Chapter 491 - 222: Li Zhi: I Never Said I Couldn’t Kiss You
Chapter 491: Chapter 222: Li Zhi: I Never Said I Couldn’t Kiss You
"Okay, I’m going home now... Good night, boyfriend."
She mumbled the last two words slightly, but the affirmation and affection within them were unmistakably clear.
Li Zhi paused, her burning gaze fixed on Shen Yuan, and added in a breathy voice that was even softer, yet more resolute than before:
"Shen Yuan, I like you."
Shen Yuan gazed at her, the tenderness and joy in his eyes nearly overflowing.
The corners of the young man’s lips lifted. Without a hint of hesitation, he responded clearly, "Li Zhi, I like you, too."
The winter night’s silence in the hallway enveloped the embracing pair. Their warm hold kept the cold at bay, and it seemed as if time itself was willing to pause for a moment for the young couple tasting the first buds of love.
Savoring the warmth in his arms, Shen Yuan finally, reluctantly, released his hold.
He looked deeply at Li Zhi’s face, which seemed exceptionally bright under the light, and said in a low, mellow, and gentle voice, "Good night, girlfriend."
"Good—"
Li Zhi had barely begun her soft "Good night" when, in the instant Shen Yuan stared at her, his gaze filled with Concentration, a glint of cunning and courage flashed through the young woman’s eyes.
Catching Shen Yuan off guard, Li Zhi shot up on her tiptoes. Her soft, warm lips, like a feather, swiftly yet accurately, gently landed on his cheek!
The touch, as light as a dragonfly skimming water, seemed to carry a tiny electric current that exploded with a BOOM in Shen Yuan’s sensory world!
He froze completely, his pupils instantly dilated, and his mind went blank. He stood rooted to the spot in disbelief, as if he’d been hit by a paralyzing spell.
"Idiot! Good night!"
After completing this audacious sneak attack, Li Zhi’s cheeks were already burning hot and flushed beet-red, as if they were on fire.
She didn’t even dare to look at Shen Yuan’s expression, quickly tossing out the familiar yet shy moniker.
Like a startled little rabbit that had just successfully pulled off a prank, she was flustered to the point of steaming with embarrassment. She yanked open her front door, slipped inside, and shut it behind her with a SLAM!
In the cold hallway, the motion-activated light cast its stark white glow.
Leaving Shen Yuan alone, petrified on the spot. He could even clearly hear his own heart pounding like a war drum against his ribs.
The soft touch from that brief moment seemed to linger on his face. A distinct heat spread from the spot, so scorching that his ears and neck turned completely red.
Shen Yuan dazedly touched his own face, his fingertips unconsciously brushing the spot she had kissed. It was as if the soft warmth of her lips still remained there.
The cold winter night’s air blew against his face, but it did nothing to extinguish the fire that had suddenly ignited there, much less calm the cataclysmic waves of shock and incredible joy crashing in the lake of his heart.
"..."
The young man’s Adam’s apple bobbed violently. Finally, a single, voiceless whisper escaped into the silent hallway, laced with intense sweetness and bewilderment:
"Damn..."
’Did I just get ambushed?’
After entering her apartment, Li Zhi quickly ran into her room.
Li Zhi didn’t turn on the light.
In the darkness, her ragged breaths were clearly audible. Her down jacket was wrapped around her scalding body, and her cheeks burned so hot it felt like they might start bleeding.
Her fingers unconsciously brushed over the bangs on her forehead, which had been warmed by Shen Yuan’s body heat. The scent of his embrace still lingered there.
’Li Zhi! Have you lost your mind?!’
The young woman screamed inwardly, her trembling fingertips touching her tingling lips.
’These are the lips that just dared to press themselves against his cheek!’ In the darkness, she suddenly curled her fingers, as if she’d been burned.
’Why did I kiss him?!’
Li Zhi’s memories surged, uncontrolled.
Shen Yuan’s stunned expression as he froze in place, her own panicked flight under the cold hallway light, and the leg-weakening tingle as her lips pressed against his skin...
’It’s all that idiot Shen Yuan’s fault!’
She indignantly kicked off her slippers and buried her burning face in the cool collar of her down jacket, but the fabric seemed to still carry the fresh, clean scent of his soap.
"Dummy..."
The young woman curled up in the shadows of her room, her whisper tinged with unshed tears.
"...It’s your fault for saying you like me so many times."
But just then, Li Zhi’s phone rang.
Pulling out her phone, Li Zhi saw a message from Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan: "You sneak attacked me?!"
Li Zhi touched her hot cheek, unable to stop a small laugh, and quickly replied.
Li Zhi: "You got a problem with that?"
Shen Yuan stared at the words on the screen and laughed helplessly in his room.
Shen Yuan: "Didn’t you say I could only kiss you after I score a 665?"
Li Zhi: "I only said you’re not allowed to kiss me. I never said I can’t kiss you!"
"Heh—!"
Seeing Li Zhi’s reply, Shen Yuan shot bolt upright in his bed.
’This tsundere...’
’...is actually pretty cute.’
Shen Yuan shook his head and sent a message back to Li Zhi.
"Just you wait. Next time, I’m going to kiss you back, fair and square. But it’s already very late, so you should get some rest. Good night."
After receiving the message, Li Zhi puffed up her cheeks and quickly replied to Shen Yuan.
"Good night, Naonao’s Dad."
Shen Yuan’s reply came back just as quickly.
"Good night, Naonao’s Mom."
Looking at Shen Yuan’s message, Li Zhi smiled in satisfaction.
The beautiful young woman glanced at the time. It really was time for bed.
Otherwise, she might not be able to get up tomorrow morning.
As agreed, they both put down their phones, and the rooms fell silent once more.
Shen Yuan lay in bed, staring at his familiar ceiling, but a smile he couldn’t suppress crept onto his lips.
The phantom mark of Li Zhi’s secret kiss on his cheek still seemed to feel warm. The softness of her slender body pressing against his during their hug, the faint fragrance from her hair, and the "I like you" she had whispered in his arms...
Every detail replayed in his mind, so sweet it felt like it was about to overflow.
He rolled over, buried his face in his pillow, and screamed silently in his heart: ’I can’t sleep! I can’t sleep at all!’
And in the room just a wall away, the same scene was playing out.
The young woman pulled the covers over her head, but she couldn’t block out the elation in her heart or the surging memories.
Whenever she closed her eyes, she would see the image of her own sneak attack on Shen Yuan, and recall the emotions that had suddenly surged in her heart when she heard his confession.
"SOB—Why did I cry! Why did I kiss him!"
On the first winter night of the new year, in their silent rooms, two young hearts, separated by a wall, were kept long from sleep by the very same thrill.