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

Chapter 268 Shen Yuan: I'm Going Back to Li Zhi's Home
The elevator descended smoothly, and the red numbers on the digital display board jumped from "3" to "2", and then to "1".

"Ding!"

The soft sound of the elevator arriving on the first floor broke the brief silence.

The metal doors slid open to both sides, letting in the slightly empty light of the hall.

Stepping out of the somewhat oppressive elevator car, the two of them almost simultaneously and instinctively looked outside.

Sure enough, Lao Li's familiar black sedan was quietly parked in the temporary parking space by the roadside.

The driver's side window was lowered halfway, revealing Lao Li's cold and hard profile. He was looking in their direction with his head slightly turned.

Although he had already experienced Lao Li's "test" once before, Shen Yuan felt his heart skip a beat when faced with such a scene again.

That tension, like the prelude to a trial, has returned.

The childish scheme to "trick parents" that I just had upstairs now seems utterly absurd and distant.

He cleared his throat, and his Adam's apple bobbed silently.

He mentally bolstered his courage.

"Let's go." Li Zhi's voice interrupted his random thoughts.

Her voice returned to its usual clear tone, without much variation, but she gently squeezed his hand with her fingertips before naturally withdrawing it and walking towards the car first.

Shen Yuan quickly followed, falling half a step behind her.

The two walked across the open space a few meters wide in front of the apartment building, their footsteps making a soft "patter" sound on the paved pavement.

As they approached the car, Lao Li, who was in the driver's seat, had already turned his head completely, his gaze calmly falling on the two people walking side by side. His eyes, as always, held a scrutinizing look that revealed no emotion.

"Uncle Li." Shen Yuan spoke first under the pressure of Old Li's gaze, his voice still relatively calm.

"Dad," Li Zhiye called out at the same time, his tone natural.

Old Li didn't respond immediately. His gaze was on Shen Yuan before he nodded almost imperceptibly, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Well, let's get in the car."

As soon as he finished speaking, a slight "click" sound came from the rear door lock.

Shen Yuan acted quickly, stepping forward to open the back door and glancing back at Li Zhi.

Li Zhi ducked and crawled inside.

Shen Yuan also nimbly got into the car and closed the door behind him.

"boom."

The dull thud of the car door closing shut out the outside air.

The warmth from the car's air conditioning, mixed with a faint scent of leather, wafted over, instantly replacing the cool breeze of an early spring evening.

Old Li's gaze fell on the two people in the back seat through the rearview mirror and lingered for a moment.

Those few seconds of silence seemed to solidify the small space that had just formed in the carriage.

Finally, Old Li's deep voice broke the silence, seemingly carrying a hint of something... well, probably just routine: "You've had a hard day, haven't you?"

"Fortunately."

Li Zhi responded, and at the same time, Shen Yuan's voice rang out almost simultaneously.

"Not bad, Uncle Li."

After they finished speaking, they both paused awkwardly.

Li Zhi turned his head away, pretending to look out the window.

Shen Yuan raised his hand and awkwardly touched the tip of his nose. He felt the girl's fingertips slip over him and briefly brush against the back of his hand, which was resting on the cushion. The touch was slightly ticklish and comforting before she quickly withdrew her hand.

"Hmm." Old Li responded, not asking any more questions, and also looked away from the rearview mirror.

The engine emitted a steady hum, and the car smoothly drove away from the roadside, merging into the evening traffic.

The back seat returned to silence, with only the low rumble of the engine and the receding street scene outside the window.

Shen Yuan's tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

He glanced furtively at Li Zhi beside him.

The girl was sitting quietly, her profile soft, her fingertips resting unconsciously on the car door armrest, looking calm and undisturbed.

Only Shen Yuan knew that the hand she had just "misbehaved" with was now quietly curled up by her leg.

About ten minutes later, the car turned into the underground parking lot of a brightly lit shopping mall.

The wheels vibrated slightly as they hit the speed bumps, accompanied by the cool air and smell of gasoline that are typical of parking lots.

"We've arrived," Lao Li announced briefly, parking the car in an empty space.

With the engine off, the car fell into an even deeper silence.

The three of them got out of the car together, and the sound of the car door closing was particularly clear in the empty underground parking garage.

Old Li led the way, with Shen Yuan and Li Zhi following silently behind, their footsteps echoing in the quiet space.

