Witnessing happiness is always a joy, so even though Sheng Xia had been busy since the early hours until the evening party, she was still full of energy.
Apart from their group of "free-loaders," the wedding was attended only by the bride and groom's family and closest friends.
Lu Zheng hadn’t invited any business partners.
This was truly rare. Everyone knew that for people of their status, weddings were mostly social gatherings meant to maximize benefits.
In comparison, Lu Zheng and Zhang Sujin’s wedding felt pure and heartfelt.
Zhang Sujin’s friends all looked familiar. Even someone like Sheng Xia, who paid no attention to the entertainment or music industry, recognized them. Even if their faces weren’t familiar, the moment they started singing, the entire crowd could join in.
These were the kind of legends who today were all playing backup for Zhang Sujin.
It was only today that Sheng Xia and her classmates learned that Zhang Shu’s older sister had once been a singer.
Now they finally knew where Zhang Shu’s musical genes came from.
The party was set up on the beach with a stage, wooden poles wrapped in gauze and roses, and twinkling lights—utterly romantic.
Zhang Sujin sat on a high stool, holding a microphone. "It’s been so, so, so long since I last sang. I once thought I’d never sing again. This song is one I wrote when I debuted, dedicated to forever-young friends."
The band formed by these legends was a feast for both the eyes and ears.
Zhang Sujin’s voice was deep, slightly husky, and incredibly tender.
A certain person popped into Sheng Xia’s mind.
Clearly, everyone felt the same. Xiaomai whispered, "I think I know now why Shu-ge liked Chen Mengyao before."
Xin Xiaohe smacked her lips. "What do you mean 'liked'? They were just good friends!"
Xiaomai: "No, no, no, not even that close."
Sheng Xia turned to look at Zhang Shu.
He was slightly tilting his head, gazing intently at Zhang Sujin on stage.
She had seen him like this before—outside the lecture hall, when he was accompanying Chen Mengyao during her rehearsal.
Exactly the same.
Among everyone present, the happiest to hear Zhang Sujin sing might not have been Lu Zheng, but Zhang Shu.
The words of his confession on his birthday echoed in her ears.
"I’ve never been good to anyone in my life, except my sister."
She was the most important person in his life.
How fortunate to witness this wedding with him.
...
The party lasted until midnight. Exhausted, everyone sprawled on the beach in small groups. The final song was sung by Zhang Shu.
One foot propped on the stool’s crossbar, an electric guitar slung over his back, he strummed a single chord, and the beach melted into the humid summer night.
"Dusk falls, the world sinks into a river of light..."
The warm sea breeze at midnight matched the timbre of Zhang Shu’s voice.
"Stars descend, breaths entwined in scorching heat..."
"Lost in a haze, elusive to grasp."
Sheng Xia had never heard this style of song before—psychedelic, rock, melancholic, lazy, wild, sensual. All these contradictory elements coexisted seamlessly in his voice.
"Perhaps it’s the unexpected warmth of a summer night, yet the breeze arrives as if destined..."
"Facing the wind..."
Zhang Shu’s voice—carefree yet laced with desire.
This song was perfect for daydreaming, perfect for kissing.
Startled by her own thoughts, her gaze involuntarily fell on his parted lips.
It was those lips that sang of romance, making one want to drown in this summer night.
The sea breeze blew gently, gauze fluttered, waves crashed behind them, and the starry sky stretched endlessly above.
Everyone was lost in the moment, the world as if asleep.
Sheng Xia wondered: Could there ever be a better summer?
Probably not.If there was any, it could only be used to compare with this summer.
...
Back in the room, around four or five in the morning, the sky was already turning pale.
She thought she could fall into a deep sleep, but Sheng Xia's mind was filled with his voice, especially those words: "tender and passionate," "the unexpected possibilities of a summer night."
Irritated, she turned over again and heard Xin Xiaohe's matter-of-fact voice: "Girl, if your heart flutters, don’t just toss and turn—take action."
Xiaomai giggled—turns out no one was asleep.
"Xia Xia, how on earth did you resist pouncing on a demon like Shu Ge? It’s one of the world’s unsolved mysteries."
"Shu Ge looked so... tempting today. Ah, not that it’s any of my business—I just want to see you pounce."
Xin Xiaohe: "I think Zhang Shu just isn’t up to it."
Xiaomai: "Right, Zhang Shu’s not up to it. After all these days, he really isn’t."
Xin Xiaohe: "Should we go check next door tomorrow?"
Xiaomai: "You just want to see Yang Linyu, don’t you?"
