It was hard to tell if Fang Jingcheng had chosen this place intentionally or just by chance. It was a hidden spot, the kind where Xia Fu often ran into couples when she came back late. They’d be holding each other tightly or kissing, saying their reluctant goodbyes near the dorms, unwilling to part.

If other girls could treat their boyfriends like that, then there was no reason she couldn’t treat Fang Jingcheng the same way. After all, he was the one who came looking for her.

Fang Jingcheng was tall, towering over her in a way that made him seem secure in the dim light, yet a bit obstructive to her small frame. Xia Fu put down the flowers in her hands, moving closer to his embrace, placing a gentle hand on his chest as she softly requested, “Come a bit closer, lower your head….”

“Hmm?” Fang Jingcheng, nervously waiting for her reaction to the gift, responded with a curious murmur, quickly realizing the sweetness behind her hint. Instinctively, he supported the back of her neck, studying her face under the moonlight, seeking the right angle for a kiss. But before he could, Xia Fu’s lips captured his first, as if she were a small predator finding a weak spot in her hunger.

She nibbled at Fang Jingcheng’s neck lightly, and at the touch of her tongue against his throat, his knees softened, and he sank fully into her embrace as she’d wanted.

For a moment, Fang Jingcheng’s mind went blank, and he clung to her tightly, feeling once again that things had taken an unexpected turn.

Generally speaking, he was the one who took the lead in their relationship. But whether it was their first time shopping or first kiss, Xia Fu, beneath her gentle exterior, hid a peculiar fierceness, showing a playful side whenever she was happy enough to taste him.

Like a candy rolling around her lips, glossy and round, or the crispy sound of a pastry being chewed between her teeth. When she peeled a fresh fruit, its ripe juice burst between her teeth, trickling down her chin….

He’d seen Xia Fu eating countless times in their time together.

So cute.

Whenever he watched her satisfied expression after eating, he couldn’t help but think it was no wonder people liked watching eating broadcasts for relaxation. He had fed her all kinds of snacks, never expecting he’d someday be the little treat in her hands.

What did he taste like to her? And what expression would it bring to her face?

Caught in this close embrace, he couldn’t see her expression. He could only feel it all through his body. Her fingers rested on the back of his neck, her teeth gently pressing into his skin, lips brushing his throat, leaving a damp trail with a light pop as she pulled away.

His heart felt like cream, melting under the faintest warmth from her lips. Fang Jingcheng’s breathing grew unavoidably heavier.

She moved her way up, no sense of pattern, just mischief in tasting every bit of his reaction. After savoring his trembling, she innocently pressed her face against his chest, complaining, “You taste salty.”

Not at all like the candy she’d imagined, yet the warmth of his skin and restrained breaths were surprisingly sweet.

Perhaps there truly was some hormonal attraction between people. As Fang Jingcheng’s chest rose and fell, his warm skin against hers seemed to fill her with a wonderful feeling.

“You’re really—” Fang Jingcheng took a deep breath, feeling more helpless than annoyed. Struggling to find the right words to scold her, he gently pushed Xia Fu back a bit to let her see the “good deed” she’d done.

“Why bite like a little puppy?”

The teeth marks on his pale skin, winding their way up, stood out, like red plum blossoms blooming on porcelain. Luckily, it was dark, and since he lived off-campus, he wouldn’t run into classmates. Otherwise, this teasing “flower” would definitely lead to some jokes.

She had barely used any force. Why was he, a guy, so soft?

Xia Fu blinked slowly. “Sorry, I was just too happy.”

“If you can go easier, I’ll even let you bite back.”

Hearing this, Fang Jingcheng’s gaze drifted down, eyes lingering on her slender neck, feeling his newly calmed heart start to race again.

“Just a little kiss… I’d never want to hurt you.”

Even though Xia Fu’s training routine hadn’t left any visible marks on her, from a boyfriend’s perspective, she was petite and delicate. Though he enjoyed teasing her, he avoided anything that might make her cry out in pain.

