Yang Zimo, seated, experienced an ordeal unlike any she had faced in her twenty-two years. The chair felt as though it were lined with thorns, making her restless and uncomfortable. Several times she considered speaking to Qin Chuan, who sat beside her, to explain, but she worried about others noticing something amiss. Her brother, Yang Conglong, was seated nearby, as were her closest friends from childhood. These individuals went to great lengths to pressure her into drinking, and if they knew she was in a relationship, the entire provincial capital would likely find out. Yang Zimo wished to keep her budding romance private until her relationship with Qin Chuan was firmly established. Furthermore, she realized that if Qin Chuan's status as her boyfriend were to be revealed, it would bring him more harm than good.
Just as Yang Zimo felt flustered and uneasy, a large hand quietly approached the back of her clenched fist under the table and grasped her small hand. Yang Zimo froze instantly, her eyes quickly darting to Qin Chuan beside her. Of everyone at the table, only he dared to do such a thing; even her elder brother, Yang Conglong, would not. As Yang Zimo's gaze met the man beside her, Qin Chuan offered a gentle, sunlit smile. At that moment, Yang Zimo's previously chaotic heart suddenly felt immensely at peace, like a ship that had weathered a storm and found a tranquil harbor. Her face regained its clear and beautiful smile, and she returned to her composed self, engaging in witty banter and playful teasing with her friends.
The birthday banquet, which began at eight in the evening, continued until past ten. Afterward, the group, in high spirits, descended upon a pre-booked nightclub to continue their revelry. Singing, dancing, drinking, and playing games… it was all quite wild. Qin Chuan, seizing an opportune moment when no one was paying attention, exchanged a knowing glance with Teacher Yang. They slipped out of the private room and went outside.
It was late October, and the weather was growing colder, especially in the deep of night. However, the chill helped to quickly clear the heads of those who had been drinking. "Let's take a walk by the Fen River. It's quiet and safe there," Qin Chuan suggested after they left the nightclub. Yang Zimo lowered her head and softly hummed in agreement, her demeanor reverting to that of a gentle and obedient teacher.
The two walked side-by-side towards the shimmering Fen River not far away. On the way, there was a long flight of stairs. Qin Chuan took Teacher Yang's hand, and she did not resist, allowing him to lead her. A few minutes later, they arrived at the riverbank. Qin Chuan took several deep breaths of the fresh air, exclaiming, "This feels wonderful!" Yang Zimo mirrored his actions, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she gazed at the rippling water, her thoughts unknown.
"Xiao Mo, this seems to be our first date like this!" Qin Chuan remarked. "Who... who is dating you? You thick-skinned person!" The usually demure Teacher Yang suddenly became flustered and tried to pull her hand away. However, Qin Chuan gave a firm tug, pulling her entire delicate body into his embrace, his strong arms wrapping around her waist. Yang Zimo struggled, but her strength was no match for his.
"Stop struggling. You are destined to be my woman for this lifetime. Any resistance is futile," a deep voice whispered in her ear as she thrashed, accompanied by a warm breath on her neck. Yang Zimo's skin tingled, and her body went limp, losing all strength. "You... let go of me! You pervert!" "I haven't settled the score with you for what happened last time, and you dare to be indecent with me again!" Teacher Yang’s reprimand was a show of bravado. Fortunately, it was night; otherwise, she feared she might leap into the Fen River before her. Her heart was pounding more fiercely than ever, and her skin felt feverish.
"What did I do last time? You want to settle the score with me?" Qin Chuan teased deliberately. "You..." Yang Zimo gritted her teeth. The scoundrel had done something so outrageous last time, and now he feigned ignorance. It was infuriating. Her anger growing, Yang Zimo lifted her heel and stomped down forcefully. A pained groan immediately came from behind her. "Ouch!" Qin Chuan gasped, but he did not release his grip. "Teacher Yang, is this your revenge?"
"Don't call me Teacher Yang!" Yang Zimo immediately corrected him. For some reason, as her relationship with Qin Chuan grew closer, Yang Zimo found she disliked him calling her that name. Every time Qin Chuan addressed her as 'Teacher Yang,' she felt a sense of shame. "Then what should I call you? Darling, wife, bride, sweetie..." Qin Chuan whispered into Yang Zimo's shoulder, his lips close. "Oh, you..." Yang Zimo felt so shy she wanted to hit him. This scoundrel beside her was becoming increasingly vulgar, his words more unrestrained.
Just as she was preparing to retaliate, her eyes suddenly widened, fixed and unmoving, her mind going blank. Her lips were once again being stolen, the scoundrel behind her imprinting himself upon them in a possessive manner. Yang Zimo was stunned, motionless. All she could see were bright, star-like eyes, filled with deep affection and love, gazing at her without blinking. Yang Zimo gradually became entranced, finding those eyes incredibly beautiful and radiant, like bottomless whirlpools capable of consuming one's consciousness. Drawn by those eyes, she timidly responded.
Late at night, by the rippling Fen River, under the hazy glow of the lights, a gentle breeze blew. The man and woman, tightly embraced, kissed each other passionately, as if trying to merge into one another, to become completely inseparable. After an unknown amount of time, Yang Zimo felt a sense of suffocation and finally had to push away the domineering man beside her. Both gasped for breath, inhaling the fresh air. Qin Chuan's lips held an unconcealed excitement, while Yang Zimo appeared flustered, her face flushed. "Look! Still looking! Do you want another slap?!" she retorted. The last time Qin Chuan had initiated, Yang Zimo had slapped him. This time, he had attacked again, and more brazenly than before. Teacher Yang truly did not know what to do. It seemed she had, this time, been drawn by the scoundrel beside her into doing something incredibly shameful. "Mmm..." Recalling her actions, Yang Zimo was too embarrassed to meet the man's gaze.
"If I could kiss your lips like this every day, I would willingly endure countless slaps," Qin Chuan said with a smile, licking his lips as if savoring the taste. "Pervert!" "I... I want to go home!" Yang Zimo's heart fluttered like a little deer's. She could no longer bear this rogue of a man with his thick skin and turned to leave the dangerous place. However, the moment she made a move, her arm was grabbed. "Teacher Yang, it's still very early. We're just talking this time, I promise I won't do anything excessive again!" "Let go! I really need to go back, or others will find out." Yang Zimo spoke, while inwardly thinking how dangerous the scoundrel before her was. If she stayed any longer, she didn't know how much more she would lose.
"I'm leaving tomorrow..." At this moment, Qin Chuan's words caused Yang Zimo, who was about to leave, to freeze.