72: First Experience

She didn't have time to think about how dazzling the car was; she jogged to its side, deftly pulled open the passenger door, and slipped inside.

Only when the car door shut with a "thud" did the wandering gazes from the surroundings reluctantly withdraw, as if their signal had been cut.

Chen Li took in everything outside the car, his gaze finally landing on Song Lingyun beside him.

Having a Campus Goddess who attracted countless gazes right here in his hands filled his chest with an unprecedented sense of vanity,

this sense of exclusive superiority was the ultimate privilege bestowed upon a few by money and status.

"Chen Li, is this car a new purchase?"

As soon as Song Lingyun sat in the passenger seat, she was captivated by the car's luxurious design.

She carefully stroked the fine texture of the leather seats, her fingertips lightly brushing over the exquisite wood trim, her eyes full of wonder. "This is a Rolls-Royce, isn't it? It's really beautiful."

"Yes, I just picked it up today." Chen Li turned the steering wheel.

"So, where are we going to wander around now?" She turned her head, an expectant smile on her face.

"Just the nearby Shopping Mall. Whatever you want to buy, we'll go buy it."

"Mhm!" Song Lingyun nodded happily.

For her, such an opportunity to go shopping alone with Chen Li was truly rare.

Although their relationship wasn't a typical romantic one, this relaxed way of being together actually made her feel at ease.

What she liked most was this simple and pleasant life: usually watching interesting short dramas in the Dormitory, going to eat whenever she found delicious food, and occasionally going out for a stroll with Chen Li like this.

Not having to worry about money or deal with complex interpersonal relationships made her feel incredibly comfortable and satisfied.

The two of them soon arrived at a nearby high-end Shopping Mall.

Under the bright lights, various boutique shops were lined up one after another, and the air was filled with the pleasant aroma of fragrance and coffee.

Song Lingyun leaned on Chen Li's arm, excitedly weaving through the various counters.

At Chen Li's prompting, she was like a cheerful little bird, picking out her favorite clothes and accessories to her heart's content.

Knowing Chen Li's financial strength, she didn't hold back; she tried on dresses she liked, compared bags that caught her eye, and couldn't bear to put down the exquisite little accessories.

In less than an hour, their hands were filled with all kinds of shopping bags, from international big names to niche designer brands—a bountiful harvest.

Since it was the weekend, the Shopping Mall was crowded, with many young people who looked like students also wandering around.

As luck would have it, Chen Li caught sight of an acquaintance not far away queuing in front of a popular dessert shop—Guo Zihong and his girlfriend, Chen Jing.

Chen Li had intended to quietly bypass them, but Chen Jing happened to turn her head at that moment, and their eyes met.

Chen Jing was clearly stunned for a moment, then smiled and tugged at Guo Zihong's sleeve, pointing in their direction.

Guo Zihong turned at the sound, a look of surprise appearing on his face.

Since they had been spotted, Chen Li had no choice but to lead Song Lingyun over to them.

"Zihong, Chen Jing, what a coincidence," Chen Li greeted them first.

Guo Zihong looked at the shopping bags filling their hands and couldn't help but tease, "A Li, are you two here at the Shopping Mall to stock up? You've bought so much stuff."

Chen Li smiled and played along, "Yeah, we've been wandering for a long time to buy all this. We're about ready to head out."

"Alright, you guys head back first. We just got here." Guo Zihong nodded.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two groups parted ways.

After walking a few steps, Chen Jing couldn't help but look back once more.

She knew that there was an ambiguous relationship between her roommate Liu Yu and Chen Li.

Seeing Chen Li accompanied by another girl with outstanding temperament and shopping so generously for her, she felt it necessary as a roommate to tell Liu Yu.

She took out her phone and typed while walking, "Liu Yu, I just ran into Chen Li at the Shopping Mall. He's out shopping with a very beautiful girl."

In the Dormitory, Liu Yu, who was leaning against her headboard scrolling through her phone, received this message.

She stared at the screen, a wave of hard-to-ignore bitterness rising in her heart.

It would be a lie to say she wasn't envious, but she had long since realized that a young and wealthy man like Chen Li would never lack women around him.

It was impossible for her, nor did she have the right, to possess him exclusively.

She didn't even have the status of his girlfriend; at most, she was just a close lover.

Taking a deep breath, she told herself she had to know her place and stop thinking about things that didn't matter; it was pointless.

Her fingertips paused on the screen for a moment before she finally replied, "I know. Chen Li is my friend, and he has his own girlfriend."

Even she felt those words were a bit hollow as she sent them.

They were indeed friends, though the word 'fuck' probably needed to be added in front of it.

Learning that Chen Li was shopping with another girl, a sudden, inexplicable sense of emptiness welled up in her heart.

After hesitating repeatedly, she opened her chat window with Chen Li.

She typed and deleted, deleted and typed; after several repetitions, she finally sent just those two suggestive words: "Hubby..."

Near noon, they went straight to the Hotel to book a room, then enjoyed an exquisite lunch at the panoramic restaurant on the top floor.

With a full stomach came thoughts of "exercise." With a "beep," the door opened, and as soon as Song Lingyun stepped into the room, Chen Li gently embraced her from behind.

She turned around and met his burning gaze; everything was understood without words.

From the entrance to the living room, clothes were scattered on the floor, tracing the path of their impatience.

Inside the spacious suite, only rapid breathing and heartbeats remained, intertwining in the air... (500,000 words omitted here)

More than four hours later, the room finally gradually grew quiet.

Hearing her voice, which sounded almost completely drained of strength, Chen Li finally stopped, satisfied.

He looked down at Song Lingyun beside him; she was lying weakly on the messy sheets, her fair shoulders and back rising and falling slightly, her breathing still somewhat hurried.

Chen Li pulled up the velvet quilt from the side and gently covered her. After settling her in, he got up and headed to the bathroom.

As the warm water washed over his body, Chen Li was surprised to find that the previous soreness in his lower back had long since vanished without a trace,

it was replaced by a sense of lightness and comfort throughout his body, as if every cell was filled with vitality.

Returning to the sofa wrapped in a bathrobe, he finally picked up his phone.

Seeing the wechat message from Liu Yu, a knowing smile curled on Chen Li's lips; it seemed Chen Jing had told Liu Yu about their chance encounter at the Shopping Mall today.

He was no longer the same man as before; handling another Liu Yu would be no problem at all. "What are you doing? Want to come out and go shopping?"

Almost the instant his message was sent, Liu Yu replied, "Okay!"

Before leaving, Chen Li walked to the bedside and whispered a few words to Song Lingyun.

She didn't even have the strength to lift her eyelids, only nodding lazily and weakly as a response.

Her messy long hair was spread across the pillow, and her whole body was buried deep in the soft bedding. Her breathing was steady and long; she had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Chen Li carefully tucked in the corners of her quilt, then gently closed the door and left the Hotel.