Chapter 28
As the taxi merged into the night traffic, Feng Ling leaned against the window, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the wind chime ring on her ring finger. The cold metal gradually warmed with her body heat, and the sapphire shimmered under the pulsating city lights, just like her throbbing heart. The touch of his skin still lingered on her cheek, and the resounding words "I love you" echoed in her ears, making her feel a belated embarrassment, yet she couldn't help but purse her lips and smile.
She took out her cell phone and clicked on the only pinned dialog box.
I'm in the car.
Almost an instant reply.
[Hmm. Is the ring put away?]
[I’m wearing it.] She sent a photo of her finger with the ring resting on her leg.
[It's mine.] It was followed by an emoji of a tight hug.
She thought of the "everything" he said, and the obstacles he had already cleared. A feeling of being cherished and carefully protected arose spontaneously, and Feng Ling's heart was filled with sweetness.
***
An Hesu stood by the French window, not looking away until the taxi carrying Feng Ling completely disappeared from view. He looked down at his empty ring finger, where the ring that once held all his love and anxiety once sat. Now, he felt an immense sense of relief and fulfillment. He saved the photo of the ring Feng Ling had sent him and set it as his chat background. A silly smile played on his lips, one he hadn't even noticed.
He walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured a small glass of whiskey, no ice, the amber liquid swishing gently in the glass. He needed something to calm his overly excited emotions. Everything that had happened tonight was as beautiful as a dream he didn't want to wake up from. He finally tied the wind chime he had treasured for years to her finger, and finally heard her clear words, "I love you."
Yet, amidst his joy, reality also loomed. He understood Feng Ling's concerns were not unnecessary. Although he had paved the way, the storm brought on by the "official announcement" still required careful assessment and sufficient strength to withstand. He tilted his head back and drank the wine from his glass, the acrid liquid slicing down his throat, bringing a sense of sobriety. He had to grow faster, become stronger, strong enough to provide her with a safe sky in any storm.
***
In the days that followed, both of them were busy with their own busy lives. Feng Ling faced her graduation thesis defense, feeling immense pressure; Ankhsu entered the promotional period for her new album, her schedule as intense as a war. But he always found the spare moments to send her a message. Sometimes it was a tired "Just finished, thinking of you" after finishing work late at night; sometimes it was a photo of the airport at dawn as he rushed to catch a flight; sometimes it was just a clip of him dancing in his practice room, without any text.
Feng Ling would reply to him in between busy moments, reminding him to rest and eat on time. Their conversations were simple, yet filled with a care that only they understood. This secret, carefully guarded relationship was like a seed quietly sprouting beneath the ice and snow, filled with anxiety but also with hope.
The number of times they met was rare, sometimes just a fleeting glimpse backstage at an event, exchanging a glance that only they understood, or a quick tug of the other's hand when no one was looking. But the closeness of their hearts was deeper than any daily companionship.
Backstage at a large fashion event, the atmosphere was bustling with activity, staff and artists constantly moving about. The air was thick with hairspray, perfume, and a sense of tension. Feng Ling was assisting Teacher Qingfeng with checking the process sheet when her phone briefly vibrated in her pocket. She quietly pulled it out and saw it was Ankhsu, with only a few short words:
【My dressing room, come quickly. 】
Her heart skipped a beat, and a wave of intense anxiety and desire washed over her. She quickly found an excuse with Qingfeng to go to the bathroom, then lowered her head. Relying on her vague memories from the previous meeting, she slid through the noisy corridor like a nimble fish, accurately finding the room with the sign "BOW."
Glancing quickly around, seeing no one paying attention, she turned the doorknob, slipped sideways in, and locked the door neatly with a soft click.
Almost instantly, a powerful force struck from behind! She cried out in surprise, but before she could even see clearly, he had grabbed her from behind and lifted her up steadily! Her head spun, and his scorching breath was already blasting against her ear. Within a few steps, he eagerly but steadily laid her down on the soft love seat, his tall body immediately covering her, completely shrouding her in his shadow.
Without further ado, his lips captured hers with unmistakable eagerness. It was a kiss completely different from his usual gentle, restrained one, filled with aggression and days of pent-up longing. He greedily sucked at her lips, his tongue forcefully prying open her teeth, entangled in her inescapable tenderness.
