Li Wu’s lips, along with his words, were completely sealed off.

His body grew intensely hot as he discovered for the first time how fragrant and soft a woman’s lips could be, how moist they were. Her mouth was filled with the sweet scent of alcohol.

His mind was nearly consumed by her sucking kisses, completely scattered by the touch of her smooth tongue.

He didn’t know what to do, breathing heavily, his hands hovering at his sides, every knuckle tense, finding nowhere to rest.

Noticing his inexperience and hesitation to respond, Cen Jin loosened her arms from around his neck, moving instead to cup his warm cheeks, asking with a faint smile: “What’s wrong? Weren’t you so good at forcing kisses just now?”

Li Wu couldn’t answer, his throat dry, his eyes suppressing crimson embarrassment and urgency.

“I’ll teach you,” she rose on her tiptoes, capturing his lower lip again, nibbling gently as she whispered: “Hold me.”

Li Wu was instantly bewitched, wrapping his arms around her waist.

The young man’s body was tense, hard, unable to relax, and Cen Jin couldn’t help but press closer. One delicate hand stroked up from his jaw, and when she was burned by his ear, her heart stirred, and she grabbed it, kneading it forcefully.

Li Wu’s breathing immediately grew heavier, and he held her tighter.

Their bodies pressed together perfectly, their overlapping shadows on the ground almost merging into one.

Li Wu began to kiss back, pecking and sucking, not daring to use too much force, somewhat clumsy but full of sincerity.

The young man’s deep breathing was the best catalyst. Cen Jin pulled her face back slightly, and when Li Wu eagerly followed, she wouldn’t let him touch her again, just keeping their noses touching, breaths intermingling. The woman’s eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings against the young man’s face, creating an intimate tickle as she spoke in a gentle, coaxing voice:

“Come find my tongue, okay?”

Li Wu’s Adam’s apple bobbed heavily as he eagerly moved forward, but she deliberately avoided him again. Afraid she would run away, Li Wu stepped forward, pressing her against the door panel.

With nowhere to retreat, the young man’s lips and tongue covered hers again. His aggressive nature emerged as he gradually grew rougher, instinctively sucking and biting at her, gnawing, holding tight, no longer letting go.

Cen Jin’s face grew increasingly flushed, letting out broken, sticky sounds from her nose. Her hand moved back to his neck, her nails gradually digging into his flesh.

She was being squeezed, her shoulder blades occasionally bumping against the door panel, creating subtle sounds.

Slowly, her knees grew weak, her heart trembling endlessly, forcing her to cling tighter to the young man.

Perhaps it had been too long since she’d last kissed, but she found herself loving this artless pursuit and entanglement immensely.

It made her feel needed, fiercely, and wildly cherished.

They were on the verge of losing control, like two fever patients competing through their kisses.

“Li Wu…” Cen Jin called his name indistinctly.

The young man stopped, looking at her from very close, his eyes wet and heavy, his breath frighteningly hot.

Cen Jin’s heart tightened under his gaze. She pressed her glistening lips together: “Let’s stop kissing, for now, we’re still outside.”

Li Wu’s eyes cleared somewhat, showing belated embarrassment as he stepped back two paces, his voice hoarse: “Mm.”

Sensing the intense change in the atmosphere, Cen Jin had to call a stop immediately, creating distance between them.

The corridor’s cool air finally managed to squeeze between them, diluting the humid heat of their intimacy.

Cen Jin looked at his eyes, now clear again and slightly shy, and his young, flushed face, suddenly feeling a surge of guilt.

She glanced away, her mind confused as she asked: “Aren’t you going back to school today?”

Li Wu started, taking out his phone to check: “…It’s already past two.”

Looking back at her, his eyes showed traces of frustration: “Are you going to make me leave again?”

“Huh?” Cen Jin was stunned, then spoke seriously: “No, I was just worried about your dorm check.”

Li Wu’s lips pressed slightly: “It’s summer break.”

“Oh…” Cen Jin felt somewhat at a loss, nearly forgetting what day it was, and what time it was.

Everything just now had been too sudden; her thoughts couldn’t keep up with how things had developed. She had completely lost herself, and now various emotions were sprouting, leaving her with mixed feelings.

Cen Jin scratched her temple, too embarrassed to meet his eyes as she turned to open the door: “Stay at home today then.”

Li Wu’s eyelids drooped slightly, his lips curling almost imperceptibly before he picked up the shopping bag she had completely forgotten on the ground and followed her inside.

