WIFTY - 50

Me too.
— Zhang Lurang

Su Zaizai’s mind fluttered, obediently accepting his kiss.

Eventually, she couldn’t resist taking the initiative and tugged at his tongue, sucking gently.

Their wet lips entwined continuously, each capturing the other’s breath.

After a while, the grip in Zhang Lurang’s hand slowly relaxed.

He licked her lower lip as if reluctant to let go, resting his forehead against hers, lowering his eyes to gaze into hers.

The room filled with an atmosphere of intimacy that spread outward.

Because of the prolonged kiss, Su Zaizai’s lips turned bright red, shimmering with moisture.

She instinctively licked her lips, savoring the taste.

Soon, Su Zaizai’s eyelashes fluttered, and the hand supporting her body from the floor lifted to hook around his neck.

Zhang Lurang’s dark eyes were deep, flickering faint flames at the bottom.

He remained still, seemingly allowing her actions.

The next moment, Su Zaizai leaned forward again, biting his lip.

A flicker of struggle flashed in Zhang Lurang’s eyes, but he quickly pulled her away.

Su Zaizai blinked innocently: “What are you doing?”

He immediately turned his head, his expression looking like he was fleeing in panic.

“It’s late; I’ll take you back.”

Su Zaizai was bewildered, murmuring: “…I haven’t even gotten a taste yet, have I?”

Zhang Lurang pretended not to hear, repeating: “Go home.”

“How can this be!” Su Zaizai widened her eyes, instantly displeased. “I said I would control myself, but only if you don’t tempt me! How can you tempt me and then…”

“...”

“I really don’t know how to describe how I feel right now.”

Zhang Lurang didn’t know what to say either, his voice carrying a hint of pleading.

“…Let’s go home, it’s almost eleven.”

“Always like this, I’m afraid I’ll become frigid later,” Su Zaizai huffed, muttering, “When that happens, you’ll be the one who suffers. Think it over yourself.”

“...”

After issuing her threat, Su Zaizai looked at him seriously.

“So, are you going to let me stay a little longer or make me suffer?”

Zhang Lurang’s Adam’s apple bobbed, the throbbing sensation between his legs growing stronger.

Soon, he lowered his eyes, gritting his teeth: “My uncle is coming back.”

Su Zaizai immediately backed down: “Then I’ll go back.”

She stood up, thought for a moment, and said: “You don’t need to come out; you just took a shower, don’t catch a cold.”

Zhang Lurang seemed not to hear her, standing up and walking toward the wardrobe.

He opened the wardrobe door and froze. His expression vacant, lost in thought.

Su Zaizai asked curiously: “What’s wrong with you?”

Zhang Lurang snapped back to reality, his previously labored breathing gradually calming.

He then took out a military green coat from the wardrobe, putting it on, and retrieved a pure black scarf from one of the drawers.

Zhang Lurang walked back to Su Zaizai, leisurely wrapping the scarf around her neck.

Su Zaizai obediently stood there, staring into his slightly bent face, drawing closer.

Drenched, as if having been ravished, sparkling with dewy light.

Zhang Lurang silently adjusted the scarf, his movements gentle, careful not to choke her neck.

His expression was focused and tender, instantly turning the room’s atmosphere warm and quiet.

Soon, Zhang Lurang smoothed her hair and led her outside.

As soon as the door opened, Susu, who had been lying outside, immediately sprang up, wagging its tail affectionately.

Zhang Lurang glanced at it and softly said: “Go to sleep.”

After stepping out of the house.

The cold wind soothed the heat within Zhang Lurang.

He suddenly remembered what happened earlier and turned to look at Su Zaizai.

“In the future, tell me in advance if you want to visit.”

Don’t stand in the wind.

“And in the future, dry your hair before going out.”

Don’t get sick.

After escorting her to the building downstairs, Zhang Lurang was about to leave when Su Zaizai immediately grabbed his wrist. Her touch was cool and soft.

“Rang Rang, I haven’t told you my New Year’s wish yet.”

Zhang Lurang tugged at the corner of his mouth, looking at her with an expectant expression.

