Qiao An was interrupted mid-sentence and took a step back.
She tilted her head.
Lin Xi was walking toward them in a skin-tight black athletic outfit. Her face filled with surprise when she spotted Qiao An. "Qiao An?"
Qiao An surveyed Lin Xi’s attire.
The athletic wear clung to her body, outlining her slender waist and shapely hips in a particularly provocative way. Lin Xi was not well-endowed in the bust, so she had intentionally zipped the top down to just below her chest, leaving the neckline wide open to reveal a deep-V base layer.
Qiao An only glanced for a split second before looking away, putting on a sweet, innocent smile. "Sister Xi, what a coincidence."
Lin Xi linked her arm through Gu Jingxing’s. "It is, isn't it? Such a coincidence."
Qiao An kept her expression pure and naive.
"Did you come alone? Jingxing and I have already reserved a venue and some activities. If you haven't made any reservations, why don't you join us?"
"No, thank you," Qiao An said, her face flushing slightly. "I came with a friend."
Just then, Zhang Ling walked in after finishing his call. Qiao An waved him over.
Lin Xi turned around to see Zhang Ling, dressed in a white casual suit, walking over with long strides and coming to stand by Qiao An’s side. He possessed an elegant air—handsome, gentle, and approachable—the kind of person who makes a good impression at first glance.
Qiao An was petite, and standing next to him, she looked delicate and sweet. They made a very well-matched pair.
Lin Xi looked at Qiao An with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Your boyfriend?"
"No," Qiao An explained, looking slightly flustered. "Just a regular friend."
However, the urgency in her tone, the shyness on her face, and the faint redness at the tips of her ears all made it feel like she was protesting too much.
Lin Xi gave a genuine smile.
Gu Jingxing’s eyes traveled back and forth over Zhang Ling, his gaze laced with mockery.
Although Zhang Ling didn't know exactly what was going on, seeing that Qiao An had already started her performance, he naturally played along. "Yes, An'an and I are currently just regular friends."
Lin Xi leaned intimately against Gu Jingxing and chuckled. "Very well, we won't disturb you two 'regular friends' any further."
With that, she grabbed their room key and tugged Gu Jingxing toward the accommodation area. Gu Jingxing knitted his brows, gave Qiao An a side-glance, and lagged half a step behind as he left.
Zhang Ling walked to the front desk to handle the check-in. "I didn't expect to run into them here."
Qiao An nodded, looking listless. "It’s fine. I was just thinking about sleeping with Gu Jingxing again anyway."
Zhang Ling’s hand paused as he signed the paper, his lips tightening into a thin line.
After finishing the check-in, it was already past eleven o'clock. Once they dropped off their things in their rooms, Qiao An suggested going to the baseball batting cages. On the way, Zhang Ling asked her why she wanted to let Lin Xi misunderstand their relationship.
Qiao An gave a cold scoff. "The game has just started. Let her enjoy her smugness for a few days."
Zhang Ling pushed some stray hair back from her forehead. "If you need any help, just say the word."
The resort had a self-service baseball hall. The large venue was divided by nets into individual zones, each three meters wide and twenty meters long, equipped with an automatic pitching machine. After swiping their cards, Qiao An and Zhang Ling randomly chose a bay and pushed the door open.
The moment they stepped inside, they heard an exclamation from the next stall.
Qiao An turned her head, her face expressionless, and saw Gu Jingxing preparing to bat.
Zhang Ling gave a bitter laugh. "What do you call this?"
Qiao An took a deep breath and whispered, "An ill-fated connection, I suppose."
Lin Xi was equally surprised and greeted them through the netting.
Qiao An studied Lin Xi. She had changed into yet another athletic outfit. Although it was sportswear, this particular set was... a bit too risqué. The shorts were so short and tight that if she were to lean over even slightly, she would likely reveal half of her curves.
Qiao An raised her eyes toward Gu Jingxing, who was focused intently on hitting the balls. *Fake, straight-laced hypocrite.*
Zhang Ling walked over and draped an arm over Qiao An’s shoulder. "So this lady and your boyfriend—"
*BANG!*
A baseball came flying in at high speed, slamming into the net with a thud. The ball had been hit with immense force and was spinning so fast it looked as if it would tear through the net and fly over. Even from half a meter away, Qiao An could feel the rush of hot air it generated.
