Chapter 117: Extend, Extend, and Extend Further

Wearing a pink dress and a hat adorned with yellow fragrant flowers, dragging a heavy suitcase, Wang Mengzi had returned.

From eight in the morning until three in the afternoon, Zhang Ye had sat in the waiting room. When he finally saw Wang Mengzi’s train arrive, he stood before her, grinning like a fool.

"I’m sorry." Zhang Ye walked over, helped her with her suitcase, and apologized immediately before saying a word. Then, he took out a gift box he had prepared long ago and handed it to her. "This is for you."

"I don't blame you." Wang Mengzi didn't know what to say. Although her trip had been planned for a long time—especially since the events of that period had left her feeling stifled and in need of a getaway—it was undeniable that, given the circumstances, she had also intended to distance herself from Zhang Ye.

It was all too awkward.

"I know. Let’s not talk about it anymore; let's go home first. You won't leave again, will you?" Zhang Ye smiled warmly and reached out to take her hand naturally.

Wang Mengzi tried to pull her hand away, but couldn't. She had no choice but to let him hold it, her face flushing like a shy young girl.

Along the way, Wang Mengzi felt a bit dazed. Returning this time, she had come to some realizations of her own. Although her heart remained resistant, there was also a sense of letting things take their natural course.

"What is this?" Once they were in the taxi, Wang Mengzi finally noticed the beautifully wrapped gift in her hand.

"A book," Zhang Ye said. "I wrote it."

"Really? Can I open it?"

"Of course. It was written just for you."

"Smooth talker."

"I'm serious."

"I don't believe you..."

...

In the taxi, Zhang Ye watched as Wang Mengzi opened the box and began reading the bound manuscript—printed pages that had not yet been formally published. He took in her curvaceous figure, the pink dress, and the pale, smooth, and enticing legs visible beneath the hem. Zhang Ye’s hand slowly reached out, inching further and further.

"Contact..." Zhang Ye’s heart felt as if it were being bitten by ants; he was tingling, nervous.

One finger, two fingers, three fingers... Zhang Ye’s hand slowly climbed up onto Wang Mengzi’s thigh. He moved it gradually, all the while watching her expression.

Clearly, she felt it. She merely frowned and shot him a sideways glance, but she said nothing, quickly returning her gaze to the thick stack of printed pages.

Zhang Ye’s face flushed with excitement. Was this a sign? He grew bolder.

Moving upward, further and further, Zhang Ye trembled with excitement. His hand slid beneath the hem of her dress, brushing against the warm, jade-like, smooth, and soft skin of her thigh, then gradually reached toward...

*Slap!*

Wang Mengzi struck Zhang Ye’s hand away. She said nothing, her face bright red.

Zhang Ye pretended that nothing had happened, keeping a straight face. Seeing that Wang Mengzi offered no further reaction, his heart stirred again. He reached out with his left hand, which was closer to her, and began to rub her thigh slowly.

He had learned her boundaries; as long as he didn't touch the upper part of her thigh, he wouldn't be stopped. He secretly chuckled at her attempt to deceive herself, feeling a surge of excitement.

Gradually, Zhang Ye became dissatisfied with rubbing with just one hand. He slowly extended his other hand as well, moving it toward her waist.

The taxi drove slowly. The driver kept his eyes on the road. The roads in Lihua County were in poor condition; even the paved concrete sections were riddled with potholes from years of heavy traffic, not to mention the gravel stretches that were even harder to navigate.

This, however, made things easier for Zhang Ye. He pretended to be jostled toward Wang Mengzi as the car swayed, his right hand moving past her waist, further and further up, until it reached just beneath her high, firm breasts. Just as he was about to make contact, Wang Mengzi’s hand swatted him away again.

"Alright, that’ll be ten yuan." The driver’s voice interrupted them; they had arrived on the main road not far from their home.

Zhang Ye pulled ten yuan from his pocket and reached out, but Wang Mengzi was faster. She shot him a glare and placed the money in the driver's hand first.

Zhang Ye rubbed his nose, choosing not to quibble. He got out, retrieved the luggage from the trunk, and began dragging it along.

"Aunt Wang, what did you think of the book I wrote?" Zhang Ye asked cautiously while pulling the suitcase.

He had poured his heart and soul into this book and was satisfied with it himself, but he didn't know how it would be perceived by someone like Wang Mengzi, a professional writer.

"Only now do you remember that I'm your aunt?" Wang Mengzi gave him an annoyed glare. Feeling that wasn't enough, she poked him on the head with her signature move, saying indignantly, "You really are going to be the death of me."

"Yes, yes, I'm wrong, I'm at fault, I'm guilty, I..." Zhang Ye surrendered immediately, grinning. "So, what do you really think of the book?"

"I haven't read it yet."

"What?"

"I haven't read it yet," Wang Mengzi repeated, her voice a little louder.

Zhang Ye suddenly burst into laughter.

Earlier, when Wang Mengzi had been pretending to read the book, Zhang Ye thought she was actually reading his novel. It turned out she had only been using it as a cover for her reaction to his touches.

"You're still laughing? Do you want a beating?"

"I'm not laughing."

"You say that, but you are. I'm not talking to you anymore."

"Don't, don't, I am laughing."

"Good, you dare to mock me? See if I don't beat you to death."

"Help..."

"..."

After helping Wang Mengzi drag her luggage into the house, Zhang Ye quickly shut the door.

"What are you doing?"

"I missed you."

As he spoke, Zhang Ye pulled Wang Mengzi firmly into his arms. Very firmly.

"Don't... Mmph..." Wang Mengzi tried to struggle, but Zhang Ye quickly found her lips and kissed her.

Zhang Ye kissed her with intensity. Outside, he had been able to suppress his emotions, not wanting to do anything in public, but now that they were inside her home, he felt few reservations. He bit down on her lip and slipped his tongue inside.

At first, Wang Mengzi resisted fiercely, but gradually, her body softened. She felt like a dandelion floating on the breeze, drifting, drifting, not knowing where she might land.

Her hands, which had been pushing against his chest, gradually relaxed and wrapped around his back, her fingers tangling in his hair. She responded clumsily, her tongue hesitant, her mouth slightly agape, afraid to close it lest she bite his tongue.

Gradually, she felt her breath quicken until she could barely catch her air.

*Knock, knock, knock!*

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.

Wang Mengzi scrambled to push Zhang Ye away, shooting him a fierce glare. Seeing that his lips were stained with the lipstick she had applied just before getting off the train, she suddenly chuckled. "Hurry up and go wash that off," she said, sounding annoyed. She composed herself, smoothed her clothes, and called out, "Coming!" as she went to open the door.