Chapter 4

Shen Zhirou’s gaze involuntarily drifted to Lu Yao’s right shoulder. The black silk strap had slipped lazily to one side, leaving a faint pink mark etched into the fair skin there. It was impossible to look away.

Lu Yao seemed to notice Shen Zhirou’s stare. She glanced at her own shoulder before fixing her eyes directly on Shen Zhirou. Her eyelashes, delicate as cicada wings, fluttered lightly, and her voice carried a lazy lilt. “Why are you still standing there? Come to bed.”

“Okay.” Shen Zhirou felt as though Lu Yao had scalded her. Her slender fingers clenched tightly together. She hadn’t expected to end up living with Lu Yao—sharing a bed, no less—on her very first day moving in.

Shen Zhirou perched on the edge of the bed. The mattress sank deeply beneath her on the right side. She hadn’t realized just how soft the bed in Lu Yao’s bedroom was and nearly toppled over. She steadied herself quickly and sat up straight.

Lu Yao lay on her side, propped up on one elbow, her gaze drifting leisurely over Shen Zhirou. “I’m not used to hard mattresses, so this one’s extra soft. What about you? Do you have a preference?”

The voice came from behind her, warmer and softer than the cool detachment Lu Yao had shown during the day.

Shen Zhirou lay flat on the bed, propping herself up neatly, her body sinking slightly into the plush surface. “The one in my old apartment was a firm palm-fiber mattress, but it’s no big deal. I can sleep on anything, soft or hard.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried you might not like it.” Lu Yao’s eyes lingered on Shen Zhirou. She reached out to poke the quilt between them, a light chuckle escaping her lips. “Why won’t you look at me? Are you too tired and ready to sleep?”

“No—if you want to talk, I’ll stay up with you.” Shen Zhirou had lain flat out of sheer shyness. This was the first time she’d shared a bed with a girl she liked. Her ear tips and the sides of her cheeks burned red, and she was terrified Lu Yao would notice. But with Lu Yao pointing it out, staying flat on her back felt downright rude.

With that in mind, Shen Zhirou gritted her teeth and rolled onto her side to face her. As her eyes met Lu Yao’s, they drifted once more to the pale curve of her shoulder, sending fresh heat flooding her face.

Lu Yao held Shen Zhirou’s gaze steadily for several seconds. Shen Zhirou grew flustered first and looked away.

A subtle smile curved Lu Yao’s lips, the amusement in her eyes deepening. She reached out to gently stroke the side of Shen Zhirou’s face, her voice soft. “Why won’t you look at me?”

Lu Yao’s thin lips parted in a faint smile, her hazel eyes softened from their daytime sharpness, now glowing with a gentle light. Shen Zhirou stole one glance and felt herself falling into them. The skin along her cheek, pressed against Lu Yao’s palm, burned hot.

Shen Zhirou opted for honesty. “I’m just a little embarrassed. Like I said, this is my first relationship, and we’ve only known each other a few days. I’m still getting used to it.”

Lu Yao’s brows twitched faintly at the word “relationship,” but the moment passed. The mood tonight was too perfect to spoil over something so minor.

She summoned a warm, shallow smile and propped herself up, scooting closer to Shen Zhirou. The strap on her right shoulder still dangled carelessly, but Lu Yao seemed blissfully unaware—or unconcerned.

“Not used to it yet? Let me help.” Her thin lips curved playfully. Her slender wrist braced against the soft mattress as she leaned in closer still. The light quilt slipped from her body, baring the snowy expanse of her shoulder and neck.

Shen Zhirou could hear nothing now but the thunderous drum of her own heartbeat, each thump louder than the last.

Moments later, Lu Yao’s breath ghosted nearer until a warm, soft touch brushed her lips—a fleeting kiss, gone in an instant.

“Feeling better now?” Lu Yao’s voice was velvet-soft, laced with an intoxicating allure that hooked deep.

Shen Zhirou’s ears glowed crimson. This situation was beyond anything she’d imagined. They’d met only twice, and here they were: living together, sharing a bed, and now kissing—even if it had been the barest graze. Dazed, she hadn’t even registered the question, simply staring at Lu Yao, who reclined against the pillow with a tender gaze.

Amusement sparkled brighter in Lu Yao’s eyes. She let her gaze linger on Shen Zhirou’s clear, gentle ones before drifting lower, settling on her lips. They were fuller than Lu Yao’s own thin ones.

Lu Yao’s tongue darted out unconsciously, savoring the memory of that brief contact. Seeing Shen Zhirou still lost in a stupor, she chuckled softly. “Still not used to it? Shall we try again?”

After saying that, Lu Yao leaned in once more, pressing her thin lips to Shen Zhirou’s. This time, though, she didn’t pull away in haste. Instead, she gazed into Shen Zhirou’s eyes and deepened the kiss.

It was Shen Zhirou’s first kiss, and her technique was clumsy at best. Lu Yao wasn’t much smoother. They fumbled like toddlers taking their first steps, stumbling through it. But after a few attempts, they began to find their rhythm. At last, Shen Zhirou understood why lovers were so fond of kissing.

The pleasure it brought was a bone-deep delight, one that sent the heart racing without conscious thought.

