“Whoa! There’s a water coaster over there too! Wen Shu, let’s go ride it later, okay?” Bai Tingting turned around excitedly to look at Wen Shu. Everything around her looked fun—she wanted to try it all.
The rafting ride started from the top of the mountain. They’d taken a special shuttle bus up from the base, but neither of them had expected so many attractions waiting at the summit.
Wen Shu nodded. “Sure.” He wasn’t picky about what they did, and thankfully, nothing here scared him.
Once they had their life jackets on, a staff member ushered them toward an inflatable raft. It had just two seats—perfect for them—and they were each given a paddle. As soon as everyone in the group was geared up, the staff began pushing the rafts one by one into the stream using long sticks.
The current wasn’t too fast, but it was clear the river was naturally formed. It wound around in sharp curves, and large rocks jutted up from the water. If you hit one the wrong way, your head could get jerked back. Bai Tingting got tossed around like a rag doll. Wen Shu, luckily, was able to keep his balance better.
By the time they drifted all the way down to the foot of the mountain, Bai Tingting’s neck felt like it had been beaten. She groaned, rubbing it. “I bet if someone came here with neck problems, they’d be cured after one ride!”
Thankfully, they’d brought a change of clothes. The river had drenched them from head to toe—completely soaked.
Looking at her spare outfit, Bai Tingting frowned. “We can’t go on the water coaster now. We’ve only got one change of clothes, and if we ride that, we’ll get wet again with nothing dry left to wear.”
“Then let’s head back,” Wen Shu said. He wasn’t particularly attached to any of the rides anyway.
Bai Tingting looked a little taken aback. She hadn’t expected Wen Shu to be so quick to call it a day. Awkwardly, she said, “Alright, then let’s go back in a bit,” and headed off to rinse off in the showers. She had really hoped to explore more.
But the real reason Wen Shu wanted to leave so soon… was because he missed Mu Fu. From the moment the rafting started, he’d been thinking about how fun it would’ve been if Mu Fu were there with him.
And now that he had a reason to go back, he was secretly thrilled—he might get to see if she had come home yet.
In his heart, Wen Shu silently wished that Mu Fu’s date with Bian Jincheng wasn’t going well. If things went badly, maybe they’d come home early.
When Wen Shu and Bai Tingting returned to the small courtyard, they found that everyone except Fan Xinjie and Fang Yuhang had already come back. The moment Wen Shu stepped inside, the tense expression he’d worn all day finally relaxed.
Everyone was gathered in the living room. Mu Fu and Bian Jincheng were playing a game of Jenga. Hearing the door open, Mu Fu glanced up at the two slowly entering the room, then looked back down and continued the game with Bian Jincheng.
She reminded the distracted Bian Jincheng, “Your turn.”
“Ah, right. I was just thinking about which block to pull,” Bian Jincheng replied casually. Mu Fu didn’t call him out for the fact that he’d clearly been staring at Wen Shu just a second ago.
“Well? Which one are you choosing? You’re about to lose, you know.” They were playing a fifteen-layer tower, and most of the bottom blocks had already been taken out.
Bian Jincheng grinned. “I’ll take one from the top.” He removed a block—successfully. The tower held. Seeing that Mu Fu had put all her focus on the game, Bian Jincheng felt a little more at ease. This way, she wouldn’t have time to dwell on Wen Shu.
He had overheard part of their conversation earlier that morning. He watched Mu Fu quietly, emotions swirling in his chest. He didn’t want her attention drifting back to Wen Shu—and even more, he didn’t want to give them any chance to reconcile.
Wen Shu had only caught her attention because of his face. That was all. With that thought, a shadow passed through Bian Jincheng’s eyes.
Meanwhile, Wen Shu, upon seeing Mu Fu and Bian Jincheng sitting close and playing the game together, instantly turned cold. His sharp gaze fell on Bian Jincheng like a blade. Sensing the hostility, Bian Jincheng turned to meet Wen Shu’s eyes.
A silent standoff unfolded between the two men, neither willing to back down. Only when Mu Fu’s voice called Bian Jincheng back did the tension temporarily break.
“Bian Jincheng, I think I’m going to win!” Mu Fu beamed, her smile as sweet and soft as a ripe peach—irresistible. The tower looked like it was about to topple. Watching her delight, Bian Jincheng smiled warmly. If it meant seeing her smile like that, losing the game didn’t matter at all.
But before the game could end, Xie Shirui called Mu Fu away. Once she left, Wen Shu casually took the seat across from Bian Jincheng—exactly where Mu Fu had been sitting.
Without much thought, he pulled out a block. Crash. The tower collapsed instantly.
Bian Jincheng sensed the provocation. He locked eyes with Wen Shu, a predator sizing up his rival.
