40 Suffocating tenderness

To ensure the lovely and adorable Tang Shu didn't wait too long, Zhang Ziwen spared no expense and hailed a taxi. Amid the nerve-wracking flashing meter, the taxi stopped not far from the main gate of Zhonghai University. After paying a whopping 80 yuan, Zhang Ziwen got out of the car still feeling the pinch. His wallet had seriously shrunk over the past week, down to less than 800 yuan from over 1800 yuan. He knew he had to make this money last until the end of the month. Later, he'd have to spend a few hundred yuan treating Tang Shu. For this sweet girl who tugged at his heartstrings, Zhang Ziwen was ready to go all out, even if it meant smoking cheap cigarettes and eating instant noodles for a few days.

Tang Shu, however, hadn't listened to Zhang Ziwen's advice to find a place to sit and wait. From a distance, he saw her standing gracefully at the school gate, glancing eagerly toward the intersection. Seeing Zhang Ziwen approaching, Tang Shu flew toward him like a little bird. Coupled with her deadly sweet smile and stunning face, she had become even more captivating after not seeing her for a few days.

Seeing Tang Shu flying happily toward him like a little bird, Zhang Ziwen felt a warm and pleasant sensation in his heart. He shook his head gently, revealing a very manly smile, and greeted this lovely angel.

A mesmerizing fragrance wafted over as Tang Shu hooked her arm around Zhang Ziwen's, her familiar soft body pressed against his, firm and full. Zhang Ziwen's heart couldn't help but race, his nose twitching involuntarily. Deep down, he couldn't deny that this girl's charm was simply too strong.

Zhang Ziwen lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. As the faint smoke lingered, he struggled to suppress the stirrings in his heart. Yet, the fullness he felt on his arm kept making him restless and uneasy.

"Wen Ge," Tang Shu's voice was a bit coquettish, "Where are we going for dinner?"

"You decide. You're familiar with this place. Just pick somewhere you like," Zhang Ziwen felt an urge to treat her to a lavish meal, but with his dwindling funds, it wasn't realistic. He had to forcefully suppress his unrealistic desires.

"I want to eat what Wen Ge likes. How about you choose? It doesn't have to be near the school," Tang Shu shook Zhang Ziwen's arm gently and said sweetly, "Okay? You pick a place, or I'll treat."

"Very considerate. This girl is too considerate," Zhang Ziwen felt delighted. Tang Shu's insistence played right into his hands. If he didn't agree to her "unreasonable" request, that would truly be unreasonable. Going with the flow, Zhang Ziwen happily took Tang Shu to the bus station.

The bus wasn't too crowded, and the two found an empty seat to sit down. Tang Shu leaned against Zhang Ziwen's shoulder, her beautiful eyes constantly scanning the interior of the bus, seemingly fascinated.

Zhang Ziwen didn't notice Tang Shu's curiosity about the bus. At this moment, he was enjoying the feeling of Tang Shu's soft and tender body against his own—comfortable, warm, and intoxicated by the alluring fragrance emanating from her. This pleasant scent was so familiar, somewhat reminiscent of the luxurious woman's perfume, but also different. Tang Shu's fragrance gave a sense of freshness and naturalness, while the luxurious woman's scent carried a hint of mystery and allure. How could seemingly similar scents evoke such different feelings? Tang Shu's natural body fragrance involuntarily reminded Zhang Ziwen of the luxurious woman's dreamy and beautiful face.

Babao Street, a famous food street in Zhonghai City, was quite narrow and not very long, lined on both sides with snack stalls and small shops, probably over a hundred. During the day, this street was mostly deserted, but as evening approached, it bustled with people, becoming extremely lively until late at night. Zhonghai's "night owls" knew Babao Street as the place for late-night snacks. With its growing reputation, more and more restaurants opened up along this less than two-kilometer long street, operating only in the evenings.

There were countless delicious snacks on this street, including famous dishes like lamb spine hot pot, spicy crayfish, spicy small lobster, stir-fried snails, and local specialties like rice noodles, crab shell stuffed with meat, stinky tofu with pork intestines, beef offal soup, fried pork slices, and pork trotters. As night fell, the whole street was filled with enticing aromas, attracting countless food lovers and making this already narrow street bustling with extraordinary vigor.

