Chapter 44 "But I've already fallen in love with you."...

Once the third mock exam is over, high school seniors will officially begin the countdown to the college entrance examination.

On the day the results were released, Tang Ci was called to Lao Xu's office for a talk.

Compared to her previous top ranking, she dropped to second place in the third mock exam. Her total score was not much different from before, but Lao Xu was most afraid that Tang Ci would lose her composure because of this.

"I heard from Teacher Zhou, the proctor, that you fell asleep during the last exam?" Old Xu asked worriedly as he closed the office door behind him after she came in.

Tang Ci explained wearily, "I had already finished the exam paper at that time."

“You weren’t like this before.” Old Xu unscrewed the thermos and took a sip of cold water: “Before, no matter how small the exam was, you were always the last to hand in your paper, and you would check it several times after you finished writing it.”

“Take a look for yourself. You lost points on both of these questions because of carelessness. You could have noticed it if you had just checked them.” Old Xu walked to his desk and unfolded her test paper.

Tang Ci glanced at the bright red cross on the paper: "It was indeed my oversight."

Looking at her obedient and demure appearance, Old Xu's heart softened: "Tang Ci, the college entrance examination is just around the corner, you absolutely can't let us down, you know? Tell your teacher, is there anything wrong at home lately?"

Ever since Tang Jianwei caused a scene in the office, Lao Xu has always looked at her with concern, and whenever her grades fluctuate slightly, he immediately suspects that Tang Jianwei has caused some trouble again.

Tang Ci shook her head: "He's been out of town for the past few months, and I haven't seen him."

Old Xu breathed a sigh of relief, but his brows were still furrowed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the chocolates his son had brought back from his trip abroad on the table, took a box and stuffed it into her hand: "Besides studying, you also need to pay more attention to rest, and make sure you eat well and get enough nutrition. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Tang Ci held the heavy box of chocolates, her nose slightly tingling with emotion: "I understand, thank you, Teacher Xu."

Old Xu waved his hand: "Go back quickly, I won't take up your break time."

Tang Ci came out of the office and bumped into a group of boys going upstairs.

Before Sheng Yu could even look at her, Zhou Yiyang had already whistled: "Little Tang Ci, you've been eating alone in the office?"

The box of chocolates in her hand immediately became a hot potato. Tang Ci held it blankly, looking like she wanted to hide it but was too embarrassed to. After hesitating for a few seconds, Tang Ci handed the chocolates to them: "Do you want some?"

"Eat it." Zhou Yiyang reached out and took it.

The other boys also gathered around, each taking a piece. The boys weren't picky; they simply tore open the packaging and threw the chocolates into their mouths, instantly filling the corridor with the rich aroma of chocolate.

Sheng Yu stood with his hands in his pockets, neither speaking nor moving.

Tang Ci looked into the box and saw there was only one piece left. She then held it out to him and asked, "Aren't you going to eat it?"

Sheng Yu lazily lowered her eyes and reluctantly took the chocolate.

He slowly unwrapped the packaging, then threw the wrapper into the trash can. As he raised his hand, he touched her forehead with the back of his hand, and his brow immediately furrowed: "Why do you still have a fever?"

As the weather gets hotter day by day, a heat-related cold has broken out in Nanling. The virus is spreading rapidly, and nearly half of the students in the school have been infected.

Tang Ci had a persistent fever and fatigue due to complications from nephritis, which was also the reason she fell asleep during the exam. She didn't know how to explain it, but the flu happened to be the perfect excuse.

After tilting his head back slightly, Tang Ci said in a muffled voice, "It'll be soon."

"How many days has it been?" Sheng Yu asked, dissatisfied with her evasive attitude. He braced his palms against the railing, cornering her against the wall.

Tang Ci held up her ten fingers, pretending to think as she calculated, "It seems like only three days?"

“For at least five days, I’ll take you home every day,” Sheng Yu sneered. “Don’t I know your situation?”

"I really forgot." Tang Ci lowered her eyebrows and eyes, her attitude of admitting her mistake sincere.

"Come to the hospital with me." Sheng Yu grabbed her wrist without room for argument and led her downstairs.

Seeing this, the boys playing around nearby laughed and whistled, teasing, "Brother Yu, showing off your love at school!"

