I'm a senior in high school, and the system says I'm going on a blind date with my childho

Chapter 214 I'm not arrogant!
The two ran down the stairs and rushed out of the teaching building.

The cold night wind swept over him instantly, dispelling the noise inside the building, but it couldn't dispel the burning heat on Li Zhi's face.

Under the dim glow of the school's streetlights, her cheeks burned red, and her heart pounded like a drum.

But Li Zhi held Shen Yuan's hand tightly without letting go, instead pulling even tighter due to nervousness.

The girl's fingers tightened unconsciously, as if afraid of breaking free.

The campus path was quiet and deserted, with only the cold winter wind whistling in her ears. But at this moment, Li Zhi only felt the burning heat from her palms and the complex emotions of shyness and determination that she couldn't hide from.

The girl took a deep breath, trying to calm her heart, which was pounding in her chest. Her forced composure crumbled the moment she was alone.

The courage I had in the classroom just now has receded like the tide, leaving only trepidation and embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Shen Yuan, gently caressed by the evening breeze, was slowly recovering from the shock and impact of the experience.

He turned his head and stared intently at the figure beside him who was looking down and trying to hide herself in her collar. Her bright red earlobes stood out against her fair neck.

Shen Yuan truly hadn't expected Li Zhi's attack.

The mind kept replaying the mind-blowing scene from a few minutes ago.

That familiar cool wrist pressed against his palm, its ten fingers forcefully wedging themselves between his, holding him tightly.

Without warning, yet with an undeniable determination.

What made him almost lose his balance was the glint of cunning and shyness in those clear eyes.

When the girl stood on tiptoe and looked up at him, her chin brushed against his shoulder, and her warm breath caressed his cheek.

That slightly provocative "Is it hot?" felt like each word was carrying a tiny electric current, sending a tingling sensation through my entire body.

Shen Yuan knew perfectly well that this was a response to his words that afternoon.

This intimacy and affirmation, given voluntarily by her, was like fireworks suddenly exploding on a winter night, dazzling and unforgettable.

Shen Yuan couldn't help but tighten his grip on the small hand that was also slightly sweaty but incredibly hot.

The pounding in his chest was not only the lingering energy from his previous run, but also the ecstatic joy of being responded to.

The two walked in silence for a while. Shen Yuan felt the night wind growing increasingly biting, and turned his head to ask Li Zhi softly, "Are you cold?"

His fingers twitched slightly, and he subconsciously wanted to pull her into his arms.

Li Zhi sensed his intention, deliberately tilting her flushed face up, her eyelashes trembling slightly as she teased, "What? Are my hands hot?"

Hearing Li Zhi's teasing, Shen Yuan chuckled softly, meeting her flushed cheeks.

"It's hot, of course it's hot."

Shen Yuan deliberately dragged out the last syllable, staring intently into her eyes: "Someone's hands are so hot they're sweating."

This statement precisely struck at Li Zhiqiang's feigned composure.

Embarrassed and annoyed, the girl's face burned, and even her neck turned crimson.

Under Shen Yuan's gaze, Li Zhi angrily turned his head to glare at the bare sycamore tree by the roadside, squeezing out a defiant rebuttal.

"I'm just too hot. Can't I cool down by sweating?"

She bit her lip, trying to maintain her aloofness, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly, eventually turning into a look that seemed to want to be fierce at him but also want to laugh.

The girl could only futilely vent her anger by secretly pinching Shen Yuan's palm with her fingertips.

Shen Yuan sensed Li Zhi's subtle movement, chuckled softly, and deliberately tightened his grip on her hand.

"Okay, of course!"

As he spoke, Shen Yuan turned his head close to her reddened earlobe and whispered, "But next time you need to cool down... remember to let me know in advance."

Li Zhi's ears twitched, and she glared at him with shame and indignation: "Why did I notify you? Are you getting a fire extinguisher?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Zhi saw a bright smile appear on Shen Yuan's face.

"Fire extinguishers are so useless."

As soon as he finished speaking, as if to prove his words, or simply driven by the sweetness overflowing in his heart, Shen Yuan tightened his grip on Li Zhi's hand and began to gently sway it from side to side.

