Love Contract with the Queen Actress - Chapter 35

In the quiet of the night, Su Yuchen and Shen Wu clung to each other.

The recent tremors had forced a muffled moan past Su Yuchen’s lips, and she shrank back slightly, her body stiffening as she dared not move another inch.

In the profound silence, even the slightest sound became an overwhelming auditory stimulus.

Beside them, Liu Ruomeng was still murmuring something under her breath. Su Yuchen winced as a sharp pain shot through her neck, instinctively tightening her grip around Shen Wu’s waist. Her slender arms flexed, the lean muscles beneath her fair skin tensing with strength, causing Shen Wu to let out a soft, involuntary gasp.

The sound was neither too loud nor too quiet, just enough to send Su Yuchen’s heart racing.

She hurriedly tried to cover Shen Wu’s mouth, but one of her arms was pinned beneath Shen Wu’s neck, while the other was wrapped firmly around her slender waist. There was simply no way to make any additional moves.

Shen Wu’s rosy lips, so tantalizingly close, parted slightly, revealing a glimpse of pearly white teeth.

Like the heart of a rose in the night, they exuded a sweet, intoxicating fragrance, bewitching the senses.

It was a quiet moment, a secret too intimate to share with anyone else.

Shen Wu parted her lips slightly and whispered, “Ah, that hurts. Guess what I-”

She probably meant to say, Guess if I’ll make a scene.

But the words never left her lips.

Because in the next second, Su Yuchen’s lips pressed against hers, silencing the pained gasp.

Her lips were soft and sweet, carrying the familiar taste and texture that belonged solely to Shen Wu.

So sweet, so beautiful, utterly intoxicating.

It wasn’t just her lips that were soft and fragrant. The body nestled in Su Yuchen’s arms was impossibly pliant, the slender waist yielding effortlessly as she pulled her closer, their curves melding together in a seamless embrace.

What had started as a gentle attempt to stifle Shen Wu’s sounds quickly spiraled out of control. The kiss grew fiercer, more desperate, as if driven by some unrelenting force, until their heartbeats were erratic and their breaths tangled beyond recognition.

Su Yuchen was certain she had lost her mind. Here, surrounded by so many people, in a setting where only thin fabric shielded them from prying cameras, she had, without the excuse of alcohol, taken advantage of the night’s cover to do something so… so undeniably aggressive.

She couldn’t believe she was capable of such actions, yet she couldn’t bring herself to pull away from this intoxicating softness.

She didn’t want to, because this was Shen Wu.

Shen Wu, who was like the flawless moon in the sky, untouchable and sublime.

She knew it was wrong, yet she couldn’t resist indulging in this moment of recklessness.

In this hidden, unobserved corner, their lips remained locked together, their heartbeats syncing in perfect harmony.

Waves of long hair intertwined with chestnut-brown strands, tangled in an inseparable mess.

Their breaths mingled, their lips glistening with a shared sheen of moisture.

At this moment, only one thought consumed Su Yuchen’s mind, I want Shen Wu all to myself.

Shen Wu’s body, Shen Wu’s heart… she wanted it all.

This delusional desire flooded the tranquil lake of her heart, marking the first time in her life she had ever felt something akin to greed toward another person.

She knew it was wrong, yet she couldn’t stop herself.

Her heart pounded with panic, unsure how things had escalated so naturally. Her thoughts drifted back to earlier that evening.

After everyone had finished washing up, they had returned to the tent one by one.

Shen Wu was the last to come back.

Dressed in her cheap, buy-one-get-one-free pajamas she had snagged for 99 yuan, she strode in with her chin held high, basking in the attention of the others as she made her grand entrance.

Inside the tent, the three double mattresses had been arranged into one large communal bed. The issue of choosing sleeping spots, a seemingly trivial matter, was about to be magnified in the dating show. For the first time, Su Yuchen took the initiative to position himself next to Shen Wu, insisting on sharing the same sleeping space.

Xiao Zhi, who had been eyeing that spot, was naturally displeased. Despite her protests, it made no difference.

“That was clearly my spot,” she complained more than once, but Su Yuchen acted as if he hadn’t heard, busying himself with adjusting his blanket.

