HomeSummer In Your NameChapter 90: Bowing in Submission

Chapter 90: Bowing in Submission

The second semester of freshman year was when the Literature Department had the most courses, and Sheng Xia resumed her four-point routine life. Her GPA last semester was 3.29, barely crossing the “good” grade threshold, putting her at the bottom among her four roommates. With her weak foundation, even spending sleepless nights during review week could only get her to “good.” Though she was mentally prepared for this result, she still felt anxious.

Zhang Shu’s GPA was 3.78, which surprisingly almost put him at the bottom of his dormitory. He ranked in the thirties in his grade, which was shocking enough to Sheng Xia, but their department even had people with perfect GPAs.

“GPA in your department is a small battlefield,” said Liao Jing. “By sophomore year, they’re already competing over publishing papers and starting businesses, while we’re still wondering whether to pursue a master’s in our major.”

“Don’t they consider taking the graduate entrance exam?”

“Do they need to? Those who want to stay at the school can all do so, but more than half probably want to study abroad.”

“That’s intense competition.”

“It’s not a place for ordinary people.”

Sheng Xia asked Zhang Shu if he felt anxious about this.

He candidly replied: “Yes. But it’s not a bad thing, at least not for me. Being overwhelmed is sometimes fortunate – when everyone around you is stronger, isn’t that a gain?”

It was indeed a gain.

Sheng Xia felt she had gained too, though the gains came with considerable effort.

This semester, Sheng Xia went to Haiyan more often because Zhang Shu was too busy, and she had Little Mo, which made her travel faster.

Sheng Xia liked the bookstore outside Haiyan University’s west gate. Unlike modern boutique bookstores, this one had been open for decades. The old wooden building had a vintage feel, with old books piling up in corners. You could find many out-of-print books, and they offered a book exchange service. The store also had a long-haired orange cat, lazy yet affectionate.

Sheng Xia often spent half a day in the bookstore, since reading books was part of her studies anyway.

When Zhang Shu finished his work, he would come to take her to eat, as the bookstore only offered simple coffee and no light meals.

If he had time, he would also accompany her to read for an afternoon, sometimes doing homework, and sometimes picking out books to read.

That day, Sheng Xia was reading too intently. After turning half the pages, she finally noticed he had left the opposite seat for quite a while, so she looked around and found him by a bookshelf.

He was sitting on the floor among several middle school students in uniforms. Except for his legs stretching out much longer, he blended in perfectly. They all had their heads lowered, completely focused, even their page-turning frequency seemed synchronized.

Sheng Xia smiled gently, took out her phone to record some video footage, walked over, and stood in front of him. She thought he was reading some popular science book, but surprisingly, he was reading Jin Yong’s “The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.”

“Is it good?” Sheng Xia asked softly.

Zhang Shu looked up, saw it was her, and pulled her hand suggesting she sit down. Sheng Xia didn’t act coy, sat beside him, hugged his arm, rested her head on his shoulder, noticed he was reading Part Four “The Immortal’s Song,” and asked, “Who do you like?”

Zhang Shu flipped the pages, his gaze not leaving the book, and casually replied: “Guess.”

Sheng Xia: …

“Qiao Feng?”

Zhang Shu raised his eyebrows, and turned his head to look at her, “I thought you were asking about female characters.”

“Female characters? The one I like is me,” Sheng Xia blurted out, feeling shy for just a moment before looking at him proudly.

She was now hugging his arm, chin resting on his shoulder, looking up with innocent yet cunning eyes. Zhang Shu’s gaze slowly moved from her eyes to her nose bridge, lips, and finally back to her eyes. In that position, he quickly planted a kiss, but after the brief touch, felt it wasn’t enough and wanted to deepen it. Sheng Xia pushed him slightly, her eyes indicating: There are people nearby!

“Don’t care.”

Zhang Shu raised the book with his right hand to completely block their faces, his left hand pulled her neck, and he tilted his head to pursue the kiss.

His lips were soft, and Sheng Xia couldn’t resist.

He kissed deeply but not for long, probably still maintaining some dignity in public, not throwing all care to the wind. After a few lingering pecks, he finally let her go.

When the book was taken away, Sheng Xia opened her eyes to see a row of middle school students staring at them in unison. Some girls were covering their eyes in a pretense of modesty, though the gaps between their fingers were bigger than their eyes.

Unexpectedly meeting Sheng Xia’s gaze, all heads turned back in unison, covering their mouths and giggling.

This time Sheng Xia was truly embarrassed and buried her head in the crook of his arm.

Zhang Shu smiled at the boys and continued reading as if nothing had happened. Seeing she hadn’t raised her head for a long time, he tried to make conversation: “Then who do you like?”

Sheng Xia raised her head, “I like Xuzhu.”

Zhang Shu casually responded: “Why?”

Sheng Xia: “He’s a monk, free from desires.”

Zhang Shu: …

The bookstore’s fat orange cat slowly walked over, stared at them for quite a while without blinking, and finally squatted by Zhang Shu’s leg, rubbing against him.

The fat cat seemed to particularly like Zhang Shu, liked to sleep by his feet, and often slept on his keyboard. One yawn and stretch could undo half a day of Zhang Shu’s hard work.

