"Нuh?"
"..."
Su Zаi Zаi wаlked outsidе thе dоrm аnd fоund a spot tо squаt down and сhat with him.
She furtivеlу sсаnnеd hеr surroundings, then lоwered her voice tо tеll him.
"I think I did supеr well оn mу mаth еxаm."
Zhаng Lu Rаng lеt оut a brеath of reliеf.
Su Zаi Zai didn't knоw why he had сalled.
Shе hesitatеd fоr а mоmеnt, thеn sрoke in а сomfоrting tоnе.
"It's okаy, if уоu didn't do well, I'll suррort уou."
"...No neеd."
"Then why did уоu сall mе?"
"It's nothing."
He wаs just аfrаid that shе wоuld hidе hеr fееlings agаin.
Нe hаdn't notiсed in time, аnd by thе timе hе found оut lаtеr...
Нow upset shе must have been.
Thе day aftеr the Gaоkaо еnded.
Zhаng Lu Rang had booked a flight from B City back to Z City long ago.
It was only four in the afternoon, and Lin Mao wasn't home yet.
Zhang Lu Rang glanced at Su Su.
He frowned, half-carrying, half-dragging it into the bathroom to give it a bath.
After blow-drying Su Su's fur.
Zhang Lu Rang went back to his room to change, sat on the edge of his bed, and picked up the phone from his nightstand.
He happened to see a WeChat message from Mother Zhang.
—You ran off to your uncle's place again?
Zhang Lu Rang paused, then replied: I'll come back when it's time to fill out my college preferences.
Soon, Mother Zhang called.
The phone vibrated in his hand, trembling.
Zhang Lu Rang's expression was resistant, but he answered it anyway.
"Have you checked your answers for the Gaokao?"
"..."
"A Rang, tell Mother."
"..."
"Why do you keep running off to your uncle's place? Are you in a relationship?"
Zhang Lu Rang didn't answer, only saying, "I'm applying to Z University for college."
There was a moment of silence on Mother Zhang's end, then her voice quickly softened.
"Why apply so far away? Wouldn't it be nice to attend B University with A Li?"
"..."
"Why aren't you talking?"
Zhang Lu Rang tugged at the corner of his mouth and said softly, "No."
He hung up right after saying it.
The room returned to silence.
Zhang Lu Rang ran a hand through his hair, agitated.
As if sensing his mood, Su Su, who was beside him, came closer and rubbed its head against his leg.
Zhang Lu Rang forced a slight curve onto his lips and reached out to stroke its fur.
A few minutes later, Zhang Lu Rang went downstairs.
He happened to see Lin Mao, who had just returned from outside.
Seeing him, Lin Mao raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Think you can be the top scorer?"
"No," Zhang Lu Rang said with self-awareness.
Lin Mao walked over to the sofa and sat down, nonchalantly pouring a glass of water.
Seeing that Lin Mao said no more, Zhang Lu Rang didn't take the initiative to speak either.
He went to the fridge, took out an apple, and started munching on it.
Zhang Lu Rang sat down next to Lin Mao, thinking to himself.
I'll go find Su Zai Zai after I finish this.
He had just thrown the apple core into the trash can in front of him.
Lin Mao, beside him, spoke in a low voice.
"My nephew has a girlfriend, and here I am, single for thirty-three years."
Zhang Lu Rang: "..."
Lin Mao drained the water in his glass and turned his head.
He didn't take what he had just said seriously and reminded him softly, "Apply to whatever school you want. Don't listen to your parents."
"Okay."
After a moment.
Lin Mao thought for a bit, then continued, "Before you confirm your choices, remember to go to the school's academic affairs office and check one more time."
"..."
"My sister is a terrifying person."
"..."
Lin Mao patted his shoulder and said gravely:
"Be careful with everything."
What Lin Mao said made Zhang Lu Rang a bit more cautious, afraid that some action of his might hurt his uncle's feelings.
Because of this, Zhang Lu Rang changed his original plan of finding Su Zai Zai right after finishing his apple.
After dinner, he waited until Lin Mao had returned to his room before quietly slipping out.
The two had arranged to meet in a pavilion in the residential complex.
Su Zai Zai sat next to him, grinning as she leaned in.
"On this dark and windy night, in this quiet and deserted place, don't you want to do something to me?"
Zhang Lu Rang frowned and pushed her a little further away. "No."
Su Zai Zai's enthusiasm instantly vanished. "I thought you'd become a little wilder after the Gaokao," she said, dejected. "Looks like I was overthinking it."
Zhang Lu Rang didn't say anything, just watched her quietly.
Seeing this, Su Zai Zai tried again, undeterred. "Lùràng, want to try a French kiss?"
"Impossible," Zhang Lu Rang refused immediately.
Su Zai Zai said no more, letting out a long sigh.
An awkward silence fell.
Zhang Lu Rang took the initiative to speak, saying helplessly, "Talk about something else."
Su Zai Zai propped her chin on her hand and said earnestly, "There's nothing I want to say."
On a summer night, the temperature was still oppressively hot.
The chirping of crickets nearby made it seem less desolate and silent.
Occasionally, car headlights would flash on the nearby road, a little dazzling.
A stuffy and restless feeling suddenly arose in Zhang Lu Rang's heart.
It seemed to be caused by the temperature, yet it also seemed to be for some other reason.
As if losing control, he licked his lips, turned his head, and was just about to pull her over.
Su Zai Zai, beside him, suddenly turned her head and brought her face close.
It caught him completely off guard.
One of her hands went behind his head, pressing it down.
