Chapter 23

"Where did you get the roses?"

Under the locust tree, Zhen Bao leaned against the trunk sitting on the ground, head down looking at the rose in her hand, not even glancing to the side where Fu Ming Shi sat down and hadn't taken his eyes off her.

"Bought them from a flower shop, they had nine hundred and ninety nine too, which kind do you like?" Fu Ming Shi stared at her face which still had a blush, absent-mindedly asking. She agreed to be his real girlfriend, but he wanted to kiss her even more.

Zhen Bao didn't even need to think, lightly shook the nine roses in her hand, "This, actually, one is enough." One was already too much for her, how would she bring it back to the dorm later? When back at the dorm, her roommates would definitely start teasing again. But receiving roses for the first time, looking at the lush red roses symbolizing romance between men and women, Zhen Bao really liked them.

Before he stole a kiss from her, she had never thought Fu Ming Shi might like her, but hearing Fu Ming Shi say it himself, and thinking back on how Fu Ming Shi had taken care of her in various ways, Zhen Bao believed it, Fu Ming Shi really liked her, and the feeling of being liked by him was very warm.

If only he would stop staring at her, it made her nervous.

"Let's go out to eat tonight, I'll take you back to your dorm first." It was almost 5 o'clock, Fu Ming Shi helped her stand up and said.

Zhen Bao nodded, poked her head out from behind the locust tree, and saw there weren't too many students on this side of the road, she breathed a small sigh of relief, and deliberately walked on Fu Ming Shi's inside when heading back, using his body to shield the flowers in her hand. Because she needed to borrow his position, Fu Ming Shi wanted to hold her hand but she refused.

"Zhen Bao?"

The two of them walked on the sidewalk beside the road, which was one step higher than the road. Zhen Bao was fully focused on the roses, only when hearing someone call her name did she puzzledly raise her head, and saw Meng Ji Ning brake in front of them about 10 steps away on the side of the road, looking back at them with a smile, "Thought it was you two from behind."

Holding the roses and running into an acquaintance, Zhen Bao's face turned red, and she hid the roses behind her back as if trying to cover up something.

But Meng Ji Ning had already seen the measly nine roses, he nodded at Fu Ming Shi, and continued asking Zhen Bao, "Your birthday?"

Zhen Bao's birthday was in March on the lunar calendar, still far away, but in this situation, she could only......

"Four month anniversary." Fu Ming Shi put his arm around Zhen Bao's shoulder, one hand in his pocket said.

He was almost 1.9 meters tall, making the 1.65 meters Zhen Bao seem even more petite. Blushing, she leaned against him like a little bird relying on a person.

Meng Ji Ning found it unpleasant to look at, forced a smile and congratulated them, then rode away first. After he turned away, Zhen Bao immediately took a step forward, away from Fu Ming Shi's embrace.

Fu Ming Shi took one last look at Meng Ji Ning, and quietly reminded Zhen Bao, "Now we're officially in a relationship, when I'm not by your side, you need to keep your distance from other guys, be careful not to get too close, giving them the wrong idea they might have a chance to steal you from me."

Her roommates had said things like this too, Zhen Bao obediently nodded, "I know." Even without Fu Ming Shi, she wouldn't get too close with guys.

Fu Ming Shi believed Zhen Bao didn't have thoughts of cheating, it was just...

Taking another look at the now barely visible Meng Ji Ning, Fu Ming Shi still felt like the other person had less than noble intentions towards Zhen Bao.

~

Zhen Bao hugged the roses back to the dorm, and was immediately surrounded by her three roommates, forcing her to explain what day it was today.

So Zhen Bao used the excuse Fu Ming Shi had made up.

"My god, sending flowers even for four month anniversaries, then aside from all kinds of big and small occasions throughout the year, doesn't he have to send flowers every month?" Qian LeLe counted on her fingers, this was the first time hearing about celebrating monthly dating anniversaries.

"Wahhh, I want to date too, god please send me a boyfriend!" Jia Xiao Yu on her period rolled around in bed, calling out to Zhen Bao, "Let me smell the roses, I've never received roses before in my life!"

Zhen Bao laughed and handed the flowers to her.

Jia Xiao Yu exaggeratedly took a big sniff, then reluctantly gave them back to Zhen Bao.

Zhen Bao didn't have a vase on her desk, she temporarily put the roses in a pen holder, then went to leave.

"Where are you going?" Jia Xiao Yu asked loudly.

