The girl's body heat seemed to transfer over to him.
He felt someone breathing on his forehead, like when he was a child and fell, a gentle huff-huff making the pain disappear.
The warm breath carried a faint, truly fragrant scent.
He looked up, his gaze falling on the exposed part of the girl's neck, long and snow-white, so delicate he could see the dark blue veins beneath.
Hastily averting his eyes, He Ji turned his head as if enduring something, his Adam's apple bobbing, the line of his jaw pulled into an incredibly sharp and perfect angle.
After a moment, he exhaled a stale breath, his lips pressed together. He gripped the girl's slender arm and pulled her away slightly.
Shen Yue tilted her head, offering him an unreserved smile. Her dark eyes calmly met He Ji's, her gaze curved and gentle. "This way, it won't hurt anymore."
The young man's pale, refined face showed no emotion. His brows and eyes were indifferent, frighteningly calm, as if completely unmoved.
Yet, the tips of his ears were red enough to bleed.
The surrounding commotion faded, leaving only the sound of their heartbeats.
He put down his pen and raised a hand as if to touch the girl.
Shen Yue was very obedient. She didn't move, her eyes lowered. Her long lashes, like raven feathers, were dark and dense, casting a faint shadow.
His fingers traced from her brow, to her nose, to the corners of her lips.
His fingers suddenly covered hers, his fingertip resting behind her ear. Her earlobe was so soft that He Ji couldn't help but pinch it a few more times.
He Ji's eyes were dark, his lashes lowered, his pupils pitch black.
Unknowingly, He Ji slowly leaned closer, his breath hot, until their noses were almost touching.
"Are you going to kiss me?"
The girl's snow-white, delicate skin seemed to exude a fine, smooth texture like milk under the sunlight.
Her voice was soft, as if she were coqueting.
He Ji jolted violently. Outside the window, cicadas chirped incessantly, and with them came the frantic beat of his heart.
His dark eyes suddenly churned with surging, overwhelming waves.
Shen Yue continued, "Do you like me?"
He Ji felt a wave of heat rush through him, as if an uncontrollable current was crashing within his body.
They were too close. Beneath the fair skin emanated an increasingly rich fragrance, intoxicatingly seductive.
Yet her eyes were clear, innocent, and guileless.
His fingers slowly clenched, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, faintly revealing the rapid flow of blood.
He unconsciously stretched out his neck, wanting to touch those soft lips.
But the girl pulled back slightly.
He Ji's throat bobbed with difficulty. He was stiff as stone, the veins on his forehead bulging as if about to burst. His breath was hot, his heart beating rapidly.
He wanted... to kiss her.
But in the next second, the girl said in her soft, sweet voice:
"Don't like me."
*Don't like me. I'm not good.*
In that instant, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. The scorching heat rapidly dissipated. His already pale face lost all color.
His thin lips were pressed tightly together, his eye sockets slightly reddened.
He lowered his hand, as if at a loss. His hands clasped tightly, then slowly relaxed, finally settling into a calm indifference.
"Have you been to the library these past few days?"
He Ji changed the subject, pretending nothing had happened.
Shen Yue sat back in her chair. She hadn't had time to go to the library recently, but facing He Ji, she was always reluctant to disappoint him.
So she lied again.
"Yes, I go every day."
He Ji looked down at the problems but couldn't focus on any of them. He lowered his head calmly, stray hairs obscuring his eyelids, his emotions as unreadable as ever.
He wasn't looking at Shen Yue.
"If there's anything you don't understand, you can come to me."
He Ji knew Shen Yue didn't like him, and that was fine. He wanted Shen Yue to be better, in every sense of the word. Shen Yue deserved the best.
Shen Yue looked at He Ji, speechless.
Because beneath his cold, calm exterior, she saw warmth.
She hadn't felt warmth for a long time.
She called out.
"He Ji."
He Ji subconsciously turned to look at her.
He gazed into those dark eyes. Even at this close distance, his clear, glass-like eyes held no reflection of himself.
Shen Yue was smiling. A faint curve touched her lips, and her dimples appeared.
"Thank you."
The smell in the ward wasn't pleasant, a strong scent of disinfectant. The air conditioning had been on for a long time, bringing a coolness that dispelled the heat.
The white curtain billowed in the breeze, as if carrying a sense of reluctance.
He Ji's throat moved. He reached out and gently touched her cheek, looking down at her quietly. "Mm..."
He withdrew his hand, his fingertips still retaining the soft, delicate sensation. The thin lips he had been pressing together curved slightly, revealing a subtle smile.
It looked a little silly.
"You're welcome."
They met each other's gaze, then looked away.
The young man lowered his head to look at the problems again, but after a long, long time, he hadn't turned the page.
Shen Yue went to the hospital to see He Ji every day after class. They would do homework together, and she would ask He Ji for help with anything she didn't understand.
In the quiet ward, only the sound of pens on paper could be heard. The years were peaceful, the atmosphere comfortable.
He Ji's injury wasn't severe, but he had injured his head and still needed to stay in the hospital for observation for a few more days.
Today was Shen Yue's turn for cleaning duty. She finished early, tidied her homework, and prepared to go to the hospital.
But as soon as she stepped out of the classroom, she saw a tall figure leaning against the corridor.
Jiang Wei had sharp features, broad shoulders, and a narrow waist. His hair was short, giving him an aggressive aura.
He curved his lips, exuding a roguish, bad-boy charm.
She didn't know how long he had been standing there.
Jiang Wei rarely lowered himself to come find her; he would usually call or send a message.
Shen Yue felt that she probably wouldn't be able to go to the hospital to accompany He Ji with his homework today.
She walked over quietly, her long lashes lowered.
Jiang Wei was tall and upright. He had one leg bent, then straightened it.
He intimately pinched the girl's soft, tender cheek. As he drew closer, she smelled the distinct scent of tobacco on him.
"My friend just opened a bar. I'll take you to see it."
It wasn't a question, but a statement.
The new bar was located in the most bustling area, elegantly decorated with sophistication. Under the dim lighting, the music was soothing, easily numbing one's senses.
It was packed on the first day.
They walked in without any obstruction.
This was Jiang Wei's first time here as well. A dedicated server waited at the entrance and, upon seeing Jiang Wei, led the way.
Several people were sitting on a redwood sofa. They had likely been there for some time. Upon seeing Jiang Wei, they teased, "Jiang Wei, why are you so late?"
Jiang Wei ignored them. He tugged her and pushed her to the inner side of the sofa. He knew Shen Yue hadn't eaten yet. "Yueyue, look and see what you want to eat. Just order anything."
There was a QR code here for automatic scan-and-order.