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

Chapter 255 Now that the parents are gone

The study was filled with a lingering, intense silence.

Shen Yuan leaned even deeper into the desk, his forehead almost touching the cold surface, and took deep, suppressed breaths.

Once, twice, the surging turmoil in my chest finally subsided like the receding tide, and that burning presence finally disappeared without a trace.

Shen Yuan raised his head, exhaled a heavy breath, and his forehead was still covered with a little sweat.

My gaze returned to the math exam paper that had been lying open for so long.

The question is clear, and the thought process is still valid.

Shen Yuan raised his hand and rubbed his temples, and the white spots on his knuckles slowly regained their color.

He finally sighed resignedly, exhaling all the remaining romantic thoughts with his breath.

Reaching out to grab the pen, my fingertips found that familiar angle again.

The pen tip touched the paper, making a soft scratching sound.

At first, there was some hesitation, but soon the strokes became smooth, and the calculations were performed fluently on the draft paper, line by line, with focus and steadyness.

He frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on the question, absorbed in the pull of formulas and logic.

The annoying heat and the voices of parents outside the door were all shut out by the geometric symbols and equations in front of him at this moment.

The intense impulse gradually disappeared under the effect of focused concentration, leaving only the quiet and focused profile of the boy in front of the desk.

The light fell on his slightly lowered eyelashes, casting a small shadow.

The only sounds in the air were the monotonous rhythm of pen and paper rubbing together and the sound of their breathing finally calming down.

Li Zhi quietly moved aside the corner of the draft paper covering his face and secretly glanced at the person opposite him.

Seeing Shen Yuan completely immersed in the sea of ​​questions, the huge weight on my heart finally lifted.

Her tense shoulders gradually relaxed, and she breathed a long sigh of relief, finally able to focus all her attention back on her exam paper.

The pen tip glides across the paper, making a soft, continuous scratching sound.

Shen Yuan was engrossed in a complex physics problem, his draft paper covered with calculation marks. Occasionally, he would pause, his knuckles resting on his chin as he fell into deep thought.

Only the clear sound of writing and the gradually calming breathing of the other students remained in the study.

The city lights came on one by one, casting a soft glow on the glass windows and reflecting two figures hunched over their desks side by side.

The initial shyness and excitement were completely dispelled by the characters and formulas on the exam paper, leaving only the quiet atmosphere of the young boys and girls conquering knowledge.

At midnight, he curled up on the soft cushion in the corner of the desk, making soft, even gurgling sounds, as if accompanying his concentration.

Time slipped by quietly in this peaceful struggle and conquest.

Just as Shen Yuan finished writing the answer to the last question and was about to breathe a sigh of relief and stretch his stiff shoulders and neck—

"Tuk, Tuk, Tuk."

A knock on the door broke the stillness that had settled in the study.

The two froze simultaneously, their eyes meeting briefly in the air.

Xu Chan's gentle, smiling voice came from outside the door, clear and steady: "Zhizhi, your dad and I are going home first."

Xu Chan paused, as if she could feel her daughter's heartbeat as she was startled through the door, and then added considerately.

"Don't stay up too late, come back and rest early."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was like a pebble thrown into a lake, instantly creating a small ripple of peace in Li Zhi's heart.

Immediately afterwards, the footsteps outside the door and the sounds of the two pairs of parents saying goodbye gradually faded away, and Lao Shen's hearty voice and Lao Li's low response could be clearly heard.

Li Zhi and Shen Yuan strained their ears to listen for any sounds outside the door until the footsteps completely disappeared in the entryway, followed by the clear sound of the door opening and closing.

"call!"

Li Zhi's tense body suddenly relaxed, and he leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh of relief.

A sense of relief, as if granted a pardon, finally filled those beautiful eyes.

Besides that, there was also a secret joy that the room now belonged entirely to them after their parents left.

She looked at Shen Yuan, a small smile unconsciously curving her lips.

Shen Yuan also completely relaxed, leaning back in his chair with a relieved smile on his face, and stretched out a big yawn towards Li Zhi.

"So... I passed?"

His voice carried a hint of wry smiles, and he looked at her with bright eyes.

Li Zhi smiled, pursing her lips: "What are you thinking? This is nothing yet."

