Chen Xiao raised his hand and gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead, then finally lowered his head and gave Zhang Xiaotao a deep kiss on her cherry lips.
Zhang Xiaotao felt as if she had been electrocuted. Her delicate body stiffened for a moment, then went limp again. Her small hands clenched helplessly, finally hooking tightly around Chen Xiao's neck. In her nervousness, her slender fingers were stiff. Her only subconscious action was to cling tightly to Chen Xiao's neck, holding on tightly and refusing to let go...
At this moment, Zhang Xiaotao was completely intoxicated, her soul probably already flown to the heavens.
In the midst of my dazed state, I heard the man whisper a sentence in my ear.
I will never let you down!
Chapter 204 [With No Good Intentions]
Such is the nature of young relationships. Before Chen Xiao came to see Zhang Xiaotao, he still had some reservations. He struggled with these thoughts deep inside.
It could even be said that he himself probably didn't understand what his feelings were. Love, liking, or simply gratitude—for a boy not yet nineteen years old with little romantic experience, this question was far too complex and too heavy.
At this very moment, holding Zhang Xiaotao in his arms, a bright and beautiful face would flash through his mind: the girl who held his hand as they flew through the sky, sitting atop the prison lighthouse; and that sunny afternoon, her graceful figure seemingly walking into the coffee shop bathed in brilliant sunlight…
Chen Xiao couldn't help but wonder: Was I wrong to do this? How should I handle this situation?
He didn't know, and he didn't understand.
He only knew one thing: at this moment, facing Zhang Xiaotao—after the two of them had gone through such a life-or-death experience together—he could not refuse, could not say "no" to the girl in his arms.
Moreover, there was an important factor in Chen Xiao's subconscious—perhaps he himself didn't understand it that day.
After her parents passed away, her family fell into ruin, and almost all her relatives and friends avoided her as if she were a plague. Although Chen Xiao always appeared strong and seemed to have supported herself, deep down she had closed her heart off.
Although he didn't appear particularly aloof, the inner turmoil he maintained was remarkably tight. Over the years, he had only one friend, Xu Ershao. Everyone else was coldly excluded from his heart.
This is a manifestation of a lack of security.
Imagine a teenager. After the death of his parents, he is at his weakest and most helpless. At that time, what he needs most is care and help. But ironically, at that very moment, those snobbish relatives and friends seem to see him as a burden and keep their distance.
This made Chen Xiao, who was in his teens, suddenly feel like he had been abandoned by the whole world!
A teenager. No matter how precocious they are, they will inevitably be distorted by such a blow.
Therefore, he always guarded his heart carefully, never easily trusting people, and even less willing to open his heart to others.
Even Xu Ershao had known him for several years. They went from enemies to friends before Chen Xiao gradually accepted him. Although he always appeared strong, seemingly rejecting others' concern—what he truly craved most was care and affection!
A boy who was once abandoned by the whole world actually longs for someone who will never abandon him!
At that moment, Zhang Xiaotao appeared!
When he was on the island, on his deathbed, everyone else saw him as a burden, but Zhang Xiaotao protected him.
When those rioters came to the island, Zhang Xiaotao hugged Chen Xiao and said, "I'm not leaving!"
For a boy hurt by being abandoned, such an experience is like a sharp knife, cutting through the shackles in his heart and plunging deep into the depths of his soul!
At that moment, the feeling Zhang Xiaotao gave him could no longer be simply described as "gratitude," but rather a profound shock! A shock that was etched into his very soul!
Thinking back to the scene of being abandoned by everyone when I was young, the feeling of this girl saying "I won't leave" with tears in her eyes and her chapped lips is especially precious in comparison!
Perhaps this cannot be described as pure "like" or pure "love," but emotions in this world are rarely so pure. Whether it's mixed with gratitude or responsibility, Chen Xiao can no longer let go of the person in his arms.
This was the only thing he was very clear about.
Zhang Xiaotao leaned against Chen Xiao's chest, and the two sat on the eaves until the sun went down before coming down from the roof.
