Chapter 34

The straps slipped off her shoulders, and someone flipped up her skirt.

He was like a magician hidden in the world, finally shedding his disguise. His hands roamed over her shoulders, giving off invisible flames.

For the first time, his lips brushed over her collarbone, slowly drifting downward, coaxing her heartbeat to accelerate, thumping in her ears. It was like the drums sounding an alarm at the sign of danger, yet also like the innocent children of a small village who had never seen anything grandiose, now excitedly beating the drums to welcome an important figure.

Zhen Bao hastily raised her hands, only to have him notice again and grasp them in one hand. His palm was too hot, trying to pull her down into a sea of flames.

Zhen Bao opened her eyes to see the crystal chandelier overhead, temporarily subduing its radiance. It reflected the candle flames on the dining table by the window.

To indulge or refuse?

He had only restrained her hands. If she spoke up, what would he do?

Zhen Bao didn't want to think about it, and was even a little afraid. She always felt it would be better to do this sort of thing after graduating.

But Fu Ming Shi had already graduated. He was nearly thirty. From his previous kisses, Zhen Bao could sense his restraint.

After struggling for a while, Zhen Bao closed her eyes.

If he really wanted to, she was willing.

Fu Ming Shi did want to very much. His chin touched the sweetheart neckline of her dress. He gave it a light peck and stealthily looked up, intending to decide whether to continue based on Zhen Bao's reaction. The romantic candlelight was dim yellow. She had her eyes squeezed shut, as if bracing herself before great danger, yet she was very docile, tacitly permitting him to go further.

Fu Ming Shi grew even hotter. He propped himself up with one hand on the sofa and urgently fumbled with the buttons of his shirt with the other. His chest was less constricted now. Fu Ming Shi took one last look at Zhen Bao. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, then resolutely wedged his hand behind Zhen Bao's back, clumsily groping for the zipper of her dress.

His intentions were obvious.

Zhen Bao couldn't help but tremble, unsure whether it was more from nervousness or fear of the unknown.

She grew more and more flustered. Seeing his fiancée quiver slightly beneath him, Fu Ming Shi's movements slowed further and further. She was so young, only twenty. She didn't care for make-up or showing off, and spent her free time in the library studying and doing practice questions to prepare for exams. She still had the student mentality that getting good grades was the most important thing.

Was she really ready, or just trying to accommodate him?

"I'm sorry, I drank too much tonight." Lowering himself back down, Fu Ming Shi kissed her flushed red face and at the same time zipped her dress back up.

Zhen Bao was baffled.

Fu Ming Shi smiled and pecked the tip of her nose. "Come on, I'll show you your Christmas present."

Zhen Bao was even more confused as Fu Ming Shi scooped her up in his arms. Her cotton slippers had already fallen off.

He briskly climbed three flights of stairs and carried Zhen Bao into her room, lowering her onto the large bed with its pale pink sheets. After kissing her for a while, he returned to his room to fetch the gift. As soon as he left, Zhen Bao immediately sat up and peered down at her chest. On the upper part of her sweetheart neckline was a faint, tantalizing patch of red.

That was where he had kissed the longest.

Knock knock knock. Someone was at the door. Zhen Bao hurriedly tugged her neckline back into place. Just as she was about to head over, Fu Ming Shi came in himself, holding a beautifully wrapped, flat, large gift box.

"Let's go soak in the hot springs over winter break," he said, handing the box to Zhen Bao and gazing into her eyes. "Don't worry, it'll be perfectly innocent hot spring soaking." He loved going places with her and doing all the things she had never done before, big or small, ordinary or extraordinary.

Zhen Bao accepted the box, hesitating for a moment before giving a small nod. He had restrained himself earlier, so hot spring soaking should be safe too.

"Go to bed early." Fu Ming Shi leaned down, extremely reluctantly bestowing her with a goodnight kiss.

Zhen Bao saw him to the door, then changed into regular sleepwear before curiously opening the gift box. It was also an article of clothing, but seemed to be for summer. Zhen Bao peered at it in puzzlement until she finally made out that it was a white two-piece swimsuit with a floral print. It was relatively modest for a swimsuit. But no matter how modest, it was still a swimsuit.

