A new week began.

The school's lights-out was at eleven-thirty. When Shi Sui returned, she went to sleep after washing up.

Early the next morning, she opened the chat box and saw that Yan Tingli had replied to her message in the early hours.

A single number [1], meaningless, probably just indicating he was alive.

Shi Sui thought about the several calls she had wanted to make last night, and pressed the screen off without expression.

Between them, it had always been him controlling all her movements.

She was always hiding and avoiding, seemingly ignoring the fact that when Yan Tingli didn't want to be found, she actually couldn't find him at all.

She had full classes in the morning. When Shi Sui and her roommates came out of the teaching building at noon, she received an unexpected call from Song Jie.

Her fingers tightened, her expression momentarily stunned.

"What's wrong, Suisui?" asked Xue Jing, who was linking arms with her.

Shi Sui looked down at her phone: "You and Anran go to the cafeteria first, I have something to handle."

"Okay, should we save you a seat?"

Shi Sui waved her hand: "No need, it's fine."

She quickly walked away from the crowd to a quiet place and answered the call.

She said formally, "Auntie."

"Suisui," Song Jie called her, "are you busy?"

Shi Sui: "Just finished class, not busy."

Song Jie made an acknowledging sound and casually chatted with her for a few sentences, her voice carrying faint weariness.

Shi Sui didn't meet Song Jie often, and speaking alone with her could be counted on one hand. Guessing that Song Jie likely had something to say, she proactively asked: "Auntie, are you...?"

"It's like this, I can't get through to Tingli's phone, and my legs aren't convenient right now. Since you're at the same school as him, if it's convenient, could you help me see him and ask him to call me back?"

Shi Sui was stunned: "Auntie, what happened to your leg?"

"Twisted it a bit, nothing serious." Song Jie seemed unwilling to elaborate, "Is it convenient for you?"

Shi Sui had no reason to refuse: "...Convenient."

They didn't have much to chat about. After exchanging pleasantries, they hung up.

Shi Sui looked at her phone, still processing the information from the call.

Yan Tingli wasn't answering Song Jie's calls.

Had they fought yesterday?

Shi Sui's hand paused over Yan Tingli's chat box.

Suddenly, she had a headache.

Could it be that from Song Jie's perspective, she and Yan Tingli were close? If Song Jie couldn't do something, how could she possibly manage it...

Shi Sui sighed, deleting and editing for a long time before finally sending Yan Tingli: [When are you free today?]

He didn't reply immediately.

That was normal – he was habitually busy and rarely chatted online.

Shi Sui wasn't free today either; on the contrary, she had classes all day. Just as she was hesitating whether to call directly, thinking about where her afternoon class was, she changed her mind.

They had several professional courses that required computer labs. The School of Cross-Disciplinary Information had top-tier domestic equipment. The Academy of Fine Arts had applied many times before the School of Cross-Disciplinary Information reluctantly approved it.

This semester, Shi Sui's major was fortunate to experience it here. Although they had already attended classes here several times, she was still inevitably shocked by this golden, gleaming, and extremely futuristic academic building.

As a top domestic science and engineering university, A University naturally allocated increasing funds to these flagship schools, not to mention the huge donations from industry leaders each year.

Although the Academy of Fine Arts was also impressive, compared to this place, it was like the difference between a legitimate son and a concubine's daughter.

In the evening, Shi Sui finished her last class and came out of the computer room.

The Cross-Disciplinary School building was over twenty stories high, and Shi Sui's group was on the eleventh floor.

Students coming and going all looked hurried, some still wearing lab coats, others drinking coffee while studying – everyone busy with their own affairs.

The academic atmosphere was so intense that Xue Jing and the other girl didn't dare make a sound, quietly arriving at the elevator.

Entering the elevator, Shi Sui habitually stood toward the back, taking her phone from her bag. She guessed Yan Tingli should be attending classes here and estimated she could call him out for a meeting.

The elevator descended about two floors.

Suddenly, there was a "ding" sound. The elevator stopped, the doors opened, and a crowd of people stood outside, surging into the elevator.

Shi Sui glanced and stepped back.

Just as she saw Yan Tingli's reply message, her sleeve was suddenly tugged excitedly by someone.

Turning her head, she saw Xue Jing silently screaming, pointing quietly toward the door with her finger.

Shi Sui followed her gaze.

Her pupils contracted in shock.

Quite coincidentally, Yan Tingli was walking in leisurely, wearing a black jacket with a backpack casually slung over his shoulder, his expression calm and indifferent.

Several male students clustered around him, talking to him.

The moment their eyes met, Shi Sui looked away.

Looking down at her phone, she happened to see his recent reply: [Missing me?]

She pressed her lips together, pretending not to see it, quickly turning off the screen.

