Chapter 25 "How do you plan to compensate me?"...
Tang Ci was stunned for a few seconds when the teacher entered the classroom as the school bell rang.
After Song Ke called for everyone to stand up, Tang Ci stood up with them. Her arm brushed against a bulging pocket, and when she reached in, she found it was Song Ke's glove, which she had forgotten to return when she took it off.
Tang Ci looked pleasantly surprised. After sitting down, she took out the gloves and handed them to Sheng Yu: "I forgot to return the gloves that the class monitor lent me. Here, you can wear them."
Sheng Yu glanced at the gloves casually: "They lent them to you, can I wear them?"
“It’s alright.” Tang Ci shook her head and said confidently, “Song Ke is very generous and won’t mind.”
Sheng Yu responded with an "Oh?" and then asked, "You know him very well?"
“We were classmates in junior high.” Tang Ci didn’t understand why Sheng Yu was so concerned about who owned the gloves. Fearing that Sheng Yu’s cold would get worse, she placed the gloves directly on his desk and said with a slightly anxious tone, “Put them on quickly.”
Sheng Yu pushed the gloves back and said casually, "Just kidding, I don't have a cold."
"..." Tang Ci saw that his complexion was indeed normal and he stopped coughing, so she could only neatly fold the gloves and put them into her desk drawer.
Sheng Yu crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, glancing sideways at her movements, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.
/
The north wind howled, bringing the first snow of the season to the Nanling Mountains. A thin layer of snow coated the sycamore branches outside the classroom window with frosting.
The air conditioning in the classroom was on early in the morning, and the front and back doors were tightly closed. As the morning self-study session approached, the students were all huddled inside the classroom. Occasionally, someone would enter or leave the classroom, bringing in a gust of cold air, which would then be followed by a few complaints from inside.
Sheng Yu entered the classroom as the school bell rang. He was wearing a light-colored windbreaker and a black mask on his face. His eyebrows and eyes were closed, and he seemed completely unaffected by the cold air.
Once he sat down, Tang Ci noticed that he was carrying a paper bag from the infirmary.
Tang Ci paused as she turned the pages, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.
As Sheng Yu removed her mask, she took out a medicine box from the paper bag, plucked out a pill, and swallowed it with ice-cold mineral water.
She leaned closer to look at the words on the medicine box and murmured, "I've really caught a cold."
Sheng Yu glanced at her indifferently: "Otherwise what?"
Hearing his low, husky voice, Tang Ci subconsciously rubbed her ear: "That's why you can't lie, or your words will come true."
Sheng Yu twisted the bottle cap, amused, and said, "So vengeful? What about that time you stole a kiss—"
Tang Ci was shocked and hurriedly reached out to cover Sheng Yu's mouth. The next second, realizing they were in a classroom, she quickly withdrew her hand.
"Don't, don't say things like that in the classroom."
Sheng Yu raised an eyebrow without changing his expression: "I told you last time I didn't see you this nervous?"
Tang Ci blushed and said in a low voice, "Your voice wasn't this loud last time!"
Sheng Yu understood: "Then I'll speak quietly next time."
"..." Tang Ci rubbed her face, knowing she was in the wrong, and could only nod in grievance.
Sheng Yu leaned on the table, lowering his voice, which was hoarse from a cold: "If you behave well, I might forget about it when I'm in a good mood."
Tang Ci humbly asked, "What constitutes a good performance?"
Sheng Yu said calmly, "It caters to my tastes."
After school in the afternoon, Tang Ci and Jiang Chan went to eat noodles outside the school as usual.
Jiang Chan kept browsing shopping apps the whole way, and almost bumped into people several times.
Tang Ci took her arm and said helplessly, "Let's look at it when we get to the store."
Jiang Chan put her phone back in her pocket as instructed, her brow furrowing slightly as she said, "Christmas is coming soon, what gift do you think I should buy for the boy I like?"
Tang Ci paused for a moment, then belatedly realized that the shops along the street were all decorated with Christmas ornaments. She shook her head and said, "I'm not really sure what boys like. I'll go shopping with you after we finish eating."
Hearing Tang Ci, who was always immersed in her studies, offer to go shopping with her, Jiang Chan happily shook her arm: "Okay!"
The boutiques outside the school gate are always bustling, especially during popular holidays when they are packed with people.
A group of girls were gathered around the greeting card shelf by the door, chattering as they picked them out.
Jiang Chan tried to squeeze in for a long time but failed, so she had to give up and go to wander around elsewhere.