Sheng Xia felt sorry watching this, but Zhang Shu wasn’t angry at all, just smiled helplessly and picked up the fat cat to put it on the bookshelf. Then his black t-shirt would be covered in cat hair, which did make him frown.

So cute.

The cat was cute, and he was so cute too.

Sheng Xia often felt the bookstore had a wall between it and the world. Outside, the world was spinning rapidly, changing with each passing day, but time seemed to stand still in the bookstore.

Days seemed to pass slowly, but actually, time was so swift, leaving no trace to grasp.

By the time Sheng Xia finished the reading list given by Teacher Tan, Zhang Shu had also read most of Jin Yong’s books.

The weather in Heyan was becoming more like South Li University, with lush vegetation and cicadas chirping intensely. Everything indicated that the vibrant summer had arrived, and another semester was coming to an end.

During the rushed review week, they still dated in the bookstore, though there was no time to read leisure books anymore. Sheng Xia memorized texts until she felt dazed, while Zhang Shu’s keyboard sounds never stopped.

His keyboard sounds weren’t loud and had a regular rhythm. She didn’t find it disturbing; sometimes when she couldn’t hear him typing, she felt uncomfortable and couldn’t memorize properly.

Sometimes when tired of reading, they would follow their immediate dating route: going to museums, amusement parks, and exhibition halls, but more often just riding bikes around aimlessly, or measuring the city with their feet, going wherever they pleased. If they liked a place, they would stay; if not, they would keep walking. The two held hands, chatting casually, playing childish word games: connecting sentences.

Sheng Xia started: “Road.”

Zhang Shu continued: “Roadside.”

Sheng Xia: “Roadside stall.”

Hehe, this should be hard, how can you complete it with one character?

Zhang Shu: “Roadside stall spot.”

Okay, impressive.

Sheng Xia: “Roadside stall spot likes.”

“Roadside stall spot likes burst.”

“Roadside stall spot likes burst already.”

“Roadside stall spot likes burst already?”

“…”

She couldn’t continue.

Lost, kiss once.

Boring, but felt like they could play for a lifetime.

During summer vacation, Zhang Shu had another mini-semester, while Sheng Xia started her break first. Wang Lianhua and Xu Yuanshan took Zheng Dongning to travel abroad, and Sheng Xia and Wu Qiuxuan were picked up by Sheng Mingfeng to stay for a while.

But Sheng Mingfeng was very busy, and hardly home. After just a week, Zou Weiping also had to go out, traveling to Hong Kong for business. Probably feeling guilty about bringing them over only to leave them alone at home, she proposed taking them traveling and shopping.

Wu Qiuxuan had always been cold towards Zou Weiping, but when it came to spending money, she never held back, enthusiastically agreeing.

Sheng Xia declined, citing the need to write papers at home.

Wu Qiuxuan almost threw a tantrum, but Sheng Xia wouldn’t go. Finally, no one could persuade her, and those who were leaving left, leaving Sheng Xia alone at home, peaceful but somewhat lonely.

She had no papers to write.

She just had a boyfriend to accompany her.

Leo month arrived, and Zhang Shu’s birthday came.

Sheng Xia had bought East Zhou Music Festival tickets early in June because the timing was perfect, just one day before his birthday.

However, she hadn’t told him yet, wanting to give him a surprise.

All along, he had been more attentive to rituals, preparing gifts for her on every holiday.

Just this semester alone, there were White Day, Children’s Day, and various other “Valentine’s Days,” plus their first anniversary.

Even though he had criticized capitalism’s holiday scams, he still prepared gifts. Sometimes there weren’t even holidays or anniversaries; he just felt it had been too long since he’d given a gift, so he had to give one.

He loved giving necklaces most. She didn’t know how he found so many beautiful necklaces, none of them tacky. Sheng Xia had too many to wear.

When asked why he always gave necklaces, Zhang Shu thought for a while, seemingly unable to come up with a good answer, and asked back: “Should I switch to bracelets next time?”

“You don’t need to keep giving gifts.”

Zhang Shu: “Don’t you just like these delicate little things? When you like something, you collect them like stamps, the more the better.”

Sheng Xia fell silent briefly – this person, couldn’t he answer more romantically?

Although she now knew he had no financial problems, she still felt it was wasteful.

During their previous trip to Lianli, she learned that his main source of income was old house rentals. She heard he had participated in the guesthouse design, preserving some old architectural traces, so he was very familiar with the layout of each room.

Hou Junqi also revealed that Zhang Shu had another major source of income from trading game accounts. He had been operating since high school, gradually building credit on gaming forums, and many players used him as a middleman for buying and selling game accounts.

Sheng Xia also knew many game accounts were very valuable, but as a middleman, he couldn’t earn much, right? A few dozen yuan? Very impressive if he could earn over a hundred.

The truth was shocking. Due to frequent problems with runners and account defects in account trading, the more valuable the account, the more cautious the sellers were. They would rather have some fees deducted than sell to individuals, preferring to sell to middlemen. Buyers were also willing to spend more money to ensure they actually received the account and there were no other problems afterward, similar to second-hand luxury goods trading. So Zhang Shu could sometimes earn four figures from buying and selling one account.