Xin Xiaohe: "Get lost."
...
No one knew when the girls' restless hearts finally settled.
All they knew was that by the time they woke up the next day, the sun was already setting.
Such was the rhythm of vacation—eat well, sleep enough, wander along the beach, chase and play in the twilight, and watch the sun sink below the horizon.
After a day of rest, under the gentle morning sun, everyone boarded a yacht to go out to sea. Lu Zheng had arranged a snorkeling trip.
Azure sea, blue sky, white waves dancing.
At the snorkeling spot, the water was so clear you could see the bottom.
The guide handed out equipment, and everyone eagerly plunged into the water with a series of splashes.
Sheng Xia couldn’t swim and hadn’t planned to go in, but she still wore a swimsuit under her sunshirt—Xin Xiaohe had insisted before they left. "You bought it, so wear it. Otherwise, it’s a waste."
Zhang Shu sat down beside her and picked up a snorkeling mask. "Do you know how to put this on?"
Sheng Xia shook her head. "I can’t swim."
Zhang Shu: "You don’t need to swim for snorkeling. Just float."
She still looked hesitant, her eyes uncertain.
Zhang Shu chuckled and slipped the mask over her head. "I’ll take you."
Then he grabbed a clean life jacket and glanced at her. "You’re not wearing a swimsuit?"
"I am."
"Mm. Take off your outer layer." His tone was casual, but Sheng Xia’s ears burned.
Noticing her discomfort, Zhang Shu belatedly realized his phrasing had been a bit bold. He cleared his throat and handed her the life jacket. "Then put this on." He turned his back to her.
Sheng Xia took off her sunshirt but hesitated over the life jacket.
It wasn’t the usual vest-style one but a special design for snorkeling. After looping it around her arms, she had no idea how to fasten it and had to call out, "A-Shu..."
Zhang Shu felt an electric jolt in his ears.
Damn. After all this time, he still couldn’t handle hearing that.
He turned back, his eyelids lowering slightly.
Her swimsuit was modest, with ruffled designs at the chest and skirt to conceal everything, but the expanse of fair skin at her collarbone was arresting enough, not to mention her slender waist and the curves even the ruffles couldn’t hide.
Zhang Shu averted his gaze and asked lightly, "What’s wrong?"
Sheng Xia hesitated. "I don’t know how to put this on."
He looked back at her, studying the life jacket.
Truthfully, he didn’t know either.
"Hold out your arms," he instructed.
Sheng Xia obediently extended them.
Zhang Shu leaned in, and the faint floral scent nearly made his legs weak. He bent down, fiddling with the straps for a moment until a click sounded—the life jacket fastened snugly just below her chest.
"Done."His voice sounded a bit muffled, as if something was stuck in his throat.
"Hurry down, what are you two doing?" Hou Junqi, who was in the water, had taken off his mask and was shouting.
"Super beautiful! Xia Xia, come quick!" Xin Xiaohe also called out.
"Coming!" Sheng Xia responded, her voice tinged with excitement.
Zhang Shu plunged into the water with a splash, then surfaced, reaching out to her. "Hold onto the railing and come down slowly, don't be afraid."
She did as he said.
The moment she stepped forward, Zhang Shu regretted it—he should have bought her a swimsuit, the kind that covered her legs completely.
He glanced around; thankfully, no one was looking their way.
But because he was looking around, Sheng Xia, who had just entered the water, couldn't meet his gaze. Panicking, her foot slipped, and her hand missed his. She tumbled straight down.
She flailed in terror, splashing water everywhere. Zhang Shu tilted his head back to avoid the spray and reached out, pulling her into his arms.
She felt surrounded by water, wrapped in overwhelming insecurity, her hands flailing unconsciously.
Then she heard a helpless laugh beside her ear. "Don't be scared, don't be scared, you won't sink. Listen to me, let go..."
Sheng Xia felt her hands hit firm muscle and froze, stopping her movements. Only then did she realize an arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her afloat.
Before her was his bare torso, sunlight filtering through the water, casting sharp lines on his arms. Her hands were gripping them.
Still shaken, she felt their heartbeats gradually synchronize through the life jacket—rapid and intense.
The taste of salt filled her mouth, and Sheng Xia coughed twice.
Zhang Shu gently squeezed the back of her neck to help her catch her breath, bringing them even closer. Their chests pressed together, and he instinctively looked down—her wet swimsuit had slipped slightly, revealing a hint of cleavage.