The movements were small, with a touch of childlike joy, one after another, as if the hands they were holding were willow branches swaying in the wind.

"Is it cooler now?"

Under the night sky, the two people's tightly clasped hands swayed, bringing a slight chill to their palms, which also brought a tingling, itchy friction.

Li Zhi was taken aback by this sudden childishness, and the slight tremor from their palms touching made his heartbeat beat a beat off again.

She turned her head, her clear eyes glaring at Shen Yuan.

"Shen Yuan, you idiot!"

She muttered something under her breath and tried to shake off the waving arm, but she didn't use much force.

"Hey……"

Li Zhi kept a straight face, trying hard to look disgusted, but her lips couldn't help but curl up slightly, and in the end, it turned into a question with a hint of reproach: "Isn't it childish?"

After he finished speaking, the girl did not actually stop him from doing so.

She held her arms stiffly, as if she was trying to remain still to appear more mature.

But the fingertips that were tightly clasped with Shen Yuan's, when they honestly felt the slightly silly and stubborn shaking frequency of Shen Yuan, quietly let go of their resistance.

"Where is it childish? This is called childlike fun."

Immediately afterwards, when Shen Yuan tentatively shook the palm of his hand, a slight tremor was felt at the point where the palms were pressed together.

Li Zhi's slender wrist, with a hint of reluctance yet very honest, followed the swinging motion of Shen Yuan's arm and gently began to sway.

The two of them clung to each other awkwardly, their arms swinging in sync in the cold winter night air.

Their movements were stiff and clumsy, like a pair of children who had just learned to hold hands and cross the street.

But the warmth emanating from his palm was even more intense and scorching than the afternoon sun.

The dim glow of the streetlights lengthened their shadows, and the overlapping shadows swayed with their steps on the quiet campus road, forming a silent declaration of childishness.

Those slightly clumsy yet incredibly intimate actions were like an electric current, suddenly triggering a floodgate deep within their memories.

A distant, almost blurry scene suddenly became clear.

At the narrow, crowded alleyway entrance, the setting sun cast two long shadows, one large and one small.

Little Shen Yuan tightly gripped her wrist, which was even smaller at the time, and took steps forward, leading her along while gently swaying his arm as he did now.

This feeling, across the vast expanse of time, miraculously overlaps with the pull and swaying sensation I feel in my palm right now.

This pull, which the girl found childish yet unwilling to let go of, had already been silently etched into her memory during her innocent childhood.

Back then, it was just a naive and taken-for-granted companionship.

And at this moment...

The half of her face, hidden by the thick collar, couldn't help but secretly get a little hotter.

Shen Yuan seemed to sense this similar warmth and attraction as well, and sighed softly, "Just like before."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi's ear tips under her hood turned even redder, and she immediately retorted like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on: "...How are they the same! They're not the same at all!"

She spoke toughly, but dared not look up at Shen Yuan; instead, she pinched his palm harder.

Shen Yuan felt the movement in his palm and, seeing the embarrassed posture of the person next to him who was almost burying his face in his collar, chuckled and moved closer.

A warm breath brushed against Li Zhi's earlobe, which was slightly cool from the wind, and Shen Yuan's voice carried a teasing tone:

"I didn't say it was the same as any other time."

The girl suddenly turned her head and glared at him fiercely: "You!"

Under Li Zhi's gaze, Shen Yuan leaned closer again and spoke in an even softer voice.

"But it is indeed different now."

"..."

"Now... I'm being arrogant."

"Shen Yuan!!"

The phrase that had broken through the girl's defenses that afternoon was brought up again by Shen Yuan and precisely hit the most vulnerable spot!
The response to Shen Yuan was a more forceful pinch and twist from his fingertips, followed by a low growl filled with extreme shame and anger.

In the glow of the streetlights, the boy's shoulders shrugged slightly with a low laugh, while the girl angrily turned her head and strode forward, her hands still tightly clasped.

That feeling of excitement and intimacy, which originated in childhood but is now different, silently swayed into the deeper winter night.