Li Zhi smiled, then suddenly poked Shen Yuan's arm hard with her fingertip: "What are you thinking? This is nothing!"

Shen Yuan's shoulders, which had just relaxed, tensed up again. He looked at her in surprise: "Huh?"

The girl suddenly leaned closer, her eyes sparkling like the glass candy wrappers of childhood.

"Have you forgotten what my dad said before?" she asked in a low voice, mimicking Lao Li's somber tone.

"'You've made great progress, keep it up!' Don't you know what that means? If your grades drop, you're finished!"

"Hiss!" Shen Yuan felt a chill run down his neck, as if he were once again pinned to the spot by Lao Li's gaze.

“So,” Li Zhi suddenly reached out and grabbed his collar, pulling it down, his warm breath spraying on his face.

"Now comes the real test!"

She gently traced her fingertips down the boy's tense cheek, her voice suddenly softening.

"Shen Yuan..."

Shen Yuan looked down and met her eyes, which were suddenly misty with tears. There, a light of expectation shone.

"We have to apply to the same school, it has to be."

The cat on the desk was startled by the sudden stillness in the air, its fur standing on end.

The light in the study danced on Shen Yuan's taut jawline. He gripped Li Zhi's trembling fingertips with his backhand, and three words rolled heavily through his Adam's apple.

"necessary."

Under the lamplight, those three simple words seemed to carry a heavy weight, leaving an invisible mark in the quiet study.

A brief silence flowed between their intertwined gazes, like a confirmation, or the lingering echo of a vow.

A few seconds later, Shen Yuan released her hand, and with a renewed enthusiasm fueled by a sense of responsibility, he reached out and dragged an open test paper from the table.

"Continue! I just had an idea for this problem..."

His voice was still a little hoarse, but his words revealed an unprecedented level of focus, and his pen was already eagerly scribbling on the draft paper.

Seeing his sudden burst of energy, Li Zhi was also infected and pursed her lips, looking down at her own test paper.

The air in the study was once again filled with the rustling sound of writing.

The thin layer of condensation on the windows reflected the city lights.

Curled up on the mat in the middle of the night, snoring softly, time slipped away quietly amidst the friction between the pen tip and the paper.

The night outside the window grew deeper, the moon climbed higher, and its cool, silvery light quietly spilled onto the windowsill.

The hands of the wall clock had unknowingly turned to 10:30.

As Li Zhi finished the last page of exercises, the soft click of the pen cap closing was particularly clear in the quiet.

She put down her pen, unconsciously twisting her stiff neck, and looked past the stack of books towards the sky outside the window.

"Are you tired?" Shen Yuan stopped writing and looked up almost simultaneously.

Li Zhi blinked, her curled eyelashes casting a small, tired shadow under her eyes.

"It's alright," she replied softly, then wrinkled her nose slightly, "but... it's time to go home."

Though the tone was soft, it carried a sense of relief that everything had settled down.

My parents said "Come back soon" when they left, and that unspoken understanding served as a wake-up call in my heart.

"I'll take you." Shen Yuan stood up, his tone leaving no room for argument.

As Li Zhi watched him stand up quickly, she looked up and met Shen Yuan's eyes with a natural persistence and concern.

The word "idiot" rolled to his lips but he swallowed it back.

The kitten had woken up at some point and nuzzled affectionately against Li Zhi's arm, as if urging her to hug it, or as if trying to keep it there.

"Let's go."

The girl took a deep breath, suppressing the warmth and subtle attachment in her heart, and stood up to walk out of the study.

The exercises and test papers on the table remained untouched, still lying open in Shen Yuan's study.

The motion-activated lights in the hallway turned on as the door opened.

Pushing open the heavy security door of Shen Yuan's house, a chilly night wind slipped into her collar, and Li Zhi subconsciously shrank her neck.

Just a few steps away, I arrived at my own doorstep.

Li Zhi skillfully took the key out of his pocket.

"arrive."

She turned around, her small face revealing a clear smile in the light, her voice carrying a hint of ease.

"You should go back soon."

"Did you forget something?"

Shen Yuan leaned towards Li Zhi, a smile playing on his lips.

Li Zhixin's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at Shen Yuan.

The dim, voice-activated light fell on his face, clearly reflecting his smiling eyes and slightly lowered eyelashes.

The cool moonlight outside the stairwell window quietly bathed his other side profile.

