Chapter 85: Let Me Kiss You

Holding her phone, she rolled up the loose trouser leg and found her knee red and swollen, still numb from the impact—kneeling like that was truly unbearable. Luo Yixia dared not sit on the ground for too long. In this sweltering season, one could never know what snakes, insects, or ants might lurk in the woods. She rubbed her leg for a while, then braced herself against a nearby tree, trembling as she struggled to her feet. Shuffling to the side, she picked up the stick she’d thrown away earlier and used it as a crutch—after all, she still needed to find her way out.

Once she could manage a few steps, Luo Yixia gripped her phone for light, leaning on the stick as she felt her way forward. She abandoned the small bundle of dry twigs; they were no longer important. This time, Luo Yixia did not cry. Though fear gnawed at her and her knee throbbed painfully, she shed no tears. If she cried, she might never find a way out.

As she walked, Luo Yixia kept checking her signal, but her phone's battery was steadily draining. There had been no way to charge it in the wilderness these days, and after all this turmoil, her phone flashed low battery warnings again and again, making her panic anew. What would she do if the phone died completely?

Turning off the screen to save power and leaving only the flashlight on, Luo Yixia found a clearing where, looking up, she could see the moon hanging overhead. Night had fallen. She sat beneath a tree, hungry and thirsty, utterly disheveled.

Did anyone know she was missing by now? Were they searching for her? It seemed she only ever created trouble for others—she always had. No wonder Song Chengyi disliked her.

The night wind blew against Luo Yixia’s sweat-soaked clothes, making her shiver uncontrollably from the cold. Hugging her knees, she curled into a small ball.

Would Song Chengyi come looking for her? Even now, at this moment, he was all she could think about. Her mind, her time—he filled it all. She had tried to help him, but in the end, she only ever brought him trouble. He was right not to like her; at this point, Luo Yixia disliked herself too.

She sat quietly, watching the phone’s light as time slipped silently away. She didn’t know what hour it was and dared not turn the phone on for fear of wasting precious battery. If no one found her by morning, she would wait for dawn; with daylight to guide her, perhaps she could make her way back.

This time, Luo Yixia forced herself not to dwell on the worst possibilities, because she still wanted to return—to return to Song Chengyi’s side. Just last night, he had kissed her. She couldn’t possibly die out here after finally gaining a little advantage over him; she still wanted to tease him every day.

Luo Yixia didn’t dare close her eyes, not even for a moment. Alone in the woods, her only light was this phone with less than ten percent battery, and she could not afford to lower her guard. She feared if she accidentally fell asleep, she might never wake again. Every nerve was taut; she caught even the faintest sound, heart full of longing, hoping someone would find her.

She sat quietly for what felt like ages, not daring to check how much battery remained—just waiting for the phone to die on its own.

“Song Chengyi... when will you come?” Her voice, soft and hoarse from disuse, barely rose above a whisper.

Gradually, Luo Yixia heard sounds in the forest—the distant rustle of footsteps on dry leaves. She lifted her head warily, searching for the source, fear and hope mingling. Perhaps it was someone from the school searching for her.

“Luo Yixia!” A voice called out.

She turned toward the sound, but for a long moment, there was only silence. Was it her imagination? Did she miss Song Chengyi so much that she hallucinated his voice, just as she had in Japan? Perhaps she was only deluding herself.

Her head drooped in disappointment—then the call came again, clearer and closer than before. This time, Luo Yixia was sure—it was not her imagination. It was truly Song Chengyi.

She clung to the tree trunk, struggling to her feet, raising her phone to cast its light as far as possible. “I’m here... Song Chengyi...”

Song Chengyi heard her voice and saw the wavering light. He quickened his pace toward her.

She watched his figure emerge from between the trees, drawing nearer with every step. When the light finally fell full upon him, the two of them gazed at each other.

Luo Yixia, recognizing him at last, pursed her lips. “Song Chengyi.” Tears could no longer be held back.

Song Chengyi, seeing her sobbing uncontrollably, finally sighed in relief and strode over. The moment he drew close, she flung herself into his arms. Gently, Song Chengyi held her and let her sit beside him. He had searched for over three hours—his legs were nearly giving out—but at last, he had found her.

