★, Chapter Thirty-One
During dinner, without Lin Feifei’s presence, An Xi and Yan Qing enjoyed themselves, with a very pleasant atmosphere.
After eating, An Xi wiped her mouth with a napkin, looking at the empty plate in front of her with a “seeking praise” expression, saying: “How was it? See how economical I am!”
“Mm, looks like you’re easy to take care of,” Yan Qing nodded supportively, using his fork to eat the last broccoli on his plate.
“By the way, Yan Qing…” An Xi recalled what the counselor said in class a few days ago, her expression turning somewhat melancholic.
“What’s wrong?” Yan Qing put down his fork, propping his chin with his hand.
“The specific time and location for our senior year sketching trip has been decided,” An Xi sighed, “It’s in mid-October this year, going to Y City for twelve days of sketching.”
“Y City?” Yan Qing immediately understood why An Xi looked so dejected.
Although Y City is spring-like all year round, with famous scenery, and its folk customs are very suitable for art students to sketch, but… it’s far from their city, and the school’s budget probably won’t make their trip very comfortable.
“Sitting on a train for twenty-seven hours and thirty-eight minutes… and not even providing three meals…” Seeing how precisely she remembered this time, one could feel her deep resentment.
“Like that…” Yan Qing squinted, thinking about something.
“There are still five months… Five months and I’ll have to go…” An Xi moaned, lying on the table.
“…Did you go last life?” Yan Qing thought, in his memory, An Xi from the last life didn’t seem to have gone to Y City…
“Last life we sketched in our own city… I don’t know why this time it changed to Y City!”
An Xi bit the straw in front of her, trying to suck something from the bottom of an already empty cup… The milk tea here was really good, just too small in portion!
“…Oh?” Yan Qing pushed his untouched milk tea towards An Xi, “Help me drink it! It’s too sweet.”
“…You clearly haven’t even tasted it,” An Xi mumbled, pouring some of Yan Qing’s tea into her cup and pushing it back, “Don’t spoil me so much… What if I become arrogant! Try it… it’s really delicious.”
“It’s fine.” Yan Qing curved his mouth, obediently biting the straw and drinking.
Indeed, just as he thought, it was a bit too sweet… But he would still finish it.
“I still really don’t want to go to Y City…
After discussing the milk tea matter, An Xi collapsed on the table with whimpers. “…Remember to take more photos and send them to me.” Yan Qing finished the milk tea, wiped his mouth, “This is a special assignment for you, don’t try to fool me with landscape photos.” “…” But the teacher’s assignment was precisely twenty landscape photos and ten sketches! And, she really wanted to see his reaction if she sent a photo with just one little duck… Oh, right! An Xi raised her eyes, “When I’m not around, don’t let Lin Feifei catch a ride with you, and don’t talk to Lin Feifei alone.” “Not even talking? An Xi is so domineering.” He was clearly overjoyed inside, but his expression remained only with a faint smile. His expression would not change much, usually using his signature “cool face” when facing others. This was a habit from his previous life because he was afraid An Xi would discover his feelings for her… and thus distance herself… which would drive him crazy. “Are you unwilling?” An Xi hearing this, immediately raised her head high, eyes wide open. Perhaps she wanted to look like a “tiger”, but looked more like a fluffy cat. “How could I…” Yan Qing grabbed An Xi’s left hand on the table and played with it, “Absolutely not a single word!” “…” Inexplicably feeling his tone was like coaxing a child. An Xi blushed, forcing herself to add: “Promise!” “Of course.” Yan Qing idly traced his index finger in her palm. Lin Feifei could only stay in the company this long by relying on her cousin Xiao Ran… He Yan Qing not throwing out this “vase” was already generous enough. “…” An Xi, no longer maintaining her “apple-red face”, withdrew her hand and stood up, tilting her head: “Let’s go back!” “Mm! Going back.” Yan Qing also stood, naturally pulling An Xi’s hand as they walked out. Actually, Yan Qing was not someone who “publicly displays affection”, but now they were being so obvious because just twenty minutes ago, he discovered Lin Feifei following them nearby… Though he didn’t want to affect the meal’s atmosphere, so he didn’t tell An Xi… but her behavior made Yan Qing feel somewhat uneasy. ——Most importantly, he was worried about what this kind of Lin Feifei might do to An Xi when she was occasionally alone.
Not knowing if Lin Feifei had followed, Yan Qing drove, circling several times in the city before sending An Xi back. An Xi in the passenger seat was curious why he was driving in circles, and Yan Qing just softly said “I don’t want to be apart from you so quickly, so… let’s drive around a bit”, which instantly melted An Xi, making her sit quietly, her heart full of emotion… Finally, after ensuring no suspicious vehicles were behind, Yan Qing sent An Xi back. An Xi in the passenger seat hung her head, lost in thought. “We’re here… or is An Xi also reluctant to leave me?” Seeing An Xi not moving for a long time, Yan Qing turned off the engine and spoke. “The upcoming classes are from afternoon until evening.” Morning practice means I can’t come find you… “During the break, I have to help take care of Jiang Xin…” So during the break, I can’t meet you either… “Weekends are for catching up on coursework…” So, I absolutely can’t see you on weekends… ——An Xi, head down, spoke in a discouraged tone. Perhaps until the sketching trip was over, she’d have a chance to properly meet Yan Qing… “…” Yan Qing didn’t speak, because he also knew he would be busy, maybe just as An Xi said. “So…” An Xi’s head dropped even lower. “So?” Yan Qing leaned closer, because An Xi’s voice had grown softer. “Chirp~!” “…” An Xi moved quickly, like a foraging little bird, lightly pecking his mouth corner. In the quiet car, it could be clearly heard… In this not-so-bright place, Yan Qing couldn’t help but use the back of his hand to touch where An Xi had just pecked. He had never actively kissed anyone, nor let anyone other than An Xi get close… So, he felt his current mood was truly complex. Surprise, shock, joy, shyness… Several emotions rushed to his heart simultaneously. He must be blushing, but fortunately… it wasn’t bright here, and An Xi wouldn’t see his expression clearly… Thinking this, Yan Qing looked at An Xi, and was instantly overwhelmed by an “amusing” emotion. He guessed… An Xi wanted to suddenly “attack”, then quickly exit the car and run home, then send him a provocative message saying “So, I’ve claimed your first kiss”, like that. But looking at An Xi desperately pressing the seatbelt release, with a face about to cry… she had clearly failed at the second step… ——Yes, the seatbelt was stuck. “…” Feeling Yan Qing’s gaze, An Xi stopped for two seconds, then quickly lowered her head, pressing the seatbelt release even faster… “Pfft…” Yan Qing couldn’t help but laugh, then one hand propped against the car window behind An Xi, the other holding her head, doing the thing he had simulated in his mind countless times. “…You kissed the wrong spot just now… Let me teach you…
An Xi blushed, completely motionless. Yan Qing’s hand on the back of her head was very gentle… but she just couldn’t break free! The gradually approaching lips completely dissolved her remaining resistance into foam… He wasn’t eager, just patiently and gently deepening the kiss…
“Got it?”
Ten seconds later, Yan Qing slightly pulled back and whispered softly.
“…”
