Chapter 21

Chu Tong had never realized that a mere kiss could stir such a profound response.

Shao Yihuai grasped her hand, his fingertips gently kneading each knuckle, his voice low and husky. “Do you know where you went wrong?”

His words seemed to carry a certain emotion, yet upon closer reflection, perhaps not. Someone like him always spoke in a way that compelled others to carefully ponder, afraid to misunderstand his meaning.

Naturally, Chu Tong was utterly clueless.

“Why did you introduce me as Mr. Shao? Not as your boyfriend?”

“…I was just afraid, afraid of offending you…”

That was why he could never bring himself to say it outright. He was like the moon on the horizon—calling his name, or even addressing him as “you” rather than the formal “sir,” or introducing him as a boyfriend to others without permission, all made her uneasy.

It felt like desecration.

Shao Yihuai let out a faint, mysterious chuckle and deliberately repeated, “Offend…”

The displeasure in his tone was unmistakable.

Before he could continue, Chu Tong hastily turned his hand over, looked earnestly into his eyes, and declared, “From now on, I’ll remember! Shao Yihuai, my boyfriend.”

Shao Yihuai remained unmoved, his lowered gaze fixed on her; the long lashes at the corner of his eyes looked unusually tender at that moment.

He said nothing, so Chu Tong could only speculate: did he mean it wasn’t enough? Did she need to show more sincerity?

Her heart twisted and turned. When her eyes met his thin lips, she no longer hesitated. She lifted her chin and pressed her lips softly to his.

It lasted only a moment before she herself blushed.

Shao Yihuai remained unmoved.

She pressed again, lingering longer this time, even trying to change the angle, and finally, Shao Yihuai began to kiss her back.

The gentle, lingering kiss deepened gradually.

His hands rested on the sides of her thighs, his upper body leaning in slightly, forcing her to lean back, teetering as if about to fall.

Though the kiss was gentle, the sound of saliva exchanging was unmistakably clear in the quiet, spacious room. Suddenly, an unfamiliar sensation and strange impulse surged within Chu Tong.

Her instinct was to close her legs, but Shao Yihuai’s grip on her knees restrained her. He didn’t squeeze but the strength in his palm was undeniable, making her feel somewhat overwhelmed.

Her phone vibrating startled her.

The kiss was interrupted.

Shao Yihuai pulled back slightly, retrieving her phone from her down jacket pocket. The caller ID read: Counselor.

Chu Tong steadied her breath, cleared her throat, and answered.

The counselor said she had found a new dormitory for her and asked when she would return so they could go see it together.

After hanging up, she said, “I have to go back to school now.”

Shao Yihuai responded with a soft “Hmm,” then said, “Let Uncle Zong send you.”

At this moment, Uncle Zong was still waiting in the parking lot. Once he saw her off, he could finish his shift.

—

Back at the dormitory building, the counselor was waiting on the first floor. Seeing her, she smiled slightly. “Let’s go, it’s on the third floor.”

Room 303.

The counselor knocked, and the door was opened from inside.

Within stood a tall girl, at least 1.75 meters, her face cold. She glanced at Chu Tong without a word, then turned and sat at her desk.

The counselor introduced them. “Tong Tong, this is your senior, Lu Zhiyun, a third-year student. Zhiyun, this is your sophomore junior, Chu Tong. You two will share this dorm, so get along well.”

Lu Zhiyun responded with a cold, indifferent “Hmm,” without even looking up.

The counselor turned to Chu Tong. “Will you move in tonight? I can help you.”

“Okay,” Chu Tong replied, then asked Lu Zhiyun, “Senior, what time do you usually go to bed? Will moving in now disturb you?”

“No,” came the succinct answer.

—

The counselor seemed to have experienced Lu Zhiyun’s temperament before, and gave Chu Tong a wry smile as she led her out of 303 and down the stairs. “Your senior has quite the style, but she’s a good person. You’ll see once you get to know her.”

“Mm.”

There weren’t many belongings—just a suitcase, clothes, bedding, and some books. Chu Tong and the counselor made two trips, and Lu Zhiyun, seemingly unable to watch from the sidelines, joined in. Her strength was considerable, and the three of them finished moving everything in three trips.

On the last trip, Tao Ge pulled Chu Tong aside, lamenting how quickly things had changed. Chu Tong smiled and comforted her a little, then looked up to see Jin Ranran sitting on the upper bunk of her own bed, wearing headphones but subtly glancing their way.

Chu Tong felt a clear sense of satisfaction and turned to bid farewell to room 202.

By the time she settled into 303, it was nearly lights-out.

The four-person dorm had two empty beds. Chu Tong and Lu Zhiyun’s beds were diagonally opposite, the farthest apart, ensuring no disturbance.

They took turns showering. Perhaps still on edge, even though she had left 202 and Ding Xue behind, Chu Tong didn’t dare wear a nightdress again. Instead, she changed into soft long sleeves and pants.

She had intended to add Lu Zhiyun on WeChat, but since the latter always wore headphones and seemed unwilling to socialize, she gave up.

—

After Chu Tong left, Shao Yihuai sat alone on the sofa in Langcheng Mansion, slowly finishing two glasses of red wine.