The several people who entered were all tall male students, making the space cramped and the air thin.

Yan Tingli was not far from her.

People around him were conversing with him, asking professional questions. He responded briefly while looking at his phone.

Lin Anran sent a message to the group chat: [Every time I see him, I have to sigh about how handsome he is]

Xue Jing: [Asked for his WeChat last week, wonder if he still remembers me]

Lin Anran: [Such a handsome face, but he doesn't plan to date, what a waste ahhh]

It was peak after-class time, people kept getting on, and the elevator became increasingly cramped.

Shi Sui simply retreated to the corner at the back, minimizing her presence.

Just as she positioned herself, someone in front backed up – it was the male student talking to Yan Tingli.

Squeezed until his footing was unstable, he was heading straight toward her.

Shi Sui had nowhere to avoid, standing there staring at him.

Just as they were about to collide, the male student's arm was grabbed, and Yan Tingli cast a cold glance over.

The male student reacted, looking toward Shi Sui: "Sorry, too crowded."

"It's fine."

Zhuo Haoyu was momentarily dazzled upon seeing Shi Sui, his eyes not moving away for a while. Just as he wanted to say something more, he was pulled by a force toward another side, his original position occupied.

He looked toward Yan Tingli.

Somewhat puzzled.

"Brother Yan?"

"Stand properly." His tone was cold.

"...Oh."

Yan Tingli was very close.

Shi Sui knew without looking up.

Each other's breath was always familiar, even in an elevator full of people.

She lowered her eyes and held her breath, almost curling into a ball.

When the last person entered, she couldn't move an inch, her entire body pressed against the wall.

But the person in front of her pushed his luck.

He was too tall, standing in front like a wall, his breath domineeringly invading everything around her.

Xue Jing and Lin Anran were squeezed to the other side, their gazes frequently glancing over.

Yan Tingli's hand was braced against the wall, just blocking their view.

Shi Sui couldn't help but send a message: [Don't stand so close to me]

"Close?" he said.

His sudden voice drew several glances.

Shi Sui's heart jumped violently, but she had to appear calm while messaging: [Why did you speak out loud?]

Yan Tingli calmly raised his hand to his earphone, appearing to be on a phone call.

Others then looked away again.

"Too lazy to type."

Shi Sui's scalp tingled: [Use your phone to talk to me]

"I won't."

Yan Tingli lowered his voice, "Why didn't you answer my question just now?"

The question just now?

Shi Sui thought for a moment and finally remembered the message on the screen – "Missing me?"

She blinked, trying to pretend she hadn't heard.

Suddenly, her other hand, hidden under her sleeve, was hooked.

The cool, jade-like touch traced up and down along the lines of her palm.

Shi Sui's face burned. She tried to withdraw her hand, but he wouldn't let go.

"Mm?" he said again, his fingers entwining like a snake.

Shi Sui was going crazy, finally giving up resistance.

Her fingers were completely wrapped in his palm.

"Answer me." He tickled her palm.

He was always like this, using every means to get the answer he wanted.

Shi Sui was forced into a corner, even forgetting to use her phone, squeezing out a sound from her nose: "...Mm."

"Suisui?" Lin Anran was puzzled. "What did you say?"

Shi Sui was covered in cold sweat: "Nothing."

Yan Tingli let out a laugh, pinching her fingertip flirtatiously.

Fortunately, the elevator finally reached the first floor, and Shi Sui took the opportunity to pull her hand away.

She ran toward the elevator entrance as if escaping.

At that moment, her phone buzzed.

Yan Tingli: [Wait for me at the back door]

Shi Sui hastily glanced at it and walked quickly forward.

Zhuo Haoyu instinctively took a step to follow, but He Nan behind him grabbed his bag: "Haozi, where are you going?"

"I..." his ears were somewhat red.

He Nan: "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing."

"I don't believe you," He Nan keenly glanced in the direction of Shi Sui's group and whispered, "Tell me, which girl caught your eye?"

While talking, Yan Tingli was the last to exit the elevator.

He Nan looked at Zhuo Haoyu's expression and laughed, pushing him: "No way, you fell for someone? Then why don't you hurry up and get her WeChat before it's too late?"

Zhuo Haoyu was encouraged, and his feet were already eager to move: "Then I'll go right now-"

Before he finished speaking, his shoulder was pressed down by someone.

"Brother Yan?" Zhuo Haoyu was surprised.

"She has a boyfriend."

"What?" he was shocked.

Somehow, Zhuo Haoyu sensed Yan Tingli's coldness.

Different from his usual coldness.

"How do you know?"

"On her neck," Yan Tingli glanced at him, smiled without reaching his eyes, "there's a hickey."

Zhuo Haoyu stood frozen: "Brother Yan, are you sure you saw clearly?"

