The broad palm still had a hint of roughness.
It was warm, not as soft as a young man, but with just the right amount of strength.
Perhaps it was Pei Dai's playful demeanor that made Mei Yeqin smile, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly.
Her slender fingers gradually intertwined with Pei Dai's.
Pei Dai had initially thought he wouldn't be able to wait any longer, but he hadn't expected the softness he felt in his palm.
He was stunned for a moment, then followed Mei Yeqin out of the elevator.
Downtown, in a newly opened building, it was a new apartment with a fingerprint lock, barely lived in. The furniture and everything inside were covered with dust sheets.
Pei Dai was still the same hardworking Pei Dai.
The man quietly set her luggage aside and began packing.
He first lifted the dust sheet on the sofa.
"Qinqin, sit down for a moment while I clean up."
After a long day seated inside car, Mei Yeqin was indeed a little tired. She had always been a lazy person. Although she was straightforward, she was particularly lazy in her actions and even less interested in cleaning.
The furniture and other items in the house were basically all given to her by the developer, so she could move in with her belongings ready.
She felt a little tired, leaning against the sofa and slowly closing her eyes.
Fortunately, the house was just a dusting of dirt, so it wasn't too dirty.
While the remaining bedrooms were still being tidied, Pei Dai boiled some hot water in the kitchen. Looking at the empty refrigerator, he decided to give her some hot water first.
Then he saw Mei Yeqin sitting on the sofa.
With her long, shiny black hair and fair, oval face, she looked like a quiet, picturesque beauty.
Pei Dai gently placed the water glass on the table, took off his coat, and draped it over Mei Yeqin.
He turned and went to Mei Yeqin's bedroom. Although it was a two-bedroom apartment, one was a study room, so there was only one bedroom.
After a long moment of hesitation, Pei Dai finally pushed the door open and went in.
Wanting Mei Yeqin to sleep more comfortably, he felt the mattress. It was generally simple. The bedroom was also decorated in a simple and clear style, with almost no furniture inside, only large expanses of white space, which was why it was easy to clean.
Pei Dai could even guess that Mei Yeqin had bought this place because of its simple decor. Despite its simplicity, he knew Mei Yeqin had always been particular about sleep quality.
After packing, he ordered a mattress online from a local source.
He placed the luggage in Mei Yeqin's bedroom.
After packing, he was about to leave.
"Ah Dai, are you the Snail Girl?"
A voice called out from behind Pei Dai, and his fingers paused. He stood in Mei Yeqin's bedroom, feeling somewhat bewildered.
Mei Yeqin had only intended to take a nap, but unexpectedly ended up by a small sleep. When she woke up, she thought Pei Dai had left. Seeing her house tidy and fresh, she was stunned for a few seconds before heading to the bedroom.
As expected, the man hadn't left. He was pulling her luggage, looking hesitant, perhaps debating whether to pack her luggage.
He stood there with his arms and legs spread out, a faint blush on the tips of his ears. A grown man, yet he looked at her with a somewhat bewildered look.
This Pei Dai suddenly resonated with the younger Pei Dai in Mei Yeqin's mind.
Mei Yeqin's heart suddenly softened.
She walked over, reached out, and embraced Pei Dai.
Pei Dai was dazed as he was embraced.
"What's wrong, Qinqin? Are you feeling unwell?"
His voice was hoarse and tense, and he didn't know what to do with his arms. It was just like that young man in a washed-out shirt standing in front Mei Yeqin before, saying, "What's wrong, Qinqin?" when Mei Yeqin was about to leave.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Her glass-like eyes met Pei Dai's bewildered gaze with a frank expression.
"Ah Dai, I want you."
Pei Dai was completely stunned, his mind fuzzy.
Yes.
Knowing Qinqin well enough, he naturally knew what she meant, literally.
The hands that stripped off his coat and belt.
Pei Dai's hands, ready to push Mei Yeqin away, held back.
He was no longer the naive young man he had been. He had gone from passive to active.
This is better.
…
The moonlight outside filtered through the window screens, and the lights were still on in the bedroom.
Mei Yeqin leaned against the headboard, while Pei Dai leaned sideways, watching the woman smoking.
"Qinqin, smoking is bad for your health."
He wanted to snuff the cigarette out of her hand, but held back.
Mei Yeqin half-closed her eyes, put out the cigarette, and squinted at Pei Dai.
"Why haven't you found someone else all these years?"
Pei Dai was stunned for a moment, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks before he shook his head.
She knew it was normal for him to be so inexperienced.
Thinking of this, Pei Dai felt a little disappointed. He wanted to ask if Qinqin had find anyone else, but his throat was choked, and he didn't ask.
"Qinqin, I will take responsibility for you."
He was still as serious as ever, just like the first time they had, sweating profusely, nearly frantic, and then he told her he would take responsibility.
Mei Yeqin's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Why do you want to be responsible for me so much?"
No matter what, Mei Yeqin still didn't believe the word "love." Her eyes were dull and even a little cold.
The warmth she had just shown was completely absent.
Pei Dai's heart tightened, and his face wore a completely indifferent expression.
"Qinqin, there's no reason, I just want to be responsible for you."
He wanted to say he liked her, loved her, but he knew she didn't care and didn't want to believe it, so it was better not to say it.
This was the first time they had met after so many years.
He also couldn't control himself, even in front of Mei Yeqin.
"Qinqin, are you hungry? Let's go eat."
In the dim air, he couldn't help but feel that Mei Yeqin wasn't in a very good mood, even a little bad. He knew it was always like this afterward.
So Pei Dai quickly changed the subject.
That "I'll treat you to dinner" had become...
Mei Yeqin lay on bed, unabashedly, her long, slender legs exposed as she flung the covers aside and headed for the bathroom.
Pei Dai looked at the red marks left on his body, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
He hadn't actually said that.
He also liked that.
But he always had to act a little cool, giving Qinqin things when she wanted them, otherwise she wouldn't like it.
Because he'd heard she say she didn't like things that were offered to her unsolicited, because it didn't interest her.
So, he couldn't let her dislike him.
He'd rather be summoned and dismissed, and he certainly wouldn't leave.
But as for the persistent nature of this, Pei Dai was probably the only one who understood.
He never left.