Gifts for boys are usually sports products and daily necessities, and Jiang Chan was ultimately torn between a thermos and knee pads.
"Can you help me decide which one is better?"
Tang Ci looked at the gifts in her hands from left to right: "What does he usually like to do?"
"Running, huh?" Jiang Chan said. "I took you to the track to watch him compete before."
Tang Ci had no recollection of it, but pretended to remember and said "Oh," pointing to the knee pads: "Then buy these, they're both good-looking and practical."
Jiang Chan nodded in agreement, put the thermos back on the shelf, picked up the knee pads and chuckled twice: "Then let's buy it."
A long queue formed at the checkout counter. Tang Ci stood behind Jiang Chan, occasionally turning her head to look at the rows of thermos cups on the shelves.
Cater to their preferences.
Tang Ci recalled that Sheng Yu even took his medicine with ice-cold mineral water.
He seems to drink cold water all year round and doesn't have his own cup.
Tang Ci exhaled gently, and white mist immediately rose before her eyes.
She told Jiang Chan, then went back to the thermos counter, picked out the most expensive imported thermos, and was still feeling the pinch of the 278 yuan she was about to spend when she returned to the queue.
Jiang Chan glanced at the cup in her hand, assuming it was for her own use, and asked in confusion, "Why did you buy a black one?"
Tang Ci mumbled, "Black is durable."
When paying the bill, the clerk asked if she wanted packaging. Upon hearing that there would be a packaging fee of fifteen yuan, Tang Ci shook her head and only asked for a brown paper bag to put the thermos in.
When the two returned to the classroom, they bumped into Song Ke and his friend coming downstairs.
Song Ke called them back, went back to his desk, and handed them two handy greeting cards.
Jiang Chan accepted it with delight: "I have one too, thank you, class monitor!"
Song Ke's gaze swept across Tang Ci's face, and he said with a smile, "Now that we're in our final year of high school, I was thinking of writing a few more to give to my classmates."
Admiring his thoughtfulness, Tang Ci solemnly accepted the greeting card, saying, "I will keep it safe."
Song Ke is meticulous in his work; his A6-sized greeting card is filled with neat and orderly words of encouragement.
When Tang Ci finished reading, several screams came from the front row of the classroom, and noisy laughter filled the entire classroom. She subconsciously looked up at the center of the commotion.
Zheng Shuyao sat in her seat, holding a dark blue gift box in her arms, surrounded by girls gossiping.
"As expected of a luxury watch brand, even the packaging is so extravagant."
"I feel that only a gift like this is worthy of Sheng Yu."
"Hey, Shuyao, how much does this cost?"
Zheng Shuyao tucked a stray hair behind her ear: "A small five-figure sum, not very expensive."
The girls gasped in amazement: "Is this the power of love?!"
"As expected, you still need to be well-matched in terms of social status when pursuing someone. You rich people are really going all out with the gifts you give!"
Tang Ci's gaze fell on the packaging bag standing silently on the table. It was made of stiff, rough kraft paper, had no logo, and showed no value whatsoever.
She swallowed hard, her fingertips pausing as she traced the sharp edges of the paper bag. Her initial fervor to surprise Sheng Yu at checkout had largely faded.
Thinking of the boutique's sign that the items had been sold and returns and exchanges were not accepted unless there were quality issues, Tang Ci was filled with worry and did not notice the footsteps behind her.
Suddenly, Tang Ci felt a strong rubbing on the top of her head. She turned her head and saw Sheng Yu looking down at her.
What are you thinking about?
"It's nothing..." Tang Ci answered softly, hurriedly stuffing the paper bag containing the thermos and the greeting card into the drawer.
Sheng Yu sat down, her gaze sweeping lightly across her desk drawer, where the greeting card was wide open, revealing the final signature.
Tang Ci felt embarrassed, and her face flushed. She tried to make conversation by asking him, "Is your cold any better?"
Sheng Yu didn't lift his eyelids, and a soft "hmm" rolled out from his throat.
Tang Ci understood that he was feeling unwell due to a cold and didn't bother him further.
/
On Christmas Eve, everyone at school was talking about the music festival that would be held at the wetland park that evening.
During break, Tang Ci looked at the music festival promotional poster on Jiang Chan's phone and discovered that the headliner was her mother's favorite veteran singer, whose cassette tapes were still kept in her mother's belongings box.
