She was so startled she almost dropped the cotton ball. She hadn’t expected him to be so forward and had no idea what to do next. For a long while, she remained frozen in his embrace, passively accepting his kiss. His breath carried the scent of lime soda, and his kissing was inexperienced – first her lips, then trying to part her teeth, but his clear lack of experience showed as it took several attempts before he managed to part them.

Unconsciously, she became incredibly sensitive, feeling her body grow warmer with each touch of his lips. Eventually, she lost all strength, softly leaning into his embrace. Suddenly she felt lighter as he lifted her onto the desk behind them. She realized how different male and female bodies were – he was hard, she was soft; he was assertive, she was passive. When his arms encircled her waist, it was with such urgency, as if he wanted to press her entirely into his chest.

His lips seemed to hold some magic that easily ignited every nerve in her body. As they kissed, something seemed to catch fire inside her. Under this compelling force, she began to respond actively. When she mimicked him, parting his lips to explore, he noticeably stiffened for a moment before responding with even more passionate kisses. At that moment, she completely forgot about propriety, only focused on clinging tightly to him. Meanwhile, she hazily reached a conclusion: she must have desired him for a long time too, which was why when he kissed her, not only did she not resist, but she enjoyed it so much. This feeling defied all logic – even the strongest rationality had to stand aside.

That evening at home, afraid her mother would notice something different about her, she slipped into her bedroom as soon as she got home.

Sitting at her desk, she calmed herself and completed a set of practice papers. Seeing it was getting late, she lay in bed and took out her phone.

She hadn’t saved his number, having memorized it instead. Opening her messages, she sent him a blank text.

She thought he wouldn’t notice so quickly, but he replied almost immediately: “Lu Yan?”

Feeling as if she’d accomplished something momentous, she sent another blank message back, then happily tucked her phone under her pillow. But whenever she closed her eyes, she could see his face with its injuries, and his breathing, still rapid in her ears. The more she thought about it, the more flustered she became, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

The next day was Saturday, with no classes. She studied at home, and though she remained as focused and serious as ever, she vaguely felt time was moving too slowly.

She didn’t know that these two days had been even more torturous for Jiang Chengyi.

Finally, Monday arrived, and as soon as class ended, Jiang Chengyi came to find her.

Under their classmates’ knowing looks, she tidily arranged her desk and slowly left the classroom.

He looked quite happy, smiling when she came out as if sunlight was melting across his face.

Just days ago he had been so moody, but today he seemed like a different person.

Was he really that happy?

She pretended to be composed as she approached him.

She had brought him qingtuan that her mother made, but it was obvious he didn’t like them much. When he put them in his mouth, it was like eating cloth, yet he maintained a righteously determined expression.

“Are they that bad?” she asked sheepishly.

“Who said they’re bad?” he quickly denied. “I’ve already eaten three.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t bring any next time.” She felt bad watching him and honestly wasn’t very confident in her mother’s cooking skills.

“No, don’t stop.” He maintained a straight face. “I love eating anything you bring.”

Later, when she tried qingtuan made by his family’s housekeeper, she realized how crude her mothers were by comparison. She had to give him credit – that day he had managed to eat so many without changing his expression. After that, she never dared to bring him homemade food again.

After the fighting incident settled down, Jiang Chengyi returned to basketball practice, and that day after class, she went to the gymnasium to find him.

She had prepared warm water for him and packed cut fruit in a lunch box. Knowing his germaphobia, she had cleaned every corner of the box and glass jar until they sparkled. The fruit was arranged neatly inside – red dragon fruit and yellow kiwi, looking fresh and bright.

After he finished practice, she handed everything to him at once.

“It’s not qingtuan this time, you can eat it without worry.”

The other team members hadn’t left yet and saw this, their eyes nearly falling out with envy: “Jiang Chengyi, you’ve landed in a pile of sugar, haven’t you?”

“Get lost.” After they left, Jiang Chengyi pulled her to the back rest area.

After staring at the box for a long while, he suddenly seemed reluctant to eat, looking up at her to say: “Lu Yan, how are you so good to me?”

Lu Yan used a toothpick to feed him a piece of kiwi, pretending to be puzzled by his words: “Oh? So you didn’t know I was good? Then why were you so persistent in pursuing me?”

