Chapter 16: "Sweetheart, So Soft"

Qiao Zhen was still lost in slumber, her sleep restless, lashes trembling lightly as if she were falling into an endless abyss, gripped by some deep fear.

Anyone who saw her would have been moved to gently hold her.

She sniffled, murmuring softly, “Amusement park.”

Her voice was tinged with grievance, as though she were about to burst into tears at any moment.

So obedient, almost heartbreakingly so.

It landed squarely on the softest part of Qin Yichi’s heart.

His gaze darkened, becoming deep and unreadable; a burning heat welled at the tip of his heart as he quietly extended his index finger.

He edged his finger, little by little, from the table, until it brushed against the tip of the girl’s finger.

He felt their warmth mingling.

It was tender, cautious, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of water.

Finger to finger.

As if a current had sparked at his fingertip, spreading through his limbs and bones, tingling with an unspeakable mix of longing and affection.

Perhaps sensing something in her sleep, the girl frowned slightly and turned her head, shifting her position.

Qin Yichi swiftly withdrew his hand, his heart pounding like a drum…

Qiao Zhen had been working on problems, intending only to rest her eyes for a moment—just a little while—yet she’d drifted off.

She dreamed of her mother taking her to the amusement park as a child, putting a headband on her, taking her picture, buying her a balloon, smiling at her with gentle warmth.

In her memory, her mother had never been so gentle. Little Qiao Zhen was so happy she nearly leapt with joy, dimples blooming on her cheeks, eyes blinking in delight all along the way.

But the next instant, her mother turned and left without hesitation, abandoning her once more.

Left alone in the amusement park, she cried out, sobbing:

“Mommy, where are you? Don’t leave me… I’ll be good, so good! Please don’t abandon me…”

Just as she’d been left in the countryside years ago, at the mercy of grandparents who bullied her both openly and in secret.

She’d never known what it was to be cherished.

The scene shifted abruptly—she was back in her previous life.

On their wedding anniversary, Qin Yichi had taken her to the amusement park, bought her a beautiful balloon, and pulled her into his arms, whispering:

“You look so beautiful today, darling.”

On the Ferris wheel, Qin Yichi clasped the back of her head, pressing her into his embrace. He bent to kiss her lips, gentle yet commanding, the kiss growing deeper and more intense:

“Zhen Zhen, we’ll be together forever.”

A kiss searing, passionate, almost fierce.

As if he meant to devour her.

Wild and unruly!

“Mmm… darling…” Qiao Zhen’s eyes were wet, her cheeks turning ever pinker as she pressed her hand to his chest, breathing softly.

Heat swirled all around; her mind was blank, thoughts gone, and she could only murmur over and over:

“Yes, forever.”

Help—she was about to melt in Qin Yichi’s burning embrace.

The man held her tight in that narrow space, gripping her waist, his fingers sliding restlessly upward.

Qiao Zhen immediately clutched his shirt collar, grievance in her eyes, her voice even sweeter and more coquettish: “No, it tickles…”

But Qin Yichi didn’t stop, his voice low and resonant, like the depths of a cello—impossible to resist.

He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Baby, you’re so soft.”

———

“Qiao Zhen, wake up. You’ve been asleep for half an hour,”

Qin Yichi tapped her finger with his pen, lowering his voice in reminder.

There was a trace of helplessness in his tone, mingled with indulgence.

The sound of reality overlapped with dream, and Qiao Zhen blinked open sleepy eyes, her cheeks instantly flushing scarlet, as red as a ripe tomato.

W-what on earth had she just dreamt—those strange, embarrassing memories?

Baby, you’re so soft…

So soft…

Soft…

That low, husky voice lingered in her ears, caressing her eardrums, setting them trembling.

W(ﾟДﾟ)W!!!

Qiao Zhen felt as if the sky had collapsed, utterly, leaving only ruins behind.