"Are you going tonight?" Tang Ci was somewhat tempted, but hesitated whether she should ask for leave from evening self-study to go.
Jiang Chan rested her chin on her hand, gazing longingly out the window: "Of course I'm going! My crush asked me out!"
Tang Ci smiled and congratulated her, thus dispelling her idea of taking leave.
After Jiang Chan left, Tang Ci took out her phone, found the music festival's promotional materials, and quietly started reading.
Sheng Yu returned at some point, and as he pulled out a chair, he glanced indifferently at her phone screen.
During the afternoon classes, the sky darkened according to the blizzard warning, and leaden-gray clouds slowly pressed down. As school was about to end, large, fluffy snowflakes began to fall.
The students' concentration was completely disrupted. There were constant rustling sounds in the classroom, and even those who were originally focused on studying began to get restless, their eyes darting out the window.
Jiang Chan asked for leave from evening self-study in advance, had dinner with Tang Ci in the cafeteria, and then happily left the school gate with her crush.
Tang Ci crunched through the snow on her way back to the teaching building. As she went up the stairs, she bumped into a group of boys and girls. As they passed each other, Tang Ci overheard them excitedly talking about the guests at the music festival. They were probably going to the wetland park together.
She couldn't help but turn around and glance at their backs before slowly going upstairs. When she entered the classroom, the tip of her nose was red from the cold.
Sheng Yu also returned after dinner, tore open the packaging of the cold medicine, piled the medicine in his palm, and swallowed it all at once.
Whether from bitterness or choking, he frowned slightly and asked, "Have you finished your homework today?"
Tang Ci paused for a second before realizing that he was talking to her, and nodded, saying, "I'm done writing."
Sheng Yu took another sip of water, her voice still hoarse: "Come with me to the hospital tonight?"
Tang Ci opened her eyes wide: "Is your cold serious?"
Sheng Yu hummed in agreement, coughed lightly with a muffled sound, and asked lazily, resting her chin on her hand, as if she were certain that Sheng Yu would agree.
Looking at his weary eyes, Tang Ci couldn't bring herself to refuse.
“Okay.” She started tidying up the table, knowing he hated rules, and hesitated slightly before speaking: “I need to ask Song Ke for leave first.”
Sheng Yu showed no displeasure and readily agreed, "I'll go with you."
Song Ke shifted his gaze upwards, looking at Sheng Yu's unwavering and aloof demeanor. He paused for a moment, then tactfully said to Tang Ci, who was earnestly requesting leave, "If the illness isn't too serious, it's not easy to get leave to accompany her."
Tang Ci rested her fingertips on the edge of Song Ke's table, tilting her head to look at Sheng Yu: "How serious is it for you?"
Sheng Yu lowered her dark eyelashes and nodded without changing her expression: "You have a fever. Do you think it's serious?"
"Could you please write me a sick leave slip?" Tang Ci swallowed hard, then turned to Song Ke and said, "Thank you, class monitor."
Song Ke's lips twitched slightly as he flipped open a new sick leave slip: "No trouble at all."
The snow was already up to the soles of her shoes, and public transportation and taxis had become scarce resources that needed to be secured. As she went downstairs, Tang Ci unconsciously quickened her pace. When she stepped out of the teaching building, she slipped on the smooth marble floor and had to hold onto the railing to keep her balance.
Sheng Yu patted her shoulder: "What's the rush?"
Tang Ci turned her head, looked at his prominent Adam's apple, and stammered, "We need to hurry up and rob a taxi."
“No need,” Sheng Yu said, looking down. “I drove here.”
Tang Ci wrinkled her nose: "The school doesn't allow students to drive to school. What if the teachers find out?"
"It's parked outside the school." Sheng Yu pinched her cheek before letting go: "Don't worry about it."
Tang Ci was slightly disappointed and said, "Oh."
The snow fell heavier and heavier, and the streetlights on both sides of the road lit up one after another, their yellow lights shining on the snow, making it as bright as day.
Tang Ci's scarf was covered with a thin layer of snow, and as she walked, the snowflakes would restlessly slip into her collar, so she had to pat them off from time to time.
Sheng Yu led her to the bus stop and told her to wait under the canopy while he went to the parking lot of a nearby shopping mall to get his car.
Because Sheng Yu didn't tell her the license plate number, Tang Ci didn't get in until the car pulled up, the window rolled down, and Sheng Yu knocked on the glass to urge her.
Tang Ci fastened her seatbelt, and only after the car drove off did she realize something was wrong; the navigation system wasn't giving her the way to the hospital.
