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Chapter 76 – Dating

He said, “Come with me,” and Shen Xingruo, as if enchanted, followed him without further questioning.

In the final hour of their eighteenth birthday, Lu Xingyan led Shen Xingruo through the streets and alleys until they reached the city center.

The city of Xingcheng was always awake. Approaching midnight, the bar street was still bustling with activity. Groups of friends roamed the streets, laughter filling the air. Neon signs illuminated the night with colorful lights, and people queued outside popular bubble tea shops. The arcade was still blasting lively music, and the aroma of nameless fried snacks wafted through the alleys…

The two of them stopped at a crossroads, with the pedestrian traffic light displaying fifty-nine seconds until it turned red.

Their hearts raced as they walked briskly.

Lu Xingyan glanced at the time and suddenly asked, “Shen Xingruo, what did you wish for just now? Tell me, maybe I can help you make it come true.”

Shen Xingruo paused and countered, “Then what did you wish for?”

Lu Xingyan replied promptly, “Me? I wished to fulfill last year’s wish this year.”

Shen Xingruo remembered his wish vividly. It was to find a girlfriend.

She pursed her lips.

The night wind tousled her soft curls, with a strand resting on her slender face, tickling her slightly. A sports car with its headlights on high beams passed by, casting her fair and translucent skin in a bright light. Her eyelashes drooped under the intense glare, appearing long and dense, like a cute little brush.

Lu Xingyan stared at her for a while, then reached out to tuck her stray hair behind her ear. “Shen Xingruo, there are thirty seconds left of your birthday.”

“Happy birthday.”

“Although I’m not the first one to wish you a happy birthday, I’ll be the last.”

Shen Xingruo looked up.

After a moment, she whispered, “Lu Xingyan, happy birthday.”

“I’ll also be the last one to wish you a happy birthday.”

They locked eyes and both unconsciously bit their lips.

There were eighteen seconds left on the red light.

Lu Xingyan looked down at her and said, “Actually, I’ve prepared a birthday present for you.”

“What is it?”

“Exploring the adult world. How about that?”

As he spoke, he opened his arms, tilted his head slightly, and wore a casual smile on his face.

Shen Xingruo remained quiet, neither resisting his embrace nor reciprocating it, maintaining a serene demeanor throughout.

As the countdown of the red light continued—eight, seven, six, five—

Suddenly, Shen Xingruo leaned lightly against his shoulder. “I won’t get jealous,” she murmured.

With three seconds left, the blinking red light was reflected in their eyes.

For a moment, Lu Xingyan’s mind went blank. Although he had imagined the answer countless times, hearing it from Shen Xingruo felt completely different. It was like fantasizing about a cola on a hot summer day and drinking a cold cola with ice cubes— the latter’s joy was incomparable.

His lips curved upwards slowly, and his hands instinctively tightened around Shen Xingruo, hugging her. Then, he held her hand and started running forward. “Then let’s go receive the gift now!”

The warmth of his palm flowed into hers.

Crossing the pedestrian crossing, Shen Xingruo recalled scenes from many idol dramas where the main characters ran together.

Under the eighteen-year-old night sky, there was a moon, not perfectly round but bright, stars, the slightly dry summer breeze, swaying camphor trees, and her boyfriend.

Their first stop was the internet café.

Although computers weren’t considered rare these days, the joy of playing games and staying up late online couldn’t be compared to occasional lags at home.

The gaming area was packed.

They showed their IDs, got a couple’s seat, and ordered two drinks.

Shen Xingruo wasn’t particularly interested in surfing the internet; she was more focused on observing the interior design and the people around her.

After all, it was her first time stepping into an internet café.

“What’s wrong? Haven’t seen this before?”

Lu Xingyan asked with a smile.

Shen Xingruo casually replied, “Seen it before, often on legal news.”

“…,” he gently pulled Shen Xingruo’s head closer to his chest. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Having just secured a girlfriend, Lu Xingyan appeared relatively calm all the way, but deep down, he couldn’t help but want to show off. It was like buying a new toy and needing to flaunt it three times before putting on makeup. If you had a girlfriend and didn’t show her off, how would others know you were no longer single?

So, while booting up, Lu Xingyan said to Shen Xingruo, “We’ve walked for so long, you must be tired. Rest for a bit, and watch me play a game.”

Shen Xingruo had no objections.

Lu Xingyan quickly entered the game.

Looking around, everything was in order. He had expected only Xu Chengzhou to be there, but surprisingly, Li Chengfan, Zhao Langming, and others were also present. Probably, after the KTV, they continued their gathering here at the internet café.

As soon as he finished a game, Lu Xingyan pulled them into a team.

Zhao Langming was astonished, “Damn, Yan-ge! What the hell are you doing here?!”

“Carrying my girl to climb ranks, don’t you understand?”

Li Chengfan thought his eyes were playing tricks on him due to too much alcohol. “Where’s your girl?”

“My girl, not my sister. Of course, my girlfriend is right next to me. Any objections if I play on my account while she’s here?”

