Chapter 118: Smelling a Scent

“Uncle Gao, thank you for letting me come along today.”

“I’m really super happy!”

In the lobby of Tomson Riviera, Bai Xialin still wore that satiated smile after a full meal, her eyes sparkling.

She trotted to the elevator, her steps light as if about to fly.

“Little Gu Gu~”

She suddenly stopped, turned to wink at Gu Yebai, her voice sweet enough to make teeth ache, but with a fox-like cunning.

“Don’t forget what I said today~ Wear the underwear, take the photo, got it?”

Gu Yebai’s ears heated up, and he instinctively wanted to retort, but her next move silenced him.

“So, Goodbye~”

She blew a little kiss, drawing out the last syllable.

After a day together, Gu Yebai had fully gotten used to her accent.

“Aren’t you taking the elevator?”

Bai Xialin’s home was on the 28th floor, his on the 30th.

It was on the way.

“Nope, nope.”

Bai Xialin replied with a smile.

“This morning I had strawberry mille-feuille cake, and for lunch and dinner, Uncle Gao treated me to a feast. My calories have already exploded~ So now I have to defeat the calorie monster!”

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and rushed into the stairwell, her sportswear and high ponytail bouncing.

‘How unexpected.’

The leggings were so tight they outlined the curves of her waist and legs.

Her white sneakers were clean and bright.

Despite being a casual outfit, it created a more explosive chemical reaction than black stockings and high heels.

‘Maybe this is Bai Xialin’s charm.’

“Really a girl who never lets you rest.”

Gao Hongzhi put a hand on Gu Yebai’s shoulder and gave a light pat.

His tone carried the warm smile of an elder.

“Come on, it’s time for us to go home too.”

“Hongyi and your mother are waiting for us at home.”

Gu Yebai nodded, then lifted his hand, holding up the heavy shopping bags.

At the very bottom of these shopping bags was the underwear Bai Xialin had bought for him today.

It felt a bit… intimate.

In short, he absolutely could not let Gao Hongyi know that he had a pair of underwear bought by Bai Xialin.

Otherwise, something terrible would definitely happen.

He pushed open the door to his home.

In truth, he felt a bit guilty, even scared.

How would Gao Hongyi greet him today?

“I’m home.”

Gu Yebai forced calmness and announced loudly.

As soon as the door opened, Gao Hongyi lunged at him swiftly.

Like a cat that had been waiting in front of a mouse hole finally spotting its prey, her red hair spread messily over his shoulders, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

She hugged so hard that his ribs ached.

“Finally back… finally…”

“Hehe, I missed you so much, my Uncle Bai.”

Her voice was completely muffled against his chest, as if she had been crying.

Her whole body was like scorching flames.

Gu Yebai instinctively tried to push her away a little, but she only hugged tighter.

“Hongyi… ease up a bit, I can barely breathe.”

Seeming to notice his voice was a little hoarse, Gao Hongyi loosened her grip slightly, but didn’t fully let go.

Her fingers slowly crawled up his back, as if confirming whether the man in front of her was intact.

“Usually Uncle Bai stays at home obediently waiting for me.”

“Today, instead, I was the one waiting at home for Uncle Bai to come back.”

She lifted her head, her pupils bright.

“Come in first. I’ll help you with the clothes and stuff.”

“Come in first.”

Ya Xinyao’s voice came from the living room.

Very gentle, as if nothing had happened.

She stood by the sofa, holding a cup of jasmine tea.

Gao Hongzhi cast a questioning look at Ya Xinyao, but she completely ignored him.

“Uncle Bai, you bought a lot of clothes today.”

“Impressive.”

Gao Hongyi glanced at the shopping bags, noting the logos of various luxury brands.

“Let’s go back to the room first.”

“Let me see just how handsome Uncle Bai looks!”

Without waiting for an answer, Gu Yebai was dragged into the bedroom by Gao Hongyi.

Once the master bedroom door closed, she locked it.

The world fell silent.

Only Gao Hongyi’s breathing remained.

Gao Hongyi forced Gu Yebai to sit on the edge of the bed while she knelt beside his legs.

She cupped his face in both hands and studied it carefully…

“So handsome.”

“To most people, Uncle Bai isn’t really handsome. But after learning about your story, after learning about the tales you wove with your own thoughts… I fell.”

“I fell for a boy whose appearance isn’t extraordinary, but who I can’t take my eyes off. I often dream about your life in Linchuan, dream about how lonely you were, dream about you reaching out but receiving no help.”

“But now I’m here.”

“I’ve grabbed your hand. I won’t let go again.”

“Ah, looking at Uncle Bai’s face, I ended up saying a lot again. Don’t think I’m too chatty!”

“Come on, let me see how you look in a suit. Like a detective uncle.”

She spoke softly, her fingertips lightly tracing his chin, then moving down his neck, stopping at his shirt collar.

“Let me help you change clothes.”

She began to unbutton the shirt, one by one, very slowly.

Her fingers were cool, and occasionally touching his skin sent a jolt like electricity.

Gu Yebai swallowed hard, wanted to say something, but was silenced by her sudden approach.

She buried her face in the crook of his neck and took a deep breath… then froze.

It was a very short moment, almost imperceptible.

But Gu Yebai felt it.

She smelled it.

A scent that didn’t belong to Uncle Bai.

The faint smell of a lemon sports spray.

Very familiar…

It was the kind of spray a girl who often exercises would use.

Gao Hongyi closed her eyes and immediately imagined Bai Xialin, who was always in sportswear, almost every time they met…

Why was her scent on Gu Yebai’s collar?

Heh…

“Hongyi?”

Sensing her stiffen, Gu Yebai instinctively called her name.

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Gao Hongyi’s nose twitched, like a little dog.

“Uncle Bai smells really nice.”

But this seemingly warm scene changed the moment Gao Hongyi detected the scent that didn’t belong exclusively to Gu Yebai…

Gloomy, paranoid, even a little resentful and bitter… but just for a moment.

Quickly, Gao Hongyi switched back effortlessly, returning to the lovesick girl waiting for Gu Yebai to come home.

Gao Hongyi smiled.

Her smile hid a touch of sorrow.

“Uncle Bai didn’t tell me in advance when he went out today.”

“Ah, Uncle Bai’s wings are really getting stiff.”

Her finger stopped at the third button.

She didn’t continue unbuttoning, but pressed it lightly over his heart, listening to his heartbeat.

“The selfies every half hour, you sent them… but you didn’t say who you went with.”

“At the coffee shop, was she hiding in the women’s restroom?”

Gu Yebai felt extremely guilty.

“It’s just… Dad, and a friend.”

“A friend?”