OVL 09 Kiss

She simply let her hair down and tied it up again. After splashing her face with cold water, Luo Yao heard the high-pitched sound of a hairdryer; someone was using it and seemed to have been doing so for quite a while, the sound buzzing persistently in her ears

Luo Yao was unwilling to go back in; she would rather turn around and leave without looking back than to enter again, as if a monstrous shadow was following her. He followed her sentiment and suddenly smiled lightly: "Bai Luo Yao, is it really that serious? Didn't you just experience a breakup not long ago? Someone is still pursuing you relentlessly; if I were you, I would probably be quite pleased and happy."

Luo Yao thought it was Li Zhijin and turned around with a smile

She quickly concealed her smile, walked expressionlessly to the side of Zhan Zecheng, and said in a very light yet firm tone: "Excuse me."

Master Jia finally praised, "The young lady looks very beautiful in a qipao"

He slightly lowered his head and smiled faintly: "Luo Yao, I am tired. Shall we forget the past and start anew?"

Suddenly, everything fell silent, and Luo Yao heard someone speaking to her: "Miss Bai, we meet again."

She is my girlfriend. He said it again in a calm manner, as if this were an indisputable fact

Luo Yao followed his words and said: "Indeed, that piece of clothing is too beautiful; I cannot bring out its essence."

Fortunately, with Li Zhijin standing in front of her, Luo Yao was able to turn around calmly and slowly walk out of the small room. She did not know what to focus her thoughts on, so she instinctively touched her cheeks and hair. What would the two people behind her say or do, and what relevance did it have to her?

Before him were lips as soft as cherry blossoms, a delicate shade of peach pink. He finally leaned down, seemingly unable to wait, yet also straining to restrain himself, and still he kissed her, very gently, merely a touch.

He held the steering wheel like this, slowly glancing at her, a smile emerging from the corners of his eyes: "I knew it."

Luo Yao silently raised her eyes to glance at him, chuckled twice, and changed the subject: "No, it's just that you clearly chose this one for me from the very beginning, and I felt it would be rude to refuse your kindness."

Luo Yao forced a smile and said, "Yes, I happened to run into Mr. Zhan."

Until the sweet taste was tinged with a cool bitterness, he opened his eyes and saw her long eyelashes right in front of him, dampened by tears, just slightly parting from her lips: "Luo Yao ... ... "

She truly is unwilling to go with him, everything seems to be replaying, yet Li Zhijin lightly chuckles and says in her ear: "Hey, are you not giving me face? A partner must fulfill their duty"

Luo Yao responded with a sound, somewhat flustered, and then said softly: "Do I still need to try on clothes? Isn't it too much trouble?"

Luo Yao sat down and took a deep breath. She no longer looked at the bustling scene outside the window, nor did she think about the many people and who might be among them. Beside her was a hastily acquired museum catalog, and she knew in her heart that it was of little use, as the explanations within were too superficial, consisting of only a few brief sentences.

She propped her hand against her forehead, her wrist feeling stiff, likely due to the hairpin that was pressing against her hair. The door behind her clicked softly as someone entered. However, this small space remained utterly silent

Just placed a few young girls at the school gate, Li Zhijin chatted with her: "Hey, which one are you going to choose?"

Luo Yao stood anxiously in front of Master Jia and asked, "Is there anything else that needs to be revised?"

Through the glass, Luo Yao saw the guests laughing and suddenly realized that she had started to sweat. Had she really finished speaking? Did she complete her presentation without reviewing the materials? ... It turned out that she remembered so clearly, that the teapot was twenty-seven centimeters tall, and the weight of that high-footed bowl ... ? ... When did she, in her mind, force herself to memorize so many strange and peculiar data points?

She suddenly raised her head, her face filled with panic, her lips devoid of color: "I do not have obsessive-compulsive disorder!"

