Chapter 251 The Twenty-Second Day of Entering a Restricted Novel

Chapter 251: The Twenty-Second Day of Being Trapped in a Restricted Novel

The air smelled fresh with grass and soil, damp from the night dew.

"I'm here." An Yi looked at Chu Chen, his voice exceptionally gentle in the quiet night, like a feather brushing past.

"Mm." Chu Chen nodded in response, but his feet seemed rooted to the ground, with no sign of leaving just yet.

He didn't want to leave—he wanted just a little more time with An Yi.

The soft nighttime lights, like a stage spotlight, traced An Yi's silhouette.

He wore a simple white shirt with the top button undone, revealing a hint of collarbone. His dark trousers were well-fitted, making him look even taller and more elegant.

And that face, under the combined effect of light and night, was so breathtakingly beautiful it seemed otherworldly.

His skin was so fair it was almost translucent, yet it had a healthy, luminous glow. His brows were well-defined, his eyes deep, the slight upturn at the corners just right. His usual faint aloofness was gone, replaced by a clear, gentle smile, as if melted by a spring breeze.

His high nose bridge cast a small shadow over lips that were beautifully shaped and a healthy light pink, currently curved upward with indulgence and a barely perceptible hint of mischief.

As Chu Chen gazed at him, his gaze was drawn as if by an invisible magnet, unable to tear himself away from An Yi's smiling eyes.

His throat tightened, like a desert traveler, parched and desperate.

His heart lost its usual rhythm, pounding faster and louder—thump, thump, thump—like frantic drumbeats in his ears, threatening to burst through his ribs.

He remembered all kinds of stuff he'd looked up while pursuing An Yi, and the vague, conflicting dating advice all over the internet.

Most of it said that romance should progress gradually, following the natural order of things—start with holding hands, get used to each other, then hug, and only then... kiss and maybe more.

He thought that advice made sense—it was safe, proper, and respectful of An Yi.

But... but now, looking at An Yi standing right there, bathed in soft light, brows gentle, lips alluring, so close he could almost feel his warm breath—

The impulse inside him, like scorching magma from deep underground, instantly blew through the carefully built dam of rationality in his mind.

All that "take it slow" and "be respectful" stuff crumbled in the face of this surging instinct.

That advice never accounted for the deep thirst you feel when you're facing the person you love.

Only a saint could control that kind of thirst.

But he wasn't a saint.

Meeting An Yi's smiling eyes, he felt an uncontrollable flush creep across his face, from his cheeks to the tips of his ears.

He stepped closer. "An Yi... An An... I... I think I'm a bad person."

An Yi tilted his head, a flicker of genuine confusion in his eyes at Chu Chen's sudden self-criticism. "What's the matter?"

Why is he a bad person now?

Chu Chen moved even closer. "I know I should take it slow—hold hands first, then hug... not rush things..."

He recited those "rules," then changed his tone. "But right now, looking at you, I just... I really want... I want to kiss you so bad."

An Yi let out a soft "ah." So that's what this was about.

He leaned in slightly, closing the already short distance between them.

Instantly, their warm breath mingled.

A gentle smile curved his lips, and his voice was as soft as the night wind through leaves, reaching Chu Chen's ears like the sweetest melody. "Okay."

He smiled, his gaze so tender it could drown someone. "Dr. Curly, then come kiss me."

Chu Chen's pupils dilated sharply.

An Yi had just told him to kiss him.

He carefully lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to An Yi's thin eyelids—so light it was barely there.

It was soft, slightly cool, and carried An Yi's clean, pleasant scent.

He could even feel An Yi's lashes flutter beneath his lips, like startled butterfly wings, sending a faint, deep tickle straight to his heart.

An Yi's lashes fluttered. So he kissed his eyelids—how pure.

Looking at Chu Chen, whose face was flushed red after that eyelid kiss, eyes bright but bewildered, An Yi felt his heart fill with tenderness.

So cute.

Then, while Chu Chen was still dazed from that eyelid kiss, staring blankly, An Yi raised both hands and gently cupped his burning cheeks.

His palms were slightly cool, his fingertips delicate, and his movements left no room for argument.

Startled, Chu Chen's eyes flew wide, his breath caught, and he could only stare dumbly as An Yi approached with that smile that drove him crazy.

An Yi's gaze wandered over Chu Chen's face, finally landing on his slightly parted lips—pale from surprise.

Then he lifted his head and pressed a firm kiss to his lips.

"Mwah~"

A soft kissing sound echoed as their lips parted.

A brief touch, then gone.

An Yi pulled back a little, but his hands stayed on Chu Chen's face, thumbs stroking his burning cheeks. His eyes sparkled with mischief. "Sealed with a kiss. Now you're mine, Dr. Curly."

Chu Chen was completely frozen. His face was bright red, like a ripe fruit, and his gaze was dazed.

He opened his mouth, trying to speak, but couldn't form words—only a meaningless "Ah..."

Seeing him completely dumbfounded, An Yi's smile only grew brighter.

He gave Chu Chen's soft curls one last firm ruffle, then let go.

"Okay, I really should head up now." His voice was light with laughter. "See you tomorrow."

Chu Chen nodded, dazed, and watched An Yi turn and disappear through the door.

Only when the door clicked shut did he slowly snap back to reality. He raised a hand and touched his lips, where the faint, cool softness of An Yi's kiss still seemed to linger.

He couldn't help but do a little hop: "Mm... see you tomorrow."

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