He wasn’t addicted to smoking, only occasionally lighting a cigarette at social events. Yet now, staring at the white cigarette between his fingers, he felt absurd.

Without lighting it, he looked down and slowly crushed the cigarette, as if trying to extinguish the unquenchable fire burning within.

He was not a man of strong desires, almost ascetic. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone so many years without sleeping with anyone.

After all, as an adult in his social position and circle, frequently changing companions was the norm. Even those with self-control often had regular partners.

But he was an anomaly.

His path was decided one summer night when he was twenty-four.

After graduating with his master’s degree, he returned home and joined Zhuoyi Group.

That night, the patriarch summoned him to the study and told him: he had a few years to grow, and once his position was secure, he was to marry Lin Er.

He had long anticipated this and accepted it calmly.

Lin Er, the second Miss Lin, had crossed paths with him at various dinners and family gatherings—she was a gentle and refined lady.

He discussed the matter with Ren Mingyuan. They met at a club and had some drinks.

Ren Mingyuan called over his then-companion, while Shao Yihuai remained alone. Seeing this, Ren Mingyuan, unable to bear it, said: marriage is settled; if you don’t indulge now, when will you? So he summoned a few girlfriends for Shao Yihuai.

Several lively girls, each eager to spend the night with him.

He was as indifferent as ever, feeling it made no difference.

Perhaps sensing no clear refusal, one brazen girl attempted to sit on his lap.

He finally spoke: “Stop.”

Startled, she froze, then shyly knelt on the carpet between his legs.

He sat with his legs wide apart on the sofa, calmly looking down at her.

At this point, Ren Mingyuan sensibly sent the others away and moved to another room with his own companion.

Shao Yihuai leaned back against the sofa, and after a long moment, said, “You may leave.”

In the end, nothing was truly forbidden.

But he refused to fall.

Many things were beyond his control—his background, environment, career—all predetermined for him to inherit, including a marriage unrelated to love.

Yet, despite all this, he still refused to submit.

This was the only line and rule he could control himself.

Years passed, busy with work, and it was bearable.

Not tonight.

Not this moment.

He watched coldly as his lingering reactions persisted.

—

It was now December. Chu Tong had begun early preparations for exam week. The day after moving into 303, she was eating lunch with Cheng Mai in the cafeteria when she received a call from Shao Yihuai.

He said he would pick her up in the evening to go to Baison.

Just after hanging up, another call came—this time from Xiang Chengyuan.

Chu Tong apologized to Cheng Mai, stood, and moved to a corner to answer.

“Tong Tong, did you return to the dorm last night?”

“Yes.”

“When are you free? Let’s talk.”

Chu Tong sighed almost imperceptibly. “Brother Yuan, don’t worry about me. He’s not a bad person.”

“How do you know? Men are all the same.”

“…Because I was the one who took the initiative,” she said frankly. “He’s very gentlemanly.”

Xiang Chengyuan sighed, earnest. “Tong Tong, do you know the strategy called ‘retreat to advance’? It may seem like you took the initiative, but I don’t believe he didn’t have ulterior motives.”

“What’s the point of distinguishing that? I like him. From the first glance.”

“I promised your mother I’d look after you. She especially warned me not to let you go astray. How am I to explain that to her? …Tong Tong, wake up.”

“I’m as clear-headed as ever. Being with the one I like is no wrong path. I know what I want.”

They parted on bad terms.

Xiang Chengyuan seemed very disappointed in her.

During the afternoon break, Cheng Mai forwarded her an official school announcement.

It stated that five students, including Ding Xue and He Zhenbo, were punished for bullying peers. Ding Xue and He Zhenbo were expelled, while the other three received probation due to lighter offenses.

The counselor sent her a copy, encouraging her to focus on her studies.

A week earlier, she could never have dreamed this matter would resolve so smoothly.

Only after arriving did she learn that Shao Yihuai’s invitation to Baison was to wrap up this affair.

It was the same private room as before, but this time only five people were inside.

Chu Tong and Shao Yihuai entered, and the five immediately straightened up, their faces full of fear, like startled birds.

Shao Yihuai held her waist and whispered, “Make sure to make things clear with them.”

Chu Tong nodded.

A faint, hidden smile flickered in his eyes. “…Will you hit them?”

Chu Tong was surprised. “...That’s unnecessary, right...?”

Shao Yihuai gave no answer but gently pushed her waist. “Go.”

He settled into the corner sofa. Chu Tong glanced back at him. Half of his body lay under the floor lamp, his posture relaxed but radiating an unspoken, lofty pressure. His face bore an encouraging expression, like a predator teaching a child to bare its fangs.

The five before her all bowed their heads low. Clearing her throat, Chu Tong tried to sound authoritative. “Apologize to me.”

He Zhenbo was nearly in tears. He apologized profusely, even berated himself harshly, and finally swore he would never offend again, or the entire He family would suffer.

Then came Ding Xue.

Unexpectedly, Ding Xue knelt before her, begging her to have mercy and asking Shao Yihuai to spare her father from further trouble.

Startled, Chu Tong turned to look at Shao Yihuai.

Shao Yihuai’s calm gaze seemed to say: It’s up to you.

Chu Tong steadied herself and replied coolly, “Depends on my mood. We’ll see.”

In the corner, Shao Yihuai silently curved his lips into a smile.