A gust of cold wind blew by, and Li Zhi felt that the heat on her face seemed to have subsided considerably.

But Shen Yuan's "tsundere" that sounded like a demonic whisper still lingered in his mind, echoing with a sweet, almost gritted-teeth tone.

She secretly glanced at the guy next to her who couldn't suppress the smirk on his face.

snort!
Go ahead and laugh!

Sooner or later, I'll get my principal back with interest!

As the school gate drew ever closer, an idea suddenly formed in Li Zhi's mind, and a sly glint flashed in his clear eyes.

No, we need to take it easy.

Can't laugh.

Li Zhi began to feign composure.

Just as Li Zhi was secretly plotting his little "revenge," and could barely suppress the eager smile in his eyes, he was about to unleash his full potential.

The large hand that was holding hers suddenly let go!
Li Zhi was taken aback, his steps unconsciously slowing down by half a beat, and he looked up at Shen Yuan with a puzzled expression.

Just then, Shen Yuan's free arm skillfully wrapped around her arm, pulling her into his embrace.

Shen Yuan even grabbed her hand with his other free hand.

A wave of heat, a mixture of the refreshing scent of soapberry and the unique aroma of youth, engulfed her like a silent tsunami.

Li Zhi felt a buzzing sound in his head!
My body froze instantly in the cold wind.

The cunning and scheming that she had managed to suppress just now were completely shattered by this increasingly demanding embrace.

Wait, no?

Isn't this step something you can only do when you leave school?

"you……!"

Li Zhi looked at Shen Yuan, his eyes lingering on the students around him.

Without even thinking, Li Zhi could easily imagine how many students around him were staring at him.

Shen Yuan could feel the soft hand in his grasp suddenly tighten.

"You idiot! What's wrong with you! We're still at school! Let go of me!"

However, although Li Zhi said this, her first reaction was not to struggle, but to bury her face deeply in Shen Yuan's chest.

Fortunately, Shen Yuan was carrying his backpack in both front and back today, and Li Zhi buried it deep enough to effectively block out the outside world.

Watching the fluffy head burrow into his arms, Shen Yuan chuckled and pressed her body even closer to him.

A cheerful voice rang in Li Zhi's ear.

"You won't let go? What? You think I'm burning your hands?"

This completely enraged Li Zhi!
The girl suddenly lifted her head from his embrace, then raised her small fist and punched his schoolbag repeatedly.

"Are you looking for a fight?"

Li Zhi stared at this audacious guy, but the feeling of being held in his arms like this... was exceptionally reassuring.

Shen Yuan chuckled softly, looking at the girl in his arms with her hair standing on end and her helpless expression. It felt as if his heart had been scratched by furry claws, making him unbearably itchy.

He ignored the cat-scratching punches and instead rubbed his chin against Li Zhi's soft hair, tightened his arms, and coaxed in a low voice, "Alright, alright, doesn't your hand hurt? Let's go, let's go home."

Li Zhi snorted and struggled a couple more times as a token gesture, only to be met with Shen Yuan's tightening grip and a low chuckle. She simply gave up and leaned against him more relaxedly.

The soothing feeling of keeping the cold wind out made her admit that it was indeed much warmer.

The howling of the winter night wind was greatly reduced by the two figures pressed together, with only a few wisps of cold air sneaking in through the gaps, but they were quickly dispelled by the boy's burning body temperature.

Shen Yuan wrapped his arms around Li Zhi, firmly protecting her in the warm circle formed by his side and the crook of his arm.

Speechless all the way.

The delicate yet soft touch beneath his arm felt so real; Shen Yuan could only feel the burning heat emanating from the person in his arms.

Shen Yuan would occasionally lower his head unconsciously, his nose gently brushing against Li Zhi's soft hair. The faint scent of peach mixed with her unique, refreshing fragrance entered his nostrils, making him feel both at ease and excited.

Shen Yuan found himself starting to like the feeling of stroking Li Zhi's long hair.

Li Zhize tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor, but his bright red earlobes were still clearly visible in the dim light.

Shen Yuan held her hand tightly, his fingertips unconsciously caressing hers. The intimate feeling of their skin touching made her feel shy yet longing.

