Chapter thirty-three

During this time, someone was living in the house, and Zoe kept it very clean.

Occasionally, she would go downstairs to throw away the trash and buy some small decorations to put around. Sometimes, she would also find items like vases and tablecloths that were tucked away in cabinets, and she would arrange them neatly.

The feeling of entering the house was different from that of the Chinese New Year's Eve.

Nick placed the shopping bags on the coffee table and scanned the living room.

The entire house exuded a gentle feminine atmosphere.

Even the vases on the back balcony were adorned with flowers, and the tablecloth was pure-colored, making the space much brighter. The dining chair cushions matched the tablecloth, looking soft and cozy. The sofa covers had also been changed to a color similar to the tablecloth.

This old house was filled with Zoe's touch everywhere.

Nick lowered his head and pressed his lips, his eyes carrying a hint of obscurity.

Zoe poured a glass of water, turned, and placed it on the coffee table, saying, "Drink some water."

Nick bent down to pick it up and sniffed, "Is it lemon water?"

Zoe casually acknowledged with a sound and crouched beside the coffee table, arranging the things she had bought today.

Nick sat on the sofa, drinking water leisurely, with his knees bent and his hand supporting his chin, watching Zoe sort things out.

It was still early, so Zoe sorted her things into different categories, put them in drawers, and took the vegetables to the kitchen.

She took out the pot to wash it and started cooking. She first boiled the soup, and after she had washed and prepared the other dishes, she placed them on the stove. She occasionally went into the fridge to grab this and that. Her slightly loose sweater collar slipped down slightly, revealing her rounded and fair shoulders occasionally.

Nick squinted, his gaze fixed on her the entire time.

He was so engrossed in watching her.

When Zoe came out again, she walked to the fridge and put the marinated lean meat inside, preparing to grab two eggs...

Suddenly, a long hand pulled down the sweater on her shoulder. Zoe was startled and looked over. Nick was leaning lazily against the armrest, his eyes deeply staring at her, saying, "Put on your sweater properly. Don't say I'm not being honest..."

Five minutes later, Zoe emerged wearing a different top. This one had a round neckline and was gray, leaving no room for imagination.

Nick bit into a lollipop and chuckled, "Changed so fast?"

Zoe rolled her eyes. She had forgotten about him, having been too engrossed in her work.

She only knew that he was watching her on his phone on the sofa, occasionally glancing at her. She assumed he was just observing her busy hands, but little did she know, he was actually staring at her shoulders...

What a naughty man.

"There's no spicy food for lunch."

Zoe glared at him angrily and said.

"Oh."

Nick nodded, seemingly unconcerned.

Although at home, considering his taste, there were always one or two dishes specifically made for him.

His mother also liked spicy food, but his father didn't allow her to eat it.

Soon, the meal was ready.

Zoe brought out all the dishes, which were all light Cantonese cuisine.

Nick opened the fridge to look for a drink.

Zoe said, "I didn't buy any. We have soup today."

Nick raised his eyebrows, "The fridge is too empty. Put in some beer."

"I don't drink."

Zoe wiped her hands and went to serve the rice.

Nick spoke with entitlement, "I'll drink it."

Zoe paused with the rice scoop in her hand, looked at him, and resisted for a moment before refraining from saying, "Do you think this is your home?"

She served the rice, one bowl for each of them, and placed them on the dining table, in the same positions they had sat on during the Chinese New Year's Eve. Zoe looked at the extra pair of chopsticks and her expression paused for a moment.

It turned out that having an extra person at the dining table really felt nice.

"What are you thinking about?"

Nick picked up a piece of ribs first with his chopsticks and asked when he saw her lost in thought.

His deep voice interrupted Zoe's thoughts, and she came back to her senses, shaking her head in a flustered manner: "Nothing."

Nick narrowed his eyes and sat down.

The two of them occupied opposite sides of the table and ate quietly.

Nick occasionally picked some dishes for Zoe, even including leeks, which Zoe disliked very much. She picked them out and put them on the table.

When she showed her disgust, her eyebrows furrowed, and she glared at him.

Nick chuckled, "Picky eating is not a good habit for a child."

Zoe retorted, "You have the nerve to say that to me?"

Nick paused and raised his eyebrows lazily, "You're right, I can't say that to you. I'm also picky."

The two of them ate and quarreled at the table.

It didn't take long for them to finish their meal. Zoe cleared the table and went to wash the dishes. Standing in the kitchen, she could hear Nick's phone ringing. He answered it and went to the balcony to talk.

When Zoe finished washing the dishes and came out, Nick was still on the phone.

Zoe glanced at him, yawned, and sat on the sofa. She had always had a habit of taking a nap in the afternoon, but with an extra person at home, she had to send Nick first.

She leaned against the sofa boredly and turned on the TV.

As her hand touched the remote, she accidentally encountered the YSL shopping bag.

Zoe tilted her head and looked at it for a moment. The bag was quite large, and it seemed there were more than one box inside.

She didn't reach for it and lazily leaned against the sofa, starting to watch TV.

Since she was a bit sleepy, she was afraid of falling asleep.

Gradually, the sound of Nick talking on the balcony became increasingly indistinct, and Zoe's eyelids began to droop.

She thought to herself,

Why is he still on the phone for so long?

What has he been talking about?

Why can't I hear clearly?

With these thoughts, she fell asleep.

The flowers on the balcony swayed as Nick's slender fingers played with them, and then the balcony door opened.

Nick stepped out and saw Zoe sleeping on the sofa with her head tilted to one side.

Nick glanced at the time; it was 1:30 pm.

He curved his lips into a smile and walked to the sofa, leaning against the backrest and leaning over to look at Zoe sleeping.

