The ambiguous atmosphere created by “I miss you” didn’t last more than a few seconds before Lin Qingye immediately heard a piercing scream from the other end of the phone, an “Oww!” sound.

It was trembling, tearful, and definitely male.

He immediately furrowed his brows: “Ah Nan?”

Unfortunately, Xu Zhinan was too busy to answer him.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Xu Zhinan hastily apologized, immediately lowering her head to check if there was any mistake with the tattoo ink.

Just now, Lin Qingye’s words had distracted her for a moment, and her hand had paused briefly, causing her to place two needle pricks in the same spot. Fortunately, it was on the red part of the crane’s head, making it appear more lifelike with the deeper color.

Xu Zhenfan’s howl wasn’t solely due to that one mistake.

When it comes to tattoos, pain sensitivity differs from person to person. Some people maintain a poker face, while others cry and wail.

Xu Zhinan hadn’t expected Xu Zhenfan to be among the latter, especially since this was only a tattoo on his arm, where pain sensitivity isn’t particularly high.

Just five minutes into the tattooing, he had already started crying physiologically, and then began howling.

It was hard to imagine what a harrowing experience it must have been when he got those other large tattoos on his body.

“Listen, Sister Ah Nan! Take it easy, would you! My skin might be rough, but it can’t take this kind of abuse!!” Xu Zhenfan cried as he spoke.

His skin was a healthy tan color, but now under Xu Zhinan’s tattoo needle, his eyes were bloodshot, the area around them moist—a stark contrast to his face and build.

Xu Zhinan glanced at him, took a tissue, and handed it to him, apologizing again: “I’m sorry.”

Xu Zhenfan waved his hand: “It’s fine, it’s fine. You answer your phone first, let me recover a bit.”

“Okay.”

Xu Zhinan removed her gloves and walked to the side to answer the phone: “Brother Qingye, I have a client here, I was just giving him a tattoo.”

“Almost finished?”

“Almost.”

“Shall I come to your place?”

“Huh? I still have a client in the shop. Are you at the bar? I’ll come find you when I’m done.” Her voice was very obedient.

“No, I’m at the entrance of Zhouyu Hotel on Qingfeng Road.”

Xu Zhinan paused: “Zhouyu Hotel?”

He laughed: “Guan Chi got married, the wedding was there. What were you thinking?”

Her face grew hot. She bit her lip and changed the subject: “Did you do well on today’s exam?”

“If you ask any later, the results will be out already,” Lin Qingye teased. “It was fine, thanks to Teacher Xu.”

“…I need to get back to work now.”

After hanging up, Xu Zhenfan still hadn’t recovered. Xu Zhinan put on new gloves and pulled his arm over, but unfortunately, Xu Zhenfan wasn’t cooperating, still trying hard to pull back.

Xu Zhinan looked up at him: “Don’t be afraid.”

Xu Zhenfan: “…”

Although I’m really scared, don’t say it out loud, okay!

I’m still a man after all!!

Xu Zhenfan steeled himself, accepted his fate, and stopped struggling.

Xu Zhinan turned on the tattoo machine again to finish the work, the needle once more injecting ink into the dermis layer of the skin.

Xu Zhenfan howled and his whole body jerked: “Sister! You’re too brutal!!! Can’t you be a little gentler!!!”

Ten minutes later, the job was done.

Xu Zhinan reminded him of the aftercare instructions while throwing the tissues soaked with his tears into the garbage bin.

“Sorry about that slip earlier,” Xu Zhinan was, still a bit embarrassed. “How about I give you a discount?”

“No need! No need!!”

He slapped the table once for each “no need,” very satisfied with the tattoo result. He gave her a thumbs up, “No wonder my friend strongly recommended you. This tattoo is excellent. To be honest, those who specialize in dragons and tigers can’t do this type of tattoo well. Next time I want something done, I’ll come back to you!”

Tattoos can be addictive.

Just a moment ago, he was all tears and snot, not daring to extend his arm, and now he was already thinking about his next tattoo.

Xu Zhinan took the money: “Sounds good.”

“Alright, you should finish up and leave,” Xu Zhenfan had overheard some of her phone conversation. “Otherwise, your boyfriend will get impatient waiting.”

Xu Zhinan was taken aback, but Xu Zhenfan had already waved his arm and left.

Qingfeng Road was just in the next street, only a few minutes’ walk away.