Tang Ci's ears turned bright red as Sheng Yu pulled her down a flight of stairs. Once they were completely out of sight, she grabbed Sheng Yu's arm and said, "It's just a minor illness, why go to the hospital?"

Sheng Yu glanced at her sideways: "What are you afraid of about a minor illness?"

My heart skipped a beat, and my nerves snapped on edge.

Tang Ci swallowed hard and stammered, "I'm not afraid."

"Then go get a checkup." Sheng Yu squinted his eyes: "And have your underlying medical conditions checked as well."

Tang Ci's breathing instantly became erratic, and the laughter and commotion coming from the far down the corridor pounded against her eardrums.

When her heart reached its peak, she grabbed Sheng Yu's arm without thinking, burying her face in the crook of his elbow: "Dr. Zhang said my condition is stable. I'm really too tired right now, I want to go back to the classroom to rest..."

Hearing her whiny voice, Sheng Yu helplessly tugged at his arm: "Trying to cheat on me again?"

Tang Ci lifted her eyes, pursed her lips, and looked at him. Her attitude seemed pleading, but her pupils were full of undeniable stubbornness.

Feeling as if her heart was being grabbed haphazardly, Sheng Yu suppressed her inexplicable irritation: "If you still have a fever after school, you must go to the hospital."

Perhaps frightened by Sheng Yu, Tang Ci's fever actually subsided briefly after school, and Sheng Yu's gloomy complexion also improved.

To put Sheng Yu's mind at ease, Tang Ci endured the pain in her knees and ran to a roadside stall to buy him a cup of freshly squeezed mung bean soup.

Looking at her flushed cheeks from running, Sheng Yu finally managed a smile.

"Try it, I didn't ask the boss to put any sugar in it," Tang Ci said, pressing her advantage with her ingratiating words.

Sheng Yu casually inserted a straw, but then held it to her lips.

Tang Ci froze for a moment, and Sheng Yu immediately frowned. Tang Ci had no choice but to put the straw in her mouth and take a small sip.

An electric scooter sped across the street, and Sheng Yu pulled her to the inside of the sidewalk and casually put the straw into her mouth.

Tang Ci tightened her throat and secretly glanced at his bobbing Adam's apple.

Sheng Yu lowered her eyes: "Want some more?"

"No," Tang Ci shook her head, coughed with her fist pressed to her lips, "I feel a little cold."

/

Time passed day by day with the ringing of the bell for the start and end of classes. On the day before the college entrance examination, all senior high school students were given a holiday.

Tang Ci got up at 6:30 as usual, ate breakfast, and then flipped through a few pages of a novel she had taken from the bookshelf. Around noon, she began to pack her things.

She didn't have many belongings to begin with, and after living in this bedroom for several months, she only added some daily necessities.

While folding the blankets, there was a knock on the door. Sheng Yu had arranged to have hot pot at home the day before the college entrance exam with Zhou Yiyang and Jin Ming, so it must be them who had arrived.

Tang Ci stuffed her suitcase back into the closet, slipped on her slippers, and went to open the door. She was taken aback when she saw Sheng Yu carrying two bags of groceries.

The sun was shining brightly outside. Perhaps to shield himself from the sun, Sheng Yu wore a dark denim blue baseball cap. Without his hair to frame him, his jawline looked sharper than usual, and his eyebrows and eyes were hidden in the shadow of the cap's brim, making him look deep and mysterious.

"Don't you recognize it?" Sheng Yu placed the ingredients in the shoe cabinet and bent down to change his shoes.

Tang Ci rubbed his nose and looked away, seeing Jin Ming carrying two bags of fruit and Zhou Yiyang holding a bouquet of flowers behind him.

After handing them slippers, she stepped back slightly and pointed to the bouquet, saying, "So elaborate?"

“Yu-ge asked me to buy it,” Zhou Yiyang raised an eyebrow knowingly, “He said he wanted to add some liveliness to the house.”

Tang Ci took the bouquet of flowers: "Then I'll put them in a vase."