She could clearly feel the rise and fall of his chest and the vigorous heartbeat that pounded through his clothes, like drumbeats striking her tense nerves.

The warmth he conveyed flowed through my body like hot cocoa, dispelling the deepest chill of the winter night and soothing all the panic that remained after that earth-shattering handshake in the classroom.

As I approached the residential area, the sense of security I felt, being surrounded by people, became increasingly cherished.

The two walked in perfect unison, their embrace bringing warmth as they quietly passed through the gate of the residential complex.

On this cold winter night, at this hour, there was no one else in the entire neighborhood except for Shen Yuan and Li Zhi.

The sound of footsteps was exceptionally clear in the quiet courtyard, and their breaths and heartbeats resonated gently in the warm and cozy little space.

The sense of security and warmth was so tangible that when the two of them saw the apartment building, they unconsciously slowed their pace.

The unit entrance was just inches away, and the cold glass curtain wall reflected the silhouettes of the tightly embracing figures.

After entering the door, we took the elevator, and then we parted ways.

Shen Yuan involuntarily tightened his grip, pulling Li Zhi closer to him.

The force was an instinctive reaction, as if it could prolong this brief attachment a little longer, hold onto this hard-won intimacy more firmly, and resist the impending separation.

Li Zhi, who was being held tightly, felt the subtle force from the arms encircling him, and his body responded before his reason.

She unconsciously rubbed her cheek against his thick, hot chest, like a little animal seeking warmth, burying herself even deeper into Shen Yuan's embrace.

There was no struggle, no reproach, not even a word. The girl simply succumbed to the sudden surge of reluctance, following her instincts to seek the warmth and security he offered.

This silent gesture speaks volumes; it's an unspoken dependence, a natural continuation and confirmation of all previous intimate interactions.

This is their first day.

A day in which rules are deepened through intimacy and probing.

From the initial handshake in the teaching building to the silent embrace in front of the unit door, it all seems like they are confirming a tacit new beginning.

Shen Yuan lowered his head, his chin gently resting on the top of Li Zhi's head, feeling the faint yet clear closeness of the beautiful girl in his arms.

The girl's faint fruity scent mingled with his own, fermenting into an intoxicating sweetness in this quiet embrace.

The motion-sensor light on the unit door suddenly turned on, casting a white light that instantly dispelled the gloom of the porch and clearly illuminated the two people's intimately close posture.

The sudden light startled Li Zhi, causing him to tremble slightly.

Shen Yuan's arm seemed to loosen its grip slightly, but he didn't completely let go, only silently questioning with his eyes.

Li Zhi moved slightly, but did not immediately pull away.

Her cheeks were still flushed, clearly visible under the light. She exhaled softly, the warm breath turning into a small puff of white mist in the cold air.

The girl lifted her head from his embrace, and the light shone brightly on her face. Her cheeks, which were already slightly flushed from being close to him, became even more rosy due to the warmth.

Those usually clear and sharp eyes were now veiled with a moist luster, shimmering with shyness and a lingering dependence under the light.

The girl's thin lips parted slightly involuntarily, as if she wanted to say something reproachful, but she only let out a barely audible hum.

Looking at the girl in his arms, who was both shy and annoyed yet undeniably adorable, Shen Yuan's smile deepened.

"...Goed up?"

Li Zhi nodded, her movements very light, brushing against his collar.

Shen Yuan, reluctant to part with Li Zhi for the last stretch of their journey, led her into the elevator.

The only sound in the cramped space was the faint hum of the elevator.

The enclosed environment amplified the scent of their embrace and the clean soapy fragrance emanating from Shen Yuan.

Li Zhi lowered her head, staring at the shiny metal ground in front of her shoes. She could clearly feel Shen Yuan's gaze on the top of her head, carrying an almost perceptible weight.

Suddenly, Li Zhi raised his head and stared at Shen Yuan.

What are you looking at?!

Looking at her adorable appearance, Shen Yuan couldn't help but smile: "You're so cute."

"what--"

Li Zhi pretended to be disgusted and stepped back slightly, but Shen Yuan pulled her back.

