CHAPTER 288: CHAPTER 288; I DON’T WANT YOU

Huo Ting Cheng’s dark gaze lifted to her, a slow smile curling at the corner of his lips fixing her clothes, "I will be fine just right here, just go on and don’t make them wait!"

Tang Fei hesitated, her fingers lingering on his hand for a moment, torn between wanting to stay and going back inside to the people waiting for her, "I... I don’t want you being out here all alone, Ting Cheng. Please, go back inside with me."

He let out a low chuckle, dark and amused, his hand brushing hers lightly before pecking her forehead. "Fei’er," he murmured, voice soft but firm, "I’m perfectly fine here. Really... You go on... I will be right here waiting for you all."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, half frustrated, half exasperated. "You are really impossible," she whispered, shaking her head with a small smile.

Huo Ting Cheng’s eyes softened as he reached up, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Maybe," he said, the corner of his mouth twitching into that infuriatingly charming smirk, "go on, don’t keep them waiting!"

Tang Fei sighed, finally nodding, "Alright... we will be out sooner than you think."

Tang Fei gave him one last lingering glance, her chest still fluttering from the closeness they had just shared.

With a small, reluctant smile, she turned toward the house, careful to move gracefully despite the lingering warmth of his arms around her.

Huo Ting Cheng watched her go, dark eyes following her every step until she reached the door.

Once she disappeared inside, he leaned back in the car seat, letting out a low hum of contentment.

The quiet of the night wrapped around him, but it was far from lonely, the memory of her touch, her scent, the soft curve of her lips against his lingered, grounding him.

He stretched slightly, resting one arm over the seat, the other brushing absentmindedly along the spot she had just vacated. He was patient, perfectly content to wait, the faint smile still lingering on his lips.

Tang Fei stepped through the doorway, the familiar warmth of the house contrasting with the cool night air out there.

She drew a steadying breath, trying to shake off the lingering heat of their closeness in the car.

The soft chatter and laughter of the children greeted her, and she forced a small, composed smile as she joined them at the dining table.

Everyone turned towards the door and they couldn’t see Huo Ting Cheng coming through behind his wife.

"What’s the matter with him? Is he angry?" Mrs Xu worriedly queried as the kids lifted their heads gazing at their mother curiously, and hoped these two humans didn’t actually have a fight.

Tang Fei paused for a heartbeat, her hands gently resting on the back of her chair as she met the worried gazes of the children.

She forced a light laugh masking awkwardness, smoothing over the tension in her voice. "No, he’s not angry," she said softly, bending slightly to meet their eyes. "He’s... just waiting outside for a moment. Everything’s fine."

The children exchanged uncertain looks, still wary but trusting her words. Mrs. Xu let out a relieved breath, her features softening. "Ah... that’s a relief," she murmured, shaking her head with a small smile.

Tang Fei finally took her seat at the table, arranging her chair so she could keep an eye on the door.

Even from inside, she could feel the quiet pull of Huo Ting Cheng’s presence lingering outside, the memory of him in the car making her cheeks warm and blush.

The kids started chatting again, laughter and conversation filling the room, though Tang Fei found herself distracted. Her gaze drifted toward the window, where the faint glow of the car still hinted at him waiting patiently.

She pressed her fingers together, trying to focus on the table in front of her, but her mind kept returning to the dark blue, steady eyes and that slow, teasing smile. That man was driving her crazy!

From the driveway, Huo Ting Cheng remained where he was, leaning back in the car seat, relaxed but attentive, as if he could sense her every thought and gaze that was kept on him. He made no move to enter, as he didn’t have any plans to.

Tang Fei exhaled softly, trying to anchor herself in the moment. "Focus on them," she whispered to herself, "just focus on the kids." Yet even as she tried, she knew that the pull of him, the desire, the warmth, the quiet claim he made on her, was impossible to ignore.

Taking a steadying breath, Tang Fei finally let herself settle into the rhythm of the dining room. She smiled genuinely at the children as they laughed and passed dishes around, answering their chatter with light, easy words.

The warmth of the house, the familiar sounds of life inside, slowly began to anchor her, pulling her attention fully into the moment.

Outside, Huo Ting Cheng remained in the car, silent and patient. He watched the house from the parking lot, the faint glow of light spilling onto the driveway, and a quiet satisfaction settled over him. He had no intention of intruding on that small gathering.

Inside, Tang Fei’s fingers finally relaxed in her lap. She still felt the echoes of him, of their closeness, but now it was tempered by the comfort of family, of laughter, of normalcy. A small, private smile tugged at her lips.

For tonight, that was enough for her and the kids. She would carry the warmth of him with her, tucked safely in her chest, until the moment they could be alone again.

And for now, she focused on the here and the now, the laughter, the chatter, the simple joy of being surrounded by the people who counted on her.

Outside, the car remained still, quiet, and patient. The night stretched on, but the pull between them, unspoken yet undeniable, lingered, a promise that the closeness they shared would wait for no one, but it would also wait for her.

— — — — — — — —