The pitch-black night outside the floor-to-ceiling windows made the brightly lit living room seem exceptionally quiet, the light both bright and serene.
The roses leaned against the vase, their slender stems casting sparse shadows on the wall, interspersed with Xu Shiyue's crouching shadow, like a feline hiding in the bushes, waiting to hunt.
Lu Shizhen was the one being hunted.
The soft sofa supported Lu Shizhen's backward body, and Xu Shiyue's shadow loomed over her from above.
Their eyes met, the barely perceptible distance between their noses making each breath warm, the atmosphere even more ambiguous than the last time they watched a movie here.
The air in summer already carries an excessively high temperature, and the narrow space was quickly filled with Xu Shiyue's scent.
The lips that had just posed the question lightly brushed against Lu Shizhen's lips, sometimes close, sometimes far, without touching her at all, yet making her breath feel as hot as if she had a fever.
Lu Shizhen looked at the person above her with heavy breaths.
She knew exactly what Xu Shiyue meant by "eat," but that understanding made her even more nervous.
This place is not an isolated space; the only door leads directly outside. Aunt Sun, who is resting in the nanny's room, may appear at any time, or you may hear the sounds they might make next.
Feeling a little embarrassed, Lu Shizhen propped herself up on her arms, nudged Xu Shiyue's shoulder, and said, "Let's go back to the room."
Upon hearing this, Xu Shiyue lowered her body slightly, her lips brushing unintentionally against her earlobe, and deliberately asked, "The movie isn't over yet, what are you going back to the room for?"
Another electric current passed through.
A gentle breeze outside the window rustled the treetops. Lu Shizhen bit her inner lip, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, but she had to finish her sentence: "Go back to the room, I'll let you eat when we get back to the room."
Xu Shiyue looked down at the people below her and smiled slightly.
She didn't know where she got so much urge to kiss Lu Shizhen from. She lowered her head and kissed Lu Shizhen's earlobe again, as if she were negotiating with her: "Let's go to the guest room on the first floor, okay?"
Anywhere is fine with Lu Shizhen, as long as it's not this place.
She agreed quickly, and after nodding, she half-kissed Xu Shiyue as they sat up on the sofa. This desire to kiss wasn't unique to Xu Shiyue.
Lu Shizhen had never been to this guest room before; the simply furnished room was filled with a faint fragrance.
She couldn't tell whether the smell was coming from Xu Shiyue or from the room itself. She tripped over the edge of the bed and fell backward onto the bed.
The warm white light fell into Lu Shizhen's eyes, along with Xu Shiyue's face.
Her hand had been draped over the man's neck the whole time, and now, in this situation, she felt like she had walked right into a trap.
Xu Shiyue thought so too: "Walking into a trap?"
"Not really," Lu Shizhen replied, trying to appear calm.
Xu Shiyue lowered her eyes slightly, seemingly with a smile, and then leaned down to kiss Lu Shizhen even more deeply.
Seemingly for a better kiss, Xu Shiyue's arm slipped through the gap between Lu Shizhen and the bed and rested on her waist.
His soft, moist lips brushed against Lu Shizhen's lips again and again, while his soft yet strong hands supported her, making her feel indescribably comfortable. She didn't even notice that her legs were naturally brushed against the cool hem of her skirt.
At one point, Lu Shizhen slightly opened her eyes as she took a breath.
The light became hazy as she looked into her misty eyes, casting a soft veil over the person in front of her and highlighting the focused light on Xu Shiyue's half-lowered eyelashes.
When it comes to kissing, it's usually Lu Shizhen who takes the initiative.
Lu Shizhen was always afraid of hurting Xu Shiyue and was always exceptionally gentle. However, perhaps because she didn't have the initiative, she felt that Xu Shiyue's initiative this time was much gentler than her own in the past.
It felt like falling into the clouds.
The frosted air seeped into her boiling blood as it enveloped every inch of her body, surging yet gentle, making her completely immersed in it.