This was indeed a business that didn’t require looking at others’ faces.

So Sheng Xia also reciprocated, giving gifts in return when she received them, but always half a beat slower, not hitting the timing right.

For example, their first anniversary had passed by several days before the earphones she bought arrived.

Before buying, she had consulted the knowledgeable Hou Junqi, but right after asking, Tao Zhizhi messaged on WeChat: “Xiaxia, are you buying gifts for Shu-ge again?”

What did she mean by “again”?

Sheng Xia was speechless – couldn’t Hou Junqi keep anything to himself?

“Mm.”

Tao Zhizhi spoke earnestly: “Don’t spoil those stinky men! Even Shu-ge isn’t exempt!”

Spoiled?

Sheng Xia: “Added together, it’s not even worth one Little Mo?”

Tao Zhizhi: “What Little Mo?”

Looks like Hou Junqi didn’t know Zhang Shu bought her a bike either. Let alone these later gifts.

Sheng Xia sent Tao Zhizhi photos of Little Mo.

“My new bike, cool right? Zhang Shu gave it to me.”

Tao Zhizhi: “Observing secretly.jpg”

Tao Zhizhi: “You two talk so similarly…”

Then she sent a screenshot of a conversation, looking at the content, it was several screenshots Hou Junqi had sent to her.

Group name: [Glory to the Group]

Zhang Shu: [Image]

Zhang Shu: New shoes, cool right?

A group of people joined in praising.

Zhang Shu: My wife gave them to me.

A group of people vomiting.

Second screenshot.

Zhang Shu: [Image]

Zhang Shu: New keyboard, cool right?

A group of people joined in praising.

Zhang Shu: My wife customized it.

A group of people: …

Third screenshot.

Zhang Shu: [Image]

Zhang Shu: Couple outfits, are recommended, but don’t buy completely matching ones.

Wu Pengcheng: Nice, link?

Zhang Shu: Let me ask my wife.

Wu Pengcheng: Never mind, get lost.

Han Xiao: Shu-ge, Sheng Xia must be rich, sugar mommy vibes.

Zhang Shu: No touching, get lost.

Liu Hui’an: Why do you keep getting gifts from Sheng Xia? Going for the pretty boy look?

Zhang Shu: Jealousy has twisted your face.

Sheng Xia’s face felt hot reading this.

Wife and all that.

He had never called her that to her face. They rarely used intimate nicknames like other couples because when they were together, they didn’t need to address each other at all.

Only occasionally, during long kisses, in the intervals, would he softly call her baby, darling…

Wife. She had never heard that.

So this was how he referred to her when talking to his friends…

This time she would deliver her wishes on time.

Tao Zhizhi was the first to know the news, directly sharing the chat logs with the group.

[Get Rich Quick Discussion Group]

Tao Zhizhi: “Can’t let me be jealous alone.”

Xin Xiaohe: “Don’t know who to be more jealous of. Whatever, Shu-ge’s going to show off in their group again, then Yang Linyu will cry saying I don’t love him anymore.”

Xiaomai: “Going to East Zhou? Alone? Xia, are you giving him music festival tickets, or giving yourself?”

Sheng Xia: “…”

Lanlan: “I think these ellipses are very meaningful.”

Xin Xiaohe: “Go for it, baby! Shu-ge looks like he’d be good in bed.”

Lanlan: “Screenshot taken, sending to Yang Linyu.”

Xin Xiaohe: “Send it, isn’t it true? Not allowed to say?”

Xiaomai: “LOL, whispers, I think so too.”

Xin Xiaohe: “Don’t whisper now, weren’t you the one in high school speculating about Shu-ge’s certain size?”

Xiaomai: “At this moment, a group member without status has gone offline.jpg”

Tao Zhizhi: “Hahahahahaha!”

Sheng Xia: “Internal discussion, keep it confidential.”

Tao Zhizhi: “I notice my dear bestie hasn’t denied the part about giving herself.”

Lanlan: “Your discovery is remarkable.”

Sheng Xia: “At this moment, a group member without status has gone offline.jpg”

Xin Xiaohe: “Xia, remember to apply body lotion these days, and shave your armpits!”

Xiaomai: “Hahaha you’re such a mood killer!”

Xin Xiaohe: “Precious experience speaking.”

Lanlan: “So, that Yang Linyu, how was he, was he quick?”

Xin Xiaohe: “Honestly, I have no comparison, I don’t know, I’ll wait for Sheng Xia’s triumphant return.”

A group member without status silently lurked, never daring to pop up again.

Zhang Shu’s vacation didn’t start until the end of July, and he stayed a few extra days to help his senior. He originally wanted to stay at school to do more experiments, but missing Sheng Xia too much, he returned to South Li in mid-August.

He sent her his location: “I’m back.”

Sheng Xia: “Rubbing hands.jpg”

Zhang Shu frowned slightly, “Who have you been chatting with lately?”

Sheng Xia: “?”

Zhang Shu: “Your emojis are weird.”

Sheng Xia didn’t answer him, just sent two images, the music festival ticket QR code, and a hotel booking near the venue.

Sheng Xia: “Shall we go to the seaside?”

