Chapter 55 Heartbeat He captured her lips.

Xie Shijin turned around and went back into the house. He quickly opened his neatly packed suitcase and rummaged through the pile of folded clothes to find a coat and a pair of pants.

"Open the door."

A boy's low, hoarse voice came from outside the door.

Xie Shijin is back.

Cheng Shiyun looked out the door, her fingers gripping the cold doorknob, and carefully pulled the door open an inch.

A cool breeze suddenly rushed in and touched her bare skin.

It's so cool.

A hand reached out from the crack in the door, its fingertips curling as it grasped the clothes in Xie Shijin's hand.

That hand was extremely delicate, with slender, white fingers and a slender wrist.

Cheng Shiyun took the clothes and was about to pull her hand back inside the door when a warm, strong force gripped her wrist.

Without warning, Xie Shijin reached out and grabbed her hand.

His fingertips seemed electrified; the moment they touched her, Cheng Shiyun shuddered.

She was like a naked fish, with the boy holding her by the tail.

His palms were burning hot, searing her skin.

Xie Shijin lowered his eyes to look at their clasped hands, his eyelashes fluttering, and his breathing became noticeably heavier: "Cheng Shiyun?"

He called her name softly.

"It's me, I'm inside."

He gripped her so tightly, as if he were burning her to ashes.

Cheng Shiyun struggled uncontrollably, but instead of breaking free, she was gripped even tighter.

He was really strong. Cheng Shiyun was a little scared that he would come in directly. She was also a little aggrieved. She swallowed several times before she could barely find her voice: "Xie Shijin, let me go... I need to get dressed."

Even through the door, she could hear his rapid, labored breathing, as if he couldn't catch his breath.

After a long while, so long that Cheng Shiyun almost thought the air was about to freeze, Xie Shijin slowly, very slowly released her.

He remained standing outside the door, watching her awkwardly put on her clothes and trousers through the hazy frosted glass.

His heart pounded heavily in his chest, and his ears were filled with the cacophony of rushing blood, a shrill and piercing noise that briefly made the boy feel slightly dizzy.

His head was buzzing and his vision was distorted.

In this distorted, chaotic dizziness, Cheng Shiyun opened the door.

...

The girl walked out with her hair disheveled.

His clothes were too big for Cheng Shiyun. The sleeves were rolled up several times, and the pants were so long they dragged on the ground. The waistband was also too big, and she was afraid that the pants would fall down after taking a few steps.

Cheng Shiyun stood with her feet together, awkwardly ruffled her hair, and called out to him, "Xie Shijin?"

Xie Shijin's eyelashes trembled, his gaze lowered, and his moist eyes fell on her: "Cheng Shiyun."

He raised his hand and reached it out to her.

It looked like he wanted to touch her face, or perhaps stroke her hair.

Cheng Shiyun stared intently at his movements.

However, after waiting for a long time, his hand still did not fall.

Cheng Shiyun had no choice but to turn her head and use her face to reach for his hand.

Xie Shijin was momentarily stunned as he touched her distinct strands of hair and her warm, soft cheek.

He could feel her breath and pulse.

Alive.

The next second, he heard the girl say, "Xie Shijin, I've come back to life."

“…He has become human.” Xie Shijin corrected in a hoarse voice.

"Yes." Cheng Shiyun looked at her hands and feet, then looked up at him, her eyes full of confusion. "Why did I become a human?"

Xie Shijin shook his head: "I don't know."

He seemed a little stunned.

He even forgot to pull his hand back, and just kept touching her face like that.

"Aren't you happy that I've become human?" Cheng Shiyun couldn't help but ask when she saw that he remained silent for a long time.

"Happy." The two words were squeezed out from between his teeth, and there was a slight, almost imperceptible sob in the boy's voice.

Cheng Shiyun: "Then why don't you smile?"

Have I become ugly?

She cupped her face in her hands, thinking, "No way."

She just looked in the mirror; her skin was fair and her features beautiful, just as pretty as before she died.

Xie Shijin steadied his breathing, his light brown pupils fixed on her face, and said with difficulty, "...Very beautiful."

Cheng Shiyun smiled again.

She knew it! She's beautiful!

