On a Stormy Night, the Campus Belle Knocked on My Door Seeking Shelter
Chapter 3: A Change of Clothes

Chapter 3: Chapter 3: A Change of Clothes

"Here you go." The scent of sandalwood shampoo filled her senses as a dark gray towel was draped over her head. "It’s the only one I have for my hair. Feel free to use it, if you don’t mind."

The girl frantically grabbed the edge of the towel before it could slip off, the itchy sensation of wet hair clinging to her nape suddenly a hundred times more distinct.

As Chen Mo casually backed away to the dining table three meters away, her curled toes relaxed slightly inside her soaked, light-blue ankle socks.

But then she caught a glimpse of the firm line of his waist, faintly visible where her own soaked clothes had dampened his shirt. She immediately averted her gaze, clutched the towel tightly, and began drying her hair.

"Can I borrow some clothes?" Su Yuqing clutched the hem of her sopping-wet shirt. Water dripped from her short skirt and blouse, forming small puddles on the beige floor tiles.

It was only then that Chen Mo noticed her clothes were already somewhat old and worn, not just from having been stored in an evidence room for years. Even the red string tied around her left ankle was a little faded.

"Since you have to change anyway, you might as well take a hot bath... You’ve gotten so chilled, you’re going to get sick otherwise."

At the mention of a bath, Su Yuqing suddenly lowered her head shyly, murmuring a soft assent.

"The guest bathroom doesn’t have a bathtub. If you don’t mind, use the one in my room. I’ll go run the hot water for you."

"Mm..." The thought of bathing in the same place Chen Mo usually did made Su Yuqing’s face turn even redder. Her hands fidgeted nervously, her fingers twisting together so tightly they almost seemed to fuse.

As the sound of running water filled the room, Su Yuqing watched Chen Mo’s back as he bustled about. Mustering her courage, she asked, "Chen Mo..."

"What is it?" Chen Mo turned to her, adding, "You can just call me by my name."

"I... You..." Su Yuqing had wanted to ask why he’d let her in without a single question.

"You want to ask why I didn’t question your reasons for wanting to stay here, don’t you?" Chen Mo said with a smile.

Su Yuqing glanced at him in surprise, then her eyes lit up with curiosity and she nodded.

"I figured that a great beauty like yourself wouldn’t be knocking on my door seeking shelter during a torrential downpour unless you had no other choice. And since you were forced by your circumstances, it would be rude of me to pry," Chen Mo said with a smile.

Listening to him, Su Yuqing’s eyes began to well up. She could hear the gentleness, acceptance, understanding, and kindness in his words.

She was certain, once again, that she hadn’t picked the wrong person.

She had even heard him call her a great beauty.

Amid the swirl of complex emotions, a sweet sense of joy blossomed within her.

"The bath is ready." Chen Mo rose and walked slowly toward Su Yuqing. He suddenly reached out, pinning her against the wall with a mischievous grin. "I’m not worried you have any ill intentions for staying here, but aren’t you afraid I might have some ill intentions toward you?"

Feeling the young man’s warm breath on her face and the charged atmosphere between them, Su Yuqing felt a warm current rush through her. Her body went a little limp against the wall. Biting her lip gently, she said, "I trust you..."

Her eyes trembling, she boldly met Chen Mo’s gaze for the first time.

She hadn’t said whether she was afraid, only that she trusted him. Her answer completely shut down any opportunity for him to continue teasing her.

As they stared into each other’s eyes, the atmosphere grew heavy with romance. The tension built to a point where *not* kissing would almost feel impolite.

But Chen Mo held back.

He had important things to do tonight.

He smiled, withdrew his hand, and said, "Go take your bath..."

"The change of clothes..." Su Yuqing’s voice was barely a whisper.

"Almost forgot." The wardrobe door let out a stiff CREAK. Chen Mo’s fingertips hovered over the folded clothes for a moment before he pulled out a light gray sweatshirt he had never worn—it was a gift from his mother for his birthday last year, the tag still dangling from the cuff.

"This sweatshirt is so big on you, it’ll be like a dress. Wear this for now. I’ll throw your clothes in the washer, and they should be done quickly in the dryer," Chen Mo said with a smile.

"Mm..." Su Yuqing nodded, then turned and entered the bathroom. "Thank you, Chen Mo..."

Before closing the bathroom door, she gave Chen Mo a look, a small, relieved smile on her face.

It was one of the few genuine smiles she had shown in years.

Half of her gratitude was for him taking her in. The other half was for the understanding and acceptance he’d shown by not asking a single question—a gesture that moved her even more deeply.

Soon, the sound of the shower running came from the bathroom. A while later, it was followed by the sound of someone sinking into the bathtub.

Hearing this, Chen Mo finally smiled, turned, and left the bedroom, pulling the door closed behind him to go prepare ginger tea.

「A short time later.」

Billowing steam spread into the bedroom as the bathroom door opened. Su Yuqing stepped barefoot onto the cotton-fleece mat that Chen Mo had laid out for her.

The residual warmth from the hairdryer still lingered in her fluffy hair. Her makeup-free cheeks were flushed a faint red from the steam. The hem of the oversized sweatshirt swayed with her cautious steps, revealing two inches of pale skin above her knees.

"I put out some slippers for you," Chen Mo called out from the other room when he heard the bedroom door open.

Seeing the plush, pre-warmed slippers by the door, she was touched by his thoughtfulness. With a warm feeling spreading through her chest, Su Yuqing slipped them on and walked out, her shyness receding a little. She curled her toes, enjoying the feel of the warm fleece, and relaxed considerably.

The moment she stepped out of the bedroom, the sweet, warm aroma of honey-ginger tea greeted her.

"Come have some ginger tea." As Chen Mo drew near, their height difference gave him a bird’s-eye view of an... unexpected landscape. The hand holding the mug faltered for a second, and his Adam’s apple bobbed at the sight of the wide, gaping collar of her sweatshirt.

As Su Yuqing took the mug, her fingertips brushed against his palm. The sweet fragrance of honey and the sharp spice of ginger mingled in the air between them.

The way she took small sips reminded Chen Mo of the stray kittens his precinct had taken in—just as adorable and endearing.

"Do you want me to... cook you some noodles?" Chen Mo suddenly pointed to an unopened package of dried noodles in the cupboard.

"Wouldn’t that be too much trouble...?" Su Yuqing rubbed her stomach; it did feel a little empty.

"What trouble? It only takes a few minutes to make some noodles. Just sit tight. How about I add a couple of eggs?"

Chen Mo smiled and got up, only to be held back by a small hand.

"I know how to fry eggs. Let me help."

"Alright," Chen Mo chuckled.

In the kitchen, after she finished washing the vegetables, Su Yuqing was surprised to find that Chen Mo’s knife skills were unexpectedly good.

The rhythmic tap of the knife on the cutting board gradually fell in sync with the patter of rain outside. Before long, neat slices of tomato and ham lay on the board.

As the girl stood on a small stool, stretching on tiptoe to reach an egg carton on the top shelf, the hem of her sweatshirt rode up, revealing a heart-stopping curve.

Chen Mo caught it in his peripheral vision—a glimpse of a perfect, rounded curve. He realized with a jolt that Su Yuqing wasn’t wearing any underwear.