The explanation was excellent, Luo Yao. It turns out that you can explain so well even without using explanatory words

The subway is extremely crowded, and on such a cold day, it is surprisingly hot inside, making it uncomfortable. The turtleneck sweater feels prickly against her skin. She can hardly breathe, and the sensation is even more uncomfortable than suffocation. As she struggles to hold her breath, she suddenly realizes something: she really does not need to hide from him. The more she hides, the more he will think he is still entangled in the past.

In fact, Bai Luoyao's heart is far from as brave as her appearance suggests; she knows that she is merely timid, timid in facing a person, preferring to hide unprepared behind the scenes

As the last piece of porcelain was explained, a round of enthusiastic applause and soft whispers blossomed in the brightly lit hall once again

The tentacles felt only softness, as if a gentle stream flowed past the fingertips, akin to the caress of dark clouds resembling green silk, an unending and soothing smoothness.

It is as if one is speaking to a child, correcting her mistakes with a hint of reproach, yet more so with a sense of compassion.

Someone came over and whispered something in Li Yaohui's ear, and he took his wife's hand: "General Zhan from Yi Qin has arrived." He then instructed his son: "You come along too."

Luo Yao was once kissed by him to the point of being speechless. Even now, leaning on his shoulder, it felt as if ice blocks were colliding within her veins, forcing herself to cool down little by little. She knew she was sobbing, that her tears would ruin her makeup and leave her in a wretched state, yet she stubbornly repeated over and over: "Zhan Zecheng, I no longer love you, I truly no longer love you... you caused Teacher Yu's death, I no longer love you..."

It is not him

Li Zhijin leaned against the wall, a cigarette pinched between his fingers, his gaze lowered to the ground. Today, he wore a black suit, his demeanor seemingly melancholic, which only enhanced his handsome appearance. However, upon seeing Luo Yao, his expression suddenly changed. It seemed he had forgotten what had just happened, and he approached her, taking her hand: "Why have you been so long? I was almost about to send someone in to check on you."

Li Zhijin casually remarked: "Master Jia rarely praises others, which shows that you are indeed dressed very well"

She finally composed herself, and as the door opened halfway, someone was waiting for her

Uh, you don't have to keep me company..." She thought for a long time, hesitating and not knowing what to say, "It's quite boring.

He did not understand why he had to apologize, but in the end, he still said: "I'm sorry, Luo Yao... three years is really too short, not enough for me to forget you, really..." He murmured as he held her close, "But it feels so long, every day I feel tormented, I want you to come back, back to my side... is that okay?"

"It is not that it does not suit you, but rather that you are unwilling to wear it, right?" Li Zhijin said with certainty, in a leisurely manner, "Bai Luoyao, I have noticed that you have a tendency to avoid the world."

He stood still, his gaze fixed on her flawless, jade-like cheek. Her pupils were very dark and bright, strikingly contrasting in their clarity and brilliance. The first time he saw her, she was linked arm in arm with Li Zhijin, wearing a plain qipao with a white base and purple flowers, adorned with a string of lustrous pearl necklaces around her neck. She was graceful and delicate, embodying a subtle and unpretentious beauty. In that instant, he realized that he could no longer tolerate the fact that there were others by her side.

Second, a high-footed bowl with a dark floral entwined lotus pattern

Li Zhijin was driving her and glanced at the rearview mirror: "Zhan Zecheng?"

He raised his eyes to look at her, his voice somewhat hesitant: "You ... ... "

The first piece, a white-glazed pomegranate vase with decals

"I no longer love you" ... With each utterance, it seemed to stubbornly deepen his impression, akin to a slow and painful execution, each cut she inflicted upon him, one knife after another

Luo Yao almost thought he would let her go just like that, but it was merely a brush past. He perfectly extended his hand, wrapping it around her waist, forcing her to turn her back to the door and face him.

Regardless of whether she is deceiving herself, he finally lost his patience, grasped her chin, and with the corners of his eyes slightly raised, it seemed as if a cold, clear light had scattered all around. His tone was bleak and cold: "Bai Luoyao, do you no longer love me? Why do you have obsessive-compulsive disorder?"