The intimacy that had just relaxed instantly and quietly spread again.

Seeing Shen Yuan's slightly mischievous smile as he waited for her to take the initiative, Li Zhi's cheeks flushed slightly.

The beautiful girl looked at Shen Yuan, a hint of reproach in her eyes.

But she immediately stepped forward, instinctively grabbing Shen Yuan's clothes for leverage.

Li Zhifei quickly and accurately raised her small face and pressed her lips to Shen Yuan's lips.

A gentle, warm, and brief kiss.

It was as fleeting as touching a dewdrop, a momentary touch followed by separation.

Before Shen Yuan could deepen the kiss, Li Zhi quickly released his clothes, blushing as she turned away.

Just as she was about to open the door, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her soft body back into a familiar embrace.

"Huh?" Li Zhi exclaimed softly, her back pressed against Shen Yuan's firm chest, her cheeks, which had just cooled down, instantly became hot again.

The light in the hallway flickered, and she subconsciously reached up to pull at the arm wrapped around her waist, her expression a mix of nervousness and reproach as if her parents might open the door and catch her at any moment.

"You idiot... what are you doing! You're in the hallway!"

Shen Yuan gently rested his chin on the top of her soft hair, the sweet fragrance of the girl's hair lingering in his nose, and his deep voice, tinged with laughter, sounded in her ear.

"I almost forgot to ask. Li Bao, what time are you coming tomorrow?"

Feeling the vibrations in his chest behind him and his close breathing, Li Zhi's heartbeat became slightly erratic, and he struggled less.

She turned her head away and muttered softly, her tone a mix of self-righteousness and a shy embarrassment at being seen through: "...Of course I'm going to sleep in! We'll talk about it after lunch!"

"Okay, then I'll wait for you to come."

Shen Yuan released his embrace, and Li Zhifei quickly stepped forward to open the door.

"boom!"

The security door closed gently in front of Shen Yuan, shutting out the cold air in the hallway and her lingering scent.

The hallway fell silent, save for the motion-activated lights that suddenly came on and the helpless yet indulgent smile on his lips.

Li Zhi walked into the house, where the large lamp in the living room emitted a soft glow.

Xu Chan looked up from the sofa, a gentle smile on her face.

"You're back? There's some warm milk in the kitchen."

"Yes, I'm back..." Li Zhi replied vaguely, not immediately looking at her mother's concerned eyes.

The pretty girl, dragging her slippers, shuffled into the living room and then threw herself into her mother's arms without any regard for her image.

"Mom~"

A drawn-out call, soft and sweet like a glutinous rice ball coated in icing sugar.

Xu Chan opened her arms and caught her daughter who was rushing towards her; the soft body instantly filled her embrace.

Li Zhi buried her entire face in Xu Chan's shoulder, inhaling the familiar and comforting fragrance emanating from her mother.

"What's wrong? Are you tired?"

Xu Chan's smile deepened, and she naturally wrapped her arms around her daughter's slender waist and back, gently patting her back with her soft hands.

She could feel her daughter's limbs relaxing.

The beautiful girl in her arms rubbed against her mother's shoulder like a spoiled kitten, her muffled voice coming from under the fabric.

"Ugh... I'm so tired... Doing homework is tiring, eating is tiring..."

She didn't say what kind of "food" made her tired, but how could Xu Chan not understand?
Xu Chan chuckled softly, her chest trembling slightly. She tightened her arms around her daughter, her expression one of silent comfort and doting affection.

"Okay, okay, thank you for your hard work, Zhizhi."

She gently rested her chin on the top of her daughter's soft hair, feeling the delicate texture of the strands.

After a long while, a slightly clearer voice came from my arms, tinged with caution, like a feather brushing against my heart.

“…Mom,” Li Zhi raised her head slightly, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears, and asked timidly yet matter-of-factly.

Where is my dad? Has he gone back to his room?

Xu Chan glanced toward the study.

"No," Xu Chan lowered her voice, with a hint of teasing, "He's probably playing games in the study, and he might not be in a good mood."

The mother and daughter met eyes, and Li Zhi almost instantly understood the subtext in her mother's words: "Your dad is still waiting for you to come back so we can settle some small scores."

The girl's heartstrings, which had just relaxed a little, tightened again. Her almond-shaped eyes widened, and she subconsciously glanced towards the study.