“I knew you were good, but I didn’t know you were this good.”

Tsk, were all boys this smooth with words?

She thought about it. No, if Yu Mao or the other boys said something like this, she’d probably get goosebumps. But from his mouth, it felt so comfortable and fitting.

Her heart felt sweet: “I have many more good qualities.”

He misinterpreted that, smiling as he asked: “What other good qualities?”

She felt there was another layer of meaning to his words. Blinking, she was just considering how to list her virtues and correct his thoughts when his voice lowered: “Can I kiss you?”

“No!” She tried to run.

But before she could get away, he pulled her into his arms, held her face, and kissed her firmly.

Jiang Chengyi practiced basketball three times a week, and on those days, she would do homework in the stands while waiting for him. Afraid of her grades dropping, she would study extra hard whenever she had time. During the hour she waited for him, she would usually complete two sets of practice papers intently, then organize notes for him. After checking answers, she would run out to buy him water, and if she had prepared snacks for him, she’d bring those along too.

Once, she accompanied him to eat spicy hot pot, but could only manage two bites before the spiciness overwhelmed her, and she had to put down her chopsticks.

Jiang Chengyi finished quickly and took her somewhere else to eat. On the way, he asked: “Lu Yan, you didn’t suggest hot pot just because I like spicy food, did you?”

“What else?” This guy was slow on the uptake.

She liked him so much that of course, she remembered all his likes and dislikes.

“Can we do it the other way around?” He paused. “You choose what you like to eat, and I’ll accompany you.”

“Then let’s go eat sweet and sour yellow croaker.” Knowing he hated it most, Lu Yan mischievously suggested, pulling him along before he could object.

He ate it, though he drank countless sodas afterward, making her laugh until her stomach hurt.

Her seventeenth birthday fell on a Sunday. After studying in the morning, Lu Yan told her mother she wanted to go watch a movie with Deng Man and Tang Jie in the afternoon.

As long as her grades didn’t slip, her mother always supported a balance between work and rest, so after brief consideration, she agreed.

Jiang Chengyi waited for her across from the residential complex.

They went to the cinema and chose an American sci-fi film they both loved. After leaving the theater, she suggested getting some cold drinks.

He suddenly grabbed her hand and took out a box: “Here, your birthday present.”

She was startled as she took it. It was a small black box, but when she held it, it felt as heavy as stone.

Opening it, she found a ladies’ wristwatch nestled in black velvet. It had a soft white mother-of-pearl dial surrounded by sparkling diamond chips, with slim black straps on either end, making it exceptionally elegant and delicate.

Turning it over, she discovered the back was transparent, revealing the intricate movement of the gears within.

“This must be expensive,” she said hesitantly, unsure whether to accept it.

“It’s not,” he casually denied, taking the watch from the box and fastening it on her wrist. “Do you like it?”

“I do like it,” she nodded, raising her wrist to examine the exquisite craftsmanship in the evening light. “But it’s too precious. Jiang Chengyi, couldn’t you give me something more normal, like a doll? I’d like anything you give me.”

“Who told you this watch was expensive?” He stared at her.

“I’m not stupid.”

Or blind.

“Lu Yan, this watch isn’t expensive.”

She humphed without responding. Maybe it wasn’t expensive to him, the way he said it so casually.

“Besides, it’s your seventeenth birthday and our first birthday together. You don’t know how much thought I put into choosing your gift. Search your conscience – think how sad I’d be if you didn’t accept it.”

Lu Yan touched her “conscience,” knowing very well it wouldn’t hurt at all if she didn’t accept the gift. But after considering his words, she admitted she was moved. Yes, this was their first birthday together – it was significant.

Seeing her wavering, Jiang Chengyi repeatedly assured her: “Actually, this watch just looks pretty, it’s not worth much. When we get married, I’ll give you even better ones.”

After spinning all these tales, he successfully convinced Lu Yan to accept the watch while she was blushing at the mention of “marriage.”

“What gift do you want next year?” he suddenly asked as they left the ice cream shop and walked for a while.

Lu Yan was eating matcha ice cream, occasionally glancing at the watch, liking it more and more, secretly wondering where she should keep it safely when she got home. Hearing his question, she said carelessly: “Next year? That’s so far away.”