The bouquet was fresh and fragrant, but the rose stems still had sharp thorns. When Tang Ci took it out, she scratched her fingertip. Sheng Yu went into the bathroom to wash her hands. Seeing this, he took her hand without saying a word, rinsed it under the tap, dried it, and put on a band-aid.

"Wait here." Sheng Yu pulled her to the door.

Tang Ci stood obediently at the door, watching Sheng Yu pull a few roses out of their wrapping paper, cut off the wilted stems, put them in a transparent vase, then neatly put the cut branches and leaves into the trash can, and finally picked up the vase and nodded at her.

"They're gone."

Tang Ci thought that he told her to wait because he needed her help with something, so she reached out her hand blankly and asked, "Don't you need my help with anything?"

Sheng Yu pinched her face with his cool, wet fingertips: "Just follow me."

"Oh." Tang Ci glanced at his profile, then quickly wiped the water off her face before going to the living room.

The hot pot broth and ingredients are all readily available; once the water boils, you can start eating.

Jin Ming turned on the TV and found a funny anime to watch. Combined with the rich steam from the hot pot, the long-quiet living room became lively again.

After putting three boxes of meat into the pot, Jin Ming slammed his hand on the table and said, "I was wondering why something was missing! We forgot to make the seasoning! Who knows how to make it?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yiyang spread his hands: "Seasonings? What seasonings?"

Sheng Yu raised an eyebrow and glanced at the bag containing the seasonings.

Seeing the young masters looking at each other in confusion, Tang Ci, though unable to guarantee the taste, volunteered: "I'll do it. Do any of you have any dietary restrictions?"

After Zhou Yiyang and Jin Ming finished explaining the dietary restrictions, Sheng Yu took the bag of seasonings to himself and said to the stunned Tang Ci, "Tell me how to do it."

"Are you sure you can do it?" Tang Ci asked instinctively.

Sheng Yu raised an eyelid: "How will you know if you don't try?"

Zhou Yiyang sipped his cola: "I think I heard some inappropriate words."

Tang Ci gave a blank "Huh?"

Sheng Yu raised her eyes and gave Zhou Yiyang a warning look.

Zhou Yiyang grinned and raised his hands in surrender.

The chili oil is poured into a white porcelain dish, topped with oyster sauce, soy sauce, and freshly chopped chili peppers and scallions, creating a rich and enticing aroma.

Sheng Yu was stirring with his eyes down when his phone on the table vibrated; someone had called him on video.

Zhou Yiyang glanced at the screen: "It's Auntie, shall I answer?"

Sheng Yu nodded: "Take it."

Zhou Yiyang and Jin Ming were both very outgoing. They had met Rong Yue a few times and were already quite adept at calling her "Auntie." The two of them huddled in front of the screen and chatted with Rong Yue for a while. Only when Rong Yue asked about Sheng Yu did Zhou Yiyang put his phone on Sheng Yu's desk.

Seeing Sheng Yu's actions, Rong Yue chuckled and clicked her tongue twice: "He can even make hot pot broth now. Little Yu has really matured a lot in the few months I haven't seen him."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Yu scoffed lightly: "When will you remember that I'm already an adult?"

“No matter how old you are, you’re still a child in your aunt’s eyes,” Rong Yue teased before becoming serious. “I have important meetings to attend tomorrow and the day after. I’ll try my best to finish them and rush back to China. I won’t be able to arrive until the day after tomorrow at the latest.”

What brings you here?

"The college entrance exam is such a big event, as a parent I have to be there for you."

"Don't worry." Sheng Yu gave a slight smile. "I won't fail the exam just because no one is with me."

Rong Yue quickly exclaimed, "Pah, pah, pah! The college entrance exam is tomorrow, so stop saying such unlucky things." She paused, then added, "Anyway, just relax. It's not like the college entrance exam is the only path to success."

Sheng Yu stopped what she was doing: "Trying to persuade me to go abroad again?"

Rong Yue got angry as soon as she saw his attitude: "Would sending you abroad be to harm you?"

"I'll stop here for now," Sheng Yu said calmly. "I'm eating."

Rong Yue sighed, and as she hung up the phone, she suddenly asked, "What's that on your eyebrows?"

Sheng Yu glanced down at the camera, a small piece of paper stuck to his brow bone. He casually picked it up and turned to the side, saying, "Hold this for me."

