Extra: Castorice, let's do it again

After the escape room game ended, the five people stood at the store entrance. The setting sun bathed the street in a warm orange hue.

"Where to next?" Yang Shan stretched. "How about we go get hot pot?"

Kong Yan'er pushed up her non-existent glasses. "Based on energy consumption calculations, we do need to replenish our calories. Hot pot is an efficient choice."

Polyxena smiled brightly, "Great! I heard that the newly opened Chongqing hot pot restaurant is especially spicy--"

"Polyxena," Castorice interrupted her, her tone calm, "You were hospitalized last month because of spicy food."

"That was an accident!" Polyxena protested.

"The stomach perforation was not an accident."

Castorice remained unmoved. "Besides, Ms. Amonet said that if you eat spicy food again this month, she'll deduct your allowance."

Polyxena was dejected.

Luo Li couldn't help but laugh as she watched the two sisters interact.

"How about... we go eat Cantonese food?" he suggested.

I know a restaurant that serves light but delicious food.

Castorice looked at him, a flicker of something in her purple eyes, then nodded gently. "Okay."

Yang Shan and Kong Yan'er exchanged a glance.

"Um," Yang Shan suddenly said, "I just remembered, my mom told me to go home early tonight, we have guests coming over."

Kong Yan'er immediately replied, "I also have something to do. I need to go back and organize the data I collected today."

The two worked together so well that it seemed suspicious.

Polyxena tilted her head. "You two..."

"Let's get together again next time!" Yang Shan patted Luo Li on the shoulder and winked. "Enjoy... Cantonese food."

After saying that, the two slipped away at an astonishing speed.

Luo Li, Castorice, and Polyxena were left standing at the shop entrance.

A gentle evening breeze blew by, and the streets were bustling with traffic.

Polyxena glanced at the two of them, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Um... I suddenly feel a little unwell too, so I'll head back first. Sis, you and Luo Li can eat slowly."

"Polyxena," Castorice said helplessly, "You're acting way too fake."

"Really?" Polyxena stuck out her tongue. "Then I won't pretend anymore. I just don't want to be a third wheel. Bye~"

She waved, turned and walked away with her cane—she was heading in the right direction, clearly familiar with the route.

Luo Li and Castorice stood there, looking at each other in bewilderment.

"So..." Luo Li scratched his head.

Are we going to eat Cantonese food again?

"Mm." Castorice nodded.

The private room in the Cantonese restaurant was very quiet.

Luo Li ordered several signature dishes: poached chicken, steamed sea bass, garlic broccoli, and two bowls of claypot rice.

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward while waiting for the food.

As dusk settled outside the window, city lights began to twinkle one by one. The two of them were alone in the private room, so quiet they could hear each other breathing.

"Um..." Luo Li began, but then didn't know what to say.

"Hmm?" Castorice looked up at him.

"Last night..." Luo Li took a deep breath, "How far... did we go?"

I asked the question.

He finally asked the question.

Castorice's hand paused slightly.

She was rinsing the tableware with hot water, her movements still elegant, but Luo Li noticed that the base of her ears was starting to turn red.

"I don't really remember," she said honestly, her voice softer than usual. "I only remember... it hurt a lot. And you kept apologizing."

Luo Li's face also turned red.

"Then... we..."

He hesitated for a moment, "Should we find out?"

Castorice blinked. "How do we figure it out?"

"Well..." Luo Li's mind raced, "For example... let's check..."

He couldn't continue.

What kind of check? Checking for any traces on the body? That would be so embarrassing!

But Castorice nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense."

Luo Li: "???"

Practice makes perfect.

Castorice said earnestly, "If it really happened last night, but we can't remember it, then perhaps..."

She paused, her purple eyes staring directly at Luo Li:

"One more time."

"Puff--"

Luo Li spat out all the water she had just drunk.

He coughed violently, his face turning bright red.

Castorice quickly handed over a tissue, her expression remaining calm—if one ignored her bright red ears.

