“Don’t touch…” Xu You lay on her back, hazily feeling heat emanating from her body. She wanted to remove his hand from her waist but was instead held by the arm and pressed onto the sofa.

“Are you ticklish?”

Trapping her firmly in the corner, Xie Ci seemed to really enjoy this position, finding it incredibly satisfying.

Since the first time he saw her in high school.

She passed by him, bringing with her a cool breeze. And her napping at her desk, or standing up in class to answer questions.

Slender neck, arms, fine pale legs.

Slowly appearing in his fantasies and dreams. The Xu You of that time disliked him—he knew. At first, Xie Ci had been annoyed, thinking he just enjoyed bullying her and hadn’t taken it to heart at all.

But the more he deceived himself, the less he could control himself. The more he wanted to get close to her—as long as he was close, he couldn’t stop looking at her. Later he simply gave up and no longer suppressed himself, helplessly allowing himself to fantasize.

After all, what he thought in his own mind, no one else could know.

On countless sleepless nights, he fantasized about scenes like tonight, completely encircling her.

Pinning her beneath him.

He couldn’t help himself. He lowered his head to press his lips against that tender skin, gently licking. Licking and biting, when Xie Ci kissed Xu You’s slightly parted petal-like lips, his spine tingled like electricity, his breathing involuntarily becoming rough.

Her mouth was warm. Her short, moist tongue tip was suddenly sucked and drawn in.

The two people on the sofa’s breathing rose and fell.

Heat surged. Xu You gradually became hazy and then clear-headed, feeling the person on top of her loosen his restraint. She felt something vaguely pressing against her lower abdomen but didn’t dare touch Xie Ci pressing down on her.

Not daring to say half a word, afraid of stimulating him again, her expression utterly defeated.

Xie Ci buried his head in the crook of her neck, damp black hair, burning breath making her tremble.

After waiting a long while.

He grabbed the jacket he’d earlier taken off and tossed aside, covering her with it, then abruptly stood up.

The bathroom’s dim yellow light turned on, followed by the sound of rushing water.

A few strands of Xu You’s hair stuck to her mouth. She slowly sat up. On her chest, arms, small legs were several light red marks from being pinched. Thinking of Xie Ci’s just now… indecent movements, Xu You felt all the blood in her body flowing backward. Not daring to think deeper, she silently pulled her disheveled nightgown back in order, the jacket covering her calves.

The pattering water sound stopped.

Only then did she snap back to herself and fled back to her room. Locking the door, her heart about to jump out of her chest.

—

Sitting on the edge of the bed calming her emotions, face burning hot. Xu You bit her lip, lost in thought.

It was already close to midnight. She sat at the head of the bed. Her phone’s charge was almost full. Just after unplugging it, the desk lamp flickered twice and the entire room suddenly plunged into darkness.

A flash of lightning outside the window, immediately followed by an explosion of rain sounds.

Rain began falling again at night.

Xu You raised her arm to press the switch on the wall. Pressing it twice repeatedly, the extinguished light had no response.

After a while, Xu You looked around—pitch black, unable to see anything clearly. She fumbled to stand up. Hadn’t walked two steps when the door was knocked on.

“—Xu You, are you there?” It was Xie Ci’s voice.

She slowly felt along the wall and pulled open the door.

“What is it?”

“Power’s out.”

“I know.”

Even though they couldn’t see each other, after what had just happened, she still felt uncomfortable…

Xie Ci paused. “Are you scared alone?”

“Not scared.”

“I’m scared. Can you come out and keep me company?”

Deep in the night, quiet and still, torrential rain outside. Xu You found a candle to light. Inside the room, the flickering candlelight swayed. Two distorted black shadows were cast on the living room wall.

Xie Ci sat on the small sofa. It was somewhat low. He sat with legs spread, elbows propped on his knees, looking proper and serious, not even letting his eyes wander randomly.

Eyes not wandering randomly didn’t mean his thoughts weren’t straying.

“That.” As soon as he turned his head, he met her eyes.

Too sudden.

Xu You asked, “What do you want to say?”

In the dim bean-sized light, Xie Ci looked at Xu You a few times. “What you said to me on the stairs just now, was it true?”

