56: Notes from a Paranoid Educated Youth 25

At noon, the rain curtain was like woven threads, and the world seemed to be enveloped in a hazy mist.

Wen Ci stood by the window, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the cold glass.

"Such heavy rain..." she murmured softly, her gaze falling on the wall clock.

The hour hand already pointed to eleven forty-five.

Thinking that he hadn't taken an umbrella when he left this morning, Wen Ci's heart trembled slightly.

The scent of fried eggs still lingered in the kitchen.

She gently packed the freshly prepared dishes into an insulated container—braised pork with a glossy, rich sauce, neatly arranged green vegetables, and corn and pork rib soup that had been simmered for two hours; every dish was made with her full attention.

The moment she opened the umbrella, cold raindrops splashed on her neck, and she instinctively flinched, but resolutely walked into the rain.

The rain hammered on the umbrella, urgent like drumbeats, echoing her quietly quickening heartbeat.

Tall buildings loomed in and out of sight in the rain and mist.

From afar, Wen Ci saw that familiar figure, leaning against a cold marble pillar, tall and solitary.

Several women with exquisite makeup surrounded him, eagerly offering tissues and coffee, but he politely and distantly avoided them.

The moment she saw Zhou Linchuan's expression, Wen Ci's heart tightened abruptly.

He lowered his head, his thick eyelashes casting shadows beneath his eyes, his thin lips pressed tightly together, as if all vitality had been drained from him.

His eyes, usually as sharp as an eagle's, now had an unnatural redness, suppressing some inexpressible emotion.

"Zhou Linchuan."

Her voice pierced through the rain, like a ray of sunlight suddenly breaking through the gloom.

The man abruptly looked up, the gloom in his eyes transforming into incredible surprise the moment he saw her.

Only then did Wen Ci notice that his fingertips were trembling slightly, and the cuff of his suit was already soaked with a dark patch of rain.

The women looked at the suddenly appearing Wen Ci in shock.

She was simply dressed in a beige knit sweater and a long skirt, her hair tips damp with rain, yet she was so beautiful that people couldn't take their eyes off her.

Especially when she looked at Zhou Linchuan, the tenderness in her almond-shaped eyes almost overflowed.

Zhou Linchuan's Adam's apple bobbed violently.

In a trance, he was back in that nightmarish rainy day, when he clutched the medicine he bought for her and pushed open the door, only to be greeted by an empty room.

The note she left was soaked by the rain, the ink bleeding, just like his shattered heart at the time.

"Ci Ci..." His voice was hoarse beyond recognition, and he rushed into the rain in three strides, pulling her tightly into his arms.

Cold rainwater dripped from his hair onto his neck, but he was oblivious, only tightening his arms more forcefully, as if to meld her into his very bones.

"Don't go... I bought you medicine, I really bought you medicine..."

His voice held a subtle tremor, and his warm breath fanned her ear.

Wen Ci felt hot liquid mixed with rain fall on her shoulder, and her heart ached as if pricked by a needle.

She gently stroked the man's tense back, her fingertips clearly feeling the tremor of his muscles.

"I'm here," she said softly, her voice as light as a feather, "I've always been here.

Thank you for buying me medicine that day, I know all about it."

Zhou Linchuan buried his face deep in her neck, greedily inhaling her sweet scent.

This embrace lasted a long time, until the rain gradually subsided, until his violently heaving chest finally calmed.

"Let's go inside and eat." Wen Ci made to walk towards the restaurant.

Zhou Linchuan, however, forcefully intertwined his fingers with hers, clasping their hands tightly, "Let's go somewhere else, where no one will disturb us."

Although Wen Ci found it a little strange, she didn't ask further and obediently followed him.

The place was somewhat remote, indeed sparsely populated.

Opening the door, the inside was clean and tidy, like a simple warehouse.

Wen Ci found a corner by the window.

Zhou Linchuan, like a loyal large dog, followed her every step, and as soon as he sat down, he snuggled close to her, his arm naturally circling her waist.

"How can I get the lunchbox if you're like this?" Wen Ci smiled helplessly, yet indulged him as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

The moment the insulated container was opened, the rich aroma of the food diffused, Zhou Linchuan's pupils widened slightly, and his Adam's apple unconsciously bobbed.

"It's all your favorite." Wen Ci handed him the chopsticks, but he grabbed her wrist.

"Ci Ci..." Zhou Linchuan's voice was a little choked, "You are the first... and the only one who would bring me food."

His gaze was focused and fervent, as if he wanted to engrave this moment deep in his memory forever.

Wen Ci deliberately teased him, "Those beautiful women just now seemed very eager to bring you food too."

Before she finished speaking, the arm around her waist suddenly tightened, and Zhou Linchuan almost gritted his teeth as he said, "I only want what you make.

Other women, I wouldn't even spare a glance."

He spoke with extreme seriousness, his thick brows slightly furrowed, his dark eyes filled with persistence.

Wen Ci's heart softened, and she reached out to ruffle his still damp hair.

"I know," she gently urged, "Hurry and eat, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

Zhou Linchuan ate with focus, chewing each bite carefully, as if savoring a rare delicacy.

Wen Ci propped her chin and watched him, her gaze lingering over his high nose bridge and well-defined jawline, a sweet ripple spreading through her heart.

When the last grain of rice disappeared, Zhou Linchuan sighed contentedly.

He elegantly wiped his mouth, popped a mint into his mouth, and then suddenly leaned close to Wen Ci's ear, his breath hot,

"But... I'm still not full."

Wen Ci blinked in confusion, "You finished such a big box and you're still hungry?

Then I..."

"Ci Ci," his voice was low and hoarse, carrying an undeniable dangerous quality, "The 'hungry' I'm talking about isn't that kind."

Wen Ci's cheeks instantly flushed, and she glanced around in a panic, "Don't..."

"This is an abandoned warehouse; no one usually comes here to eat." Zhou Linchuan's voice became even lower and hoarser, his fingertips subtly tracing her sensitive earlobe, "Bringing Ci Ci here just now was for this moment."

"Zhou Linchuan!"

"Present." He actually smiled and gave a proper military salute, but dangerous undercurrents surged in his eyes.

The crisp sound of a metal buckle lightly hitting the table edge, and the slightly open collar as he leaned in, revealed the ambiguous red marks she had left last night.

"Ci Ci, can you bear to see me hungry?" He blinked, looking wronged.

Wen Ci's faint protest was swallowed in his burning kiss.

He held her lower lip, gently grinding it, his canines lightly biting with a hint of punishment.

The cool minty scent mixed with scorching heat enveloped her.

"Ci Ci," his crimson eyes locked onto her, surging with an intense, unyielding affection, "I like you so much."

Wen Ci met his burning gaze, her heart feeling scorching hot.

"Ci Ci, do you like me?" he pressed, with a hint of barely perceptible longing.

"I do." Her answer was soft and firm.

Zhou Linchuan fiercely pulled her into his embrace, with such force as if to crush her.