Suddenly, Lu Shizhen felt the person she was looking at lift their eyes.
Before she could dodge, Xu Shiyue looked at her and said, "Teacher Sixteen has been spying on me for a while now."
“Yes.” Lu Shizhen wrapped her arms around Xu Shiyue’s neck, her moist lips flushed with a deep red. “I was wondering who Shiyue learned to be so affectionate.”
Xu Shiyue's hand traced the texture of Lu Shizhen's hair, gently rubbing her earlobe, and she asked softly, "Do you like it?"
Lu Shizhen didn't hesitate to express her feelings, replying, "I especially like it."
Xu Shiyue seemed quite satisfied with Lu Shizhen's answer, and the usually calm smile on her face deepened: "Then I'll kiss you a little longer."
"Mmm..."
Lu Shizhen was about to nod in response when her voice was suddenly drowned out by a sound that rose from her throat.
Xu Shiyue's unpredictable actions and sudden infiltration caused Lu Shizhen to tense up, as if something was stirring within her body, making her heart pound faster.
Xu Shiyue was also momentarily confined by this, and lowered her head to kiss Lu Shizhen's eyebrows: "Teacher Sixteen, it's not a good habit to eat alone."
The words were veiled, yet also straightforward.
Lu Shizhen suddenly felt a ball of fire rush to the top of her head, instantly turning her face red.
The wind pushed the osmanthus tree outside the window to sway wildly in the night sky, and the moon appeared and disappeared among the constantly swaying shadows of the tree.
The clean guest room gradually filled with more and more scents, a faint fragrance intertwined with the scent of roses, enveloping the thorns of the roses.
...
The night was deep, and the full moon rested on the branches of the osmanthus tree.
Lu Shizhen's sleep was inexplicably restless. When she woke up groggily, she found that Xu Shiyue was not sleeping next to her.
The warm blankets still retained her body heat, and thin clothing was scattered on the floor.
Lu Shizhen frowned slightly and turned her head to see a figure on the small balcony.
The moonlight was bright and clear, as if it were draping a gentle veil over her slender figure to keep her warm.
She was wearing only a simple sundress, the dim light outlining her figure, and wisps of smoke drifted by before disappearing from her side.
Lu Shizhen's heart suddenly sank.
The sound of the sliding door being pulled open rang out, and the scent of smoke mixed with mint rushed towards her.
The wisp of smoke was none other than the smoke emanating from the cigarette held between Xu Shiyue's fingers.
"You're smoking again?" Lu Shizhen asked softly, without any hint of reproach.
Xu Shiyue was somewhat surprised that Lu Shizhen woke up and noticed her. She raised her hand and stubbed out her cigarette: "Did I choke you?"
Lu Shizhen shook her head and asked, "Why are you smoking again?"
In the early hours of the morning, the whole world was pitch black.
A cool summer breeze brushed past Xu Shiyue's hair as she took a step toward Lu Shizhen and rested her head on her shoulder: "I dreamt that you disappeared along with the gods."
"I can't find you anywhere, I can't find you anywhere."
Xu Shiyue's voice was full of vulnerability, and her extremely simple retelling seemed to be mixed with a slight tremor.
The unease she had been suppressing in her heart for days finally burst forth uncontrollably after her reunion with Lu Shizhen, and as she relaxed, the terrifying dream enveloped her.
Even though she is usually decisive and efficient, she can still become vulnerable and insecure because of her weaknesses.
Lu Shizhen felt a dull ache in her heart.
She has already caused Xu Shiyue to lose her twice.
Lu Shizhen placed her warm palms on the cool fabric and wrapped her arms around Xu Shiyue's waist.
She gently stroked her back, her voice softer than the wind: "No, I won't. I'll never leave you again."
"If you're scared next time, just hide in my arms. It's okay if you wake me up."
Lu Shizhen's voice reached Xu Shiyue's ears word by word, and this real feeling completely dispelled her unease.
It's much more effective than smoking.
