You said you hated men, why are your eyes now full of love?-Chapter 57 - Countdown to Darkness

The meal didn’t last long. With Ji Mu devouring everything like a starving beast, the dishes on the table were soon wiped clean.

"Full."

Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes and let out a satisfied sigh. The afternoon sunlight was warm and lazy, the kind that made it perfect for a short nap.

Then came the sound of clinking ceramic bowls. Ji Mu opened his eyes and saw Ruan Qingqing tidying up the table. He always transferred takeout from the plastic containers into proper bowls, and since she was visiting today to study, he had ordered quite a lot.

"I'll do it, silly goose." Ji Mu quickly got up and walked over. He'd just misunderstood her not long ago. Letting her clean up alone now made him feel even guiltier.

"No need. Just rest, Mu Mu," she said with a gentle smile. "I've got it."

Her eyes curved sweetly, the living room light casting a soft glow on her porcelain skin. The curve of her lips was both lovely and sincere. Some people smile in a way that’s both pure and captivating. She was one of them.

No wonder she was the heroine of the original novel.

"It's not right to make a guest clean up." Suppressing his admiration, Ji Mu didn’t wait for her to respond. He took the dishes from her hands. "I need to digest anyway."

"Mu Mu..."

"If you really feel bad, just help me wipe the table."

"...Alright."

She glanced toward his lean figure at the sink, quietly biting her lower lip. This felt just like a couple splitting up housework after coming home.

But... how was that possible?

The memory of him avoiding the condom earlier flashed in her mind. Half of her face was swallowed in shadow. Her lips bore faint bite marks, her expression unreadable beneath long lashes.

...

After clearing the dining table, she stepped into the kitchen with the cloth in hand.

"Finished wiping?" Ji Mu asked, glancing at her as she came near.

"Yes," Ruan Qingqing answered quietly, "Do you need any help?"

"No, I'm almost done." Ji Mu's hands didn't stop moving. Considering the girl's personality, he added, "Just wash that cloth in your hand."

She nodded obediently and turned on a second faucet, letting clear tap water rush out. She bent her head and washed it carefully.

The room was quiet save for the sound of running water and ceramic clinking. There was no light in the kitchen, only a bit of sun filtering in through a half-open window.

Her hands slowly became absent-minded as she rubbed the cloth, and under the influence of some reason, Ruan Qingqing's mind began to wander.

Her gaze shifted quietly to the side.

Ji Mu's figure was upright and elegant as jade, hands moving methodically in the sink. She'd always thought his hands were beautiful—long fingers, defined knuckles.

Soaked in cold water, they became even more striking. The veins on the back of his hands were clearly visible, and a few drops of water remained on the slightly raised knuckles. There was something undeniably attractive about them.

The afternoon light had dimmed slightly, lending the kitchen a muted, dreamlike tone. It was cool out, yet her body felt warm.

The change came unexpectedly, and even her soul was affected.

Ruan Qingqing's thoughts involuntarily began to scatter.

What would those hands feel like… if they were placed elsewhere?

She wanted to know.

"Silly goose."

She hadn't even noticed he'd stopped moving. Her hazy gaze met a pair of calm, dark brown eyes.

"You're wet down there."

…

The afternoon sky was a peaceful blue, warm light stretching over the city.

At the bus stop, Ji Mu glanced sideways at the girl who'd been silent the whole walk.

All I did was remind you the hem of your skirt got wet. Why so mad?

Knowing her temperament, she shouldn’t be upset over something so small.

He hesitated, then asked carefully, "Silly goose, are you in a bad mood?"

"Not at all." Both hands held her bag, her tone calm and gentle. "I'm just a little tired from all the studying."

"I see."

It doesn't seem like it...

He wanted to probe further, but the approaching honk of a bus interrupted his thoughts.

"My bus is here."

"...Alright."

He bit back what he’d been about to say and instead offered, "Take care on the way."