She saw Lin Qingye standing there from a distance.

Although he hadn’t officially entered the entertainment industry, the promotional work for the show had already begun. Moreover, this place wasn’t far from the bar, so to prevent being recognized, he wore a mask.

Xu Zhinan walked to the zebra crossing to wait for the green light.

She saw a girl walking towards Lin Qingye and recognized her as Ji Yan, the bassist from the Sophora Band.

She wore Martin boots, a pencil skirt, and a black short-sleeved shirt tucked into her waist, outlining her slender figure.

From that distance, she could only see Ji Yan opening her mouth to say something to Lin Qingye.

Probably unable to hear clearly, Lin Qingye bent down slightly, moving his ear closer.

Xu Zhinan lowered her gaze and blinked very slowly.

The red light turned green, and vehicles stopped at the white line. She crossed the zebra crossing.

Lin Qingye, who was listening to Ji Yan, caught sight of her from the corner of his eye and gradually straightened up.

Ji Yan: “Captain, how are you getting back after drinking? Why don’t you come with me and Shi Si?”

Lin Qingye raised an eyebrow and lifted his chin: “Someone’s here.”

Ji Yan followed his line of sight and met Xu Zhinan’s eyes. She paused, nodded slightly in greeting, and, no longer wanting to intrude, turned and left with Shi Si.

Xu Zhinan walked to his side: “Brother Qingye.”

He responded faintly, raising his hand to ruffle her hair, but was avoided as she turned her head. He withdrew his hand and flicked her chin: “What’s wrong, not happy?”

“I’m not unhappy.” Xu Zhinan scratched her hair. “I’m sweaty and haven’t washed my hair. Did you drink?”

Her voice was muffled, her denial not very convincing.

Lin Qingye leaned against the wall. This area wasn’t illuminated by street lights, so it was rather dark. He had his hands in his pockets, his gaze lightly falling on her.

After looking at her for a while, he suddenly bent down, coming closer.

Xu Zhinan’s heart tightened abruptly. The young man was right in front of her, his bangs hanging down his forehead, his eyes cool yet containing a hint of mischievous teasing, both near and distant.

Then he pulled down his mask and kissed her.

Her lips and tongue were gently licked, the taste of alcohol passing over.

After a moment, he finally pulled back a bit, his voice barely audible: “Did you taste it?”

Xu Zhinan’s mind wandered. She licked her moist lips: “What?”

“The alcohol.”

Only then did she remember her earlier question: Did you drink?

That kiss was his answer to her question.

Xu Zhinan’s ears, hidden beneath her hair, grew hot. The alcohol in her mouth seemed to have caught fire, her throat dry. She swallowed emptily and obediently replied: “Yes, I tasted it.”

He pulled his mask back up and pinched her face: “Smile for me.”

“Huh?”

She was puzzled, but as she spoke, she unconsciously followed his instruction and curled her lips upward. The corners of her eyes drooped slightly, forming a crescent shape, radiating a smile.

Lin Qingye looked at her for two seconds: “Pretty easy to please.”

Having drunk alcohol, he couldn’t drive, so Lin Qingye called for a designated driver.

The driver was a man who appeared to be in his thirties. Lin Qingye brushed his bangs upward, pulled down his hat, and tossed the car keys to the driver.

“Oh, a Porsche! This is my first time driving a Porsche,” the driver said after catching the keys. “Where are you two headed?”

“Mingxi Apartments.”

A luxury car paired with a high-end apartment complex.

The driver glanced at the two of them—a handsome man and a beautiful woman—and inwardly clicked his tongue in admiration.

In the car, Xu Zhinan and Lin Qingye sat in the back seat.

Ah Nan barely dared to speak throughout the journey. Although he wore a hat and mask, she was still afraid that someone might recognize his voice if he spoke.

Lin Qingye, however, was at ease. He sat close to her, his eyes half-closed, holding her hand on his thigh and playing with it.

Generally, those who recognized him were young women. With a driver like this, there was no need to worry about being recognized. Besides, at this point, he was just an award-winning underground band vocalist.

“Tired?” Lin Qingye asked.

“What?”

He squeezed her shoulder: “Didn’t you have a client at the shop just now?”

“It was okay. His design was rather intricate, so it took a bit longer.”

“Was he the one screaming like a pig on the phone?”

Xu Zhinan recalled the scene and couldn’t help but smile, her lips curling upward: “Yes, I guess he’s quite afraid of pain.”