"Xie Shijin, I have finally become a human again."

"Although I don't know why, and there was no warning at all, but... I can do it."

The girl took two steps forward, raised her arms, and flew into Xie Shijin's arms like a butterfly.

"—I'm giving you a hug."

...

Xie Shijin was knocked back slightly by the top of her head.

Cheng Shiyun hugged his waist tightly.

When I was a kitten.

She just wanted to become a human and hug him.

Xie Shijin slowly raised his hands, which had been hanging by his sides, and encircled her back, tightening them further and further. His palms pressed against the back of her head, as if he wanted to melt her and fill her into his own body: "...You've become human again, you're back, you're back..."

"Yes, I've become human again, I'm back."

Cheng Shiyun buried her head in the boy's arms, inhaling his scent.

The mild, dry scent of pine wood, warmed by the winter sun, mixed with the boy's pheromones, gave Cheng Shiyun a tipsy feeling, making her bury her face even deeper.

Xie Shijin hugged her tightly, as if he had only just come to his senses: "When did you get back? Why were you hiding in the bathroom? You didn't say anything when I didn't speak. Were you avoiding me? Did you not want to see me?"

“You weren’t gone long when I flew to the bathroom intending to throw up, but then I suddenly turned back into a human. If you didn’t make a sound, how would I know it was you? What if it was someone else? I didn’t mean to avoid you. I wanted to see you.” Cheng Shiyun answered his questions one by one, “Oh, right…”

She remembered something, and her feverish mind cooled down a little: "Xie Shijin, I broke your photo frame, I'm sorry."

"It's broken, so be it," Xie Shijin said. "You're back."

He murmured and repeated it many times.

"Stop talking..." Cheng Shiyun felt a chill run down her spine and wanted to cover his mouth. "Say it a few more times, I can hardly recognize these four words anymore."

"You're back, I won't say anything more."

"..."

She pressed her ear against Xie Shijin's chest, hearing his heart pounding so hard it was almost unnatural, and struggled to lift her face: "Xie Shijin, do you hate me?"

Xie Shijin lowered his head, burying it deep in her hair and neck.

"I don't dislike it."

The heavy, suffocating air burned into her ear canals, and Cheng Shiyun's back suddenly spasmed slightly.

Not disliking something means liking it.

"Then why are you hugging me so tightly? Just say you're trying to strangle me." Cheng Shiyun's ribs were aching from his hug, and she could hardly breathe. "...Be gentle."

Xie Shijin's Adam's apple bobbed painfully: "I'll be gentler...can I hug you a little longer?"

He seemed to find it hard to believe, and could only feel her presence through this physical contact and the mingling of body temperatures.

After holding him for so long, Cheng Shiyun felt that his breathing rhythm had not eased up, but instead became more disordered and rapid, as if she had fallen into a long-awaited illusion and was so immersed in it that she could not extricate herself.

Cheng Shiyun couldn't help but feel a little scared.

I was afraid he wouldn't be able to breathe and would faint.

Seeing her turn into a human, Xie Shijin was far less calm than she had imagined.

She herself was equally distraught.

A mixture of fear and elation surged within me, along with a touch of bewilderment, but without a doubt, joy overwhelmed all other emotions.

“Okay, if you want to hug me… then hug me.” Cheng Shiyun wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tighter, and patted his back lightly. “But I’m not wearing shoes, and my feet are a little cold.”

She was still barefoot.

Upon hearing this, Xie Shijin released her, lowered his head slightly, and looked down.

Cheng Shiyun's bare toes twitched. She looked very awkward.

Two seconds later, Cheng Shiyun was overcome with shame. She stomped her feet around and kicked down her trouser legs: "Still looking! Is it that good-looking?"

Xie Shijin turned his head to the side, his ears flushed slightly: "Why aren't you wearing anything?"

She was standing very close to the door, almost touching the frosted glass door.

This type of glass only blurs the outline of a body when viewed from a slightly greater distance.

So, she didn't actually block anything just now.

His hoodie was also very thin, allowing him to feel her almost without any obstruction.

It was indeed hot and very soft.

Cheng Shiyun, unaware that he had seen and felt almost everything about her, retorted, "When I turned into a kitten or snake, did I wear a costume?"

