A Moment of Intimacy

Facing Mo Bai’s relentless advance, Bai Xia could only retreat until her back pressed against the cold wall. Standing at nearly 1.8 meters, Mo Bai’s towering height made her 1.6-meter frame seem even more frail and helpless. Her long, white hair tumbled chaotically over her shoulders, and her ruby-red eyes flickered with a girl’s panic. Her small head hung low, unable to meet Mo Bai’s gaze, making her look pitifully vulnerable. Even Mo Bai paused, his breath catching at the sight of such a fragile beauty.

“Mo… Mo Bai…” Her voice trembled slightly, her small, sharp teeth biting her lower lip. “C-could you sit on the sofa first? I… my place isn’t that big.”

Trapped against the wall, Bai Xia felt her heart racing. She wanted to put her hands between them but was afraid it might encourage him further.

“Why are you so nervous?” Mo Bai watched her, his long fingers gently lifting her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. Her ruby-red gaze widened, and her hair slipped from her shoulders, cascading down her back. A blush spread from her cheeks to her ears as she struggled with a mix of embarrassment and anxiety, unable to look away from her classmate’s intense stare.

“M-Mo Bai, please… don’t do this…” Her plea was almost inaudible as she tentatively placed her small, white hand on his chest, hoping to hold him back. But Mo Bai didn’t budge, instead leaning in closer, almost touching her.

What if he… What if he tries to…? Bai Xia’s mind raced, imagining herself looking so pitiful—the kind of sight that would make any man want to take her to bed and “cherish” her brutally. But would Mo Bai really do that to her?

“Isn’t it natural to show some gratitude after all the help I’ve given you?” Mo Bai’s deep voice held a hint of danger. His fingers brushed against her chin, feeling her slight tremble. Bai Xia was undeniably alluring at that moment, making him want to kiss her flushed cheeks, knowing she wouldn’t resist. But he held back, not wanting to ruin the trust and friendship they shared. Just as Bai Xia closed her eyes, resigned to her fate, Mo Bai released her chin and lightly tapped her forehead, hidden by her white hair.

“Ow!”

He commanded, “Go change your clothes! What are you still doing here?”

“Ah… clothes…” Bai Xia opened her eyes, still misty from her emotional turmoil. She stared blankly at Mo Bai, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Did Mo Bai… let her go?

Looking at Mo Bai’s sudden gentleness, Bai Xia felt a mix of relief and inexplicable loss. She slowly withdrew her hand from his chest and mumbled, “I-I’ll go change. You sit here for a bit…”

Escaping like a frightened rabbit, Bai Xia rushed to the closet, grabbed her usual casual wear, and hurried into the bathroom. She feared Mo Bai might follow and tease her again. Watching her hasty retreat, Mo Bai’s lips curved into a slight smile. Hmm… interesting.

Inside the bathroom, Bai Xia leaned against the door, her hand pressed to her rapidly rising and falling chest. She took deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart. After a while, she managed to recover from the shock of Mo Bai’s teasing.

“Seriously…” Bai Xia muttered, both annoyed and curious about Mo Bai’s actions. But when she thought back to the moment, she couldn’t help but feel a strange excitement. Her domineering classmate… he was kind of cool. Maybe it was just her own bias?

Reflecting on her favorite manga plots, Bai Xia realized a terrifying truth—she had no resistance against “domineering” characters, especially those who were both gentle and strong. And Mo Bai fit that description perfectly.

“Aah! What am I thinking?” Bai Xia blushed deeply, burying her face in the clothes she was holding. Her white hair swayed as she shook her head, hiding her reddened ears. It took a long time for her to calm down.

Dressing in her white nightgown, Bai Xia took a deep breath in front of the mirror. But the girl reflected back had her long white hair disheveled and her ruby-red eyes still shimmering with unshed tears. Her cheeks were still flushed, like she had been wearing rouge. This was no state to be seen in…

“Ehh, whatever… he already knows. Might as well act normal,” Bai Xia whispered to herself, combing her hair with a brush before taking a deep breath and opening the bathroom door.

In the living room, Mo Bai lounged on Bai Xia’s small bed, examining the cramped apartment. He was at a loss for words. The room was so small, furniture and belongings were crammed in chaotically. A faint, musty smell permeated the air, a common trait of old, neglected apartments. He wrinkled his nose, but the faint, feminine scent from Bai Xia’s bed overpowered the mustiness, making it tolerable. Mo Bai wondered if Bai Xia had always lived in such poor conditions. He had assumed, even if not luxurious, she would at least live in a decent apartment. Never did he imagine it would be this rundown, with mold on the walls, windows that didn’t close properly, and a flimsy door that could be kicked open easily. Could a girl really live alone in such an unsafe place?

“M-Mo Bai…” Bai Xia emerged from the bathroom, feeling awkward as she saw Mo Bai sitting on her bed, looking around. She felt a pang of self-consciousness, remembering the stark difference in their social statuses after seeing his lavish home at the police station. The gap between a poor student like her and a wealthy heir like Mo Bai was immense. She wondered if their friendship was a dream, or perhaps she had saved the world in a past life. Yet, this friendship also brought a sense of inadequacy.

“Um… would you like something to drink? I only have instant coffee and tea bags…” Bai Xia offered nervously, her slender fingers twisting the hem of her nightgown. “Or… I could order a milk tea?”

Mo Bai simply patted the spot next to him on the bed, inviting her to sit. Seeing Bai Xia so tense, Mo Bai felt a pang of discomfort. He preferred her vibrant, carefree self. He didn’t want their friendship to be strained by their different backgrounds.

“Come sit. I’ll make it. Just tell me where the tea bags are.”

“Ah… Mo Bai, I can do it…”

“Listen to me.”

Once Mo Bai knew where the kettle and tea bags were, he stood up to make the tea. More accurately, he just dropped a tea bag into the hot water. Bai Xia sat on her bed, watching her classmate—a wealthy heir—awkwardly handling her old kettle in the cramped kitchen. Maybe she was overthinking things, attributing intentions to Mo Bai that weren’t there?

As she watched, Bai Xia felt a twinge of guilt for assuming Mo Bai had ulterior motives. Her adorable face blushed with shame. Her small, delicate feet dangled in the air, her round toes curling slightly—a habit when she was deep in thought or anxious. It was so cute that it caught Mo Bai’s brief attention.

Perhaps… Mo Bai was just genuinely concerned about her as a classmate?

Bai Xia lowered her eyes, her long white hair falling over her shoulders, hiding her slightly reddened ears. At least she knew Mo Bai wouldn’t harm her.