Take the elevator directly to the fourth-floor dining area.

As the elevator doors opened, the aroma of food and the sounds of various voices immediately became even stronger.

Old Li seemed to know the destination well, leading them straight through the slightly noisy dining area corridor and finally stopping in front of a shop with a Chinese-style decor.

Old Li, familiar with the place, led them past several tables of diners to the entrance of a quieter private room deep inside.

Old Li raised his hand and gently knocked twice on the heavy wooden door.

"Please come in." Xu Chan's gentle and familiar voice came from inside the door.

As Lao Li pushed open the door, a warm, fragrant aroma mixed with the scent of food wafted out.

The private room was dimly lit, and around a large round table, Xu Chan and Shen Yuan's parents were chatting and laughing. Exquisite tableware and several cold dishes were already laid out on the table.

Upon seeing the three people at the door, the parents all turned their gazes toward them, their faces beaming with smiles and a long-awaited sense of relief.

Shen Yuan and Li Zhi greeted each other in unison and quickly entered the warm private room.

"Hey, come sit down, come sit down! We've been waiting for you guys to finish your exams and go on vacation!" Xu Chan smiled and waved, patting the empty seat next to her.

The glass turntable in the center of the round table was gently pushed, reflecting the warm yellow light from above.

Shen Yuan and Li Zhi exchanged a glance, their gazes falling on the only two seats side by side.

Good guy...

So you've arranged for us to sit together again?

Shen Yuan and Li Zhi exchanged a glance, both reading a hint of understanding and a faint smile in each other's eyes. This familiar "arrangement" allowed the last bit of tension in their hearts caused by Lao Li's appearance to quietly ease.

The two did as instructed and sat down in the two adjacent seats.

As soon as Shen Yuangang sat down, Li Zhi's warm fingertips slid across the table as if nothing had happened, and quickly and lightly pinched the back of his hand resting on his lap, as if sending a silent signal: See, it's okay.

The atmosphere at the dinner was surprisingly relaxed and harmonious, without any of the "torture" or probing that Shen Yuan had imagined.

Old Li even took the initiative to invite Shen Yuan to try the dishes, speaking to him in a casual tone as if he were talking to his own nephew or niece.

The conversation at the table was so lighthearted it bordered on trivial.

The adults mostly chatted about interesting things in their work and lives, occasionally asking how they felt about the mock exam.

After hearing Shen Yuan say "It's alright" and Li Zhi say "There are quite a lot of questions," they simply nodded without asking for details or predicting their scores.

Zhang Yuyan and Xu Chan chatted about everyday things, occasionally asking the two children what they wanted to eat and whether they wanted more rice.

Li Zhi ate quietly, occasionally turning her head to whisper with Shen Yuan about which dish was the best, her expression relaxed.

Shen Yuan's anxiety subsided completely, and he focused on the food in front of him and the rare warm family atmosphere.

Ok……

The warm atmosphere of the two families.

Watching the clinking of cups and plates on the dinner table and the relaxed laughter of the elders, Shen Yuan reached out and gently pinched Li Zhi's thigh under the table, earning a glare from Li Zhi in return.

Shen Yuan chuckled, the pressure of scrutiny he had once thought he would face seemingly melting away in the pleasant atmosphere of the dinner.

It was just a false alarm.

……

The underground parking garage was empty and quiet, filled with the smell of rubber and dust.

Two beams of intersecting headlights pierced the light, and accompanied by the low rumble of engines, the two cars slowly pulled into adjacent parking spaces.

The car doors opened one by one, breaking the silence of the garage.

Old Li was the first to get out of the driver's seat, and the sound of the car door closing was crisp and clean.

The rear door was then pushed open, and Li Zhi and Xu Chan emerged gracefully, their faces still bearing the comfortable weariness and warmth of post-dinner sleep.

Almost simultaneously, the Shen family's car also came to a complete stop.

Old Shen and Zhang Yuyan opened the car door and got out, their movements carrying a sense of relief, as if they were returning home.

Shen Yuan jumped down from the other side, his coat open, his steps somewhat hurried, and his eyes instinctively locked onto the girl who had just stood there opposite him.

Ms. Zhang Yuyan smiled, her voice clear in the empty garage: "Old Li, you've gone to the trouble tonight. Come to our house another day."