... ...

He finally slowly let go, and Li Zhijin had already positioned himself in front of her, his gaze bright and resolute, as if he were a knight guarding a princess

Until the door was opened once more, Li Zhijin stood at the entrance, witnessing such a scene. Initially, he felt an inexplicable astonishment, which was quickly followed by anger. Seeing Luo Yao's struggles and tear-filled eyes, he did not hesitate to rush forward to pull apart Zeng Zecheng.

Luo Yao smiled slightly; He Mengxin was the best-dressed woman in red she had ever seen. The off-shoulder gown accentuated her delicate collarbone without giving a gaunt impression, appearing rounded and captivating. She was touching up her lipstick and glanced at Bai Luoyao, suddenly smiling: "Is nude makeup in vogue now?"

In fact, he knew that she was unwilling, as she struggled continuously, trying to push him away. However, Zhan Zecheng paid little attention to her resistance. His kiss was so focused, so meticulous, leaving no slight reaction of hers unnoticed. He was captivated by such an aura; her nose brushed against his cheek, and even the sensation was wonderful and enchanting.

He held her with one hand, lowered his head, and, as if no one else were around, gently kissed her cheek and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, saying, "Alright, don't cry anymore. Let's go out."

A commotion arose gently at the entrance, and the flashlights became a chaotic blur

In fact, Luo Yao never wore makeup, and she could discern the faintly sarcastic tone of the other party. He Mengxin glanced at herself in the mirror again and walked towards the door. She pulled the door open but turned back to smile at her: "Miss Bai, it's truly not easy to encounter you here." Her perfectly timed glance back accentuated the long and fair elegance of her neck, embodying the saying that a smile over the shoulder can captivate a hundred charms. "There are still people waiting for you outside." She pulled the door open but turned back to smile at her: "Miss Bai, it's truly not easy to encounter you here." Her perfectly timed glance back accentuated the long and fair elegance of her neck, embodying the saying that a smile over the shoulder can captivate a hundred charms. "There are still people waiting for you outside."

His lips were thin and cool, and she could not avoid him. Bai Luoyao numbly watched his affectionate actions, whispering in a voice only she could hear: "Zhan Zecheng, do not force me. I already hate you enough."

She was close by, her waist soft and supple, and due to her clothing, it accentuated such soft and delicate lines. Zhan Zecheng slightly closed his eyes, and ultimately could not restrain himself; he gently extended his arm and embraced her, whispering: "You must not say that you do not love me anymore"

The kiss was so intense that it forced her to start struggling. She bit his lip, drawing blood, but he was utterly indifferent, tasting the bloody sweetness. He truly did not care. It seemed that nothing could stop him from continuing this kiss; even the hand resting on her waist tightened its grip, causing her pain.

Luo Yao instinctively leaned back, but one of his hands slid from her spine to the back of her head, pressing down gently yet firmly, and he whispered, "Don't move"

Bai Luoyao suddenly felt a sense of daze and nostalgia. She almost wanted to, like before, wrap her arms around his neck, waiting for his embrace, which was always strong and warm, making her feel that happiness was always safe, because it was him holding her, not someone else

I am only afraid that marriage may not be so troublesome. The other party is very sincere, yet Luo Yao becomes increasingly anxious and somewhat regrets having agreed to him in the first place

Under the light, Luo Yao smiled radiantly: "I take your words as a compliment as well"

Li Zhijin heard the sound of the door gently closing behind him. He did not rush to leave, saying, "Since she said it is not, then that is good." His voice was not loud, and he rarely spoke in such a tone, faintly resembling a threat, yet also embodying an unyielding determination

I tried the second piece again, and its effect was no less impressive than the first. This is because Li Zhijin has a keen eye; she wore this plain-colored garment, which was as light and elegant as the sky after the rain, exuding a bright and beautiful clarity.

He seemed not to have heard, his tone resembling that of a household registration inquiry, continuing: "Have you ever been in a relationship?"

