A Stolen Kiss

Zhang Hao coughed awkwardly. "Well... I've got something to do, so I'll get going."

He turned and hurried away, his steps rushed. He was a completely different person from the one who'd arrived.

At the doorway, he even tripped on the threshold and stumbled.

Lin Qingxue watched his retreating figure and couldn't help laughing.

She turned to Song Chen, who was looking down at his badge with a helpless expression. "This badge is that useful?"

Lin Qingxue laughed even harder. "You're only figuring that out now?"

The two of them left the clothing store carrying bags full of purchases.

Dusk was falling, and the streetlights on either side of the road flickered on one by one.

She hugged the plush rabbit while he carried the bags of clothes. They walked side by side through the twilight.

"Did you have fun today?" Song Chen asked.

Lin Qingxue nodded. "I had a wonderful time."

She hugged the rabbit a little tighter. "This is the best day I've ever had."

She stopped and turned to look at him. "Song Chen, you know, I used to think I was working really hard. I trained late into the night every day, practiced my martial techniques over and over, and kept raising my Vitality Value. But no matter how hard I tried, my dad always said it wasn't enough, that I still had a long way to go."

"Then I met you. Your Vitality Value was only 0.6, but you never gave up."

"When you were knocked down, you got back up. When people mocked you, you acted like you hadn't heard them. You taught me that hard work isn't about proving yourself to other people."

She lowered her head, her voice growing quieter. "So, thank you."

Song Chen looked at her.

He wanted to say so much. He wanted to tell her she was amazing too, that she didn't need to care what other people thought, that in his eyes she had always been wonderful.

But every word caught in his throat.

Then he felt something brush lightly against his cheek.

So lightly.

As lightly as a petal landing on the surface of a pond.

By the time he realized what had happened, Lin Qingxue had already stepped back. Her face was as red as a ripe apple.

She lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

She stammered, "I... I didn't mean to..."

Song Chen stood rooted to the spot, his heart beating faster, as if he were fighting a beast in the Wilderness.

He touched the spot she'd kissed. A trace of warmth still lingered there.

Suddenly, he smiled.

"Wait a moment."

Lin Qingxue raised her head and looked at him in confusion.

Song Chen took a deep breath and lifted his right hand.

Purple lightning surged from his palm. Instead of violently striking a target as it usually did, it gathered gently and slowly in the air.

The lightning turned into countless tiny points of light that drifted up into the night sky.

The points of light rose higher and higher, gradually forming a shape beneath the deep-blue canopy of night.

It was a rabbit.

A chubby little rabbit hugging a carrot.

It looked exactly like the one in her arms.

Lin Qingxue gazed up, eyes wide and mouth slightly open.

The purple lightning rabbit slowly spun in the night sky, every detail clear: its round ears, plump body, and short limbs.

"So beautiful..." she murmured.

Song Chen didn't stop.

He raised both hands, and even more lightning surged into the sky.

Beside the rabbit appeared a blade—not an ordinary one, but a blade modeled after the standard-issue combat knife she'd given him years ago.

Tiny sparks of lightning wound around the blade, flowing like a river of stars.

Then came the stars.

Countless tiny bolts of lightning turned into stars, blanketing the sky above the entire street.

Purple, silver, and pale blue, they poured down like the Milky Way.

Everyone on the street stopped and looked up at the spectacle.

"Oh my god..." someone gasped.

"Who did that?"

"Lightning Ability. At least a B-grade Lightning Ability."

"Look at the badge on his chest. Sky Thunder Blade—that's Sky Thunder Blade!"

Lin Qingxue stood still, gazing upward as tears silently slid down her cheeks.

Purple starlight reflected in her eyes, as if they held the entire Milky Way.

"Song Chen..." she whispered.

Song Chen lowered his hands, and the lightning slowly faded.

The starlight fell away piece by piece, like a rain of purple light.

"Whenever you want to see it, I can do it for you."

Lin Qingxue wiped her eyes and nodded firmly.

"Mm!"

In the distance, someone raised a communicator and recorded the scene.

Others applauded, and whistles came from the street corner. An old man said with a hearty laugh, "It's great to be young."

Blushing, Lin Qingxue hugged the rabbit and hurried forward. After a few steps, she stopped and looked back at him. "Come on!"

Song Chen caught up with her.

The night was gentle, the stars brilliant.

Their shadows overlapped beneath the streetlights, then separated, then overlapped again.

After walking for a while, she suddenly spoke in a quiet voice. "Song Chen."

"Hmm?"

"You're going to be the best at tomorrow's practical test."

Song Chen looked at her earnest profile and smiled.

"I will."

She nodded and hugged the rabbit tighter.

The streetlights passed one by one behind them, and fewer and fewer people remained on the street.

They walked side by side without saying a word. Yet something unspoken hung in the air, sweeter than flowers and brighter than starlight.

An hour later.

When Song Chen opened the front door, the living room lights were on.

Li Xiuying was sitting on the sofa watching TV. At the sound of the door, she immediately turned around.

Her gaze swept over the bags in his hands, then settled on his new outfit. The corners of her mouth slowly curled up.

"You're back?"

"Mm."

"Did you have fun?"

"It was all right."

Li Xiuying's smile grew wider.

She stood and slowly walked over to him, taking the bags from his hands. As she sorted through them, she said casually, "I've met that girl, Lin Qingxue. She's a good kid."

Song Chen didn't reply.

Song Zhengye poked his head out of the kitchen, a teacup in his hand. "Have you eaten?"

"I have."

"Then get some rest early. You have to assemble tomorrow."

He looked at his son, his gaze lingering on his face for a second. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he only nodded. "Go on."

Song Chen answered and headed for his room.

As he reached the doorway, he heard his mother whisper behind him, "Old Song, look at the boy. His face is all red."

His father's voice was even lower. "Don't make things up."

Then came two muffled chuckles.

Song Chen closed the door and stood in the dark, touching his face.

It was a little hot, sure enough.

The next morning, Song Chen opened his eyes just as dawn was breaking.

He lay in bed staring at the ceiling for a few seconds, then rolled over and sat up to get dressed.

By the time he reached the living room, Li Xiuying had already laid out breakfast. She stood by the table, clutching a tissue, and smiled when she saw him.

"Eat plenty. You'll be tested all day today."

Song Chen sat down and quietly finished his meal.

Li Xiuying watched him, occasionally adding food to his bowl. Her hands trembled a little.

Song Zhengye sat across from them with his teacup. He barely ate, keeping his eyes on his son as he sat in silence for a long time.

After finishing his meal, Song Chen stood up. "I'm heading out."

Li Xiuying nodded, her eyes a little red. "Good luck."

Song Zhengye set down his teacup and stood, walking over to him.

He looked his son in the eyes and was silent for a few seconds. Then he reached out and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.

"Go on."

Just two words.

Song Chen nodded and turned to leave.