“Before marrying you.”

“My New Year’s wish every year has been this:”

“Su Zaizai will marry Zhang Lurang.”

I have been eagerly hoping for this day and night.

I hope that heaven and you will both help me.

________________________________________

A few days later.

Just as Zhang Lurang was about to leave to watch a movie with Su Zaizai, he received a call from Zhang Luli.

As he walked out the door, he picked up the phone.

Zhang Luli’s voice came through the receiver, carrying a hint of fatigue, hoarse and deep: “Brother.”

Hearing his tone, Zhang Lurang paused his steps and softly asked: “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not coming to study where you are.”

“Mm.”

“There’s an opportunity in my department to study abroad, and Mom and Dad want me to apply for it.”

Zhang Lurang fell silent for a moment, then indifferently said: “You shouldn’t always listen to their opinions.”

“It’s not just that,” Zhang Luli slowly continued. “I don’t really have any ideas either. They’ve always made decisions for me, and I’ve grown lazy to think for myself.”

“...”

“I know it’s not good, but I’ve gotten used to it.”

Zhang Lurang sighed: “Ali.”

“Studying abroad is fine too, at least,” Zhang Luli hesitated, “it won’t be like this anymore.”

Both of them suddenly fell quiet.

After a long moment, Zhang Luli spoke, his voice trembling slightly: “Brother, I haven’t been very happy either…”

“...”

“They always control everything I do. When they see outsiders, they boast about me nonstop. If I make a small mistake, they magnify it endlessly in their eyes.”

Zhang Lurang’s Adam’s apple moved, suppressing the bitterness in his heart.

The bond between siblings—just one sentence could shatter all defenses, leaving one utterly defeated.

“I dare not make any mistakes, nor do I dare complain to you.”

“I’m afraid you’ll think I’m boasting…”

“I argued with them. They said I shouldn’t follow your example, always opposing our parents’ words.”

Zhang Luli’s voice carried a hint of choking up.

“But I also want to get far away.”

To escape far away according to my own wishes.

I’ve always wanted to.

________________________________________

Soon, Zhang Luli adjusted his emotions.

His voice suddenly brightened again, filled with clarity and infectious enthusiasm.

“Hahaha, Brother, don’t worry about Mom coming to find you. She told me that if you don’t return, she doesn’t plan on seeing you.”

Zhang Lurang hadn’t fully recovered from his earlier words and responded faintly.

“I don’t know what they’re thinking, but I guess they didn’t mean to harm you; just their methods were wrong.” Zhang Luli vaguely continued, quickly changing the subject. “Once I receive my professor’s recommendation letter, I’ll prepare to go abroad.”

“Understood.”

Just one word, unclear which statement he was responding to.

After a brief silence.

Zhang Luli suddenly said: “I didn’t mean it back then. I’m sorry.”

An apology years later.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lurang lowered his eyes, his lips curving into a smile, pretending not to understand.

“When?”

Zhang Luli on the other end chuckled, relieved: “It’s alright.”

In those past few years, neither of them had been happy.

Therefore, neither had the right to blame the other.

________________________________________

After hanging up, Zhang Lurang calmed himself down, raised his foot again, and headed toward Su Zaizai’s apartment building.

From afar, he saw her running over, her face radiant with a bright smile.

Su Zaizai rushed into his arms, her laughter reaching the corners of her eyes.

She seemed to be in a great mood and even brought back her old nickname for him.

“Beautiful man, let’s go to the dark cinema to hold hands!”

Zhang Lurang smiled, replying with a simple “Okay.”

That boy in his memory.

The Zhang Lurang who felt inferior upon hearing Ali’s name when receiving calls from his parents had unknowingly disappeared without a trace.

Fate always has its own plans.

All the hardships fate had dealt him were merely paving the way for the future.

To let him meet someone.

Because of this, Zhang Lurang began to believe.

There must be something beautiful in everyone’s life.

His was so simple, only three words.

Three cherished words that lingered on his lips, unwilling to let go.

“Su Zaizai.”