Life Link, Long Aotian!

Morning light filtered through the window lattice, falling across the bedding in a warm, downy glow.

Huo Yuhao woke to steady breathing against his shoulder. He opened his eyes to find a sleeping girl nestled in his arms—Ning Tian was curled against his side, his arm around her waist, the ends of her hair brushing his collarbone with a faint gardenia scent.

He went rigid. Even his fingertips froze for half a second. Then he glanced down at their fully clothed bodies, and his tense shoulders quietly relaxed.

"Mmm... good morning, Yuhao." Ning Tian had only just woken and was still groggy. She looked up at him, her voice soft and a little nasal, then nuzzled deeper into his arms.

"Ning Tian," Huo Yuhao said, his mouth twitching helplessly, "could you get off me first?"

"Huh?" Ning Tian stared for two seconds. Realizing she was practically draped over him, she blushed to the tips of her ears and sprang off the bed with a shriek, nearly tripping over its edge. "S-sorry!"

Huo Yuhao: "..."

He watched her flee, red-faced, as the gardenia scent faded from his nose. An inexplicable trace of disappointment rose in him, followed at once by relief. He rubbed his brow, finding even his own feelings a little absurd.

"How much longer are you two going to dawdle?" A cool voice edged with frost reached Huo Yuhao and Ning Tian. He turned to see Gu Yue's lovely face set like ice.

"Uh..."

"Enough. Go eat." Gu Yue spoke flatly, her face cold, as though she did not care at all.

Then she turned and walked away without sparing them another glance.

"Gu Yue, wait for me!" Ning Tian covered her face and hurried after her in tiny steps.

Huo Yuhao watched them go and chuckled. Just as