Sweet Kiss - Chapter 13.1

The two of them walked around the small town. The fresh air carried the light scent of flowers.

It was already almost autumn, but the flowers still smelled strong.

Bai Tingzhou and Li Yansui were holding hands as they walked down a path between the fields. There was a fresh juice shop nearby, and they went in together to buy two cups.

Li Yansui took a sip and thought it tasted good. The strawberry flavor filled her mouth.

She hadn’t lived this comfortably in a long time.

She looked up at the sky. It was a clear blue, like it had been washed clean. A few white clouds floated by now and then.

“It’s really nice,” she whispered.

Li Yansui handed her juice to Bai Tingzhou and walked back into the shop to buy a matcha ice cream.

Bai Tingzhou didn’t stop her. He let her eat and drink whatever she liked.

As she ate the ice cream, she playfully kicked at small stones on the roadside.

Looking at the small houses around her and the endless flower fields, she suddenly wanted to live here forever.

Bai Tingzhou watched her being lively and cute. His heart filled with warmth and affection.

He threw the almost-empty juice cups into a trash can by the road and quietly took out his phone to record a video.

Li Yansui turned around and saw him. Her eyes sparkled, and a smile was on her face.

Seeing his phone, she blinked and asked, “Why are you filming me?”

Bai Tingzhou smiled and said, “To capture life.”

“Oh? Then I won’t wait for you!” she said, turning and running off with her ice cream.

He stopped filming, put away his phone, and quickly caught up with her. He grabbed her hand and didn’t let go.

“I won’t let go,” he said.

Not in this life.

They spent the whole day outside, and it was already after 6 PM when they got back.

Since they had school the next day, they said goodbye at the door to Li Yansui’s house, reluctantly.

When Bai Tingzhou got home, his parents weren’t there. They had been busy with work recently and sometimes didn’t come home at all.

He opened the door. The living room was quiet. The only sound came from birds outside the window.

He boiled some dumplings for himself and got ready to eat.

But then his phone rang suddenly.

He saw the caller ID—it was Fang Jiqing.

Bai Tingzhou answered the phone but didn’t have time to speak before he was startled by Qi Jinyang’s nervous voice.

“Have you looked at the school forum?” he asked quickly.

Bai Tingzhou swallowed a mouthful of dumplings. “No. What happened?”

He rarely checked that boring forum unless there was something important. He hadn’t even bothered to register before.

Qi Jinyang took a deep breath and hesitated, then said, “You’d better take a look.”

Hearing that, Bai Tingzhou knew something was wrong. It had to be about either him or Li Yansui.

And most likely, it was about Li Yansui.

If it were about him, Qi Jinyang would’ve already started ranting and helping him fix it. But if it was about Li Yansui, he would be more careful—because it wasn’t his place to get involved directly.

“What happened?” Bai Tingzhou asked as he put down his spoon, went upstairs, and turned on his computer.

He logged in, and the first thing he saw was a big headline:

[Famous model Li Yansui and her brand designer enter a hotel together—what do you think?]

Next to it was a big fire icon, showing how popular the post was.

Usually, the forum didn’t get much attention. Most posts were just minor gossip or food complaints.

But ever since Li Yansui joined the school, posts about her always drew attention. People either praised her or insulted her in the comments.

Qi Jinyang had warned him before: “Be careful. Staying close to someone like Li Yansui, who always attracts drama, will bring you trouble too.”

It sounded harsh, but it was true. The more people liked her, the more others disliked her too. The attention she received never faded. It only grew.

Bai Tingzhou frowned at the screen. He was clearly upset.

He had just gotten back from a happy date—now someone was spreading rumors about his girlfriend. He wanted to punch someone.

At some point, Qi Jinyang had already hung up. Then Li Yansui called.

Bai Tingzhou put down the mouse, calmed himself, and answered. “What’s up?” he asked, trying to sound normal.

Li Yansui’s voice sounded the same as always—casual and cheerful.

She seemed to be eating. “What are you… doing?” she mumbled.

When he heard her voice, the dark look on his face softened a little.

“I’m at home. What are you eating?” he asked, looking at the sky outside.

“I’m eating dinner,” she replied after swallowing.

“You’re eating and calling me? Missing me already?” he joked.

Li Yansui paused. After a moment, she said stubbornly, “No way! I just wanted to ask if you’re free tonight. I want to… study together!”

“Haha.” Bai Tingzhou laughed. “Of course. Just text me later. I’ll be waiting.”

Li Yansui also laughed. “Okay, Little Bai, wait for this royal lady!”

She had recently gotten into palace drama shows, and now she used nicknames like that.

“Got it,” he said, smiling.

After the call ended, Li Yansui put down her spoon. She had only eaten two rice dumplings. She couldn’t eat anymore because her stomach felt sick. She wanted to throw up.

She had seen the forum post as soon as she got home. The person who posted it even tagged her so she wouldn’t miss it.