Tang Ci paused for a moment, put down her chopsticks, and leaned over to remove the scrap of paper from his brow bone.

Rong Yue, who was on the screen, then noticed Tang Ci and smiled, "Little Ci is here too."

“Auntie.” Tang Ci smiled at the screen.

"How are you feeling? Are you nervous?" Rong Yue's eyes were full of approval: "I don't think so, you're the top student in the grade."

Tang Ci scratched her ear: "I only got second place in the grade in the third mock exam, so I was a little nervous."

"Second place is still very impressive." Rong Yue's expression turned serious as she began to gently comfort her.

Rong Yue sat on the brightly lit sofa, wearing a light brown cashmere sweater. Her gentle and patient manner made it easy for people to relax.

After finishing her speech, Rong Yue waved her hand sheepishly, "Was I too long-winded?"

"No," Tang Ci blinked and said softly, "Thank you, Auntie."

After hanging up the phone, Tang Ci didn't say much. After cleaning up the mess after dinner, she started yawning.

Even the slow-witted Jin Ming could tell that she was in low spirits. When he said goodbye to Zhou Yiyang, he asked Sheng Yu, "I think Tang Ci is quite down. Is getting second place such a big blow to her?"

Zhou Yiyang lifted his eyelids: "It can't be that bad, Xiao Tangci seems to be quite strong-willed."

Upon hearing his words, Sheng Yu didn't know why a mocking smile appeared on her lips. After pressing the elevator button for them, she returned to her room and closed the door.

Inside the restaurant, Tang Ci was wiping the water stains off the table with a tissue, her head down. Hearing footsteps, she turned around and asked in surprise, "You didn't leave with them?"

"You want me to leave?" Sheng Yu took off his baseball cap and sat down opposite her.

Tang Ci clenched the tissue, then stopped moving: "That's not what I meant."

The afternoon sunlight streamed in through the French windows, outlining the girl's slender figure. Her fair and flawless face was slightly lowered, giving her an obedient appearance, as if she would not refute anyone's opinions.

Only Sheng Yu knew that her obedient appearance was just a deceptive facade. Just as Zhou Yiyang said, Tang Ci was more determined than anyone else, and she was so decisive that she never consulted others for their opinions.

A sense of unease welled up in Sheng Yu's heart again. After pondering for a few seconds with his tongue pressed against his teeth, he said in a low voice, "Tang Ci, I don't think I've told you this before."

"What?" Tang Ci asked timidly, sensing the seriousness in his tone.

“You can tell me anything,” Sheng Yu said, resting his elbow on the table and looking up to meet her gaze. “You can also vent any emotion to me.”

“I don’t want you to live here and just see yourself as a tenant.”

Tang Ci's breathing became erratic for a moment, her chest heaving slightly. After a while, she looked away and said, "I'm very... nervous. I've been working so hard for so long, I'm afraid I won't do well on the exam."

Sheng Yu let out a soft sigh, slumped back in her chair, and asked in a low voice, "Just because of this?"

Tang Ci lowered her fingertips that had been resting on the edge of the table: "Just because of this."

Sheng Yu stood up, and across the long table, vigorously ruffled her hair. Looking at her disheveled hair, he smiled and said, "Then let's distract her."

Tang Ci asked blankly, "How do I move?"

"Play games, or—" Sheng Yu's eyes held a mischievous glint in them, "I'll hold you and lull you to sleep for a while?"

Tang Ci's ears turned red instantly, and she stammered, "Let's play, let's play games."

/

After a day of exhilarating gaming, Tang Ci felt no nervousness when she entered the examination hall the next day; instead, she was completely absorbed in the sea of ​​questions.

After two days of exams, she didn't feel tired at all; instead, she felt the same exhilaration as if she had run 800 meters before being diagnosed.

After packing up her pencil case, Tang Ci walked out the door, passing through the dense crowd on both sides of the road, and headed straight for Sheng Yu, who was waiting at the end of the crowd.

Amidst the chaotic commotion, Sheng Yu seemed to recognize her footsteps, raised his eyes, and waved in her direction.

Tang Ci ran right up to him before stopping, panting, and asked, "How did you do on the exam?"

