Summer in Your Name - 90

The second semester of freshman year was the most coursework-intensive for literature majors, and Sheng Xia once again found herself trapped in a four-point routine: dorm, classroom, library, cafeteria. Her GPA last semester was 3.29, barely scraping past the ‘good’ threshold, landing her at the bottom among her four roommates. With her shaky foundation, even pulling all-nighters during review week could only push her to ‘good’. She had braced herself for this result, but it still left a nagging anxiety in her chest.

Zhang Shu's GPA was 3.78, yet he was nearly at the bottom in his own dormitory, ranking just over 30th in their year, a fact that left Sheng Xia stunned. Apparently, his department had mythical beings with perfect GPAs.  

"GPA is just a minor battleground in their department.” Liao Jing remarked. “By sophomore year, they’re already publishing research papers or launching startups, folks like us are still debating whether to a master's in our majors.”

“Don’t they worry about grad school entrance exams?” Sheng Xia asked.

“Do they need to? If they want to stay for postgrad here, most can probably get direct admission. But I'd guess half of them will probably study abroad anyway.”  

“Talk about intense.”

“No place for mere mortals.”

Sheng Xia asked Zhang Shu if this ever made him anxious.

He answered frankly, "It does. But it's not a bad thing. At least, not for me. Getting crushed sometimes is a kind of luck. When everyone around you is stronger, isn’t that a gain?”

A gain.

Sheng Xia felt she’d gained something too, though it came with a lot of effort.

This semester, she made more frequent trips to Haiyan. Zhang Shu was swamped with work, and she had Xiao Mo, getting around was quicker for her.  

Sheng Xia adored the bookstore outside Haiyan University’s west gate. Unlike the trendy boutique bookstores popping up these days, this one had stood for decades. Its weathered wooden structure exuded nostalgic charm, with worn-out books piled high in the corners. You could unearth many out-of--print titles. The store even offered a book exchange service. A long-haired lazy and affectionate orange tabby also lounged about the place. 

She’d often lose herself there for hours, which suited her just fine, reading was part of her studies, after all.

When Zhang Shu finished his work, he’d come to take her to eat, as the bookstore only offered simple coffee, no meals.

If he had time, he’d stay and read with her all afternoon, sometimes doing assignments, sometimes pick out books to browse. 

One day, Sheng Xia was so engrossed in her book that she didn’t notice Zhang Shu had left his seat across from her. Glancing around, she finally spotted him by a row of bookshelf.

He sat on the floor, surrounded by a group of middle schoolers in their uniforms. Apart from his noticeably longer legs, he blended right in, all of them hunched over their books with intense focus, even flipping pages at nearly the same rhythm.

Sheng Xia smiled faintly, picked up her phone to record a short video clip, then walked over and stopped in front of him. She thought he might be reading some popular science book, but instead, he was engrossed in Jin Yong's Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.

“Good read?” Sheng Xia asked in a low voice.

Zhang Shu looked up, saw it was her, and tugged her hand, gesturing for her to sit down. Sheng Xia settled beside him without hesitation, looping her arm through his and resting her head against his shoulder. Noticing he was reading the fourth volume, The Song of the Cave Immortal, she asked, “Who’s your favorite?”

Zhang Shu turned a page, his eyes not leaving the book, and replied casually, "Guess."

Sheng Xia: …

“Qiao Feng?”

He raised a brow and turned to her. “I thought you meant female characters.”

“If it’s female, then your favorite is me,” Sheng Xia blurted out. The shyness lasted only a second before she grinned smugly at him.

She was currently holding his arm, her chin propped on his shoulder, looking up at him. Her eyes held a mix of innocence and slyness. Zhang Shu's gaze slowly traveled from her eyes to the bridge of her nose, her lips, and finally back to her eyes. He leaned in for a quick kiss, light as a dragonfly skimming water, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted more. But Sheng Xia pushed lightly against his chest, her eyes signaling: There are people nearby!

“Don't care.”

With his right hand, he lifted the book to shield their faces completely, while his left slid around the back of her neck, tilting his head to chase her lips again.  

His lips were so soft, how could Sheng Xia possibly resist?  

He kissed her deeply, but not for long. apparently, he still had some semblance of restraint in public. He hadn’t completely thrown caution to the wind. After a few reluctant pecks, he released her.

Once the book was lowered, Sheng Xia opened her eyes to a row of middle schoolers staring at them. One girl even made a show of covering her eyes with her hands, though the gap between her fingers was wider than her eyes.

Caught off guard by Sheng Xia’s gaze, the row of heads swiveled back in unison, covering their mouths and giggling.

This time, Sheng Xia was truly embarrassed, burying her face in Zhang Shu’s arm.

Zhang Shu flashed a grin at the boys, then continued reading as if nothing had happened. Seeing Sheng Xia still hadn’t looked up, he nudged for conversation: "So, who’s your favorite?"  

Sheng Xia lifted her head. “Xu Zhu.”

Zhang Shu casually followed up, “Why?”

Sheng Xia: “He’s a monk, free of desires.”

Zhang Shu: …

The bookstore’s chubby orange cat ambled over, staring at them unblinkingly for a long moment, and finally settled down beside Zhang Shu's leg, rubbing against him.

The cat seemed particularly fond of Zhang Shu. It would curl up at his feet to nap or, more often, sprawl across his keyboard. Sometimes a single yawn and stretch from the cat could undo hours of his work.

