But no matter how quickly he stepped back, the atmosphere had already been disturbed. Ling Chuxia had been only partly conscious due to the accident, but the butler’s sudden intrusion had jolted her fully awake.
At that moment, she became acutely aware of the changes in her emotions. Never before had her heart raced so fast when Shi Che wanted to kiss her—her body tense, her breathing uneven, yet filled with anticipation.
Even now, she could still feel her heart pounding fiercely, as if it were about to leap out of her chest.
The butler’s interruption had left Shi Che and Ling Chuxia with a moment of silence, so quiet that they seemed only able to hear each other’s breathing. They were close, Shi Che’s warm breath brushing the top of her head, making Ling Chuxia’s scalp burn hotly, her hands unsure where to place themselves.
Before she had acknowledged her feelings, she could force herself to be undistracted, but once she recognized her emotions, with the man she liked standing beside her, how could her heart not flutter?
Even his slightest movement could probably set off her heartbeat.
However, having just realized these feelings in such a perilous situation, her mind was still somewhat chaotic. Being beside Shi Che, she felt incapable of coherent thought.
She took a gentle breath and softly broke the silence, "I... I should go check on Xinxin first."
The atmosphere had been so perfect earlier, everything falling naturally into place until an unexpected interruption occurred, leaving Shi Che filled with annoyance. After the butler had left, he had been contemplating whether to continue, but then Ling Chuxia spoke.
Shi Che’s dark eyes deepened with a fleeting hint of disappointment, swiftly disappearing.
After all, he knew that Ling Chuxia was not indifferent toward him. He was sufficiently satisfied with this, and as for anything else, he dared not yet hope.
Because of the deep despair he once felt, every step he now took was unconsciously cautious.
Shi Che’s handsome face returned to its usual composure; he stepped back, increasing the distance slightly, and looked at her with gentle eyes, nodding, "Okay, go ahead."
Although the crazy woman hadn’t thrown sulfuric acid, it was natural for Ling Chuxia to worry about her friend Ji Xinxin, who loved her reputation, being humiliated in public.
Ling Chuxia glanced unconsciously at Shi Che. His expression was calm with no clear displeasure, and she let out a small sigh of relief, "Then I’ll go first."
Having said this, Ling Chuxia slowly turned and walked out of the room.
Once outside, she took a deep breath; feeling her heartbeat gradually slowing down and her breathing easing, she then walked away.
On her way, she asked a servant and learned that Ji Xinxin was on the second floor in Shen Qian’s room. She then went upstairs and approached the room. The door was slightly ajar, and she gently knocked, receiving no response. A flash of doubt crossed Ling Chuxia’s eyes as she slowly pushed the door open.
Upon opening the door, she immediately saw Ji Xinxin sitting motionless on the bed, her expression somewhat vacant. Ling Chuxia’s heart skipped a beat as she hurried inside, asking with concern, "Xinxin, are you alright?"
However, her call elicited no response from Ji Xinxin. Ling Chuxia’s expression grew more worried, her voice lowering, "Xinxin? What’s wrong? Don’t scare me, okay?"