Old Li waved his hand, his tone steady: "Don't be polite. It's rare for the two kids to finish their mock exams, so they should relax a bit."

His gaze swept subtly between Shen Yuan and Li Zhi.

Li Zhi picked up her bag and was about to walk toward her parents when Shen Yuan had already stepped across the distance between the front of the car.

Their eyes met in mid-air, and a faint smile curved the corners of Shen Yuan's lips.

After locking his car, Lao Shen and Ms. Zhang Yuyan walked side by side toward the elevator.

Lao Li and Xu Chan naturally followed suit.

Shen Yuan naturally walked to Li Zhi's side and stood next to her.

The two families joined together in a small procession, their footsteps clearly audible on the tiled floor of the empty garage, echoing softly and weaving together into a rhythm of returning home.

The only sounds in the air were the rhythmic footsteps and the low hum of the garage ventilation fan in the distance.

Shen Yuan's arm brushed against Li Zhi's sleeve, and then, his right little finger, hanging by his side, secretly hooked onto Li Zhi's left hand.

Li Zhi's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and her beautiful eyes glanced at him sideways.

The garage lights weren't bright, but Shen Yuan clearly caught a fleeting hint of embarrassment and annoyance in her eyes.

The girl's face showed a nervous expression, as if she thought, "Why is this idiot doing something under his parents' noses?"

She didn't say anything, but with the hooked finger, she pinched Shen Yuan's little finger knuckle hard with a warning force.

"Hiss!" Shen Yuan gasped, but the smile on his lips widened even more. Instead of letting go, he gripped it tightly.

"What's wrong with you? Your family knows we're dating."

He lowered his voice and deliberately rubbed his fingertips against the back of her hand.

Li Zhi's ears burned even redder instantly, and he quickly raised his left hand and lightly patted his forearm.

"Sand dollar!"

She bit her lip and cursed under her breath, but her right hand, which he held tightly, showed no sign of breaking free. Instead, her fingertips curled up unconsciously, digging even deeper into the gaps between his fingers.

The two quickly followed the adult's pace, passed through the slightly chilly air of the garage, and arrived at the relatively enclosed elevator lobby of the apartment building.

The elevator lobby was much brighter than the garage; under the white light, even the floating dust particles in the air were clearly visible.

The sense of security I felt in the garage, which was barely under the "shadow" just moments before, vanished instantly, leaving me completely exposed.

Lao Li and Xu Chan stood side by side in front of the elevator, waiting for the elevator.

Old Shen and Zhang Yuyan turned to the side and talked to them.

Everything was natural.

Old Li's movements seemed to pause very slightly when his gaze habitually swept over the two children who were walking towards him.

Xu Chan seemed to have noticed something as well, and her gaze followed it.

Shen Yuan's right hand was firmly gripping Li Zhi's left hand in an extremely natural yet absolutely undeniable manner.

The two men's arms were very close together, and their intertwined fingers cast a clear and inseparable shadow on the light gray cement floor under the bright overhead light.

Li Zhi's ears turned bright red almost instantly, the blush spreading down her fair neck.

She subconsciously shrank her shoulders slightly, trying to pull her hand back, but Shen Yuan's fingers wouldn't budge, and he even gently rubbed the back of her hand with his fingertips in a soothing manner.

The girl raised her eyes, which became even brighter with shyness, and met her mother Xu Chan's smiling gaze.

Li Zhi's cheeks burned even hotter. She quickly looked away, pretending to be nonchalant as she glanced at the numbers flashing on the elevator door, but her tightly clenched hand did not try to break free even a little.

Shen Yuan could clearly feel the stiffness in the girl's body next to him and the slight trembling from her fingers.

He was also a little embarrassed, and his heart was beating a little fast.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could catch glimpses of Lao Li's calm profile, Lao Shen's slightly parted lips, and Ms. Zhang Yuyan's raised eyebrow with interest.

A surge of passion rushed to his head, but at the same time, an even stronger sense of youthful energy rose within him.

He stiffened his neck and not only didn't let go, but gripped Li Zhi's hand even tighter, his knuckles even turning slightly white from the force.

He tried to appear calm, with an expression that said, "What's wrong with holding hands? Isn't that normal?" But his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, betraying his inner nervousness.

The two families stood there silently, neither of them saying a word.

