“……”

Those words were like a sudden clap of thunder, exploding right beside Sang Zhi’s ears.

Startled, she lost her grip, and the jelly in her hand slipped out and fell to the ground.

Sang Zhi slowly bent down to pick it up, grabbed a tissue, and wiped off the packaging. Her gaze shifted to his hand, which was resting on a button. After pausing for a few seconds, she asked with a hint of subtlety, “Don’t you have hands?”

Duan Jiaxu chuckled lightly, his tone playful, “Little Friend, do you know what flirting is?”

“……” Ignoring him, Sang Zhi picked up the remote control and lowered the AC by a few degrees. “I’ll set it to twenty-three?”

“I’ll catch a cold.”

After a few moments of silence, Sang Zhi noticed his hair was still wet, so she adjusted the temperature back. She continued to tear at the jelly’s packaging, but it was as if it had been glued shut. No matter what she did, she couldn’t open it.

Duan Jiaxu reached out to take it from her, tore it open, and then handed it back to her.

Sang Zhi quietly accepted it and started eating with a plastic spoon. She couldn’t shake the feeling that things were getting a bit strange, wondering if it would seem abrupt if she suddenly mentioned wanting to go back to her room.

They were in a house with just the two of them.

The TV was off and neither of them spoke, so there was no other sound in the living room. She could sense from the corner of her eye that Duan Jiaxu’s gaze was openly, unabashedly fixed on her.

The lighting was a bit dim as the overhead light was off, leaving only the standing lamp by the sofa on, which cast a warm and somewhat ambiguous glow with its soft, sun-like hue.

The warmth from the lamp made Sang Zhi feel a bit hot.

But since Duan Jiaxu hadn’t spoken again, Sang Zhi gradually began to relax. She finished the jelly, stood up, and threw the empty container into the trash. “Then I’ll—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Duan Jiaxu suddenly moved. He sat up straight, grabbed her arm, and pulled her toward him.

He didn’t use much force, but Sang Zhi hadn’t expected it, so she couldn’t keep her balance. Her breath caught and she instinctively leaned toward him.

Their summer clothes were thin, both wearing only short sleeves and shorts.

Sang Zhi could clearly feel the heat radiating from his firm skin, a few degrees warmer than her own, and his breath, suddenly close, was familiar yet sharp.

Her body stiffened slightly and she didn’t dare move. In a small voice, she asked, “What are you doing……?”

Duan Jiaxu’s fingertips brushed against her wrist as he guided her hand to his shirt. His gaze softened with a hint of moisture, and his voice was low and husky, “Done eating?”

“……”

“Then it’s time to help out.”

Facing his eyes, which seemed to hold a bewitching charm, Sang Zhi’s mind went blank as if she had been hypnotized. After a few seconds of stillness, her fingers moved, and, inexplicably following his words, she slowly unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.

The fabric parted, revealing his defined collarbones which exude a nearly unbearable sensuality.

Her gaze drifted upward, noticing the subtle movement of his Adam’s apple, the lines strikingly attractive.

At that moment, Sang Zhi suddenly snapped back to reality. Her face flushed completely red due to her actions and she stammered, “T-that’s enough. I’m going back to my room.”

Duan Jiaxu pressed her hand down. “So perfunctory?”

Nervously, Sang Zhi found herself at a loss for words, thinking it was all happening too fast, yet unsure how to refuse. She could only stare at him, her eyes filled with confusion.

Noticing her unease, Duan Jiaxu tilted his head and gently kissed her chin. “Don’t be scared.”

“……”

“I won’t touch you. I won’t let my Zhizhi suffer a loss.” Duan Jiaxu’s words came slowly as he continued unbuttoning his shirt with one hand. “But, do you want to check the goods first?”

Sang Zhi felt like her heart was about to leap out of her throat.

After a moment, Duan Jiaxu paused his actions, leaving his shirt half-unbuttoned. His fingertips slid upward, stopping at his collarbone, his movements carrying a hint of seduction. His peach-blossom eyes curved slightly, like a fox spirit intent on stealing people’s hearts.

The world fell silent.

After what felt like an eternity, Sang Zhi heard him speak, “Do you want a kiss?”

———pr

This translation is by Pocketrobbin at S h a n g h a i f a n t a s y . c o m

Sang Zhi went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. As she squeezed the toothpaste, she could still faintly hear the sound of Duan Jiaxu making the bed. She lingered for a long time, and even after finishing brushing, she didn’t open the door to leave.