Zhang Shu abruptly turned his head, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"Bite the mouthpiece and just float," he instructed stiffly, not looking at her.
Sheng Xia quickly let go, and he withdrew his arm, letting her float with the life jacket, only occasionally tugging at it to help her balance.
Sheng Xia plunged into the water, and the sight before her was like a snapshot from an underwater TV show—rocks, coral, and colorful fish.
She quickly learned to breathe through the mouthpiece, losing herself in the moment.
She didn’t notice the hand helping her balance had disappeared.
She let herself drift.
Suddenly, the water stirred as a lithe figure swam past her from below, scattering the fish.
He smiled underwater, then surged toward her. Sheng Xia’s heart pounded as his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. Their faces pressed together as they sank.
Beneath the sea, they gazed at each other through their masks.
Sheng Xia forgot to breathe, as if in a dream.
Before she could react, he kicked off, shooting back to the surface.
The rapid change in water pressure made her heart race.
Breaking the surface felt like salvation.
Gasping for air, she saw the triumphant smirk on his face and suddenly felt annoyed. She kicked him lightly underwater, pushed him away, and swam to the railing, hastily climbing back onto the boat.
Looking back, he was still floating there, his eyes brimming with amusement. "Put on some clothes once you're up."
He had the nerve to give orders.
Sheng Xia turned away.
Xiaomai had used the right word.
Demon.
A siren of the sea!
...
Island life was leisurely and joyful, and before they knew it, the trip was nearing its end.
The hotel had prepared a picnic.
The boys were grilling, while the girls swayed on the swings."Ah, I don’t want to leave. How wonderful it would be to stay here forever..." Xin Xiaohe sighed.
Xiaomai: "Seconded..."
"How did time pass so quickly..."
Sheng Xia also sighed.
Relaxing moments were always fleeting; busyness was the main melody of life.
Xiaomai asked, "By the time we get back, won’t the scores be out soon?"
Sheng Xia: "Yeah."
Xiaomai: "That’s terrifying. What if my estimated score is way off? The day this trip ends might be my doomsday."
Sheng Xia reassured her, "The gap won’t be too big."
Xin Xiaohe: "I’m so nervous too. Even after the scores come out, there’ll still be worries—where to go, what to study, why do we have to make these choices at an age when we know nothing about these majors?"
"Sigh..."
"Sigh..."
As the three of them wallowed in melancholy, someone called out, "Sheng Xia."
It was Lu Youze.
"I’d like to talk to you," he said gently, standing two meters away.
Sheng Xia stood up, brushing the sand off her clothes. "What’s up?"
"Let’s take a walk?"
Sheng Xia was surprised but didn’t hesitate. "Okay."
The two of them walked slowly along the edge of the beach, away from the barbecue area.
Hou Junqi sprinkled some cumin and raised an eyebrow. "A-Shu, what’s Lu Youze up to?"
Zhang Shu only glanced over, expressionless. "Who knows."
Sheng Xia stepped on the soft white sand and spoke first. "Congratulations in advance."
Lu Youze chuckled. "Congratulations to you too."
Another silence fell.
Sheng Xia knew he had something to say and was gathering his thoughts, so she waited.
"This might sound absurd, but I’ve liked you for a very, very long time—since middle school."
Even though she had braced herself, Sheng Xia was still startled.
Middle school?
"How do I put this?" Lu Youze smiled weakly. "Zhang Shu was right. I might be the type who just lets things take their course. Probably because I’ve had everything since childhood, so I’m not good at fighting for things."
"Actually, saying I’ve liked you for so long might be an exaggeration. I had a crush on you in middle school, but it was too vague. If we hadn’t met again in our senior year, I probably would’ve forgotten about it."
"But after we reunited, it felt like fate. Then when I heard you were also going to Penn, I couldn’t describe the feeling—it was like stumbling upon the person you’re destined to meet, that kind of joy..."
Their steps slowed further, the two of them maintaining half a meter of distance.
"Talking about this now is a bit untimely. I’ve been staying with Zhang Shu recently, and I think I’ve figured some things out."
"He’s a very dynamic person, effortlessly making everyone around him feel comfortable. It’s really something, almost like it’s innate."
"But it’s not."
"He knows that even though Hou Junqi is rough around the edges, he’s sensitive in friendships and needs constant attention. Even if he’s being teased, he can’t be ignored. In group settings, no matter how chaotic the conversation gets, Zhang Shu always notices what Hou Junqi says and responds to him... He knows Qi Xiulei is timid but too embarrassed to admit it, so he pretends to play video games in the living room while waiting for him to finish in the bathroom... He knows Yang Linyu likes Xin Xiaohe, so when Qi Xiulei brings up Dongzhou University, he changes the subject..."
