Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

Li Chen didn't know when he fell asleep.

When I woke up, my neck was stiff.

There is no sensation on the right side of my body.

My left hand is resting on my knee, and the phone screen is off.

The sky is bright.

The sea surface was lead-gray.

There were a few more fishing boats in the distance than last night.

The lights went out, leaving only a black silhouette.

Yan Xi was not on his shoulder.

He lowered his head.

She changed her position, resting her head against the side of his thigh and curling up in the wicker chair.

His windbreaker was draped over her. He didn't remember when he had taken it off.

The phoenix hairpin is crooked.

A strand of hair fell loose and rested on her cheekbone.

Li Chen did not move.

He sat there, feeling it slowly returning from his right leg.

First, it was the knees.

Then the calves.

Then the toes.

And the sensation of her hair brushing against the fabric of his jeans.

The tin stove in the yard had gone out, but the ashes still retained a little warmth.

The bowls and plates on the stone table were confiscated, and the wine stains in the yellow wine cups dried at the bottom.

The phone lit up.

He picked it up carefully.

The message from group 302 was sent at 3:17 AM.

[Wang Qiang: He's not replying. They fell asleep under the stars. That's my reasonable guess.]

[Chen Mo: The ambient temperature in the courtyard is about six degrees Celsius. The rattan chairs aren't comfortable for prolonged sleep. Assuming the two of them fall asleep after staying in the courtyard for more than two hours, it means their mental relaxation exceeds their physical discomfort. In psychology, this is defined as—]

[Zhao Zixuan: I'm turning it off. I'm going to sleep. I have things to do tomorrow.]

[Wang Qiang: What is it?]

[Zhao Zixuan: I envy him. That's understandable.]

Li Chen locked the screen.

Yan Xi's breathing remained even.

But the frequency has changed, it's a little faster than during deep sleep.

She's about to wake up.

Li Chen did not call her.

He leaned back in the wicker chair and put his hand on her shoulder.

Even through the fabric of her windbreaker, you could feel the curve of her collarbone.

Thirty seconds.

Yan Xi's eyelashes fluttered.

Then his brow furrowed slightly, as if he were checking where he was.

She opened her eyes.

My gaze first fell on Li Chen's knees, then moved upwards.

His hand.

His chin.

Within two seconds, she was fully awake.

"What time is it?"

5:40.

Yan Xi did not get up immediately.

She remained lying on her side, looking at the dim light in the courtyard.

"Did we sleep outside last night?"

"You slept outside all night. My neck is ruined."

Yan Xi sat up.

The windbreaker slipped off her shoulders, and she caught it, glancing at it.

It belongs to Li Chen.

She didn't return it; instead, she folded it up and draped it over the armrest of the rattan chair.

"Your neck."

"It's frozen, it can't turn to the right."

Yan Xi stood up and walked behind him.

Place both hands on his shoulders, thumbs pressing on the muscles at the back of his neck.

The force was considerable.

"pain?"

"The spot you pressed is the Fengchi acupoint."

"I know."

She pushed her thumb down along the muscle lines three times.

The force was precise.

A cracking sound came from Li Chen's neck.

"Okay. Let's turn it around."

Li Chen tried turning his head.

The right side can move now.

When did you learn massage?

"I had neck problems in high school. My mom took me to get physical therapy, and I remember the techniques."

Yan Xi let go.

She walked around him and glanced at the mess on the stone table.

"I'll collect the bowls. You go boil some water."

Li Chen wanted to say no, but Yan Xi had already started stacking the bowls.

He stood up, the soreness and numbness in his legs still lingering.

After taking a couple of steps to catch my breath, I went into the kitchen.

Find the kettle, fill it with water, and light the fire.

He turned around when he heard the sound of water.

Yan Xi brought in the bowls and plates and placed them by the stove.

Her movements were not very skillful.

The dishes bumped against each other, but didn't break.

"You don't usually do this."

How did you know?

"You're holding the bowl with three fingers supporting the bottom, not four."

"This means you usually use a smaller bowl than this. The bowls at home are probably custom-made, with thin porcelain walls and light weight."

Yan Xi glanced at him.