Not long after, Duan Jiaxu’s voice called out from outside, “Sleep early.”

Sang Zhi mumbled a response.

Duan Jiaxu added, “If you need anything, just let me know.”

Sang Zhi responded again.

Then, she heard the sound of the door opening and closing.

Letting out a breath, Sang Zhi finally emerged from the bathroom. She crept to the door of her room, hesitated for a long time, then cautiously pressed down the lock.

The click of the spring was particularly loud.

Her movements froze.

The next second, Duan Jiaxu’s lazy voice sounded from outside, “So cautious against me?”

“……” Sang Zhi stayed silent pretending she hadn’t heard as she turned off the lights in the room and headed to bed.

The small table lamp on the bedside table was already on. It was emitting a soft yellow glow.

The bed was a one-and-a-half-meter single, with pink sheets and a half-meter-tall stuffed bear beside it. The furniture in the room came with the house, including a small desk where Sang Zhi had left some of her little things.

She glanced around and noticed a photo frame on the bedside table.

It was a recent photo of her and Duan Jiaxu.

Sang Zhi climbed into bed, rolling up in the blanket before burying her entire face in it. She could smell the fresh scent of the new blanket, still carrying a hint of sunshine.

Thinking back to what had just happened, Sang Zhi felt suffocated and she pulled her head out from under the covers, completely wide awake. Staring at the white ceiling, she grabbed the stuffed bear beside her and began to squeeze it, venting her emotions.

She wanted to scream but was afraid the old man next door would hear.

The soundproofing in this house was average and Sang Zhi could still hear Duan Jiaxu moving around outside. She tried to calm herself, picked up her phone, and opened a comic to read.

But she couldn’t focus on it at all.

Isn’t this kind of embarrassing?

Sang Zhi had never experienced anything like this before, nor had she heard of anyone around her going through something similar.

She had actually been seduced by a man.

The worst part was……

She! Actually! Didn’t! Resist!

So embarrassing.

So! Very! Embarrassing!

Sang Zhi closed her eyes, tossed her phone aside, and buried herself back under the blanket. She touched her lips, and in the confined space, her breathing and heartbeat grew louder.

But all she could think about was the kiss she had just placed on Duan Jiaxu’s Adam’s apple.

And his hand, which had been resting on her lower back, briefly stroking before releasing her.

As well as the way he had softly, teasingly said, “I can’t control this hand, maybe you should tie it up?”

She was unable to sleep and she tossed and turned for what seemed like ages.

———pr


The next day, Sang Zhi woke up late. When she groggily opened her phone, she found that it was already 10:00 AM. She lay in bed for a while longer, then got up to wash up before heading to the living room.

But Duan Jiaxu was nowhere to be seen.

Puzzled, Sang Zhi checked her WeChat.

Around 7:00 AM, Duan Jiaxu sent her a few messages, 【I’m stepping out for a bit.】

【Duan Jiaxu: There’s porridge in the microwave, just heat it.】

【Duan Jiaxu: Let me know when you’re up.】

Sang Zhi replied, 【I’m up. What are you doing?】

She then went to the kitchen, heated up the porridge, and brought it out. She filled a small bowl and sat down at the dining table.

When she checked her phone again, Duan Jiaxu had already replied, 【I’m coming back.】

【Duan Jiaxu: Is there anything you want to eat? I can bring it back for you.】

Sang Zhi thought for a moment. 【Chicken cutlet.】

【Duan Jiaxu: Okay.】

Sang Zhi hadn’t finished her porridge yet when Duan Jiaxu returned. He changed his shoes and placed the plastic bag in front of her, casually asking, “Why did you wake up so late today?”

“I like to sleep in a bit longer on weekends.” Sang Zhi casually offered an excuse as she swallowed the porridge in her mouth. Then she asked, “Where did you go? You left so early.”

Duan Jiaxu sat across from her and answered honestly, “It was my mom’s death anniversary. I went to visit her grave.”

“……” Sang Zhi’s movements paused and she looked up at him, muttering a soft, “Oh.”

Seeing her reaction, Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow. “Why are you reacting like that?”

Sang Zhi put down her spoon and quietly said, “Why didn’t you tell me? I could have gone with you.”