Zhen Bao's face flushed hot, then cold. Even her swimsuit, he had thoughtfully prepared for her? Wasn't Fu Ming Shi a little too considerate?

~

After New Year's, the various colleges at A University began their final exams.

Zhen Bao had no worries about failing anything, but she wanted to earn a scholarship, so every day she joined her roommates in occupying seats at the study hall. Not even Fu Ming Shi had come to visit her at A University these days.

After finishing the second to last exam, Zhen Bao received a message from Meng Ji Ning inviting all the members of the technology department to a meal together at 11 AM on Saturday.

Since it was a club activity, Zhen Bao arrived at the restaurant as scheduled.

Some people had already left for break, and the third and fourth year seniors generally just provided technical support and rarely participated in club social events. So including Zhen Bao, only six people showed up.

Zhen Bao sat next to a female upperclassman.

"You could consider this my farewell banquet that I'm hosting for myself." Once everyone had arrived, Meng Ji Ning stood up holding a wine glass, glancing around at each club member with a smile. His gaze landed on Zhen Bao's face, but his smile didn't change as he continued, "I've already finalized my study abroad arrangements. I'll be reporting over there after the new year..."

Zhen Bao was shocked. Meng Ji Ning was going abroad to study? Did Feng Yue know?

"I've been at A University for a year and a half and met many people, but the most amiable were still all you like-minded friends from the tech department... I hope we can keep in touch so that someday we'll have the chance to gather together again." He concluded his rather moving farewell speech with a smile and raised his glass.

Zhen Bao picked up her own glass and waited for the others to clink before gently clinking with Meng Ji Ning as well.

Although it was a farewell banquet, Meng Ji Ning was very skilled at keeping the atmosphere lively. Nearly the entire meal passed amid laughter.

"Zhen Bao, we're from the same hometown. Let me walk you back," Meng Ji Ning familiarly said to Zhen Bao when they were leaving.

Since they were fellow alumni and who knew when they'd get to see each other again after this parting, Zhen Bao nodded.

On the way, they passed a milk tea shop. Meng Ji Ning bought two cups of milk tea and they chatted while walking toward the female dorms. They chatted about high school memories and college life. The five minute walk quickly came to an end. Zhen Bao stopped outside the parking garage and turned to look at Meng Ji Ning's smiling face. An indistinct feeling of leaving sorrow like what she'd felt while graduating middle school or starting high school suddenly arose in her heart.

"I wish you the best in your studies abroad," she said with a smile after a period of silence, brighter than the winter sunlight.

Meng Ji Ning couldn't take his eyes off her.

She was the only female student from high school who had left a deep impression. She was the first girl he'd developed feelings for in college. Seeing her reveal that familiar radiant smile, Meng Ji Ning was suddenly overcome by an urge. He wanted Zhen Bao to know that although he wasn't her most beautiful memory from adolescence, she was the most vibrant color in his college life.

"Zhen Bao, if you hadn't dropped out that year, I think I probably would have pursued you."

Looking straight at Zhen Bao, Meng Ji Ning smiled, his smile candid, regretful, then quickly back to calm.

Zhen Bao's mouth dropped open in surprise.

Meng Ji Ning's hands slid into his pockets as he sincerely continued, "But I completely accept losing to Shi Ming. I wish you two happiness always."

Zhen Bao was at a loss, not knowing how to respond. Fu Ming Shi had kissed her first before confessing. She had been somewhat prepared on the day he confessed, but was completely caught off guard by Meng Ji Ning's confession and went blank. Meng Ji Ning took a deep look at her, then jerked his chin toward the parking garage. "Go on in."

Zhen Bao lowered her head, still feeling awkward, and stiffly started pushing her bike forward, choosing to evade the situation.

"Zhen Bao."

After walking five or six steps, she heard Meng Ji Ning call her from behind.

Zhen Bao stopped. She had intended to turn back to look at Meng Ji Ning, but her gaze swiveled and she froze in shock at the figure peeking out from around the corner.

