Stealing The Wind But Not The Moon [Completed]

55. I Care," Chu Zhichen Rasped.

Chu Zhichen's palms were drenched in sweat, causing them to become too slippery to grip the edge of the marble platform. Suddenly, he released his grasp and blindly searched around, eventually feeling the gemstone cufflinks that Xiang Mingzhang had taken off.

Chu Zhichen gripped the diamond-shaped cufflink in his hand, feeling the sharp corners pierce his palm, causing him pain. Using the pain to maintain his composure, he stated, "I'm not prepared."

Xiang Mingzhang's smile gradually faded as he inquired, "What aspect are you not prepared for?"

Chu Zhichen replied, "I haven't thought through everything yet. I want to complete what I need to do first..."

Seeing through his facade, Xiang Mingzhang questioned, "What are you worried about?"

Chu Zhichen denied, "Nothing."

These two words were too feeble to assuage his guilty conscience, and they didn't hold up under Xiang Mingzhang's scrutiny. Despite the risk of making mistakes, he explained, "My life has undergone significant changes, and I am still adapting. There are many things I haven't considered yet."

Xiang Mingzhang remarked, "Is that so."

Chu Zhichen didn't need to provide any further response. Xiang Mingzhang stepped back from between his knees, straightening his back slightly. With a single step, the distance between them seemed to widen suddenly.

Chu Zhichen released his grip, stepped onto the ground, and hastily put on his slippers.

He exited the bathroom, the heavy door closing behind him with a loud bang, leaving only the echoing "thump" in his chest.

Shortly after, the sound of running water emanated from the bathroom. Xiang Mingzhang undressed and entered the shower room. He turned the shower on to its highest setting, the water temperature slightly cool, forcefully cleansing himself until he felt calm.

After spending two days in the hospital, Xiang Mingzhang had developed a layer of stubble on his chin. Following his shower, he applied shaving foam and used the hotel's disposable razor to shave it off.

Upon arriving, he had only brought a small bottle of aftershave bottle. He had purchased a new one and never used it. Xiang Mingzhang unscrewed the cap and applied a small amount, emitting a scent of agarwood and mint.

The sink was in disarray, the fragrance bottle had toppled over, and two rattan sticks rolled out from it, with only one cuff button remaining while the other had fallen into the sewer.

Xiang Mingzhang chuckled softly, questioning why he was so nervous that he could brave a river of unknown depth in the wilderness, but couldn't face him?

Or was Chu Zhichen afraid of something?

In truth, Xiang Mingzhang had left an opening. The conversation just now had been more of an inquiry than a statement.

He hadn't fully divulged his thoughts, merely asking Chu Zhichen if he had stated the obvious. He hadn't confessed his own feelings or explicitly requested Chu Zhichen's response.

Xiang Mingzhang acknowledged that this craftiness stemmed from his lack of certainty. When two people clashed, trying to understand each other's attitudes, one had to be tactful, while the other couldn't be too forceful.

If he had been straightforward without any room for maneuvering, but Chu Zhichen didn't desire it, the rejection would be definitive, and they would find themselves at a dead end.

Xiang Mingzhang contemplated whether applying business skills to this realm would result in success or failure.

But Chu Zhichen was truly astute. He neither confirmed nor denied anything, appearing to be in a panic, yet he had left open the possibility of maneuvering.