Then Don't Leave

Hearing the system's notification, Su Yang smiled imperceptibly.

—Just 10 more points, almost there.

—If it weren't for that damn firework earlier, I’d definitely have hit 80!

The Half Moon Bay Resort Hotel was located in the outskirts of Qingxi City, surrounded by local villagers. Fireworks going off late at night were a common and unavoidable occurrence here.

Just then, a phone rang. Meng Qianyu pulled it out and answered.

"Hey, sis."

Pan Ning's voice came through the other end.

"Why aren’t you back yet?"

"Uh... there was a little accident..."

"What happened?"

"I was walking with Su Yang in a garden, and I twisted my ankle. We’re in the hotel lobby now."

After a brief silence, Pan Ning replied, "Is it serious?"

"Not really, I’ll be back soon~"

"Alright, hurry up."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Su Yang asked, "Pan Ning?"

"Yeah, she’s rushing me to go back."

"Then let’s go. Here, I’ll carry you."

"Okay~"

Su Yang stood up, bent down in front of Meng Qianyu, and hoisted her onto his back.

A hotel staff member approached from the front desk. "Sir, would you like me to call the shuttle driver for you?"

Su Yang shook his head. "No need, it’s late—no point bothering anyone. It’s not far, I’ll walk."

"Alright~"

With a smile, Su Yang carried Meng Qianyu out of the hotel lobby.

For the rest of the way, Meng Qianyu rested quietly on his back, lost in thought.

Su Yang didn’t break the delicate silence either—sometimes, walking in quiet companionship was its own kind of perfection.

In moments like these, emotions between men and women could deepen unexpectedly.

For most women, the easiest way to win their affection was simple: make them feel safe, then make them rely on you.

From the bear incident to tonight’s ankle injury, Su Yang had firmly cemented himself in Meng Qianyu’s mind as someone who provided unwavering security.

And without realizing it, she had already started depending on him.

So even if Su Yang did nothing in the coming days, her fondness for him would continue to grow.

As far as the system’s task was concerned, it was practically complete.

Of course, if a guy wanted to speed up the process, there was one crucial prerequisite: he had to be handsome!

Combine that with a series of touching gestures, and the affection points would skyrocket naturally.

Soon, Su Yang carried Meng Qianyu into the villa area.

She finally spoke up. "Su Yang, you can just put me down at the gate. I’ll go in by myself."

"Can you walk?"

"I should be fine."

Su Yang chuckled. "Nah, might as well finish what I started. I’ll take you inside."

"But..."

"But what?"

"My sister’s still awake..."

Su Yang grinned. "What, you’re scared she’ll see?"

Meng Qianyu stammered, "It’s not that, just... ugh, fine, carry me in then."

"Alright~"

The last stretch wasn’t far. Soon, Su Yang reached the entrance of Villa No. 17.

"Do you have your key card?"

"Yep~" Meng Qianyu fished a card out of her back pocket and handed it to him.

Su Yang took it, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.

The living room lights were still on. Su Yang glanced around. "Which room’s yours?"

"Second floor~"

"Got it."

They made their way upstairs.

Click.

A door at the end of the hallway opened, and Pan Ning stepped out in her pajamas.

At the sight before her, she froze for a second before rushing over.

"Is it that bad? Where did you hurt yourself?"

"It’s nothing, just a twisted ankle."

Pan Ning looked down at the medicated patch on Meng Qianyu’s right ankle. "Did you get this at the lobby?"

"Mm-hmm~"

Su Yang smiled faintly. "Let’s save the chat for later. Your room’s the one inside, right?"

"Yeah."

"Okay." Su Yang adjusted his grip and carried Meng Qianyu down the hall.

Pan Ning hurried ahead to open the door.

Once inside, Su Yang set Meng Qianyu down on the bed and exhaled.

"Here’s another patch—put it on when you wake up tomorrow."

He pulled a spare from his bag and handed it to her.

Meng Qianyu’s cheeks flushed as she looked up at him gratefully. "Thanks for everything, Su Yang. Sorry for keeping you out so late."

"Don’t worry about it. I’ll head back now—you two get some rest."

As he turned to leave, he shot Pan Ning a playful wink.

"Wait for me outside," Pan Ning said flatly.

"Sure~"

"Goodnight, Su Yang~"

"Night."

Su Yang walked out, closing the door behind him.

Two minutes later, Pan Ning emerged.

She must’ve gotten the full story by now. Looking at Su Yang, she said calmly, "Thanks."

Su Yang tilted his head. "Since when do you thank me?"

"It’s from Qianyu."

"No big deal. She’s been thanking me the whole way back."

"Fine. Go home then."

Su Yang blinked. "That’s it?"

"What else?"

"You called me out here just to say thanks?"

"What, you expected more?"

"Tch. I thought you were gonna ask me to stay the night~" Su Yang teased.

"Then don’t leave. Come inside with me."

"Huh?" That caught him off guard.

He’d only been joking, but Pan Ning had turned the tables.

"Uh... maybe another time. We can talk more when I get back. This place is full of girls—if they hear anything, it’d be awkward~~"

Pan Ning rolled her eyes. "Then go to sleep already!"

"Alright, I’m off. Rest well."

"Wait—"

Su Yang had barely turned when Pan Ning called out again.

"What’s up?"

He looked back to see her stepping closer, hands behind her back.

"Bend down a little."

"Bend down?" Su Yang frowned slightly but obliged.

Mwah.

Without warning, Pan Ning stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips.

Su Yang’s eyes widened. "You—??"

"What, not happy?"

"No, just... didn’t see that coming."

Pan Ning glared. "Now get going."

"Alright, I’m leaving."

"Go!"

Su Yang turned away, still dazed.

This was completely unexpected. He knew Pan Ning’s personality inside out—this kind of behavior seemed impossible for her.

Yet here she was, catching him completely off guard.

With a quiet laugh, Su Yang hurried downstairs and exited the villa. After gently closing the gate, he headed next door to Villa No. 18.

The moment he stepped inside, he froze.

A shadowy figure stood in the living room, tilting their head back as they drank something.

Su Yang narrowed his eyes. "Who’s there?"

Click.

The lights flicked on.

Liu Bo was standing by the coffee table, drinking a Coke.

"Yang-ge?" Liu Bo turned his head in surprise. "Where did you go so late at night?"

"What are you doing sitting in the dark?"

"I was thirsty, so I came down to use the bathroom... wait, no—I mean, I had to pee, so I came down, and then I grabbed a Coke while I was at it."

"Don’t you have a bathroom in your room?"

"Mine doesn’t have one~"

Liu Bo defended himself before pressing on. "Hey, don’t change the subject. Where’d you go alone this late?"

Su Yang walked over with a smile. "Nowhere special. Qianyu asked me to take a walk with her."

"Oh, really? Yang-ge... don’t tell me you’ve already won over little Qianyu?"

"Cut the nonsense. She just couldn’t sleep and wanted some company."

Su Yang sat down on the sofa, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. "Want one?"

"Sure." Liu Bo took the cigarette and settled beside him.

"So, spill it. What did you two do?" Liu Bo grinned.

"Nothing much. Just wandered around, ended up in a garden... Wait, hold on." Su Yang suddenly stood up, frowning as he scrutinized Liu Bo.

"You... you went out too?"

......