Witnessing happiness is always joyful, so even though they had been busy since dawn, Sheng Xia still had plenty of energy by the time of the evening party. Besides their group of “food moochers,” the wedding guests were all family and close friends of the bride and groom.

Lu Zheng hadn’t invited any business partners. This was rare – everyone knew that for people of their status, weddings were usually social gatherings meant to maximize business interests. In comparison, Lu Zheng and Zhang Sujin’s wedding felt very pure.

Zhang Sujin’s friends all looked familiar – even someone like Sheng Xia who paid no attention to entertainment and music circles recognized them. Even if she didn’t know their faces, once they started singing, everyone could sing along.

Yet today, these big shots were all playing supporting roles for Zhang Sujin.

It was only today that Sheng Xia and her classmates learned that Zhang Shu’s sister had been a singer.

Finally, they knew where Zhang Shu’s musical genes came from.

The party was set up on the beach with a stage, wooden posts wrapped in gauze and roses, decorated with lights – thoroughly romantic.

Zhang Sujin sat on a high stool, holding the microphone, “It’s been so long, so long, since I’ve sung. I once thought I would never sing again. This song, I wrote it when I first debuted, dedicated to friends who stay forever young.”

The band of big shots was a feast for both eyes and ears.

Zhang Sujin’s voice was deep with a touch of hoarseness, infinitely tender.

A person popped into Sheng Xia’s mind.

Everyone felt the same way. Xiaomai whispered: “Now I understand why Brother Shu used to like Chen Mengyao.”

Xin Xiaohe smacked her mouth: “What do you mean like! They were just good friends!”

Xiaomai: “No no no, not even that good really.”

Sheng Xia turned to look at Zhang Shu.

He was looking up at Zhang Sujin on stage, his gaze focused.

Sheng Xia had seen this expression before, outside the auditorium when he was rehearsing with Chen Mengyao.

Identical.

Of all the people present while Zhang Sujin sang, perhaps the happiest wasn’t Lu Zheng, but Zhang Shu.

His confession from her birthday echoed in her ears.

“I’ve never been good to anyone in my life, except my sister.”

She was the most important person in his life.

How fortunate to witness this wedding with him.

…

The party stayed lively until dawn. When everyone was tired, they sprawled in groups on the beach. The last song was sung by Zhang Shu.

He perched one foot on the high stool’s crossbar, electric guitar on his back, and with one gentle chord, the beach sank into the humid summer night.

“Sunset falls, the world sinks into rivers of light”

The pre-dawn sea breeze was warm, like Zhang Shu’s voice.

“Under starlit curtains, breath intertwines passionate heat…”

“In a daze hard to grasp”

Sheng Xia had never heard this style of song before – psychedelic, rock, deep, lazy, wild, sexy – all contradictory elements finding harmony in his voice.

“Perhaps it’s summer night’s unexpected possibility of warm winds coming as they should”

“Face into the wind”

Ah, Zhang Shu’s voice—

Desire shimmering through casualness.

This song was perfect for daydreaming, perfect for kissing.

She startled at her thoughts, gaze unconsciously falling on his moving lips.

It was those lips that sang out romance, making one want to drink deep on this summer night.

Sea breezes gusted, gauze curtains danced, waves piled up behind them, and stars glittered overhead.

People were immersed in it all as if the world had fallen asleep.

Sheng Xia thought: Could there ever be a better summer?

Probably not.

If there were, it could only serve as a comparison to this one.

…

Back in their room around four or five, dawn was already breaking.

Though she thought she could fall right asleep, Sheng Xia’s mind was full of his voice, especially the lines “passionate heat” and “summer night’s unexpected possibility.”

She turned over restlessly, hearing Xin Xiaohe’s proper voice: “Young lady, when your heart stirs, don’t just fidget – take action.”

Xiaomai started giggling nobody was asleep.

“Xia Xia, how do you resist pouncing on a demon like Brother Shu? It’s one of the world’s mysteries.”

“Brother Shu looked so seductive today, ah, but of course, none of my business, I just want to watch you pounce.”

Xin Xiaohe: “I think Zhang Shu’s the one who can’t do it.”

Xiaomai: “Right, Zhang Shu can’t do it, all these days, he really can’t do it.”

Xin Xiaohe: “Should we go next door tomorrow to check?”

Xiaomai: “Do you want to see Yang Linyu?”

Xin Xiaohe: “Get lost.”

