Chapter 103
It was nearly midnight when the dinner party ended. The two walked back to their hotel room side by side. The carpet in the corridor absorbed their footsteps, leaving only the faint sound of their breaths mingling.
Yun Zhan went into the bathroom first, his fingertips hooking the shoulder strap of his dress. He turned back to Shi Mingyue and said softly, "I'll change into something comfortable first."
The two of them went into the bathroom together.
Yun Zhan had his back to the mirror.
Shi Mingyue stood in front of the mirror.
She could see Yun Zhan's back in the mirror whenever she looked up.
Shi Mingyue hummed in agreement, walked to the sink and turned on the tap. The cool water flowed over her fingertips, but it did little to dispel the surging heat in her heart.
She bent down to scoop water to wash her face, water droplets sliding down her cheeks and dripping onto the marble surface of the sink, making a soft, rustling sound.
When she looked up to grab a towel to wipe her face, her gaze inadvertently swept across the mirror in front of her.
Yun Zhan's back was clearly reflected in the mirror.
With her back to Shi Mingyue, she slowly took off her moon-white dress. As the dress slipped down, it revealed a smooth and delicate back, its lines as soft as fine white jade. Her waist was slender but not bony, with just the right curve.
The warm yellow bathroom light fell on her, coating her skin with a thin, soft halo, and even the strands of hair falling on her back looked particularly tender.
Shi Mingyue's breathing suddenly stopped, her throat involuntarily bobbed up and down, and her heart trembled heavily as if it were being gripped by a warm hand.
Her gaze was fixed on her reflection in the mirror, unable to look away even for a moment, so much so that she didn't even notice the water droplets falling from her fingertips onto the ground.
The next second, Yun Zhan raised his hand and brushed the long hair that fell behind his neck. His hands, which were usually holding a pen, were now exceptionally clear in the mirror. His fingers were long and slender with distinct knuckles and neatly trimmed nails. When he raised his hand, his wrist turned slightly, exuding an indescribable elegance.
This simple act of flipping her hair felt like a feather gently scratching at Shi Mingyue's heart, sending a shiver down her spine.
She clenched the towel in her hand tightly, her gaze sweeping over the mirror embedded in the bathroom wall before looking at the closed bathroom door.
The hotel corridor is right outside the door.
Guests attending the dinner were also staying on the same floor.
Perhaps someone is walking around next door right now.
But it was this "insecurity" that led a bold idea to pop into her mind.
The bathroom mirror, the warm steam, the small and secluded space... this is clearly the perfect place.
A surge of excitement instantly welled up inside me, mixed with a faint sense of transgression, and exploded in my chest.
Shi Mingyue's cheeks gradually flushed, and even her breathing became a little rapid. She looked at Yun Zhan's figure in the mirror, who was still tidying up his clothes. Her throat moved again, and she unconsciously took half a step forward. Her voice was a little hoarse without her even realizing it.
“Yun Zhan…”
The hoarse call echoed in the steamy bathroom. Shi Mingyue took another half step forward until only a fist's distance remained between them.
She looked up at Yun Zhan's profile in the mirror, her gaze already hazy, like a lake shrouded in a thin mist, reflecting the warm yellow light and shimmering with tiny sparkles.
Before Yun Zhan could turn around, Shi Mingyue reached out and gently took Yun Zhan's hand, which was hanging by his side.
Yun Zhan's fingertips still carried the slight coolness of his formal attire, but Shi Mingyue felt that the temperature was just right to soothe the heat in her heart.
She instinctively clenched her fists tighter, her fingertips gently tracing the other person's knuckles, as if seeking comfort...
Then, she turned slightly to the side and gently rested her head on Yun Zhan's shoulder.
When Shi Mingyue's cheek touched Yun Zhan's warm skin, her breath trembled slightly. The faint scent of gardenias lingered around Yun Zhan, the scent of her usual shower gel, but it seemed especially alluring at this moment.
She didn't look up, but simply maintained that dependent posture.
