Chapter 1814 - 748: Late Night Snack (2)

Chapter 1814: Chapter 748: Late Night Snack (2)

Zhou Wang, with his hands under his head, leaned against the headboard, quietly watching her eat.

"Beauty is a feast."

When someone is exceptionally attractive, whatever they’re doing, just watching them is a great joy.

Ding Yi’s looks were undoubtedly top-notch.

In Zhou Wang’s current view, just by her features alone, she should really be considered number one. Of course, the difference between her and others like the senior sister or Qingkui was negligible. Her victory was likely due to her flawless, jade-like skin.

Highlighted by such skin, her already defined features seemed even more so, her naturally dark and lustrous lashes appeared more distinct, and her petite, rosy lips stood out even more.

When she ate, the simple act of her lips parting and closing was enough to mesmerize Zhou Wang.

Although Ding Yi’s appetite was small, she would often stop eating quickly, or she would look at Zhou Wang with teary eyes. At that moment, her complex aura of angelic and tempting qualities was at its peak, making Zhou Wang feel both empathetic and eager to urge her to continue.

Just to see that breathtaking sight.

In the end, on this night, Zhou Wang, who was originally full, found himself getting a bit hungry just from watching. He lifted Ding Yi and let her sit on his lap, and together they sweetly finished the meal of houttuynia.

After the meal, feeling a bit weary, they rinsed their mouths to clear away the lingering taste of the houttuynia, and then lay in bed embracing each other, both speechless for a moment.

Zhou Wang sensed that Ding Yi was likely savoring the moment as well. This unique late-night culinary memory was possibly a first in her twenty-three years, destined to leave an indelible mark on her heart.

"Zhou Wang..."

As Zhou Wang, depleted of his energy, felt drowsy, Ding Yi murmured his name.

"Hmm?"

"Does this mean we’ve actually completed a relationship?"

"I guess so. We ate together, slept together, went shopping together. Yes, we’ve metaphorically fulfilled the duties of a couple. How could it not count?"

Zhou Wang responded with a smile.

"Then, I suppose I’ve alleviated a regret..."

Ding Yi murmured.

She seemed to say something else, but her voice was so soft Zhou Wang couldn’t catch it. When he tried to ask, Ding Yi wouldn’t repeat it. Instead, she just hugged him tightly.

Zhou Wang stroked her silky long hair. Even though they were closely embracing, he felt no particular lust. Under the influence of the lingering alcohol, he quickly fell into slumber.

...

Usually, after drinking, Zhou Wang would wake up very early, but for some reason, it was an exception this time.

It wasn’t until nearly midday the next day that Zhou Wang groggily opened his eyes. Seeing the sunny view outside the window, he instinctively stretched.

But the emptiness beside him gave him a peculiar discomfort, prompting him to sit up with a start.

Over the past seven days, he had gotten used to lazing around with Ding Yi and getting up together. Not seeing Ding Yi beside him made it clear to Zhou Wang what had happened.

He got dressed and walked out of the room. In the living room, Linlin was doing her holiday homework, while Sister Xiao Yu was busy in the kitchen. Everything seemed no different from before the New Year.

"When did your sister Ding Yi leave?"

Zhou Wang asked Linlin as he sat beside her.

"She left very early. Brother, I wanted to wake you up, but Sister Ding Yi said to let you sleep more..."

Seeing Zhou Wang’s odd expression, Linlin nervously asked, "Brother, was I wrong to listen to her?"

"It’s fine. She meant well."

Zhou Wang reassured her as he patted Linlin’s head.

Yet, Zhou Wang couldn’t shake the inexplicable emptiness in his heart.

It had only been seven days, and aside from the little intimacy the last night, nothing too out of the ordinary occurred. Yet for some reason, these seven days felt exceptionally special to Zhou Wang.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve never experienced this kind of normal relationship before?

As he pondered, Zhou Wang realized that although there had been many women in his life, he hadn’t truly experienced living as a normal couple like this with someone like Ding Yi.

There wasn’t much lust, just warmth that grew in little moments.

This feeling even made Zhou Wang strangely nostalgic, actually finding this kind of life quite nice—

Hiss, is this Ding Yi’s plan all along?

"Brother, brother..."

Linlin’s calls interrupted Zhou Wang’s drifting thoughts.

"Hmm, what’s up?"

"Didn’t you hear what I asked you?"

Linlin’s cheeks were slightly red.

"Uh, no, sorry. I zoned out just now. Could you say it again?"

"Brother, I wanted to ask you..."

Linlin quickly glanced toward the kitchen and, seeing Zhao Yu wasn’t paying attention, she hastily asked in a small voice, "You, you and Sister Ding Yi, when you sleep together at night, do you do that kind of thing?"

"What kind of thing?"

Zhou Wang feigned ignorance, though her question startled him, prompting him to glance toward the kitchen as well.

"I-I don’t quite understand, but I’m curious. When chatting with the girls in class, I can’t join in on their topics. They just say, when boys and girls sleep together, they will... they will..."

Linlin seemed genuinely confused, lacking the vocabulary to describe what she meant.

"Linlin, how old are you? It’s not yet time for you to learn about these things."

Zhou Wang instructed sternly, "Stay away from those classmates who talk about this stuff!"

"But I’m not a kid anymore. I’m turning 17 soon, and that makes me 18 in traditional age. I’m a grown-up now."

Linlin said, feeling both wronged and defiant, "And the teachers say parents have a duty to teach their children about X education, but Mom never talks to me about these things. Even if I ask, she only scolds me..."

"Uh."

Zhou Wang found himself at a loss for words.

It’s true that Huaxia parents traditionally neglect this aspect, a common issue in traditional education, and Sister Xiao Yu couldn’t really be blamed.

Linlin was already a grown girl, yet in this aspect, she was as innocent as Ding Yi. It was quite... concerning.

"It’s not that I don’t want to teach you; it’s just not the right time. How about this—when you turn eighteen, I’ll talk with you about it, okay?"

"But you used to ask me to pretend to be a concubine kissing me when I was much younger, and now you’re saying..."

Linlin’s mutter nearly made Zhou Wang fall off the sofa, but she quickly scrunched her nose playfully. "Alright, deal. It’s a promise, brother!"

After sending Linlin back to her homework, Zhou Wang wiped a bead of imaginary sweat from his brow.

True, girls transform a lot from age 15 to 18, and Linlin was no longer the pure and understanding little girl he used to think of... Yes, he also needed to be more disciplined and not let these negative influences cross the line.

...

On the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, an auspicious day for accepting wealth, reopening business, setting up beds, and laying foundations.

On this fortuitous date according to the Chinese almanac, the Wanghai Farewell Society reopened for business after setting off a few firecrackers.

Zhou Wang was still at the entrance chatting with Yang Hao, his cigarette not yet finished, when he was startled by even louder firecrackers going off.

The two of them looked up to see, just across the street, a place that had been shrouded in green cloth and scaffolding. Almost at the same time as them, a flamboyantly decorated storefront unveiled its colorful drapes and opened for business.

Yang Hao was quite taken aback, his cigarette almost burnt out without him noticing, and he dumbfoundedly said,

"Coastal Farewell Society... Brother Dog, is this place what I think it is?"

"If nothing unexpected, it should be."

Zhou Wang paused for a moment, then nodded.