Knowing they were in the wrong, the young people’s small boat had already left.

With the troublesome people gone, Su Ci pulled Lu Zhe toward the stern. The sunlight was no longer so harsh, and she sat down at the back of the boat.

The girl wore a pair of thin-strapped sandals, the slender laces winding around the tops of her feet and her ankles, giving off an indescribable delicacy.

Su Ci loosened the straps, took off the shoes, and directly put her feet into the water.

The man-made lake was crystal clear. The cool, refreshing temperature of the water spread upward from the tops of her feet, wonderfully comfortable in such a scorching summer.

Lu Zhe watched the little bunny on the girl’s ankle sway in the water. He half-squatted at her side, holding her carefully, afraid she would fall in.

The air in the mountains was fresh, the scenery beautiful and quiet everywhere. Sitting in a small boat, playing with the clear lake water, with the person she liked beside her, Su Ci felt as if a small fish had slipped into her chest, blowing bubbles nonstop.

“Do you want to sit down?” Su Ci encouraged Lu Zhe.

Lu Zhe shook his head. “The water is a bit cold. You shouldn’t soak too long.”

“Oh.” Su Ci boredly swayed her feet.

After playing for quite a while, the boat was about to reach the shore. Su Ci pulled her feet out of the water, dripping wet.

She picked up her shoes, ready to put them back on, when the next second, the boy’s large hand reached over and directly held her ankle.

“Dry your feet first.” Lu Zhe stopped her movement.

Su Ci wanted to say there was no towel here, and she was wearing sandals anyway—having wet feet didn’t matter.

However, looking at the boy half-squatting beside her, tugging at the hem of his own shirt to wipe her feet, all her words were stuck in her throat.

“Lu Zhe…” Su Ci called him softly.

“Mm.” The boy responded, lowering his head, his expression focused as he wiped the water from the tops of her feet.

“Lu Zhe, you’re going to dirty your clothes.” Su Ci couldn’t help shrinking her foot back, yet he held her firmly.

No matter how thick Su Ci’s skin was, having Lu Zhe use his clothes to wipe her feet—how could she not feel embarrassed?

Lu Zhe didn’t mind. “It won’t.”

The tops of the girl’s feet were snow-white, her toes round and cute, tinged with a faint pink. Under the sunlight, they looked even more delicate and small. Lu Zhe wiped a few times, then hooked the shoe with his finger and helped her put it on.

His fingers were skillful, tying a beautiful bow on her slender ankle.

“All done.” After helping her with the shoes, Lu Zhe couldn’t resist flicking the clumsy bunny on her ankle with his fingertip before letting go of her foot.

Su Ci’s eyes sparkled. She couldn’t help leaning over and kissing Lu Zhe’s cool lips.

Such a gentle and careful boy—he was hers.

The sun was setting, leaving only the last streak of orange-red over the mountain estate.

Su Father and Lu Chen returned after fishing.

They handed the fish to the staff to take to the kitchen. Su Father, cheerful, sat down beside his wife.

Seeing the delighted look on her husband’s face, Su Mother asked, “You won?”

“I won.” Su Father glanced at Lu Chen across from him. “That plot of land in the west district—I got it.”

Lu Chen raised his brows. “Don’t worry, I accept the loss.”

After speaking, Lu Chen leaned close to Wen Ya, lowering his voice by her ear. “Yaya, I didn’t lose. I let him win just now.” For the sake of his son’s happiness, he had deliberately lost to Su Shengguo.

He truly was a great father.

Wen Ya, rare for her, rewarded her husband with a smile.

At this moment, Su Ci and Lu Zhe also returned for dinner.

Su Mother immediately let her daughter sit beside her. “Cici, did you have fun?”

“It’s pretty fun here.” Su Ci was in a very good mood.

Su Mother saw the smile in her daughter’s eyes, her beautiful brows full of joy. She held back a sigh—how could it be the villa that was fun? It was probably only because Lu Zhe accompanied her.

Instinctively, Su Mother looked toward the Lu family’s side. She saw the boy quietly taking his seat, his posture straight, neither humble nor overbearing. He truly did match well with her daughter.

Su Mother withdrew her gaze. It was a pity he had a terminal illness.

Dinner was lively, and the villa even set off a display of fireworks.

Their dining spot was perfect, right beside a large floor-to-ceiling window where they could directly see the fireworks blooming between the mountains outside.