Yan Tingli pointed to his side neck, saying casually: "In this position."

Zhuo Haoyu was speechless, his expression dejected.

"Tsk tsk," He Nan laughingly put his arm around Zhuo Haoyu's shoulder, enjoying the drama, "Heartbroken in one second."

Zhuo Haoyu frowned and pushed his hand away: "Get lost."

Yan Tingli withdrew his gaze and raised his hand: "I have something to do, I'm leaving."

"Sure, bye Brother Yan." He Nan waved while putting his arm around Zhuo Haoyu's shoulder, "Come on, stop looking, the girl has a boyfriend."

"God, Suisui, you were so close to Yan Tingli just now ahhh!" As soon as they walked away, Xue Jing burst out exclaiming, "How was it? Does he smell nice?"

Lin Anran chimed in: "Did you have trouble breathing?"

Shi Sui's fingers still had the sticky sweat from his caressing: "...Yes."

It was suffocating indeed.

"Ah, what a pity."

"What's wrong?"

"I feel like Yan Tingli has a girlfriend." Xue Jing said regretfully.

Shi Sui's steps faltered slightly.

Lin Anran adjusted her glasses: "How can you tell?"

"Sixth sense!" Xue Jing said, "Didn't you hear his tone when he was on the phone just now? So doting and ambiguous."

"?"

Shi Sui was horrified: "Doting?"

Xue Jing: "Just now, was that a tone you'd use with guy friends?"

Lin Anran: "But didn't Weiwei say that Yan Tingli told her he doesn't plan to date in college?"

"You believe that, too!" Xue Jing pouted, "Maybe it was just an excuse to reject her." She raised a finger and lowered her voice: "My intuition tells me Yan Tingli has a girlfriend he's secretly dating. What type do you think he likes?"

Lin Anran: "I feel like it's high-IQ, long-legged, mature women."

"You're right." Xue Jing agreed.

Shi Sui: "......"

"Suisui, why are you looking at me like that?"

"..." Shi Sui was silent for two seconds. "I also think you're right."

...

When they came out of the academic building, it was already evening.

Shi Sui walked slowly down the steps.

Normally, she might try every means to escape, but not today – the task Song Jie had assigned her wasn't completed yet.

Shi Sui sighed silently to herself, found an excuse to let her roommates leave first, and circled back to the back door alone.

The after-class rush hour had passed, and only occasional figures could be seen at the back door.

Shi Sui walked through the gate, standing behind tall plants, looking around.

Until someone wrapped an arm around her waist from behind, the forearm with distinct joints and visible tendons, firmly controlling her.

He bent his neck, his light breath spraying behind her ear.

Shi Sui's eyelashes trembled.

She lowered her voice: "We're still outside, let go."

"No one can see." He said indifferently.

Shi Sui avoided his breathing, her eyes still looking around, her whole body highly tense.

"But there are surveillance cameras."

"Don't you like it?"

"..." Shi Sui tried to pry his fingers apart, "Who would like this?!"

"Really?"

"I thought," Yan Tingli laughed in her ear, "you liked this sneaky feeling."

"..."

At this moment, footsteps came from the spiral staircase not far away. Just one more turn and they would see them.

She didn't dare to bet that they didn't know Yan Tingli.

"Someone's coming!" Shi Sui anxiously pushed him, "Let go of me quickly."

Yan Tingli frowned with impatience. As soon as his hand loosened, Shi Sui took the opportunity to run to the side, smoothing the hair by her ear, looking natural like a random passerby.

The person indeed knew Yan Tingli well and specifically greeted him.

Shi Sui's legs moved quickly, walking farther and farther away.

Yan Tingli narrowed his eyes.

The gaze from behind pierced like needles, making her somewhat afraid. She paused, grinding her toes on the spot, appearing restless.

"Senior?" The junior felt Yan Tingli's absent-mindedness and hesitated. He originally just wanted to get closer, hoping to curry favor for future benefits.

"Anything else?"

"No, nothing."

Yan Tingli stopped talking, the languid meaning in his expression already obvious.

No one wanted to invite more snubs: "...Then I'll go first, goodbye senior."

Yan Tingli's footsteps approached again.

Shi Sui's heart was suspended, afraid he would do something inappropriate again.

"I don't have the interest in kissing you in public places yet."

When Yan Tingli passed by, brushing her shoulder, he left behind a sarcastic remark.

He entered the elevator.

Shi Sui was left with his sarcasm, too angry to let it go, following a meter behind: "Then you better never kiss me again if you have the guts."

"Ding" – they reached the basement parking garage.

As soon as Shi Sui stood steady, she was pulled by the wrist and dragged into the back seat of a car. The parking garage was almost empty – few students had cars, and even fewer could drive into the academic building.