"You... do you know what you're saying?" Luo Li took the tissue, her voice trembling.

"I know," Castorice tilted her head. "I want to find out what happened last night. And..."

She paused, her voice even softer. "If it's with you... I wouldn't mind trying again."

Luo Li's brain went blank.

There was a knock on the door of the private room, and the waiter came in to serve the food.

One after another, exquisite dishes were placed on the table, their aroma filling the air, but Luo Li had no appetite at all.

Only one voice was playing on repeat in his mind:

One more time, one more time, one more time...

Let's eat first.

Castorice picked up her chopsticks, placed a piece of poached chicken in his bowl, and did so as naturally as if she hadn't said anything.

Luo Li mechanically picked up her chopsticks and began to eat mechanically.

Throughout the meal, his brain was processing the information that "Castorice said she wanted to do it again."

By the time we finished eating and left the restaurant, it was completely dark.

The streets were brightly lit, and the air was warm and humid on this summer night.

"Do we... want to go back?" Luo Li asked, her voice a little hoarse.

"Mm." Castorice nodded, then added.

"But the electric car still has power, right?"

"Yes." Luo Li checked it.

"There are many more."

"Then..." Castorice looked at him.

"Shall we go to the river again?"

Luo Li's heart skipped a beat.

River embankment.

The place where it started last night.

"Okay," he said.

The electric car traveled through the night, following a familiar route.

In the back seat, Castorice wrapped her arms around Luo Li's waist, her face pressed against his back.

Her body heat seeped through the thin shirt, sending a shiver down Luo Li's back.

The riverbank is quieter tonight than it was last night.

It might be because it's not the weekend, or it might be because it's still early.

Only a few couples strolled in the distance; most of the area was shrouded in night and the shadows of the trees.

Luo Li parked the car in the usual spot.

The two got out of the car and walked to the riverbank.

The river shimmered under the moonlight, and the city lights on the opposite bank were reflected on the water like scattered stars.

"Last night..." Castorice began, her voice slightly ethereal in the night breeze, "It was right here that you asked me if I could kiss you."

Luo Li turned to look at her.

The moonlight shone on her long, silvery-purple hair, bathing her in a soft glow.

His purple eyes appeared exceptionally deep in the night.

"Mm." Luo Li nodded.

"Then you closed your eyes."

"Because of nervousness."

Castorice confessed, "Actually, my heart was beating very fast and my hands were shaking at that time, but you didn't notice."

Luo Li smiled, "I've noticed—your fingertips are very cold."

Castorice glanced at him in surprise.

"I've noticed a lot," Luo Li said softly.

"For example, you might bite your lower lip when you're nervous, your ears might turn red first when you're shy, and you might tilt your head when you're thinking seriously..."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Also, you're actually quite dense, but you always pretend to be very calm."

Castorice's face flushed red instantly.

"I won't stay here."

She retorted in a low voice, but her tone was utterly unconvincing.

Luo Li smiled and took a step closer.

The distance between them shrank to the point where they could feel each other's breath.

"So now..." Luo Li looked at her, her voice very soft, "Are you still nervous?"

Castorice's eyelashes trembled.

"A little," she said honestly, "But... it's better than last night."

"Why?"

"Because..." She raised her head and looked directly into his eyes.

"This time I'm sober."

Luo Li's heart skipped a beat.

He reached out and gently cupped her face in his hands.

The cool touch of her skin reached my fingertips, just like Remembrance.

"And this time..." he asked in a low voice, his voice a little hoarse, "Is it okay?"

The Castorice did not answer.

But she stood on tiptoe and kissed him first.

This kiss was different from last night's—there was no hazy feeling from alcohol, no blurred Remembrance, only a clear and distinct touch.

Luo Li could feel the softness of her lips, taste the faint aroma of tea in her mouth, and hear her soft breathing.

He tightened his arms, pulled her into his embrace, and deepened the kiss.

The river flows in my ears, the evening breeze caresses my side, and the hustle and bustle of the city in the distance seems to fade into the distance.

