She had to go to work at nine tomorrow, so Xuan Yang prepared to sleep.
Before sleeping, she hesitated for a few seconds but still went out to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
The guest room happened to be right next to the study. When Xuan Yang gently opened the door, the study door also opened from inside.
Zhou Dang came out wearing a dark gray home outfit, holding a mug. Xuan Yang's eyes met his unexpectedly.
Zhou Dang looked completely different from his suited-up self earlier. He had clearly showered and changed, his dark brown hair casually neat, and a pair of black-rimmed glasses perched on his high nose bridge, making him appear fair and refined, with a faint hint of youthful charm.
This kind of domestic, everyday look on a mixed-race handsome man had a huge impact on Xuan Yang.
She was momentarily stunned, standing frozen at the bedroom door, gripping the handle, her mind blank.
It was Zhou Dang who spoke first, snapping her out of it: "Not asleep yet? Are you hungry?"
Although Xuan Yang didn't know how he reached that conclusion, since he asked, she went along and nodded: "A little."
She had been thirsty earlier, but now that Zhou Dang mentioned it, she did feel a bit hungry.
Maybe working was too energy-consuming, Xuan Yang thought.
Zhou Dang's thin, rosy lips curled into a smile: "Perfect. I was about to make a late-night snack. Let's eat together."
Xuan Yang opened her mouth to refuse, but seeing Zhou Dang heading toward the kitchen after closing the study door, she swallowed her words.
Zhou Dang took a few steps forward, turned back to look at her: "What do you want to eat? Noodles or dumplings, or should we order takeout?"
He explained: "I can't cook anything too complicated for a snack yet. If you want something elaborate, we'd better order in."
Xuan Yang closed the guest room door and followed him: "Noodles are fine. They're easy to digest."
She walked up beside him and looked up: "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Zhou Dang: "Handling work. And you?"
Xuan Yang chuckled: "Same."
She was a bit surprised. Did a CEO like Zhou Dang also have to work overtime at night?
She thought big leaders just commanded and directed.
Zhou Dang's deep gaze rested on her for a moment.
Although Xuan Yang's pajamas were a very traditional, conservative top-and-bottom set in simple, high-end black, there was nothing special about them.
But on her, they seemed to have a unique charm.
The black satin made her skin look as white as snow, giving her a cool, stunning beauty.
Her collarbone, exposed above the neckline, was delicate and shapely, catching the eye.
Her hands and feet were fair, soft, and slender, like warm, smooth jade, tempting one to touch them.
…
Zhou Dang only looked for a few seconds, but his gaze and breath grew heavier. His eyes, deep and burning, conveyed his feelings directly to Xuan Yang.
"Do you know how to cook noodles?" Xuan Yang didn't notice his change. She glanced at his face for a second, then looked toward the kitchen: "If not, I'll cook."
Zhou Dang pulled himself together, took a deep breath, and hummed in reply, his voice a bit husky: "I do, but I might need your help with prep."
Xuan Yang: "No problem."
As soon as the idea of a late-night snack was settled, Xuan Yang felt her stomach start to stir.
She couldn't wait to head to the kitchen, leaving Zhou Dang behind.
When Zhou Dang caught up, Xuan Yang had already found the fridge and taken out some ingredients for noodles.
"Tomatoes and eggs, plus some greens and scallions. Is that okay?"
"Sure. I'll prep the ingredients first."
The two entered the kitchen and rolled up their sleeves in tacit understanding.
Zhou Dang tossed his coffee mug into the dishwasher, while Xuan Yang grabbed a cup for a drink of water.
Then, one washed vegetables and the other chopped, quickly getting to work on the snack.
Although it was their first time cooperating, Xuan Yang felt she and Zhou Dang had good chemistry.
Working together, they soon had the tomato and egg noodles ready.
Close to midnight, Xuan Yang ate the steaming noodles.
They huddled together on the living room sofa, sitting on the carpet, eating noodles and watching TV. The atmosphere was very harmonious, even a bit cozy.
Because of the TV, Xuan Yang didn't have to deliberately find topics to chat about with Zhou Dang, nor did she feel awkward or embarrassed.
So time passed quickly.
The TV program was chosen according to Xuan Yang's preference—a light-hearted, funny outdoor variety show from China.
She watched intently, naturally not noticing that Zhou Dang's gaze was on her for nearly two-thirds of the time.
"I have to say, your big screen is really good. It's even more comfortable than watching a movie in a theater," Xuan Yang said in a good mood, a natural, sweet smile adding to her charm.
Zhou Dang hummed in agreement, looking at her soft, clear profile, his eyes lingering on her fair, small earlobe, giving rise to some inappropriate thoughts, making his voice a bit hoarse: "When it was being renovated, I ordered the best equipment from abroad."
Xuan Yang nodded: "I see."
She murmured, then ignored Zhou Dang, focusing on the big screen.
After a while, the show went to commercials. Xuan Yang licked her lips and stood up to get a glass of water: "Want some water? I'll get it."
Zhou Dang thought for a moment: "Sure. Or should I go?"
Xuan Yang was already on her feet, and she was closer to the kitchen: "I'll go. You wait."
With that, she also picked up the empty noodle bowls from the coffee table and headed for the kitchen.
But just as she took a step, Xuan Yang stepped on the remote control that had been left on the rug.
The buttons on the remote jabbed her sole, and she let out a yelp, her legs giving way.
Seeing this, Zhou Dang quickly stood up and grabbed her, his right arm instinctively wrapping around her waist, his other hand holding her left wrist to steady the bowl she was carrying.
In the urgency, he didn't gauge his strength well. Although he saved Xuan Yang from falling forward, he pulled her back and they both sat down on the nearby sofa.
Instantly, inertia pulled Xuan Yang into Zhou Dang's lap. The broth in the bowl sloshed slightly, spilling a little on her left hand.
Her other hand braced against Zhou Dang's right thigh, stabilizing herself.
Perhaps because she had plopped down heavily, a low, hoarse grunt escaped from the man behind her.
Xuan Yang's heart was still pounding. Sitting in Zhou Dang's lap, she quickly sensed something was off.
…
A few seconds later, she realized what had happened. Her pale, flawless face flushed bright red, her heartbeat skipped, then raced.
Panicking, she tried to stand up.
Zhou Dang cooperated by letting go and giving her a hand, his voice husky: "Sorry, normal physiological reaction."