"I don't have the guts."

"?" Shi Sui hadn't reacted yet.

Yan Tingli pressed the back of her head, his lips and teeth grinding against a piece of flesh on her side neck.

Shi Sui hissed in pain.

If she remembered correctly, he had bitten the same spot the night before last, and the mark hadn't faded yet.

"Yan Tingli, stop biting! Are you a dog?!"

"Good."

"Good what?" Shi Sui pinched his arm. Why won't he let go!

"Being a dog." Yan Tingli sucked and licked, creating a tingling sensation. Shi Sui's whole body felt electrified. Hearing what he said, she was stunned for a moment.

She could hardly believe he could be this shameless.

"You're sick, you're perverted." She scolded.

The skin on her neck was being caressed by him. Even as she scolded him, he laughed with pleasure.

He was impervious to reason, so Shi Sui simply closed her eyes and played dead.

In an instant, he straightened up with his hand around her waist, and suddenly, close to her ear, asked: "Did my roommate with glasses touch you?"

"No." Shi Sui thought he was being baselessly jealous again, "Wasn't he pulled back by you?"

"I know."

He kissed her cheek once, like a reward.

Shi Sui was completely confused until she heard Yan Tingli say casually, "I remembered wrong – he wasn't wearing glasses today."

Several seconds passed.

She finally slowly understood Yan Tingli's meaning, and fine goosebumps suddenly rose on her back.

-He was testing her, whether she had seen other men's faces.

As for why he asked about this roommate, she wasn't sure.

"I'm very happy today."

Shi Sui: "...Huh?"

She often couldn't understand Yan Tingli's thought processes.

"Coming here, were you looking for me?" He played with a strand of hair by her ear.

"I came here for class." Shi Sui originally wanted to explain she hadn't come specifically to find him, but remembering Song Jie's request, she changed her tone, "But I did want to find you too."

Yan Tingli's response was to lean his profile against hers from behind, nuzzling her.

Every moment of intimacy with him at school made Shi Sui feel at a loss, even in the car.

She slightly moved her face away and finally spoke the lines she had rehearsed for a long time: "Where did you go yesterday anyway? Why didn't you answer my calls?"

Shi Sui never proactively asked about his whereabouts.

Yan Tingli was silent for a moment.

Suddenly, he said, "Who told you to ask?"

Shi Sui's heart jumped violently, almost thinking he could read minds.

"Zhou Xuyan?" Yan Tingli's tone was cold. "What does she want to find out?"

"No, she didn't ask!"

Yan Tingli looked at her with lowered eyelids.

Seeing he was just routinely inquiring, Shi Sui regained confidence and raised her voice: "Can't I ask what you're doing?"

Yan Tingli was silent longer this time than before.

Just as Shi Sui's heart was jumping up and down, suddenly, another gentle kiss fell on her cheek.

Like a lingering feather.

Shi Sui's eyelashes fluttered: "...Why are you kissing me again?"

"Commemoration."

"Commemorating what?"

"The first time you've controlled me."

Shi Sui lowered her head and muttered, "Do you like being controlled?"

He laughed slowly: "That depends on who's doing the controlling."

Shi Sui felt something wasn't quite right.

After a long while, she suppressed this strange feeling and changed the subject: "So what did you go do?"

He seemed particularly patient today, willing to participate in this boring conversation.

"I went back to the Yan house." He said, "Had dinner with them."

"Oh," Shi Sui said, "I know about that."

"Professor Su's family was also at the table, including Su Han," Yan Tingli paused, "You know about that too?"

Shi Sui wanted to pretend she didn't know, but unfortunately, people who aren't good at lying can't even pretend. She could only say hesitantly: "I heard you mention it on the phone."

"You eavesdropped on my phone call?" Yan Tingli's voice slightly rose, carrying indescribable meaning.

"I wasn't eavesdropping." Shi Sui cleared her name, "I accidentally overheard."

"Mm, accidentally."

"It was accidental," Shi Sui's face grew hotter, "Stop kissing me." He was kissing while talking, like petting a cat, pressing against her cheek to kiss.

"I won't have any relationship with Su Han." Yan Tingli suddenly said in her ear.

Each word is clear, more intimate than pillow talk.

The temperature in the car kept rising.

What she asked wasn't about Su Han, but the situation still developed uncontrollably this way.

Shi Sui pinched her palm, barely calming down: "Actually, that's not what I was asking about."

After speaking, she felt Yan Tingli's gaze fixed on her face, and the temperature cooled somewhat.

That ambiguous atmosphere seemed to be burst by an invisible needle.

"After dinner, where exactly did you go? You even got caught in the rain." Shi Sui jumped away from the previous topic, guiding further, "Did something happen?"

