Chapter 50

I feel the same.

—Zhang Lurang

Su Zai Zai’s heart trembled, and she obediently accepted his kiss.

In the end, she couldn’t resist taking the lead, sucking lightly on his tongue.

Their wet lips tangled continuously, greedily taking in each other’s breath.

After a while, Zhang Lurang’s grip gradually loosened.

He lingered, gently licking her lower lip before pressing his forehead against hers, lowering his gaze to lock eyes with her.

The room filled with an intimate and lingering warmth.

Because of the prolonged kiss, Su Zai Zai’s lips were now a deep red, glistening with moisture.

She instinctively licked them, as if savoring the moment.

Then, her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she raised her hand from the floor and hooked it around his neck.

Zhang Lurang’s dark eyes were deep, with faint flickers of fire glowing in their depths.

He remained still, as if allowing her to do as she pleased.

The next second, Su Zai Zai leaned in again and bit his lip.

A flicker of struggle crossed Zhang Lurang’s gaze before he quickly pulled her away.

Su Zai Zai blinked innocently. “What are you doing?”

He immediately turned his head away, looking as if he were retreating in defeat.

“It’s late. I’ll take you home.”

Su Zai Zai was dumbfounded, mumbling, “…I didn’t even get a proper taste.”

Zhang Lurang pretended not to hear and repeated, “Go home.”

“How is this fair?!” Su Zai Zai’s eyes widened in protest, instantly displeased. “I said I’d hold back, but that was based on the condition that you don’t tease me! How can you just—”

“…”

“I honestly don’t know how to describe how I feel right now.”

Zhang Lurang had no idea how to respond, his voice carrying a trace of appeasement.

“…Let’s go home. It’s almost eleven.”

“If this keeps happening, I’m afraid I’ll develop an aversion to intimacy.” Su Zai Zai huffed, muttering, “And in the end, you’d be the one to suffer for it. Think it through carefully.”

“…”

After delivering her threat, Su Zai Zai looked at him seriously.

“So, do you want me to stay a little longer, or suffer the consequences?”

Zhang Lurang’s Adam’s apple bobbed, the throbbing ache in his lower body intensifying.

Soon, he lowered his gaze, gritting his teeth as he said, “My uncle will be back soon.”

Su Zai Zai immediately backed down. “Then I’ll go home.”

She stood up, thought for a moment, then said, “Don’t go outside. You just took a shower—don’t catch a cold.”

Zhang Lurang acted as if he hadn’t heard, also standing up and walking toward his wardrobe.

He opened the door but didn’t move, his expression dazed as if lost in thought.

Su Zai Zai asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

Zhang Lurang snapped back to reality, his previously heavy breathing gradually calming.

Then, he pulled out an army-green coat and put it on, followed by a plain black scarf from another compartment.

Returning to Su Zai Zai, he slowly wrapped the scarf around her neck.

Su Zai Zai stood still, obediently staring at him as he bent slightly to adjust it.

His eyes were slightly damp, glistening as if they had just been kissed senseless.

Zhang Lurang silently adjusted the scarf, his movements gentle, careful not to choke her.

His expression was focused and soft, and in an instant, the atmosphere in the room turned warm and tranquil.

Soon, Zhang Lurang smoothed down her hair, took her hand, and led her outside.

As soon as the door opened, Su Su—who had been lying outside—immediately perked up, wagging its tail and acting spoiled.

Zhang Lurang glanced at it and said softly, “Go to sleep.”

Outside

The cold wind blew, easing the heat still lingering in Zhang Lurang’s body.

Suddenly, he recalled what had just happened and turned to look at Su Zai Zai.

“In the future, let me know in advance before coming over.”

—So you don’t have to stand outside in the cold.

“Then you should also dry your hair properly before going out.”

—So you don’t get sick.

When they reached her apartment building, Zhang Lurang was about to leave when Su Zai Zai suddenly grabbed his wrist.

Her touch was soft and cool.

“Lurang, I haven’t told you my New Year’s wish yet.”