After Luo Yixia cried for a while, she lifted her head and saw his hair drenched in sweat, plastered to his brow, with beads of perspiration still clinging to his face. Sniffling, she wiped his sweat with her sleeve.

By now, Luo Yixia’s phone had completed its mission, fading perfectly into darkness. She glanced at the dead phone, then at the darkness encroaching from all sides.

In a small, uncertain voice, she asked, “Did you... did you bring your phone?”

Bathed in the faint moonlight, Song Chengyi glanced at her, pulled his phone from his pocket, and handed it over. Luo Yixia accepted it eagerly, but no matter how she pressed the buttons, nothing happened.

“No... no battery?” She looked up at him, worried.

“Mm.” Song Chengyi replied flatly.

“Then what good is it, giving it to me?” she muttered under her breath.

She looked up and realized just how close Song Chengyi was. He was seated on the ground, one knee drawn up, arm resting casually, while she was practically sprawled in his lap. Though she understood the situation, she had no desire to move away—this felt just right.

Song Chengyi gazed down at the girl nestled in his arms, her boldness increasing as she hugged his waist and buried her face in his chest. He pushed her sticky head away with one hand. “Do you admit you were wrong?”

Luo Yixia tilted her head up at him.

Song Chengyi, seeing she gave no reply, asked again, “Hm?”

She looked into his face, eyes shining. Instead of answering, she said, “Song Chengyi, can you grant me a wish?”

“What is it?” He was momentarily thrown off by her sudden shift in topic.

“Can I kiss you?” Her eyes sparkled mischievously, her voice playful and clear even in the dim woods.

“Keep dreaming,” Song Chengyi refused instantly.

“Aww, just one kiss. You already kissed me last night; it’s not even my first kiss anymore, so don’t be shy.” Luo Yixia beamed at him.

He pushed her face aside. “Stay away from me.”

“Don’t be so stingy. You don’t know—I really thought I was going to die just now, and my biggest regret would’ve been not getting the better of you. I survived, so can’t you grant me this tiny wish?” she pleaded, her eyes wide and pleading.

“Who told you to run off on your own?” Song Chengyi finally steered her back to the point.

Luo Yixia pouted. “Hmph, you’re so stingy—”

Before she could finish, Song Chengyi lifted her chin with one hand, tilting her face up, and suddenly his lips were on hers.

Caught off guard by the soft touch, Luo Yixia’s eyes widened.

“Close your eyes,” Song Chengyi murmured, easing away for a moment.

Obediently, Luo Yixia shut her eyes, her lips trembling into a faint smile.

Seeing her comply, he let the corners of his mouth lift, and then kissed her again. This time, unlike the fleeting touch of the previous night, Song Chengyi kissed her deeply, truly.

Though she had boldly declared she wanted to kiss Song Chengyi, now that the moment arrived, she became stiff and powerless, collapsing in his arms. Song Chengyi held her tightly, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other supporting her neck.

In the darkness, their senses sharpened. Luo Yixia felt the kiss keenly and could only cling tighter to Song Chengyi.

What she did not know was how desperate Song Chengyi had been during those three hours of searching for her—his heart suspended in his chest, even more intense than that time in Japan. He wanted nothing more than to see her again, and the guilt gnawed at him for letting her come to harm once more.

He had followed the direction given by Gan Yanyan, calling out into the night until at last, upon hearing a reply, he could finally breathe. The moment he saw Luo Yixia, all he wanted was to hold her tight, to keep her from ever leaving his arms again.

After a long while, Song Chengyi released her. Both were breathless; Luo Yixia nearly suffocated from lack of air. Song Chengyi ruffled her hair with gentle affection, but the moment his hand touched her, both felt a little embarrassed.

“Your hair’s greasy,” he coughed awkwardly.

Luo Yixia, who hadn’t blushed during the kiss, turned red at his words and tried to pull away. “There’s nowhere to wash it...”

But Song Chengyi pulled her back into his arms, laughing. “I don’t mind—you’re not the only one sweating.”

“Mm, then maybe I’ll mind you,” Luo Yixia teased, looking up at him.

“Oh? Want to try?” Song Chengyi raised an eyebrow.

“No, I don’t. I like you best, Song Chengyi, I like you more than anything.” She hugged him tight and buried her head in his chest.

Song Chengyi wrapped his arms around her as well. Yes, this was the way he liked her best.