The college entrance exams loomed just after Song Qi Nian's visit to Song Guanliang. She made sure to take two days off work to be there for Song Jia Shu during his exams.
[ID card? Admission ticket? Water? Watch? Tissues?] Song Qi Nian fretted, rifling through Song Jia Shu's bag for the third time, her hands trembling slightly.
Song Jia Shu noticed her anxiety surpassing his own. He placed a gentle hand on her back. "Breathe, sis. I've got everything."
[Right, stay focused, but don't stress yourself out. Treat it like any other test... though not too casually. Just... give it your all, okay?]
"I understand!" Song Jia Shu wrapped his arms around her. "With a genius sister like you, some of that brilliance must have rubbed off on me. I'll make you proud."
Song Qi Nian returned his embrace before stepping back. [Time to go in.]
"Sis, it's sweltering out here. Wait for me in that dessert shop across the street!"
Though Song Qi Nian nodded, she remained rooted outside the gate. While other parents sought shelter under umbrellas and wide-brimmed hats, she stood unprotected beneath the blistering sun.
Her striking presence drew attention. Soon, a small crowd gathered around her, offering water and shade, trying to strike up conversations.
Shen Chi Yan's car happened to pass by the school. His jaw clenched at the sight of strangers clustering around Song Qi Nian, vying for her social media contact. A bitter thought crossed his mind: How did someone so ordinary, someone who couldn't even speak, command such attention?
Her phone buzzed three times. A message from Shen Chi Yan lit up her screen:
"Move to your 10 o'clock position, 200 meters ahead."
Song Qi Nian looked up to see his car in the distance.
Why is he here?
Song Qi Nian excused herself from the group and made her way to the car.
Gao Kunlun held the back door open for her. Once she was inside, he retreated to a tree where some old men were absorbed in their chess game. He knew better - when the Fifth Master made a special trip to see the young madam, it usually meant at least an hour.
June in Jinghua City was brutal. After just twenty minutes in the sun, sweat beaded on Song Qi Nian's skin, her cheeks flushed from the heat.
The car's cool air washed over her. She closed her eyes, savoring the relief.
Hiss...
Something cold pressed against her face. She jerked back, startled, to find Shen Chi Yan dropping a bottle of chilled red tea in her lap.
"Gao Kunlun mentioned you liked these. He insisted on buying it for you." His voice held its usual frost. "Since when are you two so friendly?"
Thirsty, Song Qi Nian tried to open the bottle, but her damp palms kept slipping on the cap, unable to get a grip.
Shen Chi Yan clicked his tongue. He snatched the bottle, twisted it open with one sharp motion, and thrust it back at her. "Can't even open a bottle. What's the point of all that food you eat?"
Song Qi Nian bit back a response. Her hands were sweaty - that was all. But why bother explaining?
The first few sips of iced tea were heaven. Her tongue darted out to catch a stray drop on her lips.
Shen Chi Yan's dark eyes caught the movement. He scoffed, "It's just cheap tea. Is it really that good?"
Song Qi Nian nodded eagerly and offered him the bottle.
Shen Chi Yan stared at where her lips had touched the rim. Share a drink with her? Never.
Of course - he wouldn't touch anything that cheap either.
She quickly withdrew her hand and took another sip. As she was screwing the cap back on, Shen Chi Yan grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him.
Song Qi Nian froze. His grip on her chin never meant anything good. She started to push him away, but then his lips found hers.
Something was different today. Instead of his usual rough kisses, his touch was unexpectedly soft.
He tasted her lips carefully, taking his time before deepening the kiss with an unusual patience.
Song Qi Nian hardly dared breathe. What had gotten into him? This wasn't like him at all.
So this was Shen Chi Yan's gentle side.
Her heart hammered in her chest as she let her eyes drift closed, melting into his tenderness.
Then he shoved her away.
When she opened her eyes, his face had hardened to ice.
"Who said you could kiss me back?"
Song Qi Nian's cheeks burned. The nerve of him - he could kiss her but she couldn't respond?
Mortified, she couldn't stand being in the car another second. She signed quickly, [My brother will be out soon. I should go.]
She reached for the door handle, but Shen Chi Yan yanked her back.
"Even if your brother's a genius, he can't finish the exam in thirty minutes."
Before she could sign a response, his eyes flicked to the tea bottle. "Drink."
Song Qi Nian stared at him.
"You wouldn't want to waste Gao Kunlun's thoughtful gesture, would you?"
After all these years of loving Shen Chi Yan, Song Qi Nian realized she didn't know him at all.
Hadn't he just been irritated about Gao Kunlun buying her the tea?
Now this? Was he developing a split personality?
But his stare bore into her, promising that if she didn't drink willingly, he'd make her. Song Qi Nian lifted the bottle to her lips.
After each sip, Shen Chi Yan kissed her.
"Nothing special about this taste," he muttered between kisses, yet he kept making her drink so he could keep tasting her lips.
Again and again.
She lost track of time. When the bottle was finally empty, her lips and tongue had gone numb.
She gasped for air, each breath precious. For a moment, she genuinely thought she might be the first person to die from too many kisses.
Shen Chi Yan watched her flushed face, the pink spreading to her ears, and felt heat pool in his core.
If they weren't here, if the timing were different, he would've...
"Get out!"
His voice cracked like a whip. Song Qi Nian scrambled out of the car.
Gao Kunlun hurried over but stopped short at Shen Chi Yan's frustrated expression. Better to stay quiet.
Shen Chi Yan's mood darkened further as he watched Song Qi Nian return to her spot by the school gate. The foolish woman still wouldn't wait in the store.
"Gao Kunlun..."
"Yes, sir."
"These students are taking their college entrance exams. Their parents are working so hard. As citizens of Jinghua, shouldn't we help somehow?"
Gao Kunlun caught his meaning instantly. "I'll arrange it right away."
"Wait. Tell Zhang Qiaoqiao to buy several cases of iced tea. Stock the fridge."
Gao Kunlun blinked in confusion. The Fifth Master never touched drinks like that. Why now?
Shen Chi Yan's cold eyes cut into him. "Something you want to say?"
"No, no! I'll take care of it immediately!"
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