The indicator light on the top of the elevator finally stopped moving from "downward" and then made a soft "ding" sound, which was particularly clear in the empty and quiet elevator hall.

The silver-gray metal door slid open slowly to both sides.

Li Zhiwei's barely audible voice, filled with deep embarrassment and annoyance, drifted into Shen Yuan's ears like a whisper, almost drowned out by the hum of the elevator.

The elevator doors opened fully, and bright interior lights poured out, illuminating everyone's faces.

The two families entered the elevator car one after the other as if they hadn't seen anything.

Shen Yuan and Li Zhi, still holding hands tightly, kept their heads down and followed closely behind, enduring the intense gazes of the adults, who were practically radiating heat. They stepped inside as well.

The elevator doors closed smoothly behind them.

In the confined space, the air seemed to become even more stagnant and warm.

Almost unconsciously, Shen Yuan was pulled by Li Zhi. He took a small step and the two of them leaned against the smooth, mirror-like front wall of the elevator car, standing at the very front of the elevator.

Four parents stood on either side, and he and Li Zhi stood very close to each other.

At this moment, they had their backs to everyone.

The expressions and eye contact of the parents behind them were all swallowed up by the silhouettes of their backs, which they could not directly perceive.

Li Zhi's fingertips curled slightly in Shen Yuan's palm. She lowered her eyelashes, her gaze seemingly fixed on the floor, but her small ear tips, illuminated by the bright overhead light, revealed a thin and alluring pink hue.

Shen Yuan stood ramrod straight, his shoulders and neck appearing somewhat stiff.

The only thing he could sense was the girl's soft, slightly cool fingertips in his palm, and the tension emanating from her trembling fingertips.

The stainless steel in front of them vaguely reflected their figures, which were very close together, while the expressions of the adults behind them were like a blurred exam paper, filled with unknown pressure.

Inside the quiet elevator car, only the slight feeling of weightlessness from the steady ascent reminded them that they were still moving.

Behind the scenes, completely unseen by Shen Yuan and Li Zhi, in those brief, almost negligible seconds, a silent exchange quietly took place.

Ms. Zhang Yuyan's lips couldn't help but curve upwards into an intrigued arc. Her gaze swept lightly over the two children's tightly clasped hands in front of her, and then very naturally turned to Xu Chan diagonally opposite her.

Almost simultaneously, Xu Chan's smiling gaze met his.

She didn't say anything, but blinked her left eye very subtly, and a gentle, knowing smile appeared on her lips.

It was just a glance, a subtle change in expression.

The two mothers exchanged a silent message in the air, a message only they understood: the clumsy cuteness of their children, and the unspoken, yet profoundly sweet, understanding they shared.

This subtle glance was like two small pebbles thrown into calm water.

Suddenly, Zhang Yuyan's voice broke the silence.

Her tone, always tinged with a hint of mockery, rang out in the cramped elevator space, clear as an icicle striking glass.

“Shen Yuan,” Zhang Yuyan’s gaze passed over the blurry reflection in the elevator mirror and landed steadily on her son’s ramrod straight back.

"The exam's over, you're finally free! So, are you going home, or...?"

She deliberately dragged out the last syllable, with a hint of mocking sarcasm, before quickly adding, "—To Li Zhi's house?"

These words struck Shen Yuan like an invisible club.

The boy's back, which had been trying to appear calm, instantly stiffened like a frozen metal rod. His fingers, which were gripping Li Zhi's, tightened involuntarily, causing Li Zhi's knuckles to turn slightly white.

He turned his head sharply, his neck making a faint "click" sound from the sudden movement, his face frozen into a vivid mask of astonishment.

Shen Yuan's mind was blank, with only one thought swirling in his head.

"Mom...are you serious?"

Zhang Yuyan continued to look at him with a smile.

Old Li's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, while Xu Chan covered her mouth and coughed lightly to hide her laughter.

Li Zhi was so startled by this sudden soul-searching question that he shrugged and pinched Shen Yuan's palm hard with his fingertips.

The girl's cheeks burned even redder than Shen Yuan's, and she quickly lowered her head, pretending to study the elevator buttons.

Shen Yuan's mind went blank, only the resounding question, "Go to Li Zhi's house?" echoed in his mind.

He felt like he was being roasted over a fire, facing the intense gazes of the four parents.

