Era: Rise from the Wilderness

"Okay, I won't see you off."

Li Yunjing's voice was a little hoarse than before, but it carried a gentle firmness, "So that Uncle and Aunt won't overthink it."

He understood Lü Ruoxi's concerns. In this era, young men and women always had to keep their feelings hidden, especially in front of their parents.

Lü Ruoxi nodded, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, but her gaze couldn't bear to leave his face.

Looking at the boy who had ridden his bicycle with her under the scorching sun, nervously negotiated with strangers at their doors, and excitedly counted thick wads of banknotes with her, she had a thousand words in her heart, but didn't know where to begin.

"Once your military training is over and you've settled in,"

Li Yunjing leaned forward slightly, gazing deeply into her eyes. "The first letter must be sent to me."

"Tell me your dorm room number, your bed location, whether the food in the cafeteria is good, whether your classmates are easy to get along with... anything is fine."

"Um."

Lü Ruoxi nodded vigorously, her eyes reddening again, but she tried hard to hold back, not wanting the farewell to be too sad. "I will write. Every day... no, every week."

She paused, her voice as soft as a feather, "You have to write too. No slacking off. Tell me how business is at the convenience store, and the cram school... if the cram school is too boring, tell me about that too."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely write it."

Li Yunjing promised, a smile playing on her lips as she tried to ward off the sorrow of parting, "Distance isn't a problem. Maybe I'll come see you every month!"

"I don't believe it!"

Lu Ruoxi burst into laughter through her tears, and gently punched his shoulder, the force so light it sounded like she was being coquettish.

This seemed to break through some invisible barrier.

Li Yunjing grabbed her hand before she could pull it back and held it tightly in his palm.

The girl's hands were small and soft, her fingertips slightly cool, enveloped by his warm palm.

Their eyes met, and the air seemed to stand still.

The tireless chirping of summer insects outside the window has now become a distant background sound.

Their breathing was clearly audible, slightly rapid.

Lu Ruoxi's cheeks burned even redder, like the most beautiful sunset on the horizon.

Her heart pounded like a drum, but she didn't pull her hand away. Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she bravely looked back at him.

"You...should go back."

Lu Ruoxi finally spoke softly, her gaze still fixed on his face, filled with reluctance, "My parents are about to get off work."

"Um."

Li Yunjing responded, but did not immediately let go.

He took a deep breath, as if he had made a great decision, and gently raised his other hand to caress Lü Ruoxi's cheek.

The skin that my fingertips touched was delicate and warm, with the unique tenderness of a young girl.

Lu Ruoxi's body trembled slightly, and she closed her eyes. Her long eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyelids and trembled slightly.

Li Yunjing's fingertips gently traced her eyebrows, brushed over the corners of her reddened eyes, and finally rested on her soft lips.

At that moment, Li Yunjing slowly leaned down, his breath growing warmer, gently brushing against Lü Ruoxi's face.

Lu Ruoxi's heart pounded rapidly, like a rapidly beating war drum, as if it were about to burst out of her chest.

Her hands instinctively gripped the hem of Li Yunjing's clothes, her fingertips turning slightly white from nervousness, but her heart was filled with anticipation.

Everything around me became blurry; the chirping of summer insects outside the window and the occasional sound of passing cars became distant and ethereal background noise.

At this moment, it seemed as if the whole world consisted only of the two of them, and time stood still for them in this small space.

Li Yunjing's lips drew closer and closer to Lü Ruoxi's, close enough that they could feel the subtle temperature difference between their lips.

Lu Ruoxi's eyes remained tightly closed, her eyelashes trembling nervously, as if telling of her inner tension and shyness.

Looking at the shy and bashful appearance of the girl in front of him, Li Yunjing felt a surge of love in his heart. He turned his head slightly, adjusted the angle, and prepared to receive this passionate kiss.

Finally, Li Yunjing's lips gently touched Lü Ruoxi's.

In that instant, it felt as if an electric current was rapidly transmitted from the point of contact between the two people throughout their bodies, causing them to tremble slightly.

The kiss was as gentle as the softest spring breeze, carrying a cautious probing yet filled with deep affection.

Lu Ruoxi felt her mind go blank, all her thoughts were scattered by this sudden intimate contact.

Her cheeks were burning hot, as if they could ignite the air around her, while her heart was filled with a complex mix of shyness and sweetness.

Her hands were still tightly gripping Li Yunjing's clothes, as if she had grasped the only thing she could rely on at this moment.

Li Yunjing sensed Lü Ruoxi's nervousness and shyness, and he slightly adjusted the angle, wanting to make the kiss more tender and affectionate.

The summer insects outside the window continued their tireless chirping, seemingly singing a hymn to the love between the two young people.

They were immersed in each other's world, feeling each other's warmth, breath, and that youthful yet passionate love.

Time seemed to lose its meaning at that moment. All they knew was that this first kiss would become the most unforgettable and beautiful memory of their lives, and that in the years to come, no matter what storms they encountered, they could rely on this memory to warm each other's hearts.

Just as the two were immersed in this sweet and affectionate kiss, as if they were about to merge each other into their lives, a familiar sound of footsteps and voices suddenly came from the hallway.

Lü Ruoxi's parents came home early from get off work!

The sound was like a thunderclap, instantly shattering the beauty and tranquility of the moment.

Li Yunjing and Lü Ruoxi separated in a panic, as if they had been electrocuted.

Lu Ruoxi's cheeks were already flushed with shyness and excitement, and now they were so red that they looked as if they were about to bleed.

Her eyes were filled with panic, and her hands instinctively tidied her somewhat disheveled hair and clothes, trying to cover up the intimate scene that had just occurred.

Her heart was still pounding, her breathing was rapid, and even her voice trembled slightly: "I... why are my parents back so early!"

Li Yunjing was equally nervous; a hint of panic flashed across his face, but he quickly tried to calm himself down.

His gaze swept quickly around, wondering how he would explain himself if Lü Ruoxi's parents saw him.

His heart was pounding like a galloping horse, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but he still lowered his voice to comfort Lü Ruoxi: "Don't panic, just say I've come to say goodbye."

But his slightly trembling tone still betrayed his inner nervousness.

After all, he had never experienced such a scene in his previous life, and this was the first time he had ever felt like he had been caught in the act.

Li Yunjing abruptly released Lü Ruoxi, quickly turned around, pretended to tidy up the things on the table, and deliberately made some noise in an attempt to cover up their intimate behavior just now.

His movements seemed a bit flustered, and he almost knocked over the water glass on the table, but fortunately he reacted quickly and caught it in time.