Chapter 3: Heartbeat
On a sunny weekend, Mu Yang got up early. Sitting at his desk, he held tightly in his hand the plan he had painstakingly prepared for a long time, his eyes filled with anticipation. The plan detailed the itinerary for the day, and the most crucial part was to invite Jiang Lingxi to a unique private car show.
Mu Yang stood downstairs of the dormitory, gripping his phone tightly. His heart was pounding wildly in his chest as if it were about to burst out. He took a deep breath and with trembling fingers, dialed Jiang Lingxi's number. The moment the call was connected, his throat seemed to be choked by something. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he could only stutter out the invitation. When Jiang Lingxi heard Mu Yang's invitation, her already lively eyes instantly sparkled like stars. Surprise surged in the depths of her eyes, almost overflowing. She couldn't contain her overwhelming joy. The corners of her mouth turned up high, and she agreed without hesitation. Her brisk voice was filled with a leaping smile, like the most beautiful bird song in spring, directly piercing into Mu Yang's heart.
Upon arriving at the car show venue, Mu Yang immediately switched into the mode of a professional commentator and began to introduce the racing cars to Jiang Lingxi non - stop. He started with the outstanding engine performance of the top - tier supercars, precisely analyzing the source of that surging power, and fluent professional terms flowed out of his mouth. Then he moved on to the unique aerodynamic design of the niche racing cars. He gestured along the body lines, vividly describing how the wind and the car danced in harmony. When he got excited during the introduction, he gesticulated wildly, and his eyes sparkled with a blazing light, as if all the brilliant lights at the car show had been incorporated into his eyes.
Jiang Lingxi stood quietly aside, as if she had been cast with a body - fixing spell. Her eyes were closely following Mu Yang, for fear of missing any detail. As he explained, the admiration for him in Jiang Lingxi's heart was like a vine growing wildly in spring. It quietly spread from the softest part of her heart, becoming stronger and stronger, entangling her heart layer by layer.
Time, like a silent traveler, slips away leisurely. By the time Mu Yang and Jiang Lingxi had finished enjoying the car show with great intoxication, the night had already fallen like a deep, heavy ink - colored cloth. Looking up, the neon lights of the city were like a spilled Milky Way, pouring down to the mortal world. The red, blue, and purple lights intertwined, colliding and blending recklessly, weaving a dazzling sea of lights that was so captivating that it made everything around seem like a dream.
Mu Yang, with his inborn elegance, approached Jiang Lingxi most gentlemanly. His long, well - defined fingers firmly grasped the car door handle and gently pulled it open. His movements were so smooth and natural, as if he had rehearsed them countless times. Every gesture exuded his suave demeanor. When Jiang Lingxi took slow, graceful steps and approached slowly, Mu Yang, as if he had a telepathic connection with her, slightly turned sideways. His eyes were like the warmest sunshine in spring, casting their soft light on Jiang Lingxi without reservation. And Jiang Lingxi's clear eyes, as clear as a spring, met Mu Yang's affectionate gaze at this very moment. At the instant their eyes met, an invisible current seemed to "fizz" in the air. It spread silently, precisely conveying the tacit understanding that was unique to the two of them.
"Thank you so much for taking me to the car show today. Every car is so cool. After listening to your explanations, I've really broadened my horizons," Jiang Lingxi said softly, her cheeks blushing like the afterglow of the setting sun on the horizon, with a hint of shyness characteristic of a young girl. Her voice was as gentle as the finest breeze in spring. In this quiet night, where it seemed one could almost hear the beating of each other's hearts, it was like a gentle breeze caressing an ancient zither string, producing a faint tremor that accurately and gently plucked at Mu Yang's heartstrings, making his heart tremble slightly.
Mu Yang's lips curved into a smile with just the right arc, revealing a charming smile that could make thousands of girls fall in love. Then, he replied in a low, magnetic voice, "As long as you like it. Actually, I've always been looking forward to having the opportunity to share these with you." As the words fell, his gaze, as if drawn by some powerful force, stared more intently at Jiang Lingxi. It was as if the girl in front of him was the most precious treasure in the world, and he wanted to engrave every subtle expression on her face and every floating strand of her hair deep into the softest corner of his heart, never to be erased.
Jiang Lingxi felt extremely uncomfortable under his intense and affectionate gaze. Her heart was pounding wildly like a frightened deer, and she subconsciously lowered her head slightly. Her flowing hair slipped gently down her cheeks, like a natural barrier, cleverly covering her already blushing face. When Mu Yang saw this, his mind went blank for an instant. His body seemed to move uncontrollably.
