Sang Ru’s eyes suddenly widened. This seemed to be the first time Zhou Tingzhao had made such a request.

Direct, intimate, unlike him.

Sang Ru blushed and said, “Look where?”

Zhou Tingzhao silently looked at her, then gently took her hand in his.

“Just…” Sang Ru gasped at his touch, wanting him to share even more of his feelings. She asked softly, “What is it that you want to say, Zhou Tingzhao?”

Caught up in emotions, Zhou Tingzhao looked into her eyes and said in a soft voice, “I want to spend more time with you.”

Something warmed in her heart. Sang Ru wished they could be closer, her voice gentle.

“I want that too,” she said.

The reason forbidden fruit is called forbidden fruit is simply because young lovers share moments they’ve never experienced before, discovering each other’s hearts in their conversations, learning how to care for each other better.

Zhou Tingzhao sat closer beside her. The diagrams in textbooks couldn’t capture real emotions. No matter how much others their age might have talked about it, Zhou Tingzhao had never felt this way before. But now, with her, everything felt special.

Sang Ru rested her head on his shoulder, letting out a contented sigh as they held hands.

“Zhou Tingzhao,” she said softly, “I need to tell you something.”

He turned to look at her, positioned beside him, feeling concerned. “What is it?”

“It’s nothing bad,” Sang Ru shook her head, smiling gently. “I just want you to know I truly care about you.”

She looked so sincere, so genuine. Zhou Tingzhao returned her smile, responding to her trust.

Though they were young, their connection was real. Sang Ru felt joy in sharing these moments with him. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke softly, “This feels right…”

Zhou Tingzhao gently squeezed her hand, showing he felt the same way.

Sang Ru leaned into his embrace, their friendship deepening into something more meaningful.

However, Zhou Tingzhao suddenly grew quiet, and she looked up with concern.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he said softly, though his expression suggested otherwise.

“Please,” she said gently. “You can tell me anything.”

He remained silent, his thoughts conflicted.

Sang Ru moved to face him better, searching his eyes for answers.

His voice was quiet when he finally spoke, as if holding something back: “We need to be careful, you know. We’re still young…”