But it is no longer the past

Li Zhijin sat by the tea table, holding a teacup, not saying a word, with a smile on his face, seemingly filled with anticipation

Master Jia brought her two outfits to try on. One was white with purple flowers, and the other was a light pearl color. As he handed them to her, he said: "This is your first fitting. Look, this style does not yet have the hand-stitched Su embroidery, but this color pairs beautifully with blooming peonies. However, let's wait until you finish trying them on before we discuss further"

In fact, she could not hear clearly what Li Zhijin was saying, feeling extremely cold. She exerted all her strength to restrain herself, preventing her teeth from chattering. Her fingers tightened around his coat, rendering her speechless

Fortunately, a hotel staff member suddenly approached, looking panicked: "Mr. Li, there has been a malfunction with the equipment"

Luo Yao had been sitting for a long time, twisting her hair back and forth. Deep down, she felt quite disapproving, but seeing Li Zhijin sitting beside her, fully engrossed in writing something on a stack of handouts, made her feel somewhat embarrassed.

The museum hall has been continuously screening the centennial documentary of Li Zhengyuan, and the ceramics gallery has been fully arranged, awaiting a chosen date for its reopening. The website has already announced the exhibits of the new gallery: in commemoration of his grandfather's birthday, Mr. Li Yaohui will donate a red-glazed cup with a three-fish pattern from the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty. Most of the staff have also received invitations to the weekend commemorative cocktail party

He smiled patiently: "Will women still be afraid to try on clothes?"

Since there is a third person, he sighed, set aside what he wanted to say, and spoke in a light and shallow tone: "I will take you home"

He bent down once again and forcefully kissed her, a deep and rough kiss

Li Zhijin naturally introduced Luoyao to his parents. In fact, Luoyao had already met his father and had greeted his mother. Li Zhijin's mother held her hand and kindly asked her about her job, appearing warm and friendly

She gritted her teeth, took a small step back, and avoided looking at him: "I have long forgotten. Zhan Zecheng, I no longer love you, so how can we begin?"

The more he spoke, the less reliable he seemed, forcing Luo Yao to coolly say, "Can you let me have some peace?"

Luo Yao was taken aback for a moment, as if she sensed something amiss, but she could not quite articulate what it was. She silently gazed out of the window, no longer continuing the conversation

I am not, I haven't been for a long time. Bai Luoyao's voice was still trembling, but it had already gathered anger and resentment. She slowly straightened her body and said word by word, "Zhan Zecheng, you should stop dreaming."

A rather abrupt request

The fit is exceptionally perfect, as if the clothing is her second skin, aptly outlining her delicate contours

Are you still in a tenuous connection?

Luo Yao had been standing beside him when she suddenly interrupted him quietly: "Aren't there still the slides? Connect the audio equipment, and I can try to explain."

How did you meet? How did you fall out?

However, without a second thought, Luo Yao still said: "How about purple?"

Only after stepping outside did they feel the biting cold wind. When the banquet began, they had come directly down from the upper floor, leaving their coats in the room. Li Zhijin draped his suit jacket over Luo Yao's shoulders and held her hand, asking, "Are you cold? Why don't we wait in the hall for a while? I will go get the coats."

He still maintained a relaxed and casual demeanor: "I'll take you there." Without even waiting for her to refuse, he walked ahead of her, saying, "What can I do? It's just my charm, isn't it?"

This space expands infinitely, so vast that one cannot see each other, yet it also contracts infinitely, and he is clearly still holding her tightly.

The slideshow begins to play

They went to try on the clothes again in the afternoon, and the finished products were quite beautiful, especially the qipao adorned with blooming peonies. The vibrant beauty of the floral design was elegantly balanced by a subtle pearl color, creating a stunning impression at first glance

This time, Luo Yao quickly shook it off. She whispered, "I'm sorry, I don't feel well, I want to go home"

It is uncertain whose eyes are darker and deeper than ink, as he patiently waits for her response, reaching out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, his voice soft and gentle: "Is that alright?"