Shi Sui's heartbeat accelerated.

And Yan Tingli's pause was longer than any before.

"Ran away from home."

Shi Sui: "Did you...fight with Uncle Yan and them?"

Yan Tingli lowered his brows: "Mm, they want to kick me out of the house."

Shi Sui's eyes widened: "That can't be possible."

"It's true." He said seriously, "I can only elope with you."

Shi Sui couldn't come back to her senses for a long time, her expression tangled.

Song Jie hadn't told her any of this!

"Then," she stammered, going with the flow, "then you should call Aunt Song back and apologize."

Yan Tingli lifted his eyelids, glancing at her.

This glance made Shi Sui evasively look away, her fingers unconsciously circling.

Of course, she didn't dare say it was Song Jie's assigned task, instinctively feeling Yan Tingli wouldn't comply.

"Why should I apologize?"

Shi Sui was stunned.

Yan Tingli's voice sounded cold: "You don't know the inside story, yet you want me to apologize?"

Realizing her mistake, Shi Sui said hesitantly: "...Sorry."

Yan Tingli: "I didn't ask you to apologize."

Shi Sui suddenly didn't know what else to say.

She regretted not trying harder to find excuses to refuse Song Jie.

After a few seconds of silence, "Then let's not talk about this anymore."

Suddenly, Yan Tingli's phone rang.

Shi Sui saw – it was Song Jie.

He did not react, as if he didn't see it, and didn't answer.

With the previous experience, Shi Sui didn't speak up to ask.

But unexpectedly, as soon as Yan Tingli's ringtone stopped, her phone in her bag started ringing continuously.

Shi Sui's expression changed.

Her eyes couldn't hide things. Almost as soon as the ringtone started, she began to nervously and uncontrollably panic.

"Might be a spam call." She hurriedly went to hang up her bag.

Before she could touch it, her phone was pulled out first by Yan Tingli. He held it high, glancing at it.

A short snort came from his throat.

Yan Tingli slid his finger and answered. There was no expression on his face.

Shi Sui's heart almost jumped out, frantically trying to snatch it.

Yan Tingli held her arm with one hand while speaking to the other end: "There's only one reason I don't answer calls – because I don't want to. Finding anyone else is useless."

"As for what you're worried about, I can give you an accurate answer, too. I heard it, heard it very clearly."

"If you miss Yan Congjin, North Suburb Cemetery number 089, you can visit him anytime."

After speaking, he hung up the phone and casually threw it on the seat cushion.

Only silence remained in the car.

Knowing Yan Tingli dared to say anything, she hadn't expected him to be this audacious.

...What an unfilial son.

His gaze turned to her. She would be next, and Shi Sui didn't know what expression to put on.

Yan Tingli was too smart. Such small tricks couldn't fool him – he could see through them at a glance.

Yan Tingli also didn't speak.

His long eyelashes dropped, and the warm light in his eyes also disappeared.

Suddenly he laughed: "No wonder." The mockery in his tone almost overflowed: "Usually can't wait to run away."

Shi Sui's voice was very low: "...I just didn't know how to refuse Aunt Song."

"Not curious?"

"About what?" Shi Sui didn't understand.

Yan Tingli slightly tilted his head, his brows cool as water: "Like asking me who Yan Congjin is. You don't look surprised."

Shi Sui's expression stiffened almost imperceptibly, then quickly covered it up.

Yan Tingli let out a cold laugh: "Zhou Xuyan has quite some nerve."

"No, it wasn't her, she didn't say anything." Shi Sui hurriedly cleared her friend of responsibility.

His eyebrow arched with more sarcasm: "Seems you do know."

"..."

Yan Tingli was cunning and scheming. She too easily fell into his traps.

The more she said, the more mistakes she made. Shi Sui simply shut her mouth.

For quite a while.

Yan Tingli didn't make another sound.

Thinking he was brewing some big move, Shi Sui held her breath and secretly glanced at him, slightly stunned.

Yan Tingli only showed him her profile.

His eyelashes pressed low, his expression unclear.

She couldn't fathom anything, yet Shi Sui felt a kind of cold, lonely fragility.

But it was only momentary, so fast it seemed like an illusion.

Yan Tingli turned his face toward her, back to his usual indifferent attitude: "What's that expression?"

Shi Sui was stunned.

"Pitying me?"

"No, I-"

"Do I need it?"

Shi Sui paused for two seconds, understanding the meaning of his words.

...Just now was indeed an illusion.

Right.

With his top-tier life, getting whatever he wanted, where would he need her pity?

Though Shi Sui was indignant, her heart strangely relaxed somewhat. She muttered quietly: "Then I'll take it back."

"Who gave you permission to take it back?"

Shi Sui:?