They came to him naked as well.

"Hurry up and find me some socks." The floor was really cold, Cheng Shiyun urged.

Xie Shijin paused for a moment, then bent down, scooped her up by the knees, and lifted her into his arms.

Cheng Shiyun was startled, quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, smiled, and restrainedly sniffed the side of his neck again. It smelled so good.

It feels a little different when he holds you as a kitten or snake versus when you hold him as a human.

My heart was beating faster, and I felt a tingling, electric shock-like sensation.

Xie Shijin carried her into the dormitory in a few steps and placed her on her roommate's desk next to him.

Cheng Shiyun glanced at the dormitory door; thankfully, it was closed, and her roommates had all left.

Xie Shijin started looking for socks for her.

Xie Shijin put the socks at the bottom of the suitcase and took out all the neatly folded clothes.

Cheng Shiyun thought he couldn't find it, so she sat on the table and swung her legs, saying, "Take your time looking, I'm not going to run away."

But Xie Shijin seemed afraid that she would run away, so he searched very quickly, not even folding the clothes, and threw them directly to the other side of the suitcase.

Xie Shijin found a pair of socks that he had worn and washed, pulled out a chair and sat down opposite her.

Cheng Shiyun leaned down slightly and reached for the sock in his hand.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed her ankle.

Xie Shijin's body temperature was consistently high, waking Cheng Shiyun up several times a night due to the heat. The moment his burning hot palms enveloped her ankles, Cheng Shiyun involuntarily flinched.

It didn't shrink back.

Xie Shijin pressed his thumb on the protruding bone of her ankle, pulled her foot over, and placed it on his thigh.

Cheng Shiyun's ears immediately burned, and she said shyly, "...I can do it myself."

Xie Shijin didn't give it to her. He lowered his head and naturally put a sock on her foot: "All your old clothes were given to you by me."

She had been transformed into a kitten, her fur shaved off. She needed clothes every day, but her kitten paws couldn't fasten buttons or zip up zippers, so Xie Shijin dressed her. He took meticulous care of her.

She knew that Xie Shijin meant roughly that, but inevitably, a tingling, itchy sensation still shot up from the back of her foot to the top of her head. Cheng Shiyun gave a soft "Mmm": "Then you wear it."

Isn't it good to have someone to wait on you?

Cheng Shiyun was happy to be served by him.

With socks on both feet, Xie Shijin looked up. The young man had clear, bright eyes, a straight nose, and well-defined lips.

Cheng Shiyun noticed a long time ago that his mouth was quite nice.

She met his gaze for a moment, then looked away and glanced around: "Do you have any shoes?"

Xie Shijin took off his shoes.

Cheng Shiyun stuck her foot in, her lips curling into a displeased smirk: "It's so big, I'll probably trip and fall if I walk in it."

He put the other shoe on her, tied the laces, and then Xie Shijin turned around and squatted down: "Come on up."

Cheng Shiyun was taken aback: "You're going to carry me?"

"Carry me on your back or hug me, you choose."

"...Memorize it."

It felt like a hug from behind.

Cheng Shiyun wanted to hug him again. She leaned on the boy's back and shook her feet: "You can wear those shoes. I don't need to walk."

Xie Shijin said, "You wear it."

He then took out a baseball cap from his suitcase and put it on her head, and also pulled up the hood of his sweatshirt, covering her up completely like a dragon hiding its treasure.

Xie Shijin opened the dormitory door and carried her downstairs.

Cheng Shiyun wrapped her arms around his neck, rested her chin on his shoulder, and asked a potentially disastrous question: "Am I heavy?"

"Very light." Xie Shijin's ears were so red, they were frighteningly hot.

Cheng Shiyun was delighted, her legs dangling and swinging on either side of the boy's body: "I only weigh ninety pounds, which is indeed much lighter than you."

"Does my ashes, including the casket and the ashes, weigh six pounds?"

"..."

The girl was straightforward and easygoing, and didn't know how to avoid those heavy past experiences. She could even joke about her own death.

