Lu Ziyang wasn't one to be outdone. Behind Yaxi, he executed a flashy diagonal side spin followed by a single-arm vault, leaping into the air with flair. But when he landed, he saw Yaxi making a beeline for the iodine bottle, not sparing him so much as a glance.
Her movements were swift and practiced. She'd already grabbed a mirror and started dabbing the medicine onto her face.
Lu Ziyang pursed his lips, sulking.
This wasn't how the script was supposed to play out. Shouldn't it be him tilting her chin up, tenderly applying the medicine, while she blushed and murmured, "Ziyang, you're so sweet"?
"What's with that face? It's creepy," Yaxi barked, her tone commanding. "Hold the mirror for me."
Lu Ziyang shook his head, as if shaking off the fleeting daydreams swirling in his mind, and obediently dragged over a stool. He sat down, holding the mirror steady for Yaxi under the light.
Actually, this wasn't so bad—
Yaxi tilted her face toward the window, her black hair spilling behind her like a waterfall, revealing the features she usually kept hidden. The sunlight bathed her flawless skin, illuminating its soft fuzz—not a single blemish in sight. Two fresh scratches marred her left cheek, oozing bright red blood. She wiped it away carefully with a cotton pad, her expression focused, not once letting a whimper of pain escape her lips.
Outside, the bamboo forest whispered as the wind rustled through it, leaves brushing against each other in a soft murmur. Birds chirped brightly, their song cutting through the air.
In this serene, picturesque moment, Lu Ziyang's chest warmed. His gaze drifted, settling on Yaxi's lips, which puckered slightly as she tilted her head.
They were plump and tender, like the flesh of a clam, a pale purple tinged with a hint of red—begging to be devoured, or maybe to have something… slipped inside.
With a loud clatter, Lu Ziyang knocked over a shelf on the table. He scrambled to set it upright.
Damn it, last night's dream was flooding back.
Yaxi finished applying the medicine and began tidying up. Only then did she recall the scene earlier—Lu Ziyang waiting for her at the school gate.
"So, you went through all that trouble, even roping in classmates to wear green hats just to show off, all to wait for me. The perpetually late Young Master Lu up at the crack of dawn—what's your deal?" she asked, her tone teasing.
Lu Ziyang stayed silent.
"Quit dawdling, class is about to start," Yaxi said, frowning.
But then she noticed it—his evasive eyes, his rigid posture, the flush creeping up his ears.
"Oh~" She covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh. "No wonder you dragged me to the infirmary so early. It's because of yesterday…"
Lu Ziyang's ears turned crimson, practically glowing.
"So, after I stepped on you a few times yesterday, it wasn't enough, huh? You're back for more today?"
"No!" Lu Ziyang shot to his feet, his rebuttal fierce but stumbling. "It's not… I…"
"I'm not that crude!" he declared, puffing out his chest with righteous indignation.
"Relax, I'm just messing with you. Let's clean up and head back," Yaxi said, standing up.
But Lu Ziyang grabbed her arm, pulling her back.
"Out with it already!" Yaxi snapped, her patience wearing thin.
Inside, Lu Ziyang felt a pang of injustice. She was always so soft and delicate with everyone else—why was she so harsh with him?
"It's nothing big, just… yesterday…" He steeled himself, squeezing his eyes shut, crouching down, and tracing circles on the floor with his finger. "I dreamed about you last night!"
Yaxi got it instantly.
With that awkward, fumbling demeanor, he was clearly a virgin who'd come too fast—unsatisfied yet electrified—and ended up having a wet dream at home.
"So what?" Yaxi purred, pitching her voice higher as she sauntered over to the exam bed. She sat down, leaning back on her hands, eyeing him. "Are you here to hold me accountable? Sure, I'll take responsibility for stepping on you—that was me. But the girl in your dream? Not me. I don't even know what she did. How am I supposed to take the fall for her?"
Lu Ziyang hugged his knees, squatting there. He shuffled around to face her, looking pitiful. "No, I'm not asking you to take responsibility. It's just… ugh… I want…"
"Come on, spit it out, or I won't even get the chance to say yes," Yaxi relented, softening her tone.
"I'll say it, I'll say it!" Lu Ziyang's head dipped lower, nearly touching his knees. Finally, with a burst of resolve: "Can I see your breasts?"
"Sure."
"What…" Lu Ziyang's head jerked up. He hadn't expected her to agree—let alone so fast, before he could even muster an excuse.
Yaxi was already moving, faster than he could process. She shrugged off her jacket and cardigan, leaving just her shirt.
"No need to be shy. It's totally normal for a horny little virgin to crave a girl's body during puberty," she said, her voice smooth and teasing.
Lu Ziyang froze, entranced by her tone, his body forgetting how to move.
His eyes locked onto her fingers hovering at her collarbone. One more twitch, and she'd undo the second button.
Just watching the delicate curve of her collarbone shift sent his imagination racing downward, conjuring the view beneath.
"But…" Yaxi's fingers paused there. "If I show you my breasts and you go home and have another wet dream, you'll just blame me again. What then? How about we strike a deal?"
"What deal?" Lu Ziyang tilted his head, curious.
"I'll let you see my breasts. In return, you pursue Xu Xiaoyi."
"…" Lu Ziyang's confusion outweighed his shock.