Chapter 115 - 114: Little Zhi, I think I am in love

Words : 1236 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Chapter 115: 114: Little Zhi, I think I am in love Watching them enter another brand’s clothing store, Ruan Yuan finally stepped out of the shadows, her gaze fixed on Meng Han’s back, her eyes clouded and unreadable. The evening glow spread a vivid layer of color across the sky, fiery red rays cascading through the clouds, enveloping the entire city. At Yushui Bay, Ruan Yuan stood at the entrance of the building, rummaging through her shoulder bag for the key card to open the door. She distinctly remembered placing it in the inner compartment when leaving the house, yet she searched inside and out without finding a trace. With a faint sigh, she was about to crouch at the side to wait for someone to open the door when suddenly, a slender hand extended from her right. "Beep—" As the entrance door automatically swung open, she turned her head to glance at the person who had arrived. The man was dressed in a long black trench coat layered over a crew-neck T-shirt. His broad shoulders, narrow waist, and impeccably straight legs showcased his flawlessly proportioned physique. His hair was casually tied back, revealing a smooth forehead. His prominent nose, combined with his sensual lips, inexplicably evoked a dryness in her throat. Ruan Yuan’s heart was racing at this moment, pounding as if it might leap out of her chest. She steadied her emotions and offered a brief smile as those deep, coffee-colored eyes glanced her way: "Thank you." "You’re welcome." Shi Yin nodded slightly, gentlemanly pulling the entrance door wider to let her pass first. His gaze was calm, devoid of any lustful admiration or covetousness for her beauty, merely treating her as an ordinary resident. Ruan Yuan walked in ahead of him but slowed her pace in the hallway, waiting for him to catch up. The elevator was still parked on the upper floors, so both stood waiting for its descent. "Which floor do you live on?" Perhaps finding the silence a bit stifling, Ruan Yuan couldn’t help initiating conversation. She tilted her head up to study the man’s features, and for some reason, her recently calmed heart began to surge uncontrollably once again. "Third floor." Shi Yin kept his gaze forward, indifferent to her unabashed scrutiny. His voice was soft, like gentle streams flowing over rocks, melodious and soothing. Ruan Yuan felt a tickling sensation at her ears and casually pinched her earlobe: "That’s quite a coincidence. We’re neighbors, then." "You just moved in?" He vaguely remembered that the opposite unit had been vacant. "Yes, I’ll be counting on you from now on," she said with playful ease. Shi Yin responded with a polite affirmation, his demeanor unwavering: "Of course." Though he conversed amiably, offering the consideration expected of a neighbor, the distance he maintained felt almost insurmountable. Ruan Yuan raised her brows slightly, a sudden surge of fascination for him blooming within moments. She extended her right hand voluntarily: "I’m Ruan Yuan. Nice to meet you." Shi Yin hesitated briefly before mirroring her gesture: "Shi Yin." As he grasped her soft hand, he furrowed his brows slightly in discomfort, pulling back within seconds. "Your surname is Shi?" "Yes, as in ’time.’" Ruan Yuan brushed her fingertips, smiling even more brightly: "That’s quite an uncommon surname." At least here in the Imperial City, it was. "Hmm." Shi Yin found himself at a loss for words and simply responded again. Coincidentally, the elevator doors opened at that moment, offering him a reprieve from the awkwardness. It only took seconds to reach the third floor, and after exchanging brief goodbyes, they each shut the doors to their respective units. Ruan Yuan lazily sprawled on the sofa, lifting her right hand, her gaze trailing from her fingertips to her wrist, her mind filled with images of the man’s detached and unperturbed demeanor. A faint curve unknowingly appeared on her lips. She clutched her chest, inhaled deeply twice, and picked up her phone to make a video call to Yu Zhi. "Little Zhi, I think I might be in love." Her first words revealed her overwhelming joy. Yu Zhi was sitting on the living room carpet with Shi Wei, a deep frown creasing her face as she worked on homework. Hearing these words suddenly, her expression changed in an instant. She hurriedly put down her pen, grabbed the phone with both hands, and blinked her eyes: "So fast? With whom?" Ruan Yuan slowly sat up, her gaze filled with a teasing smile: "The neighbor next door. I realized I fell for him at first sight." "Another foreigner?" Yu Zhi wasn’t surprised by her boldness in matters of the heart, so the phrase "love at first sight" did nothing to shock her. "No." Ruan Yuan waved her hand dismissively. Ever since she laid eyes on Shi Yin, foreigners had lost all charm for her. Her eyes swept across the screen to catch the glimpse of a sleeve beside the young girl and said directly: "He said his name is Shi Yin. Does your man know him?" Upon hearing this, Yu Zhi quickly turned her head, exchanging a knowing look with Shi Wei for two seconds. She arched her brows: "Is it the Shi Yin I’ve met before?" "Yes, I think so." Shi Wei paused but soon bowed his head again to help the girl review her work. From start to finish, his emotions remained completely unaffected. "That’s great." Yu Zhi smiled serenely, relieved yet genuinely happy for Ruan Yuan. After all, if the older brother was so decent, surely the younger brother wouldn’t be far off. "What’s the detail?" Ruan Yuan couldn’t suppress her curiosity, her voice almost trembling with subtle excitement. "Shi Yin is his younger brother." Yu Zhi placed the phone on the desk against a glass for support. Resting her face against her hand, she said, "I’ve seen him once. He’s a good guy." "That’s wonderful!" Ruan Yuan enthusiastically slapped her thigh, unable to hide the ecstatic smile pulling at her lips. Leaning forward, she grabbed some paper and a pen from her bag, biting the pen cap as she prepared to jot down notes: "Is he single? How many girlfriends has he had? What hobbies does he have? When’s his birthday?" Yu Zhi: "..." This felt a bit like an advanced-level questionnaire. Yu Zhi tugged lightly on the sleeve of the man beside her, pleading silently with matching doe eyes. Her lashes fluttered slightly, and her rosy lips pressed together, as if refusing her would somehow be a grave offense. Shi Wei dotingly patted her head, slipped an arm around her delicate waist, and addressed the screen: "He’s never been in a relationship, likes playing basketball, and his birthday is August 20th." "Leo? That’s a good match for me." Ruan Yuan meticulously jotted it all down, careful not to miss a single detail. In truth, the most important question was whether he was single. As for everything else, she’d prefer to get to know him slowly over time. "Are you planning on pursuing him?" Yu Zhi leaned against the man’s chest, her curiosity evident. This was the first time she’d seen Ruan Yuan actively inquire about someone, unlike her usual indifference toward foreigners. "Yes." "Seriously?" "Absolutely." Ruan Yuan recalled the moment her long-dormant heart had sprung to life upon meeting him, realizing that the person she had been waiting for had finally appeared.

Chapter 115 - 114: Little Zhi, I think I am in love

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