It still felt like a dream.
After walking back to the apartment together, Zhou Anran grabbed a bag of soda-flavored candies and sat down on the sofa to open it.
She first picked out two lemon-flavored ones, unwrapped one, and held it out to the young man beside her. “Do you want one?”
Chen Luobai bit the candy directly from her hand.
Zhou Anran unwrapped another one for herself and ate it, then proceeded to unwrap the rest of the candies and put them in a sealed bag.
“What are you doing?” Chen Luobai asked.
“I’m going to fold a candy wrapper flower for you,” Zhou Anran replied.
Chen Luobai raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to give me flowers?”
Zhou Anran nodded. “Of course, didn’t we agree on that earlier?”
“Alright,” Chen Luobai said lazily, leaning back on the sofa. “I’ll wait to receive it then.”
The corners of Zhou Anran’s lips curved upwards, revealing her shallow dimples.
Chen Luobai watched her from his position on the sofa.
When she had first come in, she had casually tied her long curly hair into a low bun. Now, only a small strand of black hair hung quietly by her cheek. The warm overhead light illuminated her fair face, making her expression appear incredibly gentle.
Earlier, on their way back, he had just casually expressed a bit of jealousy, and now she was obediently folding candy wrapper flowers for him.
They had been together for a while now, and it seemed that no matter what he said, she would always comply.
She was incredibly obedient and also incredibly silly.
Chen Luobai chewed the candy in his mouth, quietly observing the beautiful profile of the young woman. His heart felt incredibly soft, yet at the same time, waves of emotion seemed to be constantly rising within him.
There weren’t many candies in the apartment, only enough wrappers for Zhou Anran to fold two candy wrapper flowers.
She had originally learned to fold candy wrapper flowers to keep the snacks he gave her for a long time. She never imagined that one day she would be folding them to give to him.
After carefully folding the two candy wrapper flowers, Zhou Anran was about to hand them to him.
Just as she turned her head, her lips were suddenly sealed with a kiss.
Zhou Anran was stunned for a moment. In the next second, she was pulled into his lap, but the kiss on her lips didn’t stop. Chen Luobai gently pinched her chin, and she habitually opened her mouth, allowing his tongue to explore inside.
When she had first come in, she had casually turned on her phone’s music player.
At this moment, she had no idea what song was playing, as she was no longer paying attention to listen carefully.
The living room fell silent except for the music, which masked the subtle sounds of their kissing. Occasionally, during instrumental breaks, those faint sounds would suddenly become more noticeable.
After several songs had played, Chen Luobai pulled back slightly, his nose touching hers. He looked at her with a certain spark in his eyes and said in a low voice, “Should I return the favor?”
Zhou Anran’s brain was oxygen-deprived, and her tongue felt numb. It took her a few seconds to respond, “Return what? The candy wrapper flowers? You don’t need to.”
“Then—” Chen Luobai squeezed her palm as if hinting at something. “What about that time at the hotel?”
Zhou Anran was stunned again. When she realized what he was referring to, her already flushed face seemed to burn even hotter.
Chen Luobai released her hand and moved slightly lower. “Baby, can I touch you here?”
Zhou Anran’s fingertips instantly gripped his T-shirt fabric tightly.
Chen Luobai looked at her with a gaze that seemed to contain a certain hook. “If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes?”
Zhou Anran felt her face and heart burning under his gaze. She avoided his eyes and buried her head in his shoulder, but she didn’t utter a word of refusal. It was a completely permissive posture, but when that unfamiliar sensation came, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shoulder tightened instantly, and she couldn’t help but call out to him.
“Chen Luobai.”
The girl in his arms suddenly stiffened, her voice trembling. Chen Luobai paused his movements, turned his head to kiss her forehead, and spoke in a low, comforting voice.
“Don’t be afraid.”
“It’s okay if you’re not ready.”
Zhou Anran, with her head buried in his shoulder, wanted to say that she wasn’t afraid, just a bit nervous, but she didn’t dare to say it out loud. He didn’t give her the chance either.
The unfamiliar sensation suddenly disappeared. Zhou Anran turned her head and saw him pull out a tissue to wipe his hand. She immediately buried her face back into the crook of his neck.
Perhaps the playlist had ended, as the music from her phone had long since stopped.
For a moment, only the sound of their chaotic breathing filled the room.
After a long, long time, Zhou Anran finally heard Chen Luobai speak again: “It’s almost midnight. Want to count down together?”
Zhou Anran softly responded with an “Mm,” then after a pause, added, “It’s the first time I’m spending New Year’s Eve with you.”
Chen Luobai turned his head and kissed her gently again, his voice equally soft: “There will be countless more times in the future.”
*
A few days after New Year’s Day, the school officially ended classes.