Anticipating that she would ask this first, Sheng Yu said, "Just do your best."

Tang Ci's pounding heart gradually calmed down, and her eyes curved into a smile: "That's good." She paused, then said shyly, "I think I performed exceptionally well."

Sheng Yu looked down at her flushed cheeks and said in an exaggerated tone, "Our Xiao Ci is so amazing."

Tang Ci blushed even more, pursed her lips, and slapped him lightly.

A "Yo!" came from behind them, and Zhou Yiyang walked towards them with his hands in his pockets: "Be mindful of your behavior at the school gate."

Tang Ci glanced around and noticed that many students and even parents were watching them. Embarrassed, she moved a few feet to the side.

Sheng Yu didn't seem to care at all, and casually brushed the stray hairs stuck to her temples behind her ear: "Let's go eat."

Tang Ci brushed her stray hairs aside as if to cover up her unease: "What do you want to eat?"

"Brother Yu is treating us to a lavish meal." Zhou Yiyang winked at Tang Ci: "Do you agree?"

After spending a lot of time with them, Tang Ci realized that although Sheng Yu didn't like to join in the fun, he would always pay the bill at any gathering where he was present.

Not knowing why Zhou Yiyang wanted to ask her opinion, Tang Ci hesitated for two seconds before saying, "You should ask him."

Zhou Yiyang laughed heartily, patted Sheng Yu on the shoulder and said, "Brother Yu, you've really struck gold."

Sheng Yu took the bag from Tang Ci and slung it over his shoulder, his tone flat and indifferent: "If you bother her again, you'll be in trouble when we eat."

Zhou Yiyang pretended to slap his own mouth, then fell silent and followed.

Tang Ci had no idea about the lavish meal Zhou Yiyang was talking about. It wasn't until the car stopped at the foot of Qingyao Tower that she realized they were going to the restaurant on the top floor.

As a landmark of Nanling City, Ching Yiu Tower not only has popular sightseeing attractions on its top floor, but also a restaurant with a view that ranks among the best in the country.

Tang Ci had seen the restaurant's menu online before, but she didn't remember the names of the dishes. She was just deeply shocked by the exorbitant prices.

Since it was a graduation dinner, Sheng Yu didn't invite any friends from outside the school, so their group wasn't large. They were led to a booth by the window by the waiter.

Tang Ci sat next to Sheng Yu, and could see the bustling night view outside the window. There was also a band performing in the center of the restaurant. She was so dizzy and lightheaded from eating that when she came to her senses, she found that there were already three empty wine glasses in front of Sheng Yu.

As everyone passed around the wine list, she secretly glanced at it. Each wine had a high alcohol content. Then she looked at Sheng Yu, who sat motionless, his eyebrows and eyes cold and indifferent, with only his earlobes slightly flushed.

Tang Ci stared at that small patch of red, her brows furrowing with worry.

After Sheng Yu finished speaking with the others, he suddenly leaned close to her ear and asked, "Are you worried about me?"

Tang Ci was startled by his ability to see the big picture, and her face flushed from the mischievous smiles of those around her.

She held her breath and whispered, "No..."

Sheng Yu raised an eyebrow noncommittally, picked up his wine glass, and took another sip.

Tang Ci dared not look at him again.

The conversation about graduation was filled with laughter and tears, and the noise was incessant. Not long after, Sheng Yu rubbed his temples, took a cigarette and a lighter, and went to the smoking area to smoke.

Tang Ci looked at the newly added empty wine glass on his table, hesitated for a moment, and then followed him when no one around was paying attention.

The smoking room led directly into the corridor. Before Tang Ci could catch up with Sheng Yu, she heard a hurried argument coming from the corridor.

A stern and familiar voice, lowered in tone, reprimanded: "What kind of image do you have, hanging around outside like this every day? What will people think of the Sheng family?!"

Tang Ci took a step closer and saw the reflection on the glass wall clearly. Sheng Hong glared angrily and, panting heavily, blocked Sheng Yu, who was about to go to the smoking area.

Sheng Yu stood with his hands in his pockets, his posture lazy and his tone nonchalant: "If you're ashamed, then cut ties with me."

