Chapter 24 "He actually took the opportunity to kiss me."...

Caught off guard, Sheng Yu paused for a moment upon hearing her voice before saying, "You sleep, I'm not sleepy yet."

Tang Ci still held his wrist, glanced blankly out the dark window, then turned to look at him: "So what are you going to do?"

The room was really small, so Sheng Yu let her pull him along. He reached for his phone on the coffee table, turned on the screen, and waved it in front of her: "Let's play some games."

Tang Ci disapproved of his late-night gaming, but respected it. She rubbed her eyes and said, "I'll keep you company."

As she spoke, she climbed out of the covers completely, sat cross-legged properly, and looked as if she were willing to risk her life to accompany a gentleman.

Sheng Yu had no choice but to sit down, move his phone in front of her, open a mobile game he often played, and show her the beginner rules.

Tang Ci said he would keep him company, and he really meant it. He leaned in close, studying the game rules on the screen intently. His messy hair, still wet from sleep, fell down his ears, the ends dangling from his wrists and rubbing back and forth.

Sheng Yu glanced at her sideways but didn't push her away.

Tang Ci was completely confused. When she saw Sheng Yu's login time in the game, her brow furrowed: "Why do you always play games at dawn? Do you have insomnia?"

Sheng Yu watched as her small, delicate face scrunched up, as if she were lecturing him, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

"Worried about me?"

Tang Ci nodded and said "Mm", her cheek almost brushing against his arm: "If you stay up late, you won't be able to concentrate on your studies during the day."

Sheng Yu rubbed his fingertips on the smooth bed sheet and chuckled, "Didn't you buy me some calming oral liquid?"

Tang Ci's face flushed slightly. After pausing for two seconds, she asked, "Are you still sleepy after you finish drinking it? The shop assistant said it's very effective for treating insomnia."

Perhaps because she was embarrassed, she spoke her words in a muffled way, with the last syllable stuck together, like a half-melted marshmallow.

Sheng Yu felt as if her heart was enveloped by a half-melted piece of candy, and her heartbeat slowed down. She didn't like this unfamiliar feeling and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Don't believe everything you hear."

Tang Ci clutched the corner of the blanket and dejectedly let out an "Oh".

Sheng Yu raised an eyebrow: "But it is indeed somewhat useful."

Tang Ci raised her head again, her dark eyes shining, and said hesitantly and cautiously, "Then I'll buy it for you again..."

Sheng Yu smirked, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

Tang Ci wasn't really interested in the game, so she simply sat next to him and watched. The old-fashioned air conditioner in the room hummed softly, and the stuffy heat surrounded the two of them.

Sheng Yu played the game quietly, his fingertips moving swiftly and skillfully to kill enemies. Occasionally, a cheer would come through the receiver. After Tang Ci's senses adjusted to the sounds of the game, her eyelids began to droop.

Sheng Yu was playing games to pass the time. After finishing a few matches, he switched out of the game. Suddenly, he felt a weight on his shoulder, and a soft, shallow breath slowly and evenly brushed against his neck.

Tang Ci's head was resting on his shoulder; she was fast asleep.

Sheng Yu pinched the back of her neck, turned to the side and hugged her waist, preparing to put her back on the bed.

Tang Ci was fast asleep, letting him do as he pleased, her body softly pressed against his, her head tilted against his chest, her moist lips brushing against his Adam's apple.

Before she fell asleep, she frequently licked her lips because her skin was dry from the air conditioning.

Sheng Yu felt an electric shock run through his spine, and his temples throbbed twice, while the back of his neck felt slightly numb.

He frowned, suppressing his breathing, and tucked Tang Ci back into bed. Standing by the bed, he looked down at her sleeping face, which was flushed with color. A few seconds later, he reached out and rubbed her pale lips until they turned red, only then did he feel the burning desire in his heart subside slightly.

The morning sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps in the curtains. When Tang Ci woke up, Sheng Yu was not in the room.

Having learned from her previous experience, she got out of bed and looked around the room. She saw two scarves hanging on a clothes rack, one on top of the other, and realized that Sheng Yu had gone out to buy breakfast, just like last time.

After Tang Ci finished washing up, she was wiping her face with a tissue when a ding sounded from the front door. Sheng Yu pushed the door open and entered, carrying a steaming hot breakfast.

Their eyes met, and Tang Ci politely said, "You're back."

Sheng Yu: "Have breakfast after you wash up."

Tang Ci nodded and threw the tissue into the trash can. Sheng Yu raised an eyebrow and said, "Don't you think our conversation sounds like that of a married couple?"

Her ears and neck flushed bright red. Tang Ci's fingertips touched the wet sink. She opened her mouth, but after a long pause, she finally managed to utter, "Husband and wife... what husband and wife..."

Sheng Yu laughed frankly: "Just kidding."

"Oh..." The heat in her body gradually subsided, and Tang Ci mechanically closed the door, not forgetting to explain, "I haven't washed my face yet."

Sheng Yu looked at her damp bangs and her clean face still flushed, and politely raised the corners of his lips: "Wash yourself properly."

