Chapter 471 - 219: A World for Two
Chapter 471: Chapter 219: A World for Two
Soft light bloomed from the lampshade on the ceiling, illuminating the entire room.
On the bed lay a carefully chosen outfit—the thick, black tights she had finally settled on, and a matching school-style pleated skirt.
Li Zhi’s gaze lingered on the deep black color as if she’d been burned, and a distinct heat instantly bloomed on her cheeks.
The thick fabric guaranteed warmth, so it wouldn’t seem like she was trying too hard. But the snug fit and the light-absorbing quality of the dark color...
There was no denying it would clearly outline the shape of her legs.
’You moron... you moron, Shen Yuan! You’re getting off easy this time!’
The young woman muttered under her breath, as if giving herself a pep talk to suppress the shameful flutter in her heart.
Having found a reason—or rather, an excuse—Li Zhi moved quickly, a mix of reckless abandon and secret anticipation propelling her forward, giving herself no time for regrets.
Li Zhi slipped out of her comfortable loungewear and picked up the soft, thick black tights.
The fine material felt cool against her skin as she quickly pulled them on.
The tights had excellent stretch, hugging her legs snugly and tracing their well-proportioned, slender curves.
The deep black had a soft, matte finish under the light. They weren’t as alluring as thin stockings, but they possessed a subtle attraction all their own.
The moment she put them on, a wave of warmth enveloped her bare legs, but the unfamiliar tightness also made her heart beat a little faster.
Next, she picked up the skirt.
The hem of the dark, pleated skirt fell a hand’s width above her knees, creating a smooth transition with the black tights on her legs.
Li Zhi quickly pulled on the skirt, adjusting the waist and the pleats with fluid movements.
The combination of the dark skirt and thick black tights visually made her already well-proportioned legs appear even more slender and long.
Finally, to balance the slightly dressy lower half of her outfit and to suit the warmth of the room, she grabbed a cream-colored crewneck sweater from her closet and pulled it on.
The soft wool was warm and comfortable, and its loose silhouette counteracted the constricting lines of her lower body, lending a touch of casual, at-home coziness.
Li Zhi stood before the full-length mirror, stealing a quick glance at her reflection.
The girl in the mirror had a slender figure. The hem of her loose sweater hung naturally over the plaid skirt, creating a warm and cozy effect for her upper body.
And below the skirt, a pair of long, straight legs were completely encased in the thick black tights. The soft, matte black accentuated the sleek, smooth lines of her legs, exuding a subtle yet eye-catching beauty under the warm light of the room.
The deep black of the tights extended up beneath the hem of her skirt. That barely-visible boundary held a kind of unconscious, fatal allure.
"..."
Realizing the thought that had just flashed through her mind, Li Zhi’s ears instantly turned beet red, and she hastily averted her gaze.
’You moron, Shen Yuan! This is all your fault!’
She grumbled at the mirror, as if blaming the as-of-yet-unmet Selaan would somehow lessen the scorching mix of anticipation and embarrassment in her heart.
She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart and the suspicious blush on her face.
’Finally dressed. Now... it’s time to go find that moron.’
Li Zhi grabbed a long down jacket from her closet. It reached her calves, perfect for hiding her outfit from her parents’ eyes.
If Old Li saw what she was wearing, Li Zhi could just imagine the look on his face.
The pretty girl took a deep breath, as if to summon one last bit of courage. Li Zhi deftly slipped on the long down jacket, pulling the cold zipper all the way up to her neck. It completely concealed the sweater and skirt underneath, as if temporarily sealing away her shyness and fluttering heart along with them.
She walked into the living room, her steps subconsciously lighter than usual.
Old Li was sitting on the sofa with Xu Chan leaning against his shoulder, watching TV. When they caught sight of Li Zhi out of the corner of their eyes, the couple’s gazes instantly snapped to her.
Their stares were like feathers—not sharp, but they tickled the heat that had just subsided from Li Zhi’s face right back into existence.
"...*Cough*."
Li Zhi’s throat felt a little dry. Her fingers, hidden in her pockets, unconsciously tightened their grip on the jacket.
She cleared her throat. Her voice was quiet and lacked confidence, her eyes darting away, not daring to meet her parents’ gaze. She was like a child caught doing something wrong, desperate to escape.
"So... um... yeah, I-I’m going over to Shen Yuan’s house."
Her voice was barely a whisper. After the last word, her courage seemed to run out completely.
She didn’t dare spare her parents another glance. The instant the words left her mouth, she spun around and bolted for the door like a startled yet determined little rabbit.
"Hey—" Xu Chan’s voice, laced with laughter, called out, as if she wanted to add a reminder.
But Li Zhi was in no state to listen!
She didn’t even bother putting on shoes, dashing out the door in her slippers.
SLAM!
The door was hastily shut behind her, cutting off her parents’ potentially teasing gazes and sealing away her heart that felt like it was about to pound out of her chest.
The sound was exceptionally clear in the now-quiet living room.
Inside the apartment.
A subtle silence instantly fell over the living room, with only the dialogue from the TV drama continuing on its own.
Xu Chan looked at Old Li, the corners of her mouth curving into a helpless yet gentle smile.
Old Li was also looking toward the door. He was stunned for a moment, then a muscle in his cheek twitched as if he wanted to say something. In the end, it all dissolved into a soft sigh, and he shook his head helplessly.