Duan Jiaxu didn’t seem to mind too much and smiled lightly. “That place can be quite depressing. I was worried you might feel down after coming back. Besides, it’s rare to have a weekend off. I wanted you to sleep in a bit.”

“……” Sang Zhi was silent for a few seconds before murmuring, “Mm.”

Duan Jiaxu opened the bag. With a slight smile, he reminded her, “Don’t eat too much. It will be lunchtime soon.”

Sang Zhi continued eating her porridge and mumbled in agreement.

Duan Jiaxu glanced at her a few times and then asked, “Did you stay up late last night? You have dark circles under your eyes.”

Sang Zhi nodded and lied, “I was watching a drama.”

Duan Jiaxu suggested, “Why don’t you go back to sleep for a bit?”

“No need.” Sang Zhi finished the rest of the porridge, then suddenly looked up at him. “Duan Jiaxu.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s just……” Sang Zhi hesitated for a long time, feeling a bit defeated. After a while, she said softly, “I can keep you company even when you’re feeling down.”

“……”

They locked eyes for a few seconds.

Sang Zhi broke the gaze and stood up, muttering to herself, “I’ll go wash this bowl.”

At the same time, Duan Jiaxu spoke up, “Come here.”

Hearing that, Sang Zhi looked up. Without asking why, she obediently walked around the table and stood in front of him.

She met his eyes once more.

The next moment, she saw the smile on Duan Jiaxu’s face fade, his expression turning serious as a wave of negative emotions seemed to surge forth. Then, he rested his head against her stomach, raising his arms to embrace her without saying a word.

Sang Zhi hesitated for a moment before lifting her hand to pat his head. After some thought, she softened her voice, awkwardly yet earnestly trying to comfort him, “It’s okay if you want to cry.”

“……”

“I can treat you like a kid too,” Sang Zhi emphasized, “and I won’t call you a crybaby.”

Duan Jiaxu let out a laugh.

Sang Zhi, who wasn’t used to comforting others, scratched her head in frustration. “I’m serious.”

“Okay.” Duan Jiaxu’s mood seemed to improve a little as he whispered, “Then hold your kid a bit longer.”

Because of this, Sang Zhi spent the entire afternoon with Duan Jiaxu. She didn’t bring up his family matters and was careful not to say anything wrong. She just stayed by his side.

Wherever he went, she followed, like a little tail that had suddenly sprouted from him.

Even the worst of Duan Jiaxu’s moods dissipated because of her presence. Before long, he was back to his usual self, teasing her playfully.

Sang Zhi made a mental note of this day.

She thought, from now on, on this day, she definitely wouldn’t sleep in.

They spent the entire day in the house and forgot about fixing the air conditioning in Sang Zhi’s dorm. She went back to grab some clothes and ended up spending another night at Duan Jiaxu’s place.

After staying there for two nights, Sang Zhi surprisingly found herself quite happy.

It was convenient for her to go to work from there, unlike at school, where she had to walk a long way from the dormitory to the gate. Plus, being alone in the dorm sometimes made her feel lonely.

The next afternoon, Duan Jiaxu helped Sang Zhi contact a repairman. After registering at the entrance, the three of them went to the dorm, where the repairman climbed up a ladder to fix the air conditioner.

Duan Jiaxu stood by Sang Zhi’s spot, glancing at the other three empty beds.

“Why not just stay at my place?”

Sang Zhi was tidying up her desk. Hearing his words, she looked up at him.

Duan Jiaxu added, “You can come back here when the semester starts.”

She didn’t respond and continued organizing her things.

Duan Jiaxu didn’t push the issue. He leaned against the desk, fiddling with a small object on it.

After a while, the repairman finished fixing the AC and asked Sang Zhi to turn it on for a test. After the repairman left, Duan Jiaxu checked the time and suggested, “Let’s go grab lunch, and then I’ll drop you back.”

Sang Zhi was silent for a moment, then hesitantly said, “Can you stand on the balcony for a bit?”

“Hmm?”

“I need to grab some clothes……” Sang Zhi mumbled, “I’ve only got two sets at your place, not enough to wear for half a month.”

And so, Sang Zhi began ‘cohabiting’ with Duan Jiaxu.

But rather than calling it cohabitation, she thought ‘housemates’ was a more appropriate term. Most of the time, she stayed in her room, only coming out when she needed to eat.

