Chapter 136: Losing Control

Luo Yixia felt as if she were floating on air, completely distracted all afternoon by his flirtatious charm. While Lin Ya was competing, Luo Yixia stood by the sidelines—even pacing her for the latter half of the race—but her thoughts were entirely consumed by Song Chengyi.

Once the competition finally concluded, Luo Yixia hurried back to the dormitory to shower. She was drenched in sweat from the afternoon, and she had to head out for dinner later that evening. When it was time to eat, her roommates, seeing her prepare to leave, collectively teased her with knowing smiles. Luo Yixia feigned composure as she changed into a dainty dress and headed out. She had originally wanted to wear a jacket, but the girls had firmly stripped it from her, refusing to let her wear it.

Standing outside the school gate, Lin Ya’s shameless words echoed in her mind: "Why wear a jacket? If you get cold, just strip it off your husband!" In truth, she was looking forward to the moment Song Chengyi would take off his own jacket to drape over her.

However, when they finally met up, Luo Yixia’s mouth twitched in helpless frustration. What on earth was this? It was nothing like the script of a romance drama; Song Chengyi was wearing a hoodie! Just a single hoodie!

Luo Yixia wanted to scream. She cursed Lin Ya a thousand times over in her heart and, while Song Chengyi wasn't looking, sent her a text message that was "warmly" greeting her in every sense of the word. It prompted a string of "hahahahas" from Lin Ya. Luo Yixia irritably shoved her phone into her bag.

"Aren't you cold dressed so thinly?" the goddess-like Song asked, touching upon the very subject she wanted to avoid.

Luo Yixia maintained a smile. "Not at all. I’ve been hot all day."

In reality, the weather was scorching enough to be considered midsummer, but Luo Yixia was indeed dressed far too lightly. Her fairy-like dress had three-quarter-length sleeves and was made of lace—hardly windproof. As it was nearly late autumn, perhaps to mark the passing of summer, the temperature drop at night was particularly sharp. Song Chengyi didn't notice her subtle thoughts, assuming she was truly sweltering.

The two walked to the restaurant; Song Chengyi rarely drove on campus and was accustomed to walking. Nearly a month had passed, and Luo Yixia guessed that Old Sheng’s application would be approved soon, allowing her to move out and live with Song Chengyi. If she remembered correctly, Song Chengyi would begin his hospital internship next spring. Although there were only a few hospitals affiliated with A University for internships, if it were already decided, the official notice hadn't arrived yet. Luo Yixia sighed softly. They had finally made it to the same school, yet after only one semester, they would be separated again. By the time she was assigned her own internship, Song Chengyi would likely have finished his and become an attending physician.

"What do you want to eat for dinner?" Song Chengyi led her into a quiet restaurant.

"I’m not a picky eater." She really wasn't; as long as it was meat, she wouldn't turn it down.

"Alright." Song Chengyi nodded gently, ordering a mild fish soup and a few other dishes. None of them were particularly heavy or spicy. Luo Yixia had been exhausted and scorched by the sun all day, so she couldn't handle anything too intense; something light was perfect.

"Are you running the 1,500 meters tomorrow?" Song Chengyi asked, carefully picking the bones out of the fish for her.

Luo Yixia pouted, looking pitiful. "Yeah."

"Can't finish it?" Song Chengyi suppressed a smile.

"Mmhmm, 1,500 meters. It’s going to be the death of me." Luo Yixia nodded vigorously.

Song Chengyi paused, removed the last fish bone, and placed the fish into her bowl. "Do you want me to run with you?"

Luo Yixia looked at him as she ate the fish. "Maybe not. I’m afraid it’ll draw too much attention, and I’ll get nervous and trip over my own feet." In truth, how could she not want him to run with her? In previous sports meets, girls always had their boyfriends running alongside them, and even in the men’s events, many girls would pace their partners.

But Luo Yixia couldn't; Song Chengyi’s influence was simply too great.

"Then I’ll wait for you at the finish line," Song Chengyi offered instead.

"Okay." She nodded.

By the time they finished eating, it was already dark outside. They strolled through the streets. The lights were coming on, and the area was bustling with people, countless young couples walking hand-in-hand.

"Shall I see you back?" Song Chengyi was reluctant to part, but he couldn't think of any other way; he couldn't exactly pull her into a kiss in the middle of a public street. Others might be able to, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Actually... there are a lot of people out tonight for the sports meet... the dorm supervisor isn't checking rooms..." Luo Yixia said, head bowed and voice low.

Song Chengyi caught her meaning immediately, a suppressed smile playing on his lips. He feigned calmness and said, "Then let’s go back to the apartment tonight."

They walked one after the other, each lost in their own thoughts. But the moment the door closed, Song Chengyi could no longer hold back. He pressed Luo Yixia against the door and kissed her deeply.

A long time later, Song Chengyi struggled to steady his emotions, whispering into her ear, "You promised me a reward earlier for taking first place. I’ve come to collect it now."