“What do you mean far? Tell me early so I can buy it early. I’ll give you gifts every birthday from now on.”

“Every year?”

Jiang Chengyi noticed her hesitation and his face darkened: “Damn it, Lu Yan, are you thinking of changing boyfriends?”

She glared at him: “Of course not.” She just thought they were still so young…

His expression softened slightly as he pinched her earlobe: “Besides, let me ask objectively, Lu Yan, where could you find a boyfriend as good as me?”

So narcissistic. She snorted: “Well, could you find a girlfriend as good as me?”

Without hesitation, he said: “Now that I have you, I’ve never thought about changing girlfriends.”

Her heart fluttered as she smiled at him: “Jiang Chengyi, how are you so good with words?”

Because you’re adorable, Jiang Chengyi thought, looking at her. However, he didn’t want her to get too proud, so he decided to keep that thought to himself for now.

They walked side by side, Lu Yan holding Jiang Chengyi’s hand, occasionally looking up at his profile, her heart full of indescribable joy. Time always passed so quickly when she was with him. After walking for a while, she thought wistfully how nice it would be if they could just keep walking this path forever.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, a sudden heavy force came rushing from behind.

She had no time to dodge. The impact sent her stumbling forward, losing her grip on his hand, and just like that, they were abruptly separated.

After finally steadying herself, she looked back in panic, but in the blink of an eye, Jiang Chengyi had vanished. She was surrounded by strange faces.

Her heart racing, she struggled through the crowd, trying to find him: “Jiang Chengyi.”

No response.

At first, her calls were restrained, but they grew more anxious: “Jiang Chengyi!”

It seemed she searched for a very long time. The crowd gradually dispersed until she was alone on the street, her solitary shadow stretched long by the setting sun, infinitely desolate.

She walked and walked, called and called, and before she knew it, night had fallen. Meanwhile, an overwhelming sense of melancholy slowly filled her chest. Feeling utterly helpless, she broke into loud sobs: “Jiang Chengyi…”

Just like countless nights over the past eight years, she was overwhelmed by grief, crying silently in her dreams.

She tried to swallow her tears, but the regret and sorrow in her heart made it hard to breathe, causing them to flow even more forcefully.

It felt as if a wound in her heart was being torn open, growing numb with pain at night. She curled up helplessly in her blanket like a small animal, licking her wounds in the deep night. She knew that no matter how unbearable the pain if she could just grit her teeth until dawn, it would automatically “heal.”

As she struggled on the boundary between nightmare and reality, helplessly waiting for dawn’s arrival, this time, while repeatedly calling his name softly, someone embraced her from behind. That chest was solid and reliable, and as soon as it drew near, warmth enveloped her. Through the haze, she heard someone calling: “Lu Yan.”

That voice was so familiar, that she immediately forgot her sobbing and opened her eyes, recognizing him.

“Jiang Chengyi.”

She found herself lying in his arms, surrounded by bright, clear lighting, on a wide, soft bed, the entire room warm and cozy.

“Why are you so frightened?” His face wasn’t much better than hers as he held her, continuously patting her gently. When she calmed slightly, he brushed away her wet hair. “Had a nightmare?”

She reached up to touch his cheek. Unlike the suddenly vanishing phantom in her dream, the him before her was so real. After a dazed moment, she hugged him tightly: “Jiang Chengyi.” Her grip was so strong as if trying to merge him into her body.

He was both confused and heartbroken: “What did you dream about?”

She was seriously comparing the him before her with the him in her dream. Jiang Chengyi’s features hadn’t changed much, he’d just become more mature in demeanor. Eight years ago he was a fresh-faced youth, now he was a handsome young man. After examining him carefully for a while, she was much more at ease, resting her head on his neck, her tone slightly bitter: “I dreamed we got separated.”

He was quiet for a few seconds, then frowned: “Oh, so you know it was a dream? Aren’t I right here beside you?”

Just a few days ago, after Cheng Zhou’s verdict came down, he had also had a nightmare. He dreamed Cheng Zhou had stalked her and she had inexplicably lost her life. When he woke up, he was covered in sweat, his teeth chattering, and only after confirming she was sleeping quietly in his arms did his violently beating heart slowly calm down.

