Liu Li lay nestled in Zhou Huanan’s arm, her breathing soft and even in sleep.
With Liu Li’s profile now thoroughly revised in his mind, he truly saw before him a girl of exquisite beauty.
The world held many shades of beauty, and Liu Li was not the sort to turn heads on a bustling street, nor would she be snatched up by a talent scout. Instead, her small nose and eyes were perfectly proportioned, creating a visage that was remarkably endearing and captivating. Her cuteness carried a delicate hint of coquetry, while her inherent allure was tempered by an unexpected serenity.
An aura of peace enveloped her, reminiscent of a sheltered young lady from ancient times, inspiring a sense of tranquil serenity in anyone who beheld her. Her delicate, small nose, free of any rouge, spoke of a natural, unblemished beauty.
Yet, there was also a touch of innocent naivety about her.
The way she lay sprawled across him, unreserved and trusting, made her seem like a fledgling creature, blissfully unaware of the inherent dangers lurking within men.
Gazing at Liu Li’s guileless face, utterly devoid of wariness toward men, she seemed akin to the beautiful maidens of legend, chosen as sacrifices for the Dragon King and nurtured for that very purpose. Pure and fragile, a sacred offering untouchable by defilement; how else could one explain the innocent splendor of her sleeping face?
Yet, the faint trail of drool at the corner of her mouth subtly dissolved any perceived distance, grounding her in a tangible reality, as if one could simply reach out and touch her.
It was as if she had truly descended from a legend, stepped out of a painting, and tumbled directly into Zhou Huanan’s arms.
Alright then.
Despite the myriad thoughts swirling in Zhou Huanan’s mind, the ultimate conclusion could be distilled into a single, succinct phrase.
‘This is my wife.’
Zhou Huanan’s heart thrummed with excitement; sleep had utterly abandoned him. A fervent rush of blood coursed through his veins, compelling him towards certain illicit, clandestine actions.
Had Zhou Huanan been the male protagonist of some traditional Japanese anime, upon suddenly discovering his close friend, sharing his very bed, was in fact a girl, he would doubtless be condemned to an internal torment, his limbs feeling amputated, desperately stifling the potent urges of youthful hormones.
Even if his face flushed a deep, mottled crimson, he would never dare entertain a single improper thought towards her.
To lie sleepless, afraid to touch, eyes wide open and suffering for eight agonizing hours—such a trial would rival the cruelest torments of hell.
Only the next morning would he be rewarded with the girl’s waking compliment, “Yasashii” (so gentle), a light kiss upon his cheek, and a small, self-satisfied smile gracing his lips.
But Zhou Huanan was decidedly not that kind of man!!
He was a beast, one who preferred to hear a girl whisper “Shigoku Ii” (You’re amazing!) to him the morning after!
Tell me! I implore you!!
When the unguarded, sleeping visage of a beauty of this caliber appears before you, how many physiologically normal young men in this world could truly remain unmoved!?
Those “yasashii” Japanese protagonists were simply all lust and no courage.
Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee.
Zhou Huanan, on the other hand, possessed a slightly larger measure of daring. While he hadn’t entirely dismissed the thought of simply “doing it,” he knew that even if he were to act, Liu Li would, in all likelihood, eventually forgive him.
Still, the challenge remained considerable.
Primarily, though…
He harbored a lingering fear of being disliked. After all, his potential wife, so close at hand, couldn’t simply be allowed to slip away.
But a mere kiss, a gentle brush of lips…
Zhou Huanan swallowed hard, his heart stirring with a nascent, youthful longing.
Truth be told, he possessed not a single shred of experience. Though he had been in a relationship recently, that particular girl’s understanding of romance extended no further than holding hands.
Consequently, he hadn’t even managed a kiss, to say nothing of anything beyond that; her chest, her legs—they remained entirely untouched.
The repression had nearly driven him mad. When he saw Banjao was recruiting, with the promise of “bedding a magical girl” after a few level-ups, he had signed up without a moment’s hesitation.
Thus, this would mark his very first kiss.
While Zhou Huanan harbored a faint notion that a first kiss should ideally occur between two conscious individuals, yet, my friend, she was simply too beautiful…
How could anyone possibly resist such a temptation…?
“Liu Li…” Zhou Huanan whispered her endearing name, barely above a breath.
Bathed in moonlight, her long lashes fluttered faintly, catching the silver glow. At this close proximity, even the delicate down on her face was visible, and the sweet, feminine scent emanating from her filled his senses.
