Chapter 163: Whispers of Affection

Lily, annoyed, gently tapped Lin Zheng Ran’s stomach with her small fist.

Her action was more like a playful tease than a real hit; she couldn’t bear to hurt him or muster the strength.

Seeing her honesty, Lin Zheng Ran stopped teasing and just blew her hair dry.

The room fell quiet except for the hair dryer’s hum, making the atmosphere feel oddly intimate.

Now that Lin Zheng Ran was silent and not joking around, Lily seemed displeased. The little girl stared at his muscled stomach and started a conversation: “Zheng Ran… why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Didn’t you say not to tease you? So, I’ll just stay quiet then.”

Lily bit her lip: “I said not to tease me, not to stop talking altogether. Now it feels so awkward…”

Lin Zheng Ran almost flicked her forehead to calm her down, but he couldn’t with the hair dryer in hand.

“Zheng Ran…”

“What now?”

Lily wanted to ask why he wasn’t speaking, but switched topics at the last second.

She tried to act casual: “You… do you work out at home a lot? How did you get such a great build?”

“I exercise now and then. As for the muscles, it’s just luck.”

“Luck?”

The more nervous Lily got, the sillier she acted. She giggled: “Luck? Really?” She looked up at him: “You can be so clueless sometimes, like your brain’s on vacation.”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at Lily’s cute but slender figure and thought that if muscles weren’t about luck, her body wouldn’t make sense.

So, his explanation held up.

Noticing Lin Zheng Ran’s slightly mischievous eyes, Lily hugged herself and demanded, “What are you staring at?”

Lin Zheng Ran ignored her completely.

Lily watched him focus on drying her hair.

Though she didn’t say it, her heart was already racing.

After all, her affection for him had maxed out long ago.

Lily tentatively reached out and played with Lin Zheng Ran’s hair. He wondered what she was up to.

She examined him: “You big fool, I hate to admit it, but how did you end up so handsome? Your hair’s perfect too—even if I mess it up, it still looks great.”

She ruffled his hair with her hand.

And secretly smiled to herself.

Lin Zheng Ran warned:

“Lily, are you asking for trouble?”

She quickly fixed his hair, scared. “Okay, okay, I’m done. No need to get mad.”

“There, all done. Why get upset?”

Lin Zheng Ran finished drying the front of her hair: “Turn around now, time for the back.”

“Oh.”

Lily shifted in the bed to face away.

With her back to him, Lin Zheng Ran held her long hair. It was thick, but the strands weren’t as dense as Han Wenwen’s—yet it felt incredibly smooth.

“Zheng Ran… how far have you and Heqing gone?”

“Just holding hands and linking arms.”

Surprised, Lily glanced back, but Lin Zheng Ran’s warning look made her stay still.

She turned forward again, staring at the curtains, her bright eyes blinking. She wondered if this big fool had really never seen those things.

After all, Heqing was sweeter than her. If she were a guy in a relationship, she’d probably get handsy, but Zheng Ran hadn’t.

It showed his respect, but also his innocence.

“So, you haven’t hugged her?”

“Not yet.” He’d only hugged that certain fox—and a bit too often.

Lily smiled, confirming her thoughts. Flirtatious yet pure? She straightened up, feeling a strange courage.

One hand proudly on her chest, eyes closed, she chatted away:

“Let me tell you, don’t judge me by appearances. I’m knowledgeable about certain things. If you’re clueless, I can teach you how to hug a girl properly. Otherwise, you might embarrass yourself, you big fool.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at her curiously but didn’t refuse: “Sure. But how do you know so much?”

“Well, I’m a girl, and a singer at that. Singers are sensitive about relationships. Yeah, that’s it!”

“You’re really something.” Lin Zheng Ran praised.

Lily pursed her lips: “Once your hair’s dry, I’ll show you. There are lots of ways.”

“Okay.”

This silly girl had Lin Zheng Ran eager to see her tricks.