She pointed to the screen: "It seems you entered the wrong address."
“That’s right.” Sheng Yu turned the steering wheel with one hand and showed her the address.
Tang Ci stared at the words "Wetland Park" on the screen, paused for a few seconds, and then asked, "Does the Wetland Park also provide medical care...?"
Sheng Yu let out a soft chuckle: "Maybe."
Tang Ci then realized she had been tricked, and gripping the seatbelt with both hands, she twisted her body and pleaded, "Don't joke around with your health, let's go to the hospital first."
Sheng Yu casually brought his forehead closer: "You don't have a fever, feel it if you don't believe me."
Startled by his dangerous actions, Tang Ci's heart skipped a beat. She quickly placed her palm on his hand; it was warm but normal, showing no signs of fever.
She sat up quietly, her cheeks puffing out slightly: "Why did you lie to me if you didn't have a fever?"
"The classroom is too stuffy, which is not good for recovering from a cold." Sheng Yu sat up straight and said slowly, "The doctor advised me to breathe more fresh air."
He spoke too seriously, and his reasons were too convincing. Tang Ci's anger deflated, and she stammered, "Okay."
Her thoughts were already in a daze, and she forgot to ask Sheng Yu why she needed someone to accompany her to breathe fresh air.
There were no available parking spaces in the wetland park's parking lot, so they had to take a detour and park in a nearby residential area. Before getting out of the car, Sheng Yu adjusted the phone sign and said to Tang Ci, who was about to get out, "Help me take the white bag out of the back seat."
Tang Ci responded with an "Mm," got out of the car, opened the back door, picked up the white bag, and suddenly froze. A blue gift box lay quietly in the middle of the car seat; it was a Christmas gift carefully prepared by Zheng Shuyao.
"Didn't find it?"
Sheng Yu's voice came from behind, and Tang Ci hurriedly said, "Found it." She bent down, picked up the paper bag, and closed the car door.
After he locked the car, Tang Ci handed him the bag.
Sheng Yu didn't take it: "Here, Merry Christmas."
Tang Ci paused silently, only then realizing that the paper bag was heavy, and for a moment she was at a loss.
"Open it and take a look." Sheng Yu gestured with his chin towards her.
Tang Ci lowered her head, opened the bag, and saw two boxes. She ran her fingertips along the edges of the boxes to see the words on the packaging.
The boxes contained the latest mobile phone and cashmere gloves from a luxury brand.
Tang Ci felt as if her throat was blocked by a damp cotton ball. She closed the bag and handed it back to him, saying, "This is too valuable. You should take it back."
Sheng Yu's gaze turned cold. He put his hands in his pockets and said calmly, "It's worthless. If you don't want it, just throw it away."
/
Tang Ci followed Sheng Yu toward the wetland park.
The streetlights cast long shadows of the two people silently across the snow, the wind whistling in their ears, and deafening music drifting from the park, accompanied by waves of cheers.
Tang Ci, however, no longer felt the excitement she had when she arrived.
She clutched the silk handle of the paper bag in her hand, pulling at her palm repeatedly, causing a slight ache in her chest.
Looking at Sheng Yu's tall figure, Tang Ci realized the gap between them in a real and profound way.
What was a precious gift to her was nothing more than a casual gift to Sheng Yu.
The expensive watch in the car matched Sheng Yu perfectly, while the thermos cup she hid in her backpack seemed completely out of place with her.
They arrived late, and the inner area was already packed with people, so they could only stand at the railings outside and watch from afar.
The area outside wasn't quiet either; the streets were lined with stalls selling snacks and toys, and the sounds of bargaining, laughter, and playful fighting were constant.
Throughout the entire street, only they remained silent.
The female singer who was supposed to be the final performer had to go on stage early because of other commitments. Tang Ci stood on tiptoe and peered from afar, taking two blurry photos with her old phone. She admired the photos for a while with satisfaction before saying to Sheng Yu, "I'm going to the restroom."
Sheng Yu glanced at the broken phone in her hand that couldn't make or receive calls, and frowned slightly: "Come back as soon as you're done, don't wander off."
"Okay." Tang Ci was still immersed in the afterglow of the song, her voice light and cheerful, and she nodded with her eyes crinkled.
Sheng Yu raised the corner of his lips, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he said, "Mm."
After leaving the stall and washing her hands in line, Tang Ci was about to return the way she came when she suddenly heard someone calling her from the side of the path behind her.