The coffee table was small. During breakfast, Tang Ci sat opposite Sheng Yu, deliberately keeping a certain distance, and buried herself in her food.

Sheng Yu watched her silently fill her stomach with the food on the table and asked in a low voice, "Is that enough to eat?"

Tang Ci, biting her straw, looked up and hurriedly stopped at his Adam's apple: "That's enough."

Tang Ci was startled when her chin was suddenly lifted. She choked on her milk and coughed awkwardly, "Wh...what's wrong?"

Sheng Yu looked directly into her eyes, took out a tissue and wiped her lips: "You got milk on them."

Tang Ci snatched the tissue from his hand, covering half of her face, and said hesitantly with her head down, "Thank you, I can do it myself."

Her movements were hasty; her pink ear tips peeked out from her hair, only to be covered again by strands when she turned her head. She was just like a rabbit fleeing in panic when targeted by a hunter.

Sheng Yu threw the trash into the trash can, stood up lazily, and walked ahead of her when they went out.

Several taxis were parked at the street corner. Sheng Yu hailed one nearby, opened the back door for Tang Ci first, and then went to the passenger seat.

The commercial street is not far from the school, and they leave early, but they encounter the morning rush hour. The taxi was stuck in traffic for 15 minutes in the busy area, and by the time they arrived at the school gate, it was already close to the morning reading session.

Having skipped class last night, Tang Ci couldn't be late again this morning. As soon as the car stopped, she hurriedly got off, said "I'm leaving first" to Sheng Yu, and rushed towards the school gate.

After running a few steps, he turned back and bumped his head into Sheng Yu's arms.

Sheng Yu gripped her shoulders and clicked his tongue, "Why are you running back and forth?"

Tang Ci took a deep breath, pulled Sheng Yu under the holly branches, and pointed to the gate for him to see.

At the school gate not far away, Zheng Shuyao and several girls from her class were chatting and laughing as they entered.

Sheng Yu crossed his arms: "?"

Tang Ci bent down and quickly took off her scarf, stuffing it into her schoolbag. She whispered like a thief, "If our classmates see that we're wearing the same scarf, we'll have trouble explaining ourselves."

Sheng Yu raised an eyebrow: "What did we do that we can't explain?"

Tang Ci's jaw tightened, her fingertips gripping her sleeve, unable to speak.

Sheng Yu zipped her coat up to the top, covering her small face and revealing only her round, dark eyes. Then she bent down to look her in the eye and said, "Now that you've reminded me, I do remember that you really did something inappropriate to me last night."

Tang Ci exclaimed, "Huh?" Her eyes widened, and she hurriedly asked, "What is it?"

Sheng Yu straightened up and looked down at her: "You snuggled into my arms as soon as you fell asleep, and I kindly carried you to sleep. Guess what happened?"

Tang Ci swallowed hard: "Wh-what's wrong?"

Sheng Yu narrowed his eyes: "You actually took the opportunity to kiss me."

Tang Ci nearly lost her balance, frantically grabbing the holly trunk for support, and asked in a weak voice, "Where...where did I kiss you?"

Sheng Yu raised his hand and tapped her forehead: "Think about it carefully."

Tang Ci, feeling awkward and hesitant, lowered her eyes and sincerely admitted her mistake: "I will think about it carefully, I'm really sorry."

Tang Ci spent all three breaks between classes ruminating, still unable to recall her misdeeds from the previous night.

In contrast, Sheng Yu had a faint bluish tinge around his eyes and looked tired as he reviewed his studies. Tang Ci felt increasingly guilty as she looked at him, realizing that she had not only taken the only bed last night but had also taken advantage of someone else.

This guilt reached its peak in English class. As always, Old Man Jiang couldn't tolerate any wrongdoing. When he entered the classroom and saw Sheng Yu slumped over the desk, he immediately became furious and slammed his handouts on the podium.

"Sheng Yu! You've only improved your grades a little and you're already getting arrogant?! Stand up and listen to the lesson."

Sheng Yu drowsily lifted his eyelids, his forehead veins throbbing from Jiang Jun's loud voice. He pulled out his English textbook, waved it at the podium, and took the initiative to call a truce.

Jiang Jun snorted and gave up, then opened his textbook and began the lesson.

Zou Qiang, sitting in the front row, turned around with a smug look on his face, only to see Sheng Yu's irritated expression instantly turn back. He muttered a curse under his breath.

Tang Ci kept her eyes fixed on the podium, her thin back ramrod straight. She only relaxed when Jiang Jun turned to write on the blackboard, and cautiously turned her head to look at Sheng Yu: "If you're sleepy, take a nap."

Sheng Yu leaned back lazily in her chair, glanced at him, and deliberately frowned as she asked, "What if I fall behind in my studies?"

This statement was so shocking that Zhou Yiyang, sitting in the front row, turned around in disbelief and said, "What are you talking about? I haven't seen you for a night, and I almost don't recognize you anymore."

Sheng Yu twisted his wrist and smashed the eraser in his hand at his head: "Listen to your lesson."