Fu Monan, wrapped in a large shawl that concealed her figure, tightened the collar to avoid exposing even the slightest hint of skin. She hesitated, her delicate brows furrowed as she glanced in Su Yuchen and Shen Wu’s direction, her eyes filled with an unreadable emotion.

“Yuchen, you…”

Though Su Yuchen had effectively blocked Shen Wu from others, his other side would still be adjacent to someone on the next mattress. Fu Monan wavered, unsure whether to walk over and claim the spot beside her.

Just as she was contemplating how to make her move naturally, someone else beat her to it.

The air mattress bounced slightly as Liu Ruomeng flopped down beside Su Yuchen like a pancake, stretching her limbs lazily. “So tired. I’ll sleep here.”

Fu Monan froze mid-step, her foot already half-raised. Slowly, she withdrew it, pressed her lips together, and turned toward the far corner, putting as much distance as possible between herself and the other two.

Now, only Xiao Zhi and Kuang Gong remained. Liu Ruomeng, initially pleased with herself for thwarting any ulterior motives on behalf of her friend, suddenly realized something and bolted upright.

Her large eyes darted between Xiao Zhi and Kuang Gong. She opened her mouth, “Xiao Zhi, you…”, but before she could finish, Kuang Gong had already turned away, hands in her pockets, heading toward Fu Monan’s side.

Fu Monan had already turned her back to the group, pulling the covers over herself.

For the first time, Liu Ruomeng’s gaze followed, and a thought flashed through her mind: Would Kuang Gong actually share the same blanket with Fu Monan? Like Shen Wu and Su Yuchen?

But Shen Wu and Su Yuchen were wearing full pajama sets, while Fu Monan’s outfit was… a skirt so short it barely covered anything. If those two ended up under the same blanket…

Unthinkable.

Perhaps sensing the scrutiny, Kuang Gong’s pale eyes slowly turned toward her.

The moment their gazes met, Liu Ruomeng flinched as if burned, immediately looking away and fumbling with random items. “Ugh, this mattress is soft but so uncomfortable. How are we supposed to sleep? The production team really knows how to torture people.”

Kuang Gong’s glass-like eyes shifted back indifferently as she walked toward the bedding.

Clearly, she had no intention of sharing with Liu Ruomeng, no need to overthink it.

Still stealing glances at the tall figure out of the corner of her eye, Liu Ruomeng kept dropping things, only to pick them up again in a show of busyness.

Kuang Gong approached, unfurling what she held in her hands, a rolled-up sleeping bag now spread flat.

Right beside Fu Monan, a black sleeping bag had been laid out, unmistakably claimed by Kuang Gong.

The production team had prepared two types of bedding for warmth, one was a quilt, and the other was a sleeping bag. Clearly, in the heat of the moment, Liu Ruomeng had completely forgotten about the latter. Only now, as she caught a glimpse of the scene out of the corner of her eye, did she avert her gaze and stop cursing the production team, quietly adjusting her quilt instead.

Then, a sleeping bag was abruptly tossed over her head by Xiao Zhi.

The sleeping bag was light, rolled up and stuffed into a small cloth pouch. It didn’t hurt when it hit her, but Liu Ruomeng’s delicate brows still shot up in irritation. “What the hell? Are you trying to kill me?”

Xiao Zhi crossed her arms and threw another sleeping bag beside Liu Ruomeng.

“The two of us sleeping together is unavoidable, but it’s better to keep some distance.”

Her gaze slid unwillingly toward Shen Wu’s direction, where she saw Shen Wu and Su Yuchen snuggled up together, about to slip under the covers in an intimate manner. The sight stung her eyes, and she quickly turned her face away. Spotting Kuang Gong laying out her sleeping bag on the other side, Xiao Zhi’s mood improved slightly.

At least between the two most popular contestants, she had one on her side, that was something.

Honestly, she was fine with either Shen Wu or Kuang Gong. Since Shen Wu already had someone else’s attention, pursuing Kuang Gong wasn’t a bad choice, even if Kuang Gong seemed particularly well-matched with Shen Wu.

