C28 Check the Room!

After a long day of traveling by car, dealing with the police station, and attending a party, Zhang Xiaolong hadn't had a moment to truly relax. He was feeling quite exhausted.

Upon entering his hotel room, he immediately shed his stiff suit jacket and collapsed onto the bed. It was then that he caught a whiff of a delicate scent and mused about the perks of city hotels, where even the rooms seemed to be perfumed.

Nuzzling into the pillow, he noticed something pink before his eyes, the source of the fragrance. Curious, he sat up and grasped the wispy fabric, but before he could inspect it further, the sound of running water from the bathroom caught his attention.

He might have overlooked the sound earlier, too weary to notice, but now he became aware that not only was there the noise of water, but through the frosted glass door of the bathroom, he could discern the outline of a graceful figure.

Zhang Xiaolong was stunned. Though the image was blurry, it was clear enough to understand that a woman was inside, her alluring silhouette stirring thoughts he knew he shouldn't entertain.

He had already endured Chen Yaru's close-range temptations at the party, and now, as he was trying to unwind, this unexpected encounter sent his pulse racing.

Thankfully, he clung to the last shred of his sanity, realizing that perhaps the hotel staff had given him the wrong key card and this room belonged to Yang Jingjing. He decided to make a quick exit before she emerged from the bathroom.

Casting one final, reluctant glance, he was about to step away when the bathroom door swung open. A mist of steam wafted out, revealing Yang Jingjing's elegantly bare legs stepping forward, her alabaster skin dazzling in the light. With her wet hair wrapped in a towel and her body cloaked in another, she walked out, then paused, sensing something amiss. As she looked up and saw Zhang Xiaolong frozen in place, fixated on her, she let out a scream, clutching the towel close, yet her feet remained rooted to the spot.

Zhang Xiaolong was jolted awake by the scream, his face flushing a deep red as he stuttered, "I-I-I... It wasn't intentional. I'll leave right away, please don't be mad..."

While speaking, he backed away, gesturing with his hand to show he meant no harm. He swore he had no intention of spying or doing anything untoward.

But as he extended his hand, he realized he was clutching a pink item. His mind racing, he blurted out, "Is this yours?"

He then got a clear look at what he was holding. It was much smaller and thinner than his own clothes, but unmistakably similar.

"Pervert..."

Tears welled up in Yang Jingjing's eyes, her cheeks burning as if they might drip. Her most intimate garment was in this man's hand, and he had the audacity to ask if it belonged to her.

Zhang Xiaolong was acutely aware of the ridiculous and mortifying situation he had created. He wished the earth would swallow him whole.

College Entrance Examination Top Scorer? What a joke!

The woman before him was a reporter, specifically here to interview him, the acclaimed top scorer. Now, he dreaded to think how she might portray him in her story.

The buzz around the College Entrance Examination Top Scorer had faded, but headlines like "Top Scorer Turns Hooligan" or "The Most Shameless Top Scorer in History" would certainly reignite interest.

If that happened, Zhang Xiaolong might as well do nothing but dig a hole in the wilderness to dwell in, for he'd have no face to show in public again.

He was about to toss the item onto the bed when a knock at the door interrupted him.

"Open up, police room check!"

Yang Jingjing's panic intensified. She knew how alluring she looked, having just admired herself in the bathroom. It was one thing to be seen by one person, but to be caught by a group of police officers in such a state was unthinkable.

Her family had already disapproved of her job, which involved a lot of travel, but she loved it. If word of this incident got out, she wouldn't be surprised to find herself hauled back home for a stern interrogation.

"Head to the bathroom first; I'll check it out." Zhang Xiaolong's mind snapped back to attention at the sight of the other's anxious expression. He quickly handed Yang Jingjing her clothes.

Realizing she had no other choice, Yang Jingjing hurriedly shut the bathroom door again and tucked herself out of sight. If she didn't, her silhouette might still be visible from outside.

The thought made her flush with embarrassment. Zhang Xiaolong, that rascal, had been right outside. He must have seen everything. It was all so indistinct, yet... this was the first time anyone had seen her like that. She had never even had a boyfriend before!

Zhang Xiaolong composed himself and cracked the door open, only to be met with force from the other side. He braced against the push.

"Open up! We've received a report of illegal sexual activity here and need to perform a routine check," demanded the person outside, shoving against the door to no avail.

"There's no illegal activity here, or else I wouldn't have opened the door," Zhang Xiaolong retorted to the person on the other side.

"It's not for you to decide whether there's illegal activity. Open the door. I'll say it again: we're conducting a routine check, and you're obstructing our duties," the policeman at the door said with a frown, clearly annoyed.

"Huh? Isn't that Xiaolong?" Another person squeezed through to the front, and upon recognizing Zhang Xiaolong, he pushed the others aside. "My apologies, I didn't realize you lived here. We're on duty, but I didn't mean to interrupt your rest."

Zhang Xiaolong, momentarily taken aback, recognized the man as Officer Liu, who had tried to befriend him at the police station. "Oh, it's Mr. Liu. You gave me quite the fright. Getting hauled into the police station twice in one day would make me too scared to ever return to this city."

"Haha, Xiaolong, you're quite the joker," Liu Gaang chuckled, glancing inside once more, seeing nothing. "Well, you get some rest. If there's anything you need, just give me a call."

"Take care, Mr. Liu," Zhang Xiaolong said with a sigh of relief, waving goodbye to Liu Gaang. But as he waved, he realized he was still clutching the lace in his hand. Quickly, he stuffed it into his pocket.

Liu Gaang had keen eyesight. Even without a clear view, he had a hunch about what he'd glimpsed. Clapping Zhang Xiaolong on the shoulder, he advised, "Young man, take good care of yourself!"

Zhang Xiaolong was at a loss for words, caught in yet another awkward situation that defied explanation.

Once he had managed to see his guest out and close the door behind him, he returned to his room. Meanwhile, Yang Jingjing let out a breath of relief, peeking out from the bathroom door, "Has everyone left?"

"Yes, they're gone," Zhang Xiaolong replied absently, only to freeze for a moment. Snapping back to reality, he quickly turned his back, "You should... get dressed first."