…

When do young girls’ hearts quiet down? No one knows.

They only knew that when they woke the next day, it was already sunset.

Such was the rhythm of vacation – eat well, sleep well, wander around the beach, chase and play in the sunset glow until the sun sank below the horizon.

After a day of rest, facing the gentle morning sun, everyone took a yacht out to sea. Lu Zheng had arranged for snorkeling.

Azure sea and sky, white waves dancing.

At the snorkeling spot, the water was clear to the bottom.

The guide distributed equipment, and one by one people eagerly jumped into the water with splashes.

Sheng Xia couldn’t swim and hadn’t planned to get in the water, but she wore a swimsuit under her sun protection shirt – Xin Xiaohe had insisted when shopping, saying it would be a waste not to wear it.

Zhang Shu sat beside her, picking up a breathing mask. “Know how to wear it?”

Sheng Xia shook her head, “I can’t swim.”

Zhang Shu: “You don’t need to know how to swim for snorkeling, just float.”

She was still a bit scared, her eyes uncertain.

Zhang Shu chuckled, directly putting the mask on her, “I’ll take you.”

Speaking, he found a clean life jacket and looked her up and down, “You’re not wearing a swimsuit?”

“I am.”

“Mm, take off the outer clothes then.” Zhang Shu said it naturally, but Sheng Xia felt her ears burning.

Noticing her discomfort, Zhang Shu belatedly realized his words were a bit crude. He coughed lightly and handed her the life jacket, “Then put this on.”

As he spoke, he turned his back.

Sheng Xia took off the sun protection shirt but found herself puzzled by the life jacket.

This wasn’t a vest-style life jacket, but specially made for snorkeling. After putting her arms through, she didn’t know how to fasten it, and had to call him, “A-Shu…”

Zhang Shu felt electricity in his ears.

Damn, after all this time, he still couldn’t handle that call.

He turned around, his eyelids instantly lowering.

Her swimsuit was very conservative, with ruffles at the chest and skirt hiding everything, but just that expanse of the white chest was eye-catching enough, not to mention the slender waist and the curves that even the chest ruffles couldn’t completely conceal.

Zhang Shu looked away, asking flatly: “What is it?”

Sheng Xia said helplessly: “I don’t know how to put it on.”

He turned his gaze back to her, examining the life jacket.

He didn’t know either.

“Hold out your arms,” he instructed.

Sheng Xia obediently held out her arms.

Zhang Shu moved closer, that fragrance nearly making his legs weak. He bent down, fiddling for a moment, then with a “click” the life jacket fastened just below her chest, very tight.

“Done.”

His voice was a bit thick as if something was stuck in his throat.

“Come down already, what are you two doing?” From the water, Hou Junqi had taken off his mask to shout.

“It’s super beautiful! Xia Xia, come quick!” Xin Xiaohe is also called.

“Coming!” Sheng Xia responded, excitement threading through her voice.

Zhang Shu splashed into the water, then surfaced, reaching out to her, “Hold the rail and come down slowly, don’t be afraid.”

She followed his instructions.

As soon as she moved her leg, Zhang Shu regretted it – he should have bought her a swimsuit, the kind that covered all of her legs.

He looked around, fortunately, no one was watching this way.

Because of his looking around, when Sheng Xia entered the water, she couldn’t meet his eyes. Her heart panicked, her foot slipped, and she missed his hand, plunging straight down.

She thrashed in panic, water splashing everywhere. Zhang Shu tilted his head to avoid the spray, reaching out to pull her into his arms.

She felt water all around her, wrapped in an overwhelming sense of insecurity, she could only flail unconsciously.

Then she heard a helpless laugh by her ear, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, you won’t sink, be good, let go…”

Sheng Xia felt her hand hit solid muscle and froze, stopping her movements. Only then did she realize an arm was around her waist, holding her up at the surface.

Before she was his bare upper body, sunlight through the waves cast strong lines on his arms, where her hands were gripping.

Still shaken, through the life jacket she felt their gradually synchronizing heartbeats.

Fast and intense.

Feeling salt in her mouth, Sheng Xia couldn’t help coughing a couple of times.

Zhang Shu gripped the back of her neck to help her breathe, suddenly bringing them even closer. Their chests pressed together, and he instinctively looked down – her wet swimsuit had shifted, revealing a hint of cleavage.

Zhang Shu sharply turned his head away, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“Bite the mouthpiece, just float.” He instructed stiffly without looking at her.