Xiao Zhi: “…”

Whatever. She unrolled her sleeping bag and lay down.

…

The kiss ended, leaving both of them with erratic breaths and pounding hearts.

In the darkness, a pair of peach-blossom eyes and almond-shaped eyes gleamed as they gazed at each other, the heat in their depths impossible to conceal.

The most direct expression of desire was the blazing fire in their eyes.

If not for the inappropriate setting, who knew what might have happened next?

It could have been like that night, barely any time for sleep.

Madness, delirium, obsession, possession.

Like ruthless predators, desperate to devour each other whole.

But this moment of tenderness was inevitably shattered by the inappropriateness of the situation and the merciless interruption of others.

Liu Ruomeng’s hand suddenly smacked over again, forcefully dispelling the atmosphere.

“Mmm… Why do humans have so many damn rules? Like cats, happy, eat; unhappy, bare claws. Why care about stupid things like manners, living for others to see… Mmm, next life, I’m definitely coming back as a white cat…”

“…”

Their breathing was still unsteady.

Shen Wu burrowed into Su Yuchen’s embrace, a hand pressed to her own chest as she peered over Su Yuchen’s shoulder.

The “culprit” who had ruined the mood was sprawled out in deep sleep, her limbs splayed so aggressively that even the sleeping bag couldn’t contain her, as if she were expanding her “territory.”

Xiao Zhi, lying beside Liu Ruomeng, had never expected her sleeping habits to be so bizarre, talking in her sleep, flailing her limbs, and disturbing everyone’s rest.

Xiao Zhi seemed annoyed and gave Liu Ruomeng a shove. “What are you doing? Get your leg off me. I just fell asleep, and you suddenly whack me, scared the hell out of me.”

Even so, Liu Ruomeng didn’t wake up.

Xiao Zhi was so angry that her beautiful face turned pale. Pointing at the heartless sleeper beside her, she accused, “Liu Ruomeng, not only do you make a lot of noise when you sleep, but just now, when I wasn’t completely asleep yet, you kept moaning softly ‘ah’ this and ‘ah’ that, smacking your lips like you were sucking on something. Not only did you make all these weird noises, but you also said something like ‘we’ll be discovered.’ Were you dreaming about some inappropriate, bizarre stuff?!”

“…”

Su Yuchen, who had her back to them, stiffened, goosebumps rising on her skin.

No way, does Xiao Zhi sleep that lightly? Could she have heard us?

A flicker of panic flashed through her eyes, but when she looked at Shen Wu, she saw amusement reflected in them.

Under the dim light of night, their eyes sparkled, mirroring each other’s images.

The next second, they both burst into soft laughter simultaneously.

“…”

Xiao Zhi gritted her teeth. “Oh, great. You hit me, and now you’re laughing.”

“…”

Liu Ruomeng, oblivious to the blame unfairly placed on her, mumbled in her sleep and rolled over toward Su Yuchen’s side.

“Cats are humans’ best friends. I’m the whitest human on Cat Planet…”

Shen Wu frowned slightly.

Because she saw Su Yuchen’s back was almost touching Liu Ruomeng’s hand.

No one is allowed to touch Su Yuchen.

Just then, Liu Ruomeng, muttering incoherently, shifted even closer to Su Yuchen.

In a moment, their skin would make contact…

Right at that instant.

Shen Wu, like a startled little white rabbit, looked terrified and buried herself in Su Yuchen’s arms.

“Ah, it’s so cold. The wind outside is really scary.”

Sure enough, the next second, Su Yuchen moved closer to Shen Wu and wrapped her arms around her.

Liu Ruomeng’s hand landed on the empty mattress, and the distance between the two widened significantly.

Holding Shen Wu, Su Yuchen seemed to have forgotten the bite on her neck earlier and asked, still a bit confused, “Why are you suddenly scared? I don’t think the wind is any stronger than when we first got back.”

Shen Wu nuzzled further into Su Yuchen’s embrace like a well-behaved child. The soothing scent and warm arms were utterly comforting. Unconsciously, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the pleasant fragrance, her lips curving into a smile. “I’m just… a little scared.”

