Senior Chen Shuyang was the first to react—he had a strong impression of Li Wu’s “sister.” Primarily because of her looks and figure, but also because they rarely saw women like her at school. Her style was simple yet bold, with a small chin and red lips hidden beneath a distinctive white French beret, like a luxury fashion model with an unapproachable air of sophistication.

If he encountered such a woman on the street, he would likely stare but want no interaction. In short, one word: trouble; or more colloquially, she was out of his league.

Back then, Chen Shuyang thought she was Li Wu’s blood-related sister and didn’t ask further. Today, struck by this bombshell news, he laughed in disbelief: “You said she was your sister—I thought you meant your actual sister.”

Li Wu showed slight embarrassment: “No, she’s the sister I like.”

The senior sister who hadn’t been present that day was quite curious: “Is she beautiful?”

Chen Shuyang summarized it in one word: “Stunning.”

The senior sister’s tone turned slightly sour: “Li Wu, you’ve been keeping quite a secret—”

“Yeah,” Chen Shuyang punched his shoulder. “How did you manage to get her? Didn’t know you had it in you.”

Li Wu leaned forward slightly, suppressing a smile without speaking, but his eyes shone like mirrors, unable to hide his feelings. The love and pride were about to overflow, and everyone present could sense it.

After more teasing back and forth, they all went out to eat. Li Wu locked up the lab and hurried to the school gate to wait for Cen Jin.

In the ninety-eight-degree weather, the young man felt neither heat nor the passage of time. Standing there, just thinking about seeing Cen Jin soon made him smile to himself.

Worried about keeping Li Wu waiting, Cen Jin seized every opportunity to speed up along the way, arriving at F University’s gate in less than half an hour.

The first thing she saw was her boy, clean and handsome, standing out from the crowd, though a bit foolish—standing in the blazing noon sun instead of finding shade, as if afraid she wouldn’t spot him immediately.

Seeing her car, he squinted, then jogged over.

Cen Jin lowered the window, beckoning: “Get in quick, aren’t you afraid of heatstroke?”

“Not hot,” the young man said seriously, opening the passenger door and getting in.

Had his senses been robbed by love-brain? Fortunately, Cen Jin came prepared. Silently laughing, she pulled out an ice-cold mineral water she’d brought from home and handed it to him.

Li Wu twisted it open and, head tilted back, drank half the bottle in one go. His Adam’s apple moved distinctly, bobbing several times.

Cen Jin stared, slightly dazed. When he finished, exhaled, and twisted the cap back on to return it, she finally shifted her gaze to his slightly flushed face, cupping it in both hands: “Look how sunburned you are.”

Li Wu’s eyes sparkled: “Did I get darker?”

Cen Jin shook her head, gaze fixed on him: “You look so cute when you’re sunburned.”

Li Wu felt restless under her stare, his recently moistened throat going dry again. Without hesitation, he leaned forward to kiss her.

In broad daylight, he dared not be too bold, so it was just a brief touch.

Her lips warmed briefly, then her hands fell empty. Cen Jin held them in place, asking softly: “So now you’re taking every chance to sneak-attack me, huh?”

Li Wu recreated her earlier gesture, pressing her hands back to his cheeks. Lowering his eyes, a lazy smile playing on his lips, he looked somewhat pleased with himself.

So obedient—

Cen Jin couldn’t resist. She pouted slightly and rewarded him: “Okay, one more kiss then.”

After kissing and stopping, cuddling, and lingering in the car for nearly half an hour, Cen Jin finally shifted gears, roaring onto the road in search of a nearby restaurant.

After driving for a while, Cen Jin looked left and right, sighing in bewilderment: “I’ve forgotten what good places there are to eat around our school.”

Li Wu glanced at her, pondered briefly, then recommended: “There’s a decent noodle shop. Have you been there before?”

Cen Jin’s hands paused on the steering wheel: “What’s it called?”

Li Wu gave the name.

Cen Jin’s eyes lit up, “Oh, I’ve eaten there! They’re still open?”

Li Wu made an affirmative sound: “Just that the environment is basic. I’m worried you’ll find it unsanitary.”

Cen Jin laughed: “I know what their environment is like, little junior.”

Li Wu also smiled: “Oh.”

Having gotten her approval, Li Wu tentatively asked: “Can I treat you?”

Cen Jin gave him a sidelong glance, granting him this opportunity: “Sure.”

Being summer vacation and not meal time, the restaurant wasn’t very crowded. They found a clean table, and Li Wu immediately started rinsing the cups and chopsticks for Cen Jin, then asked what she wanted to drink.

Cen Jin propped up her chin, looking around like a rotating periscope, her gaze finally landing on the ice chest in the corner.

She pointed one finger at it, “I want soda, Sprite.”

Then she winked at the young man across the table.

Their private memories flooded back, and Li Wu shared a smile with her before immediately getting up to order food and drinks at the counter.

After getting her soda, Cen Jin took a few sips, checked her phone, and then looked at Li Wu: “It’s almost one o’clock, are you hungry?”

