Chapter 129: Opening the Apertures

I returned home and slumped deep into the sofa, staring blankly at the slip of paper in my hand.

Could Xu Shu have had something to say to me? Judging by what she had written, if I didn't call her, then we couldn't even remain friends.

But at this point, whether we were friends or not made little difference. Since I wanted to forget her completely, I didn't possess the high-mindedness to see her or speak with her like a friend without having lingering thoughts.

Therefore, if I wanted to be worthy of Hua Jingjing’s deep affection for me, distancing myself from Xu Shu was necessary. In this world, it is truly difficult to find a man who can stay with Xu Shu for long without falling in love with her.

Besides, calling her now was surely inappropriate, wasn't it? Xu Shu must be happily nestled with Zhang Yalun at this very moment; perhaps they were even caught up in the throes of passion, inseparable and sleeping together. What would I be if I were to call her so abruptly?

It even seemed that Heaven did not intend for me to call her. Otherwise, the sweat on my palms would not have blurred two of the digits in that phone number.

I silently pulled out a cigarette and put it in my mouth. Suddenly, the thought of the intimate things that might be happening between Xu Shu and the Heavenly King Zhang made my heart ache as if pierced by a needle. I knew that at this moment, Xu Shu was still the woman I loved most. I could fool others, but I could not fool myself.

I flicked my lighter and lit the cigarette. Then, I placed the slip of paper into the flame, where it burned instantly. I dropped the remains into the ashtray and watched them turn to ash. I leaned back, burying myself in the sofa, and let out a long breath, thinking, "There, it’s gone. It’s over, finished once and for all."

Suddenly, my phone rang. I pulled it out, pressed the call button, and held it to my ear. "Home so soon?"

"No! I'm debating whether or not to go home!"

"Not going home? Then where are you going?"

"Hmm... I don't know why, but I just don't want to go home tonight. I was thinking, that room at the Prince Hotel is quite comfortable, don't you think?"

I didn't react immediately and asked, foolishly, "Why spend money on a hotel when you have a perfectly good home?"

"You... you really are a blockhead! I don't care, I just like staying at the hotel. You can stay home if you want!" With that, she hung up immediately.

Of course, I understood at once. This was Hua Jingjing’s romantic hint. We had agreed that after returning from Xu Shu’s place, we would find a place to be together.

The result was that, upon returning, I hadn't mentioned a word of it. As a girl—and a virgin at that—how could she have been expected to bring it up first? She had held out until she could no longer stand it, only calling to drop that hint. If I still didn't get it, I wouldn't just be a blockhead; I would be an absolute pig.

I put the phone down, feeling both joy and distress. I loved how straightforward and lovely Hua Jingjing was. With such a wife, what more could a man ask for? The distress came from the fact that I had not yet let go of Xu Shu in my heart, and my conscience made it impossible for me to hurt Hua Jingjing.

It was obvious that Hua Jingjing was waiting for me in that room at the Prince Hotel. If I didn't go, she would certainly be hurt and disappointed. But if I did go, I wouldn't be able to get past this hurdle in my heart.

Should I go or not? I was lost, hesitant, and indecisive.

I stood up and walked to the window, gazing in the direction of Caiyu Mountain. Xu Shu and Zhang Yalun must be happy, right? Of the two good friends, Xu Shu and Hua Jingjing, one had already found happiness, while the other was still waiting.

I remembered promising Hua Jingjing just a short while ago that I would give her happiness. Xu Shu had already found hers; there was no reason Hua Jingjing shouldn't have hers as well. I gradually began to see things clearly. I knew I was a pedantic person, always trying to act with a clear conscience, but often I was too rigid, which made my handling of many situations quite unreasonable.

But Hua Jingjing’s enthusiasm made me realize that sometimes one shouldn't overthink things. To love when one wants to love, to act when one wants to act—that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Most importantly, she was such a lovely girl; what reason did I have to cause her pain and sadness? Xu Shu was already a thing of the past, like a passing cloud. She had her own happiness now. I could not live in her shadow forever; that would be too unfair to Hua Jingjing. She had a right to her happiness, and why couldn't I be the one to give it to her?

Tonight, let everything begin anew! Hua Jingjing would be my only one, and I would give her all my love! I dropped the cigarette butt, turned, and ran out the door.

Jingjing! I’m coming! From tonight on, I will make you the happiest woman in the world!

Ten minutes later, I knocked on the door of Room 2201 at the Prince Hotel. The door opened quickly, and Hua Jingjing threw herself at me, overcome with joy, holding me tightly.

I carried her into the room and closed the door behind us. Then, I whispered, "Jingjing!"