This act of coquetry wasn’t particularly skillful, in fact, it was rather clumsy, and it was one of the few times Shen Wu had ever acted coy in her life.

All of it was dedicated to Su Yuchen.

But the charm of a beauty’s coquetry was still effective.

Su Yuchen, unsuspecting, patted Shen Wu’s back to soothe her “frightened” heartbeat and whispered gently, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Don’t be afraid. There’s nothing to fear.”

Shen Wu couldn’t suppress her smile and buried her face in the crook of Su Yuchen’s neck, inhaling the delightful fragrance while giggling softly.

So, acting coy is this useful. I should do it more often, play the delicate flower more.

Su Yuchen’s stubborn temperament only yielded to this approach.

What Shen Wu didn’t know was that Su Yuchen only yielded to her.

Others had tried acting coy with Su Yuchen before, and some even had striking looks when they tried to win her favor. But none of them were Shen Wu, so Su Yuchen had always remained rigid, appearing utterly immune to such tactics.

Only because that person was Shen Wu.

Su Yuchen held Shen Wu in her arms, gently stroking her back as if afraid she might be startled, with a touch lighter than handling One Yuan.

“This episode might be a bit special, we’ll need to camp outdoors. I suppose you’ve never had such an experience before. Honestly, neither have I, but don’t worry. It’s just the sea wind blowing a bit too strongly outside.”

A truly innocent person wouldn’t even think to question whether Shen Wu’s so-called fear was genuine or not.

Not to mention, Shen Wu often indulged in extreme sports for fun and had long grown tired of camping. The storage room at her home was already overflowing with camping gear, including so many tents they could hardly fit.

It’s just that the contents of that storage room hadn’t yet had the chance to reveal even the tip of the iceberg to Su Yuchen.

Thankfully, Fu Nan wasn’t here. If she were, she would’ve loudly denounced Shen Wu for her shamelessness, deceiving such an innocent little bunny.

There was also a modified Jeep at home, fitted with a rooftop tent and side awning, a custom-made special edition arranged through Fu Nan’s connections. Yet it had long been abandoned in a dusty corner of the parking lot.

But right now, being held in the arms of the person she liked, what did a little wind outside matter?

Her heart felt soaked in honey, her entire body melting into a soft, cotton-candy cloud of comfort and satisfaction.

“Mmm,” Shen Wu nuzzled against Su Yuchen’s arm, her wavy hair pressed against her ear, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Baby, your embrace is so warm.”

She was clearly enjoying this, being comforted in someone’s arms felt incredibly nice. So nice, in fact, that she couldn’t resist stirring up a little mischief.

“Miss Su Yuchen is so wonderful, no wonder someone’s shooting their shot with you.”

Su Yuchen was still lost in the lingering sweetness of being called “baby,” her ears burning red. Fortunately, the endless darkness draped over them, masking her flustered state.

Shen Wu tilted her chin up slightly, her peach-blossom eyes shimmering with mischief. “Baby, you’re so good, I feel like shooting my shot with you too.”

“…”

Su Yuchen was already struggling enough just holding Shen Wu. Her mind was full of indecent thoughts, years of pent-up restraint had left her unable to even recall that night with Shen Wu without turmoil. Especially now, after she’d lost control and kissed her. The guilt weighed heavily on her.

Truthfully, she and Shen Wu had been together once before. Back then, she’d been drunk, downing an entire bottle of red wine until she lost all reason and acted like an absolute beast. She just didn’t know if the other person still remembered.

Of course, she didn’t dare bring it up to Shen Wu. It felt like a betrayal, even though it had happened long before they met.

That time had been a mistake. And while the start with Shen Wu had also been a mistake, this time, things were clearly different.

Su Yuchen swallowed, her throat dry and scratchy, the spot where Shen Wu had bitten her earlier burning even hotter now.

“There’s no… no shooting shots. They were just joking.”

Hearing her weak defense, Shen Wu lifted her head, bringing her face closer.

“Joking? It looked dead serious to me, they even wanted to give you a ‘heart-fluttering gift.'”

Her words dripped with the unmistakable sourness of aged vinegar.

