{Chapter: 289 Chi Qian's request!}
Lin Yuan first reached out and gently placed a few fingers on Chi Qian's smooth, fair wrist—her skin was soft and cool to the touch, like porcelain warmed by the breeze. Then, without rushing, he gathered all five fingers and wrapped his hand securely around her slender wrist.
Notably, Lin Yuan didn't go for her hand; instead, he opted to hold her wrist—an intentional choice, subtle and respectful.
Chi Qian, who had been quietly observing his movement, let out a tiny sigh of relief, one so soft it was barely audible.
Grabbing her wrist wasn't as intimate as holding hands, which would've felt far too suggestive, especially under the dim moonlight and in such a quiet, secluded place. This way, the touch stayed within an acceptable boundary, easing her tension instead of igniting discomfort.
Suddenly, a familiar chime echoed in Lin Yuan's mind.
[Ding! Chi Qian's favorability +1! Reward: 1,000 Counterattack Points!]
The notification made Lin Yuan smile to himself—not out of arrogance, but out of quiet satisfaction. He had anticipated this outcome.
He hadn't proposed to hold her hand on a whim. It was a calculated move, a way to gently test the waters and understand where Chi Qian stood in terms of her feelings toward him.
If Lin Yuan never initiated anything, it was very likely that nothing would ever change between them. Chi Qian was beautiful, independent, and reserved—someone who didn't easily reveal her thoughts or emotions. Without a bit of initiative, the potential for something more would remain unrealized.
That said, even when testing boundaries, Lin Yuan knew he needed to tread carefully. Push too far, and the fragile thread of trust could snap. But play things right, and that thread could evolve into something stronger.
Given their current dynamic—just close friends, with Lin Yuan as her cousin's roommate—it would've been too bold to grab her hand outright. Chi Qian wasn't the type to tolerate excessive closeness, especially with someone of the opposite sex. Physical contact, for her, wasn't just rare—it was practically taboo.
So, Lin Yuan compromised. Instead of entwining fingers with hers, he went for the wrist.
A safer bet. A gentler message.
To his relief, Chi Qian hadn't resisted. She hadn't pulled back, hadn't frowned, hadn't looked uncomfortable.
In fact, she seemed… calm.
So even though he didn't get to hold her hand, Lin Yuan considered the outcome a success.
As the two of them climbed the narrow, time-worn stone stairs side by side—Lin Yuan slightly ahead, guiding her upward—he could feel her wrist within his grasp.
Chi Qian's skin was incomparably soft, with a subtle, almost creamy texture. There was a surprising warmth and elasticity to it, like silk over velvet. At that moment, Lin Yuan couldn't help but wonder: 'What would it be like to lie in the arms of such a woman?' A flash of heat ran through him before he quickly pushed the thought away.
Now wasn't the time.
Chi Qian, meanwhile, was in her own headspace.
She felt the strength and warmth of Lin Yuan's hand enclosing her wrist—solid, protective, quietly assertive.
There was something unfamiliar about it.
Yes, they had spared before. They had accidentally brushed against each other during practice sessions, even clashed more directly during fights. But this… this was different.
This wasn't training or an accident. This was deliberate. And for the first time in her life, Chi Qian didn't pull away from a touch.
She wasn't sure why.
Normally, the thought of close contact sent a wave of discomfort through her—anxiety, even. She had always preferred her distance, physically and emotionally. But now, the warmth of Lin Yuan's hand didn't feel oppressive.
Instead, it felt… oddly comforting.
Reassuring, even.
Her pulse fluttered faintly, as though something deep inside her was stirring—something that had been asleep for a long time.
It was a strange sensation, one she couldn't name. Her head told her to analyze it, to be rational. But her heart… her heart had its own quiet beat.
As the two continued their ascent, the stairway eventually gave way to a flat, well-lit path. Overhead, the soft glow of street lamps bathed the road in pale gold, a stark contrast to the dark, uneven climb they had just finished.
Sensing the change in footing, Lin Yuan finally loosened his grip on Chi Qian's wrist and let go.
"We've passed the tricky part," he said with a light smile.
Chi Qian blinked as if snapping out of her thoughts. Then she smiled back, more naturally this time. "Yes… We have. Thank you."
Her voice carried genuine gratitude, and her eyes held a quiet clarity that hadn't been there earlier.
When Lin Yuan released her, she was surprised to find that her first instinct wasn't relief. It wasn't unease either. She just… noticed the absence of his touch.
And while she didn't exactly miss it, she wasn't repulsed by it either. That, in itself, was a big shift for someone like her.
She looked at Lin Yuan, and in her gaze was a flicker of curiosity. Why does he feel different from everyone else? she wondered. Why doesn't it feel wrong when he touches me?
