Chapter 025

He Ye held onto Lu Jin’s clothes, but her grip soon weakened. The heavy rain felt endless, and her neck ached from looking up for so long. She tried to push him away again.

Lu Jin stopped, lifted his head, and supported her so she could rest in his arms.

He Ye took deep breaths, calming down as she heard Lu Jin’s steady heartbeat. This was her first time being so close to a boy, except for when her father carried her as a child.

She thought she was the only one out of breath, but she noticed Lu Jin was too. The experience was new and left her feeling awkward, waiting for him to say something.

After a while, Lu Jin gently rubbed her hair and asked, “How did it feel?”

He Ye couldn’t see his face, only felt his warm breath. She shrugged, unsure of how to answer. Her lips were sore, and she didn’t understand why kissing was so popular.

“I liked it very much,” Lu Jin said, looking at her.

He Ye quickly looked away, not ready to discuss it. Her face was flushed, and she felt shy.

Lu Jin swallowed, gently holding her face again. He Ye’s heart raced, and she covered her mouth to avoid another kiss, stepping back.

Lu Jin looked confused and nervous. “Don’t you like it?”

He Ye shook her head and said quietly, “It’s different from what I thought.” She wasn’t used to it.

Lu Jin was surprised but smiled, trying to lighten the mood. He asked, “How did you imagine it?”

His tone was teasing, like he was playfully poking fun. He Ye didn’t have an answer and decided to glare at him to show her frustration.

Her expression made Lu Jin realize she might actually be upset. He stopped teasing and said seriously, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to rush things; I just couldn’t help myself.”

He knew he should have taken things more slowly, but everything felt so soft in his arms. Lu Jin tried to focus on calming down.

They both looked away from each other and sat in silence for a moment.

The cool rain gradually helped calm his overheated body. He Ye glanced outside the park and asked quietly, “What time is it?”

Lu Jin checked his watch and saw that it was four o’clock.

They had left the cinema at three o’clock, and it took them about fifteen minutes to walk to the park, plus a few minutes for taking pictures. He Ye realized that the kiss must have lasted for over half an hour.

“Three-thirty,” Lu Jin said as he checked his watch and put it in his pocket, trying to act casual.

He Ye quickly did the math in her head, surprised that a kiss could last so long.

Lu Jin then took out their umbrellas from the shopping bag and said, “Let’s go take some pictures. The atmosphere here is really nice.”

Not wanting to linger, He Ye followed him out of the pavilion.

Lu Jin found a spot for her to stand—beside a pond with gentle ripples, under a leafy camphor tree, and near an old pavilion. He Ye held a green umbrella and tried to pose naturally.

After snapping a few photos, Lu Jin asked, “When can we get the photos of the Hanfu you took?”

He Ye replied, “Zhu Qing sent them to her cousin for editing. I think we’ll get the album next week.”

Lu Jin looked at her and said, “Give me two copies.”

It wasn’t a request; it was more of a demand.

He Ye just nodded.

After walking around the park, they returned to the pavilion to collect their shopping bags.

Lu Jin took out his water bottle and drank a few sips. Seeing this, He Ye also took out her apple juice and had a drink.

Lu Jin then walked over to a pillar inside the pavilion and started examining something closely.

Curious, He Ye finished her juice and walked over to see what he was looking at.

“There are some words carved here,” Lu Jin said.

He Ye thought it might be something like “So-and-so was here” and tilted her head to get a closer look. But before she could see, Lu Jin gently turned her around, and as she leaned against the pillar, he kissed her.

She closed her eyes quickly, taken by surprise.

This time, Lu Jin’s kiss was much gentler. He didn’t try to push for more, just kept it simple.

“Is this okay?” Lu Jin asked with a smile after they parted.

He Ye was confused and flustered. She quickly pulled away and ran to grab the shopping bags. Holding the bags and her umbrella, she hurried into the rain.

Lu Jin caught up to her, squeezing under her umbrella.

He Ye noticed his short hair and shoulders were already wet from the rain.

Lu Jin took the umbrella from her hand and put his arm around her shoulders.