He set the hair dryer aside once her hair was done.

“All set. Now, teach me.”

Lily took a deep breath and turned to face him, still nervous.

“First, turn off the lights.” She said.

Lin Zheng Ran used the remote to dim the room, plunging it into shadows. He smiled in the dark but quickly composed himself: “What’s next?”

Lily recalled what she’d seen—nothing too explicit, just pure romance where hugs were essential.

“Then… let’s get closer. I’ll take the lead.”

She scooted nearer to him.

Her heart pounded so loudly she could hear it.

“Open your arms.”

Lin Zheng Ran opened his arms.

Lily: “This is the first method—when a girl hugs a guy, here’s how he should respond.” She eyed his torso: “I’m hugging you now. Don’t speak, and don’t get tense!”

He nodded slightly, and her small hands touched his skin tentatively.

She pulled back quickly, startled.

But gathering courage, she plunged in.

She hugged him tightly, burying herself in his chest.

Good thing the room was dark, or her face would be pure red.

Even her ears and lobes burned.

Her forehead rested on his chest.

She caught his unique scent up close.

Her hands trembled as they gripped his solid back.

Lin Zheng Ran stayed silent, just noting her rapid breaths tickling his chest.

Fresh from her wash, her fragrance was strong.

Lily whispered carefully: “This is how a girl hugs you… How does it feel? Share your thoughts.”

Lin Zheng Ran actually thought about it:

“It’s nice. You smell great, your breath tickles my chest, your face is warm against me, and my arms are getting sore holding them out.”

Embarrassed, Lily stammered: “You don’t need to go into that much detail! Just a simple comment.”

“Simple version: It’s good.”

“Okay, now respond. When a girl hugs you, the guy should hug back, like how my hands are on your back.”

“Got it. Can I try?”

She nodded slightly.

So, Lin Zheng Ran wrapped his arms around her back.

As soon as she felt it, she started to ask how it was,

but her voice trembled when his grip tightened suddenly.

Pulling her fully into his embrace.

“Zheng! Zheng Ran!” She panicked.

Lin Zheng Ran asked innocently: “What? You told me to hug your back. I didn’t do anything else. What’s next?”

“I… I need to think.” She felt so close to him now, her mind went blank: “Just hold on like this while I remember any tips.”

“Take your time, no rush.”

Everything quieted down. Lily savored being held, a mix of security and thrill, like being truly wanted.

It was comforting; his muscles felt firm.

Being in his arms was better than she’d imagined.

Lily’s only thought was to freeze time right there.

She closed her eyes and hugged him tighter, memories flooding in.

Time slipped away.

Lin Zheng Ran saw her smiling blissfully and leaned in: “Haven’t thought of anything yet?”

It startled her, making her jump.

She brushed it off: “Idiot! It’s not that easy. Give me a minute. Why rush? Don’t you find holding me comfortable? What are you even saying?”

“It is comfortable, but this position feels off—legs straight, body twisted. Hugging shouldn’t feel awkward, right?”

“Does it?”

She hadn’t noticed.

Glancing down, she laughed to ease the tension: “Hey, you’re catching on, big fool. But…”

“What if we lie down? That way, we won’t be twisted.”

“Good idea.”

The bed creaked as they lay down; hugging lying down was entirely different.

Lily lay there, face inches from Lin Zheng Ran’s, suddenly overwhelmed by the intimacy.

“Wait, wait, Zheng Ran! Let’s not lie down. Let go first…” Her hands released.

Lin Zheng Ran couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Lily’s eyes widened, seeing the playfulness in his gaze, not genuine curiosity.

“Zheng Ran… you’re messing with me!”

She pushed against him lightly.

Lin Zheng Ran: “I’m not. I really don’t know much. Keep going.”

“Liar… you think I’m that naive…” Lily bit her lip, her voice turning upset: “I hate you. You’re the most annoying person in the world…”

With that, she hugged him again, tighter.