Little Su Ning and the Little Tiancai were endlessly excited, constantly exclaiming in awe.

While everyone else looked toward the window, Su Ci turned her head to look at the boy.

Lu Zhe happened to be looking at her too.

Su Ci curved her eyes, then happily turned back to watch the fireworks outside.

After dinner, it was nearly eight o’clock.

Su Mother accompanied her daughter back to her room. Even knowing the villa was very safe, she still made sure everything inside was secure.

“Mom, go rest. I can stay by myself.” Su Ci said to her.

“Are you sure you can? Your dad and I are right next door. If anything happens, remember to knock.” Su Mother reminded.

“Mom, if anything happens, I’ll call the front desk and have the staff come. You and Dad can rest well. Don’t worry about me.” After speaking, Su Ci deliberately let out a yawn.

She had figured it out—Mom was dawdling, as if reluctant to leave?

Why?

Was she planning to guard her?

Seeing her daughter looking sleepy, Su Mother finally smiled. “Alright, alright. If you’re tired, go to bed early.”

“Mm.” Su Ci responded obediently.

Only after Su Mother left and closed the door did she finally breathe out in relief.

Su Ci took out a small camisole top and an ultra-short denim shorts from her suitcase. She had no choice—she hadn’t brought a swimsuit, so she could only wear this to soak in the hot spring.

Taking the clothes, Su Ci first took a shower, then changed into the camisole and shorts.

Coming out of the bathroom, she picked up her phone from the bed and sent a message to Lu Zhe: I need to go to your room. Open the door.

Her parents’ room was right next door, how could she dare ring Lu Zhe’s doorbell or knock on his door?

However, the next second, the boy replied with only two words: Rest early.

Su Ci was used to acting spoiled, how could she listen to him? She sent another message: I’m going to knock.

After sending it, Su Ci opened her own door with a smile. Sure enough, she saw the door diagonally across already open, the boy standing straight behind it.

Su Ci’s eyes curved into a smile.

She checked that no one else was in the hallway, then quickly walked over to Lu Zhe’s side and pushed him inside with her.

“I knew you’d open the door.” Su Ci’s eyes lifted at the corners, her smile proud.

Lu Zhe looked at the girl’s outfit. She wore a camisole, a cropped little vest that revealed her waist, her curves perfect. Below, she wore shorts, her long legs slender and straight, pale and dazzling to the eye.

His gaze darkened. “What did you come to me for?”

“I’m here to soak in the hot spring.” Her room had a hot spring too, but what was the point of soaking alone?

Su Ci grabbed Lu Zhe’s hand. “Let’s go together.”

She purposely leaned close to him. “You don’t want to? Soaking together in the hot spring, just thinking about it is exciting.”

Lu Zhe pulled her back toward him. “I don’t.” His dark eyes looked at her. “Go back and soak in your own room.”

Su Ci was held still. She was wearing soft disposable slippers and unhappily tapped Lu Zhe’s foot with her toe. “I’m soaking here, and I’m soaking with you.”

Su Ci had put some thought into her outfit.

She had looked in the mirror after changing. She had a great figure—even in a simple little vest and shorts, she looked enticing. Even she couldn’t help admiring herself for a few extra seconds. How could Lu Zhe have no reaction?

“Hurry up.” Su Ci’s bright eyes looked at him.

Lu Zhe pressed his lips together.

The night weather was great, and the moonlight charming.

Su Ci felt the moonlight in the mountains was especially bright. She purposely splashed a handful of water onto Lu Zhe across from her.

She pouted. “Who soaks in a hot spring fully clothed like you?” The boy hadn’t taken off his clothes. He had gotten into the water just as he was, wrapped up tightly.

Lu Zhe’s stiff face was wet from the water, softened a little, his brows and features becoming even more refined. He didn’t look at the bright-eyed girl opposite him, the girl whose eyes hid mischief. “This is fine.”

“Why are you so far from me?” Su Ci’s little gaze was full of grievance. She asked him, “Are you coming over, or should I go over?”

The hot spring pool was two meters long and one meter wide.

Right now, she and Lu Zhe were at opposite ends.

Lu Zhe finally cast her a slow look. Under the moonlight, she was like a little enchantress plotting all sorts of ways to tease him.

She always forgot the pain once the wound healed—acting spoiled again.