This was different from just walking side by side, and He Ye felt nervous about being seen.

Lu Jin reassured her, “In this heavy rain, no one is going to notice us.”

He refused to let go, so He Ye was half-hugged and half-held by him as they walked out of the park. He only seriously distanced himself from her when they reached the car.

Once inside the car, He Ye took out her cell phone and found it was almost five o’clock.

Strangely, it seemed like nothing had been done?

Team leader: [My parents are at home today. If you don’t mind, I can come over and cook for you.]

Ye Ziyuanyuan: [No need.]

Team leader: [Then let me know before you deliver the meal to Uncle, and I’ll come with you. We can stop at the east gate.]

Ye Ziyuanyuan: [Not necessary.]

After sending the message, she noticed from the corner of her eye that Lu Jin, who was playing with his phone, was looking at her.

He Ye looked out the window.

Team leader: [I’m going to be interning tomorrow. Don’t you want to stay with me for a while?]

Ye Ziyuanyuan: […What’s the point of staying here? There’s nothing much to say.]

Team leader: [No need to talk; I just want to see you.]

Ye Ziyuanyuan: […You can see the photos.]

Lu Jin stopped sending messages. He put his phone in his pocket, reached out with his left hand, and took He Ye’s hand, holding it and squeezing it lightly.

He Ye was afraid of being seen by the driver and tried to pull her hand back, but Lu Jin held on. She gritted her teeth and pinched him with her other hand.

The little tug-of-war in the back seat eventually came to an end.

He Ye leaned against the car window, turning her back to Lu Jin, and focused on the scenery.

Lu Jin looked at his girlfriend, then at the back of his hand, where she had pinched him, and smiled.

_

Ten buildings, Lu family.

Lu Jiping was cooking in an apron, while Lin Yun sat at the dining table, tending to a potted plant she had brought.

In the antique white porcelain bowl-shaped flowerpot was a small lotus plant, with a few tender green leaves and a blooming white flower.

After cutting the vegetables, Lu Jiping glanced over and said with a smile, “Why did you move your son’s flowers out?”

Lin Yun replied, “He must be in love.”

Lu Jiping: “Ah?”

Lin Yun pointed at the lotus flower and said, “This is the evidence. A nerd suddenly starts raising such delicate flowers. He must have been influenced by a girl.”

Thinking about his son, who had been elusive recently, Lu Jiping didn’t rush to deny his wife’s speculation.

There was the sound of a door opening in the entrance hall.

Lin Yun quickly picked up the lotus pot and left the dining room. When Lu Jin changed into his slippers, he saw his mother walking out as if nothing had happened.

Lin Yun glanced up and down at her son. “Where did you go?”

Lu Jin replied, “A class reunion.”

Lin Yun observed, “Looks like you had a lot of fun.”

Lu Jin didn’t want to smile, but the joy in his eyes was impossible to hide from his observant parents.

Lin Yun confidently asked, “Are you dating your girlfriend?”

Lu Jin didn’t deny it.

Lin Yun continued, “Is she a high school classmate?”

Lu Jin said, “Don’t ask. You’ll meet her when the time is right.”

Lu Jiping chimed in, “Oh, you’re even considering introducing her to us? Sounds serious.”

Eager to eat, Lu Jin headed straight into the kitchen to see if he could help.

Lin Yun followed him and asked, “Do you have any photos? Show them to me. A girl who’s caught your attention must be extraordinary.”

Lu Jin admitted, “Yes, but I won’t show you.”

Lin Yun playfully patted her son, who was now taller than her.

Lu Jin just smiled.

As the rice was already steamed, Lu Jin served himself a bowl and started eating at the dining table without waiting for the other dishes.

Lin Yun teased, “Are you in such a hurry? Are you going out again tonight?”

Lu Jin focused on eating, ignoring her question.

Lin Yun winked at her husband.

Lu Jiping looked at his son but chose not to interfere for the time being.

After finishing his meal, Lu Jin went to the bathroom and came out shortly after, looking like he was about to head out.

Lu Jiping then followed him outside, closed the door, and questioned his son in a low voice, “How long will you be out, and when will you be back?”