"What are you saying?" Sheng Hong lowered his voice: "You are the son of the Sheng family, and the future family business will all be yours. Get your head straight!"

“I don’t care,” Sheng Yu said calmly. “My stepmother can still have children.” He reached out and patted Sheng Hong on the shoulder. “If you want a son, you still have a chance.”

Sheng Hong was panting heavily, his face turning a deep purplish-red. He grabbed Sheng Yu's arm, but before he could exert any force, Sheng Yu grabbed his arm and pressed him against the French windows.

Sheng Yu's voice turned completely cold: "My mother has been dead for so long, how could you still think I would just stand there and let you hit me?"

Sheng Hong's eyes darted around, and he suddenly asked, "Who did you come with? Your little girlfriend?"

Sheng Yu abruptly shook off his arm, letting out a soft laugh: "I kicked him out a long time ago."

Tang Ci swallowed hard; her hands and feet were ice-cold.

Sheng Hong straightened his tie, looked at Sheng Yu and sneered a few times: "Do you really think I don't know what you do and who you deal with every day? Little Yu, you are still too young. You don't understand the rules of the adult world at all, and you still want to disobey your father."

"You think you can escape the Sheng family by taking your girlfriend to another city for the exam?" Sheng Hong said contemptuously. "China is only so big. Do you think I can't even take care of my own son?"

Sheng Hong narrowed his eyes slightly as he spoke: "That child's name is Tang Ci, right? Her mother passed away, and her father remarried. Who can take on the risks for her?"

Sheng Yu swallowed hard, wanting to pounce on Sheng Hong and grab him by the neck, but Sheng Hong suddenly dodged away, leaving behind the words: "You should think it over carefully."

Tang Ci subconsciously pressed her back against the wall, her body instinctively trying to draw some warmth, but the reinforced concrete wall was utterly cold.

She shivered suddenly, and the words Rong Yue had once said echoed in her ears.

"Don't let him remain trapped in the Sheng family forever."

Tang Ci bit her trembling lips and saw Sheng Yu's upright back slump down, like a beast locked in a cage.

/

Sheng Yu returned shortly afterward, raising his glass to drink as usual.

"Brother Yu, is the smoking area crowded?" Jin Ming asked, a few people away. "I don't want to squeeze in with other people to smoke."

"improvise."

"Okay." Jin Ming stuffed a cigarette into his pocket and left in a flash. A few minutes later, he came back with a frown: "It's only been a few minutes, and now it's packed inside."

Sheng Yu fiddled with the lighter and said in a low voice, "What bad luck."

He didn't specify the subject when he said this. It was unclear whether he was commenting on Jin Ming or himself, but everyone at the table was laughing and chatting, and no one noticed.

After finishing their meal, everyone played games for a while in a lively atmosphere.

Sheng Yu won more often than he lost, but he drank quite a bit. He had a high alcohol tolerance, and even after drinking more than a dozen cups, he remained calm and composed until the party ended. Only when others saw the pile of wine glasses on his table did they realize what had happened.

Zhou Yiyang's brow twitched, and he leaned close to Tang Ci's ear and whispered, "Why did Sheng Yu drink so much?"

Tang Ci's stunned expression softened a bit: "You probably want to relax after graduation."

Zhou Yiyang hesitated for a few seconds: "He doesn't like others following him when he drinks. Could you please keep an eye on him later?"

Tang Cikong swallowed hard and reassured her, "Don't worry."

The exams and dinners had exhausted everyone. After getting off the elevator, everyone took taxis and left. Zhou Yiyang waited until the designated driver Sheng Yu had called arrived before leaving. Before leaving, he gave Tang Ci a pleading look.

Tang Ci rolled down the car window and nodded to him.

Suddenly turned around, Sheng Yu frowned and asked, "What are you two having an affair about?"

Tang Ci choked for a moment, took his hand off the back of his head, and whispered, "Don't misuse idioms."

Sheng Yu looked at her, her thick, dark eyelashes fluttering slightly: "Tang Ci, I'm not feeling well."

Tang Ci quickly moved closer to him and asked anxiously, "Where do you feel unwell? Is it serious?"

Sheng Yu turned her head away again, closed her eyes tightly, and rested her head on the pillow. After a long while, she said, "It's so noisy."