Yan Tingli expressionlessly pulled her back onto his lap, moving up, spreading her legs apart.

Shi Sui was wearing a pleated skirt today, with only a thin layer of stockings underneath.

"Pitying it would also work," Yan Tingli leaned close to her ear, saying in a low voice, "Haven't tried it in a car yet."

The hair on Shi Sui's neck stood up as she cursed: "You pervert, this is school!"

Yan Tingli glanced out the window: "Should I drive the car home then?"

"That's not okay either!"

Yan Tingli was noncommittal, playing with a strand of her hair.

Not mentioning this matter again, he asked methodically: "Let me guess, Zhou Xuyan told you yesterday?"

Shi Sui: "..."

He used a casual conversational tone: "Randomly telling my business, did she think about the consequences?"

"No..." Shi Sui had to cover for her best friend to the end: "I was the one who insisted on asking."

Yan Tingli leaned close, his hand resting on her leg, his breath very light:

"Knowing so much is very dangerous."

Shi Sui stopped his hand from going further, "Just pretend I don't know. I won't talk randomly."

Yan Tingli laughed.

"No good." He said, "Knowing is knowing."

Regarding deliberately inquiring about Yan Tingli's privacy, Shi Sui also felt somewhat guilty.

"What exactly do you want?"

He slowly traced circles on her knee: "What's our relationship?"

"What else could it be," Shi Sui said petulantly, "an improper relationship!"

"Then let's change it to proper."

Shi Sui's pupils slightly dilated, her eardrums vibrating: "What kind of proper...relationship?"

Yan Tingli's tone seemed casual, "If you're my girlfriend, I don't mind you knowing so much."

Due to her parents' work relocations, Shi Sui had moved between the north and the south since childhood.

She was accustomed to her parents' busyness, accustomed to having dinner at their friends' homes, and accustomed to finding her entertainment when lonely.

So when Shi Yue apologetically announced the decision to send her to stay with old friends until after the college entrance exams, she didn't think much about it and obediently agreed.

Shi Sui thought it would be similar to uncles and aunties, until Yan Zecheng led her into the magnificent Yan family villa.

Meeting Yan Tingli on the staircase, that indifferent glance he cast her way.

It still stood like an insurmountable chasm across Shi Sui's heart.

The "class differences" that had always been vaguely conceptual in textbooks had never been so clearly etched in her mind as in that moment.

That day, Song Jie had also received her at home, her attitude as gentle and bland as plain water.

Shi Sui didn't want to appear awkward.

But being young, she still showed her nervousness, afraid to see even a hint of displeasure on the hostess's face.

As it turned out, she was overthinking.

Yan Zecheng and Song Jie were both extremely busy. Her arrival in the vast Yan house was like a dandelion seed gently floating to the ground, unable to cause any disturbance at all.

And Yan Tingli, who shared the third floor with her, was much busier than she was.

Weekdays at school, weekends are filled with various training and competitions.

Most of the time, except for the servants, there was often no one else here.

So Shi Sui's tense nerves gradually relaxed, adapting to life at the Yan house.

Occasionally lonely, but fortunately, she was good at entertaining herself.

Though she and Yan Tingli saw each other constantly, fortunately, they could maintain mutual respect.

Morning with messy bedhead hair, or evening yawning while making milk, or occasionally pulling at her nightgown while dancing around.

He always appeared suddenly, startling her.

The only consolation was that Yan Tingli's reactions were always well-mannered.

Usually just a bland glance before calmly looking away, as if seeing something unpleasant to look at.

At first, Shi Sui would feel very embarrassed.

After many while, she became unfazed.

Later, no matter how hard Shi Sui racked her brain, she couldn't understand how Yan Tingli, who initially acted as if even one extra glance at her was too much, became so enthusiastic about sleeping with her.

To this, Yan Tingli later gave an answer that made her want to call the police-

"One more look and I get hard."

Why she ended up rolling around with Yan Tingli essentially came down to Shi Sui drinking too much.

That evening's dinner gathering was all classmates from the same art training class, familiar with each other.

"You're eighteen now, you should know your alcohol tolerance." A friend carried a case of beer into the KTV private room. "Grow some awareness before entering society, and prevent being taken advantage of."

"Especially you, Suisui, don't let anyone trick you."

Whether she'd be taken advantage of after entering society, Shi Sui didn't know.

But that night, Shi Sui thoroughly tricked herself.

After a few beers, she was spinning and giggling.

Holding the microphone wailing like a banshee in KTV, finally hugging her friend, crying, and calling for mama.

None of this was the most terrifying part.

The most terrifying part was-when Shi Sui was helped back to the Yan residence, it wasn't the auntie who opened the door, but Yan Tingli.