Zhou Yiyang leaned back to avoid the eraser, and only then did he see the close posture of Tang Ci and Sheng Yu. He smiled amusedly and turned away, no longer wanting to disturb them.

Tang Ci didn't notice Zhou Yiyang's gaze, maintained her original posture, and showed the notebook to Sheng Yu: "I'm taking notes for you."

Sheng Yu glanced at her notes and said calmly, "I dare not sleep."

Tang Ci thought he was afraid of Jiang Jun, so she held his face in her palm and gestured to him: "You can sleep with your chin up, I'll wake you when Teacher Jiang comes."

"It's not that I'm afraid of him."

Tang Ci: "Hmm?"

Sheng Yu looked at her calmly, his voice drawn out and slow: "I'm afraid you'll steal a kiss from me while I'm asleep."

Tang Ci buried her face in the crook of her elbow for a while before recovering. Her face flushed, she quickly wrote a line in her notebook, tore it off, and put it on Sheng Yu's desk, ignoring him completely.

Sheng Yu picked it up and read it without making a sound.

I, Tang Ci, hereby solemnly guarantee that I will never again engage in any inappropriate behavior towards Sheng Yu.

"..."

Sheng Yu looked at Tang Ci's profile, which was focused on the blackboard without looking to the side, sneered, and crumpled her guarantee.

/

During the long break between classes, Tang Ci didn't say a single word to Sheng Yu about anything other than studying.

After finishing the morning exercises, Tang Ci was called away by Song Ke to help move some materials. When they went to the teacher's office together, Song Ke asked with concern, "Tang Ci, where did you go during evening self-study yesterday?"

Tang Ci's morning was filled with Sheng Yu's affairs, and she had almost forgotten about skipping class. When Song Ke asked, she was startled: "I... had something to do at home. Did the substitute teacher ask about me?"

Song Ke nodded: "I told you you asked for leave for me. Don't do this again next time. If it's urgent, you can tell me in advance."

Tang Ci lowered her eyes: "It was my fault, I won't do it again next time."

Song Ke sighed, his gaze flickering as he looked at Tang Ci: "Do you still remember the days when we worked hard together in junior high school? We both wanted to change our destiny and get into a good university. You mustn't do anything foolish at this crucial moment."

The corridor was filled with the north wind of early winter. Tang Ci's face was pale, and her hands were tucked nervously into her coat pockets. She said softly, "No, I know what I'm doing."

Song Ke forced a smile, noticing she was cold, and handed her a pair of blue woolen gloves from his coat pocket: "Put these on, you won't be cold when you get the documents later."

Tang Ci nodded, took the gift, and silently went back to the classroom with Song Ke to get the materials.

A group of boys were chatting in the corridor. Sheng Yu was surrounded by them in the center, casually drinking water and listening to their idle chatter with an indifferent expression.

Song Ke's deskmate, a boy with sharp eyes, noticed the gloves on Tang Ci's hands as she passed by and said with a grin, "The class monitor is so thoughtful, he even knows to give his gloves to the girl."

Teenage boys tend to make fun of every little thing. The boy's words didn't cause a ripple; Song Ke just turned around and gave him a helpless glare.

Tang Ci was lost in thought and didn't realize the boy was talking about her. Without looking up, she quietly followed Song Ke into the classroom.

When the preparatory bell rang, Sheng Yu returned to the classroom and casually threw the crushed mineral water bottle into the trash can.

With a clang.

The boy behind him was startled and looked at Zhou Yiyang, mouthing, "What's wrong, Brother Yu?"

Zhou Yiyang chuckled and waved his hand, "I dare not say."

Tang Ci didn't notice the commotion around her and kept her head down, preparing for her studies. It wasn't until she heard the sound of a chair scraping against the floor that she slightly raised her eyes.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sheng Yu sit down, and then she lowered her eyes again.

Two soft coughs suddenly came from beside me, and I could hear that the voices were slightly hoarse.

Tang Ci suddenly stopped turning the pages and turned to look.

Sheng Yu clenched his fist, pressed it to his lips, and coughed again.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Tang Ci disregarded the safe distance, reaching her elbow through the gap between their desks to get a closer look at Sheng Yu's face: "Do you have a cold?"

Sheng Yu lowered his hand, his gaze falling on her furrowed brows: "Perhaps."

Thinking that he probably caught a cold because he didn't have a blanket to cover himself with last night, Tang Ci felt a pang of sadness in her heart. Her hands, which were resting on the table, unconsciously curled up. She asked in a soft voice, "Do you have any other symptoms besides coughing?"

Sheng Yu rested his chin on his hand, his dark eyes lowered, his gaze lingering on her slender, pale hands for a moment before he looked up to meet her eyes: "It's a little cold."

Tang Ci pointed to the scarf that he had casually stuffed into the drawer: "Then you should put on the scarf, it will make you warmer."

Sheng Yu didn't move, tapping the table with her fingertip: "My hands are cold."

"..." Tang Ci looked around and asked for his opinion, "Shall I lend you a pair of gloves?"

"Troublesome." Sheng Yu frowned slightly, then reached out his hand to her as if there was no other way: "Want me some warmth?"