Sheng Xia quickly let go, and he withdrew his arm, letting her float with the life jacket’s help, only occasionally tugging to help her keep balance.

Sheng Xia plunged her head into the water, and before her eyes was like a screenshot from an underwater TV show – reefs, coral, fish, all brilliantly colorful.

She quickly learned to breathe through the mouthpiece, losing herself in wonder.

She didn’t notice when the hand helping her balance was withdrawn.

She let herself float freely.

Suddenly, the water surged as an athletic body swam past her underwater view, scattering the school of fish.

He smiled underwater, then suddenly swam toward her. Sheng Xia’s heart pounded, and then her waist was encircled as his head drew close, pressing against hers as they sank together.

They were in the sea, gazing at each other through their masks.

Sheng Xia forgot to breathe, as if in a dream.

Before she could react, he suddenly kicked hard, bursting up to the surface.

The rapid pressure change made her heart flutter with it.

Seeing daylight felt like being rescued.

Sheng Xia breathed heavily, seeing his successful look of mischief, and suddenly felt annoyed. She gave him a moderate kick underwater, pushed him away, and swam to the handrail, hurriedly climbing back onto the boat.

Looking back, he was still floating there, eyes and brows full of laughter, “Put your clothes on now that you’re up.”

He had the nerve to give orders.

Sheng Xia turned her face away.

Xiaomai had used the right word.

Demon.

Sea demon!

…

Island life was leisurely and joyful, and in a daze, the trip was nearly over.

The hotel had prepared a picnic.

The boys were barbecuing while the girls swung on the swings.

“Ah, I don’t want to leave, wouldn’t it be nice to stay here forever…” Xin Xiaohe sighed.

Xiaomai: “I second that…”

“How did time go by so fast…”

Sheng Xia also sighed.

Relaxation time was always brief; busyness was life’s main theme.

Xiaomai asked: “Won’t the scores be out around when we get back?”

Sheng Xia: “Mm.”

Xiaomai: “So scary, if my score estimate was wrong, the day this trip ends will be my doomsday.”

Sheng Xia consoled her: “The difference won’t be too big.”

Xin Xiaohe: “I’m also so nervous. Even after the scores come out, there’s still worry about what to do, what to study, why do they make us make these choices at an age when we don’t understand these majors at all?”

“Ah…”

“Ah…”

As the three were feeling melancholy, someone called out: “Sheng Xia.”

It was Lu Youze.

“I’d like to talk with you.” He stood two meters away, speaking gently.

Sheng Xia stood up, patting off the sand, “What is it?”

“Shall we walk?”

Sheng Xia was surprised but didn’t hesitate, “Okay.”

The two walked slowly along the edge of the beach, away from the barbecue area.

Hou Junqi sprinkled some cumin, raising an eyebrow: “A-Shu, what’s Lu Youze up to?”

Zhang Shu merely glanced over, saying expressionlessly: “Who knows.”

Sheng Xia walked on the soft white sand, speaking first: “Congratulations in advance.”

Lu Youze laughed slightly, “Congratulations to you too.”

Another moment of silence.

Sheng Xia knew he had something to say and knew he was thinking it through, so she waited.

“It might sound absurd, but I’ve liked you for a very long time, since middle school.”

Even though she was mentally prepared, Sheng Xia was still shocked.

Middle school?

“How to put it,” Lu Youze smiled with some difficulty, “Zhang Shu was right, I might be the type who lets everything take its natural course, probably because I’ve had everything since childhood, so I’m not good at pursuing things.”

“Saying I liked you for a long time might be an exaggeration. I had feelings for you in middle school, but they were too vague. If we hadn’t met again in senior year, I probably would have forgotten.”

“Meeting again made it feel more like fate, and later when I heard you were also going to Penn, I can’t describe that feeling, like meeting the destined person, that joy…”

Their pace grew slower and slower, maintaining a half-meter distance between them.

“It’s a bit inappropriate to say these things now. Living with Zhang Shu recently, I seem to have understood some things.”

“He’s a person with great energy, able to naturally make everyone around him feel comfortable. It’s quite magical, like it’s innate.”

“But it’s not.”