A sudden tightness in her chest made it hard to breathe. Xie Shijin wanted to tell her not to say that, but feeling her breath on her neck, Xie Shijin still answered seriously: "...Teacher Cheng probably didn't weigh her."

No one asks how many pounds their ashes will weigh after they die.

Cheng Shiyun imagined the scene, and it was indeed very eerie.

Once downstairs, Cheng Shiyun asked again, "Did you close the door just now? What about your luggage? Will it get stolen if you leave it in the dorm?"

Xie Shijin said, "It's closed, it won't be lost, come and pick it up tomorrow."

Xie Shijin carried her downstairs. When they arrived at the dormitory lobby, one of them was barefoot, and the other was covered from head to toe so that not a single hair could be seen. Despite their strange appearance, no one paid any attention to them.

Groups of students brushed past them as if they didn't exist.

The television screen on the lobby wall was broadcasting the evening news: "[At 7:43 PM today, an asteroid approximately 50 meters in diameter struck the Pacific Ocean, causing temporary disruptions to the global magnetic field. Communications were disrupted in many areas, and compasses malfunctioned; the impact is expected to last for four hours…]"

Cheng Shiyun felt something was strange. She looked around and then inadvertently saw raindrops teetering on the edge of their umbrella, flying into the sky.

The anti-physics phenomenon made Cheng Shiyun vaguely sense that something was changing around her, and her heart clenched with a terrifying pain. She wanted to tell Xie Shijin, but when she turned her head away, the young man's expression was cold and indifferent, as if he hadn't noticed anything at all.

Never mind.

It was so hard to become human.

Holding the blue umbrella, she took a deep, lingering sniff of the boy's scent, nuzzled his neck with her nose, and never looked away from his face.

Five kilometers, Xie Shijin carried her back!

"Hey, why don't we take the subway?"

"During rush hour, the subway is packed with people, where can you find a seat?"

“That’s true.” Cheng Shiyun looked at his profile, unable to look away, and chuckled softly. “Thank you, Xie Shijin.”

When they got home, Xie Shijin put her on the sofa in the living room and went to change her soaking wet socks.

Cheng Shiyun curled up on the sofa, looking around their home.

The apartment Xie Shijin rented was particularly nice; the living room had exquisite but not excessive furniture, making it feel very spacious.

Suddenly, Cheng Shiyun noticed the calendar on the coffee table: September 23rd, the 14th day of the eighth lunar month.

Tomorrow is the 15th of August, the Mid-Autumn Festival.

August 15th...

Xie Shijin's ID card shows August 15th as his birthday.

Xie Shijin is celebrating his lunar birthday tomorrow.

He asked her to come back early because he wanted her to celebrate his birthday with him.

Xie Shijin came out of the bathroom, and Cheng Shiyun ran over with a calendar in hand, looking up at him and asking, "Xie Shijin, is tomorrow your birthday?"

Xie Shijin glanced down at the circled date on the calendar, stared at her for a moment, but did not answer directly: "Why did you suddenly think of asking this?"

Cheng Shiyun pressed on, "Don't change the subject, I'm asking you, isn't that right?"

"Hmm," he responded softly.

really.

Cheng Shiyun angrily smacked her head.

She clearly saw it and repeatedly reminded herself not to forget, but she still forgot about it. Cheng Shiyun felt frustrated and disappointed in herself: "Do you also celebrate your lunar birthday? Why didn't you just tell me?"

Xie Shijin said, "It's not an important day."

"You think it's unimportant just because you say so?" Cheng Shiyun frowned as she looked at him. "Did you ask for my opinion?"

How could a birthday not be important? If it were at her home, her parents would start preparing three days in advance.

Cheng Shiyun lifted his wrist and glanced at the time: "It's only ten o'clock. Change your shoes and let's go buy a cake."

Xie Shijin remained motionless.

"Come on, hurry up." Cheng Shiyun grabbed his arm, dragged him, and pulled him. "Let's go together."

Xie Shijin grabbed her forearm and pulled her in front of him.

The distance suddenly closed, and he lowered his head, his warm breath escaping from his lips.

His hands felt cool after being touched by cold water, but Cheng Shiyun felt the places he touched suddenly become hot, and her cheeks burned even more.

"I've already bought it." His voice was a little hoarse.

