Chapter 61: Mild Seven

Yu Yuchu shook a snow-white cigarette out of the pack, its pale blue logo stamped discreetly upon it.

"Mild Seven?"

Yu Yuchu raised an eyebrow, then nodded.

She had learned to smoke during her university years. On the night she agreed to be with Shen Wang, she had run out and casually bought a pack of women's cigarettes from some random store.

The shopkeeper had handed her Mild Sevens.

The first cigarette made her eyes stream with tears, the second she started to get used to, and the third she smoked down to the filter.

Her only lingering sensation was how agonizingly slow the process of smoking was.

The time it took for a cigarette to go from being lit to becoming a stub felt immensely long.

But once started, habits easily form.

Later, she bought a pack of Mild Sevens online. She paid a hefty sum in taxes, and the price was vastly different from the random pack she had picked up. It was only after opening them that she realized her first pack had been fake.

Mild Sevens were supposed to be sweet. When smoking them, a faint aroma filled the mouth, and the refreshing sensation of the smoke gently passing through the lungs circulated continuously through the respiratory tract, so much so that before she knew it, the whole cigarette had found its way into her lungs.

The surrounding classmates didn't know. Her roommates didn't know. Even Shen Wang, who spent every day and night with her, didn't know.

Not only did he not know, but he probably couldn't even imagine it.

After all, she had always maintained an obedient exterior. Only she knew that the rebellion deep within her bones could never be worn away.

Smoking allowed her to numb her thoughts to a great extent.

Yu Yuchu fiddled with the cigarette in her hand. "Mild Seven is very smooth. It suits me well."

Pei Jiayin fished his usual lighter out of his pocket.

He walked back into the room and switched off the lights. "In a dark environment, the starlight should be much more distinct."

Yu Yuchu leaned indifferently against the railing. "Generally speaking, the nights when the stars are brightest are the ones without a moon."

Pei Jiayin was the kind of person who was always surrounded by countless admirers, like stars orbiting the moon.

"I actually think the stars are far more dazzling than the moon."

Pei Jiayin's fingers flicked open the lid of the lighter with practiced agility. With a sharp snap, a tongue of flame burst forth, casting its glow across his face. His high bridge of nose cast deep shadows, dividing his features with stark clarity for just a fleeting second before plunging back into the darkness.

Pei Jiayin only lit his own cigarette.

"The moon borrows the light of the sun to become the moon. But the stars burn alone in distant galaxies for an incalculable amount of time, their light traveling across billions of light-years just to finally reach our sight."

"To let such radiance be ignored in vain is simply too much of a pity."

Soon, the acrid smoke drifted into the surrounding air on the evening breeze.

After about the duration of two puffs, Yu Yuchu replied, "It's just a pity that people can only see what is right in front of them. Most people choose to overlook the stars."

Yu Yuchu placed the cigarette between her lips and motioned for Pei Jiayin to lend her his lighter.

"At least I won't."

The flame flared up once more, yet it still failed to reach the tip of Yu Yuchu's cigarette.

Yu Yuchu looked up. Pei Jiayin's eyes reflected the dancing flames, deep emotions swirling within them like a brewing storm.

Pei Jiayin shook his head. "Smoking is hazardous to health."

"That line certainly shouldn't be coming from your mouth."

"I was only joking."

Pei Jiayin put away his lighter, bringing his own cigarette closer instead. The glowing red tip brushed against hers, a patch of charred black slowly spreading between them.

He steadied the cigarette with one finger, while his other hand shielded the flame from the outside wind.

Between their breaths, the burning red met the pristine white.

Yu Yuchu's cigarette was ignited by his.

Their breaths collided, tangling at a distance of mere inches.

Yu Yuchu drew her head back by a step.

That rich fragrance, absent for a whole month, once again lingered around Yu Yuchu's lips.

She felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

In the dead of night in Haishi, the two of them stood about a fist's distance apart, smoking in silent accord.

Amidst the swirling smoke, Yu Yuchu spoke first.

"Pei Jiayin."

"What is it?" he replied.

"I think I might be getting addicted to smoking."

His breathing paused slightly for a moment.

"It doesn't matter," she heard him say.

He finished his cigarette first, grinding the butt into the ashtray. Yu Yuchu didn't smoke any further either, hastily extinguishing her remaining two puffs as well.

Pei Jiayin cast a questioning look her way, his eyes seeming to speak for themselves.

Yu Yuchu's gaze did not waver, landing softly just above Pei Jiayin's lips.

"I want to kiss."

Those four words acted just like the flame of a lighter catching the edge of tobacco, instantly setting Pei Jiayin ablaze.

This time, Yu Yuchu heard no reply from him. Amidst heavy, ragged breaths, he leaned over and captured her lips.

The taste of tobacco.

A faint hint of tar blended into the kiss.

It was not a particularly comfortable sensation.

Yu Yuchu wrapped her arms around Pei Jiayin's waist.

She could feel the tip of his tongue moving with restrained hesitation inside her mouth.

Bit by bit, neither plunging too deeply nor willing to retreat.

She leaned in closer, as if trying to kiss the very rebellion in her bones right into him.

He clearly felt her passion; his large hand climbed up to her waist, sending shivers rippling wherever it touched.

Time slipped away swiftly between them.

Pei Jiayin parted his lips, turned around, pulled Yu Yuchu into his embrace, and pressed a couple more kisses to her lips.

A light touch, refusing to linger—much like smoking without inhaling into the lungs.

Like a towering beast enjoying its evening meal, he bent down once more and scooped Yu Yuchu up into his arms.

Yu Yuchu's field of vision abruptly elevated. Pei Jiayin's strong arms cradled her securely beneath, bearing her weight effortlessly. Startled, Yu Yuchu instinctively threw her arms around his neck.

He carried her into the room and set her down on the table, closing the height difference between them. Yu Yuchu even found herself slightly towering over him now; his rough, short hair was right before her eyes, and the familiar scent of citrus washed over her.

Yu Yuchu cupped Pei Jiayin's face in her hands. His palms braced against the table on either side of her hips, and one of his legs wedged into the space between her thighs.

From her vantage point, the smooth muscle lines of his chest extended downward past his slightly open collar, and the flush of passion on his face moved her deeply.

Yu Yuchu lowered her head to find his lips, clumsily bumping against his teeth, and the metallic taste of rust bloomed between them.

She heard Pei Jiayin's low chuckle rumble from deep within his chest, his voice husky and laced with a provocative hook.

"We have to wake up early tomorrow. Get some rest."

With a sudden lightness, she was picked up by Pei Jiayin once more and laid gently onto the bed.

A sudden panic gripped Yu Yuchu, and she caught hold of his sleeve.

Pei Jiayin looked down at her with a deep, unfathomable gaze that made her skin tingle.

She swallowed hard, flashing through countless excuses to make him stay, before deciding on a hasty plea.

"I... I'm scared."

A smile crept onto Pei Jiayin's face.

Yu Yuchu's face flushed a brilliant crimson.

What a pathetic excuse.

"I'll stay." Pei Jiayin pulled the duvet up from beside Yu Yuchu and tucked her in properly.