Feng Ling's mind went blank, all rationality and concerns burned away by the sudden passion. Longing for him after so many days apart was like a flood that instantly overwhelmed them both. She instinctively responded, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, her fingertips unconsciously digging into the damp hair at the nape of his neck. They pressed tightly together, clinging to each other's familiar, yet heart-pounding scent, exchanging hot, erratic breaths.
In a state of turmoil and passion, An Hesu's hand began to wander uncontrollably behind her back. Even through the thin fabric, she could feel the scorching heat and slight trembling of his palm. The touch, tinged with clear desire, made Feng Ling's body weaken, and her rationality was shaky under the pounding of passion.
Just as his kiss gradually moved down, lingering on her sensitive neck, and his fingers tentatively tried to lift the edge of her skirt -
"Buzz..."
Feng Ling's cell phone, which was placed on the armrest of the sofa, vibrated again at an inopportune time. The screen lit up, indicating an incoming call from Teacher Qingfeng.
This sudden interruption was like a bucket of cold water, instantly waking Feng Ling from her trance. She snapped back to her senses, turned her head away, and pressed her hands against his solid chest, pushing him away slightly with an unsteady breath. "No... Anhesu, this... isn't possible."
The pressure on my body suddenly eased.
Ankhsu was pushed aside obediently. He took a few deep breaths, his Adam's apple rolling violently, trying to calm the surging desire within him. He didn't force it, simply leaning back against the sofa, raising his arms to shield his eyes, which had become particularly deep and even a little crimson with passion. His chest continued to rise and fall violently, silently demonstrating the great restraint he needed at this moment.
For a moment, the only sound in the dressing room was the two people's heavy breathing, which had not yet subsided.
After a while, he lowered his arm and turned his head to look at her. His eyes had regained some clarity, but the lingering passion still burned deep within them. He suddenly called her softly, his voice hoarse with the aftermath and a kind of indescribable intimacy:
"Spirit~"
"Hmm?" Feng Ling was tidying up her messy hair and collar. The blush on her cheeks had not completely faded yet. She turned to look at him when she heard the voice.
"Next month," he stared at her, his deep eyes filled with starlight and unfulfilled lust, making them particularly captivating. "It's my birthday." He paused, looking at her slightly widened eyes, and continued, "I don't have any work plans for that night."
Feng Ling's heart skipped a beat. She certainly understood the deeper meaning of his words, and the invitation that this specially set aside night represented. A wave of heat, a mixture of shyness, anticipation, and sweetness, surged across her cheeks once again.
"How do you want to...get through this?" She heard her voice tighten.
"I just want to be with you." His voice lowered, with a kind of tenderness that could melt people and an unquestionable possessiveness, "Just the two of us."
The enclosed space, the lingering atmosphere of ambiguity, his focused and affectionate gaze... all of this made Feng Ling unable to refuse, nor did she want to refuse. The blush that had just faded from her face spread again, even staining her ears with crimson. She nodded gently, her voice as soft as a mosquito but extremely clear:
"……good."
At her affirmative answer, Anhesu's lips couldn't help but curl up, a satisfied and delighted arc. "That day," he said solemnly, sitting up straight and reaching out to smooth her sweaty hair. "I'll pick you up." He paused, his eyes locked with hers, and added, "Wait for me."
"Yeah." Feng Ling nodded again, her heart feeling like it was filled with honey.
The two of them stayed in silence for a while, calming down. Feng Ling checked the time and knew she couldn't linger any longer. She stood up, straightened her appearance one last time, and said to him, "Then I'll be leaving first."
"Okay." An Hesu sat on the sofa, his eyes following her.
Feng Ling walked to the door, unlocked it, looked back at him again, gave him a shy and comforting smile, then quickly opened the door, slipped out, and gently closed the door.
Only after exiting the bustling backstage and reaching the relatively quiet end of the corridor did Feng Ling finally breathe a sigh of relief. She leaned against the cool wall, her fingers unconsciously caressing her still slightly swollen and burning lips, then touching the wind chime ring on her ring finger. Her heart was still beating wildly in her chest, as if she had just experienced a sweet adventure.
However, this time, amidst the panic, there was more of a throbbing feeling of being needed and cherished, as well as an infinite shy yet sweet longing for the upcoming birthday night that would belong only to the two of them. His heart was filled with a full, almost overflowing happiness, as if all the stars were shining for her at that moment.
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