Cheng Shiyun was taken aback: "You already bought it? Where?"

"In the refrigerator."

"Really?" Cheng Shiyun's eyes lit up. "I'll go get it."

He hadn't run two steps when he heard the boy's shouts from behind again.

"Wait a moment."

Cheng Shiyun turned around.

Xie Shijin walked over to her, knelt down, lifted her feet, and put his own slippers on her: "Don't fall."

"Move your toes, it's a bit big." Cheng Shiyun said, "It won't fall. I'll go get the cake, you tidy up the coffee table."

Xie Shijin wasn't lying to her; there really was a cake in the refrigerator.

But she almost forgot his birthday.

The night she returned as a kitten, Xie Shijin celebrated her birthday.

A burning, aching sensation spread from the tip of my nose to my eye sockets, condensing into mist.

Why did Xie Shijin celebrate her birthday?

Because I like her.

Because he didn't save her that day.

He was going to visit her right after celebrating her birthday.

Cheng Shiyun belatedly felt a surge of fear.

If she had found Xie Shijin any later that day, she would have found his corpse as well.

She can return as a kitten or snake after she dies, but Xie Shijin might not be able to.

He couldn't find her anywhere.

Cheng Shiyun sniffed twice, wiped the tears from her face, took the cake out of the refrigerator, and ran back to the living room.

Xie Shijin had already put away the small porcelain bowls, sand hammer toys, and small spinning wheels on the coffee table.

Cheng Shiyun sat in her cat bed, opened the box, carefully took out the cake, and asked Xie Shijin, "Did you used to celebrate your birthday at midnight or that same evening?"

“My grandmother is too old to stay up late that day,” Xie Shijin said. “This year, I wanted to celebrate at midnight.”

Midnight.

Cheng Shiyun's overly excited mind gradually cooled down.

She said, "How about... we do it now, a little earlier?"

Everything felt so unreal; she felt like Cinderella's pumpkin carriage, which would disappear as soon as midnight struck.

Xie Shijin nodded: "Okay."

Cheng Shiyun started unwrapping the birthday candles. Even though there were still two hours until midnight, she was in a hurry, as if she was afraid of missing the deadline.

The more anxious she became, the harder it was to tear the paper; the girl was sweating profusely.

Xie Shijin took it from her hand: "I'll do it."

Cheng Shiyun asked, "Do you have a lighter?"

Yes, in the drawer.

Cheng Shiyun went to get the lighter, lit the candle, ran to turn off the light, and then ran back.

A few clusters of orange flames burned in the darkness, illuminating the girl's fair and beautiful face.

Cheng Shiyun sat opposite him and gently urged him, "Make a wish quickly."

Xie Shijin looked at her.

Cheng Shiyun reminded everyone: "Close your eyes when making a wish."

"My wish is right before my eyes, so why should I close my eyes?"

The boy looked straight into her eyes.

My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a shiver of weightlessness, as if I were falling from a great height.

Xie Shijin's wish was for her.

The candlelight reflected in Xie Shijin's eyes. His gaze was clear and burning. Even though she was sitting right in front of him, when he looked at her, it was as if he were looking at someone very far away, watching her across two years of time and space.

Cheng Shiyun's throat went dry as she tried to suppress the tears welling up in her eyes: "But that's only one... You can make three wishes on your birthday."

"Make two more promises quickly."

Xie Shijin shook his head: "One is enough."

He didn't want to make a wish.

I don't want to close my eyes.

I just want to see her more.

Cheng Shiyun smiled and said, "The way you're making it seem like I'm about to disappear."

Although she was indeed afraid of that.

The candle was about to burn out. Cheng Shiyun propped herself up on the table, slowly stood up, walked over, sat down next to him, and took his hand.

Holding hands, legs touching, warmth and temperature were transmitted from the point of contact, making her deeply feel that she was alive.

"Xie Shijin, I won't leave," Cheng Shiyun said hopefully. "Make a wish."

Not wanting to see her disappointed face, Xie Shijin closed her eyes as she wished.

In the few seconds that he closed his eyes, Cheng Shiyun looked at him carefully once more.

Perhaps... this is the last time she will look at him like this.