Zhang Shu was briefly confused, then understood when he saw the music festival date.

The Blue Sea Beach Music Festival had always been good, with bands he liked on the guest list. This time it was being held in neighboring East Zhou, and he had wanted to go, but thinking he should spend that day with her, he gave up the idea.

She was so quiet, and probably wouldn’t like the “wild dancing” environment of a music festival; concerts would suit her better.

Unexpectedly, she had bought tickets and even booked a hotel.

Zhang Shu glanced at the hotel booking.

Deluxe King Room

Date: 8.19-8.20

Guests: 2 persons

“Sheng Xia.” He called her full name.

Sheng Xia: “Too scared to speak.jpg” – an emoji of a little girl shrinking in the corner of a closet, trembling.

Zhang Shu laughed helplessly; this was Xin Xiaohe’s emoji style.

“Only booked one room? King bed?” he still asked, after all, given how muddled she could be, she might have under-booked or booked the wrong room type, in which case he could book another.

Sheng Xia: “Well-behaved.jpg” Ultraman resting chin on hands.

Zhang Shu couldn’t laugh anymore.

Although she couldn’t see him right now, Zhang Shu suddenly tensed his back, feeling a wave of heat. He coughed unnaturally, and seemed dazed for a few seconds, his hand holding the phone dropping unnaturally to his leg.

Then he looked at the chat history again, finally staring at the “Guests: 2 persons,” deciding he should let her know something.

“Sheng Xia, I’m a normal man.”

Sheng Xia: “Affirmation from a grassroots writer.jpg”

Seems she planned to get by with just emojis.

Zhang Shu wanted to see what expression she had right now; her ears were probably purple-red.

That evening, Zhang Shu received files from Hou Junqi, several GB even after compression.

Zhang Shu: “What’s this, trying to crash my computer?”

Hou Junqi: “Valuable study materials, exclusive collection, take it for reference, no need to thank me.”

Zhang Shu: “Don’t need it.”

Hou Junqi: “Oh? So confident? Don’t end up putting the condom on backward.”

Zhang Shu: “…Get lost.”

Hou Junqi: “Don’t disbelieve me, the probability is so high, Yang Linyu did exactly that.”

On the 19th, after lunch, Sheng Xia packed her luggage and went downstairs.

Even for just a one-day trip, she still brought a 20-inch suitcase, while Zhang Shu was light and fresh with just a backpack on his left shoulder. He took her suitcase, held her hand, and hailed a taxi at the roadside, naturally stating the hotel name.

From start to finish, they barely had any conversation, barely even eye contact, because Sheng Xia didn’t dare look at him at all, only speaking up anxiously when she heard the hotel name: “Going straight there by taxi?”

“Mm.”

“We could take a taxi to the station and then take a bus.” Although South Li was close to East Zhou, inter-city taxi fares were expensive!

“Too much hassle, you’ll be tired tonight, save your energy.” Zhang Shu finished speaking, then realized not only was the person in front of him red-faced, but even the taxi driver was eyeing him through the rearview mirror, smiling meaningfully.

Zhang Shu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Sheng Xia’s expression changed from surprise to embarrassment to urgent anxiety “Say something to explain!”, extremely entertaining. Zhang Shu watched her with great interest.

He had planned to add some words of explanation, but now thought, never mind, scaring her was fun, wasn’t she so bold when inviting him?

This indirectly led to silence the whole way; she wouldn’t even drink the water he offered.

After checking in at the hotel and getting the room key, Sheng Xia felt the reality of staying together and started to chicken out.

The hotel was close to the beach, right near the music festival venue. Most people checking in were young people coming for the music festival, almost all in couples.

Seeing others naturally holding hands while checking in together, Sheng Xia’s nervousness eased slightly.

The room had ocean views on three sides, bright and spacious, with sunlight slanting in and sea breeze moving the curtains.

Sheng Xia was puzzled: “I don’t think I booked this room.”

Zhang Shu said casually: “The front desk upgraded us.”

“How come?”

“Maybe they’re tight on rooms. Overbooked the standard rooms.”

Could there be such good luck? Sheng Xia was half skeptical, but her attention was quickly drawn to the incredible ocean view. Zhang Shu carried the luggage while she went straight to the balcony to enjoy the sea breeze.

The two o’clock sun was blazingly white. Sheng Xia stood for a while until she couldn’t take the heat anymore. Just as she was about to return to the room, someone hugged her waist from behind, a head burrowing into her neck, his hair tickling her. She shrank her neck, giggling and dodging to the side, unknowingly doing exactly what he wanted. He cupped her face and gently turned it, lowering his head for a solid kiss.

It was a dry kiss.

He just pressed his lips against hers, grinding heavily, then lightly brushing past, changing spots to caress. From lower lip to corner of the mouth, from nose tip to eye socket, back to lips, lingering a while, then down to neck and ear shell.

His hands slowly relaxed, leaving the back of her head, finding her earlobe, lightly brushing past, making her ear canal buzz…

Sheng Xia’s whole body tensed.

A dry kiss, yet more sticky and wet than any tongue kiss.

