Chapter 103: Happy Birthday
Festive music and the sound of fireworks exploded from the television. Lian Li froze for a few seconds before belatedly realizing—
it was already the New Year.
The man was covered in biting frost and snow, as if he had braved the wind and blizzard to reach her.
After staying indoors for a while, the snowflakes melted, dampening the stray hairs on his forehead. The cool sensation brushed against her skin, forming a stark contrast with the man’s heat.
He was waiting for her answer. Seeing her silence, he pressed his thin lips against hers, increasing the intensity of the kiss. She felt a slight sting on her lips and tongue, finally snapping back to reality.
Lian Li panted lightly, her eyes hazy as she looked at Jin Shi Yue. She heard her own voice, tinged with a nasal tone, say:
“Happy New Year.”
The man’s large hand cupped her neck, and he lowered his head, kissing her again. It was a kiss that stole her breath away.
His tongue was scorching hot, invading her mouth, entwining with hers. The kiss made her heart swell, her tongue numb, and her legs so weak she almost slid down.
Midway, he suddenly bit her soft tongue lightly, then whispered four words in her ear:
“Happy Birthday.”
Lian Li was stunned.
She heard her heart pounding wildly and the sound of fireworks blooming brilliantly.
However, fireworks were prohibited in her residential area, and the Spring Festival Gala on television had already ended.
Jin Shi Yue reluctantly pulled his lips away from Lian Li’s, his thumb caressing her lips. His voice was deep, “Lian Li, don’t avoid your desires and emotions.”
Lian Li met his gaze, remaining silent.
Although she had lost her reason when she was drunk, her actions had followed her instincts.
That night, as they kissed, she suddenly wanted to explore wonderful territories with him.
She was true to herself and acted on her feelings.
It happened naturally.
Sexual intimacy has no symbol of chastity; it only symbolizes a physiological need.
Undeniably, for whatever reason, she had a certain need for him.
Lian Li’s long, satin-like hair cascaded over her shoulders, making her face appear small, her skin fair, her pupils dark and bright, exuding purity and gentleness, if one ignored the fire smoldering deep within her eyes.
Jin Shi Yue looked into her eyes, met her gaze for a moment, and broke the silence, “Help me get the thing in my pocket.”
His gaze was too alluring, and Lian Li instinctively reached into his jacket pocket, feeling a square velvet box.
“Open it,” Jin Shi Yue said.
Lian Li glanced at him, supporting the bottom of the box with one hand and opening it with the other.
Inside lay a pair of exquisitely beautiful earrings, reflecting a dazzling light under the lamp.
They were rose gold and carnelian earrings, shaped like delicate cherries.
Lian Li stared at the earrings for several seconds, then looked up at Jin Shi Yue, “Are they for me?”
“Mm. Try them on.”
Jin Shi Yue’s slender, bony fingers picked up an earring, brushed aside Lian Li’s hair by her ear, revealing it. The light in the entryway wasn’t bright, but he found the spot with precision and effortlessly helped her put it on.
The man’s fingertips were slightly calloused, and his hands were cool, causing a subtle tremor in her skin when they touched her ear.
Lian Li watched him intently, suddenly feeling as if they were in the throes of a passionate romance.
She had expected him to be clumsy and take a long time, but to her surprise, he had them on in no time.
Jin Shi Yue released Lian Li, stepped back a little, and examined her from left to right, a slight smile of satisfaction on his lips.
His gaze was somewhat intense, making Lian Li uncomfortable. She reached up and took off the earrings, placing them back in the velvet box.
“What do you want to drink?” she asked as she walked inside. “I can’t sleep if I drink tea at night, so I’ll get you a cup of hot water.”
Lian Li’s earlobes and cheeks were burning, desperately needing to cool down. Without waiting to see if Jin Shi Yue heard her, she shoved the box into her jacket pocket and pretended to be calm as she went to get water.
The girl, having showered, was wearing pajamas and a fluffy jacket over them. Her long, slender legs walked with a seemingly normal, but actually much faster, pace than usual.
Jin Shi Yue watched, his lips curving slightly. He slowly took off his black overcoat and casually hung it on the back of the sofa.