"He knows everyone isn’t that close to me, so he insisted on sharing a room with me..."
"He knew you had a cold and asked every Chinese person in the hotel for a packet of domestic cold medicine..."
"That ease might just come from extreme attentiveness."Sheng Xia turned her head to look at Lu Youze, who was pursing his lips with a faint smile.
"Haha, it's a bit strange to be praising a love rival here," he teased.
It was indeed a little strange.
"You're also very thoughtful," Sheng Xia said sincerely.
Being able to notice others' thoughtfulness meant he must be a thoughtful person himself.
Lu Youze chuckled wryly: "Maybe it's like 'a man on his deathbed speaks from his heart'? I just feel everything is good, everyone is good, and then I realize I don't seem to have many friends. When it's time to leave, I don't even know who to say goodbye to."
Sheng Xia could understand Lu Youze's feelings these past few days.
Being among classmates yet unable to truly fit in would naturally make one overthink.
Loneliness sometimes makes people lose themselves, and sometimes brings clarity.
Lu Youze stopped walking and faced her directly. Gazing at the smoke rising from the distant barbecue area, he said solemnly: "So, you can be my representative, Sheng Xia. Consider this as me saying goodbye to everyone."
...
Sheng Xia returned alone to the barbecue area.
Hou Junqi asked mischievously: "Where's Lu Youze?"
Sheng Xia: "He said he has an early morning flight and needs to go pack."
Hou Junqi: "What did he want to talk to you about?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Zhang Shu.
Sheng Xia also glanced at Zhang Shu, who was focused on grilling meat.
"He wanted to say goodbye."
Hou Junqi pursed his lips and nodded slowly, seeming to half-understand.
Zhang Shu picked out a perfectly golden chicken wing and handed it to Sheng Xia. "Try this."
Sheng Xia took it, blew on it, took a bite, and was met with delicious aroma. "It's delicious!" she praised.
Qi Xiulei said: "Lianli's barbecue is famous. When will you take us there, Shu-ge?"
Zhang Shu: "When do you want to go?"
Qi Xiulei: "Before school starts?"
Zhang Shu agreed: "Deal."
Hou Junqi: "Great! We can all get together again then. And Han Xiao that rascal is in Lianli too!"
Xin Xiaohe reminded him: "Won't you be about to go abroad then? For your prep course?"
Hou Junqi's face immediately fell.
Zhang Shu said: "Getting so worked up over some barbecue—with that kind of appetite, you'll starve overseas. We'll go eat before you leave, as much as you want."
Hou Junqi brightened up again: "Maybe I'll learn some skills in Lianli and open a chain in Canada!"
"Oho, sounds like it'll be too expensive to eat there!"
"Then let me respectfully address you as the Barbecue King of Canada first!"
"Or the King of Cringe."
"Can I drop your name and swagger around when I visit?"
"No problem at all."
Somehow, the group burst into laughter again.
As Sheng Xia watched Zhang Shu's profile, she remembered the phrase "extreme thoughtfulness."
The one who subtly cared for everyone's feelings had always been the sharp-tongued him.
Thinking back, if not for him, she might never have blended into this group.
At the start of school, she'd joked about "poor students having the most stationery."
Amid the laughter, she entered her classmates' view, crafting an image of a pitiful transfer student. That was how Hou Junqi and Xin Xiaohe gradually became familiar with her.
He might have just said it casually.
But wherever he was, the atmosphere was always good.
This might be inexplicable. This might be fate.
Sheng Xia had never met someone like him before.
And never would again.
Lost in thought, several loud "bang" sounds interrupted her as fireworks bloomed in the distance.
Someone was being romantic.
Romanticizing this group of youths' final night together.
That night, everyone drank.It was Sheng Xia's first time drinking beer—a bit bitter, yet refreshing. She took a small sip, then another. It quenched her thirst perfectly and paired well with the barbecue. Thinking this, she tilted her head back for a big gulp and nearly choked.
Zhang Shu frowned as he watched her and snatched the can away. "You drink coconut juice."
"Shu-ge, how can you not even let people try new things?"
"Why try this?" Zhang Shu picked up her beer can and downed the entire thing in one go.
"Wow!" The group erupted in cheers.
Sheng Xia's cheeks burned—probably from the blazing charcoal fire.
That was the same can she had drunk from...
