Love Variety Show: The despised me exploded in popularity

The subtle curve of her chest rose and fell with her breath.

They knew each other, and being together in silence was not awkward. Lin Wanzhou did not find his gaze offensive; it felt more like a hazy emotion.

His gaze swiftly shifted away and did not sweep over that area again.

He inquired about Lin Wanzhou's confidence in topping the next exam, but she couldn't remember her own response. She had no concept of the future, having drifted from place to place since childhood.

The two listened to music across a table, one earphone for each, with the MP4 containing dozens of songs placed in the center of the square table. The rain poured heavily, and the songs in the earphones rotated one after another.

The downpour continued outside the door, and he yawned, half-asleep with his head resting on the table.

The light was dim, and Lin Wanzhou rested her hands on the table, nearly finished with her homework. Staring at the fair-browed boy, she thought of his almost daring look, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.

An idea surfaced in her mind unbidden—If he were asleep... could she kiss him?

She snapped back to reality.

Outside the bell tower, a dense crowd had gathered, and people around her were already shouting the countdown. "Fifty-nine... fifty-six," the noise suddenly became louder.

She glanced in Qi Ting's direction, who appeared to be trapped and unable to move.

"Do you want to take a photo?"

"Ah?" Lin Wanzhou was a bit nervous, perhaps because of the thought she just had, and nodded subconsciously, "Sure, my phone is in my bag."

She took out her phone and turned on the camera, only to realize it wasn't high enough. The people in front had climbed onto a higher spot, standing on what seemed to be short pillars, blocking the view.

"Let me help you take the picture," Xu Qingyan offered, taking her phone which had a glaze case with a red strawberry on it, "If we take it like this..."

He raised the phone up high, leveraging his height to perfectly capture the countdown screen. Some people raised their hands, ready to release balloons at the final moment.

"Twenty-nine, twenty-eight..."

Lin Wanzhou stood beside him, watching as he raised his hand ready to take the picture. As the countdown diminished, that thought crossed her mind again.

The hazy light cast upon his face, and Lin Wanzhou's heart beat faster and faster.

"Ten, nine, eight..."

Her heart felt like it would burst out, torn with hesitation and convincing herself over and over. The countdown reached its climax, and the last few shouts, "three, two, one," almost hammered on her heart.

"Happy New Year!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, and the balloons soared into the air.

Xu Qingyan had just pressed the camera button when he suddenly felt a tug on his clothing. Lowering his gaze, he saw Lin Wanzhou had removed her mask, her cheeks flushed from stuffiness.

Her bright eyes were misty as she seemed to say something, her lips moving, but before Xu Qingyan could make out the shape of her words—

Suddenly pulled forward, he involuntarily leaned at an angle.

Lin Wanzhou, standing on tiptoes, came at just the right angle to meet his lips with a twist. The cool touch of lips met in a moment, initiating a kiss flavored with the tang of lime.

The cheers for the New Year continued unabated, perhaps due to the crowd. Lin Wanzhou's kiss was rushed and chaotic; a slight touch turned her flushed face away.

Xu Qingyan was still stunned, and reached out to turn her face back toward him, laughing without mirth.

"What is this... a new trick?"

Lin Wanzhou looked down, her face red, uttering a phrase that was drowned out in the festive tides.

Seeing the crowd, Xu Qingyan thoughtfully put her mask back on. He glanced around for Qi Ting's position, then led Lin Wanzhou away from the scene early, for staying any longer amidst the throng would make it difficult to leave.

He hurried Lin Wanzhou out with one hand; if passersby caught a kiss and spread it, it would certainly have an impact. However, for a singer-songwriter, the impact wouldn't be too great.

Lin Wanzhou's good looks attracted many fans; she looked clear and cool, like the girl next door.

Xu Qingyan's eyelid twitched, recalling the feeling of that kiss bestowed upon him, a tingling sensation starting in his heart. The first taste was of lime, followed by a wave of warmth.

It reminded him of the perennially damp small town where after a torrential rain, under the green trees was exactly that aroma.

They met up with Qi Ting, who had nothing in her hands, wearing a bitter expression.

"That wasn't a balloon seller."

"Then why did you still go, let's get out of here," Xu Qingyan urged, "There are too many people here. If we don't leave soon, we might have to walk."

Having found Qi Ting, Xu Qingyan released Lin Wanzhou's hand.

Qi Ting, linking arms with Lin Wanzhou, noticed she was burning up and gave her a puzzled look. Seeing Lin Wanzhou with a flustered gaze and relentless blushing—

Oh~~, she understood there was a situation.

The trio walked against the flow of people along the crowded section, with Xu Qingyan commenting on the crowd as if they were dumplings in a pot. Fortunately, they eventually made their way out and heaved a sigh of relief upon entering the car.

But then came the long wait in traffic congestion. Xu Qingyan occasionally replied to Pei Muchan's messages while parked. They were still out shopping, even past midnight.

Shen Jinyue, the typical college student, loved to play and should be heading back by now. The post-New Year's atmosphere became quieter, and most people wouldn't continue roaming around in the wee hours. Enjoy new tales from My Virtual Library Empire

It was around one o'clock when he dropped her off at the hotel; Qi Ting swiped her card to enter the room. Lin Wanzhou went in then hurried out again, with Xu Qingyan waiting at the end of the hallway.

"What's wrong?"

The corridor was bathed in a soft amber light.

"Back then, I was a bit..." Lin Wanzhou, with her hands clasped behind her back, tried to explain the New Year's Eve kiss at the bell tower, "Can you just pretend you don't know about it?"

Xu Qingyan: "I can't."

Lin Wanzhou deflated.

Finally, she looked up again, her expression torn. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then seemed somewhat helpless in the end.