Chapter 55: Defeated by Her

After those words fell, beyond the door of the dressing room, there was dead silence.

Lu Xiao seemed to have evaporated on the spot, without a sound.

Wen Xian's soft voice came through: "… Lu Xiao…?"

And the person outside about to evaporate: "…"

Lu Xiao held his breath as if his heart had stopped beating.

His fists clenched, his ears tingling with restlessness.

No one knew what he was thinking, what thoughts he had in that moment.

After what felt like an eternity, he took a deep breath again, as if trying hard to control his chaotic emotions, even his erratic heartbeat…!

Seeing that he still said nothing, the little woman inside spoke again, her voice carrying a hint of indescribable grievance, pleading:

"… Lu Xiao? I've tried, but my hand really hurts, I don't have the strength…"

Her plaintive, soft voice acted like a potent catalyst, completely crumbling his rigid heart, turning it utterly malleable.

His stiff fingertips moved slightly.

"… I don't mean anything else by this, don't overthink it… It's really because I'm hurt, look, you don't have to come in, just your hand is fine, just help me fasten it…"

She seemed to be in an awkward position, speaking with embarrassment, seemingly more self-conscious than him—

Lu Xiao closed his eyes, gritted his teeth.

When he spoke, his voice sounded as husky as if he had smoked too many cigarettes in the middle of the night, all muffled in his throat.

"Open the door."

Those three words, so simple.

Yet not so simple.

Separated by a door, he was him, and she was her.

But after opening it, the thin boundary between them would no longer exist.

The narrow door was opened by her from the inside.

She left a slight gap, revealing a dim light from within.

One step, two steps.

Lu Xiao walked up to the narrow door, his long and rough fingertips touching it.

He paused, seemingly hesitant for a moment.

But it was just a moment, and when he slightly lowered his gaze, he opened the door.

He simply glanced at the target inside and then silently closed his eyes.

Without a word, he slowly reached out his hand to help her fasten it.

It was extremely quiet.

In the confined space, she stood against the door, while he was on the other side.

He closed his eyes, his hands clumsily at work.

He closed his eyes, not wanting to look, for her sake and his own.

But closing his eyes made all his senses concentrate on that small area, fully perceiving everything within that close proximity.

His clumsy fingertips, touching the skin, felt soft and warm.

When he accidentally touched it, his fingertips seemed to tremble lightly.

Captain Lu Xiao's hands had disarmed bombs, touched grenades, blown up the enemy's heads, been covered in blood, and withstood harsh elements.

In comparison, it was such a simple task, but at this moment—

He was defeated by her beautiful and fair back.

[Nine Bro: Ahhh, the excitement is burning up, babies! A new week has arrived! Rolling around begging for tickets.]