"You idiot, aren't you afraid my dad will find out?"

"afraid."

Shen Yuan said honestly, "But I still want to hold you."

Li Zhi rolled her eyes at Shen Yuan, but still snuggled closer to him.

Anyway, they can't be discovered in the elevator, so what's there to be afraid of?

"Ding--"

We arrived at 19A. The elevator doors slid open to both sides, and the familiar corridor came into view.

The motion sensor lights up in response to the sound, casting a soft, even glow across both ends.

The two stepped out of the elevator and, almost simultaneously, naturally separated.

Li Zhi looked at Shen Yuan, and Shen Yuan looked at Li Zhi; both of them exchanged knowing smiles.

It was as if they were conspiring to do something bad. But just as the two were about to part ways and return to their own homes, they both stopped in their tracks.

The girl took a deep breath, as if she had finally made up her mind, and turned her head slightly to the side.

"gone."

Her voice was a few decibels lower than usual, with a barely perceptible nasal tone, as if she were talking to herself.

"Mmm," Shen Yuan replied, his gaze still following her profile.

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Li Zhi lifted his foot and strode quickly toward his front door.

Her silhouette appeared slender under the lamplight, yet carried a hint of haste, as if she were fleeing.

The girl took out her keys, her fingertips trembling slightly from lingering shyness and the rapidly departing warmth.

"Click."

The faint sound of unlocking was unusually clear in the quiet hallway.

Shen Yuan stood still, watching her slender figure pause briefly in front of the door, seemingly hesitant.

Li Zhi didn't push the door open immediately; his fingers, gripping the key, curled slightly.

Shen Yuan's heart skipped a beat. He was about to ask a question when he saw that slender figure suddenly turn around without warning!

The girl, like a lit firework, plunged headlong into Shen Yuan's direction.

The speed and precision of the attack left Shen Yuan with no time to react. He only felt a warm breeze carrying a faint fruity scent rushing towards him.

Boom!
Li Zhi crashed headfirst into Shen Yuan's arms!
Shen Yuan instinctively opened his arms and firmly caught the cannonball that had willingly thrown itself into his arms.

The impact forced him to take a half-step back before regaining his balance.

The girl's soft body trembled slightly as she pressed herself tightly against his chest.

The scorching body temperature and rapid heartbeat were transmitted to him without any obstruction, instantly evaporating all his surprise and leaving only a surge of hot sweetness in his heart.

Li Zhi's face was buried in the chest of his coat, his rapid breathing burning Shen Yuan's skin through several layers of fabric.

She seemed startled by her own bold behavior, her arms wrapped tightly around Shen Yuan's waist, her fingers gripping his clothes so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

The motion-sensor lights in the hallway were quietly lit, casting long shadows of the two embracing on the wall, silently announcing this sudden burst of intimacy.

A few seconds of deathly silence followed, with only the resounding pounding of their heartbeats echoing in the air.

Just when Shen Yuan thought she would bury the matter, Li Zhi took a deep breath, as if she had made some great decision.

She abruptly lifted her head from his embrace. Under the lamplight, her usually aloof face was now flushed red, even the tip of her delicate nose was tinged with cherry pink, and her breathing was somewhat disordered.

But those beautiful eyes were like a lake filled with stardust, incredibly bright, staring straight into Shen Yuan's eyes, which were filled with astonishment and immense joy.

"Shen Yuan..."

The girl's lips moved slightly, her cheeks were still flushed, but her eyes held an undeniable stubbornness and declaration, each word striking Shen Yuan's eardrums clearly and forcefully.

"I! Am! Not! Arrogant!"

As soon as she finished speaking, even she seemed to be burned again by the overly straightforward statement and courage.

The blush quickly spread to her ears and neck, her eyes flickered, and she seemed to be putting on a brave face, as if she was eager to prove that what she said was true.

Shen Yuan looked down at the small face in his arms, which was so red it looked like it was about to bleed, yet it was still trying to meet his gaze.

Looking into the light in her eyes, a mixture of stubbornness and undeniable seriousness, my head, which had been a little dazed from the impact, finally started working again.