“Not hungry.” Li Wu hadn’t touched his soda at all, just kept watching her, as if he could never look enough.

Cen Jin stared right back, even with some “glaring” intensity as if competing. Ginger is spicier as it ages—the young man eventually became shy under her gaze and lowered his eyes to drink his soda.

Only then did Cen Jin call his name contentedly: “Li Wu, do you know what principle you must follow when dating?”

Li Wu put on a face of eager attention: “Hmm?”

Cen Jin pulled up the straw, then pushed it back in: “No lying, be honest.”

Li Wu looked innocent: “But I’m not hungry.” He’d just realized that happiness not only makes one breathless but also satisfied.

Cen Jin didn’t believe him, snorting softly: “Then I’ll eat both portions of noodles later, all for myself, and you won’t get a single bite.”

Li Wu was completely unconcerned: “Okay.”

Cen Jin shrugged, her heart screaming internally—damn, how could she feel such a sense of “being cherished” by a kid?

Thinking of how he’d waited miserably downstairs yesterday without food or water for most of the day, Cen Jin felt increasingly guilty and changed her tone: “I’m kidding, you should eat properly. You’re so young, it’s not good for your health to go hungry.”

Hearing this, Li Wu rubbed his face helplessly with both hands: “Can you stop mentioning how young I am?”

“Then what should I say, that I’m old?” Cen Jin’s eyes widened slightly, feigning confusion.

Li Wu immediately surrendered: “I’m young, yes, I’m young.”

Cen Jin smiled faintly, then started muttering sentimentally: “But your girlfriend turned thirty today. Was that ever part of your criteria when you were younger—’ I want to find a woman so many years older than me’?”

Hearing this, Li Wu looked at her for a while, his gaze deepening, his voice steady and sincere: “Back in Yunfeng Village, I didn’t have such sophisticated concepts, and even after coming to Yi City, I didn’t. I just like you, just one person, so it’s not really about criteria.”

Cen Jin was almost drowning in his dark eyes, then suddenly came to her senses and couldn’t help asking the question all women love to ask when entering a relationship: “Why do you like me?”

Li Wu froze there, just like last summer, still unable to give a definite answer.

Cen Jin held up her Sprite, sipping while waiting, completely at ease.

Li Wu became uncomfortable under her gaze, scratching his head.

Cen Jin was amused and answered for him without missing a beat: “Because I’m beautiful.”

“Oh,” Li Wu chuckled softly, “Yes, very beautiful.”

Cen Jin snorted: “Little kid.”

“…” Li Wu didn’t argue anymore. Little kid, fine, let her see him however she wanted. After all, from today on, he was her boyfriend.

After lunch, Cen Jin drove Li Wu back to school, then grabbed her laptop from the back seat and found a nearby café to work. The atmosphere in the shop was pleasant, with music like sun-warmed water soothing the ears.

As soon as she connected to the internet and logged into WeChat, she saw the pinned chat flashing. Cen Jin clicked it with her touchpad.

Li Wu: Have you found a place to sit?

Cen Jin thought “is worrying contagious? They’re such a worrying family,” then took out her phone and sent a photo of her current environment.

After a while, he replied: Do you have to work even when resting? It’s your birthday today.

Cen Jin typed: You’re doing experiments even during vacation.

Li Wu was speechless: …

Thinking of this, Cen Jin grew irritated: Deliberately staying at school during summer break, was it because you didn’t want to see me?

Li Wu denied: No, it was because I was afraid you didn’t want to see me.

Cen Jin’s lips curved, saying one thing while meaning another: I didn’t want to see you, but you insisted on standing in front of me, even forced a kiss on me to make me comply.

Li Wu didn’t play along with her teasing, instead apologizing: I’m sorry, sister.

Seemingly able to feel the remorse and sincerity in his words, Cen Jin’s heart melted: What’s wrong now, little brother?

Li Wu appeared to spend a long time organizing his words: I should have asked you then, instead of making assumptions. I swear I wasn’t deliberately giving you the cold shoulder, I just feared bothering you and also feared that if you had someone you liked, you’d end the one-year agreement early. These past few months have been painful for me too, but it feels like nothing I say now can make up for it.

Cen Jin, afraid he’d sink into negative emotions, continued joking: There’s still a chance for redemption. How painful were these months? Tell sister so she can enjoy it a bit.

Li Wu: …

Cen Jin had always been generous with those she cared about, not wanting to dwell on it: Let’s let the past be past, as long as I know you still like me.

Li Wu said: I like you.

Cen Jin: My ears are getting calloused from hearing this phrase.

Li Wu: But I still want to say it, every day.

Cen Jin: You’d better.

Li Wu: I like you.

Li Wu: I like you so much.

Cen Jin couldn’t stop smiling at the screen: Saying it daily is one thing, but how did it turn into every second now? Don’t you need to do your experiments? Are you some confession machine? Shut up.

The young man was extremely obedient: Oh.