Lu Zhe leaned against the pool’s edge, arms spreading out over the stone. He hooked his lips and gave a soft laugh. “Come here.”

Only then was Su Ci happy.

Like a sly little fish in the water, she slipped straight into the boy’s arms, softly leaning against him.

With their bodies pressed together in the water, that slight wet closeness made everything feel more intimate. Su Ci looked at Lu Zhe with a bit of pride—she loved watching him retreat step by step because of her.

Lu Zhe met the girl’s eyes. He didn’t lower his head to look at the stunning curves she made in the water. He touched her wet long hair, then suddenly asked, “How much longer can you stay in human form?”

Su Ci counted. “Probably until tomorrow afternoon.”

Lu Zhe nodded.

Suddenly, he lowered his head. His large hand slid to the back of her head, gripping her damp hair as he pressed her toward him in one motion.

His cool, water-beaded thin lips made Su Ci’s eyes widen in shock.

When her lips were bitten by Lu Zhe, and then pressed down as the two of them sank together into the water, she instinctively wrapped her arms around him.

Su Ci couldn’t hold her breath. She pushed at Lu Zhe, but the boy didn’t move.

Her mind went blank, and she could only let Lu Zhe share his breath with her.

After a long moment, when they finally came up from the water, Lu Zhe looked at the girl weakly leaning against him, her small face flushed red, her eyes more shimmering than the water itself.

He brushed aside the wet hair on her cheek and lightly kissed her forehead. “Still going to make trouble?”

Su Ci obediently shook her head. It seemed she had been overwhelmed and hadn’t fully recovered yet.

Lu Zhe lifted her out of the pool. Taking a nearby bath towel, he wrapped her up. “I’ll take you back to your room.”

Su Ci lay against his chest. “I’m sleeping here tonight.” Her voice was weak as she ordered him, “Go to my room and bring my clothes over. Remember to get my underwear too.”

“How about we go another round?” Lu Zhe tried helplessly, attempting to scare her.

Now fully back to herself, Su Ci’s eyes were wet and bright. She curled her eyes into a smile in his arms. “We’ll try again tomorrow.”

She realized for the first time that kissing in the water was actually pretty fun.

Lu Zhe: …

He found the girl’s clothes in the suitcase, along with her intimate garments. Without looking, he wrapped them in her clothes and took everything with him.

Just as he closed the girl’s room door, the door beside it opened.

Lu Zhe stiffened, his hand tightening on the doorknob.

“Son, what are you doing?” It was Lu Chen who came out.

Seeing his son standing at Su Ci’s door, Lu Chen raised a brow, deliberately teasing, “It’s so late. What are you planning to find Su Ci for? Don’t tell me you’re going out to admire the moon?”

Lu Zhe hid the clothes behind him. “No.”

Lu Chen knew this son wasn’t like him—quiet and reserved to a fault. He chuckled. “Be careful. If Su Shengguo catches you… tsk…” He gave his son a meaningful look before going back to his room.

Closing the door, Lu Chen immediately bragged to his wife. “Yaya, I saw our son go find Su Ci…”

Lu Zhe let out a sigh and hurried back.

Su Ci had already taken off her wet clothes. Wrapped in a bath towel, she was lying under the covers.

When Lu Zhe came in and saw the wet clothes thrown carelessly on the floor, his gaze deepened again.

He handed the clothes to Su Ci. “I’ve brought them. Hurry and get dressed.”

Su Ci sat up, took the clothes Lu Zhe handed her, and then, under the blanket—and right in front of him—she tossed the bath towel that had been wrapped around her out onto the bed.

“Tuan Tuan.” Lu Zhe called her softly.

After resting a bit, her energy fully restored, Su Ci winked at him and said righteously, “I’m changing. Don’t sneak a look.”

Lu Zhe coughed awkwardly and walked into the bathroom.

When he came out, the girl had already changed. She was quietly sitting on the bed waiting for him.

Her soft, ink-black wet hair hung naturally down her back. Her eyes were moist and bright. Only like this did Su Ci resemble a well-behaved little fairy.

Lu Zhe plugged in the hair dryer. “Come here. You need your hair dry before sleeping.”

Like a tiny snail, Su Ci inched toward him, then very naturally lay down on his lap. “Go ahead.”

Lu Zhe closed his eyes for a moment.

He turned the girl’s face to the side, away from his inner thigh, then lifted her wet hair and began drying it.