62: Chapter 62 I Want to Kiss You

Lu Chengyue scooted another ten centimeters away.

"Come a little closer," Xu Wanning continued to tempt him.

This time he didn't move. "Ningning, what exactly are you…"

Xu Wanning leaned in and kissed his cheek, very quickly, probably only for a fraction of a second.

Her lips touched his skin; it was a bit cool and dry.

Lu Chengyue froze, as if a pause button had been pressed.

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

"You…" His voice was low and hoarse, to the point where he could barely make a sound.

Xu Wanning leaned in and smiled. "What's wrong?"

"You kissed me." Lu Chengyue still couldn't quite believe what had just happened.

"Mm, I did." Hehe, I just wanted to kiss you.

"You…" His breathing quickened, his chest heaving, and then he suddenly squatted down, covering his face with both hands, breathing rapidly.

"A-Yue, what's wrong?" Xu Wanning panicked. Was that too much?

"Don't speak." Lu Chengyue's muffled voice came out. "Let me catch my breath."

Xu Wanning sat back silently, watching his broad back and slightly trembling shoulders.

After about two minutes, he straightened up and turned around. His face, from his forehead to his neck, was still red.

Xu Wanning held back a smile. "Are you okay?"

He clenched his fists. "Can you… can you give me a heads-up next time you do something like that?"

Xu Wanning blinked. "Say what? Say 'I'm going to kiss you'?"

His lowered eyes were brimming with flames. "At least let me prepare myself mentally."

Xu Wanning nodded obediently. "Oh, got it."

He sighed and sat back down; this time the distance became fifty centimeters.

Xu Wanning scooted over. "Why are you sitting so far away?"

Lu Chengyue scooted to the side. "Maintaining a safe distance."

"Hahaha." Xu Wanning couldn't hold back her laughter, laughing until tears were almost coming out.

Lu Chengyue watched her laugh, the redness on his face slowly fading, though his ear tips were still red. "Is it that funny?"

Xu Wanning nodded. "You were like this after just one kiss, what are you going to do in the future?"

"What future?" Lu Chengyue couldn't keep up with her train of thought for a moment.

"In the future, we'll do even more…"

"Don't say it." Lu Chengyue interrupted, his voice tight. "Don't say it."

Xu Wanning stopped talking. Today was good enough; she could talk about other things later. She couldn't push him too hard.

She stood up. "A-Yue, let's go back. It's very late, you should sleep."

Lu Chengyue stood up and faced her. "Ningning, do you think I'm boring and old-fashioned?"

She shook her head. "No, it just means you cherish me. You don't treat me casually, and I couldn't be happier."

Lu Chengyue's heart began to thrum, his whole body clamoring. He really couldn't hold back anymore. He reached out with a long arm, grabbed her arm, and pulled her into his embrace.

Xu Wanning was pulled into his arms, one hand around her waist, the other supporting the back of her head, gentle and considerate.

The sound of his heartbeat was very clear, abnormally fast, heavy and rapid; it could be heard clearly through his clothes.

"Your heartbeat is so fast," Xu Wanning said in a muffled voice.

"I know." Lu Chengyue's voice was hoarse. His arms tightened, as if he were afraid she would suddenly disappear.

Xu Wanning patted his arm. "Too tight."

"Sorry." Lu Chengyue loosened his grip a little, but didn't let go completely. "I have no experience."

"It's okay." Xu Wanning hugged his waist tightly. "I like it when you hold me."

"Am I very stupid?" Lu Chengyue felt a bit distressed. As a grown man, he didn't even know how to date.

Xu Wanning shook her head. "No, it's very cute."

His body stiffened. "Cute? Me?"

Xu Wanning rubbed against his chest. "Mm, very cute."

Lu Chengyue buried his face in Xu Wanning's hair, his voice muffled. "I get embarrassed."

The wind stopped, and the moon was half-covered by clouds, making it even darker.

They just held each other like that, not knowing how long, maybe five minutes, maybe an hour.

"Ningning." Lu Chengyue called her name gently.

"Hm?" Xu Wanning responded.

"Thank you."

Xu Wanning lifted her face from his chest and looked at him. "A-Yue."

"Hm."

"You're so handsome."

Lu Chengyue smiled, very lightly, very softly.

He lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers, nose to nose, their breaths mingling. "Can I kiss you?" His voice was so low it was almost inaudible.

"Didn't you just say you weren't ready yet?" Xu Wanning intentionally disagreed.

Lu Chengyue rubbed his nose against hers. "I changed my mind."

Xu Wanning nodded slightly, agreeing.

As a result, she waited and waited, but he didn't kiss where she expected. Instead, he kissed her forehead, his lips landing between her brows, light as a feather, lingering for two seconds before pulling away.

Xu Wanning began to doubt her own charm. "The kiss you were talking about is just a forehead kiss?"

Lu Chengyue pinched her cheek. "The first time, let's not go too fast. We should take it slow."

Who wants to take it slow with you? The Apocalypse is coming; who knows when we might die, maybe even before The Apocalypse arrives.

She tiptoed and kissed his lips, very quickly, faster than when she kissed his cheek earlier.

His lips were very dry, slightly chapped, but soft.

Lu Chengyue froze again. "You…"

Xu Wanning smiled. "You kissed me, so I have to kiss you back."

Lu Chengyue closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them, staring at her like a wolf that had been starving for days upon discovering its prey. "Ningning."

"Hm." He was definitely going to preach again, telling her not to launch surprise attacks or something. Hmph, in one ear and out the other.

The flames in Lu Chengyue's eyes flared high, primal and dangerous impulses swirling in his gaze. It took immense willpower for him to extinguish those flames.

"I… will take you back." His voice was so hoarse it was barely audible.

"Okay." That's enough for today.

Lu Chengyue took her hand, interlacing their fingers. His fingers were trembling slightly.

On the way back, he didn't say a word.

Xu Wanning didn't speak either, enjoying the quiet.

Upon reaching the door, he let go of her hand. "Go on in."

Xu Wanning trotted a few steps and pushed open the door, then turned back. "A-Yue, goodnight."

Lu Chengyue clenched his fists. "Goodnight."

Neither of them had any intention of leaving; they just looked at each other quietly.

Xu Wanning waved her hand. "A-Yue, you go first. I'll watch you leave."

Lu Chengyue turned and walked three steps, looked back, continued walking, and looked back again.

Xu Wanning smiled. "A-Yue, if you don't leave now, you won't be able to leave at all."

Lu Chengyue paused, turned to face her, and the next second walked back. "You're right, I can't leave."

He reached out and pulled Xu Wanning into his arms, hugging her tightly once more, even tighter this time. "Let me hold you for a while longer, just a little while."

Xu Wanning reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning steadily against his solid chest.

Lu Chengyue's breath hit her neck, rapid and scorching.

"A-Yue, don't be nervous." She stroked his back, trying to get him to relax.

As a result, Lu Chengyue became even more tense. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and took a deep breath. "You smell so good."