She secretly opened her eyes, glimpsing his soft hair glowing in the sunlight, and his slightly reddened ears…

She tilted her head back, accepting his slowly moving head with her beautiful neck, the sea breeze instantly messing up her long hair.

The sun blazed like flames, making Sheng Xia burn hot.

When he released her, her neck was sore. He rested his chin on her shoulder, adjusting his rapid breathing, both hands tightly holding her waist, embracing her fully.

Sheng Xia could feel another blazing flame.

“Want to nap or go out to eat something?” he asked softly.

Sheng Xia was still dazed: “You… can go out?”

A self-mocking laugh sounded in her ear. He gently released her, held her hand, and walked into the room, “I’ll order takeout, it should arrive after we rest for an hour, good timing to go for ticket check after eating.”

“Rest?”

Zhang Shu hugged her as they fell onto the bed, shoes still on, eyes half-closed as he muttered: “Mm, like Xuzhu, rest.”

Sheng Xia: …

After lying quietly for two minutes, he got up to find his phone and order takeout, instructing: “Get some sleep, I’m taking a shower, it’s hot.”

Sheng Xia couldn’t sleep anyway, so she opened her suitcase to change clothes.

To fit in at the music festival, she had prepared “equipment.”

When Zhang Shu came out from his shower, he saw Sheng Xia in a short t-shirt and super-short shorts, high ponytail, navel occasionally visible.

She had a pair of lace-up combat boots beside her, ready to put on.

Hearing movement, Sheng Xia glanced at him. He was wearing knee-length loose sports shorts, walking while pulling on his shirt, the t-shirt hem falling, inch by inch covering each abdominal muscle.

She stared blankly, he also paused, the two people separated by two meters, eyes meeting.

Zhang Shu ran his fingers through his damp hair, spraying a circle of fine mist. He walked over to sit on the bed, looking her up and down, and suddenly pulled her close, “Whose clothes are you wearing?”

Sheng Xia stood between his legs, looking down at his moist face, eyebrows and eyelashes still covered with faint moisture, handsome enough to make one dizzy.

“My clothes.”

“Bought especially?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Zhang Shu frowned slightly.

Sheng Xia pressed her lips together: “Doesn’t look good?”

“No,” Zhang Shu lowered his head, glancing at the dazzlingly white legs, “It’s very sunny outside.”

“It’s fine, I don’t tan easily.”

“You’ll get sunburned.”

“I’ll use sunscreen, I brought it.”

Zhang Shu was momentarily speechless, “Alright then.”

Just talking turned into pulling her head down for endless kisses.

Earlier it was twisting her neck, now it was bending down, Sheng Xia’s neck was so tired!

After eating and drinking their fill, they set off for the music festival venue.

It was Sheng Xia’s first time attending a music festival. She had done lots of research online and brought an inflatable couch, and various snacks and drinks, but unexpectedly everything was confiscated at the entrance, and they ended up entering empty-handed.

“So annoying!”

Zhang Shu held up his phone taking pictures of her angry face. She got more annoyed and reached to grab it, but he quickly held it high. She pounced into his arms, Zhang Shu laughing heartily, naturally holding her.

“How many times have you used this move?”

“Works every time, why not use it.”

He stopped recording and rubbed her head, pulling a lollipop from his pants pocket, “Here.”

Sheng Xia exclaimed in surprise: “How do you still have this?”

“They’re not going to search my pockets, are they?”

“…Do you have any more?”

“No more, any more would be uncivilized.”

Over his white t-shirt, he wore a light blue long-sleeve shirt with sleeves rolled up to mid-forearm.

Sheng Xia felt hot just looking at him, but she supposed that’s how handsome guys were – what’s a little heat compared to maintaining a layered style?

As night fell, the beach was packed with people. Suddenly, an intense electric guitar wave surged forth, and the crowd on the beach erupted – the music festival had begun just like that.

Sheng Xia was lying on the inflatable couch Zhang Shu had just bought, not paying attention at all. She had expected an announcer, so this sound startled her. She screamed and instinctively jumped into his arms, and the next second, her ears were covered by a pair of warm hands.

When the music stabilized to normal output, Zhang Shu released his hands and asked, “Are you adjusting okay?”

Several men and women standing nearby glanced at them with slightly disapproving looks.

Sheng Xia felt a bit embarrassed and looked apologetically at Zhang Shu. She knew he had already chosen a spot far from the main stage and speakers, even though they had VIP tickets and could have stood in the front row.

“It was just sudden, I’m fine now.”

“My ears were shocked too,” Zhang Shu rubbed her earlobe, “Don’t be nervous, just tell me if you’re not having fun, we can leave anytime.”

Sheng Xia shook her head: “How could we? There are bands you like! Besides, it’s lively, it’ll be fun!”

“It’s my first time too, two bumpkins exploring the world of trendy people together,” Zhang Shu comforted her, “The warm-up songs are all a bit intense, there’ll be slower songs later.”

Sheng Xia hugged his waist tighter, mm-hmm, being bumpkins together felt nice.

But he had been to so many live houses and had played in a band himself, how could he be like her? He was just caring for her feelings.

They sat listening to song after song, with Zhang Shu leaving once to bring back snacks.

Sheng Xia was content and suggested: “Your favorite band is coming up, shall we go to the VIP area?”

