On an autumn night, the air is quiet and calm.
The moonlight, filtering through the dense branches, bathes the deep woods in a silver glow, like a thin veil lightly draped over the treetops, making everything feel cool.
In this chilly weather, there aren't many residents out strolling, and the community square is eerily quiet. The sound of their footsteps is unusually crisp.
"Do you have anything to do when you go back? How about we sit in the pavilion for a bit?"
Shen Lang pointed to the pavilion in the center of the square. "Let's chat here before we head upstairs."
"Okay."
Li Liusi didn't refuse. She wanted to spend more time with Shen Lang and obediently followed him to the pavilion.
The tenants in the community are quite civilized, and even though this public pavilion is usually open to anyone, it's very clean. The cold benches are quite refreshing.
"Are you cold?"
Shen Lang gently rubbed Li Liusi's warm little hands and asked with concern.
It wasn't that cold, and Li Liusi was wearing a fleece sweater. Shen Lang was just trying to provide some comfort and increase the sense of intimacy.
For someone like Li Liusi, who is shy and reserved, she really wants to be close but doesn't know how to bring it up. At this moment, the boyfriend has to find reasons and take some intimate actions to enhance the romantic atmosphere and strengthen their relationship.
Once you reach this stage, if the girl doesn't object, you can go ahead and make some bolder moves.
In short, the guy always has to take the lead in the relationship. Try not to leave things that are hard to talk about for the girl to decide.
Li Liusi, blushing, shook her head and even adjusted Shen Lang's collar while asking, "Are you cold?"
"Of course, I'm cold. Didn't you see what I'm wearing? Come closer."
Shen Lang wrapped his right arm around Li Liusi's waist and pulled her warm, slender body into his embrace.
Li Liusi was too shy to make such intimate gestures in public, especially near the community entrance. But she didn't want to break the sweet atmosphere, so she quietly leaned against Shen Lang like a docile kitten.
"How about I buy you an electric bike next Saturday?" Shen Lang brought up a topic they usually talk about. "You won't have to squeeze onto the bus every day. You can ride the bike to school and back."
Li Liusi waved her hand to refuse. "Don't waste money, and I don't know how to ride one."
"Learning isn't hard. I just happen to have one. You can practice on my bike, and once you're good at it, I'll buy you your own."
Li Liusi wasn't keen on spending Shen Lang's money. "That would mean spending your money."
"It's okay. I'll just deduct it from the betrothal gift," Shen Lang said with a smile and then added seriously, "I remember every penny I spend on you. Don't try to play tricks. There have been a lot of marriage fraud cases lately."
Li Liusi sat up straight, shaking her head seriously. "I wouldn't do that. I won't deceive you!"
Seeing Shen Lang's playful smile, Li Liusi realized how cheesy her words sounded and shyly looked away.
Shen Lang, feeling a bit moved, reached up to touch Li Liusi's face, gently adjusted her head, and asked softly, "How about a kiss?"
"Wait, what if someone sees us?"
"It's fine. It's so late, no one will be out in this weather. Besides, what's it to them if I kiss my girlfriend?"
Shen Lang reassured her, then shamelessly added, "Come on, just a quick peck. Hurry up."
Li Liusi, blushing and looking down, occasionally glancing at the community gate where people might pass by.
After a moment of silence, Li Liusi bravely took Shen Lang's hand and placed it on her thigh, nervously suggesting, "How about you touch my leg first, and then we'll kiss when we get home?"
"Haha, you got me," Shen Lang said, unable to keep a straight face. "Alright, let's go home and get some rest."
Shen Lang patted his knees, stood up, and headed for the elevator in the building, with Li Liusi quickly following behind.
While waiting for the elevator, Shen Lang unexpectedly gave Li Liusi a quick kiss on the cheek.
"You naughty boy..."
Li Liusi, shyly raising her little fist, didn't end up hitting Shen Lang. Instead, she helped remove some leaves from his back and gently brushed the dust off his jacket.
Shen Lang shook his head with a wry smile. "You're really like my mom."
"Ding dong!"
When the elevator arrived on the ground floor, Shen Lang's smile instantly faded.
Inside the elevator were the landlord's wife and her daughter, Mengmeng!
"Oh? It's Little Shen!" Mengmeng exclaimed happily, running over to shake Shen Lang's hand joyfully.
Shen Lang, trying to stay calm, walked into the elevator, ruffled the little girl's hair, and glanced at Xia Shuyi, who showed no change in expression.
"Xia Jie, why are you back so late?"
Even though Xia Shuyi had said before that she wouldn't interfere with Shen Lang's personal matters and even encouraged him to pursue Li Liusi, Shen Lang still felt nervous being caught in the act. It felt like being caught in the middle of something he shouldn't be doing.
"I had some things to take care of and just picked Mengmeng up from Teacher Li's place."
Xia Shuyi smiled without changing her expression, immediately understanding the nature of Shen Lang and Li Liusi's relationship.
A pure girl like Li Liusi wouldn't be out so late alone, especially with a guy. Shen Lang must have made his move and succeeded!
Given Li Liusi's affectionate actions and shy expression, it was clear she wasn't pretending.
"Good evening, landlord."
Li Liusi greeted her politely, standing in the corner of the elevator.
"Good evening," Xia Shuyi said with a feigned warmth. "So, where did you and Shen Lang go? Why are you back so late?"
Li Liusi, honest as ever, told the truth without knowing about Xia Shuyi's complex feelings. "Shen Lang drove me to Ao Yuan Square, and he treated me to Western food."
"I see. That's good."
Xia Shuyi's expression remained unchanged, but her hand silently reached towards Shen Lang's waist and gave it a hard pinch.
Her eyes, full of jealousy and reluctance, seemed to say, "I told you to go for it, and you really did, huh?"