Chapter 21: An Unforgettable Kiss

In truth, Ruan Jing also suffered from insomnia that night. Her reason, however, lacked Zhao Qiyan’s sense of romance. Her thoughts wandered restlessly, circling the same question again and again—after such a direct “agreement,” had she and Qiyan truly established a relationship?

It was meant to be a trial, yet Ruan Jing found herself uncertain whether she would ever have the resolve to withdraw in the future.

Because it was Zhao Qiyan.

Unpredictable. Unavoidable.

Ruan Jing let out a soft chuckle in the darkness. Zhao Qiyan, Zhao Qiyan—his name lingered in her mind like a gentle spell, impossible to shake.

---

The next morning, she arrived at work with faint dark circles beneath her eyes.

Lin Meimei, the assistant Chen Fan had recently assigned to her, burst into laughter the moment she saw her.

“Sister Jing, what did you do last night? You have such panda eyes.”

Ruan Jing had always been gentle and approachable with her team, and Lin Meimei had quickly grown comfortable around her. After just two weeks of internship, the initial nervousness had already faded into easy familiarity.

Ruan Jing smiled faintly.
“I’m cursed.”

She pushed open the office door and stepped inside. Before she could even sit down, her eyes landed on the desk.

A neatly packaged cheesecake.
A blueberry tart.
And a cup of mocha, still warm, releasing soft curls of fragrant steam.

A breakfast made with love?

That was… unexpected.

“A handsome guy delivered it at 8:10.” Lin Meimei, who had been tidying the easel nearby, could no longer suppress her curiosity. “Jing-jie, is that your boyfriend? He’s mature and stylish!”

Ruan Jing lifted the mocha and took a slow sip.

“When did he leave?”

“Oh, he put the things down, sat for a while, and then left. I told him you’d be here soon, but he said it was fine.” Lin Meimei hugged a sheet of drawing paper to her chest. “I thought he looked like a cool guy at first, but his smile was actually very gentle.”

Ruan Jing shook her head lightly.

“Lin Xuan, have you had breakfast? If not, help me finish some. I can’t eat that much.”

Lin Meimei sighed dramatically.
“If a man like that brought me breakfast, I would eat everything even if I were stuffed to death.”

Ruan Jing laughed helplessly.
“Do you want to eat or not?”

“Yes, yes!”

---

At noon, Ruan Jing dialed Zhao Qiyan’s number.

It was the first time she had called him after officially becoming his girlfriend. For some reason, the title alone made her feel slightly awkward.

The phone rang twice before it was answered.

“Ruan Jing?” Zhao Qiyan’s voice was deep and pleasant, carrying a calm warmth.

“Um, I was wondering if you're free at noon? How about we have lunch together?”

Even as she spoke, she wondered whether the invitation sounded too abrupt.

There was a brief pause before he responded, a smile evident in his tone.

“I always have time if you ask me out.”

Ruan Jing felt a faint warmth rise to her face at his straightforwardness.

“Well—see you later, bye-bye.”

“Ah Jing—”

“Um?”

“I'll come pick you up later.”

Ruan Jing nodded instinctively before realizing he couldn’t see her. She quickly hummed in agreement instead.

After hanging up, she sat quietly for a moment, rubbing her temples before returning to the work that was nearly complete.

---

At 12:30, Lin Xuan suddenly rushed into her office.

“I can’t believe it. He just took off his coat and he’s wearing a white shirt. How does he look even more attractive?”

“What?”

“Your boyfriend.”

Ruan Jing raised her eyebrows slightly and calmly began organizing the documents beside her.

“He was stopped by the boss as soon as he came in. I never expected Boss Chen to look so ‘unboss-like’ in front of someone. I’ve really seen something new today.” Lin Xuan grinned as she backed toward the door. “Sister Jing, I’ll go observe the situation for you and report back later.”

Just as she turned, she bumped directly into Zhao Qiyan, who was walking in.

Qi Yan nodded politely.

“Hello.”

“Hello...”

Her earlier boldness instantly melted into shyness.

Ruan Jing couldn’t help laughing. Zhao Qiyan truly had an effortless ability to win people over.

Seeing him look at her, she cleared her throat softly and forced herself to stop laughing.

---

That afternoon, Zhao Qiyan took her to a Chinese restaurant.

During the drive, neither of them spoke much. Zhao Qiyan always drove quietly. Ruan Jing wasn’t sure whether it was simply his habit—or whether the quietness between them felt different now that their relationship had changed.

When they arrived at the restaurant parking lot, the silence lingered.

Ruan Jing reached for the door handle.

Suddenly, Qi Yan took her hand.

He gently guided it toward his knee, his long, straight leg brushing lightly against hers.

Ruan Jing leaned back against the seat. Her bangs had grown slightly longer, softening her features and giving her a faintly youthful look.

Qi Yan couldn’t resist.

He lifted his hand and gently touched the face he had missed for so long.

Warm.

Real.

The sensation stirred something deep within him.

His fingertips brushed his pale lower lip.

“Ruan Jing, can I—”

Before he could finish, his lips had already found hers.

The kiss was soft at first, tentative yet deeply yearning.

Ruan Jing did not resist. Her eyes flickered slightly.

That silent acceptance emboldened him.

The kiss deepened.

His tongue moved instinctively, exploring with restrained intensity. He loved this closeness—the kind that stirred both heart and soul.

His palm slid from her back to her waist. Ruan Jing felt the subtle tremor in his fingertips, sending a faint electric sensation through her body.

“Qi Yan...”

The soft murmur only fueled him further.

His restraint faltered.

The kiss grew more urgent, almost fierce.

A slight sting touched the tip of Ruan Jing’s tongue, briefly pulling her back to clarity—only for her senses to blur again beneath his lingering warmth.

When the kiss finally softened into gentle, reluctant closeness, Qi Yan pulled back slightly, their foreheads resting together.

The quiet car filled with the sound of restrained breathing.

Desire lingered beneath the surface.

Yet he held himself back.

He did not want to ruin this fragile, hard-won beginning.

“Sorry.”

Apologizing to Ruan Jing had somehow become a habit. He was always careful—careful not to cross any boundary that might unsettle her.

This felt far more complicated than his first love.

Yet holding her like this—real, warm, within reach—stirred his heart once more.

He leaned forward again, brushing another soft kiss against her lips.

---

The restaurant served authentic cuisine, but Ruan Jing ate somewhat absentmindedly.

Her heart still hadn’t settled from what had happened in the car.

Zhao Qiyan, however, appeared composed. He ate quietly, a faint smile resting at the corner of his lips. From time to time, he glanced at her.

Each glance deepened something within him.

He realized it clearly now.

He was truly, completely in love.

---

The meal lasted nearly an hour.

By 2 p.m., only a few customers remained.

Ruan Jing was about to call the waiter for the bill when Qi Yan suddenly reached out and gently pulled her back down.

Then, naturally, he held her hand.

“Sit with me a little longer.”

The waitress who had just approached hesitated awkwardly, unsure whether to interrupt or retreat.

Qi Yan calmly wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin before smiling at Ruan Jing.

Under that gaze, Ruan Jing could no longer maintain her composure. She turned her head slightly away, feeling warmth rise to her cheeks.

The afternoon sunlight filtered softly through the restaurant windows.

Quiet. Gentle. Unhurried.

Like the beginning of something neither of them wanted to end.