Fang Jingcheng whispered in her ear, barely grazing a small, soft part of her face with his teeth, leaving the faintest of marks and a subtle wetness. The loose strands of his hair brushed against her skin, making her shiver slightly, and she relaxed, wrapping her arms around his neck, murmuring, “You’re the one who’s like a little puppy.”

He chuckled softly, a hint of meaning in his laugh. “Is that so? As long as you like it.” He gently stroked her neck, tracing her jawline with his lips after their kiss.

Good puppy, good puppy. He really was delightful.

Xia Fu tangled her fingers in his hair, feeling the warmth radiating from him, surrounding her completely. Her legs softened from his kiss, and as he finally pulled away, she took a few unsteady steps back before Fang Jingcheng pulled her down to sit with him on a bench in the garden.

Both of them needed a moment to regain their composure, and Fang Jingcheng wrapped his arms around Xia Fu’s waist, letting her head rest comfortably against his chest. Feeling her steady breaths against his chest, a strange reluctance crept into his heart.

Luckily, tomorrow was the weekend, and they had plenty of time to spend together.

It seemed she was pleased with this gift. Should he start the next date with flowers?

With that thought, Fang Jingcheng opened his phone’s photo album, showing it to Xia Fu. “Are you free tomorrow? How about a trip to the Botanical Garden outside the city? I could show you the real flowers I use for inspiration.”

Xia Fu didn’t look up, lazily leaning against him, mechanically swiping through the photos with her fingers. Fang Jingcheng’s phone was the latest overseas model, slightly different from the hand-me-down her younger brother had given her. Accidentally, she pressed the back button, landing on the earlier pages of his photo album.

“I’m not used to it….”

“No worries, just flip through.”

This was a chance to build trust between them. With nothing shady in his phone, Fang Jingcheng freely let her browse.

Clear skies framed by plane trees, lakes dyed red by sunset, brilliant fireworks lighting up the night sky, or fingers typing on a keyboard at midnight—Fang Jingcheng’s phone held many snapshots of his life. He’d captured moments perfectly: the leaves rustling in the wind, shimmering reflections of the moon, parades of people cheering by the floats, and quiet nights when he watched Xia Fu, deep in her coding, with a dazed expression. Even with no photography skills, she could see his talent, commenting, “Your photos are so beautiful.”

Fang Jingcheng wouldn’t miss any chance to show off.

“I got interested in photography, plus for college apps, so I picked up some skills. I even won an award in high school, and a magazine reached out to me later. But since the math modeling competition, I haven’t had time to go out and take photos.”

“So, come out with me; I’ll treat you to a meal with the prize money.”

Getting Xia Fu to go out wasn’t easy; this workaholic didn’t really know how to relax. Her way of unwinding was getting off a stop early and walking when she switched between tutoring jobs. Even her previous shopping trip was to buy him a suit for the competition. Going to see flowers wasn’t something that would impress her.

Seeing her hesitation, Fang Jingcheng pulled out the ultimate trick, mentioning the prize money, his blue eyes full of anticipation.

Xia Fu went quiet. Her weekends were usually spent tutoring students, even picking up extra sessions when someone canceled, leaving no room for wasting time.

Only now, with Fang Jingcheng taking care of everything, did she have the luxury to consider whether to go on a date. The vivid fireworks photo reminded her of that 520 night when her roommates came back from the amusement park, excitedly discussing pictures to post online while she, in the dark, was powerless against her growing bills.

If her life weren’t so tight, could she have lived like any other girl, wearing a pretty dress and making some bright memories of her youth?

It was only a day, after all. It wouldn’t disrupt her studies.

“Alright, let’s go out together.”

In the end, Xia Fu agreed to the date. Like someone who’d been starving too long and suddenly indulged, the moment she eased her usual tension, she found herself craving more.