But she didn’t dare tell her family about this.

Whenever Li Ping video-called her, Sang Zhi had to run outside and pretend she had just gotten off work before calling back. Sometimes, when she was too lazy to go outside, she’d lie and say she was at a classmate’s house.

The holiday passed by unnoticed.

Sang Zhi’s internship lasted for a month and a half.

On her last day, she bought small gifts for a few colleagues who had taken care of her. Thinking how Shi Xiaoyu’s attitude towards her had improved recently, she didn’t hold any grudges and gave the other party a gift as well.

When she received the gift, Shi Xiaoyu glanced at Sang Zhi and awkwardly said, “Thank you.”

Sang Zhi nodded, but before she could return to her seat, Shi Xiaoyu spoke again, her tone hesitant, “Sang Zhi, can I ask you something? What’s your relationship with Jiang Ying?”

Sang Zhi was taken aback. “I have nothing to do with her.”

Shi Xiaoyu sighed, her voice apologetic, “I used to have some prejudices against you because of what she said. I’m sorry. Recently, whenever I met with her, I noticed she seemed a bit off, and she wasn’t telling me the truth, so I thought I’d ask you.”

Sang Zhi carefully chose her words and slowly said, “Due to a certain reason, she’s been clinging to my boyfriend, thinking he should constantly make it up to her and do everything for her. You probably saw that before.”

“……Yeah.”

“If something like that happens again, I’ll definitely call the police. So if you care about her,” Sang Zhi continued, without any particular animosity, “you might want to suggest she see a psychologist.”

———pr


Sang Zhi packed her things and moved back to the dorm a day earlier than planned.

The next day, her other two roommates arrived from home, and Ning Wei also returned just in time for the start of the semester. Sang Zhi resumed her routine of going between the classroom, the cafeteria, and the dorm.

Because of the previous competition, Sang Zhi had formed a good relationship with her mentor. Following her mentor’s suggestion, she signed up for a city-wide game design competition.

This one was more prestigious than the school’s, with representatives from major companies attending the awards ceremony. And unlike the last competition, this one required participants to work individually, not as a team.

As her sophomore year began, Sang Zhi quit the student council which she previously joined.

She focused on game art design, spending her time either in class or holed up in her dorm drawing. On days when she had fewer classes or during weekends, Sang Zhi would sometimes bring her laptop and spend the night at Duan Jiaxu’s place.

Before she knew it, the National Day had arrived.

Duan Jiaxu had booked a flight for them on the night of the 30th. With a full week of holiday ahead and nothing else planned, he decided to accompany her back to Nanwu.

By the time they landed at Nanwu Airport, it was already past midnight.

As soon as they got off the plane, Sang Zhi took out her phone to find a hotel for Duan Jiaxu. “Should I look for one near my house? I originally thought about having you stay at my brother’s place, but then I remembered he’s sharing an apartment with someone— a girl. I’m not sure why he’s doing that…… And Brother Qian Fei just got married, so you’ll have to stay at a hotel for now.”

Duan Jiaxu hummed in agreement.

They hadn’t brought much luggage, so they didn’t need to check anything in. They followed the signs out of the airport.

To Sang Zhi’s surprise, the person who came to pick them up wasn’t Sang Yan but Qian Fei.

Sang Zhi blinked and, feeling embarrassed to hold hands with Duan Jiaxu in front of the other person, quickly pulled her hand back. She greeted him politely, “Hi, Brother Qian Fei.”

It was clear that Qian Fei had already seen what happened. He was silent for a few seconds before greeting her and then looked at Duan Jiaxu, silently giving him a thumbs-up.

Duan Jiaxu took Sang Zhi’s hand again, his eyebrows lifting slightly as he said, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Qian Fei couldn’t hold back anymore and cursed, “You beast!”

Sang Zhi: “……”

Duan Jiaxu turned to Sang Zhi, his tone sounding like he was complaining, “He called me a beast.”

“……” Sang Zhi hesitated before saying, “It’s not that serious.”

Qian Fei was still clearly furious about the time Duan Jiaxu had tricked him. He pointed at Sang Zhi and spat out, “A flower”, then he pointed at Duan Jiaxu, deliberately emphasizing one particular word, “stuck in ‘old’ cow dung^[1]a beautiful woman married to a vulgar man.”

“……”