Zhang Shu: “It’s very noisy and crowded there, it’s fine here.”

Sheng Xia persisted, tugging his arm, “Let’s go!”

Zhang Shu held her hand as they weaved through the crowd of waving arms.

The atmosphere in this area was completely different, everyone seemed to be shouting with their lives, almost every song they could sing along to.

It was like a massive outdoor dance party.

Sheng Xia was indeed uncomfortable, surrounded by body odor and sweat mixed with perfume making her dizzy.

Zhang Shu bent down to ask: “Too crowded, want to go back?”

Sheng Xia shook her head.

Zhang Shu suddenly took off his shirt, shook out the sleeves, tied it around her waist, then crouched in front of her, “Get on.”

“Huh?”

“Giving you a chance to ride on my shoulders.”

Sheng Xia was stunned, following his instructions to straddle and sit on his shoulders, holding his head for balance as he slowly stood up. Her view rose above the crowd of people, becoming expansive.

The stage appeared clear and complete, with colorful heads below in her field of vision.

Wow, so this was the world of tall people.

Many people around looked over, even the crane camera swung toward them, and suddenly Sheng Xia saw herself appear on the big screen.

Screams and cheers came from below, more people looking over in the direction of the crane.

Sheng Xia didn’t know how to react, only looking down at Zhang Shu, “Wuwu what should I do?”

Her shy expression was also completely exposed on the big screen.

“Wave to them, if you’re shy, the director wins.”

When Sheng Xia looked up, the screen had switched back to the stage because the new band had come on!

“It’s your favorite band! A-Shu, can you see like this?”

“Yes.”

“Put me down!”

“No.”

On stage, the band’s lead singer introduced the members, “Without further ado, everyone has fun!”

Then with a drum beat, they began.

“A-Shu, he talks just like you!”

She called out excitedly, body swaying.

Zhang Shu laughed, gripping her legs tighter.

This band had the most fans, with cheers and singing rising and falling around them. Someone was even waving a flag that read: ** saved for the most loved girl.

Sheng Xia felt oddly embarrassed.

As one song ended, the lead singer waved for everyone to quiet down, “Alright, for the next song, you can call someone you like, if they’re here, you can kiss them, if not, look around, fate might be right here.”

With that, not giving the audience time to react, the music began flowing gently, the singer’s voice suddenly turning tender from its previous wildness.

The sea breeze stirred the hot night as hearts were touched by the song.

The crane camera swept around, on the big screen, couples kissed passionately, and strangers went from shocked embarrassment at being filmed to boldly hugging nearby strangers, the atmosphere both intimate and passionate.

Sheng Xia was caught by the camera again, this time she didn’t hide, smiled at the lens, and suddenly looked down, “A-Shu, I want to kiss you.”

Zhang Shu was stunned by this, almost losing his balance, then the next second, he smiled freely, tilting his head back.

Sheng Xia bent down awkwardly, holding his head, and placing a kiss.

On the screen, an exceptionally beautiful girl sat on a boy’s shoulders, the man’s shirt around her waist covering any possible exposure of her bottom, below the shirt hem, two slender white legs hooked around the boy’s strong arms.

The boy’s side profile was sharp and defined, neck craned high with tendons taut, Adam’s apple prominent, large hands gripping the girl’s thighs to maintain her balance, the contrast between their skin tones under the camera’s strong light creating an oil painting-like high contrast.

The scene looked like a music festival promotional poster.

“Nice core strength, handsome!”

“Damn, what a gorgeous couple!”

“Amazing, this pair deserves a place in the divine audience collection.”

Cheers thundered around them.

Many people were taking photos.

Sheng Xia’s heart trembled, the camera had moved away, the screen showing others now, but her heartbeat wouldn’t calm down – had she just kissed him in public on her initiative?

Was that her?

Zhang Shu still had his head tilted back, but unless she bent down, he couldn’t see her at all in this position.

But she could see his smiling lips.

The song ended, yet they hadn’t come down.

They left early, but it wasn’t Sheng Xia who suggested it.

After his favorite band finished, he put her down and whispered in her ear: “Shall we go back?”

Sheng Xia bit her lower lip, understanding his gaze, “Mm.”

He held her hand as they passed through the crowd, attempting to run across the soft sand, but Sheng Xia’s shoes were full of sand and she couldn’t move fast.

Zhang Shu took off his shoes, let her hold them, then picked her up, stepping steadily on the burning sand, walking faster and faster.

In the elevator. Everything seemed to replay, they stood silently on opposite sides.

The difference was, their hands were tightly clasped.

“I’m thinking about something,” Zhang Shu suddenly said.

Sheng Xia couldn’t help smiling, “Oh.”

He was explaining his silence.

“What are you thinking about?” she made conversation.

“You.”

With a “ding,” the elevator reached its floor. Zhang Shu frantically pressed the door open button several times, as if that would make the doors open faster.

He swiped open the room door and stepped aside to let her in first, but seemed to suddenly regret it, not waiting for her to enter before pulling her between his chest and the wall. He slammed the door shut, hands bracing against the wall, his breath instantly closing in, accurately capturing her lips in the darkness, sucking on her lower lip.