Subconsciously, he slowly stretched out his hand, his long fingers slightly curved, intending to tuck the mischievously fallen hair behind Jiang Lingxi's ear, wanting to reveal her beautiful face in front of his eyes again. However, at the critical moment when his fingertips were about to touch Jiang Lingxi's hair, his rationality returned instantly. It was as if he had touched a hot charcoal, and he withdrew his hand hesitantly as if he had been electrocuted. This subtle movement, though it happened in the blink of an eye, was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up layers of ripples in Jiang Lingxi's heart.
With a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, she secretly raised her eyes to look at Mu Yang. As if fate had deliberately arranged it, she happened to meet his flustered eyes that were withdrawing. For a moment, it seemed as if the air around them had solidified, and they could only hear the intense beating of each other's hearts. Then, they both smiled somewhat awkwardly yet sweetly. And the faint ambiguous atmosphere in the air became even stronger at this moment, as if it were about to tightly wrap the two of them.
Subsequently, Mu Yang woke up as if from a dream, realizing his gaffe. He quickly walked around to the other side of the car and sat steadily in the driver's seat. He took a deep breath to calm the waves in his heart and then gently started the engine. The car was like a lively and mysterious night cat, emitting a low, rhythmic rumble in the quiet night and slowly driving towards the school. Along the way, the atmosphere in the car was surprisingly quiet, yet not the least bit oppressive. Occasionally, Jiang Lingxi would be attracted by the various neon lights flashing by outside the window and couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation, full of curiosity and surprise. Whenever this happened, Mu Yang would look in the direction she pointed, with a doting smile in his eyes, and then discuss a few words with her enthusiastically, or share some interesting stories behind these neon lights. During this seemingly ordinary conversation, their arms would occasionally touch accidentally, or when they turned their heads to look at each other, their eyes would meet for a long time. Those short but heart - accelerating contacts made their hearts draw closer and closer. It was as if the whole world had quietly stood still at this moment, leaving only the two of them and the car slowly moving forward in the night. In this increasingly strong ambiguous atmosphere, with their yearning and anticipation for the future, they were driving towards an unknown but extremely beautiful distance, as if at the end of that unknown, a sweet happiness exclusive to them was quietly waiting to be opened.
On the way, the car slowly pulled to a stop at a viewing platform with an excellent view. This place was like a quiet haven outside the mortal world. It was completely silent all around, except for the gentle breeze that caressed like nature's tender touch, making the leaves rustle, as if whispering ancient and romantic secrets. In the distance, the lights of the city twinkled like scattered stars on earth, shining in unison with the stars in the night sky, jointly forming a dreamy picture.
Mu Yang slowly turned his head, and his gaze, as if attracted by a magnet, fixed on Jiang Lingxi. At this moment, the silvery moonlight poured down without reservation, like a thin veil, gently covering her face. The gentle breeze blew softly, tousling her hair. The moonlight shone through that strand of hair, casting fragmented light and shadow on her cheek, carefully outlining her delicate profile, which was as exquisite as a meticulously carved work of art. She was as beautiful as a fairy who had strayed into the mortal world, exuding an aura that made people dare not profane. Her eyes were like the most dazzling stars in the night sky. Under the moonlight, they sparkled with a moving radiance. Every time her eyes moved, it seemed as if there were galaxies surging within, hiding boundless tenderness and liveliness. Her skin appeared exceptionally fair under the moonlight, like fine mutton - fat jade, delicate and smooth, as if emitting a soft glow. It was impossible to look away, and one would feel that all the beauty in the world was concentrated on her.
Mu Yang's heart seemed to be tightly gripped by an invisible hand, pounding vigorously, thump after thump, as if it were about to burst out of his chest. His palms were slightly sweaty, with fine beads of sweat covering them and slowly trickling down through his fingers. His heart was like a surging tide, as nervous as if facing a life - determining exam, yet as excited as if about to embark on a dreamy adventure.
He couldn't help but reach out his hand. His movements were as gentle as if he were afraid of disturbing a butterfly. He gently stroked Jiang Lingxi's hair, and his voice trembled with a touch of deep affection as he said, "Lingxi, actually, I've liked you for a long time. Ever since our first meeting when we were children, that feeling of being smitten has always been hidden deep in my heart and has never faded away. Over these years, on countless silent nights, I would think of your smile. That smile seems to have a magic power that can dispel all the darkness in my heart. Whenever I encounter setbacks, the first person that comes to my mind is you. I think that if I could stand side by side with you, I would have the courage to face even the biggest storms. Over all these years, no matter where I go or how many things I experience, your figure has always lingered in my mind. I deeply understand that you have long since become an indispensable part of my life, the person I want to protect with the rest of my life."
Jiang Lingxi suddenly raised her head, and the pen in her hand dropped accidentally. The "clatter" sound was particularly prominent in the quiet study room. She looked at Mu Yang in surprise, her eyes full of disbelief. Her mouth slightly opened, as if she wanted to say something but was momentarily at a loss for words. After a long while, she said subconsciously, "Really? But I... I'm just an ordinary girl who won't even be given a second look in a crowd. You're so excellent, winning awards in academic competitions again and again and shining brightly on the stage. There must be many more outstanding and dazzling girls around you. They might be the ones who can stand by your side."
