Chapter 119: A Midsummer Elopement (End of the School Arc)

White mist swirled continuously in the bathroom, creating an atmosphere thick with intimacy.

Qin Yichi’s gaze settled on Qiao Zhen, his eyes fixated on hers.

At this moment, his little girlfriend looked like a frightened quail, bowing her head and shrinking into his embrace.

Her doe-like eyes glistened with tears, pure and uncontaminated, her cheeks as soft and rosy as a ripe peach, irresistibly alluring, as if one could squeeze water from them.

She seemed to be silently admitting a mistake, bowed in apology, with a hint of grievance.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Qin Yichi’s lips. Even standing before her without a stitch of clothing, he felt no embarrassment whatsoever.

But Qiao Zhen was on the verge of exploding.

Trapped in the corner, her heart pounded wildly, threatening to burst from her chest.

The lower her head sank, the more she saw things she shouldn’t, so she simply shut her eyes and played dead.

Oh, why did I have to tempt fate?

Soon, Qin Yichi sighed, smiling as he gently pinched her cheek and coaxed in a soft voice:

“All right, you go get some rest early. I’ll handle this myself.”

His tone was serious as he slowly stepped back and opened the bathroom door for Qiao Zhen.

She looked up in disbelief, meeting his eyes filled with indulgence, and a surge of complicated emotions welled up inside her.

Her ears burned hotter by the second. She nodded slightly and slowly walked toward the door.

Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly turned around, summoning courage from somewhere, and reached out to firmly press her hand against Qin Yichi’s abs.

Her eyelashes fluttered lightly, her voice muffled and hesitant:

“Qin Yichi, I... I want to help you...”

She cautiously lifted her eyes to meet his, her tone soft and trembling:

“Is that okay?”

The moment she spoke, Qin Yichi’s breath deepened abruptly, his dark eyes thickening with a dangerous intensity.

Those two words ignited every ounce of his reason.

He stared intently at Qiao Zhen, the fire burning fiercely in his abdomen nearly uncontrollable, every drop of blood in his body boiling and clamoring wildly, his mind consumed with thoughts of “teasing her,” “claiming her,” and “making her cry.”

Taking a deep breath, he grasped Qiao Zhen’s soft hand like a wild, obsessed wolf:

“You said that.”

My dear, I’ve finally caught you.

...

As night deepened, bright moonlight bathed the beach, scattering faint, fragmented glimmers.

The sea quietly listened to the moon’s secrets, its surface shimmering with sparkling waves that gently rippled in response—a scene both romantic and tender.

After the clock’s minute hand circled countless times on the bedroom wall, Qiao Zhen finally blushed deeply, leaning weakly against the cool tile.

She felt as if she had willingly walked into a wolf’s den.

After washing her hands, Qin Yichi carried her to the bed, squeezed out some hand cream, and patiently and tenderly applied it for her.

From time to time, he leaned in to kiss her lips, praising her, “Well done,” “You learn so quickly.”

Qiao Zhen’s ears burned fiercely; her entire arm ached terribly. She buried her face in the blanket, whispering softly:

“Qin Yichi, I’m sleepy...”

It was almost one o’clock. They had to get up early to watch the sunrise with little time for sleep.

After finishing the hand cream, Qin Yichi tidied up and turned off the light.

He slipped into bed, wrapping his arms around Qiao Zhen’s waist, his voice still tinged with excitement:

“Zhenzhen.”

Drowsy, Qiao Zhen murmured, “Hmm?”

Under the covers, Qin Yichi hooked their pinkies together, his voice playful:

“I just had a great time.”

He added with emphasis, “An especially great time.”

“...” Qiao Zhen puffed up her cheeks and silently turned over, facing away from Qin Yichi.

Such a scoundrel—I’m not talking to him anymore!

...

Silence filled the deep night.

Not long after, Qin Yichi lifted Qiao Zhen, who rubbed her sleepy eyes and groaned, “Hmm?”

So sleepy.

He knew she wasn’t one to wake up cranky, but she would usually “boot up” for a while after being awakened.

In this “boot-up state,” Qiao Zhen looked both dazed and adorable, her gaze vacant, brain blank, completely out of the moment.

Qin Yichi’s heart melted, and he couldn’t resist nipping her cheek, gently coaxing:

“It’s three-thirty in the morning. Time to get up and watch the sunrise.”

After half a minute, Qiao Zhen nodded obediently like a programmed machine, taking a long moment to fully wake.

She washed her face, brushed her teeth, changed clothes, and slipped on shoes in a daze, then held Qin Yichi’s hand as they left the room.

Zhang Ning had gone to bed by nine the previous night and was now full of energy, bouncing around with wide eyes; the boys, on the other hand, had stayed up all night, yawning repeatedly, listless.

Suddenly someone shouted, “Attention! Get energized!”

Everyone jumped in surprise, their spirits instantly revived.

At 4:40 a.m., the group boarded the hot air balloon they had reserved in advance, preparing for nearly an hour of flight.

