Chapter 967: Impulse

The two just walked forward along the bank of the Pearl Plate River.

The further they went, the fewer people setting off fireworks, and the riverside light gradually dimmed.

Suddenly, Ao Jing stepped forward a few paces and grabbed Shan Shan in one swift motion.

Shan Shan exclaimed, "What's wrong?"

Ao Jing placed his index finger before his lips, made a hushing gesture at Shan Shan, and pulled her into his arms.

He led her back into the darkness, then directed Shan Shan to look elsewhere.

Shan Shan glanced over suspiciously, her shoulders jerked up, she clapped both hands over her mouth, but her right foot kept tapping the ground, her eyes darting excitedly between Ao Jing and that direction.

Seeing her like that, Ao Jing couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't make a scene," Ao Jing whispered to Shan Shan, "They aren't ready to go public anytime soon."

Upon hearing this, Shan Shan obviously realized Ao Jing had known all along; she lowered her voice and complained, "When did you find out? How could you keep it from me too?"

"I didn't deliberately hide it from you," Ao Jing said. "After all, it's their privacy; I shouldn't go blabbing about it for no reason."

Shan Shan pouted, "But I'm different from others; we're together."

Ao Jing had no choice but to yield: "It's my fault."

Only then did Shan Shan relent.

She then clung to Ao Jing's arm, unable to suppress her excitement: "When did Hui Yu and Jiao Ning get together? I'm so close to Jiao Ning, yet she never told me—how infuriating!"

Ao Jing rubbed Shan Shan's head, soothing her: "The issue mainly lies with Hui Yu; he wants to wait until he successfully passes the Dragon Gate before going public with his relationship with Jiao Ning, then marry her in grand style."

"What if he fails?" Shan Shan urged anxiously. "They've already kissed; if Jiao Ning ends up disappointed, I… I…"

Ao Jing had once advised Hui Yu about this very problem.

But actually, many things in this world are viewed differently by each person.

Hui Yu and Shi Jiao Ning have their own considerations; regardless of how things turn out, they've already braced themselves mentally, so no amount of outside advice can sway them.

Some lessons you only learn by hitting the south wall yourself, while others, even after hitting it, refuse to turn back.

Moreover, Hui Yu might very well succeed in passing the Dragon Gate.

Ao Jing pulled Shan Shan along as they walked farther, then said earnestly, "Shan Shan, everyone who comes into this world experiences many things; this is our own karma. To involve oneself less in others' karma is also a form of cultivation."

Ao Jing didn't launch into a lengthy analysis of the entanglements between Hui Yu and Shi Jiao Ning—even the parties themselves couldn't sort out their love-hatred—discussing it with Shan Shan would only make them both unhappy.

So he could only guide Shan Shan from a general concept.

Fortunately, after experiencing so much, Shan Shan's disposition had become relatively mature.

She nodded and said, "You're right; I'll pretend I saw nothing tonight."

After a pause, she couldn't help but turn back to look, murmuring, "They've been kissing for so long—won't they suffocate?"

Then she added, "What does kissing feel like? Kissing in the snow—how beautiful."

Shan Shan chattered on like a curious little treasure.

Ao Jing suddenly stopped; Shan Shan, not paying attention, bumped straight into his chest and instinctively lifted her eyes to him.

At that moment, Ao Jing gazed deeply into Shan Shan's eyes, his voice slightly hoarse: "Envious? Curious?"

Shan Shan:?

"Want to give it a try?"

Shan Shan:!

Ao Jing didn't give Shan Shan a chance to answer; he lowered his head and kissed her.

He had secretly kissed Shan Shan's earlobe and hair before, and more than once he had stared at her lips, imagining their jelly-like, moist, soft feel.

In the midnight reverie, Ao Jing didn't know how many times he had fantasized about this moment.

He had originally intended just a dragonfly-touch-the-water kiss, so as not to frighten his girl.

But he hadn't expected the taste to be so good; a light touch, and he couldn't bear to pull away.

As Ao Jing leaned in to kiss, Shan Shan instantly closed her eyes, rose onto her tiptoes, and naturally wrapped her arms around his neck.

Never had pork, never seen a pig run?

From childhood, she's been raised steeped in happiness.

The elders around her are all paired off, deeply in love.

Especially her parents—when they're together, that lovey-dovey manner makes even Shan Shan feel sick of it.

Thus her capacity for acceptance is especially strong.

On the contrary, Ao Jing was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Shan Shan to be so compliant.

The girl obediently rose on her toes, hooked her arms around his neck, responded to his kiss, leaving him unable to stop.

Everything happened so naturally.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, perhaps it was love reaching its depths, but Ao Jing adored this Shan Shan.

Once some things are started, once that layer of window paper is pierced, what follows becomes much easier.

Throughout the Spring Festival period, there were too many gatherings.

Basically, whenever Ao Jing and Shan Shan met, they would seek a chance to be alone.

Their kisses, initially awkward, quickly evolved into consummate skill.

On the day of February 2, when the dragons raise their heads, the Linghai Dragon Clan held a grand sacrificial ceremony.

It happens every year.

Ao Ji has not returned home since he ran away.

The "practice trumpet" incident was just empty talk; in the end, Ao Jing still had to shoulder the main burden.

This February 2 sacrificial ceremony was presided over by Ao Jing.

The entire sacrificial procedure went smoothly until the very moment Ao Jing personally lit the Dragon Head Incense, when its flame suddenly shot up towering high, straight to the heavens.

All the senior elders in the clan were instantly overjoyed, saying this was a great auspicious sign, that the Linghai Dragon Clan would surely have favorable weather and timely rain this year, and that a major happy event would occur.

Everyone was immersed in joy, only Ao Jing felt uncomfortable.

When the dragon-head incense surged up, a thick cloud of incense smoke rushed at his face; he was forced to gulp a large mouthful of smoke, choking and coughing several times before he could suppress it.

Actually this wasn't a big deal; after the sacrifice, Ao Jing also attended the victory feast, where he exchanged cups and drank quite a bit of wine.

But for some unknown reason, he only felt a strong current of heat continuously pouring into his dantian; by the time he was about to sleep, his body was tense to the point of feeling like it might explode.

In the washroom, Ao Jing had already taken three cold showers.

He had experienced this sort of abnormal situation before, after all, he was a grown young man.

Especially after being with Shan Shan, upon returning he always needed to take a cold shower.

One shower was enough to dispel the restlessness throughout his body.

But today, the more cold showers he took, the stranger it felt.

Ao Jing could only give in, forcing himself to sleep.

Once asleep, he would no longer feel uncomfortable.

In the end, he couldn't sleep no matter what; he truly felt like he was about to explode… he could only get up and take another cold shower…

Afterwards, probably his brain had burned out, he himself had no memory of how he went to the Feng Clan or how he sneaked into Shan Shan's room.

He was like an undeveloped beast; when a certain season arrived, reason and decorum were cast aside, and he followed only the most primal urges…