She had tilted her head halfway when Meng Ji Ning, thinking Zhen Bao didn't dare look at him, gave a helpless chuckle and continued jokingly, "You have my WeChat. If Shi Ming doesn't treat you well someday and you break up, remember to tell me. If by chance I still don't have a girlfriend then, I'll definitely come back and pursue you."

A girl as great as her, as long as she was single, he didn't want to miss his chance.

Having said what was on his mind, Meng Ji Ning took one last look at Zhen Bao up ahead before turning and leaving, facing the sunlight without any more regrets in his heart.

Hearing footsteps, Zhen Bao turned back around. Meng Ji Ning's figure had already disappeared from outside the parking garage. She swiveled her head again and saw Feng Yue.

Feng Yue leaned against the wall, tears streaming down her face as she stared fixedly at Zhen Bao.

Zhen Bao had never dealt with this type of situation before. She first parked her bike off to the side, then slowly took out her bag. Only then did she walk over with mixed feelings to comfort Feng Yue: "Are you...alright?"

"He's going abroad to study? Why did you two come back together?" Feng Yue wiped away some tears, her voice choked up.

Zhen Bao explained the farewell banquet in a low voice.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Feng Yue couldn't hold back her tears and just stared straight at Zhen Bao. She had just gone out on the balcony to hang clothes and saw Zhen Bao and Meng Ji Ning walking over together, so she had swiftly come downstairs hoping to "coincidentally" run into them. But she certainly hadn't expected to come around the corner and immediately hear Zhen Bao congratulating Meng Ji Ning on studying abroad smoothly.

She had repeated a grade with great difficulty for Meng Ji Ning's sake, and traveled thousands of miles to the capital to attend university, even choosing a major she didn't like so she could care for those dirty, messy stray animals - all for Meng Ji Ning's sake. They had only just been reunited for half a year, yet Meng Ji Ning was leaving now?

Feng Yue wept so sorrowfully that apart from Meng Ji Ning leaving, Zhen Bao knew her outburst definitely also had to do with Meng Ji Ning's words just now. Zhen Bao's head was in complete disarray as she murmured, "I only found out when we were eating just now too."

Feng Yue gave a cold laugh. "Did he pursue you back in high school?"

Zhen Bao frowned and denied it. With a clear conscience she said, "We were just classmates for one year in tenth grade. We didn't have any other relationship. I had no idea he li-"

She cut herself off before finishing the sentence, not wanting Feng Yue to feel even worse.

But Feng Yue understood her meaning. The one she secretly loved didn't even see her. Feng Yue slowly squatted down and burst into sobs.

"Feng Yue, don't be like this..." Worried people would see, Zhen Bao bent over to help Feng Yue up. "Let's go back to the dorm first."

Feng Yue didn't budge.

Zhen Bao couldn't move her, but she also couldn't leave Feng Yue there crying. She could only squat next to her and continue persuading her.

Feng Yue cried for a long time. As her sobs gradually subsided, she sniffled and said in a muffled voice, "Zhen Bao, please persuade him for me. Persuade him not to study abroad. He likes you - if you persuade him, he definitely won't go abroad." Her only wish right now was for Meng Ji Ning to not leave.

Zhen Bao was conflicted. "He's already applied and been approved..."

Feng Yue suddenly raised her head, her eyes red as she glared at Zhen Bao: "He left because he lost to Fu Ming Shi. Why are you so mean to me when you and Fu Ming Shi are so lovey-dovey? If Fu Ming Shi hadn't deliberately shown off his wealth to embarrass him, if you two hadn't flaunted your relationship every day outside the classroom building, do you think he would have applied to study abroad?"

Zhen Bao was stunned, not understanding what Meng Ji Ning studying abroad had to do with Fu Ming Shi.

Feng Yue suddenly burst into tears again, hugging Zhen Bao as she cried, "Please, try to persuade him for me, Zhen Bao. I've liked him for three years now..."

Zhen Bao didn't make a sound.

She sympathized with Feng Yue, but studying abroad was no small matter. She couldn't interfere with Meng Ji Ning's life.