As the burner lit, the air expanded, its density decreased, and the colorful balloon slowly lifted off the ground, ascending higher and higher.

Like a colorful star rising into the sky, embarking on a romantic journey.

Everyone was experiencing this for the first time and couldn’t help but shout excitedly, hastily filming takeoff videos.

Laughter and chatter filled the balloon as they awaited the sunrise.

Qin Yichi still held Qiao Zhen’s hand tightly, their fingers intertwined. To those around them, they appeared inseparable, never more than three meters apart.

At exactly 5 a.m., the first ray of light pierced the clouds, lifting the veil of darkness.

A streak of red quietly emerged, like a flame igniting the sky. Fire-red clouds blossomed in brilliant, colorful splendor.

Zhang Ning excitedly pointed and shouted, “Wow! Look over there! Doesn’t it look like a burning phoenix?”

Finally, she had material for her elementary school summer essay.

Those nearby nodded repeatedly, “You know, you’re right. It really does!”

Niu Yifeng scratched his head, “Huh? I think it looks more like a wild pheasant.”

“... You country bumpkin, shut up! Or I’ll throw you off!”

Amid the laughter, the red sun bathed the world in light, stirring everyone’s blood with passion.

In Qiao Zhen’s eyes reflected the magnificent scene. After a while, she softly spoke:

“Qin Xiaochi.”

“Hm?” Qin Yichi smiled, never breaking his gaze from her.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Qiao Zhen tiptoed and whispered softly yet resolutely into his ear:

“From now on, I want to watch all the romantic and beautiful sights in the world with you.”

To walk through spring, summer, autumn, and winter by his side, to travel every corner of the world together, becoming the most important person in each other’s lives.

Companionship is the longest, most heartfelt confession.

The more she thought about it, the happier she became, her lips curling sweetly to reveal two small dimples, her whole being glowing with joy.

Unbeknownst to her, as she wholeheartedly admired the sunrise, Qin Yichi’s eyes grew moist.

...

When they disembarked from the balloon, no one expected the hour to pass so quickly—it flew by in the blink of an eye.

After breakfast, everyone returned to the hotel in a daze and collapsed onto beds, so exhausted that some even slept in the wrong rooms, diving onto the first bed they saw.

Qiao Zhen obediently changed into her swimsuit and was pulled by Qin Yichi to the beach.

“Aren’t you inviting them to join us?” she asked as they walked.

Qin Yichi’s eyes twitched lazily, his voice relaxed:

“They need some rest. Besides, I don’t want to bring a bunch of third wheels.”

He slung his arm around her shoulders, leaning in to say:

“So we’re sneaking out.”

Sneaking out to play, without telling them.

So naughty.

Basking in the morning sunlight, Qiao Zhen stepped lightly on the sand, gradually approaching the sea.

This time, Qin Yichi rented a red two-person jet ski for them to ride for an hour on the water.

It was his first experience, but as a professional racer, he mastered it quickly, even pulling off some difficult moves.

Qiao Zhen donned her life jacket and sat in Qin Yichi’s lap, holding the handlebars obediently:

“I’m ready~”

In the next moment, a roaring sound erupted as the engine started.

The jet ski shot into the sea like an arrow released from a bow, racing wildly, drawing graceful arcs on the water. Qin Yichi even drifted, sending waves crashing in layers.

The sea breeze brushed their faces; Qiao Zhen was both nervous and thrilled.

Splash!

Droplets sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight, landing on their hair like dazzling diamonds, scattering fragmented light.

Her heart raced with excitement and adrenaline, almost bursting from her chest.

In that instant, their free spirits raced across the vast blue sea.

Qiao Zhen couldn’t help but shout:

“Qin Yichi, you’re amazing!”

Amid the roar of the jet ski, she heard Qin Yichi laugh:

“Not just riding the jet ski—there are other things I’m better at.”

Qiao Zhen: “...” You’re going way too fast!

Golden sunlight intertwined with the deep blue sea, painting a radiant, moving picture of the two on the jet ski.

In a quieter spot, Qin Yichi slowly slowed down and leaned close to Qiao Zhen’s ear, his voice both wild and sincere:

“Qiao Zhen, run away with me.”

Run away with me for a romantic escape over the midsummer sea.

At this moment, seagulls cried, and the sunlight was just right.

Qiao Zhen turned her head and met Qin Yichi’s deep, obsidian eyes. Her heart skipped a beat before racing wildly.

In her youth, Qin Yichi was her only leading man, a flame that burned endlessly, the brightest and hottest sun.

Under the midsummer sun, Qin Yichi’s boldness and passion would always make Qiao Zhen’s heart flutter.

With the sea breeze blowing, Qiao Zhen didn’t hesitate to tilt her head up and plant a kiss on the corner of his lips, her eyes shining with a joyful smile:

“All right, let’s run away together!”

*

(The school chapter concludes here; the next chapter begins the city arc ♡)