Zhang Lurang pulled the corners of his lips slightly, looking at her as if waiting.

“Before we get our marriage certificate…”

“Every year, my New Year’s wish has always been—”

“Su Zai Zai will marry Zhang Lurang.”

—Every day and night, this is what I long for.

—May the heavens and you both grant my wish.

—

A Few Days Later

Zhang Lurang was about to leave to watch a movie with Su Zai Zai when he received a call from Zhang Luli.

As he stepped outside, he answered the phone.

Zhang Luli’s voice came through, tired, hoarse, and low. “Bro.”

Hearing his tone, Zhang Lurang paused and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not applying to your school anymore.”

“…Alright.”

“There’s an opportunity for further studies abroad in my department. Mom and Dad want me to go for it.”

Zhang Lurang was silent for a moment before responding calmly, “You shouldn’t just follow all their decisions.”

“It’s not really like that.” Zhang Luli’s voice was slow. “I never had strong opinions anyway. They’ve always decided for me, and I don’t feel like thinking for myself.”

“…”

“I know it’s not a good thing, but I’m used to it.”

Zhang Lurang sighed. “Luli.”

“Going abroad might actually be good. At least…” Zhang Luli paused. “I won’t have to live like this anymore.”

The line fell silent.

After a long moment, Zhang Luli spoke again, his voice trembling slightly. “Bro, I haven’t been very happy either…”

“…”

“They control everything about me. Whenever we’re around others, they brag about me non-stop. But if I make the smallest mistake, in their eyes, it’s instantly magnified a thousand times.”

Zhang Lurang swallowed, holding back the ache in his chest.

The bond between blood relatives—just a single sentence could strip away all defenses, leaving one completely vulnerable.

“I don’t dare make mistakes. I don’t even dare complain to you.”

“I was afraid you’d think I was bragging…”

“I had a fight with them. They said I can’t be like you, always going against our parents’ wishes.”

Zhang Luli’s voice was choked with emotion.

“But I also want to go farther.”

To follow his own path, to escape farther away.

He had always wanted that.

—

Before long, Zhang Luli had adjusted his emotions.

His voice suddenly lifted, bright and infectious.

“Hahaha, bro, don’t worry about Mom coming to find you. She already told me—if you don’t come back, she won’t go looking for you either.”

Zhang Lurang was still processing his earlier words and gave a low hum in response.

“I don’t really know what they’re thinking, but I doubt they want to harm you. Their approach is just wrong.” Zhang Luli mumbled, then quickly changed the subject. “I think once I get my professor’s recommendation letter, I’ll start preparing to go abroad.”

“Got it.”

Just two words—unclear which sentence he was even responding to.

After a brief silence—

Zhang Luli suddenly said, “I didn’t mean to, back then. I’m sorry.”

An apology, years in the making.

Hearing this, Zhang Lurang lowered his gaze, the corners of his lips curving slightly as he pretended not to understand.

“When?”

On the other end, Zhang Luli chuckled in relief. “Never mind.”

In those past years, neither of them had it easy.

So, neither had the right to blame the other.

—

Hanging up the phone, Zhang Lurang steadied his emotions and once again headed toward Su Zai Zai’s apartment building.

From a distance, he saw her running toward him, a bright smile on her face.

She threw herself into his arms, laughter reaching her eyes.

She seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, even bringing back an old nickname for him.

“Great beauty, let’s go hold hands in the dark theater!”

Zhang Lurang’s lips curved, and he simply said, “Okay.”

The boy in his memories—

The Zhang Lurang who used to feel inferior the moment he heard A’Li’s name on a call from their parents—had somehow disappeared without a trace.

Fate always had its way.

All the hardships he endured were merely paving the way for the future.

So that he could meet this one person.

Because of her, Zhang Lurang started to believe—

That in every life, there must be something truly beautiful.

For him, it was something simple, just three words.

Three words he could hold in his mouth for a lifetime and never let go of.

“Su Zai Zai.”