Qian LeLe scoffed at her, "Looking for abuse huh? Fu Ming Shi must be waiting downstairs."

Jia Xiao Yu flopped down on the bed.

Zhen Bao was already in a good mood, teased by her roommates like this, her steps going downstairs were even lighter than usual.

"What do you want for dinner?" Fu Ming Shi asked after she got in the car.

Zhen Bao was craving hot pot, the food at school wasn't spicy enough.

Fu Ming Shi smiled looking at the corner of her mouth, "After your mouth gets better we can eat it, pick something else."

But Zhen Bao just wanted hot pot, big watery eyes stubbornly looking at him.

Fu Ming Shi couldn't resist, leaned in to kiss her, but Zhen Bao promptly covered her face to block it. Fu Ming Shi forcefully slapped the car seat, then turned around to drive.

Zhen Bao secretly watched him through her fingers, seeing he was serious, she giggled and put her hand down, only busy laughing by herself, not noticing the dangerous look her boyfriend threw over.

After half an hour plus, Fu Ming Shi parked near a very famous hot pot restaurant in the capital. It wasn't a big shop, but was extremely popular, they waited half an hour before getting a table. October nights were already a bit cold in the capital, but as soon as that pot with boiling red chili oil was served, it was like her whole body immediately warmed up.

The beef was tender and juicy, spicy and flavorful. The vegetables were the tenderest parts, after rolling around in the boiling pot a couple times, they were ready to eat. Happily eating, Zhen Bao uncharacteristically forgot her dating restraints. Sweat beaded on the tip of her nose from the spiciness, Fu Ming Shi reached out to wipe it away for her. She just bashfully smiled, not as shy as usual.

After the delicious meal, it was past 7:30.

Fu Ming Shi took her to watch a movie, still couple seats. This time he held her hand before the lights fully dimmed. Zhen Bao tried to pull her hand out, but the man directly pulled it over to his side, sandwiching it between both his hands, holding on tight. Zhen Bao's heart raced, she sat up straight, not wanting others to notice their little interaction.

It was a romantic love movie. Even if it wasn't romantic, couples in the couple seating would surely sneak kisses. Whether by chance or not, the couple sitting in front of them started making out again.

Zhen Bao awkwardly lowered her head, slowly realizing Fu Ming Shi's hand seemed even warmer.

But reassuringly, Fu Ming Shi didn't seem to have any intention of imitating the others.

After watching the entire movie, it was past 9. The girl's dorm building locked the doors at 11 at night. Fu Ming Shi didn't want Zhen Bao to feel rushed, he carefully drove back to A University, arriving right at 10. Although there was still time, Zhen Bao was afraid her roommates would get the wrong idea, so she walked exceptionally fast.

Fu Ming Shi matched her pace. When they reached the dorm building, Zhen Bao remembering the lesson from last time, prepared to detour to the front entrance of the building. But as soon as she showed intent to detour, Fu Ming Shi suddenly bent down and picked her up. Zhen Bao was so startled she almost screamed, flusteredly covering her mouth.

At this time, there was almost no one outside. Fu Ming Shi carried Zhen Bao all the way to the most hidden corner of the parking garage before putting her down, directly pushing her against the wall. What he wanted to do, his determination to do that thing, was revealed undoubtedly from the moment he picked her up. Zhen Bao wasn't dumb, but thinking she wouldn't see him again for another week, she obediently let him hold her, let him kiss her.

"Open up." Fu Ming Shi hoarsely commanded.

But Zhen Bao didn't open.

"Then I'll come again tomorrow." Fu Ming Shi lingered around her lips.

Zhen Bao panicked, "You-"

Just as she opened her mouth, she fell right into the man's trap. Fu Ming Shi wrapped one arm around her waist to lift her up, the other hand cupping her face, deeply kissing her. It was like fireworks exploding in her mind, her legs went soft. She instinctively clutched his coat, helplessly trying to evade.

But how could she evade?

Fu Ming Shi trapped her between himself and the wall, kissed for a full half hour. Only because she had to go upstairs did he reluctantly stop.

"Sweet." Pressing against her, he used his lips to caress her burning hot cheek, breathing intertwined.

"Let's go." Pitch dark, Zhen Bao pushed him away with one hand, lowered her head and hurried to the side door. After two steps she broke into a run.

Fu Ming Shi leaned against the wall, eyes closed, listening to her fleeing in panic.