It was as if you could feel the heavy scrutiny of your father even through the door.

Seeing her daughter's sudden alertness, Xu Chan couldn't help but chuckle softly again.

She raised her hand and gently smoothed the few stray strands of hair that had gotten messy on Li Zhi's forehead, her movements gentle yet with a hint of playful reassurance.

"Alright, alright," Xu Chan said in a low voice, glancing suggestively at the closed door of the study.

"Your dad's been jealous all night."

She pinched Li Zhi's little face, making her look at her, and said with a gentle yet somewhat "task-oriented" gaze.

"Go and comfort your dad. Say goodnight, or just talk to him for a bit. Let him know that your dad holds an unshakeable place in your heart. Hmm?"

Li Zhi subconsciously pursed her lips, but her nervousness dissipated most of it in her mother's gentle words.

She lowered her eyelashes, nodded gently, and replied in a soft, sweet voice, "...I understand, Mom."

The pretty girl took a deep breath, seemingly gathering her relaxed and coquettish mood.

She stood up from her mother's warm embrace, straightened her clothes, and then walked towards the study.

Step by step.

As Li Zhi approached the study door, he stopped and took a deep breath.

She didn't knock, but gently grasped the doorknob and slowly turned it open.

The door was quietly opened a crack, letting in light from the study and the faint sound effects of a game.

Her petite figure slipped silently inside, then gently closed the door behind her.

Behind the desk, Lao Li was facing the computer screen, seemingly immersed in the game world.

But Li knew perfectly well that Old Li definitely knew it was her who had come in.

Li Zhi took a deep breath and tiptoed to the desk.

Old Li continued to stare at the screen, as if he hadn't seen her.

"Dad~"

The girl's soft, sweet voice rang out in the quiet room, drawing out the last syllable, carrying a hint of caution and a strong sense of coquetry.

Old Li still didn't turn around.

Li Zhi decided to go all the way and carefully reached out a finger to tug at the hem of Lao Li's home clothes, giving it a gentle shake.

"Dad! Still playing~"

Suddenly, Li Zhi loosened her clothes, took a step forward, and before her father could react, she stretched out her slender arms and gently wrapped them around her father's broad shoulders, nestling herself in his arms.

She rested her cheek against Old Li's broad chest, feeling the familiar warmth of her father's breath.

In an instant, all the tension of the night, the speculation about her father's feelings, and the little bit of apology in her heart melted into this proactive hug.

The girl's voice was slightly nasal and muffled, yet it rang in Lao Li's ears with unparalleled clarity.

"Dad...thank you."

This seemingly abrupt thank you seems to contain a thousand words.

Thank you for his silent yet profound love and care all along, thank you for the tacit approval and way out he ultimately gave at the dinner table, and perhaps also thank you for being willing to let go.

Old Li, who had originally intended to maintain a serious demeanor, visibly stiffened for a moment.

His daughter's sudden hug and sincere "thank you" were like a stone thrown into a deep pool, instantly shattering the last bit of awkwardness and the deliberate distance he maintained in his heart.

His hand holding the mouse paused for a moment, and finally, the large hand that had been gripping the mouse with a slight force slowly lifted up.

Old Li lowered his head slightly, his gaze falling on the fluffy little head in his arms.

His face, which had been stern for several days, was finally covered by an undeniable tenderness.

With a hint of hesitation, the large, warm hand finally landed very gently on Li Zhi's head.

With the tenderness of a father, he gently stroked her soft hair. "Mmm."

A low, short response escaped his throat, carrying all the unspoken acceptance and promise.

Li Zhi felt the warm, large hand above her head, and that comfort made the last bit of tension in her heart dissipate.

She snuggled closer into her father's arms, like a little animal that had found its home, and an unconscious smile of relief mixed with a little pride appeared on her face.

"Dad's the best!"

A warm silence flowed through the study for a moment. Suddenly, Li Zhi remembered something, looked up, and unconsciously clutched her father's clothes with her fingertips.

"Dad...on New Year's Eve..."

Before he finished speaking, Old Li's hand, which was rubbing her hair, paused slightly.

He looked down at his daughter's nervous expression and remained silent for a few seconds.

Old Li's Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally let out a long breath.

"never mind."

