Chapter 101　 If you dare cross the center line, I’ll kick you.

  *

  It turned out Old Zhang had kept in touch with Zhao Nanfeng occasionally. Before this trip, he had suggested visiting the three of them at Towa Design, only to be told by Zhao Nanfeng that Su Xian and Li Chengshi had resigned. Zhao Nanfeng also revealed that they had broken up back in late September.

  They broke up once and got back together; if they break up again, they’ll just make up again, the visitors thought. Besides, living together six months after a breakup clearly meant they couldn't let go of each other; they were just too embarrassed to ask for a reconciliation.

  All three shared this view and decided to use this trip to confirm the status of the relationship and perhaps give them a little push. And look at that— it was so easy to get them into the same room.

  *

  Once the door was shut, both felt a bit awkward. Su Xian scratched her head. "I guess you'll have to suffer through one night here. I’ll take a blanket and sleep in the study."

  "The study doesn't have a bed, and we don't have an extra mattress. How are you going to sleep? Just sleep on the bed..."

  "You don't have any 'ideas,' do you?" Su Xian crossed her arms. "Aren't we supposed to be pure friends?"

  "If I didn't know you were on your period, I’d be the one worried you had 'ideas' about me! Who’s the hornier one? Who’s the stronger one? Who’s the more violent one? You, you, and you. It’s all you." He pointed at the bed. "Man on the left, woman on the right. If you dare cross the center line, I’ll kick you."

  Is that really the image you have of me? Su Xian rolled her eyes and moved her pillow and quilt to the right side.

  *

  The lights went out. They lay flat, staring at the ceiling, both able to hear the other’s breathing.

  Li Chengshi suddenly rolled over to face her. Su Xian’s heart pounded as she asked nervously, "What are you doing?"

  "You didn't apply your scar cream."

  "Forget it for tonight. One night won't matter."

  "Have you skipped it for a while again?"

  "...Truthfully, I don't care much about that scar. Before, I only kept at it because you cared and were always there to apply it for me."

  "I don't care about the scar, you idiot! I just feel that if a physical scar won't heal, the emotional trauma won't either. I don't want you to live in the shadow of that accident."

  "Who are you calling an idiot, you little... thank you. But don't worry, that accident didn't leave a shadow. On the contrary, it pushed me to overcome my inner fears. Do you remember? Before that, I only wanted to maintain a 'purely physical relationship' with you. After that, my mindset changed, and I wanted to have a real romance."

  "Looking back, our rhythm was a bit out of sync."

  "Yes."

  "At least we made up for it later."

  "Too bad it ended up as a 'failed ending.'"

  "That's on you."

  "What, are you trying to settle the score tonight?" Su Xian turned over, facing away from him.

  "A man doesn't bicker over trifles with a woman, hmph." He turned away from her as well.

  "Little kid, wait a couple of years before calling yourself a man."

  *

  "Su Xian!" Li Chengshi roared, suddenly sitting up and lunging at her to tickle her mercilessly.

  Su Xian erupted into hysterical laughter. While resisting, she struggled to sit up, seizing the opportunity to grab his hands and pin him face-down. "You little bastard, you dare ambush me? Don't you know how strong I am!" Now she was going to show him her true strength.

  She straddled him, and in less than a minute, she had his hands tied up.

  "You're cheating! Who keeps rope on their bed?!" He was still defiant.

  "It’s just my pajama belt." Su Xian flicked the back of his head.

  Li Chengshi refused to give up. Since his hands were tied, he started thumping her back with his heels.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "Naughty puppy, still not behaving." Su Xian pulled off the belt from his pajama bottoms and tied his legs together too.

  Seeing no hope for resistance, he let out a desperate roar.

  Su Xian quickly covered his mouth. "Keep it down!"

  *

  But it was too late. Old Zhang heard the commotion and came downstairs to knock on the door. "You two youngsters shouldn't fight. If there’s a problem, talk it out calmly."

  Su Xian quickly said, "We’re not fighting, we’re just playing around."

  But Li Chengshi took advantage of her momentary lapse in concentration and bit her hand. She cried out and let go, and Li Chengshi immediately yelled, "Old Zhang, save me! Su Xian is beating me!"

  Old Zhang asked, "Should I come in?"

  Su Xian shouted back, "Don't come in! I'm not wearing any clothes!"

  "She's wearing clothes!" Li Chengshi continued to shout, but Su Xian promptly muffled his mouth again.

  She leaned down and whispered in his ear, "Stop screaming. I’ll apologize to you in a bit, and I’ll... uh, you can make any request, and I’ll agree to whatever you want."

  He made a muffled "Mmm-hmm" to signal his agreement.

  "I’m going to let go now. You tell Old Zhang we’re just playing."

  He "Mmm-hmm-ed" again.

  Su Xian tentatively let go. Li Chengshi called out to the door, "Old Zhang, everything's fine. We’re just flirting. Sorry for worrying you."

  Old Zhang chuckled and went back to report to Wang Jing. He then sent a message to Liang Wenya, and the three of them had a great time teasing the couple in their group chat.

  *

  Su Xian first untied Li Chengshi’s legs and rubbed them a few times, then untied his hands and gave them a rub too.

  Restored to freedom, he remained lying face-down, grumbling, "Apologize!"

  "I’m sorry. I will never call you a 'kid' again, and I won't ever mention the word 'little' in front of you."

  Only then did he sit up, rotating his wrists. "They’re so sore. They’ll definitely be bruised tomorrow."

  "Was it really that tight?" Su Xian felt a bit guilty. "I'll put some ointment on for you." She reached out to turn on the light.

  Both of their pajamas were loose and disheveled. Li Chengshi was fine since he had an under vest on, but Su Xian was only wearing a loose sleep bra. The atmosphere turned awkward instantly, and they both hurriedly found their belts to tie themselves back up.

  *

  There were indeed red marks on his wrists. Su Xian checked his ankles, which were also slightly red.

  He pouted miserably. "You’re a sadist."

  Su Xian didn't dare argue. She silently brought over the ointment and massaged his hands and feet for a long time until his expression finally softened.

  "Don't be mad anymore. When we go shopping with Manager Liang and the others tomorrow, I can buy you something expensive, okay?"

  "The request you said I could make... is just buying something?" He was unhappy again.

  "Then how about I buy you two things?"

  "No. I want to buy one thing, and then I’ll make a *different* request."

  "Fine. What’s the request?"

  "I have to think about it."

  "Think away then. Can we sleep now?"

  "Let's sleep."

  *

  They spent the whole next day shopping, but Li Chengshi only asked for a notebook. Su Xian knew he was planning to "extort" her with that other request later.

  But he was so gentle and kind; she wasn't worried at all about him asking for something over the top.

  **

  One evening in mid-April, while Su Xian was tutoring Li Chengshi in his room, Honda messaged them with news: Kuroda Mei was pregnant. Zhao Nanfeng had agreed to marry her. The date was set for early June—a traditional Shinto ceremony at Meiji Jingu Shrine, with only a few close friends and family attending from both sides.

  Li Chengshi looked at Su Xian and said softly, "You can be sad. I won't mock you this time."

  She shook her head. "No. I did my grieving last time. Right now, there isn't a single ripple in my heart. I wish him happiness."

  "So kind?"

  "Yes."

  He reached out and ruffled her hair. "You deserve a reward for that. I'll make salt-grilled Golden Eye Snapper for dinner tomorrow night."

  "Add a dish of sake-steamed clams too."

  "No problem... Do you... hate him?"

  **