Chapter 33: Caught in the Rain, Moving in Early?

Li Zhi wanted to see the cherry blossoms, so the two strolled under the blooming trees. Suddenly, heavy rain started pouring.

Both of them were drenched.

Their clothes clung to their bodies, revealing graceful figures. She had his coat draped over her, but they couldn’t go home looking like this.

Fu Tingzhou suggested they go to his place to dry off before returning.

Li Zhi had arranged to stay in a dorm to focus on her studies and hadn’t been home in over a month.

During that time, her parents, Li Yongge and Yuan Huilan, brought her soup and money.

She accepted both—refusing them would only benefit Li Moli.

This time, she hadn’t told her family when she’d be home, and they didn’t seem to care much.

Fu Tingzhou’s home was near the military base: a two-story vintage Western-style house with a sense of age.

He said it had been passed down from the older generation, confiscated during a special period, and later returned.

Nowadays, young people preferred buying apartments in residential areas. If the two of them were to marry and Li Zhi didn’t like the house, he was ready to buy another—he’d done the math, and he could afford several villas without an issue.

His family all lived in Beijing; he lived alone here.

Li Zhi showered upstairs.

He showered quickly downstairs, changed clothes, and went out to buy groceries.

Li Zhi changed out of her wet clothes, washed them, and hung them to dry. With the strong wind outside, they’d likely be dry by morning.

When she finished and came out, she thought Fu Tingzhou had returned. She went downstairs and heard movement in the courtyard.

When Fu Tingzhou opened the door, he froze at what he saw.

Li Zhi was wearing his black shirt. Her fair skin glowed under the dark fabric, and her long legs were fully exposed—he couldn’t look away.

His body stirred with heat, excitement coursing through him.

If Li Zhi knew what he was thinking, she’d probably think he was a pervert.

Fu Tingzhou quickly looked away and turned slightly, forcing himself not to stare.

Li Zhi softly explained, “The shorts you gave me were too big. I couldn’t wear them.”

The shirt, oversized and long, reached her knees. It covered her well—like a dress.

Besides, she trusted Fu Tingzhou. He was a gentleman and wouldn’t take advantage.

He had told her this was his first relationship.

She believed him.

After all, even just holding hands or hugging made his heart race.

Her mental age was 36—not a naive 19-year-old. In her eyes, Fu Tingzhou was still just a younger guy.

Even if he did want to try something, who would dominate whom was still up for debate.

She stepped in front of him. “What’s wrong? Your face and ears are red. Did you catch a cold from the cold shower?”

She casually flipped her hair, her slightly open collar revealing her collarbone.

Fu Tingzhou stiffened even more, blood boiling, heart pounding like it might burst.

The downstairs bathroom had no hot water—he’d taken a cold shower.

Then went out into the wind—maybe he really had caught a chill.

He was used to cold showers in the army. Hot water wasn’t a habit.

Li Zhi pressed the back of her hand to his forehead.

His face felt even hotter under her touch. Burning up, he took a deep breath.

His voice hoarse, he said, “It’s nothing. You must be hungry. I’ll cook.”

He quickly ran off to the kitchen with the groceries.

Li Zhi found him oddly flustered. “It’s okay, I’m not too hungry.”

These past few months, Fu Tingzhou had been sending her all the snacks his family bought him. She couldn’t even finish them all, so she wasn’t lacking food.

She went in to help and maybe figure out what was going on.

Then she noticed—Fu Tingzhou had a nosebleed.

“You have a nosebleed?”

“…Maybe too much internal heat.”

“Hold your head back.” Li Zhi ran to the living room to grab a handkerchief from her bag and gave it to him.

He pressed it against his nose. After a while, the bleeding stopped, and he rinsed with water.

Li Zhi asked, “You okay now? Want to rest? I can cook.”

“I’m fine. Feeling much better. I can cook. You just go read or relax—I’ve got this.”

As long as he was home, he would never let Li Zhi cook.

Still, she insisted on helping.

Fu Tingzhou made a simple meal: three dishes and a soup.

“I went a bit late, so there wasn’t much left. Just something simple. Tomorrow morning we’ll go to the tea house and eat something fancy.”

“No need,” Li Zhi replied. “This is more than enough. Eating fancy meals outside all the time is too wasteful. Once in a while is fine, but we should save money.”

She had grown up poor in the countryside with her adoptive mother. Even after returning to her wealthy biological family, she remained frugal—saving every extra penny.

She only had about a thousand on hand, plus the thousand Lu Yanzhi owed her—barely over two thousand. She wasn’t picky about food. As long as it was balanced, with meat and vegetables, she was content.

“Okay, I’ll listen to you—be frugal,” Fu Tingzhou replied, touched by her thoughtfulness.