Zhang Ling instinctively pulled Qiao An into his arms to shield her. Once he was sure there was no danger, he frowned at Gu Jingxing. "Sir, be careful!"
Gu Jingxing tossed his bat aside and walked over.
Qiao An: "President Gu, this is my friend, Brother Zhang, Zhang Ling. Brother Zhang, this is my boss, President Gu. And this is President Gu’s girlfriend, Miss Lin."
Zhang Ling was about to greet them.
Gu Jingxing pulled off his glove with a cold face, his tone flat. "Barely a week back in the country and you've already found a male friend."
Qiao An chirped, "That’s right! Thanks for acknowledging my social skills, President Gu!"
Gu Jingxing’s expression darkened.
Noticing Gu Jingxing’s displeasure, Lin Xi looked at him with a mix of surprise and confusion. Then, she let out a low laugh, her eyes crinkling as she reached out to poke his forehead. "Stinky men shouldn't meddle in a girl's business!"
She turned to Qiao An. "Qiao An, you and Mr. Zhang go ahead and play. I’ll take him to go rest."
She acted with the consideration of someone leaving them to their own private world. Lin Xi grabbed Gu Jingxing’s arm and practically dragged him out of the court.
"Jingxing, why are you being so aggressive toward Qiao An?" As they walked away, Lin Xi looked at him, her tone inquisitive. "That doesn't sound like you."
Gu Jingxing was a man of reserved emotions; he rarely resorted to harsh words even with people he disliked. Yet, whenever he faced Qiao An, he was always so prickly.
Gu Jingxing reached the entrance, grabbed a cup of water from the dispenser, and downed it in one gulp. "I just don't like the look of it."
"But you shouldn't—" The phone rang, cutting Lin Xi off.
"Wait here for a second, my courier delivery is here." Lin Xi hung up.
Gu Jingxing grunted in acknowledgment and took a paper cup to get more water.
Lin Xi exited the baseball hall, saw a man in black gesturing to her from not far away, and walked over.
"Did Mr. Qin send you to deliver this?"
"Yes."
Lin Xi opened the palm-sized box immediately, took out a tube of white powder about the thickness of a thumb, and stuffed it into her pocket.
...
Qiao An played baseball for an hour before Zhang Ling took her to the restaurant for lunch. Zhang Ling picked up over twenty small and large dishes, each with only a few bites of food.
Qiao An couldn't help but laugh. "Anyone watching would think I’m some pampered royal family member, making a simple meal look like a full imperial feast."
"I wish it were that way." Zhang Ling pushed a dish containing lobster meat toward her. "Eat as much as you can. I’ve prepared digestive medicine."
Qiao An rubbed her stomach and nodded.
After lunch, Zhang Ling brought Qiao An back to her room. She took a shower and a nap, and by the time she woke up, it was already two in the afternoon. Zhang Ling knocked on her door to take her golfing, but she didn't want to go out.
"What’s wrong?"
Qiao An stretched her sore arms. "I have a tough battle to fight tonight. Don't I need to prepare this afternoon?"
As she spoke, she showed him the items she had laid out on the table: rose essential oil, a razor, lubricant, massage cream, body perfume beads, a whole box of condoms, and...
Zhang Ling’s face darkened. "Why are you preparing the morning-after pill?"
"Condoms aren't one hundred percent safe. What if one breaks?"
Zhang Ling looked at her with disapproval. "You still shouldn't—"
"It’s just in case. It doesn't mean I’ll definitely take it." Qiao An was incredibly frank. "Brother Zhang, do you know any gynecological health exercises? I heard that with proper practice, a woman can be tighter there."
Zhang Ling’s face was now beyond dark. "Qiao An, why do you have to demean yourself like this?"
"How is this demeaning?" Qiao An picked up the massage cream and applied it to her legs. "In adult romance, he enjoys it, and I’m happy too. Why not?"
Zhang Ling felt a tightness in his chest. He stared at her plump, delicate toes and remained silent.