Xin Xiaohe was the loudest in the crowd. Sheng Xia had assumed she could hold her liquor, but before even finishing one can, Xiaohe was already mumbling nonsense.
Yang Linyu handed her a bottle of water, only for her to slap it away. Suddenly, she hooked an arm around his neck and shouted, "Are you going to confess or not, you coward?!"
Everyone: ...Damn.
Yang Linyu froze completely. Zhang Shu pointed toward the hotel. "Go. There are roses in the garden."
"So cruel, A-Lei," Hou Junqi said, exchanging a glance with Qi Xiulei.
Qi Xiulei shrugged. "It's fine. We still have Xiaomai to suffer together."
Xiaomai didn’t seem entirely sober either, clutching her face with starry eyes. "Not cruel at all! This is exciting! Hey, Shu-ge, are you even capable? We all doubt you! You know, Sheng Xia is so pretty, her figure is wow, her chest—mmph—"
Sheng Xia covered Xiaomai's mouth.
The girl then slumped forward—right onto Sheng Xia's chest—and passed out.
Fireworks burst in clusters overhead, but they couldn’t salvage the awkwardness.
The sea breeze rustled through the coconut trees.
Full and satisfied, the teenagers sprawled across the sand.
Under the vast sky, only the faint glow of dying embers remained.
Zhang Shu turned his head. Sheng Xia lay on her side facing him, her cheeks flushed.
He smirked, propping his head on his elbow as he mirrored her position, watching her quietly.
At this distance, her faint fragrance filled his senses.
Sometimes, Zhang Shu wondered—did she cast some kind of spell on him?
That hug on the boat had tormented him endlessly.
By the time he realized he was leaning closer, his nose was already brushing her cheek.
The girl's eyelashes fluttered slightly—just once.
He paused, gazing at her pink lips.
A first kiss shouldn’t be stolen.
Otherwise, he really would be "incapable."
Zhang Shu’s arm muscles tensed where he braced himself beside her. Gritting his teeth, he finally lay back in his original spot.
Resting one hand behind his head, he glanced at her before turning his eyes to the dark blue night sky.
A resigned sigh escaped him—he had to be careful. He had to be deliberate.
Because she was the most precious thing.
In the distance, Lu Youze, who had already packed his things, quietly observed the scene before turning away, abandoning any thought of waving goodbye.
Sheng Xia woke to the sea breeze.
Her head felt unbearably heavy. Was she hallucinating? Why was Zhang Shu lying beside her?
A second later, the coarse texture of sand beneath her—nothing like a bed—reminded her where she was.
Everyone else was asleep.
Even the charcoal had burned out.
Beer bottles lay scattered, and half the barbecue remained uneaten.
The night grew heavier.
She turned her gaze to the boy beside her.
Zhang Shu.
His features were sharp—his brows, nose, jawline, Adam’s apple...
Even his gaze was piercing when he opened his eyes.
Yet he had the softest heart.
Wrapped in an unyielding shell, fierce and burning.
And that heart belonged to her.Just the thought of it filled her heart to the brim.
Sheng Xia did the bravest thing she'd done in eighteen years—
She leaned in slowly, her gaze tracing the contours of his features before finally settling on those troublesome lips.
It was singing "The Possibility of a Summer Night's Surprise," singing "Breathing Entwined in Scorching Heat," singing "Facing the Wind"...
Sheng Xia faced the wind, her scorching lips drawing near, pressing tenderly in a fleeting kiss.
Sheng Xia stiffened completely, then immediately straightened up, disbelief written all over her face.
His lips were so soft.
So this was how soft lips could feel.
Dazedly, she touched her own lips, pressing lightly with her fingers.
They didn't seem quite as soft.
Was it because his lips were soft, or did two pairs of lips together create this softness?
She couldn't tell.
Her courage spent, she didn't attempt to verify again.
Over by the coconut grove, Yang Linyu and Xin Xiaohe, who had been walking hand in hand, stood frozen in shock, staring at each other in astonishment.
Xin Xiaohe: "Xia Xia actually made the first move!"
Yang Linyu: "Zhang Shu's got no game."
Xin Xiaohe: "Did you get it on camera?"
Yang Linyu: "Mission accomplished."
...
Yang Linyu roused the group.
"Get up already! If you all catch colds tomorrow, how are we supposed to catch our damn flight? Get up now!"
The sprawled figures on the beach gradually woke, rubbing their bleary eyes.
Only Hou Junqi remained unresponsive.