The evil that spanned eight years had made him feel afraid more than once after learning the truth. Afraid of losing her again, no matter how busy he was at work, he would always find ways to make time to drive her to and from work. Even when he wasn’t home, he would have family members stay with her.

Perhaps because of losing and regaining, they both treasured this relationship exceptionally.

“Are you hungry?” She was now four months pregnant, her morning sickness gone, replaced by frequent urination and a hearty appetite. It was now five in the morning, and he guessed she was already hungry. “Let me make you something to eat?”

Such a domestic question completely dispelled the earlier shadows, and Lu Yan thought seriously before responding with a drooling expression: “Do you remember the spicy hot pot behind our school?”

What a shocking suggestion in the middle of the night, but Jiang Chengyi wasn’t afraid. He glanced at her, threw back the covers, and said: “We have the seasonings in the fridge. If you want to eat, I’ll make it for you.”

As he got out of bed, he thought, damn, Aunty Liu was a treasure, so foresighted.

Lu Yan felt bad that he had to work the next day and grabbed him: “No, no, no, you sleep, I’ll do it myself.”

“You know how to make a spicy hot pot?”

She was speechless. She didn’t.

“Just lie down obediently, it’ll be ready soon.” He pinched her cheek.

She still insisted on following him to the kitchen, busy helping behind him – washing vegetables, sorting ingredients, soaking glass noodles, very conscientiously acting as his assistant.

Half an hour later, in the first light of dawn, they enjoyed their long-awaited spicy hot pot. Remarkably, the taste was quite authentic. After eating for a while, she suddenly remembered how they used to sit together eating like this in the restaurant, and couldn’t help feeling nostalgic.

“Since you’ve become such a spicy food lover during pregnancy, could it mean we’re having a girl?” Though he knew there was no scientific basis for this, his desire for a daughter made him choose self-deception.

“Isn’t a son just as good as a daughter?” She disapprovingly accused him, “Jiang Chengyi, how can you favor girls over boys?”

He had insisted more than once that she was carrying a girl, even buying many girls’ toys in advance.

“What’s wrong with that?” He wanted a daughter.

A son? Besides playing basketball and football, he’d get into fights in middle school, probably become addicted to video games, and then talk back to his father – how was that any different from his childhood trajectory?

Heh, just thinking about it felt tiresome.

Lu Yan probably knew Jiang Chengyi’s true thoughts but pretended not to: “Of course, there’s something wrong. I like both girls and boys, I don’t discriminate based on gender.”

He couldn’t be bothered arguing with a pregnant woman and slowly stood up, his face noncommittal: “Fine, whatever my wife says is right.”

At five months, Lu Yan finally took a few days off work. As soon as she had free time, her mother-in-law flew with her to buy baby supplies in another city. Besides shopping, they also had a check-up at a private clinic.

The clinic director was her mother-in-law’s old friend. Knowing they didn’t care about the baby’s gender, they only did a 4D ultrasound to check the baby’s gender.

The conclusion was that it was likely a girl. Of course, there was still some chance of misdiagnosis.

Though Jiang Chengyi was inland, upon hearing this news, he drove straight to the mall after work and had the staff pack up all the baby girl items at the counter.

When Lu Yan returned home a few days later and went to put things in the nursery, she saw the room full of items and was stunned for a while before saying with a mix of tears and laughter: “Jiang Chengyi, did you move the entire baby girl section of the mall back home?”

Eight months later.

Chinese New Year’s Eve.

After finishing a phone call in the living room, Lu Yan looked back, and seeing he hadn’t come out, walked to the master bedroom: “Jiang Chengyi, what are you doing? We need to leave.”

Entering, she saw Jiang Chengyi half-lying on the bed, one arm behind his head, the other loosely supporting the bottom of a chubby baby lying on his chest, clearly afraid the baby might accidentally roll off.

The baby was about three months old, a sturdy-looking boy, but incongruously dressed in pink clothes.

As if sensing the disapproving gaze from above, the boy pressed his chubby little fists against his chest, stubbornly trying to lift his head. However, because his head was too big, after several attempts, he could only manage to lift it halfway.

Jiang Chengyi showed no intention of helping his son.

“Mom’s waiting for us to come over for New Year’s Eve dinner. Here, give Doudou to me.” Lu Yan approached to pick up the child.