It seems like only the two of them have been left in this world.

After a long while, when the two parted, their breathing was somewhat rapid.

Castorice's face turned bright red, but her eyes sparkled.

"So..." she gasped, "It must have started like this last night too."

"Mmm." Luo Li nodded, gently stroking her cheek with her thumb.

"And then..." Castorice recalled.

We went to the hotel.

"Right."

"In the hotel..." Her voice trailed off.

"Us..."

Luo Li looked at her increasingly red face and suddenly understood something.

"You want to... recreate last night's proceedings?"

He asked.

Castorice nodded, her expression as serious as if she were conducting a scientific experiment. "Since you can't remember, just experience it again, and then remember it."

Luo Li was both amused and exasperated.

This is so much like what Castorice would do—solve problems with logic, even if the problem is "Did we sleep together last night?"

"But..." he hesitated, "If it really happened last night, then reconstructing it would mean..."

"That means we have to do it again."

Castorice continued, her tone still calm. "I know."

Luo Li stared at her for a few seconds.

"Are you sure?" he asked seriously.

"Not out of curiosity, not out of a desire to experiment, but because I really... want it?"

The Castorice fell silent.

She lowered her head and looked at the tips of her shoes.

The night breeze stirred her long hair, a few strands brushing against Luo Li's arm.

I want it.

She finally spoke, her voice soft but firm. "But not to recreate last night."

She raised her head, her purple eyes clear and bright in the moonlight:

"It's for you."

Luo Li's heart clenched suddenly.

Then, he jumped up at an unprecedented speed.

He gripped her hand tightly, feeling her fingers trembling slightly.

"Then..." He took a deep breath.

"Shall we go now?"

Castorice nodded. "But this time... I want to remember every single detail."

"Okay." Luo Li smiled. "I promise you'll remember this."

Same hotel, same receptionist.

The aunt raised an eyebrow when she saw them. "It's you again."

Luo Li's face instantly turned red.

Castorice remained calm. "Yeah, the car battery died again."

The aunt's expression clearly said, "I don't believe you for a second," but she still efficiently completed the formalities. "Still room 308, just cleaned."

"Thanks."

As she entered the elevator with her room key, Luo Li whispered, "She definitely won't believe me."

"It's alright." Castorice looked at the two people reflected in the elevator. "As long as we believe it, that's enough."

Room 308.

The furnishings were exactly the same as last night, but the feeling was completely different this time.

The moment the door closed, the two stood in the center of the room, staring at each other.

The air was so quiet you could hear a heartbeat.

"Then..." Luo Li spoke first, her voice a little nervous, "Where to begin?"

Castorice thought for a moment, "Take a bath?"

"Just like last night, you go first."

"Good."

Castorice entered the bathroom, and the sound of water began to flow.

Luo Li sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the sound of water, feeling her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest.

This time, he was sober.

He knew what was going to happen next; he knew he would remember every detail.

The sound of water stopped.

The door opened.

Castorice came out, wearing the same light purple nightgown as last night, her hair still wet, her cheeks flushed from the steam.

She walked up to Luo Li, looked up at him, and said, "It's your turn."

Luo Li took a deep breath and went into the bathroom.

As the warm water washed over him, he took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself down.

But it didn't work.

The thought of Castorice being outside, and the thought of what was about to happen, made him unable to calm down.

When I came out of the shower, Castorice was already sitting on the bed.

Just like last night, she leaned against the headboard, holding a book in her hand—but this time it wasn't "Funeral Service Management Practice," but rather... "Basic Physiology"?

Luo Li was stunned.

Castorice noticed his gaze and held up her book. "I want to review some theoretical knowledge."

Luo Li: "..."

He walked to the bedside and sat down beside her.

"So..." He turned his head to look at her.

Have you finished reviewing the theory?

"Hmm." Castorice closed the book and placed it on the bedside table.

"The theoretical part has been mastered; now we need to verify it through practice."

