I practiced my spirituality alone in Hong Kong.

Wen Zhilan drew a full menu, handed it to the waiter, and rubbed her hands together, waiting for the food to be served.

Spicy cart noodles, several plates of salt and pepper squid, and stir-fried crab with ginger and scallions were served first. Wen Zhilan couldn't wait to slurp up a few mouthfuls of noodles, and her thin lips were immediately covered with glistening red oil.

"Mmm, it's still so delicious!"

Li Chang'an handed over a few tissues, then sighed:

"Class monitor, that's way too much."

"No way, you have no idea what I eat every day."

Wen Zhilan sighed and complained:

"My father has become very superstitious about the nutritionists he's hired from Europe and America these past two years. He makes the chef make all kinds of vegetable salads every day, like he's eating grass."

Or it's just boiled chicken breast, boiled broccoli, steamed asparagus—those bland, tasteless, and oil-free so-called healthy meals that are absolutely awful.

"Hey, if I had eaten these during the two years when I was most developing during puberty, my bunny would definitely have become super small like Xingning's..."

You're not allowed to tell Xingning this, okay, Li Chang'an?

"..."

Listening to Wen Zhilan's complaints, Li Chang'an felt a pang of pity.

Eating salads and bland food every day must be really tough for the class monitor.

"When I have time later, I'll cook some meals for the class monitor. I guarantee they'll be better than what's served at these food stalls."

"Really? Li Chang'an can cook? Xingning never told me that."

"I know some... I learned them during the time I was separated from Su Xingning."

"That Xingning hasn't had the chance to try your cooking yet, what a pity... But I'll make sure she gets to try it!"

Wen Zhilan gently licked the corner of her lips, feeling both anticipation and guilt towards Su Xingning.

These first experiences with Li Chang'an should have belonged to her best friend, Su Xingning.

But she got to experience many things first, things that should have been her and Li Chang'an's first time...

She was the first girl to ride on the back of his motorcycle.

She is the first girl who will eat a meal cooked by him.

Perhaps in the future, they will take away even more of Li Chang'an's "first times".

Wen Zhilan clearly realized that she was gradually taking away what belonged to Su Xingning.

She acted as a best friend, betraying their friendship, and subconsciously, she felt a sense of joy in doing so.

And Xing Ning may have already noticed her subtle state... Before creating an irreparable wound between him and Xing Ning, leaving Li Chang'an might be the best outcome.

"What's wrong, class monitor? You suddenly look terrible?"

Li Chang'an's caring greeting brought Wen Zhilan back to her senses.

She smiled and shook her head, saying, "The noodle soup was a bit too spicy; it made me lose my focus."

"I'll go get two cups of fruit tea."

A moment later, Li Chang'an returned with two drinks from a street-side fresh fruit tea stall. Wen Zhilan took one, sipped it, and said with some surprise:

"It's pear and osmanthus flavored. How did you know I liked this flavor? I didn't tell you just now."

"When you and Su Xingning went shopping in Causeway Bay before, I saw you often buying this flavor of herbal tea when I was carrying your bags."

"Hey~ Li Chang'an, were you paying attention to me when you were with Xing Ning? You're not being honest."

Xingning always says you're a blockhead, but you're completely fooled.

"...I thought you would praise me for being perceptive, but it seems you've completely turned bad."

"Haha~" Wen Zhilan smiled, and seeing Li Chang'an drinking the cup in her hand, she suddenly became a little curious.

"So what flavor did you drink?"

Kumquat Lemon Iced Tea.

She lowered her eyes, the smile on her face faded, and even the sweet pear scent in her mouth seemed to have diminished.

"Xingning also likes kumquat lemon iced tea, you two are really in sync."

"When I used to run errands for Su Xingning to buy drinks, I would order the same things as her to save time."

"So... if Li Chang'an often helps me sell drinks from now on, will our tastes start to become the same?"

"Maybe so. I'm usually pretty easygoing; I just do whatever's easiest."