Cen Jin hung up her bag and went to the kitchen for water, feeling extremely thirsty.

Returning with two glasses of cool water, she saw Li Wu still standing there and quickly gestured: “Sit down.”

Li Wu responded with a sound and sat in the rattan chair that usually belonged to him.

Cen Jin handed him water and went to sit on the nearby sofa.

After taking two sips of water, the agitation in Cen Jin’s heart finally filtered away somewhat. She looked at Li Wu again, finding the young man holding his glass, staring at her unblinkingly.

The tips of her ears unconsciously grew hot as she decided to clarify things: “Just now…”

Li Wu made a low nasal sound: “Mm.”

Ah—Cen Jin racked her brains, not knowing what opening would be appropriate. Her word-crafting function failed, so she simply gave up trying: “Let’s date.”

Li Wu’s eyes lit up like suddenly ignited flames, burning bright.

“We’ve already kissed anyway.” Cen Jin said quickly, drinking more water.

The young man’s face dimmed for a moment as he set his glass on the coffee table: “Is it just because we kissed?”

Cen Jin sighed inwardly, her expression gentle: “No, it’s because I want to try. Let’s give it a try, Li Wu. Since my divorce, no other man has given me such definite, strong feelings. It wasn’t so obvious last summer, but it’s deepened over this past year. When I saw you leaving today, I had no idea what to do. I felt terrible, regretful, and somehow empty and drained. I shouldn’t have said those things to you. I wasn’t being true to my heart.”

She tilted her face up slightly, not wanting the vulnerable moisture in her eyes to be too obvious to this boy so much younger than her – that would be embarrassing: “Maybe it’s because I’ve been through one unfulfilling marriage, so I’m more timid about relationships. I easily lose confidence in both myself and the other person, and subconsciously try to test and prove the kind of love I need by pushing people away. I don’t know what’s wrong with me; I just can’t seem to control myself.”

“Thankfully you came back,” Cen Jin exhaled, seeming relieved: “I don’t want to continue like this anymore. This past year, it’s been like we had a time bomb buried between us, requiring one person to actively step on it, or we’d keep walking on thin ice forever. Since you’ve already taken the initiative, I don’t want to deny myself anymore.”

She looked at him directly again, her lips forming a stubborn yet beautiful curve: “So, would you like to try being with me, as boyfriend and girlfriend?”

Li Wu was stunned, staring at her for several seconds without a word. Then he stood up and walked straight over, bending down as if to kiss her again.

Cen Jin pushed against his chest, but he immediately caught her hands. He stopped moving but held them tight, his backlit eyes so deep with emotion and bright, touching her heart.

Being stared at and restrained like this, Cen Jin’s thoughts began to boil, but she didn’t want to let him succeed so easily, so she said: “Haven’t you had enough kisses? I don’t want to kiss at all anymore.”

“Can I hug you then?” Li Wu asked, his face full of expectation and sincerity.

This simpleton, Cen Jin chuckled secretly, raising her face to the challenge: “How can I hug you when you’re holding my hands like this?”

Li Wu immediately let go.

They stood and sat at angles not suitable for hugging, so they became stuck, not knowing how to proceed.

Cen Jin decided to take the initiative. As she opened her arms slightly, about to rise and throw herself at him, Li Wu’s arms had already slipped under her armpits, lifting her into the air.

“Wow~” She could finally legitimately cry out in surprise, wrapping her arms around the young man’s neck, legs around his waist, doing all the things a girl in love should do.

Li Wu lifted her effortlessly, muttering softly: “Haven’t held you for a year.”

During this year, he had missed her so much, simulating this moment thousands of times in his mind.

Cen Jin’s nose tightened with emotion as she looked up at him. Their faces were inches apart as they gazed silently at each other, as if revalidating their identities, erasing their past fixed perceptions.

Cen Jin couldn’t help but examine her little boyfriend: his full forehead, sharp eyebrows, dark eyes, fluttering eyelashes, straight nose bridge, clean skin, and clearly defined lips.

He was so handsome.

Had he always been this handsome?

This handsome boy had liked her for almost three years. What kind of jackpot had she hit to be so lucky?

Cen Jin’s heart and eyes bloomed with flowers of joy, so much that she couldn’t resist pecking his lips fiercely, as if wanting to solemnly stamp her seal of ownership, claiming him as hers, warning others not to covet.