Sheng Xia’s heart ached just watching it. Yet Zhang Shu never lost his temper. He’d just chuckle helplessly, scoop up the cat, and deposit it onto a bookshelf. Then his black T-shirt would be covered in cat hair, which did make him frown.

So cute.

The cat was cute, and so was he.

Sheng Xia often felt the bookstore was walled off from the world. Outside, life rushed forward relentlessly, ever-changing, but inside, time seemed to stand still.

Days seemed to pass slowly here, but in reality, time was swift, leaving no trace to grasp.

By the time Sheng Xia finished the reading list Professor Tan had given her, Zhang Shu had read through most of Jin Yong’s works.

Heyan’s weather was starting to resemble Nanli’s. Lush greenery, cicadas buzzing loudly. Everything heralded the arrival of jubilant summer and, with it, the approaching end of another semester.  

Amid the hectic finals review week, they still had dates at the bookstore, though there was no longer time for leisure reading. Sheng Xia recited her notes until her mind grew numb, while the steady clatter of Zhang Shu’s keyboard never ceased.

His typing wasn't loud, and it had a steady rhythm. She never found it distracting. In fact, if she couldn’t hear the tap of his keys, she'd feel off and struggle to focus.

When studying grew tiresome, they’d go on spontaneous dates, visiting museums, amusement parks, or exhibition halls. More often, they'd just ride their bikes around aimlessly or explore the city on foot, going wherever their feet took them. If they found a place they liked, they’d linger; if not, they’d keep walking, hand in hand, chatting idly or playing silly word games like ‘word chain’. 

Sheng Xia started: “Road.”

Zhang Shu: “Roadside.”

Sheng Xia: “Roadside stall.”

Heh. This one was tricky. How would he complete the phrase with just one more word?  

Zhang Shu: “Roadside stall order.”

Okay, impressive.

Sheng Xia: “Roadside stall order likes.”

“Roadside stall order likes blow.”

“Roadside stall order likes blow up.”

“Roadside stall order likes blow up yet?”

“…”

She couldn’t continue.

She lost. A kiss was her penalty.

Silly. But it felt like they could play it forever.

---

During the summer break, Zhang Shu had another mini semester. so Sheng Xia went on break first. Wang Lianhua and Xu Yuanshan took Zheng Dongning on a trip abroad. Sheng Xia and Wu Qiuxuan were picked up by Sheng Mingfeng to stay with him for a while.

But Sheng Mingfeng was swamped with work and rarely came home. After just a week, even Zou Weiping had to leave for a business trip to Hong Kong. Feeling guilty for having them over only to leave them neglected, she offered to take them shopping and sightseeing.  

Wu Qiuxuan was usually quite cold towards Zou Weiping, but when it came to spending money, she never held back and was all for it.

Sheng Xia declined, citing needing to stay home to write a paper. 

Wu Qiuxuan threw a fit, practically begging and pleading, but Sheng Xia wouldn't budge. In the end, no one could persuade her. Everyone left as planned, and Sheng Xia stayed home alone. The quiet was peaceful, but also a little lonely.

She actually had no paper to write.

She just had a boyfriend to keep company.

The Leo month had arrived. Zhang Shu's birthday was coming.

As early as June, Sheng Xia had bought tickets for the Dongzhou Music Festival. The timing was perfect, falling just the day before his birthday.

She hadn't told him yet, wanting it to be a surprise.

He was always the one big on gestures, meticulously preparing gifts for every occasion.   

This semester alone, there was White Day, Children’s Day, and all sorts of repurposed ‘Valentine’s Days’, as well as their one-year anniversary.

Though he’d grumbled about these capitalist scam of inventing holidays, he still gave her gifts. Sometimes there was no occasion at all. If he felt too much time had passed since his last gift, he’d simply declare it time for another. 

He loved giving necklaces the most. She had no idea how he found so many exquisite ones, each uniquely tasteful. By now, Sheng Xia had more than she could ever wear.

When asked why he always chose necklaces, Zhang Shu thought for a moment, then, without a good answer, countered, “Should I switch to bracelets next time?”

“You really don't have to keep giving gifts all the time."

Zhang Shu: “But you like these delicate little trinkets. Once you like something, you want to collect them all, the more the better."

Sheng Xia fell silent. Couldn’t he answer a bit more romantically?

Even though she knew now that he was financially comfortable, it still felt a bit extravagant.

After their trip to Lianli, she learned his main source of income was the rent from the old house. She heard he'd also been involved in the B&B's design, preserving traces of the old architecture, which was why he was so familiar with the layout of each room.

Hou Junqi also let it slip that another major income source for Zhang Shu was trading game accounts. He'd been doing it since high school, gradually building his reputation on gaming forums. Many players used him as a middleman for buying and selling accounts.

Sheng Xia knew that some gaming accounts could be quite valuable, but as a middleman, surely the profits weren’t that high? A few dozen bucks? Maybe a hundred for a big deal?

The reality was staggering. Because account trading was often plagued by scams or account flaws, the more valuable the account, the more cautious sellers became. They’d rather pay a commission and sell through a middleman than risk dealing directly with individuals. Buyers, too, were willing to pay extra to ensure they actually received the account and that it came without hidden issues, much like trading secondhand luxury goods. So, sometimes, Zhang Shu could rake in four-digit profits from a single transaction. 

No wonder he said this was a business where he never had to bow to anyone. 