Li Chang'an finished the cold tea in his cup in one gulp, then stood up, looked at the sky obscured by dark clouds, and said:

"Squad leader, I think it's going to rain heavily in Hong Kong. Let me take you back early."

"Um."

Wen Zhilan followed behind him, watching his tall figure move steadily forward in the crowded throng, like a solid reef, easily parting the noisy sea of ​​people.

The two walked out of Temple Street, got on the Yamaha motorcycle, and drove towards Hong Kong Island.

As the engine roared, the evening breeze swept over us, gradually dispelling the smoky, food-stall-like smells clinging to our clothes.

Wen Zhilan felt a little cold, so she naturally reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist to warm herself.

"You're so hot, like a little heater. Is that because you practice kung fu?"

"Yes, there is a saying in Tai Chi: Qi flows through the body without any stagnation, containing pure Yang within. When in motion, it generates heat; when still, it brings warmth."

In modern scientific terms, this means that people who exercise regularly have a higher metabolism than the average person, and their body temperature naturally rises whether they are exercising or sitting still.

"Li Chang'an's explanation completely destroyed the mystery of kung fu, making it suddenly quite boring."

"..."

Not wanting to be teased by the class monitor any longer, Li Chang'an chose to drive quietly.

The evening breeze lifted the hem of his clothes, and the city lights rushed past Wen Zhilan's eyes.

In the silence, she gently bit her lip, slowly tightened her arms, hugged Li Chang'an's waist even tighter, and quietly pressed her cheek against his broad, warm back.

I can't bear to part with it.

I can't bear to part with the vibrant, burning life force emanating from him.

I can't bear to part with the peace of mind and intoxicating freedom he brought me.

She knew perfectly well that it was wrong, yet she willingly and consciously succumbed to his influence.

Xingning, I've always spoiled you since you were little, so please indulge me this time.

Before everything becomes completely irreversible, let me create a few more precious memories.

Just a little more time, please.

After that, I will return him to you safely.

During this time, you absolutely mustn't discover my feelings for him...

……

……

Li Chang'an escorted Wen Zhilan to the foot of Taiping Mountain.

At this moment, Wen Zhilan patted his shoulder and whispered:

"I'll stop here, Li Chang'an. I can feel it starting to drizzle. You should head home soon too."

"Is the squad leader planning to walk up the mountain by himself?"

"There's a phone booth near the mountain road, so I asked Aunt Rong to drive down and pick me up."

And if you go any further up, there are so many Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers on guard duty. They usually look serious, but they're quite gossipy, especially towards us who live on Victoria Peak.

Wen Zhilan said with a smile, licking her lips.

"Of course, if Li Chang'an is reluctant to part ways so early, he can accept being on the front page of the gossip newspaper the next day."

"Then just take me up there. Ideally, turn the motorcycle engine up to full throttle and rev the engine on Victoria Peak Road. I think that would be really exciting."

"...The Governor's House is located on the northern slope of Victoria Peak. If the squad leader tells me to cause trouble here, those damn foreign policemen will shoot me."

Wen Zhilan lightly jumped out of the car, one hand swaying gently behind her back, the other hand bent into a small claw and softly waved at him.

"Then see you tomorrow, Li Chang'an."

Li Chang'an nodded and was about to get into the car and leave when the squad leader called out from behind him again.

"Wait, I almost forgot... here."

Li Chang'an took the slip of paper from Wen Zhilan and found two strings of numbers on it.

"Squad leader, what's this?"

"That string of numbers is my home phone number."

"What's next... mine?"

Seeing that Li Chang'an realized it so quickly, Wen Zhilan covered her lips and smiled.

"You're quite clever, Li Chang'an. It seems that Xing Ning was just pretending not to understand when she kept saying you didn't have a sense of humor."

"You probably don't have a landline at home right now, but it's inconvenient not having one if you need to contact the club for matches, so I booked one for you at noon."

Wen Zhilan smiled:

"So, Li Chang'an, please tell me your home address, and I'll have the installation technician come over tomorrow."

Li Chang'an looked helplessly at the smug Wen Zhilan.

"Squad leader, you're acting first and informing us later."