His broad palm fell again, but with greater force than before, carrying an undeniable weight, slowly grinding across the top of her soft hair.

"But you're not allowed to lie to your family anymore."

His voice suddenly lowered, each word piercing into Li Zhi's suddenly taut nerves.

Old Li stopped looking at Li Zhi and increased the pressure on his palm, as if he wanted to press the warning, along with the deep-seated worry, into her head.

Instead of going home on New Year's Eve, I went to my boyfriend's house!
He even lied to his parents and said he went out to play!
The results of it? !

Fortunately, he still knows his limits. If he had really caused something serious, Lao Li would have been beaten to death by Shen Yuan.

Li Zhi held her breath and nodded vigorously, her hair brushing against his rough palm.

"understood."

Her voice was so soft it sounded like a sigh, or perhaps a coquettish plea, yet she buried her face even deeper into the warm, pine-scented space.

A barely audible groan came from above her head, and the hand that was pressing down on her finally loosened its grip, turning into a slow, gentle caress.

The tension in her nerves had only relaxed halfway when her eyelashes suddenly trembled.

Didn't Dad mention that we weren't allowed to stay overnight at Shen Yuan's house?!
The thought was like a spark that landed in her heart, burning her fingertips as she curled them against her father's clothes.

The girl quietly lifted her eyelids, her gaze climbing up her father's jawline and finally settling on his tightly pursed lips.

Old Li was looking down at the fluffy hair on the top of his head when he suddenly noticed Li Zhi's furry gaze.

Those round, almond-shaped eyes were surprisingly bright, hiding a cautious probing, like a young animal reaching out its claws to lightly touch an unknown territory.

"What are you looking at?" He asked sternly, tapping her forehead with his finger, the force as light as brushing away dust.

Li Zhi shrank back when poked, but clung to his clothes tightly, her throat feeling sticky and sweet.

"Well... next time if I do my homework too late, I..."

Her voice hung in the air as she clearly saw her father's Adam's apple bob, and a helpless glint flashed in his deep, pool-like eyes.

Old Li poked Li Zhi's head: "Come back no matter how late it is! You've lost your soul because of dating, haven't you!"

The little head in my arms shrank back in response, like a kitten that knew it had made a mistake.

Li Zhi's fingers, clutching the hem of his father's clothes, unconsciously rubbed the edge of the fabric. After a long while, he slowly and tentatively asked.

"Dad...then...then tomorrow...can I go to Shen Yuan's house to do my homework?" She looked up at her slightly rosy face, still carrying a hint of bookishness, her eyelashes fluttering rapidly.

"I'll be back as soon as I finish my homework! I promise!"

The air was quiet for a moment.

Looking into his daughter's bright eyes, which were filled with a mixture of guilt and obvious expectation, the nameless flame in his chest that had been extinguished by her coquettishness suddenly flared up again.

You just said you were "completely out of your mind," and you're already thinking about going again tomorrow?!
Old Li's Adam's apple bobbed violently, and finally he let out a very short, heavy groan from his nose.

"Phew!" Li Zhi's heart jumped into his throat.

The next second, with a hint of warning and frustration, Lao Li flicked her forehead with force but not enough to actually hurt her.

"Go ahead! You can go right now!"

Old Li raised his voice by an octave, his voice tinged with an almost resigned impatience, as he turned his face away from the computer screen.

"Your mind is still wandering around that kid Shen Yuan! Why are you asking me questions?"

The disdain in his tone was almost overflowing. Rather than agreeing, it was more like he was annoyed by his daughter's constant pestering and decided to just ignore her.

But to Li Zhi, the words "Go, go" were nothing short of a pardon!
The slight tension in her eyes was instantly replaced by overwhelming joy.

"Dad! You're the best! I promise I'll only do my homework! I'll come home as soon as I'm done!" Li Zhifei quickly snuggled into his arms to express her affection and gratitude.

The girl's voice lit up, and then she let go of his hand, like a pardoned little rabbit, and slid lightly off his knee.

"I'm going to wash up now! Goodnight, Dad!"

Before she finished speaking, she had already tiptoed towards the door, as if afraid that if she was a step too slow, her father would retract his decision.

The sight of that overjoyed figure made Lao Li's brow twitch.

The study door was quietly closed, shutting out the outside light.

