Showbiz Scandal: The Official Announcement of My Ex and Myself-Chapter 358: The Cat Named Xie

Yue Ling picked up on something from her words.

"Are you planning to go public during the summer break?"

Yu Xia nodded, "Probably in August? But I’m not sure, sometime around then."

"Last time I saw him, I was wondering when you’d introduce him at a family dinner. Looks like it’ll be soon?" Yue Ling teased.

She waved her hand and smiled, "Let’s talk about it later."

After seeing them off, Yu Xia went upstairs and called Xie Qingci as soon as she got home.

He was still sleeping, and his voice sounded sleepy and hoarse when he answered, yet he showed up in less than twenty minutes.

He was still in his casual clothes, slippers, with his short hair slightly tousled and a strand sticking out adorably.

Yu Xia sat on the sofa watching him approach, and suddenly felt an oddly familiar sense to the scene.

Why does this seem like... a wealthy benefactor buying a house for a kept lover, always at their beck and call?

Xie Qingci had already sat down and embraced her.

Yu Xia shook off such a wild thought and hugged him back, "Still sleepy? Why don’t you continue in the bedroom?"

Xie Qingci rested his head on her shoulder, lazily turning to look at her, his voice as lazy as a cold, "Will you keep me company?"

"... Not really, I’ve got makeup on."

"I’ll help you remove it."

His droopy eyes barely open, his hand was already on her face, tilting her chin up to kiss her in that position.

Yu Xia lowered her head slightly, letting him kiss her intensely and urgently, fingers running through his hair, her pale skin coming and going amidst his black hair.

Only when her lips felt numb did she gasp and push him away.

"You think your lips are makeup remover?"

Xie Qingci closed his eyes, chuckling softly against her shoulder, as his hand slipped to her neck and gently caressed.

Yu Xia felt ticklish and slapped his hand, yet he didn’t stop and continued to warm her shoulders and neck with his touch.

She said irritably, "If you want to sleep, go to the bedroom, what’s with all the touching?"

Xie Qingci drawled, "No—way—! If you’re not going with me, I’m sleeping right here."

"How can you sleep on the sofa?"

He promptly pushed her down on the sofa, and they lay intertwined.

"Just like this." He placed a hand on her waist and closed his eyes again.

Yu Xia pinched his nape, feeling like she was lifting a kitten.

"It’s hot, get up... lay on my legs and sleep."

He opened his eyes and looked at her, "Really?"

"Really, really!"

Released, Yu Xia sat up holding onto the back of the sofa. Seeing her adjust herself, Xie Qingci grabbed a pillow and lay his head on her lap.

She hadn’t managed to say a word before he lazily turned sideways, his face to her belly.

"I’m really going to sleep, wake me before dinner."

"... Go ahead and sleep."

Yu Xia parted his bangs and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

Seeing a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, she patted his back then reached out for the script on the little table beside them.

So, one slept while the other read the script, quietly passing this leisurely afternoon.

Reading a script isn’t just about reading, it involves making notes, using different colored tabs for marking. If there’s a question about a line, one tries to trace its origin and usage, as language habits differ by era.

She valued this period drama greatly and was preparing thoroughly. Since all the actors are seasoned performers and the director demands a lot, to not slow down progress later, it needs to be impressive, catching everyone’s attention.

Having finished the tasks she set for herself, she flipped forward through the lines again, this time just reading, leaving her with a free hand to twirl Xie Qingci’s hair.

Just like handling a cat’s fur, without hurting him, twirling the tips of his hair gently.

His hair wasn’t as soft as a girl’s, but the length was perfect, just like a long-haired cat, making up for her not having a pet cat.

After half an hour playing and reading, she put the script down, ready to nap herself.

An easy environment fosters relaxation, thoughts slow and drift off to sleep.

In the haze, Yu Xia felt some itchiness on her belly.

Not the kind from breathing, but like a cat sprawled on her stomach, its fur tickling her skin.

Where did a cat come from? She never owned a cat, it was just her and Xie Qingci in the room...

Yu Xia suddenly stirred awake, looking down to find indeed a "cat", a lazy big cat wrapped around her.

She inhaled deeply twice, her neck leaned back creating a delicate arc. The breath returned, and Yu Xia lightly tugged his hair as a warning:

"Xie Qingci!"

"Yes." He replied carelessly, clearly awake for quite a while.

"Weren’t you sleeping? Why are you pulling my clothes?!"

"Blame it on you for being too attractive. You’re right here, I simply can’t resist."

"... Stop making excuses!"

She was forced to lean back, as the furry head tenderly kissed her neck.

She couldn’t even manage a warning now, struggling just to maintain her breath.

But that evidently wasn’t enough to fend him off, Xie Qingci was drawn in by her every move, even the sound of her breath, her tiny actions, her scent.

In front of him, Yu Xia calling him names was its own kind of temptation, not to mention looking at him while snuggled close.

When both were overwhelmed, Xie Qingci suddenly stood, lifting her and heading to the bedroom.

Yu Xia began kicking at him again.

"It’s time for dinner!"

"We’ll eat later."

"We have to record the show tomorrow!"

"It’s fine."

"You think I believe you?!"

"Seriously, I — promise — "

"... I’m really done with you! You’re bound for the hospital someday! Xie Qingci!"

The door closed, sealing away any further sound.

Clouds drift by, light seems to be covered by frosted glass, someone layers glass atop another, blurring brightness, until night sneaks in, scattering starlight.

The door reopened.

Xie Qingci, with a satisfied laziness, went into the kitchen to make dinner.

There were desserts he’d brought back from next province over and items from Yue Ling on the table.

He chose a few items and whipped up a dish and a soup, then went to fetch the person from the bed.

"I made cucumber egg drop soup and braised ribs with potatoes, shall I feed you?"

Yu Xia, feeling exhausted, impatiently slapped him and turned her head to keep lying down with eyes closed.

Xie Qingci held her close at the table, sipped some soup, and leaned in for a kiss.

Yu Xia unwillingly drank some soup, finally opening her eyes, annoyed.

"Put me down, I’ll eat myself."

His grip remained on her waist, chopsticks holding a tender potato for her. Seeing her eat it, he said:

"Just sit on my lap."

"... You’re really not tired of it." Just like his brother, finding joy in his self-inflicted troubles.