Sweet Compensation After a Humiliating Moment

The rustling sound of camouflage netting rolling down the steps.

The crisp sound of a branch snapping, mixed with Sigelica's suppressed scream, faded into the depths of the path.

Zhou Yu looked away.

There was no one at the bottom of the steps.

Dania was still nestled in his arms, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt tightly, her ears burning red.

Zhou Yu lowered his head, resting his chin on the top of her head.

They're gone.

You're lying.

The voice was muffled inside the coat, with a nasal tone.

Zhou Yu didn't refute her, but simply pulled her closer into his arms.

Dania lifted her face from his embrace, water droplets still clinging to her eyelashes.

Her shoulders slumped, and she collapsed limply against Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu:(.-ω-)zzz

"I'm too ashamed to go back."

Dania buried her face back in his chest, her voice muffled as if muffled by a blanket, "Linnai will definitely make it the headline of the school newspaper."

"She doesn't dare."

Zhou Yu looked down and saw her tilt her head back. Her eyes and the tip of her nose were red, and the little white flower beside her ear was tilted so much that it was about to fall off.

He reached out to straighten the flowers, but his fingertip brushed against the corner of her eye, wiping away a tear that hadn't yet fallen.

Dania froze.

"They ran away."

He spoke, his voice lower than usual.

"Let's continue."

Dania's mind went blank.

Her gaze involuntarily fell on his lips, then quickly shifted away.

"But..."

Zhou Yu chuckled and his breath brushed against her forehead.

"Close your eyes."

She obediently closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling.

Zhou Yu lowered his head and pressed his lips to the corner of her eye. The kiss landed on her tear stains, dry and warm.

Dania's breath hitched for a moment.

His kisses moved down her cheekbone, lightly and slowly, finally stopping on her cheek.

Her fingers gripped the fabric of his shirt tighter and tighter.

Zhou Yu's other hand was clasped around her lower back, the warmth of his palm seeping through the thin fabric of her dress.

"Breathe."

He whispered, pressing his cheek against hers.

Dania then realized she was holding her breath, took a deep breath, and her chest heaved.

Zhou Yu stepped back a little, waiting for her to catch her breath.

She opened her eyes and met his gaze, which was very close to hers.

A gap appeared in the clouds on the horizon, and a sliver of light fell directly on his profile.

Dania looked at the shadow of his eyelashes, her earlier embarrassment fading away, replaced by nervous anticipation.

Zhou Yu cupped half of her face in his hands, his thumb stroking her cheekbone.

Dania didn't flinch; she even tilted her chin slightly back, exposing the lines of her neck completely to the night wind.

Then he lowered his head and kissed her.

It's very soft.

It carried a hint of lingering sweetness from the cola, along with the coolness of the rooftop night breeze.

His eyelashes brushed against her eyelids, and only then did she belatedly close her eyes.

She didn't know where to put her hands. Her fingers, which had been gripping his collar, froze in mid-air. After hesitating for two seconds, she awkwardly wrapped her arms around his neck.

Zhou Yu noticed her response and smiled slightly at her lips.

Dania's heart skipped a beat.

He didn't go deep; he just gently pressed against her, letting her adjust to the distance and temperature.

Dania slowly relaxed, a movement that brought the two closer together, causing her coat, which had been draped over her shoulders, to slip down a bit.

Zhou Yu freed one hand to pull his coat up again, his forehead pressed against hers, their breaths mingling.

Dania opened her eyes.

He was looking at her too.

The two looked at each other, then laughed simultaneously.

Her smile was shy, her breathy voice mixed with a nasal tone, her eyes were still red, but the corners of her mouth turned up.

His laughter was silent, only his eyes crinkled at the corners and his Adam's apple bobbed.

How are you feeling?

He asked.

Dania buried her face in the crook of his neck, her voice muffled.

"It feels so sweet."

Zhou Yu chuckled softly, his chest heaving.

She became even more embarrassed, burying her face in the crook of his shoulder, revealing only her two bright red ears.

Zhou Yu hugged her tightly, resting his chin on the top of her head, her ear pressed against his chest.

Thump, thump, thump.

"Xiao Yu."

"Um."

Your heart is beating so fast.

"The same as you."

Dania couldn't help but smile, snuggling closer to him to make herself more comfortable.

"Next time."

Zhou Yu suddenly spoke, his voice very soft, right next to her ear.

"Let's find a place they can't find."

Dania tilted her head back from his embrace, her eyes sparkling.

"Next time?"

Zhou Yu raised an eyebrow.

"Don't want a next time?"

Dania: (⁄⁄>⁄▽⁄ "I was thinking of that.")

Zhou Yu picked up the Coke can, tilted his head back and drank the rest in one gulp, then crushed the can and put it aside.

"It's cold, let's go back."

He stood up and extended his hand.

Dania placed her hand in his palm and used it to stand up. Zhou Yu bent down and helped her zip up her coat, all the way to her chin.

The zipper pull got stuck, and he frowned as he struggled with it for a couple of seconds.

Dania laughed.

What are you laughing at?

"Laugh at you."

She poked his chest with her finger. "The Logistics Department equipment manager can't even fix a zipper."

Zhou Yu took her hand and led her down the steps.

"I can fix machines."

"What if the clothes get damaged later?"

"You fix it for me."

Dania stepped lightly down the stairs, her footsteps light as she followed his shadow.

"Xiao Yu."

"Um."

When is the next time?

Zhou Yu stopped and turned around, standing two steps lower, so that he was at eye level with her.

"Tomorrow at lunchtime, the cafeteria will have a special on sweet and sour pork ribs."

He was very serious.

Is this a date?

"As long as you enjoy your meal."

Dania: (｡>ㅿ<｡)

Zhou Yu smiled, took her hand again, and continued walking.

Downstairs at the dormitory, he let go of her hand.

"Go up."

Dania stood there, wrapped in his coat.

"Here, I'll return this to you after I wash it."

"No rush."

She turned and took two steps, then turned back, tiptoed, and quickly pecked him on the cheek.

Then he rushed into the stairwell without looking back.

Zhou Yu paused for a second, then raised her hand to touch her cheek, and the corners of her mouth slowly turned up.

He watched as a light came on in a window on the third floor, half his head peeked out and then quickly withdrew as the curtains were drawn.

Zhou Yu put his hands in his pockets and turned to walk towards the Logistics Department's warehouse.

My phone vibrated.

I took it out and looked at it.

"Yaya: I've safely reached my bed. (´▽`)ﾉ"

Yaya: The food was delicious tonight, I want to eat it again tomorrow.

Yaya: Goodnight.

Zhou Yu stared at the screen for two seconds, then typed.

"Good night."

He turned off his phone, walked into the warehouse, and saw the malfunction indicator light still on on the broken patrol robot in the corner.

Zhou Yu picked up his toolbox, squatted down, and used a wrench to unscrew the outer shell on the robot's chest.

The wiring inside was a complete mess.

He tightened a loose screw, muttering to himself.

"Next time, I'll take her to the beach."