Section 2

Certainly, if such a fleeting touch can be considered a kiss

"Captain Nie, let me explain..." Ye Ru said anxiously, realizing the misunderstanding was significant. "No need to explain, I saw nothing!" Nie Zhuoyang waved his hand and chased after Tang Xiaoxiao. As Tang Xiaoxiao hurried down the stairs, she felt a chill all over her body. She recognized that the woman was the chief flight attendant of Xinghang and recalled Ye Ru's attentive care for Lin Yufan on the plane, fearing they had already become involved with each other. Lin Yufan had previously even accused her cousin Anqi of being unable to endure loneliness abroad, it seemed he was not much better off. She recognized that the woman was the chief flight attendant of Xinghang and recalled Ye Ru's attentive care for Lin Yufan on the plane, fearing they had already become involved with each other. Lin Yufan had previously even accused her cousin Anqi of being unable to endure loneliness abroad, it seemed he was not much better off. As for herself, she was probably the so-called "pitiful spare tire." "Xiaoxiao!" Nie Zhuoyang caught up from behind and grabbed her. Tang Xiaoxiao bit her lip and turned to glare at him. "Don't look at me like that, I know no more than you do, nor did I find out any earlier," Nie Zhuoyang said with a helpless smile. Tang Xiaoxiao's chest heaved a few times, calming down slightly, shook off Nie Zhuoyang's hand, and said hoarsely, "Don't follow me, I need to be alone for a while." "Don't look at me like that, I know no more than you do, nor did I find out any earlier," Nie Zhuoyang said with a helpless smile. Tang Xiaoxiao's chest heaved a few times, calming down slightly, shook off Nie Zhuoyang's hand, and said hoarsely, "Don't follow me, I need to be alone for a while."

Because she had almost stayed up all night on the night shift, Tang Xiaoxiao went to bed right after dinner. Just as she had fallen asleep, she was awakened by several phone calls, all looking for Tang Shengqiang. After waking up, she stared blankly for a while, feeling a tightness in her chest. The silence in the house was uncomfortable, so she simply got up and went downstairs

Tang Xiaoxiao was taken by surprise, her eyes widening in astonishment, her mind buzzing as if trampled by countless hooves

Suddenly, a blinding light shot over from the opposite side of the playground, accompanied by a loud shout: "Who is it? How did you get in?"

Nie Zhuoyang let out a bitter laugh in his heart; he had indeed ended up in the hospital. It was not that he had gone back on his word. At that time, in order to find Yun Luo and give it to her, he braved the typhoon to go to the seaside and was swept away by the waves. Fortunately, he was lucky enough to be rescued by the coast guard. By the time he woke up, he had been in a coma in the hospital for several days. After that, too many things happened at home in quick succession.

Stop! Where did all these exes come from? It's all wrong! Nie Zhuoyang forcefully tapped her bowl again, saying, "There is no such thing as an ex-classmate; the most important point is that your close friend Yang Buhui is not my ex-girlfriend"

"I truly did not have that intention! I was still young at that time, and everyone was just teasing me; it was merely a playful act." Nie Zhuoyang glanced at her and, with a hint of meaning, said, "Sometimes, adults also struggle to distinguish their own feelings, mistaking admiration or sympathy for love."

The girl inside gracefully emerged, her face vaguely resembling the one seen last time downstairs. She was draped in Nie Zhuoyang's coat, revealing only her two slender legs and seven-inch stiletto heels. Nie Zhuoyang was dressed only in a white shirt, holding an umbrella in the chilly wind and light rain to escort the girl to the door, then he reminded her of something, to which the girl nodded and smiled gently

Nie Zhuoyang did not ask her where she was going and simply started the car. After driving for an unknown amount of time, the car came to a stop; they had arrived at Lin Yufan's building. Tang Xiaoxiao took a moment to compose herself and followed Nie Zhuoyang upstairs. Upon entering, the main lights in the living room were on, and a pair of beige women's leather shoes was placed at the entrance. They were low-cut, with a mid-heel, featuring a simple yet elegant design, which did not seem like something a cleaning lady would wear.

Given Lin Yufan's condition, it seems that I will have to take care of him for the entire night

"I thought you wouldn't come, I thought you all had left!" He grasped her hand so tightly that the veins on the back of his hand were visible. "I know you don't talk to me about Anqi because you are afraid it will make me sad. In fact, I knew last year that Anqi had someone else. I just couldn't admit my own failure! If I had gone to study in the United States with her after graduation, perhaps everything would have been different. But at that time, Zhuo Qiyuan offered me a very good position, and my feelings for Anqi were not strong enough to make me willingly give up this great opportunity. I was even more reluctant to be so far away from you... If I had gone to study in the United States with her after graduation, perhaps everything would have been different. But at that time, Zhuo Qiyuan offered me a very good position, and my feelings for Anqi were not strong enough to make me willingly give up this great opportunity. I was even more reluctant to be so far away from you..."

"Where are you going so late? I will take you there." Nie Zhuoyang did not carry an umbrella, and the fine rain soaked his shoulders and the tips of his hair, making his eyes appear particularly dark as if they had been washed with water

That day, after the evening study session, he came to find her and took her to the playground, saying he wanted to sing for her alone as an apology for the earlier prank of puncturing her bicycle tire. In the nighttime playground, he sat on the parallel bars, without a guitar accompaniment, softly humming the song. The faint starlight gradually illuminated his handsome profile, shining all the way into her heart

Haitian Yuyuan is about seven to eight kilometers away from the Civil Aviation Community, directly connected by a coastal avenue. Nie Zhuoyang went downstairs, drove back all the way, but did not see Tang Xiaoxiao. After thinking for a moment, he circled around the community again and finally parked his car in front of the Rainbow Restaurant

The rain continued to fall in a gentle patter as Tang Xiaoxiao, holding an umbrella, walked to the entrance of the Rainbow Restaurant, stepping on a ground covered with fallen leaves. It was past ten o'clock in the evening, and inside, there were still a few people having late-night snacks. The entrance was littered with numerous leaves blown down by the wind and rain, creating a scene of desolate autumn under the dim yellow light.

Nie Zhuoyang said, "Linzi, you are really not being fair. You actually invited Xiaoxiao to your birthday party without inviting me." At that moment, he felt a bitterness in his heart, but he replied lightly, "I was actually looking for an excuse to invite her cousin, Anqi." Nie Zhuoyang was taken aback: "So what everyone said is true, you like Anqi?" He did not respond, merely lowered his head to gather the snow beside him into a ball, holding it in his palm as it slowly melted, a cold sensation enveloping him. Nie Zhuoyang was stunned for a moment, then got up from the snow, brushed off his clothes, ran his hand through his hair, and shook his head vigorously: "Fortunately, you don't like Tang Xiaoxiao; she is far inferior to Anqi!" After that year, nearly ten years had passed, and Binhai had not seen such heavy snow again.

The woman was taken aback and