She frowned, said nothing, and simply repeated, "Excuse me." Then she gently turned to the side, attempting to pass by him.

Li Zhijin slightly squinted her eyes, her profile appeared very slender and delicate, her hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands falling messily, for a moment I couldn't think of any adjectives, I only felt beauty, a beauty that was unmatched by anyone. Casually turning her eyes away, she smiled and said, "I also think it fits very well."

Moreover, there is no wall in the world that does not let the wind through. That night, someone saw them together at the hotel. Li Zhijin introduced Luo Yao to his father, and gradually, the colleagues also became aware of it. One evening, Sister Lin took the subway with her, and during the ride, she spoke with significant implications: "Luo Yao, you are not young anymore. If the partner is suitable, everyone thinks it looks good, so you should seize the opportunity." She did not respond directly, fearing that Sister Lin would continue, and could only vaguely change the subject.

You haven't? How many handouts have you gone through in three years? How many books?

He didn't even lift his eyes and said淡淡的: "I haven't been idle either"

This is no longer the era of knights dueling for love. They simultaneously reined in their cold expressions and left the small room one after the other. Outside, the noise of the crowd continued, and the assistant was anxiously running around: "Mr. Zhan, Mr. Li has been looking for you." Upon seeing Li Zhijin, he hurriedly said: "So you were with Mr. Li."

She put on the pearl-colored outfit and felt a bit shy as she walked out of the fitting room, because the ones waiting outside were all men. She had never before worn an outfit like this and then waited for others' evaluations.

It is merely twenty minutes, with eight pieces of exquisite artifacts. The sound quality in the banquet hall is exceptional, with a gentle, flowing female voice resonating in surround sound, perfectly complementing the fine porcelain, creating a remarkable effect. Li Zhijin even feels that if a simple short film were to be played, the effect would instead be stiff and mechanical. This is because the female voice in the narration truly conveys a certain emotion, a genuine and heartfelt appreciation for the object.

Master Jia shook his head, still meticulously recording the data for her, and smiled: "The left shoulder is raised a bit; it needs to be adjusted further"

He finally burst into laughter: "It would be good if you are willing to speak up, even if it means scolding me, that's fine."

Li Zhijin's expression was somewhat unpleasant as he said stiffly, "Then forget it, don't let it go."

He is truly a young master from a prestigious family, exuding charm in social interactions. The young man that Luo Yao was once familiar with seems to have transformed in an instant; he speaks elegantly and is always attentive not to neglect her. Even a casual glance carries an unmatched grace and poise.

Luo Yao was unwilling: "Why should I tell you?"

She is more looking forward to the results of her work. She has been assisting in the production of a short film, which utilizes the footage and shots captured by the documentary crew that day, along with additional voiceovers. This work has taken up most of her time, but fortunately, it is part of her responsibilities, as the museum needs to cooperate with the Li family's event

Some statements quickly organized themselves in her mind, feeling very familiar and intimate, after all, they were written by her, and she had reviewed them countless times. She was almost intimately familiar with every exhibit in the exhibition hall. Her gaze glanced at the screen, as if she were in the ceramic exhibition hall she knew so well

Luo Yao hesitated for almost a week. She did not want to go, fearing to see Zhan Zecheng, and was also worried that being with Li Zhijin would lead to gossip among colleagues. She had not slept well for several nights, going to work with dark circles under her eyes, thinking of various excuses, but none could convince Li Zhijin

He slightly stiffened his face, but suddenly smiled again: "If you don't want to say it, then don't. Sooner or later, you will find out anyway." He turned his face, winked at her, exuding a mischievous handsomeness, just like a big boy, possessing a clean and fresh aura

"You're welcome," he said simply, "I am looking forward to it"

On the weekend afternoon, when Li Zhijin came to pick her up, Luo Yao was very cooperative. He had thoughtfully prepared for her, having changed into a qipao, and there were also people to attend to her hair and makeup.