Old Li stared at the computer screen, the changing light and shadows reflected on his face. He sighed deeply, grabbed the teacup beside him, and took a big gulp.

Time quietly slipped to the seventh day of the Lunar New Year.

The afternoon sun lazily streamed through the window, casting shadows on the floor of Shen Yuan's room.

The festive atmosphere of the New Year has not yet dissipated, but the air is already faintly filled with the feeling that the winter vacation is about to end, like a wisp of smoke that cannot be grasped.

The room was quiet, with only the sound of the cat pouncing and the rustling of its feathers.

Shen Yuan leaned casually against the chair in front of his desk, his long legs stretched out, idly twirling a pen in his hand, but his gaze was fixed on the scene at the foot of the bed not far away.

The warm sunlight shone directly on the beautiful girl.

At this moment, Li Zhi was lying face down on the bed.

Under the warm air conditioning, the beautiful girl today wore a soft, dark brown turtleneck sweater, which covered her slender white neck and made her small face look even more delicate.

She wore a pair of warm brown corduroy wide-leg pants, the loose legs spreading out on the bed sheet, outlining a lazy curve.

A small section of ankle, clad in pure black socks, peeked out from under the trousers, nestled in the soft folds of the quilt.

The sunlight generously poured down on her, gilding her warm brown outfit with a soft golden edge, and even the tips of her hair seemed to dance with tiny specks of light, making her look like a painting enveloped in a fluffy halo.

At this moment, all her attention was focused on the little tyrant in front of her.

She held a cat toy adorned with colorful feathers and bells in her hand, her slender white wrist nimbly swinging it.

The fluffy, colorful tassels swayed and bounced right in front of her, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, with an irresistible allure.

Sangeng and Naonao were less than half a meter in front of her, their bodies pressed low, their round cat eyes fixed on the feathers.

Its pupils dilated into two black grapes, and with each shake of the cat toy, it would move slightly with complete concentration, its throat emitting urgent, suppressed whimpers, like a small motor about to overload.

The little paws scratched restlessly on the plush blanket.

"Come on, come a little closer..." Li Zhi's voice was extremely soft and gentle, with a hint of coaxing a child. He pinched the thin rod with his fingertips, letting the feather almost brush against Sangeng's nose.

"Pfft-"

Suddenly, he lunged forward at midnight!
The little paws picked up a few cat hairs attracted by static electricity and precisely pressed down on the tip of the feather that was feinting!

Unfortunately, with a nimble flick of Li Zhi's wrist, the feather slipped away like an eel, leaving only the warm, empty feeling in the cat's paw.

The little guy's attempt to pounce on the blanket was a bit silly; it landed on the carpet with its four paws down and looked up at its mother who had "teasing" it.

Its round eyes showed bewilderment, but it was immediately drawn to the feathers that started to sway again, and it lowered its body to start the next round of "hunting".

Shen Yuan's lips curled up silently.

Under Shen Yuan's gaze, Li Zhi unconsciously wiggled his legs, which were dangling over the edge of the bed.

The warm brown, loose-fitting trousers slipped down slightly as the legs swayed.

In an instant, the smile on Shen Yuan's lips froze.

His body, leaning back in the chair, seemed to be struck by an invisible electric current, and his fingers, which had been casually twirling the pen, suddenly stopped.

What was exposed was no longer the ankle covered by socks, but a patch of black.

Black stockings clung tightly to the girl's calves, outlining the soft lines of her skin in the warm afternoon sunlight, gleaming with a smooth and alluring sheen.

This is clearly not the slightly thick and elastic texture of pantyhose, but rather the unique visual impact of stockings with a more hazy feel.

After all, Shen Yuan could tell the difference between pantyhose and stockings.

Nao Nao gathered her strength and aimed at the tempting, fluttering creature.

With a gentle flick of Li Zhi's wrist, the little guy suddenly exerted force and soared into the air.

Unexpectedly, it veered slightly off course and landed clumsily on the floor beside it with a "thud".

"Pfft..."

Looking at the chaotic and comical scene before him, Li Zhi finally couldn't help but laugh.

The girl's shoulders trembled slightly, and her eyes curved into crescent moons.

"You two little idiots...you're so stupid!"

Shen Yuan was completely unaware of the falling cat and Li Zhi's laughter.