She turned her head and, by the light of the colored lights hanging on the branches, saw Qiao Xi and Liu Zhen standing under the tree.
Qiao Xi wore appropriate red makeup for the occasion, but her face was pale. When she saw Tang Ci turn around, she called out again, "Tang Ci, can we talk?"
Since the conflict at the library, Tang Ci hadn't seen Qiao Xi again. Even though Qiao Xi didn't show any malice at the moment, Tang Ci instinctively took a half step back before asking, "Is there something you need?" due to her past memories.
Qiao Xi pursed her lips and exchanged a glance with Liu Zhen. As if making up her mind, she walked over to Tang Ci, took her hand, and said in a soft voice, "Would it be convenient for you to have a meal with me? I want to formally apologize to you for what happened before."
Tang Ci pulled her hand away from her grasp, turned her body to the side, and said, "No need."
Liu Zhen blocked her way, and the contempt on Tang Ci's face was gone, replaced by pleading: "Tang Ci, please help us out, okay? It's just a meal. Qiao Xi's parents really want to make it up to you."
Tang Ci took a deep breath, feeling annoyed by the entanglement with the two, when a cold voice suddenly came from the end of the road: "Tang Ci".
Qiao Xi and Liu Zhen both paused upon hearing the sound. Qiao Xi's expression changed, and she looked sullenly in the direction from which the sound came.
Sheng Yu stood under the lamp with his hands in his pockets and called out again, "Tang Ci, come here."
Tang Ci broke free from the two people's obstruction and quickly walked towards the lamp, her choked breathing becoming easier.
Just as she was about to walk over, Sheng Yu grabbed her hand as if to welcome her, pulled her to his side with a little force, and clicked his tongue, saying, "Don't talk to rotten people."
Tang Ci didn't explain that she was being harassed by a jerk. Her fingers, which were being held, curled slightly, and she said softly, "I'm sorry."
As they walked back hand in hand, Tang Ci belatedly realized what had happened and looked up to ask, "What did you do?"
“I just submitted some evidence to their school,” Sheng Yu said calmly. “What did she say to you?”
"She hasn't said anything yet." Tang Ci recalled Qiao Xi's expression just now and said astutely, "Has she been disciplined by the school?"
Sheng Yu hummed in agreement. "I asked my friend, and she bullied quite a few people in vocational high school too."
He tilted his head, his dark pupils meeting her gaze directly: "It's someone else's joint report; it has nothing to do with you."
Tang Ci could only say "Oh" again, her gaze falling from his sharp profile, her heart aching uncontrollably.
She knew all too well that Sheng Yu helping her was just a small favor, just like when they were children, but only she knew that since her mother passed away, Sheng Yu was the first person to protect her.
Within the hospital's overgrown garden, a noisy night market teeming with drunks, and a library bustling with people.
He was always like this, with a calm expression and composed demeanor, effortlessly leading her through floods and raging beasts.
Only after returning to their original positions did Sheng Yu release her hand. Tang Ci looked at the distant stage, her hands behind her back, gently twisting them together, silently warning herself not to get too caught up in it.
In the later stages of the music festival, the programs mainly involved interaction with the audience in the inner field, and the audience in the outer field lost interest, with more and more people heading home together.
After watching the singers she wanted to see, Tang Ci felt like going home. Worried about Sheng Yu's condition, she turned to him and asked, "Is your cold any better?"
Sheng Yu, with his hands in his pockets, nodded lazily.
Tang Ci grunted and then asked, "Do you want to watch for a little while longer?"
Sheng Yu raised his hand and ruffled her hair: "If you don't want to see it, just say so."
After he finished speaking, he walked towards the park gate, his gaze following the embarrassed Tang Ci: "Stay close to me."
Tang Ci quickened her pace, her arm bumping into his lower back, then she took a small step back, keeping a distance of about half a person's width from him.
Just as they were leaving the park, Jin Ming called. Tang Ci and Sheng Yu were close by, so they could hear Jin Ming's voice clearly.
"Brother Yu, is the gift in your car? I'll go to your house to get it."
Sheng Yu: "I'm at the wetland park."
"You're here to the music festival too?" Jin Ming immediately complained, "Why didn't you invite us when you came?"
Sheng Yu ignored his complaints and directly gave him the location of the parking lot: "You have ten minutes to come and get it."
Jin Ming mumbled a few more words before hanging up the phone.