Her dormitory was now in sight, just a few hundred meters ahead, nestled behind a hedge of small trees and the warm yellow light from the windows.
Chi Qian took a quick glance at Lin Yuan again, and for a second, their eyes met.
It wasn't awkward.
Just… quiet understanding.
Chi Qian took the initiative to flash a gentle smile and said warmly, "Brother Lin Yuan, I honestly didn't expect you to be so skilled at calligraphy. Your handwriting is elegant and full of charm. Thank you for such a thoughtful gift."
"You're very welcome, Qian Qian," Lin Yuan responded with a calm smile. "But your calligraphy is also quite impressive. It shows refinement."
Chi Qian smiled again, her eyes shimmering slightly as she tilted her head. "You can sing, you play the piano beautifully, and now this... you even excel at calligraphy. Brother Lin Yuan, is there anything you're not good at?"
Every time she spent time with him, Chi Qian found herself more and more intrigued by the enigma that was Lin Yuan. It seemed like he had no limits—no ceiling to his talent. She'd seen many capable people before, but none quite like him.
To her, Lin Yuan felt like a treasure chest that had yet to be fully opened. Each meeting revealed a new surprise.
Lin Yuan gave a modest chuckle and replied, "I wouldn't go that far. I'm just fairly decent at a few traditional arts. I can say I'm reasonably skilled at piano, chess, and calligraphy. But when it comes to painting… well, let's just say I'm still learning."
Of course, he was being humble. He was fully aware that Chi Qian wanted to understand him more deeply—not just out of admiration, but perhaps because of something she herself hadn't yet realized.
Chi Qian's eyes lit up at the mention of chess. She raised her eyebrows slightly, interest piqued. "Oh? I didn't know you played chess as well. There's a stone table in the nearby park that has a chessboard carved into it. Why don't we play a round?"
Her lips curled into a soft smile, clearly intrigued.
Whenever Lin Yuan said he "knew a bit" about something, Chi Qian had already learned to interpret it as "exceptionally skilled." But despite this, her curiosity pushed her to test his limits.
In the world of chess, rankings ranged from the fifteenth-level amateur to the elite master rank. Above the first-level player were titles such as "alternate master" and "official master."
Chi Qian wasn't just an amateur. Though she hadn't officially received a formal title, she had been trained by her grandfather—an alternate master in his prime. Her skills, while just below his level, were formidable.
For someone her age, Chi Qian's chess strength was exceptional. She was confident in her abilities.
What about Lin Yuan? Where did he stand in the world of chess?
She was dying to know.
"Sure," Lin Yuan agreed without hesitation, his smile calm. "Let's play."
What Chi Qian didn't know was that Lin Yuan had already reached the divine level in chess. He had defeated Cui Yunrong—an elite player whose strength nearly matched that of a full master—without breaking a sweat.
Lin Yuan was well aware of Chi Qian's impressive level, likely bordering on alternate master. But to him, it would still be a casual match.
The two of them strolled toward the park side by side, exchanging light conversation. The evening breeze was soft, and the night was calm—making it a perfect setting for a chess duel between two brilliant minds.
However, when they arrived, both were met with disappointment.
While the table was indeed there, complete with a weathered stone board carved into the surface, the chess pieces were either missing or broken. Several essential ones were nowhere to be found.
Lin Yuan raised a brow. "Looks like we're out of luck today."
Chi Qian chuckled lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah… The pieces here are often stolen or lost. It's a pity. I was looking forward to our match."
"Then let's save it for another day," Lin Yuan said, nodding.
"Agreed. Another time." Chi Qian smiled back.
With that, Lin Yuan accompanied her as far as the dormitory gates.
"You should go on up," he said with a gentle wave of his hand. "I'll head off after this."
"Thank you for walking me back, Brother Lin Yuan." Chi Qian's tone was polite, but her eyes held a trace of something more.
"It's no trouble at all. Let's play chess next time when we find a proper set," he said with a casual smile.
"Okay," Chi Qian replied softly, then hesitated as if she wanted to say something more. After a short pause, she asked, "By the way, Brother Lin Yuan… do you happen to be free next weekend?"
"I'm not sure yet. What's up?" Lin Yuan responded, slightly raising an eyebrow.
Chi Qian looked a little hesitant, almost shy. But after a moment's pause, she gathered her courage and explained.
"Well… I was wondering if I could ask a favor. We have a music exam next weekend. There's a solo section, and then an ensemble performance. Originally, Yu Shanshan and I were going to perform together. I would play the violin, and she would sing."
Lin Yuan listened attentively, already sensing where this might be going.
"But," Chi Qian continued, a faint frown forming, "she told me she wants to perform with her… wife instead. The rules allow us to find partners outside of school, so I thought… maybe I could ask you. Would you be willing to be my ensemble partner? That is, if you have the time."
*****
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