Jiang Yubai held the glass, silently took a sip of orange juice, then asked: "What kind of swimsuit are you talking about?"
Jiang Yubai was a meticulous person. He knew swimwear could be categorized into several types, such as the "sharkskin swimsuit" that once dominated Olympic swimming competitions, and the full-body "diving swimsuit" that covered everything. While trying hard to maintain his proper demeanor, he couldn't resist Lin Zhixia's casual remark: "The most common style - just a pair of shorts."
She raised her palm, pressing it against her waist: "Starting from here..." Her fingers moved downward, stopping on her leg: "Ending here."
Her skin resembled snow-white, fine mutton-fat jade, her nails like softly glowing pink pearls. She lightly grasped the folds of her skirt, unabashedly depicting the imaginary scene.
She said: "When you swim in the pool, your swimsuit will get wet..."
Pausing at this point, Jiang Yubai asked: "When are you free? We could go swimming together."
Lin Zhixia answered honestly: "I've never learned how to swim."
Jiang Yubai became more enthusiastic than gym staff: "Do you want to learn? I can teach you."
Lin Zhixia didn't immediately agree. She asked very seriously: "Do you have a coaching certificate?"
Of course not.
He had miscalculated.
Jiang Yubai decided to quickly obtain a "swimming coach certificate." Once certified, he could provide one-on-one tutoring for Lin Zhixia - this desire was urgent and intense. But his tone remained proper: "I'll get certified first, then become your coach. Swimming is an important survival skill that can exercise the body..."
Lin Zhixia beamed: "You'd get certified for me?"
Jiang Yubai defended: "One more skill won't burden you."
Lin Zhixia burst into "hahaha" laughter. She took his left hand, smoothed his palm, and pressed it against her cheek.
Jiang Yubai couldn't suppress the joy rising in his heart. But his touch remained awkward, clumsy, and slow, as if exploring priceless rare treasures. Having known Lin Zhixia for years, he had gradually developed a belief - "He mustn't make her afraid, nor bring her any negative influence."
Lin Zhixia then cupped his right hand, whispering: "I know you're the best to me."
These words nearly melted his heart.
Moving from her cheek to the nape of her neck, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. Her smile sweetened as she fell into his embrace, feeling his arms warm and reliable, her body and mind completely relaxed, secretly grateful this tender moment could be permanently preserved in her memory.
Thus, she said sincerely: "I really like you so much."
In front of Jiang Yubai, Lin Zhixia was accustomed to speaking her mind directly. Whatever she said was safe - this was a fact she had repeatedly verified.
She tilted her ear, pressing closely against his chest, curiously eavesdropping on his heartbeat.
Guessing her intention, he asked: "Can you hear it clearly?"
Lin Zhixia counted rhythmically: "Thump, thump, thump... your heartbeat is getting faster."
Jiang Yubai felt as if she had uncovered his secret. He felt his blood surging with boundless energy, yet found no outlet. Unable to help himself, he raised his head to look at the blank ceiling, not leaving even a glance for Lin Zhixia.Lin Zhixia was already in his arms. If he kept staring at her, he didn't know what he might do.
But Lin Zhixia asked him, "What are you thinking about?"
Jiang Yubai attempted to cover up: "Nothing."
She questioned, "Really?"
He revealed: "I'm thinking about... messy things."
He nearly said, "My thoughts aren't pure." To maintain his image in Lin Zhixia's mind, he didn't dare speak directly and could only use the word "messy" to slightly conceal it.
Lin Zhixia stood up from her seat and walked to the side of the single bed. She grabbed a strawberry pillow and responsibly suggested, "Let me teach you the steps of Meditation. Last night, through Meditation, I organized the messy thoughts in my head..."
Clearly, Lin Zhixia had misunderstood Jiang Yubai's meaning.
Jiang Yubai decided to go along with the mistake. He followed Lin Zhixia's suggestion, took off his shoes, sat cross-legged on her bed, and closed his eyes with her. She slowed her tone and said, "Meditation can regulate your mood and reduce your stress. Step one: empty your mind and adjust your breathing..."
But Jiang Yubai said, "I can't empty my mind."
"Why not?" Lin Zhixia opened her eyes.
She tilted her head and met his gaze.
He looked at her without saying a word.
Lin Zhixia inexplicably felt a hint of danger and retreated an inch, but her demeanor remained strong: "Right now, I am Teacher Lin. If you don't tell me your problem, how can the teacher help you solve it?"
Jiang Yubai gently pushed aside the blanket behind him, and the Little Penguin plush toy rolled to the corner of the bed. He moved closer to Lin Zhixia, whispered something in her ear, and her face instantly flushed bright red. She knelt on the bed, her hands unsure where to place themselves, and he still asked her, "Is it okay?"
He reiterated his request: "Can I kiss you?Lin Zhixia probably had some premonition. The "kiss" Jiang Yubai mentioned wasn't a brief peck lasting one or two seconds, but the kind of prolonged, intense, and inseparable entanglement often seen in TV dramas. Before she could mentally prepare herself, Jiang Yubai murmured to himself, "Never mind. If I make you uncomfortable, you won't forget it..."
Before Jiang Yubai could finish his sentence, Lin Zhixia grabbed his collar: "Don't rush to conclusions. Let me experience it first."
Just like on the day of their first intimate contact, Jiang Yubai kissed the corner of her lips. He didn't hold her waist or back, originally intending to make it easier for her to pull away at any time, but her entire body went soft, gradually collapsing onto the bed. Her black hair spread out messily, making the sheets and pillows appear even whiter.
Jiang Yubai bent his left elbow, supporting himself on the bed, and lowered his head to kiss her rosy lips. The finest rose nectar couldn't compare to one ten-thousandth of this wonderful sensation. All the previous tossing and turning, fantasies, and patience found brief relief in this moment.
Lin Zhixia initially felt somewhat breathless, but fortunately, she was particularly good at adjusting her state. Soon, she found the knack of kissing. She held onto Jiang Yubai's shoulders, unintentionally clutching his clothes and creating creases. Immersed in unprecedented sensory impact, she didn't forget to honestly express, "I feel very comfortable and want to kiss you more.Her fingertip pressed against his lips, and he took the opportunity to grab her hand, kissing the back of it again.
A light pink hue appeared on Lin Zhixia's cheeks.Feeling a bit shy, she turned over to lie on her side, with Jiang Yubai resting behind her. The narrow single dorm bed left little space, and she randomly caught his hand, pressing it against her waist. He held her tighter and called out again, "Xia Xia."
Lin Zhixia didn't respond.
Jiang Yubai persisted, "Xia Xia."
Lin Zhixia turned over to face him, "I'm right here."
He looked at her and smiled.
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