An indescribable warmth instantly swept over his entire body, dispelling the last trace of chill from the winter night.

He knew what she meant.

Now, she has completely refuted that assessment in the most direct and impactful way, through her actions!

This is just... unfairly cute!
"Ok!"

Shen Yuan's Adam's apple bobbed as he responded.

His deep voice was tinged with an uncontrollable laugh and was hoarse, his chest trembling slightly as he tried to suppress his laughter.

He tightened his arms around Li Zhi's back, and his other hand unconsciously stroked the back of her head, gently rubbing her fluffy, soft hair.

The movements were so natural, as if they had been rehearsed hundreds of times.

"Yes, not arrogant."

He gazed at her, the smile in his eyes like melting honey, so tender it could drown a person.

"not at all."

"...That's exactly right!"

Li Zhi felt even hotter under his gaze. She subconsciously wanted to look down, but stopped when she met the tender sweetness in his eyes, barely maintaining the posture of declaring their eye contact.

But that bluster, which was all bark and no bite, finally crumbled completely after Shen Yuan gently stroked her hair and whispered his approval, melting into shyness and a hint of relief after getting his way.

She simply pressed her forehead against his chest again, mumbled something, and said in a muffled voice through his clothes, "...Mind your own business!"

This time, however, the arms wrapped around his waist tightened even more.

A new tranquility descended upon the hallway, with only the sound of each other's heartbeats clearly audible under the motion-sensor lights.

The two embraced tightly, and time seemed to stretch out sweetly.

The cold winter night was shut out from the apartment building, and in the porch, only the intertwined breaths of the two people and the comforting warmth emanating from each other could be heard.

After a while, Li Zhi stirred slightly in Shen Yuan's arms, making some indistinct sounds.

She raised her head, her face still flushed, but her eyes were much clearer than before, carrying a hint of barely perceptible attachment and a sober understanding that she had to leave.

"Is...I really going back..."

Her voice had a slightly coquettish nasal tone, and her fingertips were unconsciously tugging at the hem of his coat, but her gaze was lowered, not daring to meet his eyes completely.

"It's very late..."

Shen Yuan did not immediately let go, but looked down at the girl in his arms.

The cool white light of the motion sensor clearly outlined her slightly raised jawline, and her smooth forehead still bore the faint marks from when she had just rubbed against it.

Those beautiful eyes shimmered with tears, reflecting the lamplight and his shadow, his long eyelashes casting trembling shadows beneath them.

Perhaps her excitement hadn't completely subsided, for her cheeks were still flushed, her delicate nose was slightly wrinkled, and her lips, which usually exuded a cool and aloof air, were now slightly parted, like newly blossoming flower buds, their color even more radiant than usual.

From this angle, this complete dependence and undisguised shyness struck Shen Yuan so closely.

A powerful, unprecedented impulse suddenly swept over him!

This impulse was more intense than when he first held her hand, and more direct than when she had just thrown herself into his arms.

I want to give him a kiss.

The thought appeared so clearly in his mind, with a primal driving force that it made his heart pound so hard it felt like it would burst out of his chest.

All the sweet excitement and overflowing intimacy seemed to be condensed into the desire that erupted in this instant.

His gaze was uncontrollably fixed on those two soft lips, his Adam's apple bobbed unconsciously, his arms around her back tightened involuntarily, and his body seemed to lean forward slightly.

Li Zhi seemed to notice the instantaneous change in his gaze and aura; the sudden intensification of his gaze made her stiffen slightly.

Her previously lowered gaze suddenly snapped upward, meeting Shen Yuan's deep, turbulent eyes.

The undisguised desire there made her cheeks burn even hotter, and she couldn't breathe.

She seemed to have guessed what he was thinking, and her already shy eyes immediately showed a hint of panic.

The girl's body instinctively stiffened, and her fingers, which were gripping the hem of his clothes, curled up even tighter.

Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze.

Shen Yuan could see the surprise and fear in Li Zhi's eyes.

This sudden increase in intimacy clearly exceeded the girl's expectations at that moment.

