173: Chapter 173 You...you've gone astray

As the kiss ended, both of their breaths were a bit ragged.

Chen Yu rested his forehead against hers, his eyes deep. "Su Su, I seem to love you a little more today than I did yesterday."

Su Lingyin's heart trembled at those words. Looking into his eyes, she responded with utmost sincerity, "Chen Yu, me too."

On this land closest to the sky, love grew wildly, intense and pure.

...

As the sun set, Xia Ningle climbed onto the city walls of the ancient town.

Sitting side by side, they watched the rolling mountains in the distance and the wisps of cooking smoke rising from the ancient town below.

Xia Ningle swung her feet, the bells on her wrist jingling, and she leaned her head against Xiao Wenhan's shoulder.

"Xiao Wenhan."

"Mhm."

"I like it here."

"Mhm."

"I like you, too."

Xiao Wenhan's heart stirred. Turning his head, he pressed a solemn and gentle kiss onto her smooth forehead.

"I know."

He said with a smile, pulling her closer. "And I like you even more than I like it here."

Starlight had not yet arrived, but the afterglow of the sunset stretched their shadows long, merging them tightly together as if they could never be separated again.

This Heartbeat Journey began with the grandeur of nature and ended with the mundane warmth of life and lingering tenderness, just as it should be.

The sunset's afterglow painted a layer of warm golden glaze over the ancient town's blue tiles, and the silhouettes of the distant mountains softened.

The wind on the city walls carried a slight chill, but it couldn't disperse the warmth swirling between the two of them.

Xia Ningle leaned on Xiao Wenhan's shoulder, playing with the zipper of his jacket, sliding it up and down with a faint "zip" sound.

Xiao Wenhan lowered his head and rubbed his chin against her hair. "Are you hungry? We only had snacks earlier. Want to find a place to eat?"

"Mhm..." Xia Ningle answered lazily. She was actually a bit reluctant to leave this quiet little world that belonged only to them.

"But it's so comfortable here."

"Then let's sit for another five minutes."

Xiao Wenhan smiled indulgently, holding her slightly cool hand in his palm to warm it.

Five minutes turned into ten, until the sun dipped another inch.

"Let's go," Xia Ningle finally stood up, still holding Xiao Wenhan's hand.

"I want to eat that famous Gaoba Rice Porridge!"

"Alright." Xiao Wenhan stood up with her, naturally brushing off any dust that might have clung to the back of her skirt.

Coming down from the city walls, the lights of the ancient town were just beginning to flicker on. Red lanterns lit up one by one, offering a different kind of charm.

They found that old shop hidden deep in an alley; it wasn't large, but it was packed with people.

After a long wait, they finally got a corner seat. At the small square table, their knees almost touched once they sat down.

"One order of Gaoba Rice Porridge, one order of Qingyan Tofu, and two bowls of Rice Wine Tangyuan, please." Xiao Wenhan ordered skillfully, clearly having done his homework.

Xia Ningle rested her chin in her hands, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled. "Student Xiao, you're quite good at ordering."

"Of course. I can't be a blockhead forever; I have to live up to the title of 'boyfriend'." Xiao Wenhan said with a hint of pride.

He finally looked like a young man now.

The steaming Gaoba Rice Porridge arrived first. The glutinous rice cakes were soaked in thick porridge, topped with crushed peanuts, melon seeds, and Rose Sugar, smelling wonderful.

Xiao Wenhan took Xia Ningle's bowl and filled it up for her first. "Careful, it's hot."

Xia Ningle scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and carefully put it in her mouth.

The chewiness of the glutinous rice, the smoothness of the porridge, the crunch of the nuts, and the sweetness of the Rose Sugar blended perfectly, warmly comforting her stomach.

"Delicious!" she sighed contentedly, then scooped up another spoonful and naturally held it to Xiao Wenhan's lips.

"Try mine." Xiao Wenhan was taken aback for a moment, then a gentle smile spread in his eyes as he opened his mouth to eat it.

"Mhm, it is delicious."

Sharing food seemed to break down the last invisible barrier. For the following Qingyan Tofu and Rice Wine Tangyuan, they took turns feeding each other, eating naturally and sweetly.

Between the small square table flowed the ordinary yet precious atmosphere of daily life.

After dinner, night fell completely.

All the lanterns in the ancient town were lit, and the winding flagstone paths were shrouded in warm light, like glowing dragons.

"Shall we take a walk to digest?" Xiao Wenhan suggested.

"Sure."

Holding hands, they walked aimlessly, crossing the bustling main street and turning into quiet alleys.

Occasionally, they encountered a cat perched on a wall or heard the sound of a television drifting from a window lattice.

At a corner where there were almost no pedestrians, there was a large, leafy old tree. A solitary incandescent lamp hung beneath it, attracting a few circling moths.

Xia Ningle stopped and shook Xiao Wenhan's hand. "Look, doesn't it look like a scene from a movie?"

Just as she spoke, Xiao Wenhan gave a gentle tug, pulling her into the tree's shadow, her back against the rough yet warm trunk.

The light was dim, and his silhouette was a bit blurry, but his gaze was exceptionally bright and focused.

"Xiaxia," he called softly, his voice deeper than usual, carrying a magnetic quality that made her heart race.

"Mhm?" Xia Ningle seemed to sense something. Her fingers unconsciously gripped the edge of his jacket as she tilted her face up slightly.

Xiao Wenhan didn't say another word. He simply lowered his head slowly, his warm breath drawing nearer.

Xia Ningle nervously closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings. A kiss fell gently upon her lips.

Unlike the hug under the starlight yesterday or the sneak attack on her cheek during the day, this was a kiss in the truest sense.

It carried the slight sweetness of rice wine, a cautious probe, and a surge of love that could no longer be hidden.

At first, it was just a light touch of the lips, shifting and rubbing.

Feeling her silent permission and awkward response, Xiao Wenhan wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tighter into his embrace and deepening the kiss.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

The clamor of the distant main street blurred into background noise; all they could hear was each other's increasingly heavy heartbeats and breathing.

Xia Ningle felt her whole body go soft, as if she were walking on clouds. She could only rely on the strength of his arms to stay upright.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Wenhan reluctantly let go, though his forehead still rested against hers, both of them breathing slightly hard.

Xia Ningle buried her burning face in his chest, her voice muffled. "Xiao Wenhan..."

"Mhm?"

"You... you've learned bad habits..." she murmured softly.

Xiao Wenhan chuckled low. "Mhm, my girlfriend taught me well."

"It wasn't me!" Xia Ningle looked up to protest, only to be stolen another kiss.

"Let's go," Xiao Wenhan said contentedly, taking her hand and interlacing their fingers.

"I'll take you to buy Rose Sugar, and then we should head back to the hotel. We have a flight to catch tomorrow."

"Alrighty."

Xia Ningle pursed her lips. His warmth still lingered on them, but the sweetness in her heart had already surpassed any candy.