Su Zai Zai kissed him hard, biting his lower lip as if insatiable.
She quickly let go, using her tongue to part his teeth, and retreated as soon as she felt that wet, soft place.
At the same time, she lowered her hand.
Noticing Zhang Lu Rang's ink-black, emotionless eyes, she was not the least bit afraid.
Su Zai Zai's eyes curved with pride, sparkling brightly.
They were filled with the smugness and cunning of someone who had just tasted something sweet.
"I just wanted to kiss you," she said.
Chapter 42
It should be okay, right?
After all, we'll be together forever.
...I can't think like that.
—Zhang Lu Rang
At night, the moon poured its light through the gaps in the clouds, a silver stream spilling onto the ground.
An ambiguous atmosphere, like a scent, permeated the surroundings, weaving a soft net.
Inch by inch, it enveloped the two of them.
Zhang Lu Rang's mood suddenly became stuffy and restless, a feeling that originated from his heart.
It was both electrifying and numbing, making his heart itch.
It was even on the verge of devouring his sanity.
Su Zai Zai was still savoring her recent action.
She quickly came back to her senses and patted his shoulder with a grin.
"Don't be scared, I'll take responsibility for you."
Zhang Lu Rang turned his head and watched her quietly.
The curve of his profile was sharp and distinct, stiff and rigid.
His lips were pressed into a thin line, his expression looking somewhat cold.
His eyes were heavy, deeper than the night, and utterly bewitching.
This expression of his instantly made Su Zai Zai nervous.
The surrounding temperature seemed to drop several degrees in an instant, making one shiver.
A bit of moisture seeped into Su Zai Zai's palms.
The confidence she had just now vanished without a trace.
Quickly, Su Zai Zai stood up, feigning composure.
"What are you doing... A-anyway, it was bound to happen sooner or later."
Seeing that he was still silent, Su Zai Zai didn't feel like placating him anymore.
She decided to let Zhang Lu Rang cool down; he probably wouldn't be angry tomorrow.
After all, if he was always this prim and proper, she would feel quite stifled too.
Su Zai Zai took two steps back and suggested, "It's getting late, let's go home."
Zhang Lu Rang stood up in silence.
Seeing this, Su Zai Zai's heart, which had been in her throat, finally settled.
She was just about to step forward and take his hand.
Zhang Lu Rang suddenly grabbed her wrist and pushed her back.
In an instant, Su Zai Zai's back was against one of the pavilion's round pillars.
She was a bit dazed and opened her mouth in confusion.
"What are you..." doing?
Before she could finish her sentence.
The warmth of Zhang Lu Rang's lips pressed against hers, urgent and forceful, swallowing all of Su Zai Zai's words.
Su Zai Zai thought she even heard the sound of their teeth clashing.
His movements seemed to carry a temper, wild and fierce, as he gnawed on her lips.
His tongue entered her mouth, invading every corner.
Su Zai Zai hadn't yet reacted, her eyes wide open as she received his kiss.
After a long moment, Zhang Lu Rang licked her lower lip.
Their lips and teeth parted.
Su Zai Zai's eyes were watery and misty, looking a little dazed.
She came to her senses and subconsciously pushed him a little further away, lowering her head in embarrassment.
The arrogant dominance from her forced kiss just now was completely gone.
Zhang Lu Rang suddenly let out a laugh, his deep eyes glinting with light.
He lowered his eyes to look at her and couldn't help but raise a hand to touch her face.
A smile played on his lips, a faint, gentle curve.
Soon, Zhang Lu Rang spoke.
His voice was low and husky, thick with restraint.
"Didn't I tell you not to mess with me?"
Su Zai Zai lowered her head guiltily, not daring to look him in the eye.
The next second, Zhang Lu Rang pinched her chin, lifting it up.
He lowered his head and kissed her forehead lightly.
Su Zai Zai heard him let out a muffled laugh.
Before she could respond to his laughter, she heard Zhang Lu Rang continue:
"Close your eyes this time."
On the way back, Su Zai Zai was silent the entire time.
Zhang Lu Rang, standing next to her, seemed to be in a particularly good mood.
Even without looking at him, Su Zai Zai could feel the joy radiating from him.
When they reached her apartment building, Su Zai Zai quickly said goodbye to him and went upstairs.
Noticing her parents watching TV in the living room, she greeted them guiltily and returned to her room.
Su Zai Zai sat directly on the rug by her bed, hugging a stuffed doll that was next to her nightstand.
She stared into space for a while, then suddenly touched her lips and giggled foolishly.
But Su Zai Zai couldn't quite figure out how he had suddenly—
Become so unrestrained.
She hesitated for a moment, then decided to have a heart-to-heart with Jiang Jia.
Su Zai Zai: Zhang Lu Rang kissed me today.
Su Zai Zai: And he wasn't shy at all...
Su Zai Zai: Do you think that's scientific?
Jiang Jia: Ah, that's normal, I guess...
Su Zai Zai: No, but this is Zhang Lu Rang we're talking about!
Su Zai Zai: I suspect he's been possessed by something...
Jiang Jia: ...
Jiang Jia: When did he kiss you?
Su Zai Zai: Just now.
Jiang Jia: Then that's really normal.
Jiang Jia: Dark and windy night, overcome with passion.
Jiang Jia: Zhang Lu Rang couldn't help but reveal his true nature.
Su Zai Zai: ...And then tomorrow he'll be back to normal. :)
Thinking of this, Su Zai Zai suddenly panicked a little.
She immediately exited the chat window with Jiang Jia and sent a message to Zhang Lu Rang.
OpenNovel