“A man getting a tattoo and screaming like that,” he said somewhat disdainfully.

“It depends on the person. Some people with sensitive pain receptors are like that,” Xu Zhinan, whose hand was being held by him, squeezed his palm in return and joked, “Maybe you’re also very sensitive to this kind of pain. You never know until you try.”

She had seen couples coming together where the girl felt nothing while the guy was grimacing in pain.

Lin Qingye snorted lightly and casually said: “Then let’s try next time.”

The car arrived at Mingxi Apartments, and they entered the elevator.

Lin Qingye removed his mask and hat, casually running his hand through his hair, looking up at the jumping floor numbers.

His upturned jawline was smooth and clean, his Adam’s apple prominent, his features distinct, as if carved by an ax—exceptionally good-looking.

It was only now that Xu Zhinan felt somewhat nervous.

She had come back to Lin Qingye’s apartment a few times before and knew what would happen next.

But no matter how many times it had happened, she still blushed and her heart raced, unable to become accustomed to such things.

The elevator made a “ding” sound, and Xu Zhinan followed him out.

The motion-sensor lights in the corridor seemed to be broken and didn’t turn on. Xu Zhinan used her phone’s flashlight to light the way as Lin Qingye unlocked the door.

He didn’t turn on the lights immediately.

So Xu Zhinan changed into indoor slippers by the light of her phone.

Today she wore sandals, her toes beautifully rounded, slender with light pink nails, neatly trimmed.

Lin Qingye’s gaze swept over them, then imperceptibly moved to her face as he reached down to grip her wrist.

She had just uttered a questioning “Hmm?” when he pressed her against the wall, pinning her wrists, and then lowered his head to seal her lips.

The kiss on the street earlier had been merely a light touch, but this kiss carried his innate, intense, oppressive nature.

“Ah Nan,” he called softly while holding her lips, his voice hoarse. “You were upset with me last time, making me miss you so much.”

In her daze, Xu Zhinan recalled his earlier phone statement: “I miss you.”

Had he missed her, or had he missed doing this?

The sound of water in the bathroom stopped, and the wind swept up the curtains in the bedroom.

Lin Qingye walked out wearing a white bathrobe. Xu Zhinan had already finished her shower and was now lying on his bed, asleep. Half her face was hidden under the blanket, her brows slightly furrowed, looking as if she wasn’t sleeping peacefully.

Lin Qingye walked over and closed the window. The phone on the TV cabinet vibrated, the contact name showing Lin Guancheng.

It was his father.

Lin Qingye picked up the phone and walked to the living room to answer.

He didn’t speak, sitting down on the sofa, reaching for the cigarette box on the coffee table. He took one out, bit it between his teeth, lit it, his cheeks hollowing slightly as he exhaled a puff of smoke.

Lin Guancheng could tell, and his tone wasn’t good: “Smoking again?”

“What is it?”

“I heard from Wang Qi that you’re going to participate in one of his shows?”

Wang Qi was the producer of “I Come for Songs” and a family friend of the Lin family.

“Yes.”

“Why have you never mentioned this to me?” Lin Guancheng was dissatisfied.

Lin Qingye found it amusing, the cigarette between his lips bobbing: “Is that any of your business?”

Silence for two seconds. Lin Guancheng seemed to be suppressing his anger, but failed.

“Lin Qingye!” he said angrily. “Don’t you dare use that tone with me. Look at what your terrible attitude has done to this family!”

He maintained his flippant manner: “Well then, what guidance does Chairman Lin have to offer?”

“You’re so capable, don’t come to me for help when you’re in trouble!”

Lin Qingye smiled and hung up the phone, tossing it onto the sofa with a bounce.

Unfortunately, the world wouldn’t let him have peace. A phone rang again, but this time it wasn’t his—it was Xu Zhinan’s phone in the bedroom.

He didn’t go in immediately. Xu Zhinan was probably truly exhausted and too tired to be awakened by the ringtone. The ringing stopped, but shortly after, it rang again.

So he extinguished his cigarette and went back to the bedroom.

Xu Zhinan was still in her original sleeping position, looking deeply asleep.

Lin Qingye picked up her phone. The contact name was “Qianqian,” a woman’s name.

The second round of ringing stopped, and immediately afterward, the third round began.

Lin Qingye clicked his tongue and swiped to answer, putting it to his ear: “Hello?”