Their voice chat had begun, and when Lu Xingyan uttered the words “girlfriend,” Shen Xingruo’s attention was immediately drawn back.

She paused for a moment, then remained silent. On the other side of the game, Li Chengfan and the others also understood the sudden flaunting from Lu Xingyan.

Damn it! Li Chengfan wished he could take out a frying pan and smack Lu Xingyan to death right there! Smack him dead! Dead on the spot!!!

Lu Xingyan hadn’t intended to play games, but with Shen Xingruo beside him, he naturally wanted to show off his skills a bit. After defeating Li Chengfan and the others in a game, he stretched his hand joints and playfully rubbed Shen Xingruo’s head, saying casually, “Your boyfriend won.”

“Oh,” Shen Xingruo glanced at the screen but showed little interest.

Li Chengfan couldn’t help but burst into laughter upon hearing Shen Xingruo’s voice. “So, on your 18th birthday, you’re planning to spend the night sitting in an internet café with your girlfriend? Hilarious!”

Lu Xingyan retorted lazily, “Shut up. Your dad’s about to have a night out.”

He lazily called out, “Zhao Langming? Zhao Langming? Hold Li Chengfan down for me. I’m paying for the night, so tonight he’s staying here until 8 a.m. tomorrow, no leaving before that.”

“What did I do wrong again?” Zhao Langming asked innocently as Lu Xingyan didn’t bother to explain further and disconnected.

After showing Shen Xingruo around the Internet café, Lu Xingyan took her to a bar as the next stop. The midnight revelry was in full swing, with music blasting, and people dancing in the club like bouncing candies. It was lively and intense.

Lu Xingyan thought Shen Xingruo looked too good, so he bought her a cartoon mask and insisted she wear it before entering. Inside, he covered her ears and only allowed her to sit quietly with him at a table while he ordered a mojito.

Luckily, Shen Xingruo wasn’t fond of such places, so she didn’t ask for any strange alcoholic drinks or to join the dance floor. After the brief visit, she obediently left with Lu Xingyan.

At around 2 a.m., Pei Yue called Lu Xingyan, asking when they would return. Lu Xingyan, with a calm face, replied that their class gathering might last all night, so Pei Yue shouldn’t wait for them.

Shen Xingruo was beside him, hearing his words. She slightly bent her hand, which was held by him, but remained silent.

Pei Yue paused for a moment before continuing, “I didn’t mean to wait for you. I just wanted you to take care of Ruoru, don’t let anyone take advantage of you because of drinking. Please, be mindful!”

Lu Xingyan remained silent, as did Shen Xingruo.

They entered the alley from the east and exited from the west, arriving at the riverside of Xingjiang. The wind by the river was a bit chilly, causing Shen Xingruo’s disheveled hair to flutter around. She tried to gather it, but as soon as she did, it would scatter again in the wind.

Seeing this, Lu Xingyan took the hair tie from her hand. “Let me help you tie it up.”

“Do you know how to…”

“You used to tie your hair all the time. Even if I haven’t eaten pork, I’ve seen pigs run before.”

“Are you calling me a pig?”

Lu Xingyan paused slightly. “No, that’s not what I meant…”

“Okay, I’m a pig.”

He raised his hands in surrender.

Shen Xingruo didn’t say anything, but Lu Xingyan could tell from her eyes that she was finally satisfied.

Thanks to his intelligence, wit, and foresight, Lu Xingyan had predicted this day long ago. Shen Xingruo had never been reasonable, and he knew she would be even more unreasonable after they started dating. So, what could he do except get used to it?

After tying up her hair, the two of them stood by the river, leaning on the railing. Lu Xingyan asked, “How does it feel to be an adult?”

Shen Xingruo thought about it seriously. “It doesn’t feel like much. The internet is just the same, and so is the alcohol.”

“Shen Xingruo, are you implying something?”

Shen Xingruo looked puzzled.

Suddenly, Lu Xingyan smiled, gently held the back of her head, and pulled her closer to him. Then, he kissed her.

The kiss carried a hint of the sweetness of milk tea.

Shen Xingruo kept her eyes open for the first part of the kiss but closed them for the second half, letting herself be immersed in the moment.

After the kiss ended, Lu Xingyan held her face, his nose touching hers closely, and asked, “So, do you think kissing is interesting?”

Shen Xingruo paused for a moment. “It’s quite interesting.”

She tiptoed and kissed Lu Xingyan on the lips.

Perhaps it was because she had drunk a little beer, along with half a glass of mojito, but Shen Xingruo also had a hint of alcohol on her breath.

After the kiss, she said, “I’m tired.”

Lu Xingyan came back to his senses. “Go home?”

She shook her head.

“Are you hinting at me again?” Lu Xingyan’s voice was low.

Shen Xingruo leaned in and asked, “Are you brave enough?”

“What am I afraid of?”

Lu Xingyan paused for a moment, unable to resist kissing her lips again.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he looked up at the hotel.

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