The Sunday sleep-in plan was ruined. Sang Ru was originally a bit displeased, but when she thought about the competition ending in the morning, and perhaps being able to invite Zhou Tingzhao for lunch, that slight displeasure immediately vanished like smoke.

Upon arriving at the designated venue entrance, Sang Ru suddenly heard someone calling her from behind. Following the sound, she turned her head and discovered it was someone she hadn’t seen for quite a while.

“It is you. I wasn’t sure at first. Long time no see, Sang Ru.” Lan Ting greeted her with a smile that revealed the sunny disposition characteristic of boys his age.

Sang Ru returned a smile and exchanged pleasantries: “Long time no see. Are you also participating in this competition?”

“Mm-hmm, just for practice.”

Just as Sang Ru was about to say something, she saw someone jogging up from behind Lan Ting.

Zeng Anyu held her waist, slightly out of breath: “Why are you walking so fast? Couldn’t even wait for me to park the car.”

She seemed to only realize there was another person present after speaking. Upon seeing Sang Ru, she froze for a few seconds. After Sang Ru greeted her first, she came back to her senses and likewise said “Hi.”

The air inexplicably grew quiet until another voice broke in: “Why aren’t you going in?”

Sang Ru turned her head to see Zhou Tingzhao walking over.

“Just saying hello to Lan Ting and Anyu. We’ll go in right away.”

With memories of having met them twice before, Zhou Tingzhao’s gaze paused slightly when it swept over Lan Ting. He nodded in acknowledgment: “Morning.”

Zeng Anyu’s eyes had already brightened, and suddenly no longer out of breath, she said: “Good morning!”

Zhou Tingzhao displayed a distant smile when suddenly someone hooked an arm around his shoulder. Lan Ting was rather familiar, walking inside with his arm around Zhou Tingzhao while saying, “Shall we have a meal together after we finish?”

Sang Ru exchanged a glance with Zeng Anyu as they followed behind, hearing Zhou Tingzhao say: “It’s up to her.”

Her? Whose decision could it be?

At this, the people in front stopped walking, and the little rival beside her also looked over. Sang Ru casually met their gaze.

Lan Ting turned his head to the side and asked: “Shall we eat together?”

Answering now would seem like deciding for Zhou Tingzhao.

Sang Ru smiled: “Let’s eat.”

The questions weren’t too difficult to understand. Sang Ru finished writing, checked her work twice, and was the first to submit. As she came down from the podium, Zhou Tingzhao was walking up toward her. As they passed each other, Sang Ru secretly hooked his little finger with hers.

It was her habitual teasing gesture; Sang Ru hadn’t thought much of it, just this brief touch as she passed by. But just as her hand was about to drop back down properly, it was suddenly pulled back by a force.

Sang Ru turned her head in surprise to see Zhou Tingzhao’s tightly pressed lips, his expression calm as if nothing had happened.

Fingers entangled for a moment before separating again, moving forward as they should. The classroom still resonated with the sound of writing. Some people looked up to see who had finished first, then quickly lowered their heads to continue writing. No one noticed that in this second, as the clock’s hand fell, such an exchange of connection had occurred.

Sang Ru was the first to take her things and leave the classroom. She stopped in the corridor and continued walking only after hearing the familiar footsteps approach.

Those footsteps followed behind at a measured pace. Sang Ru didn’t turn around, and he didn’t call out to stop her. Her silhouette disappeared around the corner ahead, and Zhou Tingzhao still followed.

The unknown always happens around corners.

Just after turning, her arm was suddenly grabbed. Zhou Tingzhao was caught off guard and, being pulled forward, instinctively braced himself against the wall.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” the instigator feigned innocence, tilting her head and somewhat ambiguously leaning closer to his arm, like a small animal willingly trapped. “I just thought people who follow others are usually up to no good.”

Zhou Tingzhao lowered his head, moving closer to her: “Am I?”

Sang Ru didn’t retreat at all and tilted her head up slightly, asking in return: “Are you?”

Time flowed through the gap of their confrontation. Her gaze was burning bright. Zhou Tingzhao finally seemed to surrender, suddenly bending down to press against her neck, laughing softly: “No.”

Sang Ru raised her hand to stroke his head, smiling as she asked: “You’re not?”

A deep “Mm” sounded right by her ear. With him buried in her shoulder like this, he resembled some large canine. Sang Ru’s heart softened, and she turned her head to lightly kiss the tip of his ear.

Feeling his momentary shock, Sang Ru mischievously placed another light peck on the same spot.

The kissed area instantly became like a wildfire. Zhou Tingzhao stepped back slightly, stopping just three centimeters from her lips.

It was so different from when there was only physical desire. With her teasing that went beyond mere carnal pleasure, even touching his head and kissing him seemed to carry affection. No need to wear the mask of urban desire animals; the beloved was right in front of him, making him want only to openly please her.

They exchanged breaths at close range, but without further action. The person in his arms made a slightly confused nasal sound.

Zhou Tingzhao’s heart stirred, and he said in a deep voice: “I could be.”

Before she could react, he suddenly sealed her lips with a kiss.

Their lips pressed together, maintaining this pure action, completing the most primitive of kisses. Only when Sang Ru gently sucked once did the kiss become passionate.

In front of you, I should be a good person, if you like. I can also be a bad person, if kissing you without permission counts as such.

What does a bad person become when they meet their beloved?

Just a bad person trying to be cute, that’s all.