Star-Crossed Lovers: The Ex-Convict and the White Rabbit - Chapter 18

Chapter 18 – Is Your Husband Not Home? 

Old Li stepped forward to help her up, not forgetting to scold her, “I wasn’t exaggerating. Don’t be so quick-tempered.” 

Lu Qiang didn’t refute. He kept his eyes focused on her, looking at the petite woman’s awkward fumbling. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were pursed together, clearly so angry yet she didn’t dare look into his eyes. She slightly rolled her eyes at the area beside his feet, giving off a young and ignorant feel. 

He bent over and wrapped his arms around the box. He lifted it effortlessly onto his shoulders. 

Lu Yin said, “It’s…” 

“Keep up.” 

He had already walked forward. Lu Yin looked at his silhouette and gritted her teeth. She bid goodbye to Old Li and jogged to catch up to him. 

He had long legs and big steps. One step for him was three steps Lu Yin had to jog.
 

Her building was a little towards the inside, the road there was winding and it took a seven to eight-minute walk to get there. 

Lu Yin was struggling, her breath a little unsteady. 

After a few seconds, the person in front of him seemed to realize something. He turned around, stopped and did not take another step until Lu Yin caught up. This time, he slowed his pace a lot. 

The two were side by side, but it was so awkward since they weren’t saying anything. Time seemed to flow much slower compared to the past few minutes. 

Lu Qiang was comfortable, carrying the box as if it was a walk in the park. He glanced into the distance. A group of people in the park were ballroom dancing. Men and women alike were dressed in colorful clothes, twisting and twirling, skirts fluttering. 

He sneered and diverted his gaze. 

“You get off work at this time every day?”
 

“… Huh?” Lu Yin had been distracted and only turned her head when he spoke up. Her eyes were somewhat unfocused. She gathered her thoughts before answering, “Oh… No, I went to eat.” 

Lu Qiang looked at her for a moment, and grunted with a smile: “You’re so slow.” 

“What?” 

He smiled and didn’t repeat himself, “What did you buy?” 

Lu Yin replied, “A chandelier.” 

“Online?” 

She nodded. 

Lu Qiang said: “It’s not light.” 

“Yeah,” she said perfunctorily. She remembered Old Li telling her he didn’t speak much, but he was obviously wrong. After some thought, she involuntarily added, “For a three-bedroom.” 

“You’re renovating?” 

Her eyes dimmed and she nodded again. 

Lu Qiang didn’t continue on the topic and asked, “You can use a computer to buy things?” 

She didn’t understand, “… Everyone can, right?!” 

“I can’t.” 

Lu Yin looked at him. 

Lu Qiang said carelessly, “I’ve been inside for too long, I haven’t caught up with the times.” 

Lu Yin didn’t reply. 

Entering the stairwell, Lu Qiang climbed up to the third floor quickly. The lamp above his head had not been repaired, the hallway was so dark he couldn’t see his fingers. 

Lu Yin spoke up, “Sorry for the trouble. You can just leave it here, I can move it in myself.” 

Lu Qiang kept the box in his arms and said, “Open the door.” 

Lu Yin hesitated and took out the keys from her pocket. She had lied to him last time, it wasn’t polite to drive him away this time. 

She raised her head and peeked at Lu Qiang. She could barely see a thing but he was like a behemoth, hiding in the darkness. 

Lu Yin opened the door and took a step back. Lu Qiang went in, but the lights weren’t on. After the entrance was a corridor, Lu Qiang turned sideways: “The lights?” 

“Behind you.” 

He groped around for a long time, “I can’t find it.” 

Lu Yin took a step forward and reached out. The switch was blocked by Lu Qiang. The corridor had been narrow and full of miscellaneous items. His tall figure stood still. The two were close, the heat from his body transferred to her. Her nose was attacked by a masculine scent, mixed with the faint smell of sweat, strange but not unpleasant. She raised her eyes and suddenly met his gaze. A faint light from outside the window shone on his eyes, bright and captivating. 

Her heart trembled and she instinctively flinched. 

For a time, the small space was surprisingly quiet and the sound of rubbing fabric was clear and audible. 

The two stood in the dark for a while. Lu Qiang took a step forward suddenly. He stretched his arm and pressed it into the wall next to her. The box was still resting on his shoulder. He had her cornered. 

Lu Yin was scared at the sudden closeness. She shrank her neck and closed her eyes tightly. 

Lu Qiang didn’t advance further, his nose pausing next to her ear. 

Lu Yin stiffened and held her breath. 

Lu Qiang paused, nose flaring. He bent his head and sniffed lightly. A faint smell of alcohol emanated from her, he became helplessly intoxicated too. 

Lu Qiang said hoarsely, “You drank?” 

She opened her eyes, her heart beating fast, “Ah?” 

“How much can you drink?” 

“… A little.” 

Lu Qiang scrutinised her for a moment. He glanced around the room and smiled, “Is your husband not home?”