He could clearly feel Li Zhi's shame and tension transmitted through their tightly clasped hands.

The slight hum of the elevator as it ascended seemed to be the accompaniment to the chaotic thoughts in Shen Yuan's mind.

go?

Of course he wanted to go to Li Zhi's house!

But... Old Li was standing right next to him!

I still vividly remember Lao Li's look when we were caught holding hands in the garage downstairs. Although he didn't do anything, the invisible pressure still seemed to be hanging over our heads.

Now my mom asks me this directly...

He subconsciously glanced at Old Li beside him.

Old Li's face was ashen, revealing no emotion whatsoever. He offered neither encouragement nor opposition, but simply met his gaze with a deep look.

That glance contained no warning, but also absolutely no sign of permission; only the inherent calm of a grown man.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

The elevator indicator lights flashed silently, showing that the floor was rising.

Shen Yuan's heart was pounding like a drum.

Going there feels like courting death.

Not going? Wouldn't that be incredibly cowardly?
And... Li Bao must want him to go too, right?
She couldn't break free in the garage just now!

"Mom..." Shen Yuan opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing with difficulty, his voice a little dry and hoarse.

He felt Li Zhi pinch him harder, as if silently shouting, "Shut up!"

However, looking at my mother's amused gaze, and then at Lao Li's profile, which revealed no emotion but seemed to say "I'm just watching you quietly," I was struck by the sight.

With a gritted tooth and a closed eye.

The young man made a snap decision.

do not care!
He suddenly raised his head, his neck stiff as if he were a brave soldier going to his execution. His voice rose sharply due to tension and desperation, clearly echoing throughout the elevator car.

"I'm going to Li Zhi's house!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the entire elevator fell eerily silent.

Even the humming sound of the elevator seemed to have disappeared.

Shen Yuan could feel Li Zhi gasp sharply, then angrily press her forehead against the arm that was tightly holding hers, as if she was completely ashamed to face anyone.

Xu Chan finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, her shoulders shaking.

Ms. Zhang Yuyan's smile widened instantly, carrying a sense of "I knew it" and the satisfaction of "I just love watching you court death."

Old Shen grinned and silently mouthed "Good lad."

Old Li...

Old Li sighed almost imperceptibly, so little that only Shen Yuan might have noticed it, and then the curve of his lips seemed to press down even more.

In this complex atmosphere, a mixture of awkwardness, shyness, teasing, and silent acquiescence—

"Ding."

A crisp, yet unusually long, notification sound rang out.

The elevator doors slid open smoothly to both sides, and the soft light in the corridor, like flowing warm water, instantly dispelled the tense atmosphere and overwhelming sense of shame inside the elevator car.

The echoes of Shen Yuan's earth-shattering words, "I'm going to Li Zhi's house!" still seemed to reverberate in the narrow space.

"Pfft..."

Seeing the two children's extremely embarrassed appearance, Xu Chan couldn't hold back any longer. A light cough with a smile rang out, like the starting signal after the starting gun was fired.

Old Li seemed completely stunned by the words "I'm going to Li Zhi's house!" His lips twitched very slightly before returning to a calm and helpless expression.

Just as Li Zhi wanted to bury her face completely in Shen Yuan's arms, and Shen Yuan's head was buzzing, Ms. Zhang Yuyan made her move.

She pushed forward with both hands with perfect ease! The force was neither too strong nor too weak, but it carried an undeniable urging, directly shoving Shen Yuan from the elevator entrance to the front of Li Zhi's security door.

"Then hurry up and go! What are you dawdling for!" Zhang Yuyan's voice was clearly teasing and relaxed.

She even took a step closer, lowered her voice, and whispered something in his ear at a volume that only Shen Yuan and Li Zhi, who was straining to hear, could barely make it out.

"...Don't stay out too late! Did you hear me?"

His tone was full of the playful saying, "No one knows a child better than their mother."

After saying that, without waiting for Shen Yuan to give any reaction, Zhang Yuyan immediately turned around gracefully.

She grabbed Old Shen's wrist, who had just come out of the elevator, and her voice suddenly rose, sounding loud and urgent, as if she were rushing to an important appointment.

"Quick, quick, Lao Shen, the keys! We're home! We're home! Let's go home early and get some rest today!"