Zhou Huanan’s legs trembled, a cocktail of yearning and anxiety coursing through him. He wished he could travel back in time and silence the very sound he had just made.
Luckily, his fears proved unfounded.
Liu Li showed no true inclination to awaken. She merely smacked her lips in her sleep, emitting a soft, adorable sound akin to a small animal, then tilted her head slightly, revealing a pristine, snow-white neck that seemed almost inviting to a gentle squeeze.
Thus, aside from inadvertently stirring Zhou Huanan’s carnal desires, she remained deeply asleep.
Zhou Huanan, a tremor of nervousness running through him, leaned down. His lips gently brushed against the sleeping girl’s, a soft kiss upon her mouth as he traced the delicate lines of her lips, marveling inwardly at their exquisite softness.
After a fleeting, tender moment, he gently pulled away.
As Zhou Huanan processed the sudden surge of emotions within him, he subtly created some distance. Gazing once more at Liu Li, nestled peacefully in the crook of his arm, he felt as if something within his heart had both remained the same and irrevocably shifted.
The profound friendship, meticulously cultivated over a decade, quietly began to transform in that very instant.
No, he no longer wished for them to be merely friends.
Zhou Huanan’s face, surprisingly, flushed a faint red. As he reached out to stroke the girl’s long hair, a profound sense of contentment washed over him, much like the joy of petting a feline. He continued to stroke, his movements soft and rhythmic.
His hand then drifted to rest behind Liu Li.
‘Ah, well~ I’ve already kissed her sweet lips, so a little touch wouldn’t be too much to ask, would it~? Hee-hee-hee~’
****
The following morning.
Awakened by her alarm, Liu Li’s eyes fluttered open. With a practiced hand, she silenced her phone, only to discover, as she rose, that Zhou Huanan was already awake.
She sat up on the spacious bed, indulging in a leisurely stretch.
‘One truly couldn’t deny the superior sleep quality afforded by such a comfortable bed…’
‘Oh, to linger forever in this wonderfully soft, expansive bed.’
Donning the school uniform Zhou Huanan had thoughtfully placed by her bedside, Liu Li found herself touched by his consideration. After completing her morning ablutions, she descended the stairs to find Zhou Huanan greeting her with an enthusiastic wave from the kitchen.
Liu Li responded with a hint of bewilderment.
“Uh, good morning?”
“We still have some time before school starts, so I prepared some food for you.”
“Such a hassle? Wouldn’t it have been simpler to just grab something on the way?”
Liu Li settled into her seat at the dining table, responding casually. Her eyes then fell upon the plate Zhou Huanan presented: four fried eggs, three or four slices each of toast and steamed buns, a scattering of small fried sausages, a bowl of plain congee, and an assortment of side dishes…
No, wait.
Liu Li was about to protest, wondering how on earth she was expected to consume such a feast.
But the display wasn’t over. Zhou Huanan then produced a sizable mug, opened the refrigerator, and with a resounding “glug-glug-glug,” poured a generous serving of milk, setting it firmly before Liu Li.
Having completed his elaborate presentation, Zhou Huanan settled into the chair opposite Liu Li, his gaze fixed upon her.
His eyes seemed to silently urge, “Eat up, now~”
“Uh… eating all this for breakfast, I’d gain ten pounds, wouldn’t I?”
While Liu Li wasn’t overly preoccupied with her weight, she certainly had no desire to become a stout woman!
“What’s the matter? Don’t you care for milk?”
“It’s not that, no.”
“Oh, the portion is too much for you to finish, is that it? No worries, just eat what you can. But don’t waste the milk; make sure you drink all of it.”
Was it merely her imagination?
Liu Li couldn’t shake the feeling that Zhou Huanan was exhibiting an unwarranted eagerness, and, more disturbingly, his gaze seemed perpetually drawn to her chest whenever he spoke.
‘Could it be that her buttons were undone again?’
Liu Li, flustered, quickly checked.
Yet, everything was meticulously covered, with nothing at all protruding—it was perfectly flat.
After meticulously inspecting her “airstrip,” Liu Li adopted an expression that clearly stated, ‘Nothing’s wrong,’ and then, with considerable bewilderment, looked back at Zhou Huanan.
Zhou Huanan inwardly longed to retort, ‘What you perceive as “no problem” is precisely the greatest problem, isn’t it?!’
‘Sigh.’
Zhou Huanan’s mind drifted back to the tactile sensation from last night. Though small, he conceded, it had indeed been rather adorable…
But still, he resolved, he absolutely had to ensure the girl was properly nourished.