His gaze lingered for too long on the glimpse of the girl's black stockings on her calves.

The sunlight cast a hazy glow on it, creating an alluring and wonderful dividing line between it and the warm brown corduroy trouser legs.

Shen Yuan didn't realize how the cat's disheveled state was related to his own distraction.

He was drawn by some silent call and slowly stood up from his chair.

He walked silently toward the bed as his soft mops rubbed against the floor.

Li Zhizheng was focused on playing with the cat when he suddenly felt the mattress next to him sink slightly.

She subconsciously turned her head and happened to meet Shen Yuan's gaze as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

His gaze was deep and intense, carrying an undisguised heat.

Shen Yuan's gaze slid down from her smiling eyes, finally settling precisely on her curled-up calves, on the black stockings kissed by the sunlight.

Li Zhi's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around the cat toy.

Immediately afterwards, she felt a warm hand land directly on her calf.

A subtle tingling sensation, like an electric current, suddenly shot through my nerve endings.

Li Zhi's body tensed instantly, like a startled string on a musical instrument.

"Ugh... What are you doing!"

A muffled, trembling whimper escaped her throat, the last sound almost swallowed by her abruptly stopped breathing.

The toes curled up instantly within the confines of the stockings, digging into the folds of the warm down comforter, betraying the owner's unstable heartbeat.

The hand that had fallen did not move away; its palm pressed heavily against the curve of her calf.

My fingertips sank slightly into the thickness of the corduroy trouser leg, while also clearly conveying the delicate touch of the skin beneath that thin fabric.

The sunlight outside the window was still warm and gentle. At midnight, I tilted my head and looked at my mother, who had stopped playing with the cat toy.

Li Zhi continued to stare at Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan's gaze remained fixed on Li Zhi's feet, which were encased in stockings.

Gazing at the striking black stockings, his fingertips unconsciously rubbed the smooth corduroy fabric at the edge of the trouser hem.

It seems to want to feel a completely different silky smoothness underneath.

He raised his eyes, his gaze meeting Li Zhi's eyes, which were filled with a hint of anger and moisture, while the corners of his mouth curled up in a probing smile.

“Li Bao…”

Shen Yuan's gaze lingered between the black stain on her leg and the faint blush on her face.

"Why are you dressed so lightly?" He frowned slightly, a strange mix of doubt and warmth in his eyes. "Aren't you cold?"

As he spoke, his fingers naturally hooked around the edge of her wide trousers, gently revealing a bit more of her calf, which was encased in black stockings.

Li Zhi felt the place where his gaze was burning even hotter, and the warmth transmitted through the fabric by those warm fingertips felt like a subtle electric current.

Hearing his question, she gently kicked her legs, trying to break free from his grasp.

"Let go, you idiot! The air conditioning is so high, the heating is killing us, why are you wearing such thick pantyhose?"

She retorted confidently, but her ears turned so red they looked like they were about to bleed from his focused gaze and the touch of his palm.

It was as if the overheated air conditioner was the only reasonable explanation for the high temperature on her face at that moment.

Shen Yuan's fingers did not loosen; instead, hidden beneath the corduroy trousers, they subtly slid up the curve of her calf, his fingertips bringing a clearer, silky touch.

The movement was light and slow, a tentative yet bold touch.

Just as Li Zhi's breath hitched slightly from the even more audacious touch, Shen Yuan's hand, which was resting on the side of her calf, suddenly pulled inward.

The warm palm pressed tightly against the skin covered by the stockings.

His palm applied slight pressure, and hidden beneath the trouser leg, he pressed against the delicate touch, moving silently along the gentle curve of the calf.

The dark brown corduroy trousers were subtly stretched and clearly undulated by this hidden movement.

The undulations moved smoothly with the forward movement of Shen Yuan's palm, as if a docile little beast was slowly crawling under the fabric.

The loose trouser legs were pushed up, creating folds of wrinkles around Shen Yuan's wrists.

As the fabric was piled up, the view that had previously only revealed a small section of the toes was now suddenly exposed to the warm afternoon sunlight, with more of the calves, which were tightly covered by stockings.

The smooth, supple black fabric shimmered with a hazy, alluring glow under the kiss of the sunlight.

The girl's delicate leg lines outlined a captivating silhouette.