She spoke so seriously that Luo Li couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Castorice..." he said with a smile.

"You look like you're about to dissect me."

"No, it won't," Castorice said earnestly.

I do not have a medical license.

Luo Li laughed even harder.

Laughter broke the tense atmosphere. Castorice also laughed, a rare, slightly shy smile.

"Actually, I..." she said softly.

I'm still very nervous.

"I'm nervous too," Luo Li admitted, taking her hand. "But it's okay, we can take it slow."

He paused.

"And this time... I won't say 'I'm sorry' three times."

Castorice blushed. "You remember this?"

"That's all I remember."

Luo Li smiled wryly, "And then there was the time you bit my shoulder."

That's because it hurts.

"I know."

Luo Li moved closer to her, forehead to forehead. "I'll be careful this time, I won't hurt you."

Castorice looked at him, her purple eyes reflecting his face.

"Okay," she said softly.

Then, she took the initiative to kiss him.

This kiss was gentle and lingering, unlike the eagerness of last night; it felt more like an exploration, a process of getting to know each other.

Luo Li's hand touched her waist, and he could feel her body temperature through her nightgown.

Castorice's hands encircled his neck, her fingertips unconsciously twirling his hair.

The kiss deepened, and their breathing became rapid.

When Luo Li's hand slid to the shoulder strap of Castorice's nightgown, he paused and looked into her eyes.

"May I?"

Castorice nodded, her voice barely audible. "Mmm."

The shoulder strap slipped down.

The nightgown slowly slipped off.

Moonlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating the girl's fair skin and slender figure.

Luo Li held her breath.

"Is it pretty?" Castorice asked softly, her voice tinged with a rare shyness.

"Beautiful," Luo Li's voice was hoarse, "Especially beautiful."

He lowered his head and kissed her shoulder, then her collarbone, and further down...

Castorice's body trembled slightly, and she gripped the bed sheet tightly.

"Don't be afraid," Luo Li whispered in her ear.

Tell me where it hurts.

"No, I'm not feeling unwell," Castorice gasped, "It's just... I feel strange."

"What's so strange?"

"It's just..." she searched for words, "Very hot, my heart is racing, and..."

She couldn't continue.

Luo Li smiled and kissed her forehead, "Shall we continue?"

"... Um."

This time, everything slowed down.

Luo Li remembered every detail—the way Castorice buried her face in his chest when she was shy, the tense muscles in her back from nervousness, and the trembling voice when she whispered "wait a minute."

He also remembered how patiently he comforted her, how he gradually relaxed her, and how he whispered in her ear, "It's okay, I'm here."

When the final step came, Castorice gripped his arm tightly.

"Will it hurt?" she asked softly.

"Maybe a little."

Luo Li said honestly, "But I will try to be as gentle as possible."

"... good."

This time, there was no Remembrance lapse, no interference from alcohol.

Only clear, real touch.

Castorice did bite his shoulder—but this time for a different reason.

Afterwards, the two lay in bed embracing, panting.

Moonlight spilled onto their intertwined bodies, and an ambiguous atmosphere filled the air.

"This time..." Castorice buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled, "I'll remember."

"What did you remember?" Luo Li asked with a smile, gently combing her long hair with her fingers.

The moonlight flowed quietly across the carpet in the hotel room, outlining the silhouettes of the two people embracing on the bed.

Castorice buried her face in Luo Li's chest, her muffled voice coming through. "Remember... it hurts more than yesterday."

Luo Li tightened his grip, his fingers gently combing through her sweat-dampened, silvery-purple hair. "Sorry, I still hurt you."

"That's not what I meant." Castorice raised her head, her purple eyes shimmering with tears in the dim light. "It's... a different kind of pain. But afterwards..."

She paused, as if searching for the right words. "... it became very strange."

"Strange?" Luo Li raised an eyebrow, her voice tinged with amusement.

"Hmm." Castorice nodded seriously, her expression as solemn as if she were analyzing experimental data. "At first it hurts, then it gets very hot, and then... like being electrocuted. Finally..."

