Chapter 118: If You Want a Kiss, Just Say So

Carrying a small backpack, Lu Qingyue headed downstairs, running right into Zou Xue and Lin Min'er, who were just returning from dinner.

Seeing her backpack, Lin Min'er asked casually, "Where are you going?"

Lu Qingyue replied, "Oh, I'm going home for a couple of days. I'll be back after the holiday."

Zou Xue sighed. "Fang Yang went back too. It's just Min'er and me left for the Mid-Autumn Festival. I really envy you locals."

Lu Qingyue smiled and said, "Don't envy me. What do you guys want to eat? I'll bring some back for you in a couple of days!"

Lin Min'er said, "Oh, I'd feel so bad! But I want snow daifuku and cream puffs."

Lu Qingyue: "..." *Well, you certainly don't look embarrassed.*

Still, she had already planned to bring her roommates some treats, so she nodded and promised, "Sure, I'll definitely remember!"

Saying goodbye to her roommates, Lu Qingyue went downstairs. Cheng Xingye's car was already parked on the roadside nearby.

On the eve of the holiday, everyone who could go home had left, and those who couldn't had gone out to have fun. The vast campus was empty. He stood leaning against the car door, his solitary figure exuding a cool, detached air.

Lu Qingyue felt that it was only natural for someone like him to have countless admirers. Yet, this very man now belonged to her.

Feeling smug, Lu Qingyue walked toward him with her backpack. As if they shared a telepathic connection, he looked up and met her gaze before she could even get close.

Their eyes locked. A fleeting trace of guilt seemed to flicker in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by his usual composure as he opened his arms to her.

Lu Qingyue instantly ran to him like a little deer, throwing herself straight into his arms.

"Cheng Xingye!"

Her soft body pressed against his chest. Cheng Xingye wrapped one arm around her waist, gave a casual hum, and leaned down to kiss the crown of her head.

His little troublemaker was perfect in every way, except for being a bit too clingy. Only someone with his patient temper could handle her.

Unaware of his thoughts, Lu Qingyue looked up from his embrace and asked with a pout, "Why didn't you come to watch our parade this afternoon?"

He had only just told her last night that he had no classes this afternoon and would come early to watch their parade. In the end, she had waited eagerly all afternoon but never saw him.

At the mention of the afternoon, Cheng Xingye's expression hardened for a split second. The mere thought of his darling being lusted after by such a disgusting person made his stomach turn with revulsion.

Quietly tightening his embrace, he pressed his palm against her lower back and replied casually, "Something came up."

Lu Qingyue offered an "Oh." Without asking for details, she wrapped her arms around his waist and asked, "So, where are we going now?"

It was still early. Since they finally had time off for the holidays, she wanted to spend a little more time with him and wasn't in a hurry to go home.

Looking into her clear, expectant eyes, Cheng Xingye's lips curved slightly. "Where do you want to go?" he asked in a lazy voice.

Lu Qingyue thought for a moment, then said in all seriousness, "I don't really have a specific place in mind. How about we go to your place to watch a movie?"

Mostly, she wanted to be alone with him so she could sneakily get up to some mischief.

How could Cheng Xingye not see through her little scheme?

She had been eyeing his legs even before they officially started dating. If he didn't satisfy her curiosity, she probably wouldn't let the matter rest.

Knowing he was the fish on the chopping block and she was the eager chef, he knew that bringing her home would inevitably lead to her taking advantage of him.

The palm resting against her lower back shifted slightly, his fingertips brushing against her skin. He cast a casual glance at her, his eyes filled with a teasing, alluring playfulness. "Alright."

...

In the bustling city center, high-rises towered, their windows reflecting the brilliant lights of the office buildings opposite them.

Wearing pink rabbit slippers, Lu Qingyue squatted excitedly in front of the French window alongside Hoshino, looking out at the dazzling night view.

Cheng Xingye sat on the sofa scrolling through movies with the remote. Seeing her lingering by the window with the dog for so long, he couldn't help but ask, "What do you want to watch?"

Lu Qingyue finally turned around. Seeing him sitting casually on the sofa with his legs spread wide, she walked over and sat down right next to him.

"A romance?"

"An action movie?"

They spoke at the exact same time, both pausing in surprise.

Since they were going to watch a movie, the overhead lights were turned off. The warm, dim glow of the wall sconces enveloped them, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere.

The sharp, clean lines of his profile and the prominent curve of his Adam's apple looked exceptionally sexy and alluring under the soft light.

Lu Qingyue met his gaze, a mischievous glint suddenly flashing in her eyes.

But before she could speak, Cheng Xingye anticipated her next words and cut her off. "We are not watching any 'romantic action' movies."

Lu Qingyue: "..."

She gasped in surprise, "How did you know what I was going to say?!"

Cheng Xingye was utterly speechless. How could someone so young have a mind so thoroughly filled with dirty thoughts?

He glared at her, exasperated, wishing he could flick her forehead. "What on earth goes on inside that little head of yours all day?"

Lu Qingyue giggled. Far from being embarrassed at being caught, she said mischievously, "It's filled with things you like."

Cheng Xingye knew that the word "surrender" simply did not exist in her vocabulary.

Both amused and exasperated, he didn't bother arguing. He selected a thriller, tossed the remote aside, and pulled her close with his free arm. "We're watching this. It'll keep your mind from wandering."

Lu Qingyue muttered an "Oh." But when she turned to the screen, it transitioned into a gruesome murder scene. The lifeless, wide-open eyes of a dead girl happened to stare right back at her.

Her scalp went numb instantly. Sure enough, all romantic notions vanished, and she sat up straight, behaving herself.

Cheng Xingye glanced at her. Seeing her sitting as stiffly as a primary school student, with both hands resting obediently on her knees, he suddenly found her incredibly funny and cute.

She looked so innocent and well-behaved, so why was her head packed with so much dirty nonsense?

Unable to wrap his head around it, he couldn't help but stare at her profile for a long moment.

Truth be told, he didn't care much about the movie either. He had only brought her home to spend more time with her.

Paying no attention to the screen, he leaned over, grabbed a bottle of soda, and popped it open. With a sharp fizz, a sweet, misty aroma burst into the air.

He leaned back lazily against the sofa, tilting his head to take a sip. The clean lines of his neck were exposed, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed.

Hearing the sound, Lu Qingyue turned around and stared curiously at his Adam's apple. "What are you drinking?"

Thinking she wanted some, Cheng Xingye gestured toward the coffee table with a tilt of his chin. "Soda. There's some on the table."

But the little troublemaker knelt on the sofa and leaned in close. Staring at his lips, she said with bold directness, "I don't want the one on the table. I want to drink the one in your mouth."

Cheng Xingye paused, lifting his gaze to meet hers.

She spoke with a serious face, yet her tone carried an undeniable, teasing provocation.

The light from the television screen flared, illuminating her pale, delicate face.

That spark of light reflected in his eyes, morphing into an unquenchable ember.

A trace of heat and quiet desire pooled in his eyes as he stared at her. Their gazes locked, both harboring a burning warmth.

Lu Qingyue's throat went dry. Just as she was about to admit defeat under his dangerously intense gaze, her waist was suddenly gripped, and she was pulled onto his lap before she could react.

Enveloped by his clean, cool scent, he leaned in close. His low, husky voice carried a knowing laugh. "If you want a kiss, just say so."