“I… I didn’t accept it,” Su Yuchen stammered.

Shen Wu chuckled, deliberately teasing her. “Not accepting doesn’t mean much. After all, they said they’d send you a confession message.”

With that, Shen Wu moved even closer. “So, Sister Yuchen, who do you plan to send your heart-fluttering message to?”

Who indeed…

Shen Wu’s lingering tone echoed in her heart.

Who else could it be…

Su Yuchen bit her lip and answered honestly, “To you.”

“Hmm?”

Shen Wu chuckled softly, her warm breath brushing against Su Yuchen’s fair, delicate neck, sending shivers down her spine.

“What an honor, Sister Yuchen.”

Shen Wu’s red lips pressed against that pale skin again.

“Should I reward you for that?”

As she spoke, her lips lightly grazed the skin, making Su Yuchen’s scalp tingle.

At this point, Su Yuchen had no room left to think about what might happen or whether others might notice. Though separated only by a tent, the fierce night winds of the island howled desolately outside. Yet the warmth from the person beside her was undeniably real.

The embrace they shared was so heart-pounding that it completely shut out the desolation beyond.

The tent light above swayed wildly in the sea breeze, casting flickering shadows that danced hazily.

It felt like a bizarre, dreamlike illusion.

Su Yuchen’s voice was slightly hoarse. “We can’t mess around.”

Even now, she clung tightly to her principles.

Having already suffered a major social disaster once, she couldn’t bear the thought of it happening again.

Hearing this, Shen Wu laughed softly. “Then when can we mess around?”

Pausing, her slender fingertip touched Su Yuchen’s nose, then slowly trailed downward until it reached her naturally rosy lips. With a breath as fragrant as orchids, she murmured, “After drinking, perhaps?”

These lips had just pressed together without reservation, now slightly swollen and glistening with moisture.

Like a cherry adorned with dew, their luscious hue was utterly captivating.

With her lips being touched, Su Yuchen felt awkward and averted her gaze. “Actually… even after drinking, we shouldn’t do this. That time, I was just being reckless.”

“Oh? Really? Then were you being reckless just now too?”

Shen Wu’s question left Su Yuchen at a loss for words.

Pursing her lips, she nodded. “Yes, I was reckless. I’m sorry.”

Kissing someone without being in a committed relationship was truly improper behavior.

“Hmm?”

“Why apologize?”

Shen Wu showed no intention of letting her off. Her fingers continued their descent, sliding past the delicate chin, tracing the curve of her neck, over the collarbone, and finally coming to rest over Su Yuchen’s heart.

“Darling, then when can we? After marriage?”

Her heart skipped a beat.

Su Yuchen was genuinely afraid Shen Wu’s fingertips would detect the irregular rhythm of her pulse.

She was even more afraid of losing control, this was hardly the time or place to be teased like this.

So, she reached out and caught Shen Wu’s wandering fingers.

“After marriage… naturally, it would be allowed.”

Shen Wu smiled. “Then you’d better work hard, darling.”

“Work hard to marry me quickly, or else you won’t be able to do anything.”

Su Yuchen nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

She would strive even harder to grow, to make herself appear more accomplished, not by relying on Shen Wu’s influence to seem impressive while being hollow inside, but through genuine effort.

She wanted to rely on her own efforts to rise, so that even if she hadn’t achieved anything outstanding yet, she wouldn’t feel unworthy standing beside Shen Wu. Even if she was burned by the halo around Shen Wu, she could still say with a clear conscience that it was worth it.

But clearly, she didn’t understand Shen Wu’s meaning, or rather, intention.

Shen Wu let her hand remain clasped in Su Yuchen’s palm, tilting her head slightly to gaze into Su Yuchen’s almond-shaped eyes.

Suddenly, all the tempting words she had planned to say turned into the most sincere expression of her heart.

“Baby, your eyes are so beautiful, so bright, like an unquenchable light.”

She truly felt that Su Yuchen’s almond eyes were exceptionally lovely.

So lovely that they seemed to hold the entire Milky Way, or as if they had captured the glow of the warm sun, shining brilliantly, beautiful and smiling only for her.

