Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Fan Jian drove onto the quickest route. His driving was quick and steady, so they arrived at B University shortly. After displaying their permit at the entry gate, Huo Shaoheng’s vehicle drove onto campus. The sky was m dark but there were an increasing number of people on the grounds. The vehicle slowed down after entering campus and head towards Gu Nianzhi’s dorm building. Huo Shaoheng called her from inside the car.

Gu Nianzhi had come home in the evening after studying in the library and was just about to shower and apply a face mask. Her heart thumped at the sound of Huo Shaoheng’s special ringtone. “Huo Shao!” She unlocked the phone and asked excitedly, “Why are you calling so late?”

Huo Shaoheng remained in the car and looked outside the window. “I’m already on campus. I’ll be at your dorm right away.”

“Really?! I’ll come down right away! Or do you want to come up?”

Huo Shaoheng propped his head on his hand. “I’m going to park at your building, so you should come downstairs.” It was already past 9pm so it wouldn’t do for Huo Shaoheng to go into the girls’ dorm at that hour.

Gu Nianzhi also considered this factor and answered instantly, “Ok, l’ll come downstairs right away!” She checked herself in the mirror; luckily she had just washed her face. She was still wearing her simple cashmere cardigan and knee length skirt. Because she was going out, she put on the over-the-knee boots she’d worn earlier and a double-breasted navy military-style wool coat. Tucking her phone and keys into the coat pocket, she dashed outside.

Ma Qiqi had just returned and saw Gu Nianzhi run outside from the living room. She called out, “Where are you going so late?”

“I’m going to…buy something!” Gu Nianzhi didn’t turn her head as she opening the door and ran to the elevator.

Ma Qiqi quickly called after her, “Get me an evening snack please! It’s best if you can get the crepes from the shop in the corner of the campus! Remember to add two eggs!”

“Got it!” Gu Niaznhi turned to wave goodbye at her. She said cheekily, “All you care about is food! Careful that you don’t gain 3 kilograms from eating at night!”

“You’re the one gaining 3 kilograms!” Ma Qiqi stood at the dorm with her hands on her hips and shouted. “I can eat whatever I like without gaining weight! You’re just jealous!”

Gu Nianzhi snickered as she walked into the elevator and made a face at Ma Qiqi, who was glaring at her from their room. As the elevators doors shut, Gu Nianzhi felt that her heart had already flown downstairs.

…

Huo Shaoheng’s car was parked in a dark corner by Gu Nianzhi’s dorm building. Fan Jian looked at him and said with a chuckle, “Mr. Huo, I’m going to have a smoke.”

Huo Shaoheng shot him a glance. “Go on then.” He wasn’t able to concentrate despite looking down at the tablet he was making records on. The heated feeling in his heart found no escape, so he opened the window to allow the night air to surge in, trying to get some relief for himself. Gu Nianzhi came downstairs and couldn’t find the car after looking around. She finally saw Fan Jiang smoking under a large barren tree in front of the building. She walked over with a smile and tapped his shoulder.

“Brother Fan, where’s Huo Shao?”

Fan Jian looked at her and pointed in the direction of the shaded corner on the other side of the building. “He’s over there.”

“Thanks Brother Fan!” Gu Nianzhi followed Fan Jian’s directions. The car was hidden in the darkness like a beast lumbering in the shadows. Growing more excited, Gu Nianzhi jogged towards it. The night air was chilly, yet her cheeks were flushed and heart warm because she was thrilled that Huo Shao had come to see her—he had actually taken the initiative to see her. She was the only one who knew how difficult it was for Huo Shaoheng to be able to do such a thing.

Huo Shaoheng sat in the car and saw the young girl wearing a military-style double breasted coat running over from the lighted area. Her long ponytail swayed behind her head while her tall and slim body, cloaked in the mature coat, gave off a combined aura of youthful gentleness and strength. Watching her, transfixed, his eyes were dark as he watched her from within the shadows of the car. He didn’t move and, just like a leopard biding its time in the darkness, he awaited his prey.

Gu Nianzhi arrived at the car and called out, “Huo Shao?”

It was much too quiet in the car so it didn’t seem like anyone was inside. Gu Nianzhi thought, has Huo Shaoheng gone outside or went out for a smoke like Fan Jian? Just as she was hesitating whether or not to open the door, it swung open and Huo Shaoheng reached out to her. His voice was husky. “Come inside.”