Xu Shiyue leaned her head closer to Lu Shizhen, greedily seeking reassurance from her.
Lu Shizhen turned her face slightly and gently stroked her face, like two little animals warming each other.
After a pause, Lu Shizhen whispered in Xu Shiyue's ear, "Also, smoking makes your mouth taste bitter."
Upon hearing this, Xu Shiyue immediately raised her eyes and looked at Lu Shizhen. "Then are you going to never kiss me again?"
Moonlight shone through those dark pupils, revealing a coldness tinged with childlike unease.
Xu Shiyue's face, without any makeup or embellishment, was clean and attractive.
Lu Shizhen smiled upon hearing this.
A gentle breeze blew by, and she lowered her head to kiss Xu Shiyue in the moonlight.
She proved with her actions that she would love Xu Shiyue no matter what.
The next morning, while Qiuqiu was still sleeping in Yuanzi's arms, Xu Shiyue drove off with Lu Shizhen.
Lu Shizhen returned to this world on the third day, which was also the third month since she lost contact with the comic book publisher.
Fortunately, Xu Shiyue had made arrangements and contacted Xiaoning, asking her to help Lu Shizhen manage things for the time being, which prevented any mishaps and prevented the news of her disappearance as a rising star in the comics world from spreading.
To express her apology and to thank Xiaoning for keeping an eye on the comic's publication for her these past few days, Lu Shizhen decided to treat Xiaoning to a meal with Xu Shiyue when Xiaoning came to discuss work with her.
After experiencing private jet service for the first time in her life, Xiaoning visited a world-class high-end restaurant for the first time.
The environment was understated yet undeniably radiant. Xiaoning followed the head waiter toward the private room, her every step revealing her restraint.
She thought that after living for more than 20 years, she could finally understand how Granny Liu felt when she first visited the Grand View Garden.
"Xiaoning".
Just as she was thinking this, Xiaoning heard a familiar voice in this unfamiliar environment.
This is comparable to rain after a long drought, or meeting an old friend in a foreign land.
Xiaoning saw Lu Shizhen waving at her and immediately walked over quickly, excitedly: "Teacher Sixteen, you're finally back from abroad! Did your studies abroad go smoothly?"
Xu Shiyue did not tell Xiaoning the truth about Lu Shizhen's disappearance, but instead used an excuse that was appropriate for her to talk to Lu Shizhen at this time.
Xu Shiyue had also prepared a "gift" for Lu Shizhen that she had bought during her studies abroad, so that Lu Shizhen could use this excuse.
"Everything went smoothly. This is a gift for you and everyone in the studio. Please help me distribute it to everyone when you get back."
As she spoke, Lu Shizhen handed the prepared items to Xiaoning. The two large bags were not heavy, but they were not light either.
Xiaoning was shocked by the size of the two bags.
She looked at the brand she had her eye on for a long time but couldn't bring herself to buy, her face full of smiles: "Teacher Sixteen, you've really gone to a lot of trouble, even bringing us gifts."
"It's only right." Seeing Xiaoning's undisguised delight, Lu Shizhen was also extremely happy.
"This is the menu. Just press this bell when you want to order," the supervisor said, handing three copies of the menu to the three people.
Xu Shiyue nodded slightly and accepted the menu.
Xiaoning had never been to a place like this before and didn't know what to do. Holding the menu up, she stole a glance at Xu Shiyue across from her.
Then, Xiaoning noticed with exceptional sensitivity that Xu Shiyue's hand seemed to be holding the menu somewhat awkwardly, and she had to gently turn it every now and then.
Thinking of returning the favor, since someone gave me such a gift, I should also show some concern for them and their partner.
"Miss Xu, what happened to your wrist? Did you sprain it? I saw you were turning it just now," Xiaoning asked with concern in front of Lu Shizhen.
Upon hearing this, Xu Shiyue paused for a moment.
She glanced at Lu Shizhen beside her, her smile deepening: "It's nothing, it's just... I've been doing a lot of repetitive movements, and I'm tired."
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