Lu Jin hesitated to answer, knowing that revealing too much would indicate that his girlfriend lived in the same community. He wasn’t ready to share that, and neither was He Ye.

Misunderstanding his son’s hesitation, Lu Jiping asked seriously, “Is your girlfriend around your age, or is she still in high school?”

Lu Jin responded, “She’s about my age.”

Relieved, Lu Jiping glanced at his son, who was already taller than many adults, and advised, “You’ve just become an adult, so make sure you know your limits.”

Lu Jin assured him, “…I’ll definitely be back by nine o’clock at the latest.”

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Lu Jiping’s handsome, refined face.

Lu Jin entered the elevator without looking back.

At Building 7, before He Ye went out with the lunch box, she checked herself in the mirror to make sure her lipstick was fine before leaving.

Unexpectedly, Lu Jin was waiting downstairs. Perhaps to avoid drawing attention, he was standing on the road diagonally opposite with an umbrella.

He Ye kept a polite distance and whispered, “We agreed you didn’t have to come.”

Lu Jin teased, “If I didn’t, wouldn’t I have been pinched for nothing?”

He Ye was speechless.

Lu Jin took a few steps closer and extended his hand toward her. “That’s cruel. You’re bleeding.”

He Ye immediately stopped, looking over in shock, only to see a slender, white hand with no sign of injury.

She couldn’t help but stare.

Lu Jin looked at her and smiled.

He Ye focused on walking.

When they arrived at the east gate, Lu Jin stopped as promised. He Ye thought for a moment and reminded him, “I still have to wait for my dad to finish eating. You should head back.”

Lu Jin just looked at her steadily.

With no other choice, He Ye turned around and walked toward the supermarket.

He Yong, unaware that a boy was waiting for his daughter outside, was eating slowly and chatting with her, asking what movie she had watched.

He Ye glanced at the rain outside, feeling inexplicably anxious—an emotion she usually only felt when she was about to be late for school.

She didn’t want to rush her father but felt a bit guilty for keeping Lu Jin waiting so long.

She patiently helped her father with small tasks, like organizing the shelves.

When He Yong finished eating, he packed up his lunch box, grabbed two chocolates from the small shelf at the counter, and handed them to his daughter. “You’ve lost weight over the holidays. Eat more.”

He Ye put the chocolates in her pocket and left with the lunch box.

When she returned to the east gate, she saw Lu Jin standing under a tree, looking up at something.

He Ye approached slowly.

Lu Jin turned around, his handsome face showing no impatience. His dark eyes looked at her, then at her lips.

He Ye: “…”

You don’t still want that, do you?

She lowered her umbrella and quickened her pace slightly.

Lu Jin walked beside her as he always did, not forcing any conversation, just the sound of their regular footsteps.

Back downstairs, He Ye stopped on the rain-soaked steps, turned around, and said to Lu Jin, “You should go back now.”

Lu Jin looked at her silently. “Okay.”

He clearly wanted to walk with her a bit longer, but he didn’t push it. His obedient look made He Ye feel as if she were bullying him.

Suddenly, she remembered something, took out a chocolate from her pocket, and handed it to him with her eyes downcast. “Here.”

At least his trip wasn’t in vain.

Lu Jin smiled, holding his umbrella with one hand, and took the chocolate with the other, also holding her hand.

White, cool, and soft—once he touched it, he never wanted to let go.

He Ye: “…”

She quickly pulled her hand away, turned around, and ran inside. Knowing Lu Jin was still watching her, she even fumbled with the door lock longer than usual. Only after she was inside did the awkward feeling of being under his gaze slowly fade away.

A message alert sounded in her pocket.

Team Leader: [Is this a reward?]

He Ye: [Yes.]

Team Leader: [I don’t like it very much. Try something else next time?]

He Ye thought of the various desserts and snacks in her father’s supermarket and asked, [What do you like?]

Team Leader: [The kind in the pavilion.]
He Ye: …

***

If you’d like to show your appreciation, consider buying me a coffee—it really helps me keep going! 𖹭