Susu did not act coy and readily recited a string of numbers.
From that day on, Chen Ming would message Susu every evening. After a few casual chats, he would always attach an excerpt from "The Little Prince" 《》. It wasn't until they had been together for a long time that Chen Ming told her he had typed out the entire book himself, word by word.
Susu and Chen Ming both knew that starting this relationship would hurt Han Yicheng. Yet, Chen Ming couldn't suppress his feelings for Susu and asked her to the auditorium to watch a movie before the summer break. The night was exceptionally gentle. The two of them didn't rush back to the dorms; they walked and talked along the bank of Weiming Lake. The cicadas' chirping was entangled in the branches and leaves, yet no one found it noisy.
As they reached a secluded path, Chen Ming suddenly reached out and took her hand. Susu's heart softened. She didn't pull away or say anything, only squeezed his hand back. In that instant, it felt as if a firework had quietly bloomed in the sky.
During the summer break, Chen Ming flew to Susu's hometown several times. The young couple, deeply in love, wished they could be attached to each other. Susu would visit Chen Ming's hotel room, watch TV with him, chat, and snuggle together. Chen Ming had had a girlfriend before, but after learning that Susu was still a virgin, he had exercised great restraint with her.
After school started, Chen Ming entered his senior year. He had originally planned to study abroad, but considering Susu was only in her sophomore year, he discussed with his parents the possibility of staying in China to pursue his graduate studies. Chen Ming's parents were already reluctant for him to go abroad, so they readily agreed.
The two of them secretly dated for a few weeks, neither daring to make it public, fearing it would reach Han Yicheng's ears. Yet, they also understood that dragging this on couldn't be the solution; what had to be faced would eventually be faced. Chen Ming's idea was for him to step forward and confess to Han Yicheng. But Susu felt that if Chen Ming were the one to say it, their relationship as classmates would only make Han Yicheng more embarrassed and more hurt.
In the end, Susu met Han Yicheng alone and told him about her relationship with Chen Ming. His reaction afterward was something she hadn't expected—he continued to care for her as a good friend, just as he always had, but from that day until his graduate studies ended, he never spoke another word to Chen Ming.
Chen Ming's twenty-second birthday was on November 22nd of that year. Susu started preparing early in the morning, wanting to give him a surprise.
On his birthday, after they finished dinner at a restaurant Susu had chosen, Chen Ming was about to take her back to school when Susu, blushing, leaned close and whispered, "I booked a hotel. Let's stay out tonight."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ming was first taken aback, then a look of joy spread across his face.
In the hotel room, hormones and atmosphere gradually heated up. Chen Ming pulled Susu closer, his kisses landing on her forehead, her cheek, and sliding towards her lips. His movements were slow, as if giving her time to reconsider. He kissed her passionately, but just as he was about to go further, he suddenly stopped, his forehead against hers, his voice hoarse and low, "Am I really allowed to?"
Susu nodded.
Before crossing that final boundary, he softly asked her again, "Have you really thought this through?"
Susu's heart pounded, but she still spoke clearly, "I am willing."
Only then did he draw near her, his movements very gentle, tentatively exploring with tenderness, circling inch by inch, afraid of hurting her. As the initial awkwardness gradually faded, another sensation grew stronger. When her breaths became heavier, Chen Ming deliberately paused and teased her, "How about we stop for now? I'm afraid you'll be in pain."
✦✦✦