Chapter 8

When Xie Heng came in, Elder Sister had already fallen asleep.

Along the way, she seemed to be in a very good mood. Sometimes she held my hand and talked with me, sometimes she lifted the curtain of the carriage to look outside.

Most of the passersby were young men and women.

Some wore masks, some carried lanterns; there were men with eyes hiding affection, and women whose faces were flushed with shyness.

It was lively and bustling.

Seeing her asleep, Xie Heng moved more lightly, pulling up a small fox-fur blanket to cover her.

He seemed afraid that even a little more noise would wake her.

Xie Heng sat down beside me.

“What did you two talk about?”

He asked casually, as if making small talk, and I replied softly as well.

Until-

Xie Heng’s hand brushed against mine by accident; the back of my hand grew warm and I quickly pulled it back.

But as soon as I moved, he took hold of my hand.

There were three of us squeezed inside the narrow carriage, and the air suddenly became a bit stifling.

I tried desperately to push his hand away, but it was useless-Xie Heng only gripped mine tighter.

He leaned closer, and I could even feel his breath fall on me.

Was he mad?

Unable to push him away, I lowered my voice to warn him, “Elder Sister…”

But he grabbed my chin and kissed me.

Our lips and teeth entangled.

The muddled, indescribable scenes from the previous nights surfaced in my mind at the worst possible moment.

I was almost out of breath.

No matter how much I struggled, kicked, or dug my nails deep into his arm, he still refused to let go.

Until…

Elder Sister stirred slightly beside us, and Xie Heng immediately released me.

Thank goodness.

Elder Sister had not woken up yet-she was just sleeping uneasily, her brows furrowed tightly.

Her face, which already had little color, was now so pale as to be almost transparent.

As if she might shatter in the very next moment.