When two people who harbor feelings for each other suddenly break through the barrier between their hearts, the emotions that burst forth are stronger than anything else. Zhang Xiaotao just wanted to stay in Chen Xiao's arms, unwilling to be apart for even a moment. Chen Xiao felt the same way. "There..." Zhang Xiaotao nestled in Chen Xiao's arms, pointing to the back of the house, a shy smile on her face: "Behind this house, there's a hot spring."
"Is it a hot spring?" Chen Xiao was taken aback.
"no……"
As the official residence of a prince of the Imperial Family, Akiyoshi Palace does not have a hot spring behind it, but there is a cold spring.
Although you can't enjoy the hot springs, the cold spring has its own unique charm.
Behind the house is an enclosed courtyard with an artificial pond made of rubble, where underground spring water flowing from the mountain is channeled.
Lifting the curtains and stepping into the backyard, Chen Xiao couldn't help but feel a pleasant surprise upon seeing the small pond before him. Although the pond wasn't large, it was enough for three to five people to soak in. Naturally, there were wooden tubs and other bathing supplies nearby.
He tested the water; it was very cool. That refreshing coolness was exactly what one could enjoy in this sweltering weather. However, glancing at Zhang Xiaotao beside him, Chen Xiao couldn't help but feel a little strange: "Want to take a bath?"
Zhang Xiaotao's face immediately turned red. She pushed Chen Xiao away and put on a stern face: "What are you thinking about?"
She then shook her head: "I...I can't soak in the cold spring. I'm not feeling well, so I can't soak in cold water. You go ahead and wash."
Chen Xiao was about to ask why he was "feeling unwell" when he caught a glimpse of Zhang Xiaotao's flushed face and immediately understood—fortunately, although he was a virgin with no experience with men and women, he had a close friend, Xu Ershao, by his side. With that lecherous man around, he had learned quite a bit of "theory" from what he heard.
Zhang Xiaotao completely concealed her usual fiery temper, displaying a woman's gentleness in front of Chen Xiao. She quickly ran into the room and soon returned with a new, clean pair of men's swim trunks, tossing them to Chen Xiao. Then, with her slender fingers, she gently removed Chen Xiao's outer garment.
She didn't think there was anything wrong with her actions, after all, they had spent those days on the island together. Zhang Xiaotao had undressed Chen Xiao every day, wiping his body and cleaning his wounds. Now, as she changed his clothes, it seemed like she was subconsciously helping him undress. After unbuttoning each button, she suddenly noticed that Chen Xiao's handsome face was flushed, and his breathing had quickened. Zhang Xiaotao's fingers traced across Chen Xiao's bare chest, her fingertips feeling the strength of his chest muscles and the pounding of his heart…
"ah!"
Zhang Xiaotao gasped, suddenly snapping back to reality! The Chen Xiao before her was no longer the severely injured patient unable to care for himself, but a vibrant and energetic man standing before her. Had he thought she was a promiscuous woman for taking off his clothes?
Thinking of this, Zhang Xiaotao couldn't help but feel annoyed.
Seeing Zhang Xiaotao's flustered state, Chen Xiao felt a malicious smile in his heart. However, he dared not show it. He took his swimming trunks into the changing room to change, and when he ran out again, the blush on Zhang Xiaotao's face had just faded, but when she saw Chen Xiao, it instantly turned bright red again.
Chen Xiao has a tall and straight figure, and after countless training sessions, his muscles have become increasingly firm. He already had a good physique, but now he has broad shoulders and a narrow waist, with the outline of his upper body forming an inverted triangle. The lines of his muscles are soft yet distinct, and each muscle subtly hides a kind of elasticity and explosive power.
Zhang Xiaotao immediately noticed Chen Xiao's well-defined eight-pack abs. She turned her face away, but her heart was itching to look again, and she couldn't help but steal another glance. She met Chen Xiao's amused gaze, gasped, stomped her foot, and turned her head away.