Her voice trailed off. "... I just want to hold you tight."

Luo Li's heart felt as if it had been struck by something soft.

He lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "That's a good thing, it means you..."

"Is there a nest?" Castorice asked bluntly.

Luo Li choked on her own saliva.

He coughed for a while before saying, his face flushed, "Yes, yes... could you please not speak so... academically?"

"Then how should I say it?" Castorice tilted her head, her face full of curiosity.

"Well..." Luo Li was at a loss for words.

Seeing his embarrassed expression, Castorice smiled slightly and said, "Your ears are red."

"It's all because of you!" Luo Li protested, but hugged her even tighter.

The two embraced quietly for a while, the city lights outside the window flickering through the gaps in the curtains.

"Luo Li," Castorice suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

"What... what is our relationship now?"

The question was asked very lightly, but Luo Li could feel a slight tension in her body.

He was silent for a few seconds, then rolled over, placed his hands on either side of her body, and looked intently into her eyes. "What do you think?"

Castorice blinked. "Classmate?"

"Would a classmate do something like that?" Luo Li was both amused and exasperated.

"Then..." she thought for a moment, "Friends with benefits?"

Luo Li almost rolled off the bed.

"Castorice!" he exclaimed in despair, "Where did you learn these words?!"

"Online," she confessed honestly, "It was written in a romance novel that Polyxena showed me."

Luo Li sighed. He decided he would have a serious talk with Polyxena tomorrow.

"We're not just friends with benefits." He lay back down, pulled her into his arms, and said seriously, "We're lovers. Boyfriend and girlfriend. If you're willing."

The Castorice remained quiet in his arms for a while.

Then he heard her whisper, "I do."

The sound was as soft as a feather, but Luo Li heard it clearly.

He laughed, a pleasant vibration rippling through his chest. "Then it's settled. From today onwards, you're my girlfriend."

"Yes." Castorice nodded, then added, "You're my boyfriend too."

"Yes." Luo Li kissed the top of her head. "So you're not allowed to say 'friends with benefits' anymore, understand?"

"I understand." Castorice's voice carried a hint of amusement.

The morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, dancing on Luo Li's face.

He frowned and slowly opened his eyes.

My first thought was that my arm was numb.

My second sensation was—a warm, soft body in my arms.

My third sensation was a sharp, persistent soreness in my lower back.

Remembrance flooded back: the escape room, the Cantonese restaurant, the riverside, the hotel, and last night's long and vivid memory...

Luo Li looked down at the Castorice in her arms.

She was still asleep, her long, silvery-purple hair spread out on the pillow, with a few strands clinging to her sweaty forehead.

Her sleeping face was peaceful, her lips slightly parted, and her breathing even.

Luo Li's gaze moved downwards and saw her bare shoulders under the blanket, with several faint red marks—marks he had left last night.

His face felt a little hot.

Just then, Castorice's eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Her purple eyes appeared somewhat hazy in the morning light. She blinked, and it seemed to take her a few seconds to focus and see Luo Li clearly in front of her.

"Good morning," Luo Li said softly.

"Good morning." Castorice's voice was hoarse from just waking up.

She tried to sit up, but as soon as she moved, she gasped and froze.

"What's wrong?" Luo Li asked anxiously.

"... Castorice's face turned red at a visible speed, "... It hurts."

"Where does it hurt?" Luo Li asked, even more anxious. "Did I hurt you again last night?"

"No..." Castorice buried her face in the pillow, her voice muffled, "It's... down there. And my waist."

Luo Li was taken aback for a moment, then she understood.

His face turned red.

"I'm so sorry..." he stammered, at a loss for words.

"I should have been gentler last night..."

"It's not your fault." Castorice lifted her face from under the pillow, her expression serious. "I asked for another round. And..."

She paused, her voice even softer. "... Actually, it's quite comfortable. It's just that getting up was a little difficult today."