“He knows that though Hou Junqi seems rough, he’s very sensitive, needing attention in friendship. Even when cursing at him, you can’t ignore him. In group settings with everyone talking, he always notices what Hou Junqi says and must respond… He knows Qi Xiulei is timid but too embarrassed to say so, so he pretends to play games in the living room waiting for him to finish in the bathroom… He knows Yang Linyu likes Xin Xiaohe, so when Qi Xiulei mentions East State University he changes the subject…”

“He knows everyone’s not familiar with me, so he insists on rooming with me…”

“He knows you have a cold, so he asked every Chinese person in the hotel for domestic cold medicine…”

“Maybe his ease comes from being extremely attentive.”

Sheng Xia turned to look at Lu Youze, who was pressing his lips together with a slight smile.

“Haha, it’s a bit strange, praising a love rival here.” He joked.

It was a bit strange.

“You’re very attentive too,” Sheng Xia said sincerely.

To notice others’ attentiveness, one must be attentive to themselves.

Lu Youze laughed helplessly: “Maybe it’s because I’m about to leave, so I’m speaking kindly? I just feel it’s all quite good, everyone’s quite good, and then I realized I don’t seem to have many friends. When it’s time to leave, I don’t even know who to say goodbye to.”

Sheng Xia could understand Lu Youze’s feelings these past few days.

Being among classmates but unable to integrate, inevitably led to overthinking.

Loneliness sometimes makes people lose their way, and sometimes makes them clear-headed.

Lu Youze stopped walking, facing her directly, looking toward the smoky barbecue area in the distance, and said solemnly: “So, be my representative, Sheng Xia, consider this my goodbye to everyone.”

…

Sheng Xia returned to the barbecue area alone.

Hou Junqi asked sneakily: “Where’s Lu Youze?”

Sheng Xia: “He said his flight’s at dawn, he needs to pack first.”

Hou Junqi: “What did he talk to you about?”

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhang Shu.

Sheng Xia also glanced at Zhang Shu, who was focused on grilling.

“To say goodbye.”

Hou Junqi pursed his lips, nodding slowly, seeming to half-understand.

Zhang Shu picked out a golden-brown chicken wing and handed it to Sheng Xia, “Try it.”

Sheng Xia took it, blew on it, took a bite, and the aroma burst forth, “Delicious!” she praised.

Qi Xiulei said: “The barbecue in Lian Li is famous, when will Brother Shu take us there?”

Zhang Shu: “When do you want to go?”

Qi Xiulei: “Before school starts?”

Zhang Shu agreed: “Done.”

Hou Junqi: “Great, we can get together again then, and that dog Han Xiao is in Lian Li too!”

Xin Xiaohe reminded him: “Won’t you be about to go abroad then? To attend the preparatory class?”

Hou Junqi’s face immediately fell.

Zhang Shu said: “If a barbecue makes you this hungry, you’ll starve to death abroad with that appetite. Let’s go before you leave, all you can eat.”

Hou Junqi grinned again: “Maybe I’ll learn the skills in Lian Li, then open chain stores in Canada!”

“Oh, sounds like it’ll be too expensive to eat there!”

“Then I’ll accept the title of Canadian Barbecue King in advance!”

“Flirty King works too.”

“Then when I go traveling, can I throw your name around?”

“No problem.”

The group inexplicably burst into laughter again.

Sheng Xia watched Zhang Shu’s profile, thinking of the words “extremely attentive.”

The one who had been imperceptibly caring for everyone’s feelings was always him, the one who never let up with his words.

Thinking carefully, if it wasn’t for him, she would have had difficulty integrating into such a group.

At the start of school, she had said she had lots of stationery because she was a poor student.

Everyone laughed, and that’s how she entered her classmates’ view, creating the image of a pitiful transfer student. Both Hou Junqi and Xin Xiaohe had gradually become familiar with her because of this.

He might have just said it casually.

But wherever he was, the atmosphere was always good.

This might be inexplicable, this might be destined.

Sheng Xia had never met someone like this before.

And never would again.

Lost in thought, several loud “boom boom boom” sounds erupted as fireworks bloomed in the distance.

Someone was creating romance.

Romancing a group of young people’s final night.

Everyone had drunk that night.

It was Sheng Xia’s first time drinking beer. It was a bit bitter but very refreshing. She took a sip, then another, it quenched her thirst and went well with the barbecue. Thinking this, she tilted her head back for a big gulp, almost choking.

Seeing her frown, Zhang Shu snatched the can away, “You drink coconut juice.”

“Brother Shu, how can you not let people try?”

“Why try this?” Zhang Shu picked up her can of beer and downed it in one go.

“Wow!” Everyone hooted.