Tang Ci paused, realizing that his post-traumatic stress disorder had flared up again. She quickly rummaged through her bag, found the earphones, put them on him, and played some soft, gentle music.

Seeing that his brow was relaxing, she let out a heavy sigh and said to the driver, "You can park at Zizhuyuan Park."

The car pulled into the Zizhuyuan underground parking lot. Tang Ci got out from the left side and walked around the back of the car to help Sheng Yu out. Before she even got close to the door, Sheng Yu had already opened the door and stepped out smoothly by herself. Seeing her stunned, she asked, "Aren't you going upstairs?"

"Go." Tang Ci snapped out of her daze, grabbed her backpack from his shoulder without saying a word, put it on her own back, and when paying the driver, she didn't forget to hold his hand tightly, as if afraid he would run away.

Sheng Yu let her pull him up the elevator, into the house, and into the bedroom.

Tang Ci put her schoolbag on the table, turned around and asked Sheng Yu, who was sitting in a chair, "Would you like some honey water? If so, wait here for me for a while, okay?"

“I’m not drunk.” Sheng Yu grabbed her wrist with his other hand.

Tang Ci looked at him without saying a word.

Sheng Yu clicked his tongue: "Maybe a little."

He paused, then pulled her between his knees: "But my mind is clear. Let's talk about the important things first."

"What important thing?" Tang Ci asked, puzzled.

"Playing dumb again." Sheng Yu's eyes narrowed dangerously: "Have you ever even considered being with me?"

Tang Ci suddenly opened her eyes wide, her throat tightening as she swallowed both answers.

Sheng Yu moved even closer, their thin clothes brushing against each other, causing their skin to tremble.

As their breaths mingled, Tang Ci felt a tightness around her waist as Sheng Yu pulled her onto his lap.

"Then let me ask you something else," he said. "Would you like to kiss me?"

Tang Ci gripped his short-sleeved shirt so tightly that it formed deep grooves, like a mountain range lying on his shoulder. His voice, heavy as a mountain, undeniably seductive, asked again, "Xiao Ci, do you want to kiss me?"

The syllable got stuck in her throat. Tang Ci opened her mouth but no sound came out. She had to rely on another answer, but her head-shaking motion was unsuccessful.

Sheng Yu's thick eyelashes fluttered, his eyes sparkling like those of some tropical animal, staring intently at her. His cool fingers, however, resembled the scaled tail of a cold-blooded creature as he roughly pinched her earlobe, speaking to her in a commanding tone: "Say you want me. Say you want me."

Tang Ci nodded almost tremblingly, and the next moment, Sheng Yu's lips, which tasted of sweet wine, pressed against hers.

Perhaps because he had been drinking, he was much more aggressive in this kiss than the last one.

Tang Ci was stunned as he pried open her lips and teeth, her breath being taken away inch by inch.

After an unknown amount of time, Sheng Yu patted her feverish cheeks and said, "Breathe."

Tang Ci obeyed and breathed, her chest heaving up and down as if she had been saved.

Sheng Yu's fingertips traced along her neck, stroking her sweaty nape again and again. He pressed his forehead against hers, taking advantage of her discomfort, and coaxed in a hoarse voice, "Tang Ci, do you love me?"

It took Tang Ci a while to realize what he was asking. Her lips, red and swollen from being kissed, were tightly pressed together, and she said nothing.

Sheng Yu chuckled softly, but her eyes gleamed with pleading: "Is it really that hard for you to say you love me?"

The rooms in the high-rise buildings in the city offer a panoramic view, with countless lights twinkling outside the windows, and a breeze carrying the free and romantic songs of the distance.

In such a civilized moment, Sheng Yu transformed from an arrogant youth into a caged beast, prostrating himself on the ground and pleading for mercy from those outside the cage.

Tang Ci clenched her empty palms tightly, and instantly her vision filled with mist.

She hadn't been drinking, but she choked out to herself like a drunkard, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, I don't have the key."

Sheng Yu opened her clenched hands, buried his face in the crook of her neck, and after a long while asked, "Then what should we do?" He took Tang Ci's hand and pressed it against his throbbing chest, murmuring, "But I've already fallen in love with you."