Chapter 387 - 201: She and Shen Yuan, in a Hotel
Chapter 387: Chapter 201: She and Shen Yuan, in a Hotel
The two of them went back down the escalator and into the subway station.
They swiped their cards to enter, just as a train heading toward Lakefront was slowly pulling in.
"It’s less crowded over here."
Shen Yuan pulled Li Zhi along, avoiding the crowded doors and quickly entering the less-packed middle of the car.
As luck would have it, there were two empty seats right next to each other.
They sat down together naturally, side by side, their body heat radiating through the fabric of their clothes.
With the gentle swaying of the subway car, the contact felt exceptionally real and comforting.
The platform lights outside blurred into streaks.
Shen Yuan gazed at their faint reflection in the window, sitting side by side. Li Zhi was looking down at her phone.
The car’s soft light illuminated the crown of her head and her shoulders. Right now, Li Zhi gave off a strangely docile air, a far cry from her usual Painful Sacrifice persona.
Shen Yuan shifted his position slightly, allowing their shoulders to press together more comfortably.
Then, Shen Yuan slowly moved his hand over, trying to once again take Li Zhi’s hand, which was resting on her lap.
SLAP!
The next second, Li Zhi smacked his hand away without hesitation.
The young woman glared at him, hissing, "What do you think you’re doing in public?"
’Wait, what? We could hold hands just a moment ago. Why not now that we’re on the subway?’
Shen Yuan quickly explained, "I just wanted to hold your hand."
"Hmph! Hold my hand, and next you’ll want to touch my thigh. You pervert Selaan, as if I’d believe you!"
Li Zhi turned her head away and went back to staring at her phone, ignoring him.
The corner of Shen Yuan’s mouth twitched.
’That familiar feeling is back again.’
The subway car swayed gently, the soft light tracing their silhouettes as they sat shoulder to shoulder.
Li Zhi’s warmth was still faintly perceptible, bringing with it an unexpected sense of calm.
Shen Yuan stole a glance to the side, taking in the silhouette of her head, bowed over her phone.
As the train slowed to a stop, the station announcement chimed.
"We have arrived at Lakefront."
The crowd surged.
Shen Yuan got up first. Taking advantage of the jostling crowd, he smoothly reached out and grabbed Li Zhi’s wrist firmly. "It’s crowded. Let’s not get separated."
Li Zhi let him lead her, shuffling out of the train car with the crowd.
As they walked through the station’s passageway, Shen Yuan’s hand slid down, his palm firmly enveloping her entire hand.
They walked in silence, hand in hand, through the long corridors and up the stairs, passing through the exit turnstiles.
The view opened up before them.
Li Zhi took in the surrounding streetscape, then turned to Shen Yuan. "Which way do we go?" she asked, her tone inquisitive.
Shen Yuan didn’t answer right away. He looked down, pulling his phone from his pocket and quickly unlocking it with a swipe of his finger.
Frowning slightly, he scanned the small map on the screen. A moment later, he looked up and pointed to the right. "This way. It’s a bit of a walk."
He was still holding her hand, and without letting go, he naturally started leading her in the direction he’d pointed.
They walked along the bustling street for about ten minutes.
As the crowd thinned out, the distinctive, humid air and wide-open vista of West Lake became faintly visible between the tall buildings.
Shen Yuan finally stopped in front of an elegant yet understated building.
Most importantly, it was situated right on the shore of West Lake—a prime location.
Shen Yuan pointed ahead. "Well, this is it. We’re here."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he noticed that Li Zhi, who had been following silently, had come to a complete stop the moment he announced their arrival.
Li Zhi looked up at the grand building. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around Shen Yuan’s hand, and a hesitant expression crossed her face, a flicker of imperceptible awkwardness in her eyes.
Sensing her discomfort, Shen Yuan’s lips curved into a smirk. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "What’s wrong? Is Young Master Li getting scared?"
Li Zhi immediately whipped her head around to glare at him, a faint blush rising on her cheeks as she retorted, "Who’s scared! Stop spouting nonsense, Shen Yuan. I just think... this place is too quiet. It’s not the kind of place a pervert like you would frequent."
She had intentionally raised her voice, but she couldn’t hide the slight tremor in it, as if she were flustered at being found out.
Her reaction made Shen Yuan laugh out loud, a gentle, reassuring quality to his chuckle.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Alright, alright," he said warmly. "I’ll stop teasing you."
’Shen Yuan, of course, knew why she was acting this way.’
’After all, this was the first time the pretty girl had gone with a boy to get a hotel room. Even if they were getting two separate rooms, it was only natural for her to be nervous.’
The firm pressure from Shen Yuan’s hand felt like a silent promise, and the sense of security made Li Zhi’s racing heart slow slightly.
Her heart was in turmoil.
Li Zhi lowered her gaze, countless thoughts racing through her mind.
’If I’m this nervous now, why didn’t I just say no? If I’d just turned him down flat, I wouldn’t be in this mortifyingly awkward situation!’
She bit her lower lip in frustration.
’No, I can’t let him see I’m scared!’
Li Zhi took a deep breath, her eyes suddenly turning sharp as an idea sparked in her mind.
’If that pervert Selaan dares to try anything, I’ll bash his stupid head in!’
The young beauty secretly clenched her fists, knuckles turning white, as if trying to pump herself up.
Her pep talk complete, Li Zhi lifted her head, all traces of hesitation gone from her face.
She looked at Shen Yuan, her voice quiet but decisive. "Okay, enough talk. Let’s go in."
Sensing the determination in her eyes, Shen Yuan smiled and nodded. Without the slightest hesitation, he led her by the hand.
Side by side, they stepped through the entrance of the elegant building. The soft light of the foyer cascaded down, illuminating their shadows as they walked in together.