I Ran His Biggest Hate Account, Then Became His Live-In Assistant novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: The Night He Stopped Counting

Lanzhou hurried through the alleys back to the courtyard, his chest tight with fear.

They slipped from the stoop down the passage, then up the neighbor's ladder.

She had left it propped against the wall with a note that said "Pork next time."

Yao climbed it ahead of him with the thermos clutched to his chest, snow in his hair and a laugh he kept trying to swallow.

At the red door, Lanzhou turned the brass key with a hand that shook.

The house was dark and warm, and the radiator knocked in the east room.

He locked the gate behind them.

Then he stood in the hall with his back to the wood, and for once in his life he had no mark to hit.

"I'm nervous," he said.

"I know. You're breathing like you're in a scene."

"I'm not in a scene."

"That's what's scaring you." Yao set the thermos on the floor and came across the tile in wet socks. "It's all right. I'm nervous too. Look at my hands."

They were shaking.

Lanzhou took them both and held them against his chest, over the pounding.

"It's past midnight," he said, hoarse. "Rule three. Nothing about work."

"This isn't work."

"No."

"Then you're not breaking it." Yao looked up at him, dark-eyed and soaked and absurdly brave. "Take me to bed, Teacher Xie."

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