She was silent.

“—You said you really like me and will take good care of me in the future.” He repeated it methodically.

“Wait, don’t talk anymore.” Xu You’s eyelashes trembled, wishing she could cover his randomly speaking mouth.

She bit her lip, face slightly red, eyes seemingly holding autumn waters, making Xie Ci’s heart ripple, almost unable to control himself again.

Sitting and rippling for a while, he suddenly remembered something. “Do you remember in high school, once during evening self-study, it also rained and the power went out?”

“Then the teacher left and the classroom was especially chaotic. We all left our seats to play around wildly, but only you held a flashlight at your seat, quietly studying. Then I leaned over for a look—you were actually solving physics problems. At that time I really admired you, thinking, damn, this new classmate is really a fighter jet among top students.”

Xu You was amused by his strange descriptive words. After laughing in spite of herself, she said quietly, “Of course I remember.”

And remembered very clearly.

Xie Ci was surprised. “You remember?”

“You and Song Yifan held umbrellas making a racket beside me, even stepped on my foot, knocked over my desk, knocked my flashlight to the floor and broke it.”

Xie Ci listened with a smile. “Oh, and then?”

Her expression began to become uncomfortable. “That seems like it. I don’t remember the rest.”

Xie Ci said with certainty, “You definitely remember.”

Xu You: “…….”

Xie Ci said leisurely, “You picked up the flashlight and stood up.”

“You’re so annoying.” She interrupted him.

Xie Ci suppressed his laughter. “It’s been so long—wasn’t it just that when you stood up, you tripped in front of me and ended up kneeling by my leg?”

“……”

“I was still wondering what happened—the new classmate giving me such a grand bow.”

“…….”

“I helped you stand up and you even kicked me once. Thinking about it now still hurts.”

“…..”

“Are you embarrassed?” He asked tentatively.

Xu You turned her head away, her face clearly red.

“Alright, I won’t say anymore.” Xie Ci turned his head and smiled. His clean Adam’s apple bobbed twice. His gaze touched her bare, pale thighs, pausing for two or three seconds before moving away.

After a while, Xie Ci returned to the original topic. “Actually it’s not a big deal. Don’t hold a grudge. I suspect the reason you disliked me so much later was because of that night when I accidentally—”

The words were blocked in his mouth. Xie Ci’s eyes widened. Only two words remained in his heart.

Holy shit?!

Xu You knelt beside him, straightening up, both arms circling his neck, lips to lips pressing against his.

She slightly opened her mouth. The faint fragrance of soap beans on her body lingered at his nose.

Xie Ci’s brain short-circuited for a moment. He quickly turned the tables and kissed back, pressing her onto the sofa.

Her hair scattered messily on the cushions. Xu You was kissed dizzy. Her fingers fumbled to his soft black short hair. Her other hand was pressed down by Xie Ci, fingers interlaced.

Thin lips touching slender neck. He nibbled from her burning earlobe, sliding all the way to her chin. The hem of her nightgown was lifted.

The smoothness that one hand couldn’t hold…

He rubbed with his thumb and forefinger tips, hearing muffled moaning sounds emerge from her throat.

Really.

Deadly.

They’d clearly been chatting—how did talking lead to being entangled together a second time…

Dry kindling meeting flame—he really didn’t have that good of self-control.

In the silent room, only the mixed chaotic sounds of breathing, soft tongues intertwining, teeth lightly knocking together, somewhat painful.

Xie Ci endured until sweat appeared on his forehead. His waist, back, and neck were also covered in thin sweat. Xie Ci’s voice was hoarse, low and lower still. “Xu You, I…”

Under the leaping candlelight, this appearance of his dripping with sweat, immersed in desire—there was truly an indescribable, inescapable sexiness.

Speaking one word, then stopping. The hand propped beside her ear clenched, even the knuckles turning white.

Deliberately dragging it out, enduring to the limit, reason told Xie Ci he needed to stop and couldn’t continue further.

But reason worked once—the second time, it clearly didn’t work as well.

Xu You’s body went limp, hazily propping herself up, heart beating very fast. “Xie Ci, don’t take another cold shower.”

