The last rays of the sunset faded, and night fell completely. The flickering glow of the streetlights cast wavering shadows, making everything seem like an illusory dreamscape. The symmetrical and orderly streets no longer appeared so neat.
Under the shifting, uncertain light, the clean and refreshing young man looked lost, blending into the surreal surroundings as if he were part of a mirage—something that might dissipate with the slightest breeze. Xia Miao instinctively reached out, and the moment she grasped his hand, the ethereal figure suddenly seemed tethered, firmly reconnected to the world.
Shen Chi lowered his gaze to look at her. His dark, moist eyes were pure and innocent, like those of a child untouched by the world.
Xia Miao smiled. "Let's hurry back. I'm hungry."
After a long pause, Shen Chi nodded slowly. "Okay."
In the night, their exchange was but a brief interlude. Once home, Shen Chi automatically headed to the kitchen to prepare food for Xia Miao. But before he could take another step, he was suddenly pushed onto the sofa.
Xia Miao pounced on him without hesitation, immediately tugging at his pants. "I want to eat you first!"
Though the boy usually appeared prim and proper, his disheveled state now revealed an irresistible allure—his slender neck, delicate collarbones, the taut lines of his abdomen where his T-shirt had ridden up, and the hint of his Adonis belt disappearing beneath his waistband. Every inch of him exuded temptation.
Xia Miao swallowed hard, her appetite thoroughly whetted.
Almost the instant her gaze landed on him, Shen Chi eagerly sat up, pulling her close by the waist. As their lips met, his other hand slipped beneath her clothes.
In matters like this, they were always in sync—never wasting time, diving straight into the heart of things.
The boy who had seemed on the verge of shattering and drifting away from the world earlier on the street now felt undeniably real, lost in the throes of passion with his lover.
And at times like these, Xia Miao loved teasing him on purpose.
"Shen Chi, does it feel good?"
His face flushed, he remained silent, only wanting to plunge deeper into the abyss with her.
Xia Miao refused to let him off. "Do you like it?"
Still, he said nothing.
She mischievously nipped at him. "Shen Chi… Xiao Chi… Chi Chi… my little treasure—mmph!"
Her mouth was abruptly sealed. When she looked up, the boy’s face was crimson, his ears practically glowing, his lashes fluttering. Embarrassment and desire mingled in his expression, making him all the more endearing.
With difficulty, he managed, "Miao Miao, don’t call me that."
Xia Miao pretended to reflect, then glanced downward and murmured, "Then… big treasure?"
It was as if fireworks exploded in his mind. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, he tightened his embrace with all his strength, making her feel like a drowning person tossed by the waves—too overwhelmed to tease him further.
Though Xia Miao was all bark and no bite, the outcome was always satisfying.
For days afterward, Shen Chi was in high spirits, no longer resembling a pitiful little cabbage left withering in an autumn field.
Tian Meimei truly believed Si Mugu was out of his mind!
He was like a feudal landlord, squeezing her dry as it was, but lately, he had escalated his demands. Out of twenty-four hours in a day, he could command her for sixteen.
If she was even slightly late replying to his messages, he’d bring up her debt.
Si Mugu had once said, "Twenty-four hours, with eight left for you to sleep—I’m quite the humane employer, aren’t I?"
Tian Meimei seethed in silence.
This time, she had been forced to bake cookies for Si Mugu. As she made her way to deliver them, she cursed the arrogant, domineering jerk a thousand times in her heart.
"Are you Tian Meimei, senior?"
A girl suddenly appeared, blocking Tian Meimei’s path. Tian Meimei eyed her warily—ever since becoming Si Mugu’s personal maid, she had drawn envy and resentment from countless girls. She’d even been bullied a few times. If not for Si Mugu stepping in to shield her, she wouldn’t have survived at this school.
Cautiously, Tian Meimei asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"
The girl looked quiet and well-behaved. Gathering her courage, she said, "I’m Fang Bei, a third-year. Senior Tian, I heard you’re often with Si Mugu. Are you two… dating?"
Tian Meimei immediately denied it. "Of course not!"
Fang Bei pressed on, "Then… do you like him?"
"How could I possibly like someone so arrogant and overbearing?!"
Fang Bei’s face lit up at the answer. She pulled out a pink envelope from her bag, blushing as she whispered, "Senior Tian, I… I really like Si Mugu. But I have no way to approach him. Could you please give him this letter for me?"
Tian Meimei was taken aback, momentarily speechless.
Fang Bei grew anxious. "Senior Tian, you… don’t want to help me?"
"N-no, it’s not that…"
"Then please give this to him! No matter the outcome, I want to try. I’ll treat you to a meal afterward!"
Before Tian Meimei could respond, the letter was shoved into her hands. Watching Fang Bei scamper away, she felt an inexplicable pang in her chest.
How strange—why did the thought of someone confessing to Si Mugu make her feel so upset?
Shaking her head, she dismissed the odd emotion and hurried toward Si Mugu’s private lounge.
Si Mugu sat on the sofa, smirking as Tian Meimei entered. "You’re five minutes late."
"I got held up on the way!" Tian Meimei placed the box of cookies on the table. After a brief hesitation, she pulled out the letter from her pocket. "Here, take this. I have things to do—bye!"
She turned and left in a rush.
Si Mugu picked up the pink envelope and suddenly understood her haste—she must have been too shy.
As a wealthy, handsome man, he had received love letters before, but he’d never cared for those women, barely glancing at their notes. Today was different. This was from Tian Meimei.
Pleased, Si Mugu opened the envelope and unfolded the letter.
The delicate handwriting and sweet, heartfelt words poured out a girl’s adoration.
A smile touched his lips. So Tian Meimei, who always claimed to despise him, had actually fallen for him long ago.
Well, he supposed he could agree to date her.
Then, at the very end, he saw the signature—"Fang Bei."
His brow furrowed deeply.