"You're inferring the size of my tableware from the way I hold my bowl?"

"observe."

"Your observational skills should be classified as a controlled substance."

The water has boiled.

Li Chen brewed two cups of tea.

The tea leaves the boss left last night were coarse and rough.

It's not a very good tea, but it's hot.

Two people were standing in the kitchen drinking tea.

The sky outside the window changed from leaden gray to pale white.

The light on the sea surface began to shatter.

The phone rang.

Li Chen glanced at it.

His dad.

[Li Mohan: You didn't let me know you were safe last night. Your mom didn't sleep a wink.]

Li Chen replied.

[Li Chen: I was looking at the stars in the yard last night. I fell asleep. My phone died. I apologized to my mom.]

three seconds.

[Li Mohan: You slept outside? Did you catch a cold? Is there a pharmacy nearby?]

[Li Chen: I didn't catch a cold. She massaged my neck.]

Five seconds.

[Li Mohan: ...Tell your mother what you said. She might not be angry anymore.]

Li Chen locked the screen.

Yan Xi looked at him while holding her cup.

"Your dad?"

"Yeah. I forgot to let you know I was safe last night. My mom didn't sleep well."

Yan Xi put down her cup.

"You should set a reminder."

"I'll have you remind me next time."

Yan Xi took a sip of tea but didn't reply.

She took out her phone and opened the notes app.

A line of text was added at a certain location.

Li Chen didn't see the content, but he knew what that line said.

The boss pushed the door open and came in from the outside.

He was carrying an iron bucket.

The bucket contains fish.

It's alive, still wagging its tail.

"Wow. You two are up so early?"

"I'm used to it." Li Chen took the bucket and glanced at it. "What kind of fish is this?"

"Yellow croaker. Just caught this morning. There were only four in total. I saved two for you. We'll steam them for lunch."

"Thank you. But we won't be there at noon. We need to get going."

"Where to?"

"Shitang".

The boss nodded.

"Shitang is good. There's a noodle shop on the cliff, but they only serve a limited number of noodles, so you should go early."

Li Chen smiled.

It's written in the guide.

The boss glanced at Yan Xi again.

Yan Xi is washing cups.

The tap was turned on very low, and the water flow was very thin.

"Young lady, did you enjoy the crab last night?"

Yan Xi didn't even turn her head.

"tasty."

"Take those two yellow croakers with you. You can find a place to grill them if you get hungry on the road."

Yan Xi turned off the tap.

Turn your head.

"Thanks."

The tone was very formal.

But the boss clearly thought that was enough, and with a smile, he waved his hand and went into the kitchen.

8:30.

The two packed their things and went downstairs.

Li Chen put the luggage in the trunk and went around to the driver's side.

Yan Xi stood on the passenger side and did not get in the car.

"You drive?"

"You sat in that wicker chair all night. Your neck is still stiff."

"You've pressed it for me."

"Pressing it doesn't mean you're fully recovered. The repair cycle for neck muscles is 24 to 48 hours."

"Are you starting to cite medical data now?"

"I didn't say anything when you cited structural mechanics."

Yan Xi looked at him.

three seconds.

She walked around the front of the car, went to the passenger side, opened the door, and got in.

Li Chen started the engine, adjusted the rearview mirror, and fastened his seatbelt.

Yan Xi was also tied up.

She pulled a towel from under the center console and folded it into a long strip.

It was slipped into the gap between Li Chen's neck and the headrest from behind.

"Use a pad. It reduces pressure on the cervical spine."

"Do you always keep towels in your car?"

"It was inserted yesterday. When you drive long distances, your posture will lean back three to five degrees, leaving your cervical spine unsupported."

Li Chen gripped the steering wheel tightly.

The Porsche drove out of the fishing village.

Provincial highway.

The pine forests on both sides receded outside the car window.

The sea surface flashed through the gap.

The navigation system shows that we are 120 kilometers away from Shitang Town, and the estimated journey time is one hour and forty minutes.

Yan Xi reached her hand over from the armrest.

It is positioned in the middle of the center console.

Palms facing up.

Li Chen took his right hand off the steering wheel, his five fingers slipping through and gripping tightly.

Her hands were warmer than last night.