He gasped uncontrollably, chest heaving.

“Are you sure?”

“Mm…” She could barely speak anymore.

Behind them, the last bit of light in the living room was blown out.

In the darkness, she slowly came down from the sofa, barefoot, fumbling to come over and hold his hand.

Xie Ci took two or three heavy breaths, turned around to push Xu You into the corner, both hands encircling her entire person, lowering his head to seek soft lips.

—

The next day, Xu You slept until the world turned upside down before getting up.

Just pushing open the bedroom door, You Lele held a glass of juice, eyes looking straight ahead as she sat cross-legged on the sofa watching TV.

Her eyes fixed on Xu You, sweeping back and forth, saying quietly, “Xu You, which man did you fool around with last night?”

Xu You’s movement of pushing back her hair paused. She didn’t speak, casually pulling out a chair to sit down.

The phone on the table buzzed twice. Xu You picked it up to look, just about to answer.

You Lele set the juice beside the glass and in two or three steps ran over. “Look at yourself!”

On her neck, and collarbone, even her arms and calves—all had ambiguous reddish bruise marks. You Lele didn’t need to think to know…

She boldly pulled open Xu You’s nightgown collar and peeked inside.

Tsk tsk tsk tsk.

Intense battle!

Xu You protected her chest, not playing with her, taking time to answer the phone. “Hello?”

“Why did you take so long to answer?” Xie Ci asked.

Xu You pushed away You Lele’s claws while saying, “I was just sleeping.”

“You… these next few days, don’t run around.” His voice wasn’t quite natural. “Does it still… hurt?”

Hearing him say this, Xu You’s face also reddened, a bit embarrassed, stammering, “I’m fine.”

An ambiguous sweet atmosphere spread. Neither was willing to hang up first. After talking a few more sentences, just before hanging up, Xie Ci asked, “By the way, do you have time the day after tomorrow for Qixi Festival?”

“I’ll come find you?”

Xu You hummed in acknowledgment.

As soon as the call ended, You Lele couldn’t wait to pounce over, muttering, “Holy shit, looking at your body, your first love is no joke…”

“….”

You Lele’s face was full of mischief. “Last night, how many times?”

How could Xu You answer this kind of question? Like escaping, she went back to her room.

—

Qixi Festival—Xie Ci made an appointment with her at a location.

Xu You didn’t have the habit of putting on makeup when going out. After casually tidying up, she left.

He sat on a park railing waiting for her. Seeing Xu You approach, Xie Ci nonchalantly jumped down.

The park was very lively. The road was full of couples in pairs, neon lights flashing brilliantly. Xu You’s footsteps halted.

In a daze, seeing the person before her, she thought she’d returned to many years ago.

Xie Ci wore the black skull short-sleeve from his student days, his features even more handsome. He had both hands tucked in his jeans pockets, lazily smiling at her.

Only then did Xu You understand why Xie Ci had asked her to remember to bring her ID before leaving and to wear a white dress.

The flight from Shencheng to Linshi was at six in the evening.

The whole way, her heart pounded, feeling like she was in a dream.

“Why did you suddenly think of buying tickets back to Linshi?”

“What do you mean suddenly? I planned it long ago.” Xie Ci sat on the plane, constantly smiling. “Are you happy?”

—

Returning to Linshi.

This city, after so many years, was still the same as always—especially lively at night.

The lively, crowded masses—Xie Ci put his arm around Xu You’s shoulder and strolled with her through every street and alley.

The night market beside the park, and the small river, barbecue stands, trinket stalls still held many people.

In a plaza in the city center, prosperous advertising signs began to shine. Store windows reflected the coming and going pedestrians. The glass doors of buildings had constant foot traffic. Life was still beautiful, without much change.

He held her hand, walking road after road. Every few steps there were wooden benches to rest on.

“Do you remember—you and I watched the sunrise here?” Xie Ci bent his face down, looking at her very closely.

His pupils were black and bright, reflected in the bottom of her eyes.

Xu You’s heart was tender, also somewhat sour. “I remember.”

They watched the sunrise together. That time was winter—cold and freezing all night.