That longing, so close yet almost tangible, was frozen in place by the frozen air and the fleeting panic in the girl's eyes.

Shen Yuan clearly felt the surging impulse in his body, like a torrent crashing against a reef, but just before hitting the reef, the surging force was suddenly stopped by the restraint.

Now is not the time.

She wasn't fully prepared, and that moment of surprise was like a bucket of cold water extinguishing her recklessness.

He couldn't scare her, and he certainly couldn't be abrupt with her in this situation.

Shen Yuan took a deep breath, suppressing the agitation in his heart.

He gently rubbed his chin against Li Zhi's head, his deep voice carrying a hint of suppressed hoarseness.

"Oh, I see."

His response was somewhat vague, as if the intense exchange of moments had never occurred, but the pounding of his heart in his chest was unmistakable.

The arms that were wrapped around her finally loosened their grip slowly, the movement filled with lingering reluctance.

Li Zhi took a half step back, her cheeks already as red as ripe cherries, even her small earlobes were not spared.

The girl glanced at Shen Yuan quickly, her eyes filled with complex emotions—shyness, panic, and perhaps even a hint of something she herself couldn't quite understand... a flutter of excitement?
Then he immediately lowered his head, mumbled something indistinctly, whether it was "idiot" or something else, and turned around and almost fled to his own door lock, quickly and quietly opening the door and slipping inside.

With a soft click, Shen Yuan was left alone in the hallway, accompanied only by the still-rapid pounding of his heart.

He raised his hand and touched his chin, where the soft touch and warmth of her hair still lingered, while a dry regret remained on his lips and tongue.

Just now, I really wanted to kiss him.

This thought, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, rippled outwards in his heart, creating wave after wave of undisturbed waves.

I got home and closed the door.

Inside the room, Ms. Zhang Yuyan had already turned on the heating, and her two cats were comfortably lying on the blankets.

The room's warmth immediately enveloped him, but it did nothing to dispel the burning sensation in Shen Yuan's heart and the increasingly clear sense of annoyance.

"Sand dollar!"

Shen Yuan cursed himself under his breath, unsure whether he was cursing the impulse he hadn't suppressed or the damned restraint he had shown later.

Shen Yuan threw himself heavily onto the bed. The soft mattress bounced a few times, but it couldn't shake off the churning regret in his heart.

Shen Yuan rolled over, buried his face in the still sun-kissed blankets, and let out a muffled growl.

"Shen Yuan, you're an idiot."

My mind seemed to be automatically replaying that moment in the hallway.

Li Zhitong blushed, her bright yet stubborn eyes fixed on him...

So close, their breaths almost mingled.

Her eyes, that vulnerable dependence beneath her forced composure...

And that little gesture of burying his head back after he finished speaking...

The more Shen Yuan thought about it, the more his heart itched.

Why did he just rub his head against it?!

Most importantly, how did he manage to be so sensible and restrain himself, not even daring to ask a single question?!

Shen Yuan slammed his head on the blanket, but it wasn't very forceful; it was just a way of venting his frustration.

What if?
What if he had looked at her with those eyes and gently asked, "Then... can I... kiss you?"

Or you could say in a lower voice, "Can I kiss you...?"

What will Li Zhihui's reaction be?
Will she push him away as usual, or will she disgustedly call herself a pervert?

but……

Shen Yuan's thoughts took an uncontrollable turn.

just in case……

She just blushed and glared at him, then bit her lip and didn't say anything.
What if she glances away a few times, and then nods so small as to be almost invisible?
Just like before in the hallway, when he said he would hug her to block the wind, she was clearly stubborn and said, "Who wants you to keep me warm?", but in the end she didn't struggle anymore, did she?

Just like when she unexpectedly took his hand after school, didn't that break their previous understanding?

Li Bao looks really different today!

From taking the initiative in the classroom, to letting down her guard while snuggling on the way home, to that courageous declaration in the hallway and the hug that led her into his arms...

She was proving with her actions that the shell he once laughed at as "arrogant" was being peeled away layer by layer in front of him.

"Come on, come on, come on!"