So, Sheng Xia also reciprocated in kind, returning gifts for every present she received, though she was always a step behind, never quite hitting the right timing. 

For instance, the headphones she bought only arrived several days after their one-year anniversary. 

Before buying them, she’d consulted Hou Junqi, the resident tech expert. But right after she asked, Tao Zhizhi messaged her on WeChat: “Xiaxia, buying another gift for Brother Shu?”

What did she mean, ‘another’?

Sheng Xia was speechless. This Hou Junqi, can't he keep his mouth shut?

“Mm.”

Tao Zhizhi said earnestly, "Don't spoil those stinky man! Not even Brother Shu is an exception!"

Has she spoiled him?  

Sheng Xia: “All my gifts combined aren't even worth one Xiao Mo, though?"  

Tao Zhizhi: “What’s Xiao Mo?”

It seems Hou Junqi didn’t know Zhang Shu had bought her a scooter? Let alone the other gifts.

Sheng Xia sent a photo of Xiao Mo to Tao Zhizhi.    

“My new ride. Cool, right? Zhang Shu got it for me.”

Tao Zhizhi: “ObservingSecretly.jpg”

Tao Zhizhi: “You two sound so alike…”

Then she sent a screenshot of a conversation. Judging by the content, Hou Junqi had screenshot it and sent it to her. There were several in a row.  

[Glory to the Ancestors]

Zhang Shu: [Picture] 

Zhang Shu: “New shoes. Cool, right?”

A chorus of compliments floods in.

Zhang Shu: “My wife got them for me.”

A wave of vomiting emojis responded.

Second image.

Zhang Shu: [Picture] 

Zhang Shu: “New keyboard. Cool, right?” 

The group praised collectively. 

Zhang Shu: “Custom-made by my wife.”

The group responded with a sea of ellipses.

Third image.

Zhang Shu: [Picture] 

Zhang Shu: “Couple outfits, recommend, but don’t buy the exact same ones.”

Wu Pengcheng: “Nice. Link?”

Zhang Shu: “Let me ask my wife.”

Wu Pengcheng: “Never mind, get lost.”

Han Xiao: “Brother Shu, Sheng Xia is so rich. Rich lady, let me hug that money!”  

Zhang Shu: “Hands off. Get lost.”

Liu Hui’an: “Why are you always getting gifts from Sheng Xia? Turning into a kept man now?”  

Zhang Shu: “Jealousy is rotting your soul.”  

Sheng Xia’s cheeks burned.

Wife.

He’d never called her that to her face. They rarely used affectionate nicknames like other couples, when they were together, there was hardly any need for address at all.  

Only occasionally, during those lingering kisses, would he murmur baby or sweetheart in the breathless gaps between…

Wife. She’d never heard it.

To think this was how he referred to her when talking to his friends…

This time, she would definitely deliver her wishes on time.

Tao Zhizhi was the first to know the news and directly posted their chat history in the group.

[Get Rich Quick Strategies Exchange Group]

Tao Zhizhi: "I refuse to suffer this jealousy alone."  

Xin Xiaohe: "I don’t even know who to be more jealous of. Ugh, Brother Shu’s gonna brag about this in their group chat again, and then Linyu’s gonna whine about how I don’t love him anymore."  

Xiaomai: “You’re going to Dongzhou? Just the two of you? Xia, are you giving music festival tickets, or are you giving yourself?"

Sheng Xia: “…”

Lanlan: “That ellipsis says a lot.”

Xin Xiaohe: “Go get him, babe! Brother Shu looks like he’d be great in bed.”  

Lanlan: “Screenshot taken. Sending it to Yang Linyu.”

Xin Xiaohe: "Go ahead, it’s the truth! What, I can’t say it?”

Xiaomai: “LMAO, low-key… I think so too.”

Xin Xiaohe: “Low-key? Wasn't it you who speculated Brother Shu was, ahem, well-endowed in high school?"

Xiaomai: “A humble group member has gone offline.jpg”

Tao Zhizhi: “Hahahahaha!”

Sheng Xia: "Internal discussions. Please keep it confidential.”

Tao Zhizhi: “I noticed my dear bestie isn't denying the ‘giving yourself’ part.”

Lanlan: "What a groundbreaking observation."  

Sheng Xia: “A humble group member has gone offline.jpg”

Xin Xiaohe: "Xia, remember to moisturize well these days! And shave your armpits!”

Xiaomai: "HAHAHA way to kill the vibe!”

Xin Xiaohe: “Just sharing valuable advice.”

Lanlan: “So, Yang Linyu, how’s he? Quick?”

Xin Xiaohe: “Honestly, no frame of reference, I don’t know. Waiting for Sheng Xia’s triumphant return.”

A humble group member lurked silently, never daring to surface again.  

---

Zhang Shu’s summer break only began in late July. After staying a few extra days to assist his senior with lab work, he’d initially planned to remain on campus to run more experiments but he missed Sheng Xia too much and returned to Nanli in mid-August.

He sent her his location: “I’m back.”

Sheng Xia: "Rubbing hands in anticipation.jpg”

Zhang Shu frowned. “Who’ve you been chatting with lately?”

Sheng Xia: “?”

Zhang Shu: "Your stickers got weird.”

Sheng Xia didn't answer, just sent two images: the QR code for the music festival tickets and a hotel booking confirmation near the venue.

