Chapter 34: A Different Kind of Kiss

The next morning, sunlight slanted through the gap in the curtains onto the foot of Li Yan's bed. He woke up leisurely, taking a few minutes to fully clear his head.

After getting up and washing, he simply changed into a light-colored T-shirt and casual pants and took the gift he had left for Gangan out of the closet.

Two bags of Lüdao City specialty small desserts and a silk scarf.

This silk scarf wasn't expensive, but the pattern was soft; he had specially picked it out for her during his trip, wanting her to taste the desserts and also add a touch of refinement to her daily life.

He ate the fried buns and pickled vegetables his mother had left for him at home; it wasn't too salty or too bland, just the taste of home.

He put on his small bag, took the gift, and went out.

He hailed a taxi outside the residential complex to head to Gangan's place.

In the car, the driver asked a few questions about the weather and the recent traffic congestion in the city; he responded casually, not saying much.

His mind was already on the upcoming farewell.

Twenty minutes later, he arrived downstairs at Gangan's residential complex and sent her a message: "I'm here, waiting for you downstairs."

Gangan replied quickly: "I'm coming down right now."

Before long, she walked out of the unit door lightly. Today she was wearing a light pink home-style short-sleeved shirt and loose cotton trousers, with light makeup, looking fresh and natural.

Li Yan held up the bag in his hand: "I brought you some Lüdao City specialty desserts and a silk scarf."

Gangan walked closer, a fragrant breeze hitting him, and she smiled as she took the bag: "Thank you~."

The two had only just confirmed their relationship not long ago, and Gangan was still a little shy.

The two stood side by side under the shade of the trees in the complex, the breeze carrying the scent of grass and trees.

Li Yan looked at her with a bit of melancholy from the impending departure: "I'm going to Shudu the day after tomorrow, first to rent a house, then look at cars, and stroll around while I'm at it.

Didn't you say before that you wanted to come find me? You come over after a while, once I'm settled in."

Gangan lowered her head: "I hate that you're leaving again so soon. But I also know you have a plan, and going there early to prepare is quite good."

Her words carried a bit of reluctance, but also support.

"I'll find time to go to Shudu to keep you company for a while..."

Li Yan nodded: "Then I'll wait for you to come over."

He reached out and gently held her fingers; Gangan's face flushed slightly, but she didn't pull away.

Suddenly, Gangan's cheeks turned red, and she whispered: "How about you come upstairs and sit for a while? I have something else I want to show you."

Li Yan didn't hesitate and nodded: "Alright."

Entering the elevator, the atmosphere was a bit silent, but not awkward; instead, it carried a hazy sweetness.

Gangan's home was a two-bedroom apartment, decorated in a fresh and artistic style; the beige sofa and solid wood coffee table in the living room made one feel very warm.

She placed the gift bag on the coffee table, then turned to face Li Yan, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead with one hand, her lips slightly parted before she could speak.

Li Yan stepped forward gently and took her into his arms.

She didn't pull back, just lowered her head slightly, letting her forehead rest against his chest.

Li Yan felt her hair was soft, carrying a faint fragrance.

He raised his hand to gently stroke her back, looking down at her with a gaze that was gentle and a bit reluctant.

Gangan's eyelashes trembled; she looked up at him, the distance between them no more than a few centimeters.

Without extra words, Li Yan lowered his head to kiss her lips.

Her red lips were soft and warm; at first, they trembled a little shyly, but soon relaxed, and she closed her eyes slightly to respond gently.

The kiss was gentle, unhurried, yet carried a sweetness that made one's heart race.

His palm moved down, gently pressing against her waist, feeling her slightly nervous breathing.

His other hand tentatively reached toward her perky buttocks.

Gangan's figure felt delicate and soft under the thin fabric; when Li Yan's palm grasped her slightly perky buttocks, her body gave a light shiver, a bit startled, but she didn't push him away.

Instead, she let out a small hum, her cheeks flushed red, but she took the initiative to wrap her arms around Li Yan's neck.

They stood like this in the living room, the occasional laughter of children and the sound of bicycle bells from the complex outside forming a contrast with the intimacy inside.

Although Gangan was shy, she didn't want to refuse, changing her posture slightly to cooperate, letting her body get closer to Li Yan.

Her breathing became shallow, her chest heaving slightly, and a warm current that was hard to describe permeated the atmosphere.

Li Yan felt her response, gently slowing the rhythm, the kiss turning from fiery to lingering.

Gangan responded with a hint of shyness, occasionally opening her mouth to breathe, letting their breathing rhythms intertwine.

That reluctance and anticipation turned into silent tenderness at this moment.

After a while, Li Yan let go, pressed his cheek against her forehead, and laughed in a low voice: "Shy?"

Gangan nodded gently, her voice as thin as a mosquito's: "Mm, a little..." Her tone wasn't one of refusal, but a sweet embarrassment.

Li Yan raised his hand to help her smooth her hair: "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

Gangan bit her lower lip gently and whispered: "It's okay, just... a bit sudden."

The two looked at each other and smiled, the atmosphere softening.

Li Yan hugged her and sat down on the sofa, taking a drink of water from the mineral water bottle on the coffee table.

Gangan leaned against him sideways, one hand resting lightly on his arm.

"Tell me early when you get there, I'll go over to keep you company; my schedule is fine anyway," Gangan said softly.

"Alright, I'll definitely send you my location and photos of the house; you can pick a good time to come," Li Yan replied.

They chatted for a while more about future plans; Li Yan said he would rest at home tomorrow, depart on the flight the day after tomorrow morning, and contact an agent to look at houses as soon as he arrived in Shudu.

Gangan nodded from time to time, not mentioning the intimacy from just now, but her face still flushed with a rosy glow, making her look even more gentle and beautiful.

By dusk, Li Yan stood up to say goodbye: "I should go back. I'll have a good rest at home tomorrow and fly the day after; don't worry."

Gangan nodded: "Mm, I'll wait for your news."

At the door, they kissed goodbye lightly once more; this time it was a brief, light kiss, like a gentle full stop.

"Take care on the road," she whispered.

"Alright." Li Yan picked up his backpack and left with a smile.

Walking out of the complex, he breathed in the fresh air, his heart filled with reluctance yet anticipation for the future.

Life in Shudu afterward had more reasons for warmth, and Gangan's figure in his memory was soft and sweet.

Gangan was different from the girls he had been with before.

This difference wasn't just reflected in the long time they had spent in an ambiguous relationship.

It was also reflected in Li Yan's attitude toward Gangan, and Gangan's gentleness toward Li Yan.

Returning home, the sky was already dark. Seeing his relaxed expression, his parents smiled and said: "Stay home and have a good day tomorrow, flying the day after, right?"

Li Yan nodded: "Right, the ticket is already booked."

His mother only urged him to pay attention to safety, while his father told him to look at more houses and not be in a hurry to buy a car.

Li Yan agreed to all of it.

At night, he sat at his desk, thought of the gentle yet fiery kiss that afternoon, smiled, and then turned off the light to sleep.

Resting at home tomorrow, flying to Shudu the day after, a new life was unfolding for him bit by bit. ===== CHAPTER 35 =====