Don't people often experience a brief moment of lucidity before death?

She felt like she was about to die, the only difference being that she had already died once.

Xie Shijin blew out the candles, and Cheng Shiyun neither asked him what he wished for nor turned on the lights.

As her eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness, Cheng Shiyun leaned over, tilted her head, and rested her head on his shoulder, just like she used to do when she was a kitten or a snake.

Outside the window, the wind howled and lightning flashed, but they remained silent.

Cheng Shiyun said, "Xie Shijin, let's go see Mom and Dad tomorrow. They'll be so happy to know I've become a human."

"I also need to tell them that tomorrow is your birthday, and I want more people to wish you a happy birthday."

Xie Shijin nodded: "Okay, let's go tomorrow, and go early."

Cheng Shiyun couldn't help but laugh, and looked up at him: "Why do you agree with everything I say?"

He held her hand tightly, saying, "It's good that you're back."

Cheng Shiyun could faintly detect a hint of fear in his voice.

After the initial euphoria of regaining what was lost, Xie Shijin was filled with fear of losing it again; she was especially afraid of it disappearing.

She looked at her hands; they were alright.

It hasn't disappeared yet.

She nestled in the boy's arms, listening to his heartbeat, and whispered, "...Xie Shijin, happy birthday."

"Will you always be happy?"

"Okay." Xie Shijin lowered his head slightly, restrainedly touching the top of her head with his lips, and said very seriously, "I am very happy."

He embraced the girl he loved, and in doing so, he embraced the whole world.

This was the happiest day of his nineteen years.

There is one hour left until midnight.

He had never been so greedy as to want to hold onto a particular day.

After a while, the girl in his arms stopped talking, as if she had fallen asleep.

His fingertips trembled uncontrollably. After hesitating for a long time, he slowly raised his other hand and carefully brought it to her nose to check her breathing.

He could feel her breath.

...

Xie Shijin got up and carried her into the bedroom.

The boy knelt on one knee on the edge of the bed, supporting her knee with one hand and her back with the other, and leaned down to carefully lower her.

The moment she touched the bed, Cheng Shiyun woke up. She opened her eyes, seemingly surprised that she had fallen asleep. Her still sleepy voice carried a hint of panic as she grabbed his hand and asked, "What time is it?"

Xie Shijin brushed the stray hairs stuck to her face aside and said, "11:10."

It's not midnight yet.

Xie Shijin covered her with the blanket and sat up. Cheng Shiyun hurriedly grabbed him, asking, "Are you leaving? Where are you going?"

"Go to sleep," Xie Shijin said. "I'll sleep on the sofa."

Cheng Shiyun grabbed his clothes, preventing him from leaving.

The girl's fingers tightened, squeezing his neat clothes and his heart together, creating wrinkles.

She pulled him back little by little.

Her voice trembled violently as she unconsciously tensed up: "Don't leave... The bed in the bedroom is big enough for two people to sleep in."

Xie Shijin looked down at her, one hand supporting her on her side, his Adam's apple bobbing heavily as he reminded himself and told her, "Cheng Shiyun, you are no longer a kitten, a snake, or a sparrow."

"I can't sleep with you."

His tone was laced with warning, but it lacked any real deterrent effect.

Cheng Shiyun retorted, "The kitten is me, the snake is me, and the sparrow is also me."

“It was possible before,” she asked stubbornly, “Why not now?”

Moonlight streamed in, veiling the girl's silhouette like a thin veil.

His gaze swept over her eyelashes, the tip of her nose, and her lips inch by inch, as if it were tangible, pausing for a moment before slowly rising again.

It was as if he was kissing her face with his eyes.

In the darkness, Cheng Shiyun looked up at him, holding him tightly, not letting him leave.

Xie Shijin pried open her fingers and clasped them in his palm.

"because."

He made a swallowing motion, then leaned down and took her lips into his mouth.

"—I can't help but do this to you."

-----------------------

Author's Note: Just a heads up, there are probably five or six more chapters left in the main story [glasses]

I've seen many of you wondering how Little Cloud will end up with a happy ending after turning into a human. Guess! I think I've already given you a pretty clear hint. [Laughs]