Sheng Xia: "Let’s go to the beach?"  

Zhang Shu was briefly puzzled, then understood when he saw the music festival date.

The Blue Ocean Beach Music Festival was always a hit, with a lineup that included his favorite band. This year, it was held in neighboring Dongzhou. He had considered going but decided against it, thinking he should spend this particular day with her.  

She was so quiet by nature, probably wouldn’t enjoy the ‘chaotic frenzy’ of a music festival. A classical concert would suit her better.  

Yet here she was, with tickets and a hotel booked.  

Zhang Shu glanced at the reservation details.

Deluxe King Room  

Dates: 8.19 - 8.20  

Guests: 2

“Sheng Xia,” he called her full name.

Sheng Xia: “Too scared to speak.jpg” — A meme of a little girl trembling in a closet.   

Zhang Shu chuckled helplessly. This was clearly one of Xin Xiaohe’s memes.  

"Only booked one room? A king bed?” he asked, just to be sure. Given her scatterbrained nature, it was possible she’d booked the wrong room type or forgotten to book for him at all. He could always book another if needed.

Sheng Xia:” Well-behaved.jpg” —Ultraman resting his chin on his hand.   

Zhang Shu stopped laughing.

Even though she couldn't see him, Zhang Shu felt his spine stiffen, a wave of heat prickling under his skin. He coughed unnaturally, froze for a few seconds in a daze, his hand holding the phone dropping limply to his side.

Then he picked up his phone again to reread the chat, his gaze lingering on the words “Guests: 2.” Some things, he decided, needed to be made clear.  

“Sheng Xia, I’m a normal man.”

Sheng Xia: “Affirmation from an underground literary genius.jpg”

So she was determined to rely on stickers till the end.

Zhang Shu wished he could see her expression right now. Her ears were probably burning crimson.

That evening, Zhang Shu received a file from Hou Junqi. Even compressed, it was several gigabytes.

Zhang Shu: “What’s this, trying to crash my computer?”

Hou Junqi: “Precious study materials. My exclusive collection. Study up. You're welcome."

Zhang Shu: “Don’t need it.”

Hou Junqi: “Oh ho? So confident? Don't put the condom on inside out when the time comes."

Zhang Shu: “…Get lost.”

Hou Junqi: “I’m serious. The odds are higher than you think. Yang Linyu did exactly that.”

—

After lunch on the 19th, Sheng Xia came downstairs with her packed luggage.

Even for a single-day trip, she brought a 20-inch suitcase. Zhang Shu, however, traveled light with just a backpack slung over his left shoulder. He took her suitcase, held her hand, and led her to the curb to hail a taxi, naturally stating the hotel’s name.

The entire time, they barely spoke or even exchanged glances. Sheng Xia couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Only when she heard the hotel’s name did she blurt out, “We’re taking a taxi straight there?”  

“Mm.”

"We could take a taxi to the station and catch a bus." Though Nanli and Dongzhou were close, a cross-city taxi ride would be pricey!  

“Too much hassle. We’ll be tired tonight. Save your energy.” After Zhang Shu finished speaking, he realized not only was the person in front of him blushing fiercely, but even the taxi driver was eyeing him in the rearview mirror with a knowing smile. 

Zhang Shu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.  

Sheng Xia's expression shifted from surprise, to shyness, to the anxious urgency of "Hurry up and explain something!” It was quite a spectacle. Zhang Shu watched her with great interest.

He had considered explaining, but now? Forget it. Teasing her was way more fun. Wasn't she bold enough when she invited him?

This led to an awkward silence the whole ride. She didn’t even take the water he offered.

At the hotel, after checking in and getting the key card, Sheng Xia finally felt the reality of sharing a room sink in. She started to feel nervous.

The hotel was near the beach, close to the festival venue. Most guests checking in were young couples there for the event.

Watching others confidently hold hands while checking in eased Sheng Xia's tension a little.

The room had sea views on three sides. It was bright and spacious. Sunlight streamed in, and the sea breeze gently stirred the window sheers.

Sheng Xia frowned. "I don’t think I booked this one."  

Zhang Shu said calm. "Front desk upgraded us.”

“How?”

"Probably overbooked the standard rooms.”

Such good fortune? Sheng Xia was skeptical, but her attention was quickly captured by the stunning sea view. Zhang Shu had taken the luggage; she was unburdened and headed straight for the balcony to feel the sea breeze.

The sun at 2 PM was brilliantly white. Sheng Xia stood for a while but couldn't stand the heat. Just as she was about to go back inside, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind. A head nuzzled into the crook of her neck, his hair tickling her. She giggled, shrinking back, only to play into his hands. He cupped her face, tilted it gently, and leaned down to capture her lips in a solid kiss.

A dry kiss.

He just pressed his lips against hers, applying firm pressure, then lightly grazing, shifting to rub against different spots. From her lower lip to the corner of her mouth, from the tip of her nose to her eyelids, then back to her lips, lingering for a while before trailing downward, tracing the line of her neck and the shell of her ear.  

His hands also gradually relaxed, leaving the back of her head, finding her earlobes, gently stroking them, sending vibrations that made her ear canals hum…

Sheng Xia’s whole body tensed.

A dry kiss, yet it felt stickier, damper than any deep, tongue-tangled they'd shared before.

She secretly opened her eyes, catching a glimpse of his soft hair glinting in the sun, the faint blush creeping up his ears… 

She tilted her head back, offering her neck to his slow kisses, her long hair blown into disarray by the sea breeze.

