“...Miss Qing, is that you?”

A distant voice shattered Qing Nianyi’s reverie. She looked up in disbelief.

Beneath the lights not far away stood the person she’d been longing for with all her heart.

!!!!

An indescribable joy and happiness bloomed in her heart, driving away the chill that had seeped into her body. The emptiness in her eyes came alive again, and she could no longer hold back the excitement shining through.

Before Qin Heng could get close enough to make sure it was really her, Qing Nianyi hurried to her feet and rushed to meet him.

Her breathtaking face was bright with a warm, welcoming smile, and her brows softened with tenderness. The joy she could no longer hide was like deep snow beneath the spring sun, laid bare before the person she held dear.

Her soft voice rang out, clear and lilting as an oriole’s song, sweet and gentle as running water. Who knew how much longing and affection it held?

“You’re here, Qin Heng, my junior!”

Qin Heng watched Qing Nianyi hurrying toward him and stared at her, momentarily dumbstruck.

In the faint light of the night, her hair drifted behind her like glass. A soft golden sheen shimmered in her autumn-bright eyes, giving them a unique allure in the darkness. The scattered light fell across her lovely face, making her already breathtaking beauty even more captivating...

This was already the third time Qin Heng had seen her, yet Qing Nianyi’s beauty still took his breath away.

He had to admit that among all the women Qin Heng had ever met, only Ning Muxuan could perhaps compare with Qing Nianyi in beauty and bearing...

Both were peerless beauties, yet their personalities were worlds apart, each lovely in her own way.

“Q-Qin Heng, my junior?”

Once Qing Nianyi reached Qin Heng, she gazed at him as he stood there in silence, lost in thought, and asked gently. Her jade-white hand resting against her chest had begun to clench nervously.

At the call, Big Slacker snapped back to his senses. He scratched his head awkwardly and spoke up.

“Ah, sorry. Every time I see you, Miss Qing... I mean, Senior Nianyi, I can’t help being captivated. You’re still as beautiful as ever tonight.”

Qin Heng didn’t mean anything else by it, and he wasn’t just flattering her. He was simply struck by her beauty...

Qing Nianyi froze at his words. Her little hand trembled as she covered her lips, and her dusky, golden eyes filled with delighted disbelief. Even her voice turned a little shy and hesitant.

“Th-thank you, Qin Heng...”

Qing Nianyi remained as gentle and elegant as ever on the outside, standing tall and graceful. But the excitement she couldn’t put into words nearly made her cry out...

He really is complimenting me! I’m so happy!

For the first time, Qing Nianyi was truly grateful for her lovely appearance. It wasn’t just there to make her look proper and poised; it meant she could receive even the smallest bit of praise and approval from the person she loved...

Big Slacker shook his head.

“I’m just stating a fact. You don’t have to thank me, Senior Nianyi. I only just found out that we go to the same school—and that you’re my senior...”

“Would it be all right if I called you Senior Nianyi?”

Big Couch-Potato Qin mainly wondered if using “Nianyi” as a prefix might be too intimate and personal. Surely only people close to her called her that. And given her special status, would she dislike it, or prefer that other people not address her that way...?

Qing Nianyi looked at Qin Heng, standing right in front of her, affection shining in her eyes. Then she smiled and nodded.

“Of course. You can call me whatever you like, Qin Heng.”

Qin Heng let out a quiet breath of relief. It seemed the name was fine after all. Then he spoke again.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting, Senior Nianyi. I’m not familiar with this place, so it took me ages to find you.”

Qing Nianyi was even happier at his words—

He hadn’t come late because he didn’t want to see her. He’d just lost his way, and that was why it had taken him so long...

“It’s all right. I haven’t been waiting long. I only just got here too.”

“Phew, that’s a relief. It really is cold tonight. If you—”

Before Qin Heng could finish speaking, his gaze swept over Qing Nianyi’s bare shoulders. He noticed the patches of pale pink skin and finally understood...

Senior Nianyi must have arrived a long time ago. And... she’d probably been waiting here for ages. The night had turned cold, and the evening dress she was wearing offered no protection from it. The faint red and purple marks on her fair skin were proof enough...

Seeing Qing Nianyi endure the cold and discomfort while still being so understanding toward a Big Slacker like him made him want to punch himself twice.

“Qin Heng, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Qin Heng suddenly fall silent, Qing Nianyi hurried closer and asked with concern.

Qin Heng said nothing. Instead, he took off his jacket.

“I’m really sorry. It’s so cold tonight. If you don’t mind, Senior Nianyi, you can—”

“How could I mind!”

Qing Nianyi answered Qin Heng with some excitement.

The moment she saw him take off his jacket, her heart began to race, and her cheeks gradually grew warm...

“Thank you so much. You’re really thoughtful, Qin Heng.”

Qing Nianyi smiled and started to reach for the jacket, but Qin Heng suddenly stepped closer and draped it over her himself.

Before she could react, her outstretched hand had already touched the young man’s chest...

Now Qing Nianyi’s face was as red as an apple. A moment ago, only her skin had been flushed. The touch had lasted only an instant before she pulled her hand back, but the warmth at her fingertips sent waves of turmoil surging through her heart...

“Th-thank you.”

Qing Nianyi thanked him, then shyly looked away, no longer daring to meet the young man’s gaze. Her jade-white hands tightened their hold on his jacket. Her face felt hot, and so did her heart—it was burning.

Qing Nianyi became even more keenly aware that both her heart and body were stirred by the young man’s every little gesture, every careless word and glance. It was as if the two of them were meant to be one...

“You don’t have to thank me, Senior Nianyi. I’m the one who should be apologizing...”

Qing Nianyi gazed dreamily at the young man as he continued to straighten her jacket.

Qin Heng hadn’t even noticed just how close the two of them were now...

Qing Nianyi slowly lifted her beautiful eyes, gazing at the young man’s handsome face and the lips just inches away...

Her thoughts began to blur. In that moment, only one thought remained in her heart: she wanted to get closer to him, to receive more of his care and attention—and all of him...

With a light, graceful step, Qing Nianyi moved closer to the young man once more—

The space between their lips...