Tang Shu seemed to have never been to such a place before, clinging tightly to Zhang Ziwen's side, looking around with excitement and curiosity in her beautiful eyes.

Zhang Ziwen took Tang Shu to a random restaurant and after sitting down, they ordered stir-fried snails, crab shell stuffed with meat, braised duck wings, edamame, and shredded potatoes. They also ordered a pitcher of beer and two glasses. Once the dishes arrived, they started eating together. With the beautiful Tang Shu by his side, Zhang Ziwen was in a pleasant mood, his appetite wide open. He ate with gusto, his eating manners extremely unattractive, but Tang Shu seemed to especially like his hearty and unrestrained demeanor. Even while eating, her charming eyes kept wandering on Zhang Ziwen's face, occasionally flashing a fatally sweet smile at him.

Zhang Ziwen loved the feeling of eating in such places—casual and natural, where he could loudly order drinks and dishes. This relaxed and hearty feeling naturally led Zhang Ziwen to drink quite a bit of beer, making several trips to the restroom. In one word, it was enjoyable. What made Zhang Ziwen even happier was that this meal wouldn't cost more than 100 yuan.

With a gentle night breeze, slightly tipsy Zhang Ziwen strolled with Tang Shu on the tree-lined path. Just around the corner was Tang Shu's school. Every time he was about to part with Tang Shu, it was the most difficult moment for Zhang Ziwen. He couldn't bear to look into Tang Shu's beautiful eyes, the sadness in those eyes made his heart ache, and he felt a bit breathless, particularly suppressed.

Under the shade of the trees at the corner of the school gate, the two stood facing each other. It was time to say goodbye, which was always inevitable.

"Ziwen, you go back first, I'll come in later," Tang Shu wanted him to leave first. She wanted to watch his back, to indulge herself in the sight of him leaving.

"Or you go in first, so that I can feel at ease," Zhang Ziwen looked at her longing eyes, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"I want you to go first," Tang Shu blushed and said softly.

Zhang Ziwen couldn't resist her childishness, sighed and said, "Go in, Ziwen will wait for you to go in first, be good." After speaking, he reached out and gently brushed aside a strand of her hair that was tousled by the night wind.

This tender and affectionate gesture made Tang Shu's heart leap with joy. She blushed and stared at Zhang Ziwen, her eyes filled with deep tenderness.

"Ziwen, close your eyes, okay?" Under the faint light coming through the school gate, Tang Shu's cheeks were a bit flushed.

Seeing a hint of shyness in her eyes, Zhang Ziwen didn't understand what she intended to do. He wouldn't refuse Tang Shu's small request. Zhang Ziwen obediently closed his eyes.

A gentle fragrant breeze, a charming atmosphere—eyes closed, Zhang Ziwen felt a soft, warm touch on the corner of his lips. It was intoxicating, suffocatingly gentle. Zhang Ziwen's heart skipped a few beats. He understood what that warmth meant. When he finally opened his eyes after a long while, the fragrant breeze lingered, but Tang Shu was nowhere to be seen. He touched the corner of his lips, still lingering with fragrance, making him reminisce, making him yearn. Zhang Ziwen sighed softly and slowly turned around.

Behind the pillar at the school gate, Tang Shu, hiding there, peeked out her delicate figure, blushing as she watched Zhang Ziwen gradually blend into the night. Her beautiful eyes glistened with a hint of teardrops—was it indescribable touched feelings or romantic parting sorrow?

Zhang Ziwen, lighting a cigarette after getting out of the taxi, couldn't get Tang Shu's adorable face out of his mind, lingering there. He felt he might have developed a liking for this charming girl, but he couldn't express anything to her. What could he offer her? Nothing. He knew deep down he wasn't qualified to like the angelic Tang Shu. He couldn't let his inner impulses lead him to like her, not now at least. If there was a day he would like her, it would be a day when he had achieved something in his career. Thoughts of Mu Qing's beautiful and arrogant face involuntarily surfaced in his mind, causing Zhang Ziwen to feel inexplicably irritated.