Jiang Yi sighed, lamenting how demanding his life was, unable to even enjoy the New Year properly.

Zhong Cheng wasn't home either, having been picked up by his uncle to spend time at his grandmother's. That left just Jiang Yi and Zhong Lin at the Zhong residence.

Lost in each other, they embraced and kissed in the car all the way home. Once inside, Jiang Yi excused herself to do homework and hurried to her room.

But she could only avoid him for so long.

With only the two of them in the house, even their actions became bolder.

That evening, they dined alone. Zhong Lin, usually so composed, had the audacity, with his stoic face, to lift her onto his lap and feed her bite by bite.

Jiang Yi pushed against his shoulders, trying to get down, but he held her firm.

“Uncomfortable,” she mumbled.

“Where are you uncomfortable?” Zhong Lin asked, a piece of food poised on his chopsticks. His gaze traveled from her lips to her eyes, capturing her attention. Jiang Yi opened her mouth, and he placed the food inside.

He continued feeding her, barely eating himself, focused entirely on her.

Jiang Yi fidgeted again, looping her arms around his shoulders and turning her head away. “Too much…” she whispered.

“Too much?” Zhong Lin studied the food on his chopsticks with a serious expression, then popped it into his own mouth, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. “It’s not too much. It’s refreshing. Try some more.”

Jiang Yi pressed her lips together. “Not that…” She squirmed again. “I… I want to get down.”

She’d thought only Qin Zezhou would be so clingy, insisting on holding her while they ate, feeding her every bite, stealing kisses and touches between mouthfuls. She hadn't expected Zhong Lin to return from his trip so affectionate.

But as she shifted, her bottom brushed against his arousal, a hard, warm presence pressing against her.

Jiang Yi tensed, desperate to get down.

“I… I should get down.” Zhong Lin set down his chopsticks, silent, but his arm around her waist remained firm.

His seriousness intimidated her, and she stilled, afraid to move.

The silence made her anxious. Cautiously, she leaned against his shoulder, looking up at him.

“The food’s getting cold,” she said.

Zhong Lin looked down at her, his gaze intense.

Jiang Yi glanced away, pointing at a dish. “I want that one.”

Without a word, Zhong Lin picked up his chopsticks, took some of the dish, and offered it to her.

Jiang Yi obediently opened her mouth and ate.

As she swallowed, his grip loosened.

She looked at him in surprise. “Didn’t you want to get down?” he asked.

Tentatively, she put her feet on the floor and stood. He didn’t pull her back.

He’d actually let her go?

As she stood, her gaze inadvertently fell upon the bulge in his trousers. Blushing, she quickly looked away and hurried to her own seat.

Her legs felt weak, and she almost stumbled.

Zhong Lin moved with surprising speed, catching her before she fell.

“Th-thank you.”

Jiang Yi sat back down, and Zhong Lin resumed his seat with composure.

They didn’t speak much for the rest of the meal, but the atmosphere wasn’t awkward. Instead, a subtle, intimate tension filled the air.

As Zhong Lin stood after dinner, Jiang Yi couldn’t help but glance at his crotch again. It had subsided.

She breathed a sigh of relief. It had been alarmingly large.

That night, Zhong Lin drove her to see the fireworks display in the west of the city. The sky bloomed with bursts of color, exploding into brilliant flowers of light.

“So beautiful,” she murmured.

Turning, she saw Zhong Lin’s sharp profile bathed in the soft glow of the fireworks.

A sudden urge to kiss him overwhelmed her.

She slipped her hand into his.

He felt the tickle in his palm and tightened his grip around her soft hand.

Jiang Yi smiled at him. “Happy New Year.”

“Mm,” he replied, then, with his free hand, he cupped the back of her neck, drawing her closer for a kiss.

Fireworks continued to burst overhead, whistling as they soared skyward, then exploding in a shower of light and color.

After the kiss, Jiang Yi rested against his chest, hearing the steady beat of his heart beneath the sound of his voice.

“Do you like me a little more now?”