The scorching sun felt like flames. Sheng Xia felt burning all over.

When he finally released her, her neck was sore. He rested his chin on her shoulder, regulating his rapid breathing, his arms tightly encircling her waist, holding her flush against him.  

Sheng Xia could feel another kind of flame burning just as fiercely.

"Want to take a nap or go out for a bite?" he asked in a low voice.  

Still dazed, she managed, "You…can go out?”

A self-deprecating chuckle sounded by her ear. He gently released her, took her hand, and led her back into the room. "I'll order delivery. It should arrive in about an hour if we rest now. We can eat before heading over for ticket check."

“Rest?”

Zhang Shu pulled her down onto the bed with him, shoes still on. He closed his eyes and murmured to himself, "Mn. Rest. Like Xuzhu."

Sheng Xia: …

They lay quietly for a couple of minutes. Then he got up to order food and said, “You sleep for a bit. I'll take a shower. It's hot."

Sheng Xia couldn't sleep anyway. She opened her suitcase to change clothes.

To fit the festival vibe, she’d prepared an outfit.

When Zhang Shu came out of the shower, he saw Sheng Xia in a cropped tee and ultra-short shorts, her hair tied up in a high ponytail, her navel faintly visible. 

A pair of lace-up Martin boots sat beside her, waiting to be slipped on.  

Hearing the sound, Sheng Xia glanced over. He was wearing loose athletic shorts that reached his knees, pulling on a shirt as he walked. The hem of his T-shirt fell, inch by inch, covering the defined ridges of his abs.

She froze. So did he. They stood two meters apart, eyes locked.

Zhang Shu ran a hand through his damp hair, sending out a fine mist of water droplets. He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, giving her a once-over before suddenly pulling her closer, right between his legs. "Whose clothes are you wearing?"

Standing between his legs, Sheng Xia looked down at his wet face, his eyebrows and lashes still glistening with droplets. He was so handsome it was disorienting.

“My own.”

“Bought them specially?”

“Mm.”

Zhang Shu frowned slightly.

Sheng Xia pressed her lips together. "Does it not look good?”

“No,” Zhang Shu glanced at her dazzlingly pale legs. “It’s scorching outside."  

"It’s fine. I don’t tan easily.”

“You’ll burn.”

"I brought sunscreen. Spray-on."  

Zhang Shu was momentarily at a loss. "Alright, then.”

And then he pulled her head down for another breathless kiss.

Earlier, it was her neck craning. Now, it was her bending over. Sheng Xia's neck was exhausted!  

---

After eating, they set off to the music festival venue.

It was Sheng Xia's first music festival. She had done a lot of online research and brought an inflatable sofa, along with various snacks and drinks, only to have everything confiscated at the entrance. In the end, she entered the venue empty-handed.  

“So annoying!” 

Zhang Shu held up his phone, capturing her pouting face. She got angrier and lunged for his phone. He swiftly raised it high, and she crashed into his arms. Zhang Shu laughed heartily, wrapping an arm around her.

"How many times are you gonna use this trick?"  

“It always works, so why stop?” 

He stopped recording, ruffled her hair, and pulled a lollipop from his pocket. “Here.”

Sheng Xia’s eyes lit up. "You still have these?”

"You think the security would frisk my pants pocket?”

“…Do you have more?”

“Nope, any more would be uncivilized.”

He wore a white T-shirt under a light blue long-sleeved shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his mid-forearm.

Sheng Xia felt hot just looking at him. Maybe this is how hot guys operate, what’s a little heat when you can serve up layered fashion?  

As night fell, the beach swarmed with people. Suddenly, a rapid wave of electric guitar sounds surged forth, and the crowd on the beach erupted. The music festival had officially begun.

Sheng Xia reclined on the inflatable sofa Zhang Shu had just bought, completely unaware of what was coming. She’d assumed there would be an announcement first, so when the music suddenly blasted, she startled with a sharp yelp, instinctively throwing herself into his arms. The next second, a pair of warm hands covered her ears.

Once the music settled into a normal volume, Zhang Shu removed his hands. "You okay?"

A few bystanders nearby shot them disapproving glances.

Sheng Xia felt a bit embarrassed and looked apologetically at Zhang Shu. She knew he’d deliberately chosen this spot, far from the main stage and speakers. They had VIP tickets; they could have been right at the front.

"That was a bit sudden, I'm fine now.”

"My ears got a shock too," Zhang Shu rubbed her earlobe, "Don’t force yourself. If it’s not fun, just say the word, we can leave anytime.”

Sheng Xia shook her head. “No way. Your favorite band’s here! And it’s so lively, it'll be fun!”

“It’s my first time too. Two country bumpkins exploring the trendy world together,” Zhang Shu reassured. “Warm-up songs are always rowdy. There’ll be slower ones later.”

Sheng Xia tightened her arms around his waist. Okay then, being bumpkins together sounds pretty great.  

But he had been to so many livehouses and even played in a band himself. How could he be the same as her? He must be just looking out for her feelings.

They sat and listened to song after song. Zhang Shu left once in the middle and returned with snacks.  

Sheng Xia, thoroughly content, suggested, "Your favorite band is coming up next. Let’s move to the VIP area?”

Zhang Shu: "It’s too loud and crowded over there. We’re fine here."  

