for a detailed diagnosis."
"I don't want to do it. Could you please tell the person outside that I'm very healthy?"
Although Su Cheng said this, he knew it was impossible.
"That won't do. If we deceive and don't inform, we could be sued!"
The doctor quickly shook his head, "You have the worst heart I've encountered in all my years of practice. There must be a big problem. I strongly recommend a full body check-up."
"Thank you."
Su Cheng gave a bitter smile. He didn't expect the doctor to agree, but using Huazi Cigarettes to control a doctor made him feel uncomfortable.
So, this was now a necessity.
Just as he was about to take out the Huazi Cigarettes, the hospital door suddenly opened.
A rather burly man entered. When Su Cheng saw him, he was stunned.
It was the same muscular man who had called him a sissy in the restroom.
The man was also stunned but then shifted his gaze to the doctor, saying, "Brother-in-law, sister wants you to come home for dinner."
"I know."
The doctor took off his white coat, glanced at his watch, and then looked at Su Cheng, "It's lunchtime now. You can consider it and come back this afternoon."
After saying that, he picked up his water cup and walked out of the room, while the male next to him said, "Brother-in-law, you go ahead. I need to use the restroom."
Just as Su Cheng was about to leave, the man who had gone to the restroom returned, pushing Su Cheng back to his seat and asking, "Having trouble?"
"What do you mean?"
Su Cheng asked, puzzled.
"Hehe."
The man chuckled, picked up the white coat from the chair, and put it on himself, then explained, "Leave it to me!"
Su Cheng's eyes lit up.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
He stood up and extended his hand to the man.
The man also smiled and shook his hand, then the two exchanged some information about the condition before walking out of the room together.
"Mr. Su Cheng's body is fine. Just a bit tired."
The fake doctor pretended to look at the form in his hand before saying, "You need to rest more and pay attention to your diet."
The fake doctor went on and on, and Su Cheng kept nodding.
"………"
Li Guanqi watched this 'muscle doctor' whose muscles were almost bursting out of the white coat, and couldn't help but feel a black line on his forehead. He suppressed his urge to complain and nodded: "Thank you, doctor."
"Mm."
Su Cheng nodded: "Then, Dr. Liu, we'll take our leave."
"Okay, take care."
……
After leaving the clinic, Su Cheng and Li Guanqi walked side by side, but this time they didn't hold hands. Su Cheng turned to look at Li Guanqi and asked, "Shall I send you home?"
"There's a driver, no need to trouble you."
Li Guanqi shook his head.
"I see..."
Su Cheng hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Can I confess now?"
"Yes."
Li Guanqi stopped walking and nodded expressionlessly.
"Can you reject me more harshly this time?"
Su Cheng asked.
His intention was clear: he wanted a rejection and to confirm Li Guanqi's stance.
Li Guanqi's reward was Grade A, and Grade A rewards were determined based on his current needs!
"Yes."
Li Guanqi's face remained calm as ever.
"I like you!"