Sheng Xia’s cheeks grew hot, probably from the barbecue’s burning charcoal.

That was the one she had drunk from…

Xin Xiaohe was yelling the loudest. Sheng Xia had thought she could hold her liquor, but before finishing one can, she was already mumbling nonsense.

Yang Linyu offered her mineral water, but she swatted it away, suddenly hooking her arm around Yang Linyu’s neck and shouting: “Are you going to confess or not? Coward!”

Everyone: … Explosive!

Yang Linyu completely froze. Zhang Shu pointed toward the hotel, “Go on, there are roses in the garden.”

“So tragic, A-Lei.” Hou Junqi exchanged looks with Qi Xiulei.

Qi Xiulei: “It’s fine, there’s still Xiaomai, we can be tragic together.”

Xiaomai didn’t look quite normal either, holding her face with starry eyes: “Not tragic, not tragic at all, let’s get fired up, this is so shippable! Hey, Brother Shu, can you do it or not? We all suspect you can’t! You know, Sheng Xia is so pretty, her figure is so wow, her chest mmph…”

Sheng Xia covered Xiaomai’s mouth.

This girl fell in that position – right onto her chest.

Then stopped moving.

Fireworks burst forth again, but they couldn’t save the awkwardness of the scene.

The sea breeze gently caressed the coconut trees, rustling.

The well-fed and watered young people lay down on the beach.

Under the dome of the sky, only the faint glow of charcoal remained.

Zhang Shu turned his head. Sheng Xia was lying on her side facing his direction, her cheeks flushed.

He curved his lips, propped his head on his elbow, and also lay facing her, quietly watching.

At a distance where they could feel each other’s breath, her fragrance again filled his nose.

Zhang Shu sometimes wondered if she knew some kind of witchcraft.

That embrace in the sea had tormented him.

By the time Zhang Shu realized he was still moving closer to her, his nose had already touched her cheek.

The girl’s eyelashes moved slightly, but only slightly.

He gazed at those pink lips, stopping his movement.

A first kiss shouldn’t be stolen sneakily.

Otherwise, he really wouldn’t be worthy.

Zhang Shu’s arm muscles tensed as he propped himself beside her, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and lay back in his spot.

He propped his head on one hand, glanced at her, then looked at the deep blue night sky.

Sighing helplessly – he must be formal, must be careful.

Because she was most precious.

In the distance, Lu Youze, having finished packing, quietly watched this scene, then turned and left, abandoning the thought of waving goodbye again.

Sheng Xia was awakened by the sea breeze.

Her head felt incredibly heavy, and she seemed to be hallucinating – why was Zhang Shu lying beside her?

In an instant, the hard feeling of fine sand unlike a mattress told her where she was.

Everyone was asleep.

Even the charcoal fire had gone out.

Beer bottles lay scattered about, the barbecue barely half eaten.

The night grew deeper.

She looked again at the person beside her.

Zhang Shu.

He had the sharpest angles – sword-like eyebrows, nose bridge, jawline, Adam’s apple…

When his eyes opened, they too had a sharp gaze.

But he had the softest heart.

Wrapped in a hard shell, invincible, burning hot.

She possessed this heart.

Just thinking about it filled her heart to the brim.

Sheng Xia did the bravest thing in her 18 years—

She slowly moved closer, her gaze wandering over his features, finally landing on those distracting lips.

It was these lips that sang “summer night’s unexpected possibility,” these that sang “breath intertwines passionate heat,” these that sang “face into the wind”…

Sheng Xia faced the wind, her burning lips approaching, tenderly pecking.

Sheng Xia froze completely, then immediately sat up, incredulous.

His lips were so soft.

So this was how soft lips could be.

She dazedly touched her lips, pressing with her fingers.

They didn’t seem quite so soft.

Was it because his lips were soft, or was it the meeting of two pairs of lips that created such softness?

She couldn’t know.

Her courage was spent; she didn’t try to verify again.

By the coconut trees, Yang Linyu and Xin Xiaohe stood stunned, hand in hand, faces shocked.

Xin Xiaohe: “Can’t believe Xia Xia made the first move!”

Yang Linyu: “A-Shu’s not up to it.”

Xin Xiaohe: “Did you get it on camera?”

Yang Linyu: “Mission accomplished.”

…

Yang Linyu woke everyone up.

“Get up, you’ll all catch a cold and miss the plane tomorrow if you sleep here, quick, get up!”

