Chapter 130: If I kiss you now

Xu Yanfeng wore a black overcoat with open lapels, the waist belt loose and hanging at both sides, making his build look especially broad.

Xia Xi also wore a black overcoat, its buttons fastened tightly, the belt tied in a simple knot on one side of her waist, outlining her slender waist; underneath she wore a pretty slip dress, and the black coat's hem near her ankles revealed a slice of apricot‑colored lace trim.

A gray‑pink scarf wrapped around her neck, a bright accent that perfectly complemented her jade‑white face.

She stood very close to Xu Yanfeng, and as she spoke her breath formed a white mist: "Have you had breakfast? I brought it for you."

"I have." Xu Yanfeng lifted his foot and went up the stairs.

Xia Xi followed his steps closely, letting out a slight "ah" of regret, she pulled open her coat's collar to show him: "I thought you hadn't eaten, worried it would get cold on the way, so I kept it pressed against my chest."

"Eating is not allowed in the study room."

"You really kill the mood."

"What did you say?"

"I'm saying you're right."

"……"

The two kept the same pace up to the fifth floor, arriving at the study room door; Xia Xi took off her backpack and held it out to Xu Yanfeng: "Please take it in for me first—I haven't finished my breakfast."

Eating is prohibited inside the study room, but it's fine to eat in the hallway.

After buying breakfast, she noticed the time was tight, afraid of missing Xu Yanfeng, so she ate only a few bites on the way.

Xu Yanfeng remained silent for a moment, then grabbed her backpack and walked into the study room.

It was only 6:30 a. m.; few people get up this early on a winter weekend, so the room was sparsely populated with large empty areas. Xu Yanfeng randomly chose a seat, casually placing Xia Xi's backpack to his right. He took out his laptop, opened it, and, on a whim, glanced outside.

Behind the study room's glass door, Xia Xi leaned against the wall, looking forlorn; one hand held a xiaolongbao, the other cradled a cup of soy milk, with a plastic bag hooked on her pinky—another breakfast.

That was meant for him, but he didn't take it.

Xia Xi slowly finished her own portion, pulled a tissue from her pocket to wipe her mouth, pushed the door open, tossed the trash into the nearby plastic bin, and sat down beside Xu Yanfeng.

She had thought he would place her backpack far away from him; credit where it's due, he still had a conscience and didn't do that.

The indoor temperature was high; Xia Xi removed her overcoat and draped it over the chair back, revealing an apricot‑colored knit long skirt with a lace‑trimmed hem. She first laid out the contents of her backpack on the desk, propped her chin on her hand, and tilted her head to look at Xu Yanfeng.

After a few minutes, her posture remained unchanged; Xu Yanfeng's typing slowed, and he glanced at her from the side.

Xia Xi curled her lips and gave him a pure, harmless smile.

Xu Yanfeng, bewildered, lowered his voice and asked her what she was doing.

She shook her head, "Nothing special—I just haven't seen you in a long time and want to make up for the days I missed."

Seeing her still staring at him, his gaze felt like it held a hook, making him uneasy, so he spoke again: "You came to the library not to read or do homework—are you here to space out?"

Xia Xi always had her own reasoning: "I have plenty of time to study and do homework, but the time I get to see you is limited and precious; having finally caught you, I ought to make the most of it, since I don't know when we'll meet again."

Xu Yanfeng: "……"

Before, lies came out of his mouth as soon as he spoke; now, sweet nothings do.

Let her look if she wants; Xu Yanfeng calmed his mind, steadied his spirit, and immersed himself in his own work.

Xia Xi watched him for a long time, waiting as the study room gradually filled with people; she closed her eyes, cleared her mind of distractions, and began her homework.

Midway, a girl came over to Xu Yanfeng to ask him a question. Xia Xi's attention drifted, her gaze unintentionally flicking over. Xu Yanfeng pushed his computer forward, cleared a space, took out a clean sheet of paper, focused on the problem, thought briefly, then picked up his pen and wrote out the solution process.

Watching him write was soothing; his side profile was sharp, his expression solemn, thick eyelashes lowered, obscuring his eyes, his distinct knuckles gripping a neutral‑tipped pen, the tip scratching a soft rustle on the paper without pause, the whole process smooth and fluid.

His earnest demeanor was captivating.

When he finished, he pinched the paper and handed it to the girl.

The girl thanked him gratefully, standing beside him to watch the solution steps.

Seeing a part she didn't understand, the girl furrowed her brow, bent down, placed the paper back on the desk, propped one hand on the edge, and pointed to the confusing spot to ask Xu Yanfeng.

The girl's long hair was swept to one side of her head, hanging down, its tips brushing Xu Yanfeng's sleeve.

Both spoke very softly, sounding like a whisper.

Xia Xi forced herself not to look, took the finished drawing to one side, laid out a fresh blank sheet, began sketching a structural diagram, yet her ears involuntarily perked up to eavesdrop.

After the girl finished her question, she also asked for Xu Yanfeng's WeChat, giving a fairly solid reason: it would be convenient to consult him later if she had more doubts.

Xia Xi thought to herself, "Ah, that's the real point."

But Xu Yanfeng refused, saying bluntly, "Sorry, it's not convenient."

Xia Xi curled her lips; Senior Xu performed consistently.

The girl drew out her voice and said "Okay," sounding rather reluctant. Not wanting to pester him further, she cradled the precious sheet bearing Xu Yanfeng's handwriting and left.

Xu Yanfeng set down his pen, feeling somewhat fatigued; he pressed his thumbs and index fingers to his temples and rubbed them. Last night he had helped Fulinong with that proposal, pulling an all‑nighter, getting no sleep before coming straight to school, and he was barely holding up.

After forcing himself for a while, Xu Yanfeng decided to give himself a break, closed his laptop, and slumped onto the desk. He intended to close his eyes for a brief rest, but unexpectedly fell into a deep sleep.

Xia Xi finished another sheet of paper; her neck and shoulders ached terribly. She interlaced her fingers and stretched them upward, twisting her neck left and right, then to the left, as if discovering a new continent, and gazed at Xu Yanfeng in amazement.

From the first glance this morning, she saw his fatigue. Since they study architecture, pulling all‑nighters is normal, so she didn't ask further; seeing him asleep now, she thought he must have stayed up especially late last night.

Since he hadn't rested well, why come to the library so early on a Saturday, when he has no class? He might as well stay in the dorm and catch up on sleep.

Could it be because…

Before that thought could fully form, Xia Xi quickly shook her head, forbidding herself from indulging in wishful thinking.

She unabashedly admired Xu Yanfeng's sleeping face, gazing and gradually inching closer until her lips were only a fist's distance from his face.

If he were awake, he ought to feel the breath she exhaled onto his face.

Lost in the moment, Xia Xi was oblivious to the fact that many pairs of eyes in the study room were widened, staring straight at her and the sleeping Xu Yanfeng, wondering whether she dared to kiss him.

At the instant the distance closed, Xu Yanfeng woke; his crow‑feather lashes fluttered slightly, he lifted his eyelids, his vision was shadowed, he made out Xia Xi, and his body stiffened.

Xia Xi's eyes drooped slightly, locking with his gaze; instantly her limbs went numb and her throat dried.

How should she explain this pose…

She couldn't explain it.

Xia Xi bluntly admitted, her lips moving, her voice soft as rain on petals, reaching his ear: "If I kiss you right now, would you sue me for sexual harassment?" She really threw caution to the wind.

Xu Yanfeng lay there motionless, his voice low and hoarse: "Try it."