Yet Shi Sui was completely oblivious to his low pressure.

She stared at him with wide eyes: "Wow."

He looked like a beautiful boy from Japanese anime.

Her mind ran wild after drinking.

She somehow got her wires crossed, standing straight like she'd been electrified, learning from anime heroines and solemnly raising her hand in salute: "Ohayo, onii-chan!"

The friend who brought her back was surprised: "Suisui, is this your brother?"

Shi Sui was still giggling. Before she could think, her arm was suddenly grabbed, and with great force, the cool air conditioning hit her as she was pulled through the door.

She didn't know what Yan Tingli said to her friend. When she came to her senses, the door was already closed.

The house was dark with no lights on. She stumbled as he dragged her into the elevator.

Shi Sui instinctively tried to break free, then hazily remembered that the Yan residence's duty auntie had asked for leave today, so no one was home.

In the enclosed space of the elevator, she felt safe.

Leaning against the wall, she couldn't help staring at Yan Tingli again.

Looking at his forehead and brow bone, his nose bridge, and lips.

At the junction of his jaw and neck, there was also a small mole.

Devastatingly sexy.

"You're really good-looking." She unconsciously reached out to touch his brow bone.

Shi Sui had no idea what she was doing.

She just inexplicably felt like she'd wanted to do this for a long time.

Yan Tingli dodged slightly.

His dark eyes fell on her face, examining her inch by inch.

Drunk Shi Sui was brazenly thick-skinned, following him without clear consciousness as he didn't dodge again.

"Be my model." The cold, jade-like touch made her reluctant to let go. "I'll paint you beautifully."

He stared at her, a slight curve at his lips, bending down to ask: "What's in it for me?"

"Benefits?"

Shi Sui covered her face and giggled, "If you can be my model, I'd be willing to live in mansions and drive luxury cars."

Yan Tingli's chest vibrated, clearly genuinely amused, his pleasant voice stimulating her nerve endings: "Alright, I agree."

"Just for today," he slightly raised his brows, "aren't you going to seize the time?"

Accompanied by the elevator doors opening.

She successfully brought him into the bedroom in her daze, slowly setting up the easel.

Turning to see him supporting his arm, casually leaning against the wall.

Strangely asking: "Why aren't you undressing?"

Yan Tingli's long eyelashes dropped, dark gaze shooting through the orange-yellow light: "Undress?"

"Didn't you agree to be my model?"

He looked at her, his lips curving into a very slow smile: "You want me to be a nude model?"

"Yes."

"That won't do."

"Why not?" Shi Sui was dissatisfied.

"Need different stakes." As he spoke, his eyes slowly traced her skin, his Adam's apple moving.

If it were now, encountering such a gaze, Shi Sui would have already run away, rolling and crawling. But drunk, she was still recklessly pursuing the question: "What stakes?"

"Very simple," Yan Tingli's dark pupils blinked once, like temptation, like incitement.

"Come here, kiss me."

...Shi Sui felt she wasn't drunk on alcohol, but bewitched.

Otherwise, how could she have been so possessed to step forward, tiptoeing like touching a work of art?

Their breaths drew close.

Shi Sui crashed into his dark eyes.

In this instant, her nape felt cold.

An instinct belonging to herbivorous animals rushed to her scalp, making her movements freeze, her calves instinctively stepping back.

Yan Tingli remained motionless throughout.

Still gentlemanly, his brows and eyes like snow, as if without any worldly desires.

Shi Sui suspected she was overthinking. Finally, lust conquered instinct.

She slowly pressed against his beautifully shaped lips.

Just a light touch.

Her lower back was firmly restrained, the force frighteningly strong, making her begin to tremble.

"This isn't called kissing." His tongue suddenly moved, very violently driving straight in, his Adam's apple rolling, absorbing moisture like he was extremely thirsty, stirring her until she was dizzy and disoriented, "This is."

...That night, only she was bitten all over.

Before dawn, Shi Sui sobered up, seeing Yan Tingli sleeping beside her, so scared that her brain crashed directly.

Her memories were fragmented and blurry.

-Fragmented in that she couldn't remember clearly how exactly they ended up rolling together, but the pleasure during their passion, Yan Tingli's regretful words that they couldn't go all the way without protection, and her disappointment.

All crystal clear.

Shi Sui's scalp tingled.

Not knowing how to face it, she simply held her head and fled.

Before dawn, she ran downstairs, wandering around the villa complex.

Until the sun rose, she hadn't brought her phone and couldn't go anywhere, plus she couldn't stand the heat, so she could only sneak back.

By then, Shi Sui felt guilty for forcing Yan Tingli and never thought of a next time.

Going back, she was casually seduced with one sentence and became bewitched again, kissing him.

That night could still be considered an accident, but every subsequent tryst couldn't find any excuse.

