Three months ago, at the Peking University anniversary masquerade ball.
Shen Nanyin and Gu Zhiyan had been dating for a while, yet there had been no intimate contact between them.
“He can’t be gay, can he? Something feels off.” Liang Wan found it hard to understand.
The champagne prepared for the ball was rich and mellow, and Shen Nanyin couldn’t resist taking a few sips from her glass. “Maybe it’s just too soon?”
“No, no, no,” Liang Wan shook her head seriously. “A man like Liu Xiahui doesn’t exist.”
“Why don’t you take the initiative today? If you don’t kiss in this atmosphere, something’s definitely wrong.”
Shen Nanyin was already slightly tipsy and nodded earnestly with determination. “Alright!”
The melodious and graceful music flowed like a babbling stream, drifting slowly through the air. Amid the crowd, Shen Nanyin searched for Gu Zhiyan’s figure.
Light and shadow shifted, shapes varied, and the exquisite and unique masks dazzled the eyes, as if she were in a dreamy, elusive world, almost losing herself in it.
Just as she felt lost and unsure, she suddenly felt someone gently tap her shoulder.
She turned around, her gaze gradually moving upward from a cool, pale throat, finally resting on a black mask.
The simple mask couldn’t conceal the man’s noble and refined demeanor. He hadn’t deliberately changed his attire; his tailored suit, accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist, was enough to draw attention.
He leaned forward slightly, elegantly extending his right hand toward her and making a standard, gentlemanly invitation.
“…Gu Zhiyan?”
Shen Nanyin hesitated for a moment, asking softly, her tone tinged with uncertainty.
However, the other person didn’t reply, maintaining his original posture as if waiting for her response.
As the music’s tempo suddenly quickened, the dance was about to begin.
Shen Nanyin took a deep breath, deciding to take this as his silent consent. Carefully, she raised her hand and gently placed it in his palm.
Perhaps this was just the rule of the masquerade ball, she thought.
His large hand lightly rested on her waist, applying slight pressure as he guided her through one perfect turn after another.
A faint scent of fir drifted into her nostrils, mingling with their breaths as the air grew increasingly charged with ambiguity.
She suddenly realized her neck was growing sore.
Huh? Is Gu Zhiyan this tall?
When the dance finally came to an end, Shen Nanyin felt utterly exhausted. The man led her to a quiet corner to sit down, then vanished in the blink of an eye.
She frowned slightly but didn’t dwell on it, instead beginning to sample the delicately crafted pastries in front of her and drinking a few more glasses of champagne.
Before long, Liang Wan, wearing a fluffy cat mask, walked over to her with light, cheerful steps, unable to hide her excitement. “Did you kiss? Did you kiss?”
Faced with her roommate’s eager questioning, Shen Nanyin gently shook her head.
Liang Wan was incredulous. “With this atmosphere, this lighting, this music—and you still didn’t kiss?!”
Shen Nanyin pursed her lips. She didn’t understand either. During the dance, there were moments when she almost thought they were about to kiss, but…
Her phone chimed with a notification. It was a message from Gu Zhiyan.
【Nanyin, where are you?】
She found it strange. Hadn’t they just danced together?
Shen Nanyin: 【I’m on the first floor. What about you?】
【On the second-floor terrace. I’ll come find you.】
Shen Nanyin: 【No need, no need. I haven’t been to the second floor yet. I’ll come up.】
After watching the exchange, Liang Wan excitedly urged her to go quickly.
“If he doesn’t make a move, you take the initiative. Go for it!”
Hearing this, Shen Nanyin gave a slight nod, then lifted the hem of her skirt and carefully made her way toward the second floor.
Moonlight flowed like water, quiet and serene. Compared to the lively atmosphere of the first-floor hall, the second floor was noticeably much quieter.
On the terrace, Gu Zhiyan, who had earlier invited her to dance, now held a wine glass, gently swirling the liquid inside. His gaze, however, was carelessly fixed on the dancing crowd below.
Shen Nanyin softened her footsteps and slowly approached him. When she stood behind Gu Zhiyan, she hesitated for a moment before finally extending a finger to lightly poke his back.
The man seemed to pause briefly before slowly turning around.
Moonlight fell on his cool, pale skin. His thin lips were a deep red, beautifully shaped, with a captivating allure.
Gu Zhiyan… Was he always this handsome?
Shen Nanyin stared at him, lost in thought.
The man merely glanced at her indifferently before raising his glass to take a sip.
It must have been the atmosphere, or perhaps the alcohol taking effect. She felt lightheaded, as if already bewitched.
An impulsive urge seized her, and she grabbed his tie.
Then, rising on her toes, she pressed her lips against his without another word.
So soft.
Shen Nanyin thought hazily.
But why wasn’t he moving?
With the delayed effects of the alcohol hitting her, Shen Nanyin bit his slightly cool lips in dissatisfaction.
Feeling she had bitten too hard, she guiltily licked them in apology.
The scent of wine was rich, sweet, and warm.
His breathing deepened slightly, yet he remained completely still.
She pulled back a little, looking at him in confusion.
Her drunken eyes seemed to question him.
The man silently stared at her for a long moment before raising a hand to pull off his mask.
The next second, the glass shattered on the ground, wine splattering everywhere.
Shen Nanyin’s mind went blank with a deafening roar.
“You… you…”
Covering her mouth, she stumbled backward in panic.
In the end, she fled in disarray.