Honey

This apartment was located right at the heart of the city. Qi Ling was earning pretty well as a top fashion model, and she rented this place right away when she came to view it for the first time.

The whole area itself consisted of three buildings total. The development had their own dog park, man-made pond, playground for children and also sports park for the elderly.

Families with children, or families with the elderly, usually stayed at the first building which was located near the sports park.

Her building, building three, was the last one to open to the market. Due to the price and location, majority of the residents here were young couples or working adults. There were only one or two bedroom units here.

Shao Yan was debating on what to do, or what to say when they were inside the elevator.

Li Xiqing was not on his phone anymore. He just stood quietly next to Shao Yan with his hands on his side. He was looking at the jumping numbers, and sometimes glancing at Shao Yan.

The young couple in front of them were still whispering to each other.

Mr. Boyfriend's hand was grabbing on to the young woman's waist, while her hand was holding onto his shirt. Sometimes, his hand would traveled up to stroke her back, before going back to her waist. Other time, his fingers would curled around her hair and played with it.

The young couple got out on the tenth floor. Mr. Boyfriend was saying something to her which made her giggled and then she slapped his chest playfully. They walked out while kissing each other.

Shao Yan rolled her eyes and felt awkward now. She just looked to the side, away from Li Xiqing, and scratched her head absentmindedly.

She sighed in her heart, luckily, they would reached her floor very soon.

Shao Yan walked out and reached her front door. She punched in her pin code on to the door panel, scanned her finger and then opened the door.

Qi Ling had been away for two weeks now. Luckily, both of them were neat freaks and always cleaned the house every week.

Shao Yan was glad she just cleaned her apartment few days ago, at least the place was presentable to guests.

She turned on the lights, and opened the shoe cabinet to take out the slippers for Li Xiqing.

"Please come in, the place was a bit messy, I'm sorry about that."

She took off her shoes and ran to turn on the lights in the bathroom.

Li Xiqing saw her sprinting figure and chuckled softly. He bended down to take off his shoes and put on the slippers, before following her.

He took his time slowly while looking around her place.

To his right was the living room. Various magazines were on top of the coffee table. To his left was the kitchen. It seemed that she used the kitchen frequently as he could see few used appliances were stacked around neatly.

Overall, she only used grey, white and gold color schemes. And all around, he could see that only female lived in here. He nodded approvingly.

Li Xiqing reached the common bathroom, but Shao Yan was nowhere in sight. Then he heard a door opened. He peeked his head out and saw her walked out of another room with towel in her hand.

"This is new towel. You can use it to wash up." she pointed him to the soap on top of the bathroom counter, and then she walked out.

Li Xiqing took a while to clean up his hands. He carefully cleaned the dirt and stains under his fingertips as well.

Shao Yan brew warm lemon water for both of them. She added a spoonful of honey for her mug. She was about to put the honey jar away, but then she changed her mind and left it on top of the kitchen table. She was not sure if Li Xiqing also wanted to add honey.

After a while, Li Xiqing came out and was looking for her. He saw she was in the kitchen, scrolling at her phone while stirring her cup.

She heard his solid steps coming closer to the kitchen area and then she looked up at him.

"I left the towel on the counter. I'm not sure where I should put it, so I just left it there." he sat on the kitchen bar stool while she was still standing across from him.

She pushed over a mug to his direction.

"Counter is fine. Have some lemon water. Really thank you for your help today." she didn't mention anything about the honey.

He took the mug over and sipped it.

"It's nothing. You have my numbers now. Call me anytime if you need help with anything." Li Xiqing open the honey jar and added some to his lemon water.

Shao Yan just nodded and said thank you again while watching his beautiful fingers stirring his mug. She watched him took another sip before he licked his lips and showed a satisfied look over the sweetness of the honey.

She cleared her throat before taking another sip of her lemon water. She was wondering why the temperature was so hot tonight, she was now regretting having to drink a warm lemon water, instead of ice lemon.

"You forgot again." he put down his mug, "Stop saying thanks. We are neighbors anyway. I live nearby."

She looked at him with confused eyes.

"The L development next to the school. That's where I stay."

He looked at her, finding her slightly blushing cheek was exceptionally pretty under the warm kitchen lights. He cupped his hands around his mug. His fingers were itchy, he wanted to touch that pink blush.

Li Xiqing glanced at his watch and noticed it was already past midnight now. It's been a long day for her. He looked at her tired eyes. And then he picked up the mug.

He finished his drink and stood up. "It's really late now, You should rest soon."

He started to walk to the foyer.

Shao Yan also put down her mug and walked behind him to send him out.

Li Xiqing opened the door and stepped out. As Shao Yan was about to stepped out as well, he halted his steps and she bumped onto his back.

He turned around and steadied Shao Yan while holding onto her shoulder.

His left hand was holding her upper arm, "You don't have to send me, it's cold outside, just rest now."

And then his right hand stroke her head, and then he walked outside and closed the door.