Chapter 484 - 221: I Like You; Saying It Once Is Not Enough
Chapter 484: Chapter 221: I Like You; Saying It Once Is Not Enough
Too close.
So close he could catch the sweet, peachy scent of her breath. So close that all his thoughts and attention were captivated by the face just inches away.
Shen Yuan felt his breathing suddenly turn heavy, and his Adam’s apple bobbed uncontrollably.
All his senses were seized by the look on the girl’s face and her slightly parted lips.
Shen Yuan’s arm around her back tightened unconsciously.
Fueled by a desire that felt like it would burst from his chest, Shen Yuan looked at Li Zhi.
"Li Bao, I... can I... can I kiss you?"
Li Zhi’s eyes instantly flew wide, like a startled, bristling kitten.
The overly direct and blatant request made all the blood in her body rush to her head!
She almost reflexively sprang out of Shen Yuan’s embrace, subconsciously raising a hand to hover over her chest.
"Y-y-you...!!"
Li Zhi’s cheeks burned as if on fire. The tenderness from when she had leaned in his arms and confessed "I like you" was gone, replaced only by the bristling fury of her embarrassment.
"Selaan!!! Shen Yuan!! Pervert!!!"
The girl’s exasperated voice suddenly shot up, sharp with offense and immense panic.
"You damn pervert!! What the hell are you thinking, you idiot Shen Yuan!!!"
Li Zhi quickly snatched a throw pillow from beside her and, without a second thought, hurled it at Shen Yuan’s face, the force behind it carrying all her shame and indignation.
"We-we’ve only been together for how long?! Is your brain filled with nothing but filth?! You’re asking for a beating, aren’t you?!"
The pillow hit Shen Yuan’s face. It wasn’t a hard throw, but it was enough to convey the intensity of her emotions.
Seeing Li Zhi’s expression, a mixture of shame and fury, the eager anticipation that had just lit up Shen Yuan’s face froze. It was immediately replaced by immense disappointment and awkwardness.
"I... I’m not... I just..."
Shen Yuan was a bit incoherent.
Looking at Shen Yuan, who just moments ago had been so spirited and even pushing his luck, the fire of Li Zhi’s indignant shame seemed to deflate slightly, as if pricked by a pin.
The girl pressed her lips together. Seeing him like this, her heart twisted inexplicably, and an indescribable feeling of tenderness welled up inside her.
’Was my reaction a little... over the top?’
’But his request was just so sudden!’
’How could I possibly agree!’
After an agonizing silence, Li Zhi took a deep breath, trying to suppress the fluttering in her chest. She forced herself to look away, feigning composure.
But just as Shen Yuan thought Li Zhi was truly angry, he heard her voice.
"...When you... when you can consistently score 650 on your final exams this semester, we’ll talk!"
Hearing this, Shen Yuan’s eyes suddenly lit up with incredible brightness!
His dejected expression vanished in an instant, like dark clouds scattered by the sun.
"That’s it???"
The boy leaned in close, his eyes shockingly bright, staring straight into Li Zhi’s, which were trying to shy away.
"Li Bao! You have to keep your word!"
He announced to her almost impatiently, "Forget 650! I’ll even score a 660 for you!"
Every word was delivered with resounding force, filled with unquestionable determination and boundless hope for the future.
"Then make it 660."
Hearing Li Zhi’s words, Shen Yuan suddenly let out a heavy cough.
"Wait..."
Just as he was about to argue, Shen Yuan saw Li Zhi’s eyes widen slightly.
Her clear pupils distinctly reflected his own face, which now looked slightly guilty for trying to bargain.
The girl’s gaze swept over him, carrying a familiar, silent threat.
It was a look Shen Yuan knew all too well.
It was the same look she gave Ah Jie right before telling him to do dictation. It was the kind of look that told him she knew how to make him shut up in the next second.
His survival instinct kicked in, instantly crushing the sense of grievance and indignation he felt over "660 being so much higher than 650."
Shen Yuan immediately straightened his back.
His expression switched in a second from argumentative to utterly sincere and firm, the change happening with trained speed. He wisely shut the mouth that had been about to bargain.
Then, without hesitation, he caved. "Done! 660 it is!"
Shen Yuan looked into Li Zhi’s eyes, breaking into an incredibly confident grin. He thumped his chest, producing a dull THUD THUD. "Li Bao! Just you watch! That 660! It’s as good as mine!"
’It’s just a score, right? I’ll risk it all!’
Li Zhi was taken aback by his dramatic display.
A flicker of amusement appeared in the girl’s eyes, but it quickly dissolved into a light, slightly disdainful snort.
"Hmph, anyone can talk big."
The girl’s voice was crystal clear, carrying its usual sharpness and scrutiny.
"Honestly, just for..."
Li Zhi trailed off. The blush that had just faded from the tips of her ears seemed to be creeping back, and her voice unconsciously dropped a few decibels.
"...a little thing like this is enough to get you so fired up? You’ve got some high ambitions!"
Both of them knew exactly what "thing" she was referring to.
Shen Yuan gave a dry laugh, rubbing his hot neck. The thought of a tactical topic change immediately sprang to mind.
"So... Li Bao," Shen Yuan cleared his throat, his tone deliberately casual.
"Tomorrow’s New Year’s Day. Any plans?"
As he spoke, Shen Yuan’s gaze involuntarily darted to Li Zhi’s long legs resting on the bedsheets. But remembering his "660-point declaration," he quickly averted his eyes to the gala on the wall.
Li Zhi keenly caught his fleeting glance, and her heart skipped a beat.
She curled her toes inside her tights and, feigning calm, picked up the conversation. "...Mm, I was planning to study. But my parents said they’re going to my grandpa’s house tomorrow and won’t be back until the day after."
The moment the words left her mouth, the smile on Shen Yuan’s face abruptly froze.