Sheng Xia insisted, tugging his arm. “Come on!”

Zhang Shu held her hand and they weaved into the crowd of waving arms.

The atmosphere up front was totally different. Everyone was screaming with their whole soul, singing along to nearly every song.

A large-scale outdoor rave.

Sheng Xia wasn’t quite used to it. The mix of body odor, sweat, and perfume around her were dizzying.

Zhang Shu leaned down. “Too crowded? Wanna go back?”

She shook her head.

Zhang Shu suddenly took off his overshirt, shook out the sleeves, and tied it around her waist. Then he squatted down in front of her. “Hop on.”

“Huh?”

"Giving you a chance to ride on my shoulders.”

Sheng Xia was stunned but obeyed, swinging a leg over and settling onto his shoulders, holding his head for balance. He slowly stood up, and her view climbed over the sea of figures, gradually expanding.  

The stage came into full, unobstructed view. Below her stretched a mosaic of colorful heads.  

Wow, the world from a tall person's perspective.

People nearby turned to look, and even the camera crane swung towards them. Sheng Xia suddenly saw herself appear on the big screen.

Cheers and teasing rose from the crowd below, more heads turning as the camera lingered.

Sheng Xia, flustered, looked down at Zhang Shu. “Oh no, what do I do?”

Her shy expression was broadcast for all to see.

"Wave hello. If you hide, the director wins,”

By the time Sheng Xia looked up, the screen had already cut back to the stage because the next band was coming on!

“Your favorite band! A-Shu, can you see from there?”

“I can.”

"Put me down!”

“No.”

On stage, the lead singer introduced the band members. "Enough talk. Everyone, have fun!"

Then, a drumbeat struck, and the performance began.  

“A-Shu, he talks like you!” Sheng Xia shouted, swaying excitedly.

Zhang Shu laughed, tightening his hold on her legs.

This band was clearly the crowd favorite, cheers and sing-alongs erupting all around. Some even waved banners that read: Reserved for The Girl I love The Most.

Sheng Xia felt inexplicably embarrassed.  

As the song ended, the lead singer raised a hand to quiet the crowd. "Alright, for this next one, call the person you like. If they’re here, go ahead and kiss them. If not, look around. Fate might be waiting.”

Without waiting for a reaction, the band eased into the next track. The singer's voice, once wild and unrestrained, shifted into something tender.  

The sea breeze stirred the humid night, hearts set aflutter by the melody.  

The crane camera swept across the crowd, and on the giant screen, couples kissed passionately. Strangers, first startled and shy at being caught on camera, soon gathered the courage to embrace those beside them, the air thick with tenderness and fervor.  

Sheng Xia was captured by the camera again. This time, she didn't hide. She smiled at the lens, then suddenly looked down. "A-Shu, I want to kiss you."

Zhang Shu was stunned by these words, almost losing his balance. The next second, he laughed unrestrainedly and looked up.

Sheng Xia bent down, cradling his head, and pressed her lips to his.

On the screen, an exceptionally beautiful girl sat on the boy's shoulders. A man's shirt tied around her waist covered any risk of exposure. Below the shirt's hem, two slender, pale legs hooked around the boy's sturdy arms.

The boy's profile was sharp and defined. His neck, craned high, showed taut tendons and a prominent Adam's apple. His hand anchored the girl's thigh. Under the camera's strong light, the contrast between the skin tones of his hands and her legs resembled a high-contrast oil painting.

The scene looked like a music festival promotional poster.

“Damn, that guy’s got some core strength!”

"Holy shit, This couple is gorgeous!”

"Incredible. This pair definitely deserves a spot in the 'Best Audience Moments' compilation.”

The crowd erupted in deafening cheers.  

Dozens of phones were raised, snapping photos.  

Sheng Xia’s heart trembled. The camera had already panned away, the screen now showing someone else, yet her heartbeat refused to calm. Did she just kiss him in front of everyone?

Was that really her?

Zhang Shu still had his head tilted back, but unless she bent down, he couldn't see her from this angle.  

But she could see the smile tugging at his lips.

Even as the song ended, it never faded.

---

They left early, but it wasn’t Sheng Xia who suggested it.  

After Zhang Shu's favorite band finished their set, he put her down and whispered in her ear, "Let's go back?"

Sheng Xia bit her lower lip, understanding the look in his eyes, “Mm.”

He took her hand and led her through the crowd, attempting to run across the soft sand. But Sheng Xia's shoes were full of sand, and she couldn't move fast.

Zhang Shu took off his shoes, handed them to her to carry, then scooped her up into his arms. Barefoot, he strode across the scorching sand, steady at first, then faster and faster.

In the elevator. Everything felt like a replay. They stood silently on opposite sides.

Except this time, their hands were tightly clasped.  

“I’m thinking,” Zhang Shu said suddenly.

Sheng Xia couldn’t help but smile. "Oh.”

He was explaining his silence.

“Thinking about what?” she asked, fishing for conversation.

“You.”

Ding. The elevator arrived at their floor. Zhang Shu frantically pressed the open button several times, as if that would make it slide apart faster.

He swiped the key card, held the door open for her to enter first, but seemed to change his mind instantly. Before she could step in, he pulled her back, trapping her between his chest and the wall. He slammed the door shut, braced his hands against the wall, his presence overwhelming her instantly. In the darkness, he accurately found her lips, sucking on her lower lip.

“A-Shu…”

“Hm?”

