Chapter 1688: Cloud Boss and Cousin Side Story (5)

Fan Zhengyu recomposed the melody, Yun Hezhi hummed along. Singing at full volume for too long was exhausting; both were top talents in their respective fields, and many things clicked with just a hint. After over two hours, they had made initial progress.

Zheng Lansheng sat in the chair, staring at the opera costumes hung out to dry in the courtyard.

I want to wear them!

These clothes were all Yun Hezhi’s personal belongings, completely different from those provided by Peach Garden or those seen in the market, with pure hand-stitched embroidery. The market had a lot of machine embroidery, which couldn’t compare at all.

He had always wanted to try them on, even just for the thrill.

But Yun Hezhi treasured these clothes greatly; he could help dry them and even touch them, but to wear them?

He feared Yun might kick him out.

Thinking that today, with Fan Zhengyu around, an outsider present, if he made the request, it’d be hard for Yun not to give him some face.

Zheng Lansheng calculated, watching the two finish practicing, cleared his throat to speak up, planning to ensnare Yun Hezhi!

"These clothes are so beautiful." Fan Zhengyu had been eyeing these costumes for quite a while.

Listening to the opera from the audience, you might not get close to the costumes, but up close, you’d truly appreciate that Beijing Opera is indeed a national treasure, with even the costumes being so exquisite.

"Boss Yun, are these all your clothes?"

"Yes." Yun Hezhi held his cup, sipping tea.

"May I... touch them?" Fan Zhengyu probed.

"You may."

Zheng Lansheng: "..."

Fan Zhengyu even sought approval, taking out her phone to snap a few photos as keepsakes. After the practice coordination earlier, she felt Yun Hezhi was approachable and boldly asked.

"Boss Yun, may I try on these clothes? If it’s inconvenient, that’s okay too."

After all, the clothes were personal belongings, even if they were opera costumes, they still belonged to him personally.

Zheng Lansheng immediately looked at Yun Hezhi, his eyes sparkling.

The result was that someone... nodded in agreement!

"You can wear them."

Zheng Lansheng was dumbfounded; was our years of friendship fed to the dogs? You two have known each other just days, yet you let an outsider touch, but not me, your brother?

Yun Hezhi seemed to have sensed his thoughts, walked over to him and whispered:

"She’s a girl; it’d be awkward to refuse."

This reason left him temporarily speechless.

Fan Zhengyu looked at each costume with a desire to wear them, but she knew they were undoubtedly his private collection. Where would she dare? So she picked one she liked, looked at Yun Hezhi, "Can I wear this one?"

Zheng Lansheng was about to faint, this girl really knew how to pick.

She chose the most expensive one!

A true connoisseur.

Actually, Fan Zhengyu never thought this set was pricey, since some were still missing pearls, and this set seemed simpler, with only embroidery. She had no idea it was crafted stitch by stitch by a renowned embroidery master, a priceless treasure.

"You may." After Yun Hezhi spoke, he went into the house to add tea and fill up the kettle.

Zheng Lansheng watched wide-eyed as Fan Zhengyu carefully took down the costume. She was very cautious, the workmanship of the clothes was akin to an artwork, then watched her carefully put it on, while someone’s eyes almost sparked flames.

...

Fan Zhengyu donned the costume and encountered a problem; she couldn’t wear it properly!

She simply fastened it, but something felt off.

How exactly should it be worn?

Zheng Lansheng was almost going out of his mind, seeing the costume on her felt like desecration, it was maddening.

**

When Yun Hezhi came out, he saw Fan Zhengyu struggling to dress, "What’s wrong? Can’t wear it?"

"It’s my first time, I’m not sure." Fan Zhengyu was sweating a bit.

Actually, in performances, actors even wear underclothes. Today, Fan Zhengyu was just wearing a three-quarter sleeve top underneath, and the weight of the costume pressed down, making it easy to sweat in this dry autumn weather.

She could easily imagine how hot it must be on stage in these thick costumes, and with headwear, how unbearable the heat would be.

Fan Zhengyu couldn’t wear it well and feared making a mistake and becoming a laughingstock. Originally wanting to consult Zheng Lansheng, but the guy was glaring at her resentfully, which was intimidating!

Startled, she was too frightened to even ask.

