Chapter 34: A Kiss Under the Moonlight

That night, Shen Yu stood alone on the school rooftop, staring up at the vast expanse of stars above. The cool breeze brushed against his skin, but he barely felt it. His mind was a mess.

He should have felt relieved that Lu Zhixuan had won the bet. That Lin Jian had backed off.

So why did his words still linger in Shen Yu's mind?

"If I had won, would you have been jealous?"

Shen Yu scoffed to himself, running a hand through his hair. Ridiculous.

"You'll catch a cold."

Shen Yu stiffened at the familiar voice behind him. Turning, he found Lu Zhixuan standing there, holding out his blazer.

"Here," Lu Zhixuan said, his tone unusually gentle.

For a moment, Shen Yu hesitated before accepting it. The fabric was warm from Lu Zhixuan's body heat as he draped it over his shoulders. "Thanks," he muttered.

They stood in silence, the distant hum of the city below the only sound between them. The moon cast a soft glow over everything, illuminating Lu Zhixuan's sharp features as he gazed at Shen Yu.

Then, out of nowhere, Lu Zhixuan spoke.

"Do you really not realize it?"

Shen Yu frowned. "Realize what?"

Lu Zhixuan took a step closer. His dark eyes held something unreadable, something intense. Shen Yu felt his pulse quicken.

"How much you affect me."

Shen Yu's breath hitched.

Before he could say anything, Lu Zhixuan reached out, gently tilting his chin up with his fingers. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down Shen Yu's spine.

Their eyes locked. The tension was suffocating, thick enough to drown in. Shen Yu felt like he was standing on the edge of something terrifyingly unknown.

Then, finally, Lu Zhixuan leaned in.

His lips pressed against Shen Yu's in a soft, lingering kiss.

Shen Yu's mind went completely blank.

His heart pounded so hard it drowned out every other sound. His fingers trembled as they instinctively gripped Lu Zhixuan's blazer, grounding himself in the moment. The warmth, the closeness, the way Lu Zhixuan's lips moved against his—it was all too much.

And yet, it wasn't enough.

When Lu Zhixuan finally pulled back, his gaze was steady, his voice firm.

"Now, stop pretending you don't feel the same way."

Shen Yu couldn't speak. Couldn't move.

His whole world had just shifted in one earth-shattering moment.

And he had no idea what to do next.