The snow has stopped, and the parking lot is a pristine white, quiet place. Occasionally, birds seeking shelter from the cold fly by, startling the snow off the treetops.
Sheng Yu stopped beside the car, took out her phone, and waited for Jin Ming. Tang Ci didn't rush to get into the car either. She took out her phone and excitedly started taking pictures of the scenery in front of her, while her free hand couldn't resist grabbing snowflakes to play with.
When Jin Ming and Zhou Yiyang arrived, Tang Ci was standing on the steps of the fountain, brushing the snow off the fence. Her exposed cheeks and hands were red from the cold, making her look more vibrant than usual.
When Zhou Yiyang saw Sheng Yu withdraw his gaze from Tang Ci as she turned her head, he smiled meaningfully and raised his hand to greet Tang Ci: "Merry Christmas, Tang, you're a top student."
"Merry Christmas." Tang Ci placed the snowball on the railing and rubbed her hands together sheepishly.
"What's that bookworm doing here?" Jin Ming exclaimed in surprise.
Sheng Yu glanced at him: "The things are in the back seat."
Jin Ming said "Oh," opened the car door, took out the dark blue gift box, and thanked him with a smile: "It has to be Brother Yu, it's a few thousand cheaper than if I bought it myself."
Zhou Yiyang shrugged: "Aren't you ashamed to ask Sheng Yu to buy you a gift for a girl just to save a few thousand yuan?"
Jin Ming's family was too strict, so she said with a long face, "Don't tell me, tell my dad."
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and closed the car door again: "Brother Yu, are you going back to the city? Can you give us a ride?"
Before Sheng Yu could speak, Zhou Yiyang grabbed Jin Ming's shoulder and said, "What do you mean 'wait'? My car has arrived."
Jin Ming was completely confused: "When did you take a private car? I didn't know that."
Zhou Yiyang scoffed, "All you know is how to eat."
Tang Ci stared blankly as the two of them playfully walked away.
Sheng Yu stepped down the stairs and clicked his tongue, "What are you staring at them for?"
Tang Ci turned her head, her long eyelashes fluttering, her pupils filled with the warm light. She pursed her pale lips and asked a completely unrelated question: "Sheng Yu, is there any gift you'd like to receive?"
Sheng Yu's Adam's apple bobbed, and he let out a low chuckle: "You're going to give it to me?"
Tang Ci, carrying the white paper bag she had been holding the whole way, nodded: "Is there anything you like? I'll buy it for you."
Sheng Yu narrowed his eyes as he looked at her serious expression, and casually stretched out his hand to her: "What it is doesn't matter, but I want it now."
Tang Ci swallowed hard, put down the shoulder strap of her backpack, took out the paper bag she had hidden all day, and held it nervously and awkwardly in her hands: "I bought you a... thermos, do you want it?"
Sheng Yu looked at the paper bag that she had hurriedly stuffed into the drawer earlier, raised an eyebrow slightly, and took it without ceremony.
He unpacked the cardboard box, took out the black thermos, and played with the three drinking spouts on the lid. The buckle on the direct drinking spout was fastened tightly, and he tried to open it but couldn't.
Tang Ci was afraid that the gift she had just given was broken, so she leaned closer and repeatedly tried to unscrew the clasp on the bottle cap.
She used all her strength, but only a third of it was enough to open the clasp.
With a pop, the buckle snapped open, and her body slammed into Sheng Yu.
In a split second, Tang Ci only managed to utter, "Get out of the way—"
Instead of dodging her human cannonball as she had instructed, Sheng Yu reached out and hugged her waist with a strong sense of social responsibility.
Tang Ci, however, repaid kindness with enmity, her lips striking his mouth squarely.
Her head exploded with a buzzing sound. Ignoring the stinging pain in her lips, Tang Ci struggled to her feet from Sheng Yu's embrace, her body pressed against the fence as she stumbled and apologized, her face flushed red: "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to."
"This is the second time." Sheng Yu stuffed the thermos back into the bag, rubbing his lips with his fingers. His deep, magnetic voice carried an intense pressure: "Tang Ci, how do you plan to compensate me?"
Tang Ci gripped the iron bars, the icy touch failing to quell the heat coursing through her body. Her muddled mind couldn't conceive a solution, so she could only lower her head and maintain a humble demeanor: "I'll compensate you however you wish..."
Sheng Yu walked in with a light laugh, lifting her chin with his fingertips, forcing her to look him in the eye, his fingertips lightly brushing her lower lip: "How about an eye for an eye?"
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