"Okay."

Before getting on the bus, Ruan Qingqing turned her head and smiled at him. "I had a great day today."

Her bright smile was dazzling.

"See you the day after tomorrow, Mu Mu."

Ji Mu was stunned for a moment, then waved back after a few seconds, "Yes, see you the day after tomorrow."

The doors closed with a quiet hiss. The bus pulled away.

Ruan Qingqing took a window seat, gaze trailing the boy walking home. Her smile slowly faded.

I lied.

I wasn't happy at all.

"Miss, are you alone?"

A handsome stranger suddenly sat down next to her, "Can we get to know each other? You have a really great charisma."

Ruan Qingqing looked out of the window and ignored his advances. But the man was undeterred.

"No need to be shy. I just want to be friends with you. Can I get your contact info? I promise, I don't mean anything weird."

His incessant chatter was indeed a bit annoying.

Ruan Qingqing turned her head and politely declined, "Sorry, I'm not interested."

Her exquisite and beautiful face was fully revealed, dazzling the man with her gaze.

He cleared his throat, trying again.

"Ahem, there's nothing wrong with just getting to know each other."

He cleared his throat, trying again. "To be honest, I am—"

"I said," she interrupted, voice suddenly colder. "I'm not interested."

Though her tone was still soft, her voice had noticeably dropped a few degrees. Her harmless demeanor suddenly carried a hint of danger.

The man was at a loss for words.

He thought she was a soft and pure beauty, but interacting with her gave him the feeling that she was not someone to be trifled with.

How strange...

"Sorry to bother you."

Feeling awkward, he returned to his original seat.

With the annoyance gone, Ruan Qingqing looked back out the window.

The scenery blurred as the bus sped up. Buildings of different heights rose and fell.

Just like her heart at this moment, it was far from being as calm as it appeared on the surface.

Once upon a time, Ruan Qingqing really liked the way Ji Mu looked at her, with eyes that contained no other emotions.

Over the next few days, she became increasingly dissatisfied with the fact that he only showed that kind of expression.

Because it was too unfair...

Before coming, she had spent a lot of time joyfully grooming and dressing up, just to present her best self to him. She was anxious, yet hopeful that he would show some other emotion. Even if... just a little.

But he didn't.

Even though today's makeup had been flawless, and enough to turn heads on the street all day, Ji Mu remained aloof. Like a god sitting alone in the clouds, always maintaining a calm and composed demeanor.

No matter how much she changed, even when she stood naked in front of him, it seemed that she couldn't arouse even the slightest desire.

The embarrassing scene in the kitchen was still vivid in her mind.

He stood next to her and looked at her, his pale eyelids drooping and his thick black eyelashes curling down.

His expression was blank as always, and his amber peach blossom eyes were completely unmoved by any of her actions.

That sentence kept echoing in her ears.

"Silly goose, you're wet down there."

Yes.

Wet...

But not just her skirt.

Ruan Qingqing slowly closed her eyes.

Why was it that from the beginning to the end, she was the only one who lost her composure?

Why?

What was the reason...

If he wasn't interested in me, then why... did he come to provoke me?

Her sharp nails almost dug into her palms, nearly drawing blood, but she was completely unaware of it.

"Mu Mu..."

She murmured his name, suppressing an indescribable melancholy.

You shouldn't... always be so indifferent.

Hello readers!

Read up to 12 advance chapters by joining us on Patreon! Support us and read ahead[Join Patreon]Enjoying the story? Help more readers discover it by leaving a rating and reviews on NovelUpdate!

Every review counts.

[Rate on NovelUpdate]Thanks for your support and happy reading! .....

Visit frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓ for the b𝘦st novel reading experience.

Hey folks!

Every 20 votes on NovelUpdate unlocks the 1 extra chapter! Currently at 60 votes, 2 more for 1 extra chapter!

Feel free to leave comments in Discord now that the comment section is unavailable.