His fingers moved steadily upwards, finally reaching the slightly concave hollow behind his knee.

The warm fingertips gently kneaded and rubbed the soft, sensitive hollow a few times.

Li Zhi's body suddenly tensed up, like a fully drawn bowstring, and a very short whimper escaped from his nose as his fingers tightened around the cat toy.

Shen Yuan's actions did not stop.

As if measuring a precious object, he lingered briefly in the soft hollow of her knee, then with a silent sense of control, his hand began to slowly slide back.

The thick palm fit snugly against the warm skin.

The knuckles slid slowly and painfully down the path they had come from towards the ankle.

The corduroy pant legs covering her legs spread out like waves as Shen Yuan's palm moved down, and the soft fabric piled up on Shen Yuan's wrist gradually unfolded like waves.

Li Zhi was experiencing agony every moment as his hand slid down his palm.

Her toes curled tightly inside the stockings.

The beautiful girl scolded in a low voice, her tone trembling with exasperation and suppressed breathing.

"Thran! Stop touching me! If you keep doing that... I'll kick you!!"

Li Zhi's breathing became slightly rapid, her earlobes were red, and her eyes were glistening with tears.

Shame and indignation intertwined with a burning desire that seemed to want to engulf the audacious person before them.

However, Shen Yuan seemed to ignore this ineffective warning, and his hand did not stop.

Ignoring the girl's delicate shouts, his fingertips lingered on the cool, silky touch of her calf for a moment before moving down along the graceful curves, finally sliding precisely to the finish line.

That slender and delicate jade foot.

His fingers gently pushed open the wide trouser legs, revealing a section of delicate ankle encased in pure black stockings.

The warm afternoon sun generously outlined that perfect curve, the slender joints were faintly visible under the thin fabric, and the texture of the stockings shimmered with a hazy light in the sunlight, as if covered with a layer of flowing black jade.

Shen Yuan's gaze fell on that small area, and his slender fingers first gently cupped the delicate ankle, as if measuring a rare treasure.

The warmth of her fingertips penetrated her thin socks, gently soothing her slightly cool skin.

The girl's body trembled violently, and the muscles in her calves, which he was pressing against, tensed instantly. A soft whimper escaped from her throat.

My thumb slowly and with a sense of pressure rubbed upwards along the sole of my foot, which was covered by a thin veil.

Shen Yuan pressed his fingers on the back of her foot, his movements gentle, as if he were greedily tracing every soft bulge and depression beneath his palm.

The subtle rubbing was amplified infinitely in the quiet room, producing a soft, ticklish sound that made one's heart itch.

Every undulation of the texture was gently ironed in his palm.

Li Zhi's toes curled unconsciously in the possessive caress, sinking deep into the soft folds of the down comforter.

The ticklish sensation on the soles of her feet made her lips part slightly, her rapid breathing completely out of control, and the cat toy she had been holding in her hand fell to the ground.

The blush on her cheeks had spread to her neck, and even the edge of her turtleneck sweater could hardly cover the redness in her neck.

Her protests had long been dispelled by this slow, agonizing touch, turning into futile tremors and increasingly misty tears welling up in her eyes.

Li Zhi, slightly exasperated, propped herself up and turned to glare at the lecherous man who ignored her warnings and was engrossed in giving her a foot massage.

"Shen! Yuan! What are you doing!"

Shen Yuan raised his head, his eyes reflecting her embarrassed yet exceptionally beautiful appearance, his burning gaze fixed on her face.

His long, slender fingers rested on her delicate ankle, his fingertips still unconsciously rubbing against the thin black stocking, bringing a slight tingling sensation.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he spoke in a low voice.

"Li Bao, last time in the study...didn't you say you'd help me once my parents weren't around?"

“——!!!!”

These words were like a red-hot branding iron, suddenly imprinted into my mind!
Li Zhi's mind exploded with a "boom"!

Her already flushed face turned even redder in an instant, almost burning red, and even her neck was bathed in an alluring crimson glow.

Those beautiful eyes suddenly widened to their maximum size, filled with disbelief, embarrassment, and extreme panic.

The beautiful girl's lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word.

In the room, the rhythm of Shen Yuan's fingertips caressing the black stockings was the only clearly discernible ambiguous melody in this tranquil space, continuous and seemingly endless.

(End of this chapter)