She tilted her head back, her hands instinctively clinging to his waist. Zhang Shu's movements on her lips intensified, sucking until her lower lip went numb. A soft moan escaped her throat.  

His tongue seized the opportunity to invade, tangling with hers, not allowing any retreat, chasing and sucking. Even this didn't feel enough. He wrapped an arm around her waist, cupped the back of her head, and kissed her more fiercely. Their noses bumped and pressed against each other, he tilted his head to deepen the angle, kissing her harder. 

Yet today, it felt like his heart had been hollowed out. No matter how much he kissed, it couldn’t satiate him. His desire was a bottomless pit.

Sheng Xia also felt today was different. Her body wanted to get infinitely closer to his. Her arms around his waist tightened, pulling him closer. She rose onto her toes to meet his kiss. When he stiffened in surprise, she seized the moment, her tongue slipped past his lips, mimicking him, sucking his lip, teasing his tongue, tangling with his, licking, exploring…  

“Sheng Xia…”

“A-Shu, I want to kiss you.”

Click. The sound of the key card slotting in powered the room.

Light flooded the space, but he reached out, click click click, switching off all but one floor lamp.

Through it all, he never left her lips, his eyes open, watching as she melted into his embrace. At this moment, his blood roared, a wildfire raging out of control.

Sheng Xia felt her body lifted into the air. She wrapped herself around him like an octopus.

Zhang Shu let out a short, breathy laugh. “So clingy? No bones?”

“Mm, none.”

He carried her into the room, peeling off her shoes as he walked.  

His lips found hers again, their tangled kiss sending them tumbling down to the bed… She lay beneath him, legs still hooked around his waist.

He propped himself up on his elbows. His gaze unfocused yet fiercely locked onto her. "Baby, let's try, okay?”

Sheng Xia's eyes traced the handsome contours of his face, her senses filled with his scent.

What was he saying?

She didn't quite catch it, but it sounded nice. She wanted to hear more.

She stared at him, dazed.

Zhang Shu leaned down, his lips brushed her ear as he repeated, "Try. More than just kissing. Okay?"  

Boom.

Something inside Sheng Xia's heart shattered, collapsing thunderously.

He was… asking her... if it is okay.

“Can we? Baby, baby…”

“Baby…”

“Look at me?”

He kept calling to her, covering her with soft kisses, his hot breath sent shivers rippling through her in waves.

“Mhm…” 

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, but it drilled into Zhang Shu's ears, pecking at them, taunting and teasing, urging him to seize it and retaliate with something far less gentle.  

The sea breeze grew wilder as the night deepened, howling past the curtains, whipping and snapping against the window with a furious pitter-patter.

Sheng Xia had diligently applied body lotion for several days. It seemed to have a miraculous effect because he seemed unable to get enough of her, just looking for a long, long time. So long that she finally got annoyed and kicked his face to push him away.

Zhang Shu concluded that the ‘study materials’ Hou Junqi provided were utterly useless.

Because his mind went completely blank. Everything was driven by instinct.

Now he regretted not reviewing them properly, because for the first time in his life, he felt clueless. Talent, in the face of excessive care, failed to manifest at all.

Nervous, clumsy, flustered.

All words that shouldn't belong to Zhang Shu were now etched onto him.

…

After her shower, Sheng Xia lay face down on the pillow, not wanting to move.

The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom, accompanied by a few light, off-key hums.  

He still had the energy to sing?

…

The more she thought about it, the more irritated she got.

When Zhang Shu stepped out of shower, he planted several loud kisses on her face. 

…

He propped himself up on one side. “Where? Where is it broken? Let me see. Didn’t you say you had no bones? How could anything break?”

“Zhang Shu!”

"Hmm?" His eyes crinkled with barely suppressed laughter. "Call again.”

“Zhang… Shu!”

“Good girl.”

He gave her another loud kiss, then settled down contentedly, nuzzled into the crook of her neck with his eyes closed, and gently massaged her hand.

“Let me rub your bones. Sleep.”

His palms were very warm, and the massage felt quite comfortable. Sheng Xia, exhausted, dozed off briefly but suddenly opened her eyes and turned to look at him. Sure enough, he was staring at her unblinkingly. The corners of her lips curled into a soft smile.

"Didn’t you say all your bones were broken? What are you smiling about?"

Sheng Xia pulled the blanket over her eyes.

He tugged it down, persistent. “What’s so funny?”

Her lashes fluttered. "It’s just… Happy birthday, A-Shu.”

Zhang Shu rolled over, propping himself up on his elbows, caging her head, cupping her face. His fingers traced her eyebrows, over and over.

“How are you so beautiful?” he murmured.

Sheng Xia lay still. “You’re beautiful too.”

He smiled, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “You really are the best gift I’ve ever received.”

He played with her hair, smoothing it from her crown to behind her ear. "But that’s not what I mean. You’re not a birthday gift. You’re you.”

Sheng Xia met his gaze. “I know.”

She’d never thought of herself as a gift. She just felt that when the time was right, there was no point in hesitation.  

It just happened to be this day.

“Do you know when I first thought I wanted to marry you?” he asked casually.

Sheng Xia's heart tightened, not so casually. How did the topic jump so drastically?

She didn't guess. He didn't wait for her to speak anyway, continuing on his own, "When you said you could get jealous too.”

Sheng Xia didn’t immediately recall.

He added, “In the hospital.”