Her face was full of joy and shyness. She rolled her eyes at me and teased, "Dummy! Has the rotten blockhead finally come to his senses?"

I smiled and leaned in, pressing her against the wall by the door, and said softly, "The rotten blockhead hasn't just come to his senses; he wants to be enlightened. Jingjing, tonight... let’s be enlightened..."

Hua Jingjing closed her eyes in bliss and parted her lips. I immediately pressed mine against hers, and soon I was tasting her small, smooth, slippery tongue...

At this moment, I had completely let go; I had no more reservations. My mind was filled only with her. I wanted nothing more than to be with her and create a beautiful life together.

Of course, I didn't hold back. I not only kissed her, but my hands were far from idle, heading straight for the most important parts of her body...

I didn't know how to flirt, and I didn't even understand the structure of women's clothing. Every time I tried to reach in to touch those important areas, I found myself clumsy and unsure of how to proceed. Instead, I only made her laugh, squirming and giggling as she couldn't control the ticklish sensation.

When she laughed, I couldn't continue kissing her. Annoyed, I said, "What are you laughing at? I don't believe this!" I wrapped my arms around her waist, lifted her off the ground, carried her to the bed, and pounced on her like a tiger.

Hua Jingjing gave a muffled sound and quickly cried out, "Tang Qian, wait!"

I stopped and asked, "What's wrong?"

Blushing, Hua Jingjing said, "I... this is my first time, you have to be gentle!"

I responded foolishly, "It’s my first time too, so don't blame me if I’m not very good at it!"

Hua Jingjing burst into a laugh and scolded me, "Blockhead! I give up on you!" Just as I was about to undo her clothes, she pushed my hands away and said softly, "Tonight... we have plenty of time. I will let you get to know me properly. But first, you need to take a shower. Don't you think you smell quite a bit? Besides, tonight is the most important night of our lives. You wouldn't want it to be so sloppy, would you?"

I scratched my head and said, "Is a shower really that much trouble?" Hua Jingjing struggled free from my embrace, got off the bed, walked to the other side, and opened a cabinet. She took out a man's bathrobe from the shelf, handed it to me, and laughed, "Go! Or don't touch me!"

Helpless, I took the robe and walked to the bathroom, grumbling. Suddenly, I turned back and asked, "Are you going to take one too?"

Hua Jingjing tilted her head, her snow-white neck creating an arc that made my heart skip a beat. With a playful look on her face, she said, "Me? Of course I am. Why?"

I tried to tempt her, "How about... we shower together?"

"Hahaha, you lecher, absolutely not!"

Seeing that my attempt failed, I had to pretend to be dejected as I walked into the bathroom, hearing Hua Jingjing’s giggles behind me.

After I showered and changed into the robe, I left my clothes on the chair. I saw a bottle of red wine and two crystal glasses on the small round table, and Hua Jingjing was sitting on another chair, waiting for me.

I walked over, wrapped my arms around her, and laughed, "Where did you get this wine?"

Hua Jingjing said, "I had the hotel waiter bring it up. A 1985 Bordeaux. It’s the witness to our love tonight!" I kissed her cheek and said, "No matter how good the wine is, how could it be better than you?"

Hua Jingjing chuckled, "You smell wonderful now. Wait for me, I’m going to go get all sweet and fragrant, too." She left my arms and walked toward the bathroom. Just as she opened the door, she looked back and said, "Pour the wine! I'll be right back!"

She closed the door and even locked it from the inside, fearing I might pester her. I grabbed the wine bottle from the table and discovered it hadn't been opened yet, but there was a corkscrew on the tray with the glasses.

I could hear the sound of water from the bathroom. As I struggled to pull the cork, I imagined just how enchanting she would look, completely naked.

In the clothes I had left on the chair, my phone began to ring. I put down the bottle and went to find my phone, puzzled. It was the middle of the night; who would be calling me?

I pulled out the phone and froze. The number looked so familiar; it seemed extremely similar to the one Xu Shu had written down for me. Could it be her?

I stared at it for a long time, the phone still ringing. After a moment's thought, I pushed open the glass door, stepped out onto the balcony, and answered. "Hello? Who is this?"

"...It’s me! Are you asleep?" It was indeed Xu Shu's voice.

"Oh, not yet. Is something the matter?"

"...That note, did you read it?"

"Yeah, I read it."

"Then... you no longer consider me a friend? I... I’ve been waiting for your call."

"Is that so? And what about Zhang Yalun? Isn't he with you?"

"Yalun left a while ago. He proposed to me just now, and I... I refused!"

I was shocked. "Refused? Why?"