As the final exam season approached, it became difficult to find a seat in the library. Zhou Anran didn’t bother competing for seats and spent most of her time studying with Chen Luobai at his apartment.
Although they were alone in a private space, both of them had plans to continue their studies in graduate school. Whether it was going abroad or staying for further studies, their final exam scores were particularly important. So they didn’t fool around much during this crucial time. Most of the time, it was only after they finished reviewing or when they both completed their daily study goals early that Chen Luobai would pull her into his arms for a kiss.
Usually, by this time, it was already past 10 PM.
Coincidentally, Zhou Anran’s parents, worried about disturbing her studies, also chose this time to call her.
One day, when He Jiayi called her, it happened to be right when Chen Luobai was kissing her.
Zhou Anran, held by the nape of her neck, couldn’t turn around. She reached back, trying to find her phone but couldn’t locate it.
It was Chen Luobai who tilted his head slightly to look, then casually returned his gaze to her, asking in a low voice almost against her lips.
“If it’s not an important call, why don’t we ignore it?”
Zhou Anran, breathing unsteadily, asked him, “Who’s calling?”
Chen Luobai continued kissing her while nonchalantly saying, “Seems like some Mrs. He. Is that a telemarketer you saved?”
Zhou Anran’s face immediately flushed. She pushed him lightly, “No, Mrs. He is my mom.”
Chen Luobai: “…”
He paused his actions and released her, clearing his throat, “Then you should answer the call first.”
Zhou Anran reached for her phone.
Just as she was about to answer, he suddenly grabbed her wrist.
“Wait.”
Zhou Anran blinked, “What’s wrong?”
“Calm down a bit first,” Chen Luobai said.
Zhou Anran asked in confusion, “Calm down from what?”
Chen Luobai glanced at her heavily rising and falling chest, the corner of his mouth curling up, “Can’t you hear how heavily you’re breathing right now?”
Zhou Anran: “…”
A moment later.
Zhou Anran straightened her clothes, her face red as she lay back on the sofa and answered He Jiayi’s call.
He Jiayi’s voice came through, “Anran, have you decided when you’re coming home? Have you bought your plane ticket?”
Zhou Anran softly responded, “Mm, I have. I bought a ticket for the afternoon of the 25th.”
He Jiayi sounded puzzled, “Didn’t your exams finish on the 23rd? Why did you buy a ticket for the 25th?”
Zhou Anran’s face grew even hotter, “Xianxian doesn’t finish until the 24th. Xiaowen and I are waiting to fly to Nancheng with her.”
“Alright then,” He Jiayi said. “It’s good that the three of you are coming back together. We’ll feel more at ease. Your dad and I will pick you up at Nancheng airport on the afternoon of the 25th.”
Zhou Anran protested, “You don’t have to make a special trip. I can get back on my own. Wucheng is so close anyway.”
“Your dad and I happen to have some business in Nancheng that day,” He Jiayi explained. “We’ll just pick you up on the way, and we can drop Xianxian off at her place too.”
Zhou Anran had no excuse to refuse now, “Okay then.”
Knowing that her daughter had a heavy study load, He Jiayi didn’t want to disturb her rest. After a few more casual exchanges, she hung up the phone.
Zhou Anran casually put her now-darkened phone aside. As she looked up, she saw the young man leaning casually on the sofa, giving her an ambiguous smile.
“Didn’t you say you were staying until the 25th to wait for me? How come it’s now about waiting for Yan Xingxian?”
Zhou Anran: “…”
She put down her phone and tugged at his hand, “I’m waiting for both of you.”
Chen Luobai couldn’t resist her coquettish gestures. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his arms, continuing what they were doing earlier.
He casually asked her, “Haven’t told your parents about us?”
Zhou Anran shook her head, “No, have you told your parents?”
“My dad isn’t important, he doesn’t care about my love life. As for my mom—” Chen Luobai paused, then looked at her with a smile, “She’s known since high school.”
Zhou Anran was stunned, her hand on his wrist suddenly tightening.
“Known since high school?”
Chen Luobai continued smiling, “Yes, why are you so surprised? She even asked me when I’m going to bring you to meet her.”
Zhou Anran: “?!”
“Meet… meet her?”
Seeing her eyes suddenly widen, her expression seeming to panic a bit, Chen Luobai leaned down to kiss her, then comforted her with a smile, “Don’t be nervous. Whenever you’re psychologically ready, or whenever you want to meet her, that’s when we’ll do it.”
Exam time always passed quickly.
Previously busy with revision, Zhou Anran’s mind was filled with studying and nervousness about her first college final exams, leaving no time for other thoughts. It wasn’t until after her last exam that she suddenly realized the arrival of winter break meant she and Chen Luobai would be apart for nearly two months.
