What is this?

Zhou Wang actually wanted to ask the same question.

His perspective was probably the most bewildered.

First, for some unknown reason, Qu Peining suddenly collapsed to the ground, and then he felt Jiang Mubai swiftly move away from him, followed by Qu Peining suddenly getting close to him.

How close was she?

Qu Peining instinctively used her arm to balance herself, resting it on his thigh, and her face was so close that he could hear her breathing.

Yes, truly "audible breathing."

Zhou Wang could feel her rapid breath, like a gentle breeze, blowing rhythmically against his body.

Meanwhile, Qu Peining could also smell the scent emanating from Zhou Wang.

It’s hard to describe.

But it seemed to include some of Jiang Mubai’s cosmetic scent, making the whole aroma strange.

Even though Qu Peining was naive and inexperienced, she had occasionally seen related materials online or on her roommate’s phone or computer.

So she immediately understood what was flaunting itself towards her.

Qu Peining had no idea how to react; the enormous impact left her squatting dumbfounded, her eyes wide open.

It’s a pity Zhou Wang couldn’t see her expression right now; otherwise, he might have found it cute.

However... although Zhou Wang couldn’t see Qu Peining’s expression, he could still sense something else.

For instance, at least ten seconds had passed, and yet Qu Peining showed no intention of distancing herself from him.

Not only that, but Zhou Wang could feel her increasingly rapid breaths; if initially it was like a breeze, now it felt like a small blower, stirring Zhou Wang’s heart rhythmically.

Bear in mind that under Jiang Mubai’s teasing, Zhou Wang was already on the verge of exploding, and her minor actions in his eyes were a deadly temptation.

After all, Qu Peining was different from Jiang Mubai, her temperament and appearance predestined...

If it were an ordinary guy dating her, let alone any inappropriate moves, even just holding her hand would require a mental struggle of half a day before mustering the courage.

And now, such Qu Peining was kneeling before him, slightly parting her red lips due to extreme shock, bewilderment, and distress, which meant...

Desecration, within reach.

Angel and Demon began a battle in Zhou Wang’s mind, but in just a second, Demon overwhelmingly drove Angel away.

"Some opportunities come only once."

Demon seemed to chuckle sinisterly in Zhou Wang’s mind.

The reason is simple, yet irrefutable.

Qu Peining might lack worldly experience, but it doesn’t mean she’s a fool. When the alcohol fades tomorrow, she would undoubtedly realize tonight’s events carry a taste of calculation.

In her bones lies a side that loathes evil passionately; otherwise, she wouldn’t have traveled south in anger just to demand an explanation from Zhou Wang back then.

If he didn’t use some tactics while she was dazed to further disrupt her state, would Zhou Wang really have any chance to become close to her after tonight?

Once completely clear-headed, even if Qu Peining wouldn’t do anything to Zhou Wang, for the sake of her deep-seated commitment, she would at least run far away, never giving Zhou Wang another chance to contaminate her.

These thoughts flashed briefly in Zhou Wang’s mind, and before he realized it, he had already reached out his hand, threading through Qu Peining’s mid-length hair falling to one side.

Qu Peining hadn’t even realized what was about to happen, only suddenly felt the force from Zhou Wang’s palm.

Faintly, there was a fleeting sound like a balloon popping.

...

People say life has four flavors: sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy.

In her own memory, Qu Peining thought she had tasted "sour" and "bitter" the most.

That little girl who once longed for candied hawthorns at the alley’s entrance, because she heeded her mother’s teachings, treating hardship as a kind of training, but had secretly wiped tears in lonely corners countless times when she couldn’t persevere.

Back then, life’s taste was sour.

As for sweet and spicy, these two flavors were quite unfamiliar to Qu Peining.

To maintain her figure, she hardly ate sweets; only on the day she switched careers did she buy herself the first cup of milk tea in her life.

As for spicy... she was accustomed to northern cuisine from a young age and couldn’t tolerate spiciness; a comrade from Chuanyu loved spicy food, but after trying the chili pepper can the comrade brought, Qu Peining never ate spicy food again.

Qu Peining never imagined she would one day taste all four flavors at once.

Yes, all four.

Incredibly strenuous sourness, more painful than a prolonged plank exercise.

A cup of cold tea left standing for over a day, the bitterness of the tea leaves fully reverberating, filling her taste buds.

And the indescribable, like the aftertaste of wine, as well as the fire burning her eyes red.

Sour, sweet, bitter, spicy.

These four feelings mixed together, making Qu Peining seem like she was eating a string of spoiled candied hawthorns coated again in cream, an intricately complex taste beyond comprehension.

Already struggling to breathe, Qu Peining’s brain became even more dizzy, leaving her with little ability to resist.