Cen Jin replied: I’ll pick you up at 4:15, then we can find a place with good road conditions to practice driving?

Li Wu: Okay.

After five o’clock, Li Wu began practicing driving in circles around the sports center area.

During a break, Li Wu recalled Cen Jin’s mention of “mate selection criteria” from earlier and felt grateful: When he was young, he could never have dreamed of dating a woman like Cen Jin, nor imagined that his first proper road-driving experience would be in such a high-quality and valuable car.

Cen Jin’s willingness to entrust her car to Li Wu for practice showed her trust and faith in him, treating him like family. Even though she initially criticized his relatively inexperienced operation, delivering witty remarks while being harsh and critical, surpassing even driving school instructors.

But Li Wu relished it all from beginning to end, smiling the whole way.

After eight in the evening, having finished dinner in the city center, Li Wu drove Cen Jin home.

This time, he had reached an understanding with the car and could handle various road conditions naturally. Cen Jin remained quiet, letting him perform on his own.

Night wind filled the car, street lights retreating rapidly on both sides. Cen Jin couldn’t help glancing sideways at Li Wu. Even from this angle, she could feel his focus and engagement, his eyes bright and sparkling like they held the Milky Way.

Cen Jin felt both proud and amorous.

Of course, besides that, she had other emotions too—he was so handsome. His bearing was always excellent, his profile divinely crafted, without any flaws.

Not even twenty-four hours into their relationship, with each meeting, her little boyfriend seemed to be refreshing her aesthetic standards.

Though wearing just an ordinary white T-shirt, he stood out brilliantly, perfectly matching the car’s atmosphere, radiating light. He could be a spokesperson, no worse than those advertising stars her company had shot before.

But she couldn’t blurt out praise—this kid was easily excited, and distraction would lead to disaster, causing safety accidents.

So Cen Jin held it wholly.

Back at the complex, Li Wu furrowed his brows, carefully reversed into the parking space, stopped, turned off the engine, and then let out a breath, turning to look at the woman who had been silent, his face seeking praise.

Cen Jin blinked, cupping his never-tiresome face, admiring while pouring out her thoughts: “You’re so amazing, you look especially handsome while driving. Sister couldn’t take her eyes off you the whole way, did you notice?”

The woman’s praise was unrestrained like honey poured over his head. Li Wu’s ears grew hot, but he couldn’t suppress his smile, just pressed his lips together and gazed at her, his eyes burning bright like flames in the darkness.

Cen Jin felt an itch in her heart, her hands slowly caressing his jawline, then moving down to stop at both sides of his neck, beginning to gently knead his Adam’s apple with her thumbs. She had wanted to do this since daytime when he was drinking water.

Li Wu’s body froze, swallowing hard twice, uncomfortably turning his head slightly. He suddenly felt desperately thirsty, his throat burning.

“Why are you avoiding it,” she let him go, switching to pinch with one hand, her voice becoming low and alluring, carrying some seduction: “Can I kiss you?”

Without waiting for his answer, she leaned in and pecked his Adam’s apple, making a crisp sound, then sat back, smiling at him, eyes full of satisfaction.

Li Wu drew in a sharp breath, his whole body on fire. He hurriedly unfastened his seatbelt, cupping one side of her face with his hand, responding to her teasing with action.

The confined space seemed to make this kiss more exciting, at least both of them thought so.

Cen Jin was kissed until dizzy and entranced, nearly breathless.

The young man panted heavily, like a wolf cub tasting meat for the first time, no longer satisfied with nibbling in one spot, beginning to ravage and advance toward the edges.

He ignited with his breath, and Cen Jin involuntarily lifted her neck high, letting him suck and bite.

Clothes rustled, and the air conditioning was completely unable to stop the temperature in the car from rising rapidly.

Cen Jin’s arms hung around his neck, her eyes misty, letting out some soft, uncontrollable releases that she couldn’t stop herself.

Li Wu stopped at the edge of her collarbone, saying hoarsely: “Sister, you smell so good.”

Cen Jin’s heart trembled, slightly stunned. She had left in a hurry today, even keeping her makeup minimal, let alone wearing any perfume.

But she particularly appreciated this sincere compliment. It seemed her boy had awakened a long-dormant fragrance from deep within her. She curved her lips, holding him tighter, pressed against his forehead, softly encouraging: “Really? Then will you kiss me more?”

Li Wu pressed closer, his lips and teeth becoming more fierce in their assault. Cen Jin arched her waist to avoid falling back.

Later, she couldn’t bear it anymore, and could only lean back against the car door weakly, embracing his anxiously moving head.

The young man’s hair was like newly grown pine needles, not too hard, but not exactly soft either, still slightly damp. She caressed it lovingly, actually experiencing a kind of pleasure and satisfaction similar to nurturing.

When this nurturing sensation became more concrete, Cen Jin bit her lower lip hard, only grateful that they were inside their garage.

…

There was no better way to express love than physical entanglement. In the car that night, they were addicted to each other, tasting the sweetness of desire.