144: Extra Chapter 1: The Cool School Prince

The summer after the college entrance exam, the cicadas sang more intensely than in previous years.

Wen Ci lay on the suitcase, watching Shen Mo's long, slender fingers deftly fasten the clasp. Sunlight streamed through a gap in the curtains, falling on his profile and outlining a perfect silhouette.

"Did you bring sunscreen?" Shen Mo straightened up and casually ruffled Wen Ci's hair.

"I did! And mosquito repellent, motion sickness medicine, a small fan..." Wen Ci counted on her fingers, then was suddenly pulled into Shen Mo's embrace.

"Just bringing the most important thing is enough," Shen Mo leaned down and pecked her on the lips, a smile in his voice, "like me."

Wen Ci blushed and pushed him, "You narcissist! Who wants to bring you!"

Shen Mo was unfazed, picking up both their suitcases with one hand, "Let's go, the class monitor and the others are already waiting downstairs."

This was their class's graduation trip, with Dali Erhai Lake as the destination. Over thirty classmates chartered two large buses, and laughter filled the air throughout the journey.

Wen Ci leaned against the window, watching the scenery flash by. Suddenly, her fingers were gently held. She turned to meet Shen Mo's focused gaze, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Sleepy?" Shen Mo asked softly, his fingers gently caressing her palm.

Wen Ci shook her head and whispered, "I just feel so happy."

Shen Mo's lips curved slightly upwards. He suddenly leaned close to her ear, "This is just the beginning."

The warm breath brushed her earlobe, and Wen Ci's ear tips instantly turned red. She pretended to glare at Shen Mo angrily, but it only earned her a tighter hug from him.

"Hey, little couple in the back, mind your manners!" The class monitor poked his head out from the front, a mischievous look on his face.

The bus instantly erupted in jeers. Wen Ci was so shy she buried her face in Shen Mo's chest, feeling the low rumble of his chest.

"If you're envious, find someone yourself," Shen Mo calmly retorted, prompting even louder laughter.

The five-hour bus ride passed quickly amidst the playful banter. When the azure waters of Erhai Lake came into view, everyone couldn't help but gasp in admiration.

"It's so beautiful!" Wen Ci pressed against the window, her eyes sparkling.

Shen Mo wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, "Do you like it?"

"Mm!" Wen Ci nodded vigorously, "I heard the sunset here is especially beautiful. Shall we watch it together tonight?"

Shen Mo didn't answer immediately, only smiling meaningfully, "I have plans for tonight."

Wen Ci turned to look at him, puzzled, but only received a mysterious glance.

The bus stopped in front of the booked guesthouse.

It was a three-story building with white walls and grey tiles, its courtyard filled with succulents and flowers. The class monitor was distributing room assignments from a list. When he read out, "Shen Mo and Wen Ci, one room," Wen Ci, who was drinking water, nearly choked.

"Wait!" She raised her hand in a panic, "Shen Mo and I... one room?"

The class monitor looked innocent, "Yeah, aren't you two a couple? Teacher Li specifically told us, saying since you're both adults anyway..."

Wen Ci's face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple.

Although she and Shen Mo had been dating for two months, their most intimate act was limited to kissing. Suddenly having to share a room made her heart pound so fast it almost burst out of her chest.

"Is there a problem?" Shen Mo whispered in her ear, his voice clearly amused.

Wen Ci stammered, unable to speak, and could only shake her head vigorously.

After getting the room card, Shen Mo dragged the luggage with one hand and led Wen Ci upstairs with the other.

Their room was at the end of the third floor. Opening the door revealed a spacious terrace directly facing Erhai Lake.

"Wow..." Wen Ci ran onto the terrace, speechless at the breathtaking view. The azure lake shimmered with fragmented golden light under the sun, and the distant Cangshan Mountains were shrouded in mist, like a fairyland.

Shen Mo hugged her from behind and whispered in her ear, "Do you like it?"

Wen Ci nodded. Suddenly, she felt a cool sensation on her wrist. Looking down, a delicate silver bracelet had somehow appeared on her wrist. The pendant was a small sapphire, sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight.

"This is..." Wen Ci turned around in surprise.

"A birthday present," Shen Mo gazed at her tenderly, "Although your birthday isn't for another month, I couldn't wait."

Wen Ci's eyes instantly welled up. She stood on her tiptoes and initiated a kiss on Shen Mo's lips, "Thank you..."

This kiss was more lingering than any before.

When Shen Mo's hand caressed her waist, Wen Ci suddenly remembered the fact that they were sharing a room tonight. She instantly blushed and took a step back.

Shen Mo seemed to sense her apprehension. He chuckled and pinched her nose, "Don't worry, I won't do anything." He paused, then added, "Unless you ask."

"Shen Mo!" Wen Ci puffed her cheeks and hit his chest, but he pulled her into his embrace.

Amidst their laughter and teasing, Wen Ci's peripheral vision caught sight of Shen Mo's backpack zipper being undone, revealing a corner of a dark blue box. She curiously reached out to help him tidy it, but Shen Mo quickly stopped her.

"Don't touch that," Shen Mo's voice suddenly turned serious.

Wen Ci froze. Shen Mo rarely spoke to her in that tone, and she couldn't help but feel a little wronged, "What's so mysterious about it..."

Shen Mo seemed to realize his overreaction. He sighed and gently hugged her, "I'm sorry, Ci Ci, it's just... that's a very important thing, and I want to show it to you at the right time."

Wen Ci nodded reluctantly. The box looked like it held a ring... Was Shen Mo going to propose? But they had only been dating for two months, wasn't that too fast?

Or perhaps... the ring wasn't for her?

As soon as this thought emerged, Wen Ci's heart ached as if pricked by a needle. She forced herself not to overthink, but she was distracted the entire afternoon.

"Wen Ci! Come take a picture!" Her classmates called out to her from the lawn in front of the guesthouse.

Wen Ci forced a smile and walked over. The class monitor was organizing everyone for a group photo, and everyone was excitedly posing.

"Where's Shen Mo?" Someone asked.

"He said he had something to take care of and would come later," Wen Ci replied, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice.

After the photos, classmates went off in twos and threes to play by the lake.

Wen Ci excused herself, saying she was tired, and returned to the room alone. When she opened the door, she was surprised to find Shen Mo wasn't there, but his backpack was still on the bed.

The mysterious blue box still peeked out, seemingly tempting her.

Wen Ci bit her lip, torn between her thoughts. Finally, curiosity triumphed over reason. She tiptoed to the bed and carefully unzipped the backpack.

It was indeed a ring box.

Wen Ci's hands trembled as she opened the box. Inside lay a diamond ring.

The main diamond was large and exquisitely cut, surrounded by a circle of sapphires, sparkling with captivating brilliance in the sunlight.