When the kiss finally broke, a faint pink tint crept into the corners of Lu Yao’s eyes. Breathless, she drew back just a little before nestling into Shen Zhirou’s embrace.

Lu Yao lounged lazily in Shen Zhirou’s arms, her eyelids half-lowered as she peered up at her, her voice soft and wheedling. “Jie Jie, shall we try something else?”

“Something else? Like what?” It was only after the words left her mouth that Shen Zhirou realized their implication. Her face heated up, and she couldn’t quite meet Lu Yao’s gaze.

Lu Yao lifted her eyes to Shen Zhirou and caught the shy flush on her cheeks. A flicker of uncertainty stirred in her heart. Her lashes fluttered delicately, like the wings of a cicada, as if she were mulling something over. Then her warm, gentle tone sounded again. “Jie Jie, I forgot to ask during our first two meetings. From now on, could you be on top? I’m not great with stamina, and I hate getting tired.”

Shen Zhirou froze at Lu Yao’s words, her entire body flushing as if steamed alive. It took her a long moment to stammer a reply. “O-okay. I’ll… I’ll do my best.”

Lu Yao pushed herself up slightly from Shen Zhirou’s body. The strap of her nightgown slipped even lower on that side, but she didn’t seem to care. She melted bonelessly back into Shen Zhirou’s arms. “Then, to celebrate our first day together, we should do something special, don’t you think, fiancée?”

Lu Yao’s skin was snow-white and exquisitely smooth, so dazzling that Shen Zhirou couldn’t bear to glance toward her right shoulder. She fixed her eyes on Lu Yao’s instead. With genuine bewilderment, as if she truly had no idea, she asked, “Like what?”

Propping herself up felt too taxing, so Lu Yao sank softly back into Shen Zhirou’s embrace. Her pink, delicate lips brushed close to Shen Zhirou’s ear in a tone that was half reminder, half tease. “Like what we just discussed. Things like this take time and practice to mesh perfectly together.”

Shen Zhirou’s heart had already been pounding, but Lu Yao’s words sent it into overdrive. The warm puff of her breath against Shen Zhirou’s ear made it quiver faintly, as if unable to bear the sensation.

Lu Yao spotted those tiny tremors and deliberately tweaked Shen Zhirou’s reddened earlobe with her fingertip, chuckling lightly. “Jie Jie, your ears are all red.”

Shen Zhirou squeezed her eyes shut and drew in several deep breaths before she felt a little steadier. She’d never been in a relationship before. Was this how it always started for others—so intense right from the jump?

Lu Yao, seeing her fall silent, turned her face into the soft hollow of Shen Zhirou’s neck and whined gently. “Jie Jie, this position isn’t comfy for sleeping. Can we try with you on top?”

Shen Zhirou agreed almost on instinct, without a moment’s thought. And Lu Yao was true to her word about her stamina—she clearly had no intention of exerting herself. Her gaze locked intently on Shen Zhirou now, a silent cue for her to be lifted and laid beneath. Blushing to her roots, Shen Zhirou did as bid.

Once Lu Yao lay contentedly below, she coaxed Shen Zhirou into taking the lead with a kiss. Her ear tips burning, Shen Zhirou leaned down to oblige.

To Shen Zhirou, Lu Yao seemed transformed the moment they reached the bed. The cool aloofness she wore by day peeled away layer by layer, revealing a sly, foxy charm that held the gaze captive. How could it not, especially for Shen Zhirou, whose first girlfriend this was?

Lu Yao guided Shen Zhirou’s hand lower, a thin mist gathering in her eyes. The little red mole at her collarbone gleamed all the more vividly. Feeling the warmth beneath her palm, Shen Zhirou fixed her stare on that dainty mark and bent to kiss it.

Time slipped by unnoticed. The sounds filling the room faded into quiet. Shen Zhirou rose, slipped her nightgown back on, and fetched a warm, damp towel from the bathroom. She gently wiped Lu Yao clean before taking a quick rinse herself and returning to the yielding softness of the bed.

Even with her eyes closed, Lu Yao burrowed instinctively toward Shen Zhirou’s warmth amid the plush bedding. She settled there at last, her breaths evening out into steady rhythm.

Shen Zhirou gazed at the person nestled in her arms, feeling as though everything that had happened today was nothing more than a dream. She was truly together with Lu Yao now, and their relationship had progressed with astonishing speed. For a moment, her heart fluttered wildly, as if a herd of adorable little deer with dainty antlers were bounding about inside it—now bursting with irrepressible joy, now burning with an inexplicable heat in her chest. Excitement kept her wide awake.

She had no idea how long this euphoric state persisted before she finally drifted off to sleep, still cradling Lu Yao in her arms.

At six o’clock the next morning, Shen Zhirou’s internal clock stirred her awake as usual. She had always been an early riser, accustomed to preparing breakfast in her small apartment.

When she opened her eyes, Lu Yao was still sleeping soundly in her embrace. Shen Zhirou planted a gentle kiss on the side of her face, then carefully eased her onto the bed, handling her with the utmost tenderness, as if she were the rarest treasure in the world.

Shen Zhirou’s steps were lighter and more buoyant than usual as she moved about. The only minor discomfort was a dull ache in her right wrist. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she mused that it would probably fade once she grew more accustomed to it.