Su Yuchen was momentarily dazed, but her heart warmed at the words, a slow smile curling at her lips, revealing two adorable little dimples.

“Is that so?”

“Then I hope I can light up a corner, bringing warmth to those around me.”

Shen Wu took Su Yuchen’s hand, the same hand that was still holding hers, and with a gentle tug, pulled it close to her.

Her rosy lips lightly kissed the back of Su Yuchen’s hand. “It’s already very warm. Thank you.”

Su Yuchen chuckled softly. “You’re welcome.”

And truly, there was no need for thanks, because the warmth Shen Wu gave her far surpassed what she had offered in return.

Finally, she added one more thing.

“I’ll work hard.”

It sounded abrupt, disconnected from the conversation, but it was a heartfelt vow she had silently repeated to herself many times: I’ll work hard. For you.

For you, I will take responsibility. Wait for me. Don’t let anyone take you away, don’t let my beautiful dream come to an end.

Just as the atmosphere between the two reached its peak, Liu Ruomeng beside them suddenly flopped open with a thwack, stretching her limbs in an even more exaggerated pose to greet the open air.

“Ah! The sweet scent of kitties~ Mmm… Are there any cats on this island? Give me a kitty to cuddle right now…”

By now, she had completely wriggled out of her sleeping bag, sprawled in an outrageously dominant “X” shape.

The camping tent had limited space, and the air mattress wasn’t large either. With her limbs splayed out, she naturally encroached on the others nearby.

Su Yuchen, who was already holding Shen Wu, had shifted to the edge, so she wasn’t too affected, just a light smack on the back from Liu Ruomeng’s flailing arm.

In contrast, Xiao Zhi had it much worse.

She was sharing the same air mattress with Liu Ruomeng and was now being slapped repeatedly by her limbs, her delicate face nearly crumpling in pain.

“Seriously, are you insane?!”

Xiao Zhi clutched her chest, her long black hair practically standing on end from fright.

She couldn’t take it anymore and pointed accusingly at Liu Ruomeng.

“Are you trying to scare me to death? Do you know how dangerous it is to startle someone while they’re sleeping?!”

Even under such accusations, Liu Ruomeng didn’t wake up.

She remained dead asleep, even scratching her cheek lazily, her lips mumbling incoherently as if chewing on something.

The way she looked, utterly carefree, belly-up in a position no human could logically sleep in, was uncannily like a kitten lost in deep slumber.

Xiao Zhi sat up in frustration, covering her face in despair. “How am I supposed to sleep like this? Do you expect me to show up tomorrow with dark circles under my eyes for filming?”

And yet, Liu Ruomeng remained blissfully unconscious, seemingly playing with imaginary kittens in her dreams, responding to Xiao Zhi’s complaints with a cheerful, “Hehe~”

Xiao Zhi: “…”

I’m going to lose it. Can I just wrap her in the sleeping bag and toss her outside?

Just as Xiao Zhi was on the verge of a breakdown, Kuang Gong’s voice sounded beside Liu Ruomeng.

“How about we switch? There’s someone over there who sleeps quietly.”

She was likely referring to Fu Monan, who indeed slept like a log, lying on her side, one hand tucked under her cheek, the blanket draped over her without a single wrinkle disturbed.

The contrast was brutal.

With a rustle, the corner of the mattress dipped slightly as Kuang Gong sat down.

She pointed to the edge, where a spot had already been cleared.

Xiao Zhi blushed. “Mm, okay. Thank you, President Kuang.”

As she spoke, she shyly smoothed her tousled long hair, as if trying to present a better image in front of the person she fancied.

Kuang Gong nodded, and the two exchanged sleeping positions.

Su Yuchen, with her back turned, couldn’t see clearly, but Shen Wu noticed everything. She smiled at Kuang Gong, who had just laid down on her side. Kuang Gong, usually serious and aloof, a cold, work-focused CEO, returned the smile.

All of this was perfectly captured by Su Yuchen.

At first, she only noticed Shen Wu’s gaze drifting past her, smiling at someone behind her. Puzzled, she turned her head and saw Kuang Gong smiling back at Shen Wu.