With her other hand gently covering Yun Zhan's hand, she moved it down slowly, with a hint of probing and a hint of longing, until it finally rested between her legs.
She didn't say anything more, but her eyes gradually welled up with tears. The warm moisture mixed with her excitement for Yun Zhan made her eyes redden, and her long eyelashes fluttered like the wings of a startled butterfly.
Shi Mingyue embraced Yun Zhan, her hair trembling gently on Yun Zhan's shoulders, each tremor tickling the heart.
Yun Zhan stroked the top of her head, and Shi Mingyue's body trembled slightly, but she did not let go of his hand, but buried her face even deeper.
"It's okay, I'll be here for you."
"good."
Yun Zhan's arm was still half-raised, and the warmth and moisture from her shoulder made her breath catch in her throat slightly.
Shi Mingyue cried again.
She subconsciously tightened her arms, holding Shi Mingyue even closer to her chest. Once the stiffness in her body subsided slightly, she softened her voice and lowered her head to ask Shi Mingyue's question.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
The person in her arms didn't answer immediately, but she felt Shi Mingyue's head gently rub against her shoulder, like a kitten seeking comfort.
A few seconds later, a muffled voice came through, tinged with grievance and an unspoken longing: "I'm feeling a little unwell..."
The voice was soft, yet it carried a deep sense of dependence, mingling with the warm steam in the bathroom, and entered Yun Zhan's ears.
Yun Zhan looked down at the top of Shi Mingyue's head, which was buried in his arms, and his concern deepened: "Where do you feel uncomfortable? Tell me and I'll take a look."
"Take a guess?"
"I can't guess..."
"The places you frequent."
"All right..."
Yun Zhan was speechless. She coughed lightly, embarrassed. At this point, there was no need for further speculation.
"Then I...?"
"Yun Zhan...do I have to say those two words myself?" Shi Mingyue gently bit her shoulder, her voice muffled.
Her face, buried in Yun Zhan's arms, flushed even more, and her nose brushed against Yun Zhan's warm neck, bringing a soft, ticklish sensation.
"Hurry up..."
She didn't look up, but gently hooked Yun Zhan's palm with her fingertips, as if responding, or as if urging him.
Shi Mingyue caught a glimpse of the mirror on the wall beside her out of the corner of her eye, and her heart skipped a beat.
The mirror was covered with a thin layer of mist from the bathroom steam, but it still clearly reflected the intertwined figures of the two people.
Yun Zhan rested his chin on the top of her head, his arms tightly wrapped around her waist, his posture both gentle and forceful.
As she leaned against Yun Zhan's chest, her shoulders trembled slightly, and even the way her fingertips hooked around his palm revealed an obvious dependence.
Shi Mingyue's cheeks instantly burned even hotter. She subconsciously tried to look away, but her gaze was as if it were glued to a mirror, unable to look away even a fraction.
Yun Zhan's breathing gradually became calmer, and he tightened his arms around Shi Mingyue, gently stroking her back with his palms, sliding from her shoulder blades to her waist.
Yun Zhan in the mirror lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the top of her hair. The tenderness in his eyes was almost overflowing. Shi Mingyue looked at the scene in the mirror and suddenly felt a subtle flutter in her heart. Even her breathing became a little tight.
She tilted her head slightly, her nose brushing lightly against Yun Zhan's chin, her eyelashes still fluttering gently.
The mirror reflected her reddened eyes and her proactive approach. When she kissed Yun Zhan's lips, she clearly saw her eyelashes tremble violently and even the tips of her ears turn bright red.
The kiss was soft and tentative, yet it also concealed a long-suppressed desire, and it quickly turned from gentle to burning.
Shi Mingyue trembled slightly, but took the initiative to move closer to her. The two figures in the mirror were pressed even closer together, almost merging into one.
“Yun Zhan…”
"I am here.."
"are u there?"
"Of course I'm here, I've always been by your side."