Panic filled her gaze. She quickly bowed her head, gathered her things, and decisively made her escape:

“I—I’m going back to the dorm to sleep! Bye, never seeing you again~”

Damn it, why couldn’t she dream of lottery numbers? Why was it always those ambiguous memories of her past life with Qin Yichi?!

Ugh, she was really going to lose it.

Qiao Zhen pressed her burning cheeks, on the verge of breakdown, so embarrassed she could have dug herself a castle.

Even her pale neck was tinged with pink, the color spreading wantonly across her skin.

She slung her bag over her shoulder, treating Qin Yichi like a wild beast, terrified that if she didn’t run fast enough she’d be caught and devoured in one bite.

How did things turn out like this…

The next second, the man’s body blocked her path.

Qin Yichi leaned against the doorframe, long legs crossed slightly, exuding a devilish, lazy charm.

A shadow flitted through his dark eyes; unhurriedly, he asked, “What are you so nervous about? Do you really think I’d eat you?”

Qiao Zhen’s little face tensed. She thought seriously for a moment, then nodded solemnly.

Yes, this man really could eat her up.

Suddenly remembering something, she stuffed the little pocket on her bag into Qin Yichi’s arms. “Oh, right—this is for you, snowflake crisps and cookies!”

After a pause, she added, “I made them myself. I suppose… it’s a thank-you?”

Qin Yichi paused, picking up the pink pocket, a little puzzled. “Thank me for what?”

Qiao Zhen stood there, honest as can be: “For the time I got hit by a basketball and you stood up for me…”

She hadn’t finished when Qin Yichi abruptly cut her off, his tone calm: “No need to thank me.”

Qiao Zhen stared at him in confusion, eyes blank. “Why not?”

He didn’t explain, just lowered his gaze, long lashes casting shadows under his eyes.

Half his face was lost in the dim light, adding a touch of mystery and softening the sharpness of his features.

“If you really want to thank me—” Qin Yichi’s eyes flickered with complicated emotion. After a moment’s thought, he curved his lips and said,

“Then come with me to the amusement park this weekend.”

The words had barely left his mouth before Qiao Zhen froze, astonished, a hint of bewilderment in her eyes as she pointed to her own cheek. “Huh? Me?”

Why did he want her to go with him?

Qin Yichi wasn’t a little kid!

But his earnestness made Qiao Zhen waver.

Truthfully, she rather wanted to go, too…

Qin Yichi wasn’t in a hurry for her answer. The two of them simply walked side by side toward the dorm along the path.

It was very quiet, only the rustling of leaves filling the silence.

This path wound around the lake, rarely traveled, with pleasant scenery. Occasionally, a few couples strolled by, hand in hand.

A gentle breeze carried the faint fragrance of osmanthus, soothing and sweet.

Qiao Zhen kept her head down, sometimes stepping on fallen leaves, listening to them crunch and crackle beneath her feet—a strangely satisfying sound.

Suddenly, Qin Yichi seemed to notice something. He bent toward her, reaching as if to pat her head.

At the sight of him, Qiao Zhen instantly thought of those ambiguous, dreamlike scenes and shrank her neck, turning away to dodge him.

Qin Yichi’s hand hovered awkwardly in midair, a shadow flickering in his eyes, a lump in his throat.

After a pause, his voice slightly hoarse, he said, “There’s a bug on your head.”

A bug?

At his words, Qiao Zhen’s eyes widened, rooted to the spot as if nailed in place, unable to move.

Qin Yichi leaned in, his fingertips brushing her hair as he deftly plucked the insect that had fallen from the tree above, tossing it aside with practiced ease.

He spoke offhandedly, “All done.”

Seeing the green bug writhing limply on the ground, Qiao Zhen drew a sharp breath.

She looked up at Qin Yichi, a subtle emotion welling inside her.

So he had just wanted to help her with the bug.

A gentle breeze tousled her hair. After a long pause, she heard the faint bitterness in Qin Yichi’s voice as he spoke:

“Qiao Zhen, don’t avoid me.”