Jiang Yubai held the glass and silently drank a sip of orange juice before asking, “What kind of swimwear are you talking about?”

Jiang Yubai was a meticulous person. He knew that swimwear had several classifications, such as the “sharkskin swimsuit” that once dominated Olympic swimming competitions, and the “diving suit” that covered the entire body. He tried hard to maintain the appearance of a proper person, but couldn’t resist Lin Zhixia’s light comment: “The most common style, a pair of shorts.”

She raised her palm, pressing it against her waist: “Starting from here…” Her finger moved downward, stopping at her leg: “And ending here.”

Her skin was like fine white jade, and her fingernails like softly glowing, rosy pearls. She gently grasped the folds of her dress hem, describing the imagined scene without hesitation.

She said: “When you swim in the pool, your swimsuit gets wet…”

At this point, she paused, and Jiang Yubai asked: “When are you free? Let’s go swimming together.”

Lin Zhixia honestly said, “I’ve never learned to swim.”

Jiang Yubai was more enthusiastic than a gym staff member: “Do you want to learn? I’ll teach you.”

Lin Zhixia didn’t immediately agree. She asked very seriously: “Do you have a coaching certificate?”

Of course, he didn’t.

That was an oversight on his part.

Jiang Yubai planned to obtain a “swimming coach certificate” as soon as possible. After getting certified, he could provide one-on-one coaching to Lin Zhixia—this desire came urgently and strongly. But his tone remained serious: “I’ll get certified first, then be your coach. Swimming is an important survival skill and can strengthen your body…”

Lin Zhixia smiled brightly: “You would get certified for me?”

Jiang Yubai defended himself: “More skills never hurt.”

Lin Zhixia laughed out loud, “Hahaha.” She took his left hand, smoothed out his palm, and pressed it against her cheek.

Jiang Yubai could hardly control the pleasure that spontaneously arose in his heart. But his movements when touching her remained awkward, slow, and hesitant, as if exploring a priceless, rare treasure. He had known Lin Zhixia for many years and had gradually formed a belief—”he mustn’t make her feel afraid, and even more, must not bring her negative influences.”

Lin Zhixia then cupped his right hand and said softly: “I know you treat me the best.”

These words nearly melted his heart.

He traced from her cheek to the back of her neck, bent down, and kissed her forehead. Her smile grew sweeter as she fell into his embrace, feeling his arms warm and reliable. Her body and mind completely relaxed, secretly rejoicing that this moment of tenderness would be permanently preserved in her memory.

So, she sincerely said, “I like you so much.”

In front of Jiang Yubai, Lin Zhixia was accustomed to expressing herself directly. Whatever she said was safe—this was a fact she had repeatedly verified.

She tilted her ear, pressed tightly against his chest, curiously eavesdropping on his heartbeat.

He guessed her intention and asked: “Can you hear it?”

Lin Zhixia began counting with each beat: “Thump, thump, thump… the heartbeat is getting faster.”

Jiang Yubai felt as if she had glimpsed his secret. He felt his blood flowing vigorously, his energy boundless, with no outlet for release. He couldn’t help but raise his head, looking toward the blank ceiling, not sparing even the slightest glance for Lin Zhixia.

Lin Zhixia was already in his arms; if he kept staring at her, he didn’t know what he might do.

Yet Lin Zhixia asked him: “What are you thinking about?”

Jiang Yubai attempted to conceal: “Nothing.”

She questioned: “Really?”

He revealed: “I’m thinking… about messy things.”

He almost said, “My thoughts aren’t clean.” To maintain his image in Lin Zhixia’s heart, he dared not speak directly and could only use the phrase “messy things” as a slight cover.

Lin Zhixia stood up from her seat and walked to the side of the single bed. She grabbed a strawberry pillow and responsibly suggested: “Let me teach you the steps of meditation. Last night, through meditation, I organized the messy thoughts in my head…”

Lin Zhixia had misunderstood Jiang Yubai’s meaning.

Jiang Yubai went along with the misunderstanding. Following Lin Zhixia’s suggestion, he took off his shoes, sat cross-legged on her bed, and closed his eyes with her. She slowed her tone and said, “Meditation can regulate your mood and reduce your stress. First step, empty your mind and adjust your breathing…”

But Jiang Yubai said, “I can’t empty my mind.”

“Why not?” Lin Zhixia opened her eyes.

She tilted her head and looked at him.

He silently gazed at her.

Lin Zhixia felt a vague sense of danger, retreated an inch, but her demeanor remained strong: “I am now Teacher Lin, and if you don’t tell me your problem, how can the teacher help you solve it?”

Jiang Yubai gently pushed away the blanket behind him, causing a small penguin plush toy to roll to the corner of the bed. He moved closer to Lin Zhixia and whispered something in her ear, instantly making her face flush red. She knelt on the bed, not knowing where to put her hands, and he asked her: “Is it okay?”

He reiterated his request: “May I kiss you?”

Lin Zhixia probably had some premonition. The “kiss” Jiang Yubai mentioned was not a quick one or two-second touch like a dragonfly skimming water, but the kind commonly seen in TV dramas—long, intense, inseparable entanglement. She wasn’t mentally prepared yet, and Jiang Yubai murmured: “Never mind. If I make you uncomfortable, you won’t forget it…”

Before Jiang Yubai could finish, Lin Zhixia grabbed his collar: “Don’t jump to conclusions, let me experience it once.”

Just like the first day of their intimate contact, Jiang Yubai kissed the corner of her lips. He didn’t hold her waist or back, originally intending to make it easier for her to withdraw at any time, but her entire body went soft, gradually falling onto the bed, her black hair spreading messily, making the sheets and pillows appear whiter.

Jiang Yubai bent his left arm at the elbow, supporting himself on the bed, and lowered his head to kiss her rosy lips. Even the finest rose extract couldn’t compare to even a ten-thousandth of this wonderful taste. All his previous tossing and turning, fantasies, and restraint found brief relief in this moment.

At first, Lin Zhixia had some trouble breathing, but fortunately, she was particularly skilled at adjusting her state. Soon, she found the knack for kissing. She held Jiang Yubai’s shoulders, unconsciously gripping his clothes tightly, creating creases. Immersed in the unprecedented sensory impact, she still remembered to honestly express: “I feel very comfortable, I want to kiss you again.”

She pressed her fingertips against his lips, and he seized her hand, kissing the back of it.

A faint blush appeared on Lin Zhixia’s cheeks.

Feeling somewhat shy, she turned to lie on her side, with Jiang Yubai lying behind her. The dormitory’s single bed was narrow, and she haphazardly caught his hand and placed it on her waist. He held her tighter and called out to her: “Xiaxia.”

Lin Zhixia didn’t respond.

Jiang Yubai persisted: “Xiaxia.”

Lin Zhixia turned back to face him: “I’m right here.”

He looked at her and smiled.