But Wen Shu didn’t flinch. He simply stood up, not even glancing at the mess—as if he’d only come to knock it down in the first place.
Watching him walk away, Bian Jincheng pressed his lips into a tight line.
Back in his room, Wen Shu left the door slightly ajar, just enough to hear when Mu Fu returned. He couldn’t stop replaying the image of her laughing with Bian Jincheng. That subtle closeness. That effortless comfort. A sense of urgency rose within him. Even if it meant tearing open old wounds, he had to make things right with her.
As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting warm amber light, Mu Fu finally came back. She was unlocking the door, keys clinking softly in her hand.
Wen Shu shot up and stepped out. “Mu Fu,” he called.
She turned back. “Hmm?”
He’d had so much to say—lines rehearsed in his mind—but when he saw her, nothing came out. He gave an awkward smile. “You’re back.”
“That’s what you stopped me for?”
He took a deep breath. His thoughts were tangled, a mess. Then, carefully choosing his words, he said, “There’s something I need to tell you.” His gaze met hers—serious, sincere.
Mu Fu turned fully to face him and said softly, “Let’s talk somewhere else.”
She opened the door and gestured for him to come in. Wen Shu glanced at Mu Fu, then stepped inside. She followed and quietly closed the door behind them.
“Make yourself comfortable,” she said, walking over to get herself a glass of water. She was parched—she’d just spent hours out shopping with Xie Shirui. “Want some water?” she offered.
“I’m good,” he replied, tense from head to toe. Thirst wasn’t even on his radar.
Mu Fu shrugged. “Alright.” She poured another glass, then slowly sat across from him. “So… what did you want to tell me?” Her eyes were calm, steady.
Wen Shu licked his dry lips nervously before speaking. “Mu Fu… I really like you. But it’s tearing me up inside.”
Mu Fu chuckled lightly. “Liking me is causing you pain?”
He couldn’t meet her eyes. He looked down, fingers nervously intertwined. “Yes.”
“Then maybe just stop liking me?”
At that, Wen Shu’s head shot up, eyes intense. “I tried. I really did. But I can’t. My heart and my body—every part of me keeps thinking about you, missing you.”
Mu Fu averted her gaze, overwhelmed by the depth of his stare. She turned her head slightly and murmured, “Then wouldn’t being with me solve that problem?”
Her words hit Wen Shu like a jolt. He suddenly buried his head in his hands, anguish flooding his face. “I want to be with you. I want it more than anything. But I can’t make you happy… I—I can’t perform…”
For a man to admit something so deeply vulnerable to the woman he loves—it meant he was ready to let her see every corner of his soul.
Mu Fu’s expression turned serious. “Are you being honest?” If that was true… then everything—from his actions in this life to their past—finally made sense. And deep down, Mu Fu believed him.
Wen Shu covered his face with both hands, unable to look at Mu Fu’s expression. He was terrified of seeing disgust or revulsion in her eyes. “It’s true.”
After saying that, Wen Shu thought bitterly—she’ll probably block me from her life after this.
Suddenly, a force slammed into him, knocking him onto the couch. If it hadn’t been just the two of them there, he might’ve instinctively struck back—his body reacting out of reflex from training.
He stared, stunned, at Mu Fu, who had landed on top of him. Flustered, he stammered, “Y-you need to get off. This… this isn’t good.” He tried to pull her off.
But Mu Fu didn’t budge. Instead, she clung to him even tighter, like a conjoined twin—completely inseparable. “I’m not getting off!” Her eyes locked onto his with unwavering determination, tinged with a hint of longing.
Wen Shu stopped struggling and fell silent. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. He looked up at her with conflicted eyes. When she felt he had stopped pushing her away, Mu Fu slowly lowered her head and kissed his firm lips.
Wen Shu’s eyes flew open in shock. The entire scene seemed to replay in his mind on an endless loop. She actually kissed me! She really kissed me!
A wave of heat surged through his body. His skin flushed, especially his face and ears. Even with his naturally tanned complexion, he couldn’t hide his embarrassment. Almost involuntarily, he responded to her kiss. Her lips were soft and sweet—just the way he’d imagined them.
Only when she felt the hardness pressing against her did Mu Fu stop. Her lips were now full and glistening from the passionate kiss, and her cheeks glowed with a rosy blush.
With a shy look, she whispered, “Didn’t you say it doesn’t work down there?” She could clearly feel its strength and readiness.
Only then did Wenshu understand her intentions. He turned his head in embarrassment, unable to meet her gaze. “It only reacts… when I’m with you.”
“You’ve never had a reaction with anyone else?”
There was a pause before Wen Shu quietly answered, “No. Never.”
Axolotl Translations 
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