Oh no! My yandere school beauty is so clingy!

It's past midnight.

The New Year's bells rang on the television.

Shen Yu and Lin Anran took Zhang Shuyu and the child back to her apartment.

Downstairs, Zhang Shuyu, holding her sleeping daughter, waved slightly to Shen Yu and Lin Anran, her face still flushed with the contentment typical of the New Year.

"Brother, sister-in-law, I'm going upstairs. You two should get some rest too. Happy New Year!"

"Yes, Happy New Year. Go upstairs and lock the door." Shen Yu nodded.

"Goodnight, Xiaoyu," Lin Anran said softly.

Watching Zhang Shuyu carry the child into the building, the motion-activated lights in the corridor turned on and off one by one. Shen Yu then took Lin Anran's hand and turned to walk back.

The snow was still falling, a little heavier than when I went out at night, with fine snowflakes drifting quietly in the orange glow of the streetlights.

The streets were quiet, with only the occasional latecomer hurrying by, leaving a trail of footprints quickly covered by the fresh snow...

They walked very slowly.

Shen Yu's hands were warm, tightly enveloping Lin Anran's slightly cool fingers.

Neither of them spoke, but walked side by side, the snow crunching softly under their feet.

Snowflakes fell on their hair, shoulders, and on Shen Yu's black down jacket and Lin Anran's beige coat with a fur collar.

They didn't pay any attention, nor did they reach out to brush it away.

Lin Anran turned her head slightly, looking at Shen Yu's profile, half-lit and half-shadowed by the snow and lamplight, and at the tiny snow crystals clinging to his eyelashes.

Shen Yu seemed to notice her gaze and turned his head to meet her eyes.

Their eyes met in the quiet snowy night. They didn't speak, but they both saw a similar, serene contentment in each other's eyes.

The road wasn't long, but they walked slowly, as if they wanted to linger a little longer in their hearts the feeling of walking home with the first snow of the new year and the person beside them.

Shen Yu suddenly spoke, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet snowy night, carrying a gentle warmth tinged with the effects of alcohol, and a hint of barely perceptible solemnity:

"Ranran, do you like... your current life?"

Lin Anran was taken aback by his question. Without stopping, she turned her head to look at him, her eyes sparkling in the snow.

"I like it! Why?"

Shen Yu shook his head, a faint smile on his lips, his gaze fixed on the falling snowflakes ahead:

"It's nothing, I just... simply wanted to ask you. What kind of life do you like? That's the kind of life we'll live."

Lin Anran's heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something, both soft and warm.

She didn't answer immediately, but moved closer to him, wrapped her arms around one of his arms, and gently pressed her face against the sleeve of his thick, warm down jacket, her voice muffled:

"Life with you is my favorite kind of life..."

Shen Yu didn't speak, but instead used the arm that was being held to squeeze her hand even tighter.

His fingers gently caressed her ring finger, where the new ring was worn...

The two continued walking slowly.

Shen Yu raised her head, looking at the gray sky with snow falling, as if she remembered something, and her tone became relaxed and casual:

Valentine's Day is in a couple of days, and then...it's your birthday...

Lin Anran couldn't help but chuckle, raising her hand to cover her mouth, her eyes curving into crescents as she looked at him mischievously.

"Did you arrange everything all along?"

Shen Yu smiled too, turning his head to look at her. The streetlight illuminated his smiling eyes.

"Of course, you just... should obediently follow instructions..."

Lin Anran immediately stood up straight and gave Shen Yu a somewhat awkward salute, but her voice carried an undisguised smile:

"Yes, sir!"

The two looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

Laughter echoed through the empty, quiet snowy night...

They held hands, covered in a thin layer of still-snowy clothes, and filled with warmth in their hearts.

Together they walked toward their home, where warm lights shone.

Back home, the two took showers, changed into soft, clean pajamas, their bodies still carrying the refreshing steam of their showers and a slight buzz from the alcohol...

Only a small, dim nightlight was on in the bedroom, casting a soft shadow over the room.

The snow outside the window seemed to be falling even harder, and the silence only accentuated the tranquility inside.

They fell asleep in each other's arms on the bed.

Shen Yu's kiss landed, carrying the mellow aroma of red wine and his unique, reassuring scent, both urgent and incredibly gentle.

Lin Anran wrapped her arms around his neck, tilted her head back in response, ran her fingers through his slightly damp hair, and her breathing quickly became rapid...

The kiss lasted a long time, in the dim light, filled with unreserved love for each other, and a touch of unrestrained intoxication.

They were immersed in a world where only each other's warmth and breath existed, forgetting time, forgetting the wind and snow outside the window, only the sound of their heartbeats echoing in their ears, mingling with each other's breath...

Shen Yu only stepped back slightly when he was almost out of air, his forehead pressed against Lin Anran's, his hot breath brushing against her cheek.

Lin Anran's eyes shone brightly in the dim light, glistening with a thin layer of moisture, as she stared at him without blinking.

Lin Anran's fingertips gently traced Shen Yu's collarbone, where the skin was warm.

She lowered her head and left a clear kiss mark on it, pleased to see it leave a faint red mark in the dim light.

Then, she slightly raised her upper body, leaned close to Shen Yu's ear, and spoke in a soft, seductive voice:

"Hey... Yu Yu, want to play a game...?"

Shen Yu was pinned beneath her, his breathing still not fully calm. Hearing this, his eyelashes trembled, and he turned his head, his lips almost brushing against her cheek, his voice low and husky:

"What game...?"

Lin Anran's lips brushed against his earlobe, each word uttered with undisguised anticipation and a desire for control:

"For the next three days... we won't go anywhere, we'll just stay home... you'll do whatever I say, I'll take care of everything for you... want to have fun?"

Shen Yu's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

Looking into Lin Anran's bright, mischievous eyes, which were so close to his own, he could sense the complete surrender and control in her words.

His lips curled slightly upward, forming a smile that also carried a hint of indulgence and expectation. His voice was soft, yet it reached her ears clearly:

"It sounds... like it's very dangerous..."

He paused, then wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer until their noses almost touched, and added:

"But I quite like it... Okay..."

Hearing his agreement, Lin Anran's eyes instantly curved into beautiful crescent moons. She kissed him on the corner of his mouth with satisfaction, her voice full of joy:

"Hehe! You're the best, Yu Yu..."

Just then, Shen Yu suddenly changed the subject, tightened his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace. A mysterious, slightly mischievous smile played on his lips as he looked into her bright eyes and slowly spoke:

"but..."

He paused, appreciating the fleeting curiosity in Lin Anran's eyes, before continuing:

"After that, it'll be my turn. Three days later, we'll switch roles, okay?"

Lin Anran was slightly taken aback, then seemed to understand something. She bit her lower lip, and a blush of shyness and excitement rose on her face, making her even more charming and attractive.

She moved closer, her soft lips almost touching Shen Yu's earlobe, and then gently bit Shen Yu's earlobe:

"I knew it...you understand me best..."

Outside the window, the New Year's snow fell tirelessly and silently, gently covering the streets, rooftops, and all traces of the old year in Changyang City.

Inside, the room was warm and cozy, the only sounds in the stillness of the snowy night were the sounds of our intertwined breaths and heartbeats...

(End of the book)