She turned abruptly, like a startled rabbit, with her head down, almost fleeing to the roadside.

"Tap, tap, tap——"

Steady footsteps sounded from behind.

"I’ll take you home." Tang Song’s voice was affectionate and gentle, with an undeniable undertone.

Zhang Yan’s body stiffened, stammering, "No, no need, it’s late, I can..."

Before she finished speaking, a warm, large hand reached over again, tightly holding hers.

Tang Song, heedless, held her hand and hailed a taxi by the roadside.

Inside the car, the dim light enveloped their figures. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Zhang Yan kept her head down, turning sideways, wishing she could curl into a ball and hide in the seat’s crevice.

The Zhang Yan who had just transformed into a "Super Saiyan" seemed to have fallen back down.

Tang Song leaned against the seatback, watching her with a smile at the corner of his lips.

All the way, the air was unusually quiet.

The car slowly stopped at the Lanxin Garden District entrance.

Tang Song walked her all the way to the entrance of the apartment building.

The two stood under that familiar dim streetlamp, silent in each other’s presence.

The atmosphere was not as awkward as before, instead carrying a subtle hint of ambiguity.

"I’ll go to the company tomorrow to resign." Zhang Yan finally plucked up the courage to break the silence, "Then to the hospital, the test results should be out soon. In the coming days, I’ll have to evaluate surgery, so... I might take a few days off from work."

She spoke with her head down, seemingly reporting her itinerary.

"Mm, no rush, take care of your things first." Tang Song’s voice was warm and soft, he couldn’t help but reach out to rub her head again.

Zhang Yan’s hair was very smooth, the standard collarbone length with a slight natural curl, it felt great to touch.

The comfort made him somewhat reluctant to let go.

Zhang Yan’s body stiffened slightly, biting her lip, yet did not pull away.

"When you leave Yang City... let me know." She said softly, her tone carrying an imperceptible hint of dependence.

"Mm, don’t worry." Tang Song’s hand slid down naturally, gently patting her shoulder, "Before I leave, I’ll definitely come to see you and Auntie."

"Thank you, Tang Song, for these days..."

"No need to thank me."

Silence prevailed again, leaving only the sound of the night wind rustling through the tall banyan trees in the old neighborhood.

"I, I’m going up." Zhang Yan could no longer hold on, shyly lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum.

"Zhang Yan."

Tang Song suddenly called her name.

"Mm? Wh... what’s wrong?" She seemed to wake up, slowly raising her head.

The streetlamp’s warm light spread a gentle glow in his deep eyes.

He was really good-looking.

Zhang Yan instinctively put her hands behind her back, her fingertips nervously twisting.

"I like you."

His voice was light, but it directly pierced through all of Zhang Yan’s defenses, harshly hitting her heart.

Her beautiful almond-shaped eyes became dazed and misty, instantly losing focus.

Immediately, his face grew larger in her pupils.

Occupying her entire world.

Zhang Yan’s long eyelashes fluttered, instinctively stepping back.

But there was a strong, powerful hand around her waist, holding her firmly.

The hot breath sprayed onto her face, ticklish.

His clean scent wrapped around her.

Zhang Yan squeezed her eyes shut, her lashes trembling slightly, waiting for the damp touch on her cheek.

Her mind was filled with Tang Song’s earlier words.

He likes me... he likes me...

This was more unreal than any dream.

However, the next second, a warm sucking sensation came from her lips.

"Mmh——"

A sudden low hum escaped her throat, swallowed completely by his lips and teeth.

Zhang Yan unbelievably opened her eyes, filled with shock and bewilderment.

Tang Song gently kissed her lips, breathing in the unique scent of her body mixed with the fragrance of shower gel.

He could clearly sense her body’s stiffness and the uncontrollable slight tremble, as well as the softness and innocence of her lips.

The feeling of this moment’s kiss was like the memory of a carefree summer afternoon bathed in sunshine.

Pure, clean, with a hint of heart-thumping, awkward sweetness.

This stirred up a strong sense of protectiveness and possessiveness in him.

Zhang Yan’s mind was blank, her body turned hot and soft.

Her fingers unconsciously clenched his clothing hem, her legs went weak, her whole body leaned against his solid chest.

The world began to spin and whirl.

Countless dazzling fireworks blossomed before her eyes.