Outside the car window, the city gleamed brightly after being washed by torrential rain. Traffic lights flickered in the reflections of roadside puddles until they were shattered by a passing car.

Inside this car sat Xie Ci, still in a dazed state.

Ye Li really was a novice at kissing.  That kiss at the coffee shop had revealed her inexperience. This time, without the excuse of tasting cake, her purpose was clear and her actions direct. That soft little tongue had brazenly entwined with his, leaving an unforgettable sensation.

Xie Ci's mouth still seemed to retain that sweet, slightly metallic feeling from the fitting room. Unlike yesterday's abrupt kiss at the coffee shop, this kiss didn't have the mixed flavors of dark chocolate and mango cake, only the sweetness and softness that belonged uniquely to a young woman.

"Hmm hmm hmm~" Ye Li hummed pleasantly while driving, her fingertips tapping rhythm on the steering wheel, an unstoppable smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Her glistening red lips seemed even fuller than before.

Ye Li really was a beautiful woman. Whether as the alluring and mysterious female professor from before, or as the charming and cute little girl now, any of these faces would be irresistible temptation for a man.

"Little Ci~" She suddenly spoke with a light laugh, her amber-colored beautiful eyes hiding unstoppable mirth. "Tomorrow's rent... hmm, we'll talk about that tomorrow~"

There's a tomorrow too?

Xie Ci really couldn't help but want to ask: what kind of rent was this? No money required, no skin off his back, no matter how he looked at it, he seemed to be the one taking advantage.

Forget it. When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Whatever she wants.

Xie Ci suddenly remembered a certain American internet friend who seemed to be shut out by his do-not-disturb setting.

Sigh... How should I explain this to her? The messages are probably exploding again.

Opening the pink app, there was only one message. A picture.

Xie Ci frowned in confusion.

He clicked to view it.

Xie Ci's frown deepened.

He deleted this photo from their chat history.

Xie Ci: Very beautiful. Most... I should say no man would dislike this photo.

The blonde girl behind the screen smiled, her whole being seeming to brighten.

But the next sentence made her smile freeze on her face, followed by deep confusion and dejection.

Xie Ci: But don't send me photos like this anymore.

Ling Xi: Why?! No... I mean... don't you like them...

Xie Ci felt somewhat depressed, even a bit angry, as that desire-inducing photo floated through his mind.

Xie Ci: Do you know? My first feeling when I saw that photo was actually fear. Why would you send such intimate photos to an internet friend behind a screen? If I had bad intentions and used such photos for other purposes, do you know what the consequences would be?

Ling Xi: But you wouldn't!

Xie Ci: In my view, photos like this are hurting yourself. I can accept the leg photos you send because you really like the tattoo I helped you choose. You feel confident because of it, it makes you special. That's what I care about, what I treasure.

At this point, Xie Ci rubbed his forehead and sighed in distress. A deep sense of powerlessness and self-blame suddenly welled up in his heart.

Even sending a thousand messages across a screen, sometimes the distance between hearts can't be shortened by even a centimeter.

He regretted turning on do-not-disturb.

Xie Ci:

I don't like photos that might put you in danger afterward, that might make you regret them later.

I'm sorry for not replying to you promptly, but you need to know that your existence doesn't need to be proven this way. Even if you never send photos like that again, I'll still chat with you and play games with you.

Promise me a few things. First, delete those kinds of photos immediately and never take such revealing photos again. Second, always put yourself first. Third, whenever you feel uneasy, tell me directly. You don't need to use this method.

Xie Ci's words were like a sharp sword piercing deep into Ling Xi's heart. She read that long message over and over, typing and deleting text in the chat box.

Finally, she only replied with a small "Mm."

Another message notification sounded. Ling Xi removed the pillow that had been covering her face, it was somewhat damp, yet her face showed unstoppable smile.

Xie Ci: Didn't you say you wanted to know all about her? Her name is Ye Li. I'll answer you about other aspects after consulting her opinion.

Ling Xi: Never mind, I suddenly don't want to know that much anymore.

But maybe I'll find out someday anyway.

Xie Ci... I really want to see you, so very much.

The blonde girl gazed lovingly at the chat records on her screen.

It won't be long now. Just a few more days.

......

Xie Ci slumped dejectedly against his seat, covering his face with both hands, feeling an indescribable discomfort.

The harsh sound of brakes rang out.

A gentle force touched his shoulder.

Opening his eyes, he saw Ye Li's face full of concern.

"What's wrong, Little Ci?"

"Nothing, don't worry. Just eye strain from looking at my phone too much." Xie Ci's expression was calm.

There are some people in our lives who are like seawater, ebbing and flowing.

The traces they leave behind cannot dry up.

"Ye Li, her name is Ling Xi. When we get home tonight, let me tell you some stories about her."

"Mm!"

......

Besides clothes and equipment needed for gaming and video recording, they had also purchased some daily necessities.

Xie Ci turned off the range hood and skillfully arranged the dishes, then took out a drink from the refrigerator. It was a brand he'd never heard of that was quite expensive. If Ye Li hadn't strongly recommended it, he would never drink such expensive beverages.

They're all just sweet water. Aren't cheap ones and expensive ones all the same?

He arranged the food on the coffee table in the bedroom. Next to the coffee table was an enormous Sony display screen, connected to a top-spec laptop that was currently downloading games.

In the first place, he couldn’t believe there was a coffee table and computer in this bedroom. He could barely fit that in his old living room.

Ye Li wore a red camisole, revealing her fragrant shoulders and jade-like back. Her arms hugged her legs, and her crystal-clear little feet stepped on the newly laid black carpet, appearing even more fair and tender. Her pair of large amber-colored eyes stared round as she focused intently on reading a gaming guide.

Spring City was a rainy city, and this was a rainy season. Outside the window, rain began pattering again, accompanied by rustling wind sounds hitting the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows. The air was fresh, cool, and slightly humid with a pleasant temperature.

For some reason, Xie Ci suddenly really liked this feeling. The sound of rain, wind, the computer's humming, and the aroma of simple yet delicious home-cooked dishes on the table.

The whole world was both clamorous and quiet, like holding someone's hand while walking into a vast night sea to fish for lost stars.

Clearly, I used to find rain sounds annoying. They interfered with recording videos.

Somewhat dazed, it seems like... long ago he had also enjoyed this kind of rain sound... but the person beside him then had red pupils...

Hiss— His head hurt a bit. He couldn't remember...

And didn't want to think about it...

"Ye Li, come eat quickly, or the food will get cold."

"Wuu~ This game looks really fun, but the art style is too scary..."

Ye Li's little face was slightly red, her tone carrying some kind of wishful thinking. She looked at the screen with reluctance and confusion, then looked at him. That gaze was truly innocent and cute, making Xie Ci momentarily distracted.

But Xie Ci wouldn't indulge her. Like grabbing a little cat, he lifted her over to the coffee table in one motion.

"Can't I finish reading first~"

"Eat!"

Ye Li: (；´д｀)ゞ

Xie Ci: (￣ー￣)

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