“I also remember that after I kissed you that time, you didn’t acknowledge me for a long while.”

She lightly bit her lip. “Who told you to act like a hooligan?”

Xie Ci didn’t care, kissing her on the street, silently laughing.

It was a sweet taste.

The two walked on the street for a long time, then got on a bus.

Nearly nine o’clock—only a scattered few people sat on the bus. The vehicle slowly started. They found a window seat to sit down.

They got off at No. 1 High School entrance.

First and second years had no evening self-study. Third-year evening self-study hadn’t let out yet. The school’s main gate and side gate were both closed. Only the security room and the third-year classroom building had lights on.

“Are we… going into the school?” She asked hesitantly.

“Otherwise what are we doing here?”

“But what if security won’t let us in?”

“We won’t go through the main entrance. How about I take you to climb the wall?”

Xu You was shocked. “Climb the wall?!” She turned her head to look at him in disbelief. “Are you sure?”

Xie Ci said seriously, “Otherwise what? You think I was the No. 1 High School’s top bully for nothing back then?”

Xu You: “……”

In the end they didn’t climb the wall. The two went to the security room, said they were visiting teachers, registered, and were let in.

The school had been renovated several times over the years. The general appearance still hadn’t changed. The colored fountain at the school gate, the plane trees planted along both sides of the road, the roses blooming perfectly on the black iron railings.

From the rubber track on the sports field, all the way to the basketball court, flag-raising platform, campus convenience store.

They walked hand in hand.

The former second-year classroom building had already been converted to the first-year building. He led her up the west building in the dark, relying on memory to find the original Class 9 classroom.

The classroom door was closed. Xie Ci propped his hands on the windowsill, forehead pressed against the glass to look inside.

Very fortunately, one glass sliding door happened to be unlocked. Xie Ci’s movements climbing through the window were natural and smooth, not diminished from his glory days.

After climbing in, he opened the door to let Xu You in.

The moonlight at night was very bright. Without turning on lights, it was just enough for them to see each other clearly.

Xu You was somewhat at a loss. She walked onto the podium. Her heart slowly surged like the tide, silently moved.

The empty classroom really seemed to return to the past. After so many years of dreamlike haziness, it seemed nothing had changed.

Xie Ci sat on a desk watching her.

Her appearance looking around was very cute.

“Achai.”

“Mm.”

Xu You slowly walked down from the podium and sat beside him. After a while, her head leaned on his shoulder.

Xie Ci lifted her face up. His eyes slightly narrowed. “Are you happy?”

She didn’t speak, gently closing her eyes.

Xie Ci said, “Two days ago I had a dream that we were still in high school.”

Xu You forcefully held back her moist eyes, listening to him say casually, “Then you reached out your hand to me, and I went with you.”

In the quiet, pitch-black classroom, his voice was gentle and blurred, as if returning to the beginning.

“I used to always steal glances at you in class.”

“Deliberately tighten your water bottle, imitate your speech when reading texts.”

“In PE class running, deliberately bump into you.”

“Pass by you and knock down your books and pens.”

“After school, secretly follow you home.”

“Later when we separated, I thought you were destined not to belong to me.”

“……”

“Xie Ci.” Xu You called his name. Her voice was very light, also very faint.

“Let me give you a home.”

He stared blankly. After a long while, he smiled. “Okay. From now on I’ll support you.”

I’ll give you a home, take good care of you.

Anyway, after all these years, I still couldn’t forget you.

From now on, whether morning or evening, or a hundred years—never again like many years ago. Never again able to seriously and persistently like someone.

Clearly just one ending away—who would be willing to start over from the beginning?

Seventeen-year-old Xie Ci—fighting, smoking, drinking, clubbing, liked mixing with older boys.

On a summer day, Xu You held books and under everyone’s gaze pushed open the classroom door to enter.

Boys sat on desks whistling.

The classroom was noisy and chaotic. Xie Ci propped his head with one hand, legs crossed and placed on a chair, wearing jeans and a black t-shirt.

She wore a white cotton dress and stopped in front of him.

Outside the window the sky was very blue, the forest lush and green, sunlight exceptionally brilliant.