Shen Yuan buried his face deeper into the blanket, even pulling a pillow over his head, trying to suffocate the wildly growing "what ifs" and the resulting regrets in his mind.

"Shen Yuan, Shen Yuan... why didn't you... even ask?"

He spoke to the air, a muffled whisper tinged with regret and gritted teeth.

Even just trying to ask...

Even if you get rejected, at most you'll get a scolding or a pinch, it'll just hurt a little and that's it, right?
If you just have a thicker skin, you can get through it.
But just in case...

What if...she nods?

Shen Yuan sat up abruptly.

Oh, right, what words did Li Zhi say before he left?
Is he calling himself an idiot, or a coward?
Shen Yuan felt he had missed a chance to kiss Li Bao!
This realization washed over him like a tsunami.

Shen Yuan let out a wail and fell heavily back onto the bed, covering his burning face with his hands.

"I want to die, I want to die, I want to die, I want to die..."

next time!

Next time, I must ask before I chicken out!
Who cares if she gets angry!

What if...she agrees?!
Next room.

The heating was running silently, dispelling the chill of the winter night and creating a soft, tranquil space.

Li Zhi sat on the bed wearing a slightly childish cotton pajama set.

Everything that had just happened in the hallway now came rushing back like a tidal wave, repeatedly washing over her burning thoughts and face.

Her body still seemed to retain the burning sensation of being thrown into Shen Yuan's arms and the comforting feeling of being tightly bound.

"I! Am! Not! Arrogant!"

Good heavens! How could those five words be shouted out so loudly?!
Li Zhi buried her face deeply between her knees, the soft fabric of her pajamas absorbing her breath as she let out a desperate and shameful whimper.

This is insane! This is insane! This is insane! This is insane!

Her brain must have been caught in the elevator door while it was going up! Otherwise, why would she have lost control to that extent?!

What tsundere?!

She was clearly refuting Shen Yuan's idiotic slander!
But the way she argued back, the way she recklessly threw herself into his arms and yelled at him...

Where is the bottom line, Li Zhi?

Li Zhi felt like her public image had been shattered!
Not even a trace was left!

The girl's slender body curled up into a small ball in the warm light.

She could even recall the immense surprise and sickeningly sweet smile in Shen Yuan's eyes when she looked up to "declare war," and the way his Adam's apple bobbed...

And... after that moment, when he looked down at her, a longing she had never seen before welled up in the depths of his eyes.

That burning gaze, so intense it seemed almost tangible, was about to fall upon him at any moment.

She froze for a moment, even her breath stopped, like prey pinned to the spot, watching the predator approach.

The sudden closeness and intimacy completely exceeded her impromptu counterattack plan, leaving only instinctive panic.

Thankfully... thankfully he only gently rubbed her head again and didn't go any further.

Was her panic too obvious?

Or... did this guy finally chicken out?

Li Zhi slowly raised her head, leaned against the headboard pillow, and gently exhaled, her cheeks still burning.

Those clear eyes were shimmering with tears, lacking their usual sharpness and filled with a hazy, bewildered look.

The girl's fingers curled unconsciously, and after her fingertips trembled slightly, she gently stroked her soft lower lip.

We were so close then, his lips...

Beneath the soil of my heart, which had just been filled with immense shyness, a tiny, tender sprout with a strangely sweet scent suddenly emerged.

There was something she herself was unwilling to delve into or acknowledge...

Lost?

Or perhaps it's some kind of vague curiosity and expectation?

The thought had barely surfaced when Li Zhi forcefully banished it from his mind, only to be met with an even fiercer self-criticism.

"Sand dollar!"

"Li Zhi, are you an idiot?! What are you thinking?!"

It was clearly that idiot Shen Yuan who made me lose face!
How could you even have such a thought!

Shameless!
"If he actually dares to kiss me... he's dead! Yes! We must beat him to death!"

After uttering those harsh words, the girl tried to dispel the racing heartbeat and flushed face that made her heart race with her fierce imagination.

but……

Li Zhi turned over irritably and hid under the covers.

Don't think about it anymore, go to sleep!

idiot...

Coward Shen Yuan!
(End of this chapter)