While she considered just taking it off, Yun Hezhi had placed the filled porcelain kettle on the stone table and was walking towards her.

He raised his hand to adjust her collar, smoothing out the edges, the costume fitting snugly. He simply extended a hand to help tidy the dress, pulling out the belt from the side for her to tie herself.

Throughout, Yun Hezhi maintained some distance from her, even while helping adjust the costume, he didn’t make anyone feel offended.

Most of all, with such a serene and handsome face, who could resist?

Fan Zhengyu was perplexed again.

What about this? How do you tie it?

She could only mimic how she usually tied belts around her waist, then looked at Yun Hezhi, "Boss Yun, is this right?"

Yun Hezhi gave some pointers, but Fan Zhengyu couldn’t fully grasp his meaning.

"Shall I help you?" Yun Hezhi offered.

Fan Zhengyu was indeed struggling, nodding in agreement, "Please help me."

She handed over the belt.

Yun Hezhi simply lifted his arm, threading the belt through her waist. Throughout, his fingers never touched her waist; just the belt grazed, gently tightening, and instantly her breath caught——

"Is it tight?"

He was quite close now.

The warm breath blew over...

She could smell the tea scent from his body.

"It’s fine."

"Watch closely; this is how it’s tied." Yun Hezhi’s movements were slow, and Fan Zhengyu lowered her head, watching intently.

But she never actually concentrated on how he tied the belt, she was watching his hands.

Truly beautiful.

Wanted...

To touch.

She had thought her cousin’s hands were already beautiful enough. Jiang Jinsang had always been frail, almost living in luxury, with not a single callus on his hands. But Yun Hezhi’s, those were truly stunning.

...

Meanwhile, Zheng Lansheng was already befuddled:

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

Yun Hezhi helped her with the belt, raising his head to look at her, yet noticed she still had her eyes lowered, "I’ve finished tying it."

Fan Zhengyu swiftly raised her head, directly meeting his slightly assessing gaze.

Remembering her abnormal urge to touch him earlier, her face slightly reddened.

Eyes collided——

One hadn’t avoided, and the other forgot to look away.

Maintaining this close pose, the sound of their breathing became clearer and more pronounced.

And someone’s pounding heartbeat.

"What were you just looking at?" Yun Hezhi’s voice was gentle, like the quiet fall of winter snow, crisp and pleasant.

Fan Zhengyu felt her heartbeat speed up inexplicably, panting quietly, afraid to even breathe loudly, just shaking her head guiltily, "No, nothing."

"To complete the costume, this dress needs to be worn as well." Yun Hezhi pointed at another garment.

Fan Zhengyu hadn’t expected the costume to have so many intricacies; wearing a set left her slightly sweaty.

As the wind blew...

Her body chilled.

But a glance at Yun Hezhi, and inside...

She was still warm.

Zheng Lansheng felt bewildered throughout; he thought he was dreaming.

His brother... was he flirting?

What’s going on?

It couldn’t be what he thought; she was just his friend’s cousin, a girl, hence for more care. Definitely not what he imagined.

He hadn’t forgotten how he treated Fan Zhengyu at first, and if she became his sister-in-law, how would he even face her?

Sister-in-law?

Zheng Lansheng felt depressed.

Even when performing at the Peach Garden in the afternoon, he was sullen and dejected, making others reluctant to talk to him, fearing his occasional bad temper was not something to provoke.

**

Meanwhile, when Fan Zhengyu returned home, she was even more absent-minded.

Today, Yun Hezhi had helped her adjust the clothes and tie the waist belt; he hadn’t touched her anywhere during the process, demonstrating utter respect.

Yet the sensation of the belt being tied still lingered...

It was as if it didn’t tighten around her waist but around her heart.

With a breath drawn deep, heart constricted, a feeling beyond words.

Fan Mingjue had been the Dean for so many years, a teacher for such a long time that if he couldn’t notice even minor changes in his daughter’s behavior, that would be strange.

"Something happened with you lately?"

Fan Zhengyu felt an innate respect for her father. With such a father, being suddenly stared at by him made her somewhat frantic inside.

"No, nothing."

"If there’s anything, tell me."

"Just practicing intensely lately."

"Is that so?" Fan Mingjue seemed not to believe such a casual explanation.

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