The sound of water was still flowing gently, mixed with the two people's suppressed breathing and occasional gasps, weaving a tight-fitting, intimate atmosphere in the small bathroom.
Shi Mingyue felt insecure and often called out Yun Zhan's name. If Yun Zhan did not respond in time, she would feel like she was about to cry, and her voice would be trembling with sobs.
"I love you... Yun Zhan, I can't live without you."
"good."
Shi Mingyue's fingers gripped Yun Zhan's clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white. Her back was pressed against the cool tiles, while Yun Zhan's palm warmed her in front of her.
She couldn't help but look in the mirror again, and when she saw Yun Zhan lower his head to kiss her forehead, the corners of her mouth quietly curved up, and the unease in her eyes was gradually replaced by a sense of security.
The image of being held and cherished by Yun Zhan like this, reflected in the mirror, was so touching.
Once his breathing had calmed down, Yun Zhan gently slid down to sit on the ground with Shi Mingyue in his arms, letting her lean against him.
Looking at the two of them embracing in the mirror, Shi Mingyue's cheeks were still flushed, and her eyelashes were damp with moisture. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Yun Zhan's waist, pressing her face against her chest, listening to her steady heartbeat, and whispered, "Don't go..."
Yun Zhan lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, gently stroking her sweaty temples with his palm. His voice was hoarse from the intimacy they had just shared, but it was exceptionally earnest: "I won't leave, I'll always be here."
As the steam in the bathroom gradually dissipated, the two embraced and returned to the bedroom, where the soft bedding enveloped their warm bodies.
Only a small, warm yellow nightlight was on by the bedside, its soft light spilling onto the bedding.
Shi Mingyue lay on her side, her back pressed against Yun Zhan's chest. She could clearly feel his steady heartbeat and the warm strength of his arms wrapped around her waist. The sense of belonging she felt was stronger than ever before.
With her eyes closed, her fingertips gently caressed the back of Yun Zhan's hand that was resting on her waist. She was still immersed in the tenderness from just now, but suddenly felt Yun Zhan's hand holding her move slightly.
Yun Zhan took her hand and slowly moved it upwards, finally placing her palm against his chest.
Pei Yanxi is also at the banquet tonight.
Yun Zhan's voice was very soft, like an evening breeze brushing across a lake, carrying a rare sense of ease, as if he were talking about an ordinary little thing.
"She told me that all the things that hadn't been resolved at the school before have now been taken care of."
Shi Mingyue's fingertips curled slightly. She could feel the rhythm of Yun Zhan's heartbeat as her palm pressed against his chest, but she still subconsciously held her breath, waiting for Yun Zhan to continue.
Yun Zhan paused, then lowered his head and planted a light kiss on the top of her head, his tone filled with relief: "So you see, it seems like all my missions have disappeared."
Just as she was about to ask something, she heard Yun Zhan say softly again, "So, baby, you don't need to worry, it's all over."
Yun Zhan gently scratched her palm with his fingers, as if to soothe her tension: "The whole...everything is over. From now on, I can only stay here."
"I am just an ordinary citizen of this world."
When the last sentence was uttered, Yun Zhan's heart skipped a beat, and the skin pressed against Shi Mingyue's palm felt slightly warm.
As a time traveler, the moment her mission was completed, she knew she could never return to her original world. Yet, when she said, "I can only stay here," she felt no regret, only a deep appreciation for those around her.
Shi Mingyue suddenly turned around, her eyes slightly red, and reached out to wrap her arms around Yun Zhan's neck, burying her face in the crook of her neck.
Her palm remained pressed against Yun Zhan's chest, feeling his real heartbeat: "Really... you won't leave?"
"I'm not leaving."
Yun Zhan held her tightly, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice gentle yet firm: "I won't go anywhere else from now on, I'll stay by your side."
The light from the nightlight illuminated their intertwined figures, and the warmth of the blankets gradually spread throughout their bodies. At this moment, the fear of leaving and the unease about loss finally vanished completely.
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