Luo Li couldn't help but laugh as she watched Luo Li seriously analyze the "aftereffects".

"You're still laughing!" Castorice playfully punched him in embarrassment and annoyance—but the movement was very light, because it aggravated her sore muscles, causing her to frown again.

"Stop laughing, stop laughing." Luo Li suppressed a laugh and sat up. "Why don't you lie down for a while longer? I'll go buy breakfast."

He prepared to get out of bed, but as soon as he stood up, he felt a sharp pain in his lower back.

"Hiss--" He instinctively clutched his waist.

Castorice peeked out from under the covers and looked at him. "Are you in pain too?"

"A little..." Luo Li said awkwardly.

My lower back is a little sore.

The two looked at each other for a few seconds, then laughed at the same time.

"It seems we've been..." Luo Li said with a laugh, "A little too indulgent."

"Mm." Castorice nodded, but the corners of her mouth were turned up. "But it's worth it."

Luo Li's heart softened again.

He walked back to the bedside, leaned down, and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Wait for me to come back."

"Um."

When Luo Li returned to her room after buying breakfast, Castorice was already up—almost.

She was leaning against the wall, carefully making her way to the bathroom, each step slow and deliberate, her brow slightly furrowed.

"Why aren't you lying down?" Luo Li quickly put down her breakfast and went over to help her.

"I want to take a bath," Castorice said.

"I feel sticky and uncomfortable."

"Then let me help you?" Luo Li blurted out, then immediately realized how ambiguous her words were. "No, that's not what I meant! I meant I'd help you to the bathroom..."

Castorice glanced at him, a mischievous glint in her purple eyes. "Will you help me wash?"

Luo Li's face instantly turned bright red. "Castorice!"

"Just kidding." She laughed, a rare, slightly mischievous smile. "Just help me to the door."

Luo Li helped her to the bathroom door, watched her slowly move inside, and then closed the door.

The sound of water could be heard.

He stood outside the door, listening to the sound of water, and fragments of last night's events in the bathroom uncontrollably surfaced in his mind— Castorice with her back to him, hot water flowing over her fair back, her long, silvery-purple hair clinging wetly to her skin...

"Luo Li." Castorice's voice came from inside, interrupting his reverie.

"Exist!"

"Could you please get me a bath towel? I forgot to bring it."

Luo Li's heart skipped a beat.

He walked to the wardrobe, took out a clean bath towel, and then went to the bathroom door.

The door opened a crack, and a fair arm, still covered in water droplets, stretched out.

Luo Li handed her the towel, and her fingers inevitably touched her skin—warm and slippery.

His hand trembled slightly.

"Thank you." Castorice took the towel and closed the door.

Luo Li stood still and took a few deep breaths.

He felt he might need to take a cold shower.

Breakfast was eaten in bed.

Luo Li placed the porridge and steamed buns she had bought on the bedside table, and the two of them leaned against the headboard side by side to share the food.

"What are your plans for today?" Luo Li asked, picking up a small steamed bun and feeding it to Castorice.

Castorice opened her mouth to take it, chewed a few times, and then replied, "I was originally going to the library. But now..."

She looked down at herself. "I probably can't go."

"Then let's not go," Luo Li said. "Let's rest for a day."

"And what about you?" Castorice looked at him.

"I'll stay with you," Luo Li said matter-of-factly.

Castorice's lips curled up slightly. "Okay."

After breakfast, the two went back to bed.

This time, they were simply lying down, with Luo Li's arm around Castorice and her head resting on his shoulder.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains, filling the room with a lazy, warm feeling.

"Luo Li," Castorice suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

Is this... normal for us?

Is this normal?

"It's just..." Castorice hesitated, "... doing this kind of thing so soon after we started dating... isn't that too fast?"

Luo Li was silent for a few seconds, then turned to look at her seriously. "Do you think it's too fast?"

Castorice thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't think so. Actually... I thought about it a long time ago."

"What have you thought about?" Luo Li's heart raced.