Gu Nianzhi’s heart bloomed with happiness and she accepted Huo Shaoheng’s hand; he pulled her inside with a gentle tug. The door slammed shut and Huo Shaoheng used his other hand to pull Gu Nianzhi into his lap. Supporting the back of her head with the hand that had just closed the door, he held in a tight embrace before leaning down for a kiss. He was incredibly forceful as he sucked on her slightly chilled lips.

Gu Nianzhi loved this restrained position. Although Huo Shaoheng was very strong and held her so tightly to the point that she could hardly breathe, it felt as sweet as honey to her. His rough love made her feel very safe, and her own love towards Huo Shaoheng grew in his security. His lips were very hot, as was his embrace. When his hand drifted into her coat, Gu Nianzhi didn’t notice it at all; she was completely cloaked in warmth. He held her tightly, and she didn’t make a sound even though it hurt a little. She could feel Huo Shaoheng’s excitement and was both happy and scared.

Huo Shaoheng’s passionate kisses finally alleviated the burning in his chest somewhat as he slipped his tongue between Gu Nianzhi’s lips to find the magical cure to his discomfort.

Gu Nianzhi’s breathy giggles trembled through his lips and sent tremors through him. “What are you laughing about?” Huo Shaoheng nuzzled her cheeks, gradually calming down.

Gu Nianzhi sat in Huo Shaoheng’s embrace and reached out to hug his neck. Leaning her head on his shoulder, she laughed. “What’s with you today?”

“Nothing really.” Huo Shaoheng looked down at her. “Are you busy with homework?”

“My homework has never been a challenge.” Gu Nianzhi traced her finger on Huo Shaoheng’s neck down to his collarbone and she began fumbling with the clasp done up to his to the top of his neck. “You haven’t called in the last few days so I’d been thinking about what we would be doing this weekend.”

This weekend was the first one since Gu Nianzhi started the semester. There was nothing going on at campus, so she’d been worried about where she’d stay. Huo Shaoheng hadn’t called at all so she wasn’t sure if she should return to Huo Shaoheng’s official residence or to the apartment he said he prepared for her.

“Where do you want to go?” Huo Shaoheng took her hand to stop it from tickling him. “Are you coming back to the base with me or to the apartment?”

“Well, will you be coming too if I go to the apartment?” This was Gu Nianzhi’s main concern.

Huo Shaoheng considered it. “You can come back to the base this weekend; the apartment is not finished with the renovations yet so it’s best to wait a few days.”

Gu Nianzhi nodded. “Ok, then I’ll come back to the base with you tomorrow.”

“I’ll have Big Xiong pick you up.” Huo Shaoheng kissed her cheek. “Ok, go back now.”

“What? You’re going to leave just like this?” Gu Nianzhi was reluctant to go back and grumbled, “That’s it?”

Huo Shaoheng only kissed her again before letting go. Gu Nianzhi got out of the car and straightened the coat that Huo Shaoheng had opened up. She waved at him before running off towards the dorm building. “Brother Jian, you can go back now.” Gu Nianzhi made a silly face at him before going inside the building. As Gu Nianzhi walked into the lobby, Miao Yunxiao quickly walked up from behind her and shoved her as she passed. She got into the elevator and didn’t wait for Gu Nianzhi before closing the doors.

A stunned Gu Nianzhi saw the flash of contempt and disdain on Miao Yunxiao’s face as the elevators shut before her eyes. “How immature, ” Gu Nianzhi grumbled. She was about to find another elevator when she recalled that Ma Qiqi had asked for crepes. She dashed out of the building again to head towards the small snack shop around the corner.

“Little Sister? You’re getting crepes too?” Brother Duan was walking out of the shop, carrying two boxed crepes in small plastic bags.

Gu Nianzhi gave him a hurried greeting. “Hello Brother Duan. You’re here to buy crepes too?”

“Yeah, it’s for Brother Huang. I lost a bet with him.” Brother Duan laughed heartily. As he looked at her, he noticed that Gu Nianzhi’s pretty little face glowed under the soft light. Brother Duan was mesmerized and couldn’t help asking, “Nianzhi, next weekend happens to be Valentine’s Day. What do you have planned?”