Sweet Gardenia - Chapter 21.3

They played pool until almost five o’clock, and by the time they finished dinner, it was already past nine.

With global warming, the night remained sweltering. Jing Chi, fully aware of his role as the center of attention and worried his friends might get recognized, quickly put on a mask as if he were a celebrity stepping out.

Lu Chengqi: “Even without the mask, no one would recognize you.”

“What are you talking about! I have tens of millions of fans online, okay? Besides, it was Brother Yanshang who told me to do this. On the surface, you’re mocking me, but you’re actually questioning Brother Yanshang.” Jing Chi pouted and looked at Fu Yanshang. “Brother, he’s talking about you.”

“Don’t disgust me.”

Fu Yanshang couldn’t be bothered to engage with him. He pointed to a handmade ice cream shop by the roadside and asked Lu Zhi, “Want some?”

Lu Zhi nodded eagerly and pointed to the popular flavor in the display case. “I want this one, mint chocolate.”

“This flavor is part of the couple’s set,” the server said with a smile. “You and your boyfriend can each have one.”

“If that’s the case, I want to order one too!” Jing Chi suddenly popped up in front. “Will this melt easily?”

“With an insulated bag and an ice pack, it can stay cold for up to three hours.”

Jing Chi paid happily. “Then I’ll take it back for my wife.”

Lu Chengqi looked at the couples in front of him. “Everyone, please show some respect for the single people here.”

Fu Yanshang took the ice cream and, for the first time ever, scooped a spoonful and brought it to her lips. “Is it good?”

Lu Chengqi almost gagged. “…”

“I’m heading out now. Let’s not meet again.”

…

They said their goodbyes at the intersection. Jing Chi drove home to his wife, and Lu Chengqi returned to his shop.

After getting in the car, Fu Yanshang checked his phone and said, “I’ll drop you off first.”

“What about you?”

“There’s some work at the company. I’ll head back after I finish.”

Lu Zhi glanced at the navigation. “Wouldn’t it be troublesome for you to drive back and forth? The company is nearby. I’ll keep you company.”

It was almost ten o’clock, and most employees had already left. Only a few windows were still lit. His office on the top floor was especially empty, with only the sound of the wind to be heard.

Although the lights were bright, the darkness and emptiness created an eerie atmosphere. Lu Zhi stuck close to him the entire way. Even after entering the CEO’s office, she made sure to sit where she could see him at a glance.

It wasn’t for any particular reason.  His office was just too big, with two separate document rooms.

The ice cream came in a large cup, and it took Lu Zhi a while to finish it. When she looked up, she saw Fu Yanshang holding a pen and watching her.

Lu Zhi: “What’s wrong?”

“Come here for a moment.”

Seeing the documents in front of him, she thought it might be her contract and hurried over. Just as she was about to look at the contents, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her onto his lap.

“What are you looking at?” he said. “It’s all stuff you wouldn’t like.”

Sure enough, the documents were filled with professional terms that made her head spin just glancing at them. It wasn’t her contract file.

Lu Zhi pouted. “Then why did you call me over?”

She wasn’t sitting squarely in the middle and was sliding down slightly due to gravity. He lifted his leg, jostling her, and Lu Zhi shuddered.

His tone was leisurely, as if making casual conversation. “Think about it. Aren’t you still owing me something?”

Lu Zhi almost instantly thought of it but still pretended not to understand, averting her gaze as she mumbled, “…What?”

“The dice we rolled last night.  Haven’t you cashed in on the reward yet?”

She stubbornly retorted, “How can that be called a reward?”

“My reward.”

“…”

“Hurry up,” he urged. “A two-hour face-to-face kiss? Perfect timing.  We’ll get home by midnight.”

Lu Zhi almost blurted out instantly, “It was clearly twenty minutes! How can you just change it like that?”

He nodded, understanding dawning. “Seems you haven’t forgotten.”

“……”

She dawdled, “I don’t know how to kiss.”

“That’s why you need to learn. If you don’t, you’ll never know how,” he said. “You’re so eager to learn. How can you allow yourself not to know?”

……

Face to face? How could they sit face to face with her on his lap? The only way was to straddle him. Slowly, she climbed onto him and settled in place. Just that single movement already felt unbearably embarrassing, heat instantly spreading from her back all the way to her ears.

Her voice grew softer with each question: “From left to right… or right to left?”

His palm slid down her waistline and came to a stop, supporting her. His tone was even: “From the outside in.”

“……”

The taste of mint chocolate hadn’t yet melted away in her mouth. She racked her brain, trying to recall the few kissing techniques she knew. His ice cream had been sea salt lemon, and as soon as their lips met, she could almost taste its faint fragrance. Someone once said kissing was like sucking on jelly… Her thoughts wandered as she clutched his collar and tentatively began to suck slowly. Sensing the person opposite part his lips, she tilted her head back.

He patted her bottom: “Don’t half-heart it. Be serious.”

“How am I half-hearting…?!” She shifted uncomfortably. “Stop patting my… butt.”

The second hand on the wall ticked away, and Lu Zhi had never heard it more clearly than at this moment. She kissed him for a while, then said, “Why aren’t you moving at all?”

“This is how you are when we kiss.”

“………………………………”

Alright, she deserved that.

He was definitely doing it on purpose. Lu Zhi opened her eyes and saw that his were indeed not closed, just barely cracked open, watching her. If not for the slight flutter of his eyelids, she’d suspect he’d fallen asleep.

“Why’d you stop?” he said. “Only the time you’re active counts. The time you waste dawdling doesn’t count.”

“Why?!” Lu Zhi protested. “Don’t I need to breathe while kissing?”

“The card says: ‘Take the initiative for twenty minutes.’”

She was exhausted. She hadn’t realized kissing could be so tiring when only one person was putting in the effort.

Lu Zhi: “How long has it been?”

Fu Yanshang: “Five minutes.”

It’s fine, five minutes is pretty good already.

She immediately sprang up from him and dashed toward the nearby sofa: “The remaining fifteen minutes, installments.”

Then she turned back and added cautiously, “In three installments.”

“……”

She thought he’d pull her back before she made it halfway, and she was prepared for it. But to her surprise, he didn’t move, letting her escape.

He stood up, lay down on the soft sofa opposite, and patted the space beside him: “Come here.”

Lu Zhi really couldn’t figure him out: “What now?”

“Shouldn’t installments come with interest?”

She was stunned, while the man in front of her remained completely unruffled.

“This time, I’ll move so you won’t be too bored,” he gestured with his hand. “Lie on top of me.”