Xin Xiaohe kicked him square in the butt, and he leapt up, shouting, "What what! Flash! Flash!"
"The nexus is already cracking, and you're still flashing? Stop dreaming about the Rift—your positioning's worse than a Scuttle Crab's!" Zhang Shu laughed.
That truly woke Hou Junqi up. "Who's worse than a Scuttle Crab? Zhang Shu, have you forgotten how I—"
The argument went on and on, continuing all the way back to their rooms.
Xiaomai collapsed onto the bed as soon as she entered, not even bothering to shower.
Sheng Xia took a quick shower and came out to find Xin Xiaohe still glued to her phone, eyes sparkling.
Teasing, Sheng Xia asked, "What are you looking at? Chatting with Yang Linyu? What's got you so... spring-heart aflutter?"
Xin Xiaohe nodded with an "Mm-hmm," but internally: Silly girl, of course it's about you.
Sheng Xia smiled knowingly. Ah, so teasing others was this fun?
Just as she was about to grab her phone and join Zhang Shu in some teasing, the doorbell suddenly rang.
At this hour? What now?
Sheng Xia felt a twinge of fear.
Xin Xiaohe was equally startled.
The two girls tiptoed to the door to check the peephole. Sheng Xia even had Zhang Shu's number pulled up, ready to dial, when—surprise—Zhang Shu's face appeared in the peephole.
His expression looked like something major had happened.
Anxious, grim, a bit cold, yet not exactly unhappy.
It was complicated.
Sheng Xia opened the door.
Zhang Shu glanced at Xin Xiaohe. "Turn around," he said, pressing a hand to her head and twisting it away.
Sheng Xia gaped.
Before she could voice her confusion, Zhang Shu pinched her chin, leaned down, and kissed her lips.
Instantly, Sheng Xia's eyes widened even further.
Before she could react, he released Xin Xiaohe's head, stepped inside, wrapped an arm around her waist, and kissed her again.
Sheng Xia's body went rigid.
Her lips tingled as if electrified, the sensation spreading through her limbs in waves.
He seemed just as unpracticed—after one kiss, he tentatively pecked again, then caught her lower lip between his, sucking lightly.
Sheng Xia's body burned. She instinctively shrank back, but he wouldn't let her retreat, cradling the back of her head as he kissed her fiercely.
Xin Xiaohe faced the wall, not daring to turn around, but the unmistakable sounds were right beside her—she wasn't deaf.
Help!
HELP!
She inched toward the door and finally bolted when she got close enough.
Despite her caution, the sudden movement startled the lovebirds mere inches away.
Zhang Shu loosened his hold on Sheng Xia slightly.Xin Xiaohe said, "You two carry on, carry on."
Then she fled as if escaping, running to the next room.
Sheng Xia stared in shock at the person before her, both of them breathing heavily, their chests rising and falling unevenly.
"You... you..." She struggled to find her voice, tilting her head back to put some distance between them.
With a bang , Zhang Shu hooked his foot to shut the door, gripping her waist and pinning her against it in one swift motion. "Sheng Xia, you kissed me first."
Her heart skipped another beat.
He knew!
He hadn’t been asleep?!
Her cheeks flushed crimson again, her ears burning so hot they might melt, her heart trembling violently.
He didn’t wait for a response—nor did he intend to—cupping her face with both hands and crashing his lips against hers.
Sheng Xia couldn’t reach him, instinctively rising onto her toes before her legs gave out, trembling uncontrollably.
Zhang Shu freed one arm to tighten around her waist, lifting her slightly, while his other hand cradled the back of her head, refusing to yield an inch.
He pried her lips apart with domineering force, tangling his tongue with hers.
A teasing flick, a greedy suck, light then heavy.
Sheng Xia’s eyes remained shut, her tongue numb, unfamiliar sensations overwhelming every nerve.
His scent filled her nostrils.
Mingling, surging, entwining...
What kind of world was this before her?
A desolate wasteland, a sudden downpour of sweet rain.
She was drowning.
Her mind fogged from lack of oxygen, her legs completely limp, held up only by his arms.
When she weakly pushed against him, he slowed, showering her with feather-light kisses before pulling back slightly, resting his forehead against hers as they gasped for breath. His exhales fanned across her face, scorching her once more.
His gaze raked over her from an unbearably close distance, finally settling on her slightly swollen lips.
"Now you know—this is what a real kiss is."
"This is your first kiss. Remember it."
As if unable to resist, he pressed one last kiss to her lips.
Sheng Xia was utterly defeated.
A barren world, set ablaze.
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