Chapter 28: The Pure Live-Streamer is a Heartthrob (28)

Yun Sui Sui struggled desperately, but the kiss only grew more intense.

After what felt like an eternity, she broke free and slapped Ji Yanli across the face. Her eyes were rimmed with red as she stared at him. "What are you doing?"

Ji Yanli slammed his hand against the wall in a fit of rage, his expression terrifying. "Yun Sui Sui, why is it that Pei Zhiqiu can have you, and Ji Junmo can have you, but I cannot? You haven't even been willing to meet me once."

Yun Sui Sui looked at him, bewildered. "Meet you? What are you talking about?"

"I am 'Ji YL'," he said, enunciating every word. "The person who followed you and chatted with you from the very first day you started streaming."

Yun Sui Sui froze. "You are Brother Ji YL? Ji YL... Ji Yanli?" She murmured the name under her breath.

Ji Yanli looked at her with intense, predatory eyes. "Yun Sui Sui, why am I not allowed? What exactly am I to you?"

Feeling a wave of fear, she stammered, "I... I never said you weren't allowed. I have always liked you—in that way, like a man and a woman."

Hearing this, Ji Yanli’s expression softened significantly. "Then why wouldn't you meet me?"

She lowered her gaze. "Because at first, I felt inferior. I didn't dare to see you. The times you asked to meet, I was still overweight."

Ji Yanli recalled what she had said during their very first encounter. A sharp pain pierced his heart; it turned out she hadn't been avoiding him out of lack of interest—he had misunderstood her all along.

"Then why, even after you lost the weight, were you still unwilling?"

She shook her head hurriedly and looked up at him. "I wanted to see you later, but I didn't know how to bring it up. I had started dating someone, but I couldn't stop thinking about you. I didn't know how to face any of it."

"Yun Sui Sui, can’t you break up with them and be with me?" Ji Yanli asked, his tone laced with pleading.

She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry, I can't. I have developed feelings for them—and for you, too."

Silence fell over the stairwell. Just as she thought he would say nothing more, Ji Yanli spoke. "I understand." He released her with a look of disappointment and turned to head downstairs.

Watching his retreating back, a bitter taste rose in her throat. Was he truly unable to accept it after all? She replayed every moment they had shared in her mind, then stood up to gather her phone and books from the floor.

She had just risen when she heard hurried footsteps. Ji Yanli had returned, rushing over to pull her into a tight embrace.

Her eyes stung, and her voice choked up. "I thought you weren't coming back."

Ji Yanli’s eyes were bloodshot, a single tear tracking down his temple. "I regretted it, Sui Sui. I regretted it the moment I reached the bottom floor. I don't want to lose you." His words were fervent and sincere.

Tears spilled from her eyes. "I'm sorry, Ji Yanli."

He gently wiped the tears from her face. "Don't cry, Sui Sui." He leaned down and kissed her. The kiss was tender and lingering, filled with deep affection.

"Not here," she murmured, her voice muffled.

"Understood."

It was a long time before he finally pulled away, clearly reluctant.

She tugged on the hem of his shirt. "I have something to tell you."

He kissed her forehead. "What is it?"

"I don't want Pei Zhiqiu to know about us yet," she said in a soft, coaxing tone. "I don't know how to tell him. Please, help me keep it a secret for now, okay?"

"Does he know about you and Ji Junmo?"

She shook her head. "No. Please, just agree to it." She tugged on his shirt again, acting coy.

"Fine. I can agree to that. If he doesn't ask, I won't bring it up."

"Thank you."

At the hotel, they began kissing the moment they stepped inside, continuing all the way to the bed. She took the initiative to shed her clothes, and he showered her body with kisses. The room was filled with passion, and they didn't finish until the early hours of the morning.

Feeling her stomach growl, she looked at him with a pout. "I'm hungry."

He stroked her hair. "What do you want? I can order delivery, or we can go out."

She lay in bed, pouting playfully. "No, I don't want to move. I want snail noodles. There’s a shop downstairs—go buy me some."

Ji Yanli looked at her with pure indulgence. "Alright, wait for me. I'll go get them."

Her eyes sparkled, and she gave him a quick peck on the lips. "A reward for you."

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he grabbed his room card and left. No sooner had he gone than she eagerly asked the system, "System, what is Ji Yanli's current affection level?"

"Host, I have great news! His affection level is now at 100%!"

Tears welled up in her eyes upon hearing this. His sincerity had been absolute from the start. She hadn't expected that once their feelings were mutual, his love would reach its maximum potential.

"Host, this is a good thing! Don't cry."

She wiped her eyes. "I'm just so happy."

She opened her phone and sent a message to Pei Zhiqiu. *[Yun Sui Sui: I'm too tired today, I'm going straight to sleep when I get home.]*

Pei Zhiqiu called her immediately, and she answered. His voice came through the screen. "It's alright, baby. I just got off work, too. Have you eaten? I'm on my way home, and there happens to be a snail noodle shop nearby. Should I pick some up and bring it to you?"

She shook her head. "No need, I'm not hungry. I'm just sleepy; I want to nap a bit more."

"Alright then, sleep well, baby. Mua."

"Mua," she said, hanging up.

"Young Master, shall we go home now?"

Just as Pei Zhiqiu was about to roll up the car window, he saw Ji Yanli walking toward the noodle shop, holding a room card. Pei Zhiqiu’s eyes narrowed as he recalled what she had just said.

He dialed her number again, this time initiating a video call.

Seeing the request, she panicked. "System, do you think he discovered something?"

"Host, he might have. He is currently at the noodle shop downstairs."

She panicked even more. It was over. If Pei Zhiqiu found out, his affection level would plummet. She decided to play dead.

Pei Zhiqiu stared at the missed call, his face dark. He opened the car door and stepped out.