“When I was young, I didn’t like places like amusement parks. I thought they were childish and a waste of time. But after coming here with you today, I’m starting to see their merits.”
Jiang Qiuyan’s voice was low and melodious, brushing across Shi Yu’s heart like a feather.
“For example, right now…”
Just as she paused, a massive firework erupted, lighting up half the sky and letting Shi Yu see her own face reflected in the Ferris wheel glass.
Cheeks flushed, eyes glazed, tongue peeking slightly past her lips. Any way you looked at it, it was…
Jiang Qiuyan lightly held her chin in one hand, hot breath spilling across the side of her neck. When her wrist turned, there was nothing gentle about it.
“The fireworks will keep going until midnight. We have plenty of time.”
In such a cramped, enclosed space, Shi Yu was entirely at Jiang Qiuyan’s mercy. Even shifting her hips was a luxury.
The pheromones were so dense her vision went white. The fireworks exploding before her eyes blurred, and she couldn’t tell if the buzzing was in her head or real.
By now, the amusement park was deserted. The only two people left were inside the Ferris wheel.
Shi Yu’s face pressed against the glass. Her breath fogged it with a white film, making the fireworks appear even more dreamlike and dazzling.
The fireworks crackled for over two hours, and Jiang Qiuyan never stopped, draining every ounce of her strength until even breathing felt exhausting.
In an open space it would have been one thing, but in such a confined environment, her stamina drained even faster.
Apart from her waist, which Jiang Qiuyan held firmly, Shi Yu’s upper body slumped forward as if boneless. Jiang Qiuyan had no choice but to sit in the seat and let her lean against her.
Shi Yu lay draped over her shoulder. The pine scent infiltrated her nostrils relentlessly, clouding her mind until she opened her mouth and bit down on the gland.
Jiang Qiuyan’s whole body jolted and her hands went still. The instant Shi Yu bit down, she came to her senses. She jerked back and went rigid, waiting for Jiang Qiuyan to blow up.
No matter how lost in the moment she was, she shouldn’t have made that mistake. Jiang Qiuyan was definitely angry now.
The possibility sent a jolt through Shi Yu’s heart. She grabbed Jiang Qiuyan’s arm, gently pressing her forehead to her chest, and said in a small, fragile voice: “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. You can hit me or scold me, but please don’t send me away, okay?”
Jiang Qiuyan looked down at her frail, huddled body, her heart overflowing with helplessness. She hadn’t even said anything yet, and Shi Yu had already convicted herself.
Was she really that unreasonable?
How could she ever bear to hit her or scold her? It was just a gland. So what if it got bitten? She’d only been cautious because she was worried Shi Yu would regret it later. She never imagined the little thing would think she was unwilling.
“If I really did hit you or scold you, shouldn’t you be running as far away as possible? Why are you still thinking about staying by my side? Little Yu, don’t lower your standards for anyone, and don’t swallow your pride for anyone. You deserve the best.”
The fear was still there, and hearing Jiang Qiuyan’s words made Shi Yu’s eyes sting. Tears spilled over.
This crying-easily thing was so annoying. She really didn’t want to cry.
Tears fell onto Jiang Qiuyan’s chest. It felt like she’d been scalded. That patch of skin burned, and something unfamiliar ached and swelled in her heart.
She held Shi Yu tight, pressing her hard against her chest until her ribs ached.
“Well? Your answer?”
Shi Yu raised her head from her embrace. Her eyes were wet, pure and innocent as a newborn fawn.
“I understand.”
As she spoke, tears welled up again, as if they would never run dry.
Truly made of water. Jiang Qiuyan smiled helplessly and held her tighter, her hand absently kneading the soft flesh at her waist. Before she knew it, the caress drifted in a strange direction.
Shi Yu tilted her head up to look at her, misty eyes blank and confused. Even her bewilderment was unbearably cute.
“If comfort won’t work, then I’ll try another way.”
Shi Yu wanted to say she wouldn’t cry again, but Jiang Qiuyan shattered her voice before she could. In this regard, she was always quick.
Shi Yu lay limp and boneless against Jiang Qiuyan’s shoulder, soft whimpers tumbling from her lips, each one driving Jiang Qiuyan wilder, wanting to shake the very soul out of her.
The amusement park had been empty for a while now. The people during the day were actors Jiang Qiuyan had hired. When she’d decided to come, she’d booked out the entire park, but worried Shi Yu would feel burdened if she knew, so she’d made it look like there were just a few visitors.
In other words, this vast amusement park was theirs alone now. They could do whatever they wanted.
Shi Yu was already dazed, whimpering like a newborn kitten. Jiang Qiuyan’s heart melted, yet her appetite only grew, demanding more and more like an insatiable beast.
“This place is great. We should come more often.”
Jiang Qiuyan lifted Shi Yu up to face the window. Her burning chest pressed against Shi Yu’s slender back, the jut of her shoulder blades rubbing against softness in a way that thrilled her inexplicably.
Shi Yu’s upper body pressed against the glass. The cold made her shiver all over, but soon her body heat warmed it, and where skin met glass grew slick.
Just as slick was where she and Jiang Qiuyan met.
She collapsed weakly into Jiang Qiuyan’s arms, her entire body trembling, chest heaving. Her gasps were low and ragged. The tears gathered at the corners of her eyes streaked her cheeks. She was beautiful in a way that felt unreal.
Jiang Qiuyan kissed her eyes gently, licked the tear trails from her cheeks, nuzzled her nose and chin with the tip of her nose, then brought her lips to the soft white skin over Shi Yu’s heart, rubbing tenderly.
Shi Yu’s mind was a fog. It took a long while for her awareness to return. When she noticed Jiang Qiuyan getting restless again, she pressed down on the fuzzy head against her chest.
“Miss Jiang, we should go back.”
Jiang Qiuyan knew exactly what Shi Yu really meant, but she was far from satisfied. There was no way she’d let her off this easily.
“The fireworks aren’t over yet. Wouldn’t it be a waste to go back now?”
Shi Yu opened her mouth to speak, but her lips were covered. Slender fingers kneaded the soft petals, probing inward bit by bit…
“Look. Someone down there is watching us.”