On Tiptoe

The streetlights in the residential complex were always on. During holidays, parents would bring their children to play underneath them—jump rope, badminton, shuttlecock kicking, or a few kids huddled together watching one child play on a phone.

Today wasn't a holiday; everyone needed to rest. There was almost no one downstairs in the complex. Occasionally, someone did pass by, but it was only a delivery rider hurrying to the elevator.

Xia Yanchun was lying on Shen Nian's back, feeling somewhat shy. At first, she didn't dare to look up, but after walking for a while and seeing no one around, she finally dared to keep her gaze forward, her small hands lightly gripping Shen Nian's shoulders.

Shen Nian hadn't spoken the whole time. Even when she bit his ear, he just tensed his neck a little. The faint trace of moisture was still visible on his earlobe.

Xia Yanchun secretly pinched it, wiping her own saliva clean. Her fingertip was damp, so she smeared it on Shen Nian's neck.

"Hurry back, don't wander around anymore..."

"Haven't finished carrying you around the whole block yet. What if next time you think I can't do it again?"

"I never thought you couldn't do it!"

"You clearly did. You never believe anything I say, always think I'm boasting. I have to prove myself."

"Are you an idiot? Prove what? How old are you, acting like a kid!"

Shen Nian adjusted the soft, petite person on his back, letting her settle her weight onto him. "No way. Who told you not to believe me? Since I'm already carrying you, I'm definitely taking you around the block no matter what."

"Stubborn to death, you are." Xia Yanchun grumbled. It seemed Shen Nian wouldn't give up until he had walked her around the complex.

Really, no way to deal with him... just like when they were kids, and now too...

Wearing thick clothes, Xia Yanchun could press her upper body completely against Shen Nian's back, not worrying at all about him taking advantage.

Shen Nian hadn't showered, but she could still catch a faint scent from him—not fragrant, not foul, but comfortable to smell.

Was it the same feeling when Shen Nian sniffed around her like a little puppy?

Her hands went from gripping Shen Nian's shoulders to loosely encircling his neck. Xia Yanchun let out a breath; her heart was beating fast. Shen Nian's body heat wafted from his collar, warming her face, making her feel like she was blooming.

Whenever they occasionally bumped into someone, she would bury her face. As long as others couldn't see her, it was Shen Nian who would be embarrassed.

People would only remember it was Shen Nian carrying a girl around late at night, and wouldn't know she was the one being carried. Later, she could even blend into the crowd, gossiping about that high schooler who carried someone around late at night, laughing at how silly, foolish, and goofy that high schooler was.

"Should we buy some fruit to take back and eat?"

"It's so late, what fruit? Buy it tomorrow."

"Alright. Almost done with the loop. Do you believe your buddy is awesome now?"

Xia Yanchun was taken aback, realizing belatedly that Shen Nian had already walked for so long?

This complex usually felt like a long walk just to fetch a package. Walking a full loop was clearly much farther, yet the time spent felt so short, so brief...

Xia Yanchun hugged a little tighter. "Does carrying me around the block make you very proud?"

"Just so-so. You're pretty heavy."

"You're the heavy one."

"Well, that's true. Okay, get down."

Shen Nian bent down, carefully letting the girl stand on the ground.

Carrying a hundred-pound person around the block wasn't much of a problem for him. He could have done it without even getting out of breath, but in front of Xia Yanchun, he still had to act a bit strained.

Hehe, the crying child gets the candy.

Shen Nian looked at Xia Yanchun expectantly, just waiting for Haki Chun to speak.

Thinking about Haki Chun giving him a hefty reward, Shen Nian couldn't help but hum lightly.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, Xia Yanchun blinked her almond-shaped eyes. "Why are you looking at me instead of pressing the elevator button?"

"Whew, exhausted, exhausted. Hey, did you ever ride those kiddie rides before? The ones that rock for a while for a dollar. Kinda miss them. Could actually ride for just a dollar back then."

"What are you talking about?"

Shen Nian scratched his head. Haki Chun didn't even get this?

He just wanted to remind Xia Yanchun that even kiddie rides cost a dollar to rock you around. He had carried Xia Yanchun for so long, surely she should give some kind of acknowledgment, right?

He was just greedy for wealth and lustful, not a bad person. Money wasn't a big deal, but as for the 'lust' part... could she give a little?

Shen Nian gestured animatedly, hemming and hawing, not knowing how to hint at her. Just as he was about to get straight to the point, Xia Yanchun chuckled again.

Her eyes curved, covering her mouth as she teased, "Do you want a reward?"

Ahem, what? You've misunderstood. But if you're planning to give one, I won't refuse either. Refusing a girl's kindness isn't my style.

"Sugar got you."

Damn, scolding again?" Shen Nian was angry at Ding Han.

After all the hard work carrying her around the whole block, all he got in return was a 'sugar got you'. Shen Nian felt his nose itch, as if a little red ball was about to grow.

"That's just how it is. I only wanted you to carry me to here. You were the one who insisted on going around the block. And now you want a reward... That's just your own wishful thinking. Things aren't that good."

Betrayed. Let's just be arch-enemies then. Later, we'll each take the elevator separately. I'll go first, you after.

"I'll go first! You take the next one!" Xia Yanchun refused to yield. "Didn't you say refusing girls isn't your style? Are you having a mental struggle now?"

Shen Nian was speechless, momentarily choked up. The elevator door opened, and he stepped in first, coughing twice. "Chun Bao is right. It's getting late, time to go home and sleep. I'll make you congee tomorrow."

That's more like it!

Xia Yanchun's expression remained unchanged on the surface, all mature and sister-like, not stooping to argue with childish people, but in her heart, she was already humming and blooming little flowers.

She stepped into the elevator, pressed the button for both their floors. After a moment of feeling heavy, the elevator door opened again.

Everything was fine before getting on the elevator, but when getting off, two of her fingers were already pulled into Shen Nian's palm.

Xia Yanchun didn't mind, really. If she didn't let him play with her hand a bit, he'd find some other way to take advantage anyway.

My younger brother is bad, and my older sister is good.

"Goodnight." Shen Nian took out his keys to open the door, exchanging goodnights with Xia Yanchun as usual.

But unexpectedly, today there was no response, nor the sound of a zipper being pulled or keys opening a door.

Shen Nian looked back. Xia Yanchun was clutching the strap of her backpack, with her back to her own door, facing his direction, but her gaze was fixed elsewhere.

"What's up? If you want to sleep with me, you can just say it."

"Definitely don't want that."

Xia Yanchun mumbled, took a deep breath, opened her arms, lowered her face, and hugged into Shen Nian's chest. "Thank you for carrying me around the whole block. Satisfied now?"

His embrace was fragrant. Shen Nian's large hands also rose, enveloping Xia Yanchun in his arms, his nose buried in the girl's hair. He didn't make a sound, just honestly enjoyed Xia Yanchun's hug for a moment.

"Mmm, let go..." Feeling the hug getting tighter and tighter, Xia Yanchun nuzzled against Shen Nian's chest.

Shen Nian ruffled her fluffy hair, leaned his forehead against hers, and narrowed his eyes. Because of their height difference, the tip of his nose just touched Xia Yanchun's.

Whenever Shen Nian did this, Xia Yanchun understood. Her breathing grew increasingly rapid, and her hands began to push lightly against Shen Nian's chest.

Guided by Shen Nian, they slowly melted into one another, and she couldn't help but rise onto her tiptoes.

Yan Xi reminds you: Due to Tomato's request for over three million daily visits causing excessive server pressure, it is now recommended that you use sources from other major providers.