Chapter 17: A Gentle Kiss

Beneath Li Yan’s palm, her waist was soft and delicate. Occasionally, his fingers brushed the smooth, tender skin at her side, warm and supple to the touch.

For a moment, Li Yan fell into thought.

Had it really been half a year since he’d been living like a monk, all for the college entrance exam?

He recalled the days gone by: the adorable charm of a freshman girl, the gentle elegance of the senior class president. Then he thought of the past six months—no more visits to bars, no more gaming, and even contact with his sister had ceased.

Li Yan sighed deeply.

Looking at the glass of alcohol on the table, listening to the deafening music, feeling the warmth and softness in his arms—

This was the life Li Yan was meant to live.

In the VIP booth of Shangmei, the atmosphere gradually intensified with the interplay of lights, music, alcohol, and human emotions.

The ever-shifting lights from the dance floor cast flickering shadows on the edges of the booth, draping this little world in a hazy, dreamlike glow.

Li Yan and Shen Qingyue sat close—so close that the subtle fragrance of her elegant perfume blended with the faint scent of wine, drifting continuously towards his nose.

Shen Qingyue turned slightly, leaning close to whisper something in Li Yan’s ear.

The music was too loud, so her voice, though near, was soft and somewhat indistinct.

Her clear eyes were mere inches away, reflecting the shimmering lights like ripples on water; even the slight flutter of her eyelashes was visible.

Tonight, Shen Qingyue’s cheeks were tinged with a delicate flush from the alcohol, but inside, the turmoil was far greater than her serene exterior suggested.

Never before had she felt such an indescribable attraction.

Li Yan was so close, his gaze calm yet seeming to penetrate everything.

That mature, composed aura made her want to draw even nearer.

“Are you doing this on purpose?” Shen Qingyue whispered, a faint smile playing on her lips, yet her eyes concealed deeper emotions.

Even she couldn’t quite define the meaning behind her words—was it a reproach that Li Yan controlled the rhythm from the start, or a test of his feelings toward her?

Li Yan smiled slightly, his voice low and steady: “Doing what on purpose? You tell me.”

His tone was leisurely, tinged with teasing, yet carried an ambiguous intimacy that left one guessing.

He met her eyes, clear yet seemingly harboring endless depths.

Shen Qingyue was momentarily stunned.

She stared at Li Yan’s face as her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably, the mingling effects of alcohol and rising hormones clouding her judgment.

In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through her mind: was this a test? An impulse? Or an irresistible attraction?

Without much deliberation, Shen Qingyue gently lifted her head, her gaze slightly dazed, and slowly leaned toward Li Yan’s face.

The lights softened just then, and the distant clamor seemed to fade away.

Then, with eyes closed, she took the initiative and kissed him.

A flicker of confident mastery gleamed in Li Yan’s eyes.

He did not resist; instead, he gently wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling them closer with a natural, practiced ease, as if this dance was second nature.

His kiss was unhurried, infused with a controlled tenderness and restraint—neither too forward nor indifferent—but enough to let her feel his reciprocation.

Meanwhile, Wang Zhen remained oblivious to the scene.

He was engrossed in lively conversation with Liu Yuting, topics flowing from the bar to movies, then to amusing anecdotes from their lives.

He appeared much more relaxed than before, occasionally cracking small jokes, met with Liu Yuting’s responsive laughter.

Though she held no clear affection for Wang Zhen, she did not shun his company—especially upon learning he owned a medium-sized supermarket, which made him seem a promising prospect.

Liu Yuting had her own calculations.

While she desired to get closer to Li Yan, it was evident he harbored no special interest in her, and she knew standing alongside Shen Qingyue would hardly let her compete.

Better to explore the potential of Wang Zhen for now than waste time.

Xiaomei and Yueyue sat nearby, tacitly refraining from interrupting Li Yan and Shen Qingyue.

They had long discerned Li Yan’s target tonight and understood their roles.

One busied herself tidying the drinks on the table, the other occasionally tossing out light-hearted quips to keep the mood lively, all while minimizing their own presence.

“Looks like Brother Yan’s making good progress tonight,” Yueyue muttered under her breath, a tone blending teasing with envy.

Xiaomei nodded, smiling in reply: “We just do our part. When has Brother Yan ever slipped up?”

And with that, the tips would flow in again.

Li Yan’s lips pressed gently against Shen Qingyue’s, slow and deliberate, carrying the unmistakable command of a mature man.

He showed no sign of excitement or nervousness at her initiative; instead, he remained composed, as if every moment was under his control.

Shen Qingyue felt his response deepen her racing heartbeat.

Not usually impulsive, under the dim lights, hazy music, and the warmth of alcohol, she no longer cared to hold back.

She sensed Li Yan’s gentleness and subtle skill, which drew her further into the moment.

His hand, initially resting on her waist, slowly slid downward as they drew closer, his fingertips barely touching the hem of her skirt.

He refrained from rash moves, instead gliding along the outer side of her thigh, feeling the softness of her skin.

Shen Qingyue shivered slightly, instinctively gripping Li Yan’s arm but not pushing him away.

Her eyes half-closed, cheeks flushed faintly, she appeared exceptionally fragile in his embrace.

Li Yan noticed her reaction, maintaining the softness of his touch as his fingers traced along her pale, slender thigh, the warmth of his palm pressing gently against her skin, evoking subtle sensations.

She opened her eyes slightly, casting him a glance filled with shyness but also an irresistible longing.

She did not reject him; instead, the touch quickened her pulse even more.

The bar’s lights flickered, and the music drowned out all surrounding noise, isolating them in their own intimate world.

Li Yan lowered his gaze to Shen Qingyue in his arms, a faint smile lingering in his eyes.

He leaned closer to her ear, his voice husky and low: “Relax, no one will notice.”

Shen Qingyue bit her lower lip softly, leaning back slightly with a hint of dependence, nestling into Li Yan’s embrace.

Her hand instinctively rested on his shoulder, seeking balance but only deepening the intimacy between them.

Li Yan’s hand remained on her thigh, moving gently without urgency, as if soothing her nervousness.

His breath warmed her ear, stirring her heart into a restless flutter.

In this moment, Shen Qingyue forgot everything but the magnetic pull of the man before her.

Li Yan’s maturity and calm, combined with his current tenderness and attentiveness, enraptured her completely.