“A-Shu…”

“Mm?”

She tilted her head back, hands instinctively clutching his waist. Zhang Shu’s mouth movements turned fierce, sucking until her lower lip went numb, making her moan softly.

His tongue invaded accordingly, tangling with hers, not letting her escape at all, pursuing and sucking. Still not feeling enough, he wrapped her waist, held her head, and kissed her, their noses colliding and pressing awkwardly, he turned his head to change the angle, kissing more fiercely.

But today felt like his heart was empty, no amount of kissing was satisfying, and desire seemed impossible to fill.

Sheng Xia also felt today was especially different, her body wanting to be infinitely close to him, arms around his waist tightening more and more. She stepped forward, lightly rising on tiptoes to meet his kiss. He noticeably paused, and she took the chance to extend her tongue, entering his mouth, learning his movements, sucking his lip, flicking her tongue tip, entangling with his, licking…

“Sheng Xia…”

“A-Shu, I want to kiss you.”

With a “click,” she heard the sound of the key card entering the slot and powering on.

Then the room lights came on, he reached out “click click click” turning off several, leaving only one-floor lamp.

While doing all this, he didn’t leave her lips, eyes open, seeing her lost in his embrace, his blood uncontrollably surging and boiling in that moment.

Sheng Xia felt her body suddenly lift off the ground, and she once again wrapped around him like an octopus.

Zhang Shu laughed shortly: “So clingy? No bones?”

“Mm, none.”

He carried her into the room, removing her shoes as they walked.

His lips pressed back against hers, kissing deeply as they fell… she lay down, legs still hooked around him.

He propped himself up, his gaze unfocused yet seeming to lock onto her, “Baby, shall we try, okay?”

Sheng Xia’s eyes held his handsome features, his breath in her nostrils.

What was he saying?

She hadn’t heard clearly, only thought it sounded nice and wanted to hear more.

She gazed at him in confusion. Zhang Shu leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Let’s try, not just kissing, okay?”

“Boom—”

Something inside Sheng Xia’s heart was shattered, collapsing with a thunderous crash.

He was asking her if it was okay.

“Can we? Baby, baby…”

“Darling…”

“Look at me?”

He kept calling to her, covering her with delicate kisses, his warm breath making Sheng Xia tremble again and again.

“Mm…”

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, slipping into Zhang Shu’s ear, pecking at him, causing both numbness and tickling, making him want to catch it and take revenge.

The sea breeze grew more reckless as the night deepened, whistling through the curtains, making them flutter and snap.

Sheng Xia had diligently applied body lotion for several days, and it seemed to have worked wonders, as he couldn’t keep his hands off her. He spent so long just looking that she grew impatient and kicked his face away with her foot.

Zhang Shu realized that the study materials Hou Junqi had given him were completely useless.

Because his mind went blank, and everything was purely instinctual.

He regretted not studying them more, leading to a moment of uncertainty, his natural talent paralyzed by excessive concern.

Nervous, clumsy, flustered.

All these words that shouldn’t belong to Zhang Shu were now etched upon him.

Sheng Xia lay on the pillow after her shower, not wanting to move.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom, accompanied by his light humming.

How could he still be in the mood to sing?

The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became.

Zhang Shu came out of the bathroom… and suddenly planted several kisses on her face.

He propped himself up on one side, “Where, where is it broken? Let me see. Weren’t you supposed to be boneless? How could anything break?”

“Zhang Shu!”

“Hmm?” His eyes couldn’t hide his smile, “Say it again.”

“Zhang! Shu!”

“Mm, good girl.”

He planted another kiss on her with a smack, lying down contentedly, nuzzling into her neck, and gently massaging her hands.

“Let me rub your bones, go to sleep.”

His palms were very warm, and the massage felt quite comfortable. Sheng Xia briefly dozed off in her exhaustion, then suddenly opened her eyes and turned to look at him. Sure enough, she found him staring at her intently. Sheng Xia’s lips curved into a smile.

“Didn’t you say all your bones were broken? What are you smiling about?”

Sheng Xia pulled up the blanket to cover her eyes.

He pulled the blanket down, persistently asking, “What are you smiling about?”

Sheng Xia blinked her eyes, “Just… happy birthday, A-Shu.”

Zhang Shu rolled over, propping himself up to frame her head, cupping her face, his fingers tracing her eyebrows over and over.

“How are you so beautiful?” he murmured.

Sheng Xia remained still, “You’re handsome too.”

Zhang Shu’s lips curved into a smile, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, “You’re indeed the best gift I’ve ever received.”

He played with her hair, running his fingers from the top of her head to behind her ears, “But that’s not what I meant. You’re not just a birthday gift, you’re yourself.”

Sheng Xia looked at him, “I know.”

She hadn’t thought of herself as just a gift either; she just felt that when things were right, there was no need to be coy.

It just happened to be on this day.

“Do you know when I first wanted to marry you?” he asked casually.

Sheng Xia’s heart tightened unexpectedly at this sudden change of topic.

She didn’t guess, and he didn’t wait for her to speak, continuing on his own: “When you said you could get jealous too.”

Sheng Xia couldn’t immediately recall the moment.

He added: “At the hospital.”

