Eventually, they arrived at a guesthouse. After checking in, the owner led them upstairs to a spacious, elegant platform overlooking the valley, perfect for watching the sunrise. 

Their room, just beyond the platform, was exquisitely designed with rich details. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a breathtaking view of verdant mountains and white clouds. 

There was no television, but tea, water, and red wine were provided, along with a record player and a cabinet filled with vinyl.

What truly captivated Xia Yao was the bathroom. Beyond the modern, separate shower and toilet area lay a large bathtub, easily big enough for two. 

A wall of glass offered an unobstructed panorama of lush greenery and distant, ethereal peaks. It was her first time spending the night in the mountains, and with her boyfriend, no less. This was Xia Yao's first time away from home overnight.

After the owner left, a sense of unease settled over her. Just a few days earlier, her only concern would have been sleeping arrangements, but now, things were different. 

She knew Zhou Ye intended to make love to her tonight. Sitting on the bed, feeling self-conscious, she noticed Zhou Ye watching her quietly, his heart pounding like a drum.

He'd been thinking about it all day, his desire flaring each time he recalled the glimpse of her moist, light pink lips that morning. He longed to kiss her. 

"Want to go for a walk?" he asked, his thoughts consumed with intimacy, yet mindful of her potential discomfort at being away from home. 

Perhaps she hadn't planned on sleeping with him tonight; maybe she just wanted a getaway. It was his manipulation that had kept her by his side.

"Okay," Xia Yao replied, sounding tired but rising to her feet nonetheless. She hated being a burden and often went out of her way to accommodate others, just to avoid seeming inconvenient. Zhou Ye noticed this, a pang of tenderness hitting him.

Back outside on the open cobblestone path, they followed the lantern-lit trail. After a moment, Zhou Ye asked, "Do you often go out like this?"

Xia Yao shook her head. "Not often. Lately, it's only been with you."

"Why don't you live with your parents? Aren't they in this city?"

Xia Yao hesitated. "They are, but it's… complicated." She paused, then confessed, "I'm severely allergic to cats, and my stepmother owns several cat cafes. There are always cats around their house, so I live with my grandmother."

Zhou Ye looked away, a complex wave of emotions washing over him. He felt an intense urge to care for her, yet simultaneously, a darker desire to see her cry beneath him, utterly dependent on him alone. 

Words he'd overheard in the school restroom had ignited a possessiveness that lingered. He couldn't bear the thought of other boys seeing the girl he considered the best. He wanted to hide her away.

Even before finishing high school, he was already worrying about university, yearning to marry her, to bring her home and keep her safe. He realized, with a jolt, the depth of his possessiveness.

As they walked, Xia Yao seemed lost in thought. Zhou Ye's throat tightened. Suddenly, he took her hand and led her off the main path, into the branching mountain trails. 

The area, frequented by hikers during the day, was clear and open. As long as they avoided the undeveloped depths, it was free of snakes and insects, offering a direct route to the summit.

Bathed in the clear moonlight, Xia Yao faintly heard voices ahead. Before she could react, Zhou Ye had pulled her against a tree trunk, his lips capturing hers in a kiss.