Chapter 18: Are You Taking a Bath Too?

“If you were just a small-time thug.”
“You must be Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders.”
“If Shelby knew you called him a small-time thug, he’d bring the Peaky Blinders to block us off overnight.”

Once again, Shin Yuna’s accent made Xia Xing laugh. He stopped worrying about being called a thug and turned his attention back to taking care of Park Seomin.

Seomin, who hated the taste of alcohol, was now mixed with a heavy scent of perfume. The drunk man didn’t feel like vomiting, but the strong smell was making Xia Xing, who was also sitting in the back seat, nearly suffocate.

Fortunately, Shin Yuna was a skilled driver, very familiar with handling a mid-to-large SUV. Once on the overpass, she drove at a steady pace, covering the sixteen kilometers in about twenty minutes.

That speed was just right—any faster or slower, Xia Xing wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

Shin Yuna parked the BMW X6 in the underground garage and handed the keys back to Xia, who looked rather unwell.

“Are you really okay on your own?”

Seeing the two struggling figures heading toward the elevator, Shin Yuna furrowed her delicate brows but still followed them, unable to shake her concern.

Xia Xing had initially planned to refuse her kindness, but Park Seomin’s increasingly heavy body made the already nauseous Xia’s steps even more unsteady.

After a brief hesitation, Xia shook his head.
“Maybe there’s a problem... Could you please help me get the elevator card from my pocket?”

“The elevator card’s not in your pants pocket, don’t lift up my coat.”

“Right, the one on the left, inside the inner pocket...”

Supporting his cousin while Shin Yuna searched for the elevator card, Xia Xing broke out in a sweat in less than a minute.

The sweat soaked his shirt, clinging tightly to his strong, muscular frame, outlining every contour with greater clarity.

After swiping the card, Shin Yuna stepped aside to the other corner of the elevator, quietly watching Xia Xing and Park Seomin.

This night... was truly legendary. What started as a casual stroll unexpectedly led to encounters with Snow Yun and then with Representative Xia while shopping.

Park Seomin’s utterance of “Xingcan” after getting into the car was also one of tonight’s great gains.

Today, he had collected countless pieces of the puzzle named Representative Xia—second, third, fourth, fifth... who knew how many.

Xingcan... was that Representative Xia’s nickname?

The elevator soon reached Xia Xing’s floor. As the doors slid open, Xia suddenly spoke:

“The code is 000202.”

Unexpectedly, he actually said out the password, presumably asking Shin Yuna to unlock the door for him.

This guy really had a big heart, using his birthday as the room password.

A faint smile curved Shin Yuna’s lips as she briskly stepped forward to try the lock.

Suddenly, Park Seomin twitched on her shoulder, clutching his stomach and twisting his face in agony. Sensing trouble, Xia Xing quickly pushed him off.

Thus, his cousin collapsed in a rather comical posture at the doorway, vomiting food scraps onto the floor.

The foul stench rapidly spread through the hallway, leaving the two sober individuals stunned in place.

“Did I dirty you? Sorry...”

Xia Xing began regretting not holding on longer, as his obsessive cleanliness made him reflexively throw his cousin out.

Not only had he physically sent his cousin tumbling, but Shin Yuna’s shoes and socks had also been soiled.

Shin Yuna’s mind nearly short-circuited as she looked at the open door. Though she wanted to say “It’s okay,” the words stuck in her throat.

After all, anyone would feel uncomfortable after such an ordeal.

“Forget about this guy for now.”

Xia Xing pinched his nose, frowned, and stepped over the sprawled Park Seomin. “Let me see if I have any clean clothes to change into.”

Though he felt sorry for his cousin’s state... his cleanliness obsession made him reluctant to deal with such a disgusting mess up close.

While still troubled by Seomin’s condition, Xia’s suggestion effectively diverted Shin Yuna’s attention.

“Do you have any women’s clothes at home?”

Without refusing, Shin Yuna followed him inside and casually asked.

“Not counting the maid’s clothes, no.”

“I have a few sportswear pieces I haven’t worn much. They’ll have to do for now.”

Maid’s clothes... it was surprising that he could say that aloud.

Still, she didn’t object to Xia’s suggestion, especially since she hadn’t been splattered with vomit but had definitely absorbed some unpleasant odor.

Slipping on the slippers Xia handed her, Shin Yuna stepped over the threshold and the layout of Xia’s home gradually became clearer.

Surprisingly, it didn’t feel unfamiliar. A quick glance revealed a decor style quite similar to her own home. Even the major appliances like the refrigerator were the same brand and model.

Politely sitting on the sofa to wait for Xia to find clean clothes, Shin Yuna happened to glance toward the balcony.

Across the way, on the same floor of a dimly lit apartment building, a woman seemed to be watching their direction, casting an inexplicable sense of pressure.

She stood up and drew the blackout curtain across the balcony.

“These are brand-new towels, unused. Here you go.”

A voice from behind finally gave Shin Yuna a sense of security. She turned around, feeling somewhat better.

Taking the towels Xia handed her, she followed his directions into the guest bathroom.

Come to think of it, Xia Xing was indeed a meticulous person who cared deeply about hygiene and had refined tastes.

That was evident from the four towels he brought—each with a different texture.

One for drying hair, one for washing the face, one for drying the body, and one for...

-----------------

When Shin Yuna emerged from the bathroom clean and changed, Xia Xing had already turned on the floor heating and laid out a blanket on the floor.

This would be Park Seomin’s sleeping spot for the night.

He didn’t want Seomin to dirty the room, so the living room was a better place—spacious and well-ventilated.

Just right for someone passed out drunk.

Shin Yuna wiped her hair dry and pulled out a chair in the dining area to sit down.

The warm shower had washed away the day’s fatigue. The white, sporty long-sleeve she wore didn’t look loose or baggy but instead hugged her figure gracefully.

Her fair skin flushed lightly from the hot water, and feeling refreshed, she watched Xia Xing busy himself with interest.

“Park Seomin, loosen your grip and lie down properly.”

“If you want to vomit, I’ve put the trash bin right next to you, so aim for that, okay?”

Unexpectedly, that unreliable cousin had brought out such an amusing side of Representative Xia.

“Sorry to make you laugh.”

After tidying up Park Seomin, Xia Xing stood up wearily, realizing he hadn’t showered yet. Keeping his distance, he sat diagonally opposite Shin Yuna.

For the first time, genuine fatigue showed on his handsome face.

Perhaps simply wanting him to rest well, Shin Yuna didn’t know why she said,

“You should go take a shower too.”