At the hospital, when she had said pitifully that she could get jealous too, she knew what jealousy was.

At that time, he realized that he didn’t just like her – he had to marry this girl.

“Why?” she asked. She couldn’t understand what was so special about being jealous.

“Because I wanted to have you, but was afraid of scaring you away. Yet as long as you showed even the slightest intention of coming closer to me, I knew I could never let go.”

Sheng Xia woke up once in the early hours because it was too hot.

She carefully removed his arm and was about to turn over when he pulled her back again.

She turned her head, thinking he was awake, but his eyes were closed, his breathing deep – he was still asleep.

She turned to face him completely. They hadn’t turned off the light last night, so she could see him very clearly now.

His thick black eyebrows, translucent white eyelids, long thick eyelashes, and straight nose bridge with just the right amount of prominence.

So handsome.

Especially his nose – how could anyone have such a perfect nose? Whether from the side or front, it was a shape that even plastic surgery clinics couldn’t replicate in their models.

She pulled her hand out from under the blanket, feeling that it was no longer sore.

Just as she was about to poke his prominent nose bridge, her attention was caught by the shiny thin chain on her wrist.

A silver bracelet with a jasmine flower charm.

It certainly hadn’t appeared out of nowhere.

It was his birthday, yet how did he end up giving her a gift again?

Sheng Xia leaned in and kissed the tip of his nose.

Zhang Shu sniffled and woke up, his eyes a bit dazed, but his arms instinctively tightened around her. He glanced at the window, but the thick curtains blocked out all light. “Is it dawn?”

Sheng Xia shook her head, “No.”

He shifted his arm, “Then why not sleep a bit more?”

“I’m so hot, can you let go of me to sleep?” she negotiated.

Zhang Shu gave her a look that seemed to say “What nonsense are you talking about,” reached out to adjust the air conditioning control panel by the bed, lowered the temperature a bit, and completely encircled her again, “Now you won’t be hot.”

Sheng Xia was uncomfortable, shaking her legs under the blanket, trying to let the cool air in.

Zhang Shu sighed through his nose, “You’ve woken me up.”

Sheng Xia’s eyes widened.

Mmm—

After that, regardless of whether she was hot or not, Sheng Xia slept especially deeply, not waking until nine.

Her body was completely free, he wasn’t in bed, and looking around, there was no one in the room.

Sheng Xia wanted to get up and wash up, but after rubbing her waist, she felt so tired that she fell back into bed lazily, picking up her phone to check messages.

Both dormitory group chats had 99+ message notifications.

University dormitory group:

Liao Jing: “She’s probably not awake yet. She’ll be shocked when she is.”

Zhong Lujie: “Overnight sensation.”

Liao Jing: “Save it as your screensaver!”

Sheng Xia was confused and scrolled up.

It turned out that last night’s Blue Sea Music Festival had trended, with many people discussing the audience interaction segment, and their kissing photo had the highest engagement.

It wasn’t exactly viral, but anyone who knew them could recognize them. People in the Literature Department’s large group chat were asking if that girl was Sheng Xia.

Even Wu Qiuyuan messaged to ask: “Sis? Did you go to the Blue Sea Music Festival? Weren’t you supposed to be at home writing your thesis?”

No hiding it now.

Fortunately, middle-aged people generally don’t pay attention to this kind of news.

The [Sudden Wealth Experience Sharing Group] was even more lively; Sheng Xia barely dared to open it.

The top messages were full of exclamation marks and flattery, these women going crazy in the group chat late at night.

The later messages were all calling for Sheng Xia.

Xin Xiaohe: “Stop calling, she doesn’t have the energy to check her phone right now!”

Xiao Mai: “Waaah, I don’t understand, I don’t understand!”

Lan Lan: “She’s been gone for three hours now, is there someone who can go three hours in the evening without checking their phone?”

Xin Xiaohe: “Three hours? Did Shu-ge take drugs?”

Tao Zhizhi: “Is there a possibility that they just fell asleep?”

Xin Xiaohe: “I’d rather believe Shu-ge is naturally gifted.”

Xiao Mai: “Going to sleep that early? We started calling her after nine, you know?”

Around nine, they had indeed just gotten back then.

But three hours? Not that long, not that long.

The process was quite complicated – he ruined several of those things, either because he couldn’t figure out which way was front or back, or it would slip down, or it was too tight.

She didn’t dare look, she didn’t dare ask.

Just waited.

That time, thinking back on it was somewhat embarrassing, but at the moment she had only felt nervous.

And this room, with two floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony, outside was an endless view of sea and sky, lying in bed was romantic and enchanting, but if…

She couldn’t be more embarrassed.

She couldn’t remember how many times she had begged him to close both layers of curtains!

After that things went much more smoothly, but she was still in pain, so they had to try other methods. In any case, they did dawdle away most of the night.

She was too embarrassed to reply to the messages, choosing to play dead instead.

Just then, Zhang Shu returned from outside, bringing back a table full of breakfast.

“Getting up?” he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Sheng Xia rolled over, “Can I not get up?”

“Sure, I’ll extend our stay.”

Sheng Xia scrambled up, rushing to wash up: “No, no, no.”

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