Lian Li came out holding a cup of water and saw the man sitting with his long legs crossed, leaning back lazily against the sofa, exuding an air of relaxed ease.
Was he treating her home as his own?
Lian Li denied it in her heart.
Not just her home, but the entire world was his territory.
Lian Li placed the cup on the coffee table in front of him. “Water.”
She glanced at the television out of the corner of her eye; it was past midnight.
Today was the last day of the ten-day period.
She turned her gaze back and unexpectedly met Jin Shi Yue’s dark, deep eyes.
His gaze towards her was always strange, as if he could see into her deepest self.
“Can you stop looking at me?” Lian Li tried to get him to restrain himself.
“What’s wrong with looking at you?”
Jin Shi Yue raised an eyebrow, reached out, and grabbed her wrist, pulling her to sit beside him. “Have you made up your mind?”
Pulled by his strength, Lian Li plopped onto the sofa. She picked at the fluff on the sofa’s surface with her fingernails and said, “I decided long ago, but you won’t accept the answer.”
“If you don’t accept it, then change it,” Jin Shi Yue said nonchalantly, his long fingers subtly twirling a few strands of her hair around his fingertips.
He spoke so righteously, but changing the answer would only mean taking responsibility.
Lian Li pondered several strategies, but finding no other way, she proposed, “How about this, we play dice. If you win, I’ll agree to be responsible for half a year. If I win, you can’t come looking for me anymore.”
Jin Shi Yue glanced at her meaningfully upon hearing this. “Half a year? Not a one-night stand, but a half-year stand?”
Of course not. It was February 1st now, and half a year would be August. By then, she would have graduated, and she and Jin Yan Ting would be strangers. Whether she stayed in the Capital City or went abroad afterward, she would be free.
Lian Li didn’t want to explain further. “If you’re not willing, then we’re incompatible.”
Jin Shi Yue narrowed his eyes, his gaze unreadable. “You’re sure I’ll agree.”
Lian Li met his gaze quietly.
After a moment, he relented. “Fine. It’s your way then.”
Just as Jin Shi Yue said, she was sure he wouldn’t refuse her. Lian Li took out the dice she had prepared from under the coffee table and sat cross-legged on the sofa facing Jin Shi Yue.
“Whoever rolls higher wins, best of three,” Lian Li said, tilting her face up to look at him. “Okay?”
Jin Shi Yue watched her skillful movements, a casual curve forming on his lips.
“Okay.”
When Lian Li was bored, she would play dice by herself. This was her strong suit, and she was confident she could control the situation.
Unsurprisingly, Jin Shi Yue lost the first round.
In the second round, both rolled three sixes, resulting in a tie.
“When did you dig this pit for me?” Jin Shi Yue asked, his well-defined fingers tapping the dice cup as he looked up at her with his calm, dark eyes.
“I didn’t,” Lian Li denied. “Don’t always accuse me.”
She glanced at his roll: two fives and a six.
Lian Li suppressed her excitement and focused. Just as she was about to shake the dice, Jin Shi Yue suddenly reached out, startling her, and the dice settled.
Lian Li frowned slightly. “What are you doing?”
Jin Shi Yue, his expression unchanged, hooked a strand of hair from her shoulder and said lightly, “Your hair.”
Lian Li nonchalantly lifted the dice cup.
Three fives.
So close. It was all because of the annoying Jin Shi Yue.
Lian Li was a girl who didn’t know the meaning of giving up.
The first three rounds were tied, so they added another. For the final round, she gathered her spirits and rolled first: one five and two sixes.
She eagerly awaited Jin Shi Yue to reveal his roll.
He, however, was in no hurry, slowly shaking the dice with one hand.
Lian Li stared intently at his hand, his shaking making her dizzy.
“Can you hurry…”
Before Lian Li could finish her sentence, Jin Shi Yue suddenly clamped down on the dice cup. Almost simultaneously, he reached behind Lian Li’s neck and pulled her forward.
Their foreheads touched.
Lian Li plunged into his dark, deep eyes, her breath catching.
“If you think my conditions are good, then tell me what kind of person could match me?”
Jin Shi Yue stared at her luminous almond eyes, his breath fanning her cheek as he spoke, “Or do you think I’m not good enough for you?”