In this old-fashioned house, the balcony was built high, with iron railings surrounding it.

The light that filtered in was blocked by the additional wall, so whenever someone entered the room, they had to turn on the lights. Add to that the winter chill that permeated the air.

Zoe was nestled under the light, her long lashes resting peacefully on her lower eyelids. Her breathing was slow and even, and her gray top paired well with her black tights, giving her a very innocent appearance. Her cheeks were flushed slightly, and she looked like a sleeping beauty.

Nick reached out, touching her cheek, and leaned down, whispering, "You're asleep?"

No one responded.

Beneath his fingertips was smooth skin, carrying a comforting warmth. His long fingers traced circles on her cheek, and though her nose wasn't particularly prominent, its curve was pleasing. He slowly slid his hand down to her chin, his eyes dark as ink, filled with a hint of desire. He gently lifted her chin.

Zoe's face was forced upwards, revealing her features more clearly. She furrowed her brows, seemingly uncomfortable.

Nick didn't let go, and he leaned closer, his lips touching hers gently. They remained still for a few seconds before he pulled away, trailing kisses down to her earlobe, where he lingered and kissed tenderly.

Zoe felt the itching sensation in her sleep and swung her hand, slapping Nick's cheek. The sound of the slap echoed loudly.

Nick paused, his breathing becoming heavier. He chuckled mockingly, "If you don't wake up, I'll devour you."

Zoe didn't actually wake up after she hit him. She simply turned away and curled up on the sofa, her legs bent. Nick leaned back lazily, watching her sleep like a little shrimp.

After about ten minutes, he bent down and picked her up, carrying her to her room. This was the first time he had entered her room, which was filled with a faint fragrance. He laid Zoe down on the soft bed.

As soon as Zoe touched the bed, she instinctively rolled inward. She reached out, as if to adjust her pants, which were quite tight.

Nick knelt on the bed with a mischievous glint in his eyes, watching her fumble with the hem of her pants. He didn't intend to stop her, wanting only to see her try to take them off.

After watching for about ten seconds, Zoe tugged at her pants but couldn't get them off. She turned over and pulled the blanket over herself, covering her body.

Nick's expression darkened. He gritted his teeth and said, "You're not even going to take them off?"

Zoe's usual afternoon nap didn't last more than two hours. This time, she slept soundly, dreamless for those two hours. When she woke up, she found herself in bed and rubbed her eyes as she sat up. After a second, she suddenly snapped back to reality.

She immediately got off the bed, opened the half-closed door, and looked into the living room. Zoe was holding her tablet, engrossed in something, and she looked puzzled. "You... still here?"

Nick leaned back lazily, his gaze falling on her bare feet. Her room was carpeted in warm tones, and before the new year, Ellie had dragged her to get a pedicure, painting her toenails with a layer of bright red nail polish, which made her feet look very white. This sight sparked Nick's suppressed desire once again.

He put down the tablet and stood up, walking towards Zoe. Zoe didn't get an answer from him, but seeing his movements, she instinctively stepped back. "Nick, what are you doing?"

Nick arched his eyebrows and replied lazily, "Just getting something."

"What do you have here that belongs to you?"

Zoe instinctively looked at the bedside table, which seemed to have nothing out of the ordinary. She turned her head and was about to speak, but she stumbled and fell onto the bed, her foot swinging up and being grasped by Nick's hand.

Zoe looked up, startled. "You... you said you would be honest?"

Nick rubbed her foot, which was as white as porcelain. The red toenail polish was undeniably seductive. He lowered his head and kissed her ankle. Zoe couldn't bear it and blushed, kicking him hard.

Nick dodged backwards and pulled her foot forward, leaning down with one hand supporting each side of Zoe's face as he looked down at her. Their breaths mingled closely.

Zoe managed to say, "Nick, you promised me. Going back on your word is not what a man should do."

"Hmm?" Nick smirked and said, "You're right. I want to ask you, when did you promise me that I didn't have to be honest anymore?"

Zoe was tense all over, not knowing how to respond. Perhaps she should consider the nature of her relationship with Nick.

At that moment, Zoe's phone rang on the table. Her eyes lit up, as if she had encountered a savior, and she pushed him away with both hands. "Phone, phone."

Nick frowned and snorted, his annoyance evident. He let go of Zoe. Zoe quickly slid off the bed and ran out to the living room to answer the call. She was too quick and eager that she didn't bother to check who it was before answering.

When she heard Wang Hui's voice, Zoe's body heat suddenly subsided. "Yi Yi, are you busy?" Wang Hui asked with a smile.

Zoe didn't respond, sitting huddled on the sofa. Wang Hui continued, "We'll visit you in a few days with your sister. You're not back at school yet, right?"

"I'll be going back soon, and I have to work too. I don't have time to entertain you." Zoe's voice was cold and slightly trembling.

"Can't you spare even a day?" Wang Hui sounded disappointed and asked back.

Zoe lowered her voice and replied coldly.

Nick leaned against the doorframe, watching Zoe nested in the couch, looking small and pitiful. His eyes darkened as he glanced at the tablet on the coffee table. Today, he had accidentally stumbled upon some of Zoe's inner thoughts.

He walked forward a few steps, picked up the tablet, and was about to close some web pages. Suddenly, a new message flashed on the WeChat app. It was from Kaylee.

She had sent a picture of herself wearing lipstick and accompanied it with a message: "Zoe, what do you think of this lipstick shade?"

Nick: "..."

He glanced at Zoe, who was still entangled with her mother. Nick reached out and flipped open the YSL lipstick box. There were eight lipsticks inside, each one irresistibly tempting. He took a picture of them and replied to Kaylee.

"You also take a look and tell me what you think of these lipsticks I have."

After that, he thought to himself.

He had bought too few.