Li Wu, already red-eared from her scrutiny, was now overwhelmed with shy happiness, dimples appearing as he smiled: “Didn’t you say you didn’t want to kiss anymore?”

“Can’t I change my mind?” Cen Jin stared intently, either sincerely admiring or teasing: “You look so handsome from this angle, how am I only noticing now? So handsome and so cute – is it wrong to make up for my past self with a few more kisses?”

Li Wu grew restless from her praise, obliging her by suddenly kissing her lips, then turning away after the sneak attack, letting the corners of his eyes betray his smile, pupils sparkling, eyelashes thick and long.

Cen Jin melted at his little actions and expressions, her heart completely softened, becoming a sweet, gooey lava bread.

She moved her hands to his shoulders, creating more space, then tilted her head to find his secretly happy face.

Li Wu grew uncomfortable, redness spreading from his ears to his neck as he turned his face to the other side.

Cen Jin leaned sideways to follow, determined to catch him properly.

Li Wu had nowhere to escape and finally looked back at her, pleading: “Stop looking, Jiejie.”

Cen Jin made an “oh” sound, her calves bouncing slightly: “Then put me down.”

His arms tightened, like a child protecting candy: “No.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“No.”

“Are you going to hold me all night?”

“Mm.”

“‘Mm’ your big head,” she moved closer to his neck, sniffed, then complained: “How long were you standing outside today? You smell. Let go.”

…

That night, Li Wu, who had barely eaten all day, showered but still disregarded himself, only wanting to quickly cook a bowl of longevity noodles to celebrate Cen Jin’s birthday.

As soon as the first bite entered her mouth, Cen Jin praised generously: “Oh my god, this is exactly the taste! I haven’t had it for so long.”

Meanwhile, Li Wu sat across from her distractedly, occasionally looking up at her, as if he could never look enough.

The yellow glow from the hanging lamp above the dining table created a dreamlike atmosphere, almost unreal.

Li Wu feared he was dreaming and secretly pinched the web between his thumb and index finger under the table.

It hurt.

Thank goodness, it was real.

Afraid Cen Jin would think he wasn’t steady enough in handling things, always grinning like an immature kid.

He coughed once, forcing his lips straight, trying to hide his overflowing smile.

Cen Jin had noticed long ago. After finishing her last noodle, she mercilessly called him out: “If you want to look, look. If you want to smile, smile. Watching you hold it in is making me uncomfortable.”

“Oh.” Li Wu lowered his eyes, still too shy to be obvious, his smile muscles aching from restraint.

“Tch,” Cen Jin exhaled through her nose, lazily mocking: “Let me ask you, have any girls at university tried to get your contact information?”

The young man suddenly sat up straight, his brain running at high speed, searching for the correct answer. Just as he was about to speak—

The woman put down her chopsticks, tapping out a sound as intimidating as a court judge, biting her words slightly: “Tell the truth.”

Li Wu cleared away all the prepared denials, reporting honestly: “About two or three a week.”

“…Really?!” Cen Jin was incredulous: “That many?”

“Mm.”

Cen Jin snorted coldly: “So you just go around showing your face everywhere without any male virtue, huh?”

“No,” Li Wu furrowed his brows, explaining seriously: “I’m only in the library and dorm, and sometimes the lab.”

Cen Jin shot him an icy sidelong glance, her smile not reaching her eyes: “Did you give it to those girls?”

Li Wu didn’t speak, just directly pushed his phone toward her.

Cen Jin’s lips curled in triumph as she took it, scrolling through. When she found it didn’t need to be unlocked, she laughed in disbelief: “Aren’t you afraid of losing your phone?”

Her thumb tapped the screen a few times, noting the pinned WeChat contact and the string of boring formal group chats and male names in the conversation list below. Her smile deepened.

But she didn’t return the phone yet. Instead, with raised eyebrows, she added something to the pinned contact’s nickname – her own – before sliding the phone back.

Li Wu picked it up to look and couldn’t help grinning, unable to suppress his smile anymore.

[Jiejie is watching u]

How could she be so cute? Li Wu stared at the new nickname for a long, long time, his heart feeling coated in syrup. He still couldn’t believe it, looking up repeatedly to confirm: “So starting today, I’m your boyfriend, right?”

“Not just boyfriend.” Cen Jin rested her chin on her hand, tired of being asked the same question countless times.

“What else?”

“Also an idiot.”

“…”