Jiang Chengyi stopped her: “He could lift his head just fine at my mom’s place a few days ago. Why can’t he lift it today? This little rascal is deliberately annoying me. Let him practice more.”

Lu Yan crouched down, clapped her hands, and smiled at their son: “Good Doudou, good Doudou, did you hear what daddy said? Daddy’s waiting for you to lift your head. Let’s try harder, okay? Once you lift your head well, we’ll go see Grandpa and Grandma – they miss you so much.”

Seeming to know he couldn’t get away without lifting his head today, Doudou grudgingly tried once more. After failing, he lay prone on his father’s chest, breathing slightly heavily, obviously gathering strength. After resting a bit, he exerted himself again.

Just when Jiang Chengyi and Lu Yan thought their son was about to make a supreme effort, his chubby cheeks suddenly puffed up, and with a “wa,” he spit up all the milk he had just drunk.

Despite all their precautions, Jiang Chengyi hadn’t expected his son to use this ultimate move. His expression changed as he quickly picked up his son and rolled off the bed, then handed the baby to his wife while hurriedly removing his shirt.

After wiping repeatedly with a towel, still feeling the milk smell lingering, he said hatefully: “You little rascal, you’ve got nerve.”

Lu Yan walked away holding Doudou, deliberately provoking Jiang Chengyi as she laughed coldly: “Of course, he had to spit up on you after you tormented him like that. Right, Doudou? That’s what daddy gets for being so mean.”

Next time he should poop on him instead.

She had seen Jiang Chengyi’s childhood photos – Doudou was exactly like a mini Jiang Chengyi, and as Doudou grew older, that mischievous nature had been inherited from his father.

Jiang Chengyi simply took a quick shower in the bathroom. After changing into clean clothes, he took his son from Lu Yan’s arms: “Don’t let this little guy fool you with his innocent act. This rascal knew to keep his penis tucked between his legs, tricking all of us. I knew then he wasn’t simple.”

Doudou had always loved being held by his father. Once in Jiang Chengyi’s arms, he broke into a silent grin.

Jiang Chengyi stared at his son for a while, seeing his smile growing wider, tapped his nose, and said sternly: “What are you grinning about?”

“It’s been so long, how do you still remember that?” Lu Yan glared at him, remembering how Jiang Chengyi had been in the delivery room, and when their son was born, he was so convinced it was a girl that when the midwife said it was a boy, he thought he’d misheard and took a long time to come to his senses.

The family of three left the house and got in the car. Jiang Chengyi put Doudou in the safety seat and reminded Lu Yan: “We’ll stay at Mom and dad’s for several days during Spring Festival.” They would go to Lu Yan’s mother’s home on the third day.

“I know.” Lu Yan was checking their family’s belongings in the trunk.

“Did you pack all your clothes?”

“What clothes?”

“The new clothes you bought.” His gaze fell distantly on his wife’s chest.

Lu Yan looked at him, went behind him, and taking advantage of the empty parking lot, stood on tiptoe to bite his ear: “I packed them, but I’m worried about the soundproofing.”

“Just don’t be too loud then.” He didn’t think this was a problem. “Besides, Mom and dad’s house has better soundproofing than you think.”

Given her mother-in-law’s usual style, Lu Yan didn’t doubt this, but hearing Jiang Chengyi’s earlier comment, she said with a half-smile: “As if you’ve never made noise?”

When he was feeling really good, he made sounds too.

Jiang Chengyi was about to open the car door but turned back at her words, deliberately playing dumb: “Did I?”

“You tell me.”

Okay, maybe there were one or two times.

He closed the car door, started the engine, and looked at Lu Yan in the rearview mirror: “Eight years, at our current frequency of five times a week, calculate how many times you owe me.”

Lu Yan was playing with Doudou but laughed at this: “What’s the rush, Classmate Jiang? We have a lifetime to count.”

The streets were full of New Year’s atmosphere, every household celebrating, laughter and joy everywhere. After looking at some photos Tang Jie had sent, Lu Yan couldn’t help longing for the endless white snow: “Next New Year, can we go skiing in the Alps?”

“You want to go?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“As long as the bureau approves, I have no objection.”

The years ahead were so long, and as long as his wife and son were by his side, every day was a holiday.