As soon as this realization hit her, a small void appeared in her heart.
This seemed to give rise to a bit of anxiety and unease.
Their department finished all exams on the 23rd. Yu Xinyue wanted to go home early, so she didn’t wait for Zhou Anran. Xie Jingyi also left early on the 24th. Bai Lingyun didn’t go home immediately, but she stayed to spend two more days with Xie Zihan, staying at a hotel with him from the evening of the 23rd.
The dormitory was suddenly left with only Zhou Anran.
She didn’t stay in the dorm for long either. Chen Luobai worried about her staying alone in the dorm, picked her up along with her luggage and brought her back to his apartment on the morning of the 24th.
That afternoon, Chen Luobai had to go out for his last exam.
Alone in the spacious apartment, that bit of unease surfaced again for Zhou Anran.
She took out her phone and sent him a message: [Should I pack your luggage for you?]
Chen Luobai replied quickly.
C: [No need, I’ll pack when I get back]
Zhou Anran: [I’m bored with nothing to do alone]
C: [Then don’t worry about the clothes, I have some at home. For other things, if you think I need to bring anything back, you can pack it for me. Feel free to move things around in the room]
C: [I’m entering the exam room now]
C: [If I can finish early, I’ll come back to keep you company sooner]
Zhou Anran’s heart settled a bit, and the corners of her lips curved up: [No need, focus on your exam first]
C: [Mm, if you don’t want to move around, you can take a nap on the bed]
C: [I’m going in now]
Zhou Anran: [Okay]
There were no more messages from his side, probably because he had entered the exam room.
Zhou Anran put her phone aside.
She had been to the apartment many times but rarely went through his things.
Zhou Anran first opened the top drawer of the left bedside table. It contained a few data cables, which he might need tonight, so she didn’t pack them yet.
She slowly pulled open various drawers and cabinets. Before she had even packed half of the suitcase, Chen Luobai had already returned.
Hearing footsteps, Zhou Anran turned around to see the tall young man standing at the bedroom door, looking clean and handsome. He hadn’t even taken off his down jacket before coming in to see her.
Zhou Anran casually tossed the items in her hands into the suitcase, got up, and went to hug him.
Chen Luobai, knowing how reserved her personality was, was a bit surprised. He pulled her closer into his embrace and asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Zhou Anran shook her head, then looked up at him. “Why are you back so early? Did you finish the exam ahead of time?”
Chen Luobai made an affirmative sound.
Zhou Anran hugged his waist through the down jacket: “Why didn’t you check your answers a few more times?”
“Couldn’t help it,” Chen Luobai saw that she didn’t seem to have anything wrong and relaxed again. “The exam was too simple. After finishing and checking, there was still so much time left, so I came back to keep my girlfriend company.”
His tone was still as arrogant as when he was fifteen or sixteen years old.
The corners of Zhou Anran’s lips curved up again: “I’ve only packed half of your things.”
Chen Luobai: “Then I’ll take off my coat first, and we’ll pack together. After we’re done, shall we go out for dinner tonight?”
Zhou Anran nodded: “Sure.”
After packing, they went out for dinner. On their way back, just as they got out of the taxi and walked a few steps, it suddenly started raining.
The taxi had just stopped at the entrance of the community, and there was a convenience store nearby.
Chen Luobai didn’t even think about himself first. He helped her put on the hood of her down jacket, then put on his own, and held her hand as they ran towards the convenience store.
Zhou Anran followed behind him, looking at the tall figure of the young man in front of her.
Although the season and clothes were different, somehow, she suddenly thought of their first encounter on the day of high school registration.
The image of the boy in the white T-shirt running further and further away from her that day seemed to overlap for a moment with the tall young man in the black down jacket in front of her now.
It felt both real and surreal.
The convenience store was close by. Before their clothes got too wet, they were already under the eaves. But there was still a distance to go to enter the community.
Chen Luobai turned around, about to suggest buying an umbrella inside, when the girl’s soft arms wrapped around him.
This was the second time she had hugged him on her initiative today.
And this time it was outdoors.
“What’s wrong?” Chen Luobai held her waist, his voice lowering. “Why are you so clingy today?”
Zhou Anran didn’t answer his question, only calling his name very softly: “Chen Luobai.”
Chen Luobai responded with a soft “Mm,” but couldn’t think of anything special about today that could make her emotional: “Are you reluctant to part with me?”
Zhou Anran buried her head in his chest, not looking at him and not letting him see her face, only saying softly, “I’m ready.”
“Ready for what?” Chen Luobai was stunned for a moment. “To meet my mom?”
He lowered his eyes slightly and saw that a small part of his down jacket’s chest area was wet. The usually cold-sensitive girl seemed unaware, her face pressed against that spot.