At the hospital, she had said, aggrieved, that she got jealous too, that she knew what jealousy felt like.

At that moment, he thought, it wasn’t just liking her anymore. He had to marry this girl.

“Why?” she asked, puzzled. What was special about jealousy?

"Because I wanted to have you, but I was afraid of scaring you away. But as long as you showed even the slightest intention of moving closer to me, I knew I would never let go.”

—

In the early hours of the morning, Sheng Xia woke up, feeling too hot.

She carefully moved his arm away and was about to roll away when she was pulled back again.

She turned her head, thinking he was awake, but his eyes were lightly closed, his breathing long and even. He was still asleep.

She turned to face him. They’d left the floor lamp on last night, and in its glow, she could see him clearly.

Thick, dark eyebrows. Pale, almost translucent eyelids. Long, thick lashes. A straight nose bridge with just the right subtle bump in the middle.  

So handsome.  

Especially his nose. How could someone have such a flawlessly sculpted nose? Whether in profile or front-on, it was a shape even plastic surgery clinics couldn't replicate.

She pulled her hand out from under the covers, flexing her fingers. It didn't feel sore anymore.

As she reached to poke his prominent nose bridge, her gaze was caught by the shiny, delicate chain sparkling on her wrist.

A silver bracelet, with a jasmine flower pendant.

It hadn’t materialized out of thin air, of course.  

It was clearly his birthday. How come he was giving her a gift again?

Sheng Xia leaned in and kissed the tip of his nose.

Zhang Shu stirred, eyes fluttering open, slightly dazed, but his arm instinctively tightened around her. He glanced at the window, but the heavy curtains blocked all light. “Is it morning?”

Sheng Xia shook her head. “No.”

He gave her a drowsy squeeze. "Then sleep a little longer?”

"I'm so hot. Can't you let me go and sleep apart?” she negotiated.

Zhang Shu glanced at her, his expression saying, What kind of nonsense is that? He reached out to adjust the air conditioning control panel on the bedside table, lowering the temperature. Then he completely enveloped her again. "Not hot now."

Sheng Xia squirmed, kicking her legs under the blanket to let some cool air in.

Zhang Shu sighed through his nose. “You woke me up.”

Sheng Xia’s eyes widened.

Oh—

After that, whether she was hot or not, Sheng Xia slept exceptionally deeply. When she woke up, it was already 9 AM.

Her body was free, he wasn’t in bed. She glanced around. The room was empty.

Sheng Xia wanted to get up and wash, but as she rubbed her sore waist, exhaustion washed over her. She slumped back into bed, lazily reaching for her phone to check her messages.  

Both dorm group chats showed 99+ notifications.

University Dorm Group:

Liao Jing: "Still asleep, huh? She’s gonna freak out when she wakes up.”

Zhong Lujie: “Famous overnight.”

Liao Jing: "Save it as your lock screen!”

Confused, Sheng Xia scrolled up.  

It turned out that last night’s Blue Ocean Music Festival had trended on Weibo, and the audience interaction segment had sparked plenty of discussion with their kissing photo generating the most buzz.

It wasn’t exactly viral, but anyone who knew them would recognize them. The literature department’s group chat was filled with people asking if the girl was Sheng Xia.

Even Wu Qiuxuan sent a WeChat: “Sis? You went to Blue Ocean Music Festival? Weren’t you home writing a paper?”

There was no hiding it now. 

Thankfully, this kind of news usually flew under the radar of the older generation.  

The Get Rich Quick Suggestions Exchange Group was even more lively. Sheng Xia almost didn't dare open it.

The first part was all exclamation marks and gushing praise. These girls had clearly gone crazy in the middle of the night.

Further down, it was nothing but tags calling for Sheng Xia’s attention.  

Xin Xiaohe: "Stop tagging her. You really think she has the energy to check her phone right now?"  

Xiaomai: “Waaah! I don't understand, I don't understand!"

Lanlan: “Gone for three hours. Who can go three hours without checking their phone at night?”

Xin Xiaohe: “Three hours? Did Brother Shu take something?”

Tao Zhizhi: "Or... maybe they just fell asleep?”

Xin Xiaohe: “I’d rather believe Brother Shu is exceptionally gifted.”

Xiaomai: “Asleep that early? We started tagging her around nine!”

Nine pm… that was around the time they’d just gotten back.

But, three hours? No, no, not that long.

The whole process had been… eventful. He’d ruined a few of those things, mostly because he couldn’t figure out which way was inside. Either it slipped right off, or it squeezed too tight. 

She didn’t dare look, didn’t dare ask.

Just waited.

Looking back now, it feels a bit awkward, but at the time, all she felt was nerves.  

And this room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides, a balcony on the other, the sea and sky stretching endlessly beyond, was romantic and charming... but if it was for…

She couldn’t have been more embarrassed.

She’d lost count of how many times she’d begged him to close both layers of curtains!  

After that, things went more smoothly. But it still hurt. They could only try other methods. In short, they really did dawdle for most of the night.

She couldn’t bring herself to reply to the message and chose to play dead.

Just then, Zhang Shu came back, carrying a table’s worth of breakfast.

“Woke up?” he asked, settling on the edge of the bed.  

Sheng Xia rolled over. “Can I not?”

“Sure. I’ll extend the room.”

Sheng Xia scrambled up immediately, rushing to wash up. “No, no, I’m up.”

---

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