Chapter 414, Concealment

If I work part-time, it's three to four times a week, and every two weeks I'll increase or decrease my shifts to make it easier to rest, but it's generally within this range.

Although weekends are also a good time to make money, Zhuo will spare one day to stay at home. As a student, he cannot neglect his studies, so the store manager Yui agrees with this arrangement and supports it in all aspects, including Zhuo's real purpose.

Today is a day off from work, and Zhuo has been very idle since morning.

Although it was leisurely, he had done muscle training and simple jogging after getting up, and quickly finished his homework, so it could be said that it was finally time for him to relax.

This kind of life is much busier than in the past, but it is really healthy and much better than the previous lifestyle. Zhuo felt the reality of this and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

After making sure to finish what he should do in the morning, Zhuo still has one thing he is concerned about.

That’s right, it’s exactly the secret about Zero’s recent past.

(She seemed no different today than usual.)
When I saw Ling in the living room after getting up, her demeanor was still the same as before. Now that it was past tea time, she was sitting quietly on the sofa, looking relatively calm. But whenever Zhuo looked over, she didn't react at all and remained motionless - this was a normal reaction, but it seemed abnormal on her. Because Ling's reaction should have been to look over. It was obvious that she was hiding something.

Zhuo did not point this out, and Ling, who was sitting next to him, was very calm, but seemed a little absent-minded, or distracted by other things.

Finally having a break, Zhuo originally wanted to enjoy some intimate time with Ling... but seeing her trance-like look, it was not easy to get close to her. Zhuo hoped to at least hug her to make up for the lack of Ling in his part-time job life.

"zero."

"Ok?"

"...Can I hug you?"

Seeing Ling's reaction, Zhuo felt relieved and asked a tentative question. Then Ling blinked his deep blue eyes, and his unconsciously cold face showed some gentle warmth. He nodded in agreement.

She gently opened her arms, and Zhuo obeyed her kindness and reached out to gently embrace Ling's body.

(…The smell of the kitchen is there every day.)
No matter how much Ling likes cleanliness, she will never stay away from the kitchen. And because she manages everything in the kitchen very seriously, it is impossible for her not to be contaminated by smell.

Despite this, she still often exudes a sweet smell.

Zhuo, who was accompanying her, didn't like sweets very much, but he liked sweet smells, so he didn't hate the smell that Ling emitted every time he approached her.

In addition to the "good smell", Zhuo's feeling also unconsciously produces the desire to "want to smell more". He solemnly hugged the body of Qiao Xi into his arms, and just when he wanted to get closer and gently touch her waist in order to pull Ling over, Ling's body couldn't help but jump.

"Do not……"

Hearing her subconscious refusal, Zhuo thought that he was too reckless and felt his head quickly calm down.

Even if you usually snuggle together, it is not okay to act unilaterally.

Even if she is his girlfriend and is accommodating to him in every aspect, it does not mean that he can touch her without permission. Sometimes she is not in the mood, and sometimes she may not want to be touched like this.

Zhuo had a "messed up" expression on his face. After gently letting go of Ling's body, Ling looked up at Zhuo behind him, seeming a little confused.

"…I'm sorry, I got too carried away."

"?"

Ling realized that Zhuo thought he had rejected her, and hurriedly changed his sitting position, from looking up to looking back to looking back from the side. "It's not that I don't want to. No. I should apologize. I'm sorry for making you misunderstand. I don't hate you hugging me."

"But you said no."

"That's... I might have gained weight."

"..."

Seeing Ling put his hand on his stomach and talk about this matter in an emotionless tone, Zhuo felt a question mark pop up above his head.

Ling, who practices self-management, has always maintained a mechanically precise work and rest schedule. Even Zhuo, who now insists on exercising every day, does not dare to compare with her. If there is anyone who can compare with Ling in this aspect, it is probably only Chu Zihang, who I have not met yet.

Judging from her appearance and the feel of her body, Zhuo doesn't think she is fat at all.

The feeling I had just felt when I touched her was as slender as ever. Rather, I felt a little uneasy, and even had concerns based on various aspects, thinking, "Maybe it would be better if she had a little more flesh."

"Do you think you can make me believe you just by speaking in a calm tone?"

Zhuo knew that even though Ling had almost given up on doing those dangerous tasks, he still did some stretching exercises and simple exercises at home every day. If he had time, he would go jogging with Zhuo and would deliberately review his knife skills in the kitchen.

Although she did not participate in any clubs or systematic exercise, Zero was always on guard in order to maintain a similar condition. It was hard to imagine that she, who could be called a master of self-management, would gain weight.

Although it was hard for Zhuo to imagine, for some reason, Ling was unwilling to meet Zhuo's eyes.

"…Is it true that I've gained weight?"

"No, I've been exercising, and even without this bloodline in my body, I won't get fat easily. I just can't think of any other excuses..."

"Excuse?"

"Call it an excuse... No, it's an excuse. This is the reason."

"Is that so... Then, can I ask why?"

Zhuo looked into Ling's eyes very seriously and told her this. Ling paused for a moment and then looked up at Zhuo.

Maybe there are some reasons for me, but Zhuo thinks that hiding this kind of thing will add some psychological burden compared to being honest. It is better to say that even if it is concealed, not letting him touch is a matter of life and death.

"...I want to replenish my energy a little. Is it negotiable?"

“It’s not impossible…put on a mask.”

Zhuo felt puzzled by the self-destructive Ling. Although he didn't know the reason, he still obediently covered his mouth with the pillow as a mask, and then pulled her towards him - or should I say, he lifted her up in his arms.

He picked up the motionless Zero and let her sit back on the sofa between his legs. As a result, due to her body shape, she was in the position of holding a doll.

If they were to cuddle on the sofa, this position would be the most relaxing, but Zero might be very concerned about the 'mask' issue, always staring at the pillow next to his mouth, looking a little uneasy.

However, she finally accepted her fate and snuggled up to Zhuo, so she shouldn't be unwilling.

(End of this chapter)