The people sprawled on the beach woke up one by one, bleary-eyed.

Only Hou Junqi couldn’t be woken.

Xin Xiaohe kicked his bottom, and he jumped up, “What what! Flash, flash!”

“The crystal’s already broken, what flash, stop dreaming in the valley, your positioning is worse than a river crab!” Zhang Shu laughed.

Hou Junqi was awake now, “Whose positioning is worse than a river crab, A-Shu, you forgot I…”

The argument continued, non-stop, all the way back to their rooms.

Xiaomai went straight to bed as soon as she got back, not even showering.

Sheng Xia took a shower, and when she came out saw Xin Xiaohe still enthusiastically staring at her phone.

She teased: “What are you looking at? Chatting with Yang Linyu? What’s got you all lovestruck?”

Xin Xiaohe nodded “mm-hmm” outwardly, but thought inside: Silly girl, of course we’re talking about you.

Sheng Xia smiled knowingly, ah, so teasing others was this fun?

Just as she was about to grab her phone to tease Zhang Shu together, the doorbell suddenly rang.

At this hour, what could it be?

Sheng Xia felt a bit scared.

Xin Xiaohe also froze.

The two girls tiptoed to the door to look through the peephole. Sheng Xia had already pulled up Zhang Shu’s number ready to call, but unexpectedly, Zhang Shu’s face appeared in the peephole.

His expression looked like something major had happened.

Anxious, gloomy, a bit cold, but not quite unhappy.

Very complex.

Sheng Xia opened the door.

Zhang Shu glanced at Xin Xiaohe, “Turn around,” as he spoke, he pressed one hand on Xin Xiaohe’s head and twisted her in that direction.

Sheng Xia was dumbfounded.

Just as she was about to question this, Zhang Shu gripped her chin and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

Instantly, Sheng Xia’s eyes grew even wider.

Before she could react, he released his hand from Xin Xiaohe’s head, stepped one foot into the room, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pursued her lips again.

Sheng Xia’s body went rigid.

Her lips seemed electrified, tingling currents instantly spreading through her entire body.

He seemed to lack technique too, kissing once, testing, then pecking again, then capturing her lower lip, sucking once.

Sheng Xia’s body felt like it was on fire, she tried to shrink her neck, but he wouldn’t let her escape, his hand supporting the back of her head as he kissed her hard.

Xin Xiaohe faced the wall, not daring to turn around, but those smacking sounds – she was so close, and she wasn’t deaf.

Help!

Help!

She slowly edged toward the door, finally breaking into a run when she got close.

Though she had been extremely careful, she still startled the couple at close quarters.

Zhang Shu slightly released Sheng Xia.

Xin Xiaohe: “You two continue, continue.”

Then she fled next door.

Sheng Xia looked at the person before her in panic, both their chests heaving, breathing unsteady.

“You- you…” she struggled to find her voice, tilting her head back to create some distance.

With a “bang,” Zhang Shu hooked the door closed with his foot, gripping her waist and trapping her against the door with his other hand, “Sheng Xia, you kissed me first.”

She was shocked again.

He knew!

He hadn’t been asleep?!

Her cheeks flushed red again, her ears burning hot enough to break off, her heart trembling.

When no response came, he hadn’t been waiting for one anyway, both hands cupping her face as he kissed her hard.

Sheng Xia couldn’t reach him, instinctively rose on tiptoe, then melted trembling.

Zhang Shu freed a hand to tighten around her waist, lifting her slightly, his other hand holding her head, not yielding a millimeter.

He forcefully parted her teeth, tangling with her tongue.

Hooking once, sucking once, gentle once, forceful once.

Sheng Xia closed her eyes, her tongue going numb, unfamiliar sensations overwhelming all her senses.

His scent filled her every breath.

Mixing, surging, entangling…

What kind of world was before her eyes?

A lonely soul in the wilderness, blessed by sweet rain.

She was going to drown.

Her oxygen-deprived brain grew foggy, and her legs were completely weak, supported only by his arms.

She pushed back slightly, and he slowed down, pecking densely and lightly, pulling back slightly, foreheads touching as they caught their breath, his breath hot on her face.

His eyes examined her closely up and down, finally landing on her slightly swollen lips.

“Now you know, this is what kissing is.”

“This is a first kiss, remember it?”

After speaking, as if still unsatisfied, he kissed her once more.

Sheng Xia was completely defeated.

In the barren world, a prairie fire spread.