Shi Sui couldn't help but admit it.

She coveted Yan Tingli and was addicted to the pleasure he gave.

The final bottom line Shi Sui set for this relationship was-don't, absolutely don't fall in love.

And don't let anyone know.

In the past two years, she covered her eyes and plugged her ears.

Avoiding any hints Yan Tingli gave as much as possible.

Sometimes, even urgently wanting to separate.

At least separation wouldn't trap her in this kind of entanglement anymore.

"Suisui," Yan Tingli's voice awakened her from deeper daze, with traces of cold laughter, "Next time you pretend not to hear, make your expression more natural, it'll be more convincing."

Shi Sui's eyelashes trembled.

With just a few words, he placed her on a high platform, leaving her absolutely no chance to escape.

"We can't..." Shi Sui could only lower her head, struggling to say those three words, "date."

"Reason."

"Not suitable."

"Size? Quite suitable."

Shi Sui ignored this, saying with pleading: "Can't we just stay like this?"

Her voice was slightly tense, her heartbeat heavy and fast.

She knew this would make Yan Tingli unhappy.

But this was already the most appropriate thing she could think to say.

Yan Tingli's expression was bland, even lowering his head to carefully arrange her skirt hem.

"Like this now," he paused, confirming with her in a low voice, "the relationship of having an affair with me at school?"

He deliberately made it sound ugly.

Shi Sui gritted her teeth, saying defiantly: "Yes, I like it this way."

Yan Tingli sneered: "Good, as you wish."

"Then from now on, I'll kiss you and touch you anywhere I want at school." His gaze swept over her disheveled clothes, "As long as-no one knows, right?"

Shi Sui felt a chill all over from his explicitly invasive gaze, "No...of course not-"

She was flipped around and pressed against the car window.

Yan Tingli covered her from behind, lifting her chin: "Suisui, look outside."

Shi Sui was forced against the car window, her expression immediately changing color.

-She saw Su Ye.

Su Ye is getting off work, carrying a briefcase, standing diagonally ahead, talking on the phone while opening his car door.

"Let go of me," she suddenly struggled violently, "Yan Tingli, you bastard...!"

Yan Tingli covered her mouth from behind.

"Shh." A kiss fell on her neck, murmuring, "Can't let anyone see."

"Otherwise, tomorrow it'll be on the campus wall, the whole school will know we're," Yan Tingli paused, "having an affair in the car."

Shi Sui didn't dare imagine, struggling with all her strength, but everywhere she touched was Yan Tingli's solid muscle.

Immovable.

Instead, the car shook, and Su Ye outside was attracted by the movement, glancing over.

Had Su Ye already seen them?

Shi Sui was so scared she forgot to breathe.

"Move again," Yan Tingli said in her ear, "and Professor Su will think we're having car sex."

Shi Sui endured and swallowed her voice.

Fortunately, Su Ye only looked once, then got in his car.

Soon, the sedan drove away.

In the silence, Yan Tingli suddenly lost interest, leaning back in his seat: "Forgot to tell you, this car has privacy film."

Shi Sui was still in shock, stiff there, about to move when she finally came to her senses. She collapsed and slapped his jaw, leaving a red mark on his pale skin. "Yan Tingli, can you stop forcing me like this?!"

Yan Tingli didn't dodge or avoid.

Just lowered his eyelashes, casting a heavy shadow.

Shi Sui's fingers shrank back, her heart jumping up and down.

Only silence remained.

After a long time, Yan Tingli finally slowly reacted.

"Forcing?" He wiped away the mark she'd scratched on his jaw, no expression on his face, "If I were forcing you, from the moment you got in the car, you should have been pressed on top of me and moving."

"Or from two years ago, you should have been locked in a house no one knows about, never wearing clothes again."

"Rather than like now." Cold mockery danced in his eyes, suddenly, he didn't continue.

Always like a dog, desperately seeking a bit of illusory love.

Shi Sui was stunned, waiting for more, but Yan Tingli stopped there.

As Su Ye's car drove away, Yan Tingli opened the car door expressionlessly: "Your mission is complete."

An attitude of dismissing guests.

They parted on bad terms.

Shi Sui said nothing, lowering her head to fix her disheveled clothes, picking up her bag to leave: "Then that's it."

She didn't want to deal with Yan Tingli anymore.

Not at all.

Before her leg could step out, she was suddenly pulled back from behind, the car door slamming shut.

Yan Tingli's face was close.

He had overflowing emotions, like restraint, like resentment.

Looking at her for several seconds before squeezing out a few words through his teeth: "I won't let anyone know."

Shi Sui didn't catch on: "...What?"

"Dating." The hand gripping her shoulder was very tight: "I won't let anyone know."