Mu Yang's heart was filled with pity. His gaze was as gentle as the warmest breeze in spring. He gently put his arm around Jiang Lingxi's shoulder and slowly pulled her into his embrace. He slightly lowered his head, his chin gently resting on the top of her head, and the faint fragrance of her hair lingered at the tip of his nose. Mu Yang's voice was low and tender, like a gurgling mountain stream, flowing into her heart word by word, "Silly girl, how could you think like that? In my heart, you are the most perfect existence, like the most dazzling star in the night sky, irreplaceable. Your kindness is like the warm sun in winter, capable of dispelling all the darkness in the world. Your innocence is like a flower covered with dew in the early morning, untouched by the world, so beautiful that people can't take their eyes off. And your smile, every time it blooms, is like a beam of light, shining straight into the bottom of my heart and illuminating my world. Never underestimate yourself. In my eyes, you are unique, the most precious treasure in my life, incomparable."
Jiang Lingxi leaned in Mu Yang's arms, clearly feeling his strong heartbeat. The rhythm of the beating seemed to tell the bits and pieces of their journey together. At this moment, a mixture of touch and joy welled up, and tears couldn't help streaming down her face. Mu Yang's heart clenched suddenly. Looking at the glistening teardrops sliding down Jiang Lingxi's cheeks, his heart was filled with nothing but pity.
He lowered his head slightly, his movements as gentle as if he were afraid of startling a frightened fawn. He moved closer bit by bit and gently kissed away the tears on her cheek with his lips. Then, his gaze seemed to be pulled by an invisible thread and slowly moved downward, finally fixing on Jiang Lingxi's slightly quivering lips. He felt his breath becoming more and more rapid, his chest heaving violently, as if there was a little deer bumping around inside. Driven by some intense emotion deep in his heart, he uncontrollably moved closer to her lips. Jiang Lingxi sensed his approach, and her whole body tensed up instantly due to nervousness. She subconsciously closed her eyes.
At this moment, the sound of her heartbeat was like a rapid drumbeat, making her eardrums ache. It seemed as if it was about to burst out of her chest and announce to the whole world the fluster and anticipation in her heart. The moment their lips gently touched, everything around seemed to be enchanted. Time froze, and the whole world fell silent, leaving only the sound of their ragged breathing.
Mu Yang's kiss was like the gentle breeze in spring, tender enough to caress the depths of the soul, yet also as hot as the summer sun, instantly igniting Jiang Lingxi's heart. His hand, as if afraid of disturbing the beauty in front of him, gently wrapped around Jiang Lingxi's waist, but the strength unconsciously grew stronger and stronger, as if he wanted to integrate her completely into his life with this embrace and become an inseparable part of each other's lives.
Jiang Lingxi's heart was also pounding like a little deer. She couldn't help but tilt her head slightly and reach out her hand. Her slender fingers gently rested on Mu Yang's neck. First, she tentatively explored, as if she couldn't believe the sweetness in front of her. Then, as the love in her heart surged, she passionately responded to Mu Yang's kiss. Their figures intertwined in the moonlight, outlining a sweet and romantic picture.
After a long time, the two seemed to wake up slowly from that lingering and reluctant dream, as if they had experienced a long and beautiful fantasy journey, both physically and mentally intoxicated. Their movements were slow and gentle as they slowly separated. Mu Yang stared at Jiang Lingxi. Her slightly reddened lips were like delicate and glistening flower petals, and her misty eyes, like being covered with a thin veil, were filled with the unique shyness and innocence of a young girl. At this moment, Mu Yang felt as if thousands of stars were twinkling simultaneously in his heart, shining brightly. A smile full of happiness naturally bloomed on his face.
He slightly leaned down, his posture incredibly gentle. He approached Jiang Lingxi's ear, and his voice was as soft as the spring breeze blowing across the lake, creating ripples layer by layer. He said slowly, "Lingxi, I will definitely do my best to make you the happiest girl in the world. For the rest of my life, every minute and every second, I will stay by your side and never leave you." When Jiang Lingxi heard this, she felt her cheeks burning hot, just like the flaming sunset in the sky. She was like a timid and shy little rabbit, and her heart was pounding uncontrollably in her chest, as if it was about to burst out. She gently bit her lower lip, leaving a shallow tooth mark on her pink lips. Then she slightly nodded, like a tired bird returning to its nest, slowly burying her head in Mu Yang's arms, quietly feeling this sweetness that had been obtained after going through twists and turns, as well as the reassuring breath that rushed towards her and made her feel at ease to the core.