Luo Yixia’s face flushed red. She clutched his clothes, her strength failing her, and looked at him in confusion. "I thought we were just meeting for dinner."

"I’m a bit greedy. I want more," Song Chengyi chuckled softly, kissing her earlobe.

Luo Yixia felt a shiver run through her entire body, her heart in a panic. Yet, she bit her lip and managed to find her voice. "Then... what do you want?"

"Hmm... let me think..." His kisses drifted over her eyebrows and eyes. After a long moment, he whispered, "I want you."

Luo Yixia felt her fingers go limp; her defenses had long since been breached by Song Chengyi. It was a miracle her muddled brain was still functioning at all. This wasn't their first time—how else had they gotten married?—and she had even tried to seduce him recently. This felt like the natural progression of things, a desire finally fulfilled.

Luo Yixia opened her eyes and, finding strength from somewhere, grabbed his collar and kissed him back, using her actions to give him her answer. Song Chengyi wore a satisfied smile.

She didn't know how they ended up in bed, but at the very last moment, Song Chengyi slammed on the brakes. Luo Yixia looked at him with misty, confused eyes. Song Chengyi rested his head against her neck, breathing heavily. After a long while, he composed himself and smoothed her clothes. "You have to run tomorrow."

Luo Yixia’s heart fluttered again, but she felt like they couldn't just stop like this. "You... be gentle... it’s not our first time... it’ll be fine..." She didn't need a mirror to know how red her face was.

Song Chengyi wore a meaningful smile and kissed her eyes. "I’m afraid I won't be able to be gentle." With that, he strode off toward the bathroom.

Luo Yixia blinked, suddenly realizing what he meant, and rolled over to bury her face in the pillow. Oh, how embarrassing!

When Song Chengyi finished his cold shower and came out, Luo Yixia grabbed her pajamas and scurried into the bathroom, her face still burning. When it came time to sleep, they stayed on opposite sides of the bed; Luo Yixia deliberately kept her distance, feeling awkward. Song Chengyi, meanwhile, was afraid that if he touched her, he wouldn't be able to control himself—then his long cold shower would have been for nothing.

He turned off the lights, and they both stared up at the ceiling in the dim room. Song Chengyi sighed, turned, and pulled Luo Yixia into his arms.

"Hmm? What is it?" she asked, turning her head to look at him.

"I can't sleep if I’m not holding you," he murmured, resting his head against hers.

Luo Yixia smiled secretly to herself—who knew her "goddess-like" man could be such a flirt? She reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Song Chengyi hissed and pulled her hand away, warning her in a low voice, "Don't move around. I’m afraid I won't be able to control myself."

Luo Yixia actually wanted to be mischievous, but thinking of how hard he was trying—especially since he’d had to take a cold shower—the implication was clear. She couldn't pretend not to understand.

The next morning, they both lingered in bed for a while. Song Chengyi went out to buy breakfast, and as Luo Yixia ate her porridge, she couldn't help but steal glances at him and giggle.

"What are you laughing at?" he couldn't help but ask.

"I’m laughing because it seems like you’ve started to like me," she said, half-joking and half-unsure.

Song Chengyi paused, looked down, and replied, "Mm, I like you."

Luo Yixia froze, looking at him in disbelief... Did he just say he liked her? He continued eating his breakfast at a leisurely pace, but that single sentence had her mind wandering all morning.

That afternoon, she sat in her class section, completely unaware that she had been staring blankly for a long time.

"Are you nervous?" Gan Yanyan and the others assumed she was upset and brooding because she didn't want to run.

Luo Yixia didn't speak, just sighed. When it was finally time to take the field and the pre-race announcements began, Gan Yanyan and Lin Ya started massaging her arms and legs. "Just do your best. Don't worry too much about it."

Luo Yixia nodded. Song Chengyi said he liked her... Song Chengyi said he liked her.

"Xiaxia, I just saw him! Your idol is over there watching you. You have to go for it!" Gan Yanyan whispered in her ear.

Luo Yixia’s eyes lit up. "Where?"

"Over there." Gan Yanyan pointed.

Luo Yixia looked over and saw him standing there, watching her. Her heart tightened, and she immediately bowed her head, inwardly berating herself for being so weak-willed.

The starting gun fired, and everyone took off. But there was always someone who started off on the wrong foot. Luo Yixia tripped over her own feet and fell flat on her face. People nearby rushed over to help her up and check on her, but the race hadn't stopped. Luo Yixia stood up, gritted her teeth, and started running again. Even though she had embarrassed herself at the start, Song Chengyi was watching; she couldn't give up without even trying.

Though the others had already pulled far ahead, Luo Yixia chased after them with all her might. Her legs grew heavier and more painful with every step. Halfway through, the leaders had already finished their 1,500 meters, but Luo Yixia was still moving forward step by agonizing step, limping her way toward the end.