He decided to strike while the iron was hot. He gently held her hand resting on the table, stroking the back of it with his fingertip, his gaze locked on her clear almond eyes.

His voice soft and pleading, “Zhizhi, can I become official early? Everyone at the base already suspects I’m seeing someone. They keep asking when I’m getting married. I told them I haven’t won her over yet, and they laugh at me.”

His gaze lowered, the coldness in his face softened. He looked at her with a hint of grievance and longing.

“Half a year is already short. By the next time you’re on leave, the trial period will be over. Besides, trial or not, there’s no real difference. Be patient. I believe in your self-control. Be good, and I’ll reward you with some meat.” Li Zhi picked up a piece of pork belly and placed it in his bowl.

“Zhizhi…” Fu Tingzhou still felt insecure.

His next leave wouldn’t be until the New Year—over a month away.

He couldn’t be by her side every day, couldn’t give her constant company.

He worried she might fall for someone her own age.

Li Zhi clasped his hand and interlaced their fingers. “Half a year really isn’t long. Some people chase for over a year before succeeding. I like mature men, not boys my age. They’re too childish—not a good match for me.”

Her words reassured him completely.

After dinner, Fu Tingzhou went to wash the dishes.

Then they sat in the living room and chatted.

Fu Tingzhou peeled an apple, cut it into small pieces, and placed them on a fruit plate. He forked a piece and offered it to her.

“Zhizhi, is school stressful?”

“It’s okay. I got 37th in the entire school on the monthly test, and first in my class. My teacher said I might get moved to the honors class next term.”

“You’re amazing. That’s really impressive.”

Li Zhi tilted her head, curious. “How were your grades?”

Fu Tingzhou said, “In high school, I was usually in the top 50 of the whole school. In university—at the National Defense University—I made it to first place a few times. Always in the top ten.”

“Wow. Beijing schools are so competitive. Ranking top 50 there is probably like ranking first here. And to place first in such a prestigious university… You’re way more impressive than me.”

Li Zhi’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked at him. Seeing him sit so far away, she scooted closer.

Fu Tingzhou felt his blood boil again, that same heat rising.

Li Zhi knelt beside him, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and leaned in, whispering by his ear, “Tingzhou, do you have a fever?”

He leaned back slightly, voice strained. “Zhizhi, don’t… don’t get so close. I lose all self-control around you.”

Her cool fingertips brushed down his neck and across his chest, having unknowingly unbuttoned his shirt. Her fingers traced over his firm muscles.

“You’re burning up. You must have a fever. Hurry, take your clothes off.”

Fu Tingzhou caught her hand, eyes intense. “Zhizhi, does this mean I’ve passed the trial? You’ll marry me? Be my wife?”

Just the thought thrilled him—his body and mind both stirred with excitement.

Tense all over, fists clenched, breath ragged.

“Depends on your performance.” Li Zhi straddled his lap, wrapped her arms around him, and slowly unbuttoned his shirt.

Her fingers deliberately brushed over his abs and lingered on his waist.

Their bodies pressed together. Even through thin clothes, they felt each other’s heat.

Her long silky hair cascaded over his neck, sending tingling chills down his spine.

Fu Tingzhou’s hands instinctively rested on her waist, fingers tightening, pressing into her sensitive spots.

A soft moan escaped her lips, “Mm~”

His breathing grew heavier. Foreheads touching, breaths mingled, gazes locked at close range.

Her lashes trembled, her eyes shimmered with emotion, her beautiful face tinged with shyness and anticipation.

His dark eyes swirled with intensity, as if ready to devour her, yet he held himself back, his lips lingering just beside hers, teetering on the edge of control.

That restraint was even more seductive than a kiss.

“Zhizhi, can I kiss you?”

She nodded lightly, “Mm!”

He first kissed her forehead, then her brows, cheeks… finally, unable to resist, he pressed his lips to hers.

Softly at first, then deeper, exploring her sweet mouth, tasting the honey within.

Li Zhi wrapped her arms around his neck, responding with passion.

…

Fu Tingzhou pressed her down onto the sofa, voice hoarse, “Zhizhi, I love you. You are my—”

Li Zhi lay back, her temple hair damp with sweat sticking to her cheek. Her fair face flushed red, her beautiful eyes misted, lips swollen as she softly murmured, “Mm~ Tingzhou, I love you too.”

Hearing her heartfelt confession, he leaned down again, kissing her swollen lips with passion.

She flinched slightly, afraid, whispering coquettishly, “Mm, it hurts…”

He gently consoled her, “Zhizhi, bear with it. I’ll be gentle.”

His kisses grew intense and urgent, swallowing all her soft moans into his chest.

Still, Li Zhi felt pain—sharp and overwhelming. Her eyes turned red at the corners, tears slipping down.

Liar.

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