She couldn’t quite name the feeling in her heart, but there was a faint sourness.

Their synchronized smiles were like a tiny needle, pricking Su Yuchen’s heart ever so slightly.

So, Shen Wu could smile just as beautifully at someone else.

And Kuang Gong, someone who rarely cracked a smile, actually treated Shen Wu differently. Not to mention, they had grown up together as childhood friends.

By the time Su Yuchen turned back, her long lashes had already half-lowered, veiling the emotions flickering in her eyes.

Shen Wu tilted her head, lifting her chin slightly as she studied Su Yuchen’s face with interest.

“What’s wrong? Suddenly in a bad mood?”

Su Yuchen averted her gaze. “No, not at all.”

“Oh, really?” Shen Wu drawled, propping herself up slightly. Her thick, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders like seaweed. “Should I ask someone else then?”

Before she could finish, a slender arm wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her back by the waist.

“Stop messing around,” Su Yuchen stammered. “It’s time to sleep.”

This was the first time she had actively pulled Shen Wu into her arms, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of her throat.

Shen Wu could barely suppress her grin. “Can’t sleep. What should I do?”

Around them, the soft, even breaths of others filled the air, with only the glow of the camping lamp illuminating their little corner.

Their whispered conversation was for their ears alone.

A quiet intimacy enveloped them like a veil.

Su Yuchen murmured softly, “Why can’t you sleep?”

Shen Wu thought for a moment. “Hmm, still cold.”

At this, Su Yuchen’s ears turned slightly red as she tightened her arms a little more.

“Still cold?”

“Actually, a bit better.”

After a pause, Shen Wu added, “But still not enough.”

Su Yuchen pressed her lips together, fighting the rapid thudding in her chest, and tightened her embrace again.

“Now… better?”

For some reason, Shen Wu felt a twinge of guilt, as if she were “forcing a good girl into wrongdoing.”

She looked up at Su Yuchen, who happened to meet her gaze.

Their eyes locked, and both saw the barely contained amusement in each other’s expressions.

Turns out, both of them knew Shen Wu was teasing, yet they played along anyway.

Tucked under the blanket at the far left corner, the two of them stifled quiet laughter.

Perhaps due to an awkward sleeping position, Liu Ruomeng felt an uncomfortable crick in her neck. She shifted and finally woke up.

The moment she opened her eyes, she saw the two of them cuddled up, whispering and laughing, so affectionate it was almost unbearable.

She felt like she’d just swallowed a mouthful of dog food.

After staring for a while, she couldn’t take it anymore and turned to Xiao Zhi beside her to complain, “Are these two really cold, or is this some kind of flirty game, hugging like that to sleep-”

Her words cut off abruptly as she came face-to-face with Kuang Gong.

Kuang Gong lay on her side beside her, his eyes appearing even deeper in the dim light of the tent, like some dark abyss with a pull that could drag a person in.

Liu Ruomeng opened her mouth, but the words that followed were soundless.

Kuang Gong watched her for a moment before finally speaking slowly, “What, do you want to cuddle too?”

“…”

Liu Ruomeng froze completely. She was so close to Kuang Gong now that she could even smell the crisp, cold scent of cedarwood cologne on her.

A strange thought suddenly crossed her mind, Didn’t she wash up before bed? Why does she still smell like cedar? Does she use so much cologne that it’s seeped into her skin?

Kuang Gong continued to gaze at Liu Ruomeng, silent, yet there was an inexplicable glint in his eyes, like that of a predator.

“N-no, thanks.”

Liu Ruomeng could only force out those words stiffly before slowly turning over, her back now facing Kuang Gong, hoping to block out the invasive intensity of his stare.

But then, she heard Kuang Gong’er’s cold voice from behind her: “Why?”

Why? Seriously? It’s awkward, dude.

At the very least, we’re… You might not care about dignity, but I do.

A string of curses rolled through her throat, but not a single word made it out.

Liu Ruomeng just stared blankly, rigidly replying, “Because you’re a damn pervert.”

This time, after only a few seconds of silence, Kuang Gong said flatly, “So I’m a pervert now?”