She practically dragged the helpless, shaking-headed old Shen along, and rushed to her front door in just a few quick steps.

Their movements were so fast that they left only two fleeting shadows under the light.

"Click!" Old Shen was quick to take out his keys and open the door.

"boom!"

The sound of the two doors closing almost simultaneously came from behind.
Almost the instant Zhang Yuyan's security door closed, another clear click of a spring opening echoed in the corridor.

Old Li had already opened his own door in front of Li Zhi's tightly closed security door.

He was slowly and methodically pulling the key out of the lock.

That angular face still wore that expressionless face, revealing neither joy nor anger. Only the glasses reflected the dim light under the corridor lamp, calmly sweeping over the two little ones huddled together by the door.

Shen Yuan's back tensed up instinctively, as if being pushed straight by an invisible force.

He could feel Li Zhi's hand, which was tightly gripping his, tighten instantly.

Li Zhi finally raised her head, her cheeks flushed red, her eyes filled with a sense of resignation and shame as she looked towards her home.

Old Li didn't say anything.

He simply pulled open the heavy security door with one hand, the hinges making a slight creaking sound.

Then, with an extremely natural movement, he put the key he had pulled out back into his pocket and stepped aside to make way for him.

The warm light and quiet space inside the door were revealed.

Old Li's gaze fell on Shen Yuan, then looked at his own daughter, and he slightly raised his chin towards the door, gesturing for them to go in.

The entire process was smooth and silent, yet it carried an invisible pressure and... tacit permission.

The dim yellow light from the ceiling light in the hallway cast long, overlapping shadows of the three people at the doorway.

In the silence, only the rapid, unsteady heartbeats of the young boy and girl, and the silent invitation of the open door, could be heard.

Xu Chan looked at the two blushing, heart-pounding children at the door, then at her husband's "I'll just watch quietly" expression.

Unable to hold back, he burst out laughing, breaking the tense silence.

She stepped forward, a loving smile on her face, and gently pushed her daughter's back. The force was light, but it carried a urging tone to hurry inside.

"Oh dear, what are you doing standing there like an idiot at the door? Playing the role of a door god?" Xu Chan's voice was cheerful, clear, and gentle.

"Hurry up and come inside! It's warm inside, why are you standing here letting the wind blow in the hallway? You've been taking exams all day, aren't you feeling dizzy?"

Her gaze lingered on Shen Yuan's slightly tense but instinctive action of protecting Li Zhi, who was being pushed and staggering slightly. The smile in her eyes deepened, as if she had seen something interesting and natural.

She turned to the side and gestured with her eyes toward the open door, the meaning of which couldn't be clearer.

With her mother's push and remark, the blush that had just faded from Li Zhi's face seemed to return.

She mumbled something in a low voice, almost inaudible, but unconsciously tightened her grip on Shen Yuan's arm.

Taking advantage of the way Xu Chan offered, Shen Yuan felt much of the invisible pressure in his heart dissipate instantly, and he immediately became more lively.

"Hey!" Shen Yuan responded, his voice clearer than before, carrying a hint of relief.

He squeezed Li Zhi's hand and turned his head to give her a reassuring smile.

The two walked almost shoulder to shoulder, feeling shy under the watchful eyes of their elders, and stepped across the threshold in one stride, their figures instantly disappearing into the warm light inside.

Xu Chan smiled as she watched the two children's backs as they walked away in the foyer, before turning to look at Old Li, who remained expressionless beside her.

All I saw was his gaze sweep across the room behind his glasses, then he sighed almost imperceptibly, but the corners of his mouth seemed... to have softened by a single pixel?

Then he stepped forward and followed him into the house.

Xu Chan stepped in last, and gently closed the heavy security door behind her.

A soft click.

It isolated the outside corridor.

The room was closed, revealing a warm space, the still-burning heartbeats of the two teenagers who had just stepped into the house, and the sweet, innocent time that was about to unfold.

Under the warm orange light of the entryway lamp, Shen Yuan was bending over, head slightly lowered, trying to change his shoes; his fingertips were still a little hot.

Li Zhi, however, had no intention of lingering in the entryway.

She didn't even bother to take her schoolbag from the entrance hall; she held onto Shen Yuan tightly.

"I'm going back to my room!"