Chen Luobai raised his hand, not forcing her to look up, but placing his hand between her face and the clothes, his palm against her cheek.
They had just come from outside, so his hand was a bit cooler than usual.
But it was still much better than the cold down jacket.
Perhaps this thoughtful and gentle gesture gave Zhou Anran a bit of courage. She nuzzled against his hand, then continued softly: “No, I mean what you said to me at the entrance of this community the first time you brought me here.”
Chen Luobai’s breath suddenly became heavy.
The hand on her face moved slightly, then stopped, as if suppressing the fluctuating thoughts.
“I’m giving you one chance to change your mind.”
Zhou Anran still had her face buried against his hand: “It still feels like a dream.”
“A dream?” Chen Luobai was stunned again.
Zhou Anran made a soft affirmative sound: “Being in a relationship with you still feels like a dream.”
Afraid that once we’re apart, the dream will end.
Chen Luobai’s arm around her waist suddenly tightened.
“Feels like a dream, huh?”
“Then don’t cry later.”
*
From the convenience store back to the apartment, as soon as they entered, Zhou Anran was pushed against the door, just like that day in the hotel.
Also like that day, he didn’t even bother to turn on the lights.
The umbrella they had just bought from the convenience store was already half wet, and along with the down jackets that had become burdensome once indoors, was casually tossed on the floor.
After entering the bedroom, he turned on the lights himself.
Zhou Anran wanted to stop him but didn’t succeed.
The young man’s forehead was already covered in fine sweat, his dark eyes darker and deeper than usual. While biting open the other thing they had bought from the convenience store, he half-controlled her neck, not allowing her to turn her head and avoid his gaze.
“Didn’t you say it feels like a dream? How can you not look at me?”
Zhou Anran knew he had some mischievous elements in his nature.
Usually, the more shy she was, the more he liked to tease her. At first, he might have held back a bit, but the longer they were together, the more obvious this trait became.
But she didn’t expect him to be this mischievous tonight.
After the initial gentle and long adjustment the most uncomfortable part passed.
The ceiling light seemed to start swaying.
Zhou Anran’s head almost hit the headboard, but he grabbed a pillow and put it there to protect her in advance.
Chen Luobai’s forehead and neck were covered in fine, dense sweat. Because his ears were also red, there was still a hint of youthful innocence, but more than that was the overwhelming pheromones.
His arms were propped up on either side of her, veins visible, his movements containing a hint of mischief.
“Still feel like a dream?”
Zhou Anran didn’t speak.
She couldn’t speak.
Chen Luobai suddenly smiled, his voice lower than usual, almost hoarse, strangely alluring, and strangely full of mischief.
“Not saying anything, huh?”
“Then it seems it’s still too gentle.”
Zhou Anran bit her lip and turned her head away.
The curtains were drawn tightly, but they couldn’t block out the sounds from outside.
The rain in North City that night came suddenly and heavily, and the sound of rain outside seemed even more urgent than before.
The rain columns strongly hit the window, water splashing, stirring up waves of rain sounds.
It didn’t stop until late into the night.
Zhou Anran finally got some peace.
The room was too warm, and she was covered in sweat. She wanted to take a shower but didn’t want to move.
Someone, as if not satisfied with teasing her enough, came over hot and close again, pretending to comfort her. His fingertips fell on the corner of her eye, the movement was indeed gentle, extremely light, but the words he spoke were just as outrageous.
“You cried, huh?”
“I haven’t even dared to use my full strength yet.”
Zhou Anran didn’t want to pay attention to this jerk. She pulled the blanket up, covering her face completely.
Chen Luobai found her small action adorable and wanted to continue teasing her, but in the end, he couldn’t bear to. He lowered his voice to coax her.
“Are you ignoring me now?”
The girl under the blanket didn’t speak.
“Zhou Anran.”
“Anran.”
“Baby.”
Zhou Anran couldn’t resist when he called her like this and pulled the blanket down a little.
Chen Luobai brushed away the hair that was stuck to her neck with sweat, his voice soft.
“Still feel like a dream?”
Zhou Anran: “…”
Her face suddenly heated up again.
After tonight, she probably wouldn’t be able to hear the words “like a dream” anymore.
Chen Luobai took her hand and placed it against his chest: “Can you feel it? Every time I see you, it beats very fast here too.”
Zhou Anran’s hand pressed tightly against his chest.
Maybe it was because her body still retained the afterglow of that frenzied moment, or maybe it was because the heart in his chest was beating rapidly under her palm, but she had never felt so clearly before—
She had truly obtained that once unreachable light of her youth.
Chen Luobai lowered his head and kissed her again.
Then Zhou Anran heard him speak again in a low, very gentle voice.
“If you still think it’s a dream, then I’ll accompany you in this dream for a lifetime.”