Liu Ruomeng snapped, “Yes! A damn pervert!”

Kuang Gong: “…”

Perhaps sensing that Kuang Gong actually didn’t retort, Liu Ruomeng scoffed, “Want me to elaborate on exactly how perverted you are?”

The two beside them exchanged glances. Su Yuchen hesitated, wondering if she should remind Liu Ruomeng not to say anything reckless.

But Shen Wu tugged her sleeve, shaking her head, Let’s just watch the show.

Su Yuchen pressed her lips together, silently asking with her eyes: Is this okay?

Shen Wu nodded, raising an eyebrow for good measure.

At the end of the day, everyone has a bit of a gossipy side, they all wanted to know just how perverted Kuang Gong had been to Liu Ruomeng.

Then they heard Liu Ruomeng grit out through clenched teeth, “I’m not your damn blow-up doll!”

What kind of doll?

Su Yuchen and Shen Wu’s eyes widened slightly as they exchanged glances.

Their expressions clearly said: They’re into that*?*

Kuang Gong replied coolly, “But you wore it.”

Su Yuchen and Shen Wu’s eyes narrowed into straight lines, their inner monologues screaming: Damn.

Liu Ruomeng was furious but didn’t dare raise her voice, so she hissed under her breath, “You’re a damn pervert. Am I just your toy?”

“You forced me to wear a Doraemon inflatable costume and made me dance to Xue Mao Jiao all night!”

“And you’re not a pervert? Who’d believe that?!”

Su Yuchen and Shen Wu: ???

Huh?

Sorry, my mind was in the gutter.

…

The next day, the sun was high and bright.

Sunlight spilled across the beach, the sea a brilliant blue, the sand glittering like it was studded with tiny diamonds.

The scene was so idyllic, it was as if the howling winds from the night before had never happened.

Everyone crawled out of their tents.

After washing up, they started a fire to cook.

Kuang Gong, as usual, silently chopped firewood, while Shen Wu had already set up a pot to boil water.

Xiao Zhi, having woken up an hour early to apply a no-makeup makeup look, emerged looking radiant.

The moment she appeared, the atmosphere brightened.

Because her two targets, one Shen Wu, the other Kuang Gong, happened to be together, seemingly preparing to start a fire and cook.

Either of these two was a feast for the eyes. Even if someone suggested there was something ambiguous between them, Xiao Zhi didn’t mind in the slightest.

Two stunning beauties with completely different auras, even while kindling a fire and cooking, remained dazzling under the curling smoke, as if the sunlight itself favored them especially.

For people like this, what did it matter if she took the initiative?

With this thought, Xiao Zhi tugged her shawl slightly to the sides, revealing shoulders as fair as jade.

With graceful steps, she approached the two.

“Are you making breakfast?”

Kuang Gong didn’t even look up. After splitting the firewood, she went to tidy up elsewhere, unconcernedly leaving Shen Wu and Xiao Zhi alone.

Xiao Zhi paid no mind, covering her mouth as she gazed at the large iron pot propped up with a heavy wooden lid. “Is this breakfast Sister Wuwu made for us?”

The pot was pitch black all over, the kind of high-end matte black.

Shen Wu lifted her face from behind the pot, her delicate and exquisite features marred by a smudge of soot.

“Yes.”

A strange scent seemed to waft through the air, but this was an island, any odd smell here wouldn’t seem too out of place.

Xiao Zhi covered her mouth and gasped softly. “Sister Wuwu, you’re so thoughtful, waking up so early to make us a loving breakfast.”

Shen Wu remained smiling, crouching contentedly in front of the pot.

Xiao Zhi nearly wished she could compose a poem on the spot to celebrate the occasion, but lacking much literary talent, she settled for praise instead. “Socrates once said, ‘Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.’ Sister Wuwu, are you trying to preserve both beauty and deliciousness, capturing our hearts along the way?”

Shen Wu continued to smile, while Su Yu Chen walked stiffly past behind her.

Unfazed, Xiao Zhi crouched down eagerly. “Do I have the honor of tasting the first bite of this exquisite meal?”