So I merely masked it with a smile: "Don't believe me? After all, I have been at the museum for three years. Back then, when I explained things to you, did you find it unprofessional?"

Zhan Zecheng fell silent for a moment, seemingly finding it amusing, or perhaps he simply did not wish to discuss anything related to her with anyone: "What do you think? I have no interest in knowing."

Li Zhijin took half a step forward: "Mr. Zhang, Miss Bai is my companion tonight." He showed no sign of retreating, "What you just did, I can already accuse you of harassment."

Turning left leads to the restroom. She stared at the mirror for a long time, unsure of the brand of makeup the artist had used on her. After crying for so long, her makeup had barely smudged, only making her eyes appear a bit swollen. Her hair was in a rather disheveled state. The pearl hairpin was askew, with several strands of hair tangled at her temples, and the bun she had styled was also leaning to one side

He was accompanied by He Mengxin, wasn't he

His gaze slid to her tightly clenched fingers, and he said casually, "It's not a good time to hail a taxi."

Every aspect of the commemorative wine reception has been meticulously designed, including the screening of a documentary short film about Mr. Li Zhengyuan's donated cultural relics. However, during a recent backstage trial run, it was discovered that the film could not be played. The technical staff were in a state of panic, sweating profusely, and hurriedly searched for the recorded disc, but unfortunately could not find it. At that moment, the location of the master copy was unknown.

She did not respond, her lips slightly parted, devoid of color, resembling a flower on the verge of wilting, her wrist held by him lacking any strength.

They walked hurriedly, perhaps considering her feelings, Li Zhijin had the waiter lead the way, exiting directly through a side door, seemingly forgetting that he was the host of the banquet

Compared to certain fears, these worries can actually be disregarded.

Especially when she linked her arm with his and greeted the guests at the cocktail party, the glances that scrutinized her carried a certain significance

The lights suddenly dimmed, and the sweet female host was gradually shifting the topic to the porcelain collected and donated by Mr. Li

He intended to engage her in conversation, so he kept performing a monologue: "Ah, I was really taken aback. No wonder you were unwilling to say whether you have been in a relationship. It turns out your partner is Zhan Zecheng..."

In the small space, his breathing sounds and her murmured phrases repeated one after another

His movements paused momentarily, but he was not angry; a faint bewilderment flickered in his eyes. He still remembered this phrase; three years ago, she had said the exact same thing, resolutely deciding to break up with him

Uncertain of the reason, Zhan Zecheng stood in place for a while longer. He pressed his lips together slightly and effortlessly, maintaining his usual indifference, yet appearing somewhat troubled, as if his gaze did not know where to settle.

However, at that moment, Zhan Zecheng stopped kissing, his face devoid of any expression of surprise, and his gaze suddenly rose like the edge of a sword: "Mr. Li, my girlfriend and I require our private space; you should at least knock before entering."

The waiter led her to a side sound room and quietly retreated. In fact, it was not a proper sound room, but a temporary space that had been set up in a corner, originally a storage room and a break area for staff. The layout was somewhat convoluted, making it impossible to see the situation inside at a glance. However, through the transparent glass, one could see the large projection screen, with staff members adjusting the images. The angle was just right; when the slides were projected, she could explain them one by one in coordination. However, through the transparent glass, one could see the large projection screen, with staff members adjusting the images. The angle was just right; when the slides were projected, she could explain them one by one in coordination

She was amused by her own thought, unable to help but press her lips together, and glanced out of the car window

As a result, there were many opportunities to meet with Li Zhijin. Li Zhijin was very easygoing with everyone, and on one occasion, he even specially invited Lin Lin and several volunteer interpreters to dinner. Luo Yao naturally went along with them, and seeing the expressions of admiration on the faces of the young girls, she suddenly found it very amusing. It was rare to see Li Zhijin being so gentle and patient, and it was evident that he had great endurance

All her explanations, one by one, were stacked in that small drawer. Every night, she would repeatedly look at them and memorize them. There was a thick pile in the drawer, and she had never counted how many there were, but how could he possibly know that