"I've thought about doing this with you," Castorice said bluntly, but her ears were red. "It probably started... from the first time you gave me wildflowers."

Luo Li was stunned.

So early?

"And you?" Castorice asked, "When did you start thinking about this?"

Luo Li's face flushed slightly. "It was probably around that time. But you were too... sacred back then, it felt like even thinking about you would be blasphemous."

"Sacred?" Castorice blinked. "Me?"

"Hmm." Luo Li nodded, "Like white flowers blooming beside a cemetery, very beautiful, but it feels like they would wither if touched."

The Castorice was silent for a moment, then whispered, "I will not wither."

"Now you know," Luo Li smiled and kissed her forehead, "Not only will it not wither, it will bite."

Castorice pinched him in embarrassment and annoyance.

The two playfully wrestled for a while—although the wrestling was very minor due to body aches.

"But seriously," Luo Li lay back down and pulled Castorice into her arms, "We might indeed be... moving a little too fast. But I don't regret it. Do you?"

"No regrets," Castorice said without hesitation. "I enjoy doing this with you."

She spoke too directly, and Luo Li was speechless again.

"Castorice..." he said helplessly, "Could you be a little... subtle?"

"Why be subtle?" Castorice asked, puzzled. "I'm just telling the truth."

Looking at her serious expression, Luo Li suddenly understood—she wasn't deliberately flirting; she genuinely didn't understand why she had to beat around the bush.

This is Castorice. Direct, honest, and occasionally adorably naive.

He laughed and pulled her closer, "Okay, then tell the truth from now on."

"Mmm." Castorice nodded and found a comfortable position in his arms.

After a moment of silence, she spoke again, "Luo Li."

"What's wrong now?"

"Can we... still do it tonight?"

Luo Li: "..."

He looked down at her and found she was serious—her purple eyes were filled with curiosity and... anticipation?

"You..." he carefully chose his words, "Does it not hurt anymore?"

"It hurts," Castorice said honestly, "But could we do something less... intense?"

Luo Li's brain froze for three seconds.

Then he sighed and buried his face in the crook of her neck, "Castorice, you're putting me in a really difficult position..."

"What's so difficult about it?" she asked, puzzled.

"It's difficult... how can I refuse you?" Luo Li looked up and said seriously, "You haven't recovered yet, you can't do it today. You need to rest for at least one day."

"Oh." Castorice looked a little disappointed, but nodded. "That makes sense. How about tomorrow?"

Luo Li was both amused and exasperated. "We'll see how things go tomorrow."

"Okay," Castorice conceded, but added, "Then I'll have to hold you while you sleep."

"That's fine," Luo Li agreed with a smile.

The two chatted for a while longer, talking about university, the future, and other trivial things.

As they chatted, Castorice's voice grew softer and softer until she finally fell asleep.

Luo Li looked at her peaceful sleeping face and gently stroked her cheek with her fingers.

He remembered the first time he saw her, the transfer student with purple hair and eyes, standing at the classroom door, with a cool and aloof demeanor.

He never imagined that one day, this girl would be lying in his arms, sleeping without any guard.

He remembered her cool fingertips as she accepted the wildflowers, her soft voice as she said "I do" by the river, and the way her purple eyes glistened with tears beneath him last night.

My heart is filled to the brim.

He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Goodnight, girlfriend," he whispered, "Even though it's morning."

Castorice stirred in her sleep and snuggled closer to him.

Luo Li smiled, closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep with her.

The sunlight outside the window grew brighter and brighter; a new day had begun.

Although her body ached and she might not be able to get out of bed, at this moment, Luo Li felt that it was all worth it.

(PS: Putting everything else aside, my main point is to provide a large quantity of content that will satisfy you—I usually only get up to write when I can't sleep at night, because I'll be posting it sooner or later anyway.)

Will this one be taken? I don't know if we can see it all; it all depends on everyone's luck.

Also, I wrote an extra notebook last night; if you want it, just send me a private message on QQ.