After finishing speaking with her head down, Li Zhi pursed her lips, pulled Shen Yuan along, turned around and bypassed the partition in the entrance hall, walking briskly towards the passageway connecting the living room.

The girl pulled Shen Yuan through the bright light and shadow of the living room, and in a few steps they arrived at the door of her bedroom.

Shen Yuan looked at the bedroom door in front of him. This should be the first time he has stepped into Li Zhi's most private space under the watchful eyes of Li Zhi's parents since he and Li Zhi made their relationship known to them.

"..."

Li Zhi quickly placed his other hand on the doorknob and gently pushed it open.

Drawn by this silent yet unwavering force, Shen Yuan stepped into this small world that felt both familiar and strange.

The bedroom door clicked softly behind him, almost inaudibly, as Li Zhi closed it behind him.

The small space was instantly left to just the two of them, shutting out the last bit of light and sound from the living room.

The room lights hadn't been switched on yet; only the faint city light filtering through the curtains outlined the blurry shapes of the furniture.

The thick darkness and enclosed silence suddenly enveloped us, seemingly amplifying our heartbeats and breathing.

Li Zhi did not turn on the light immediately.

She still gripped Shen Yuan's wrist tightly, the heat from her palm seeping through her clothes, like the lingering warmth on her cheeks.

The composure I forced in front of my parents, the shame and anger in the elevator, the eagerness of being pushed into the room...

A subtle emptiness lingered between the two after the clash of intense emotions.

In the dim light where only the outline of the other person could be barely discerned, Li Zhi finally raised his head.

The girl's clear eyes shone brightly in the darkness, like obsidian soaked in spring water, staring straight at Shen Yuan, who was so close to her.

Her voice was very low, carrying a hint of quiet after catching her breath, clearly striking Shen Yuan's eardrums.
"What...what are you thinking?"

"Why did you say you wanted to come to my place in the elevator just now?"

Shen Yuan felt his heart burning as she looked at him; the warmth of her fingertips on his wrist almost seemed to burn into his skin.

In the darkness, he didn't hesitate for a moment, even with a touch of roguishness that seemed to come naturally, his deep voice almost brushing against Li Zhi's forehead.

"Nonsense, of course I want to come."

The moment he finished speaking, Shen Yuan gave her no time to react.

He suddenly pulled her back with the hand he was holding, and his other arm had already reached around her slender waist, pulling the girl into his arms.

Li Zhi let out a short, soft gasp as his nose caught the familiar scent of the boy's chest, and the hand that had been gripping his wrist unconsciously pressed against his chest.

Shen Yuan felt the realness of the soft body in his arms and the slight trembling of her body as she tensed up and relaxed. The impulse that had been surging in his chest all the way finally found an outlet.

He tightened his arms around her, and gently brushed his chin against her soft hair.

Then, he reached over Li Zhi's shoulder and stretched towards the wall beside the door.

"Clap."

A soft sound.

The ceiling light above turned on, and the cool white light instantly filled every corner of the room, like a stage light suddenly focusing.

The bright light made both of them involuntarily squint.

Shen Yuan didn't loosen his grip on her arms; instead, he instinctively pulled her even closer in the sudden light.

He could clearly see Li Zhi tilting her head slightly in his arms, her fair cheeks flushed with a rosy glow.

Her clear eyes, glistening with moisture from the bright light, held a mixture of unexpected shyness and the softness of being embraced, as she stared at him in astonishment.

Their eyes met, and Shen Yuan's lips curled into a sly and satisfied smile.

“Look,” he gently pressed his forehead against hers, his warm breath brushing against her smooth forehead, his voice low, carrying a sense of peace and possessive dominance, “it’s just the two of us here.”

Zhi pushed slightly away from his chest with her hand, but the force was less of a resistance and more of a shy, instinctive reaction.

"idiot..."

She bit her lip, but her eyes quickly glanced at the closed door, her soft whispers carrying a hint of nervousness and shyness.

"...My parents are still outside."

Shen Yuan looked at the girl in his arms, whose face was flushed red and who was still muttering softly. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and he tightened his arms around her.

"What's there to be afraid of? They're not going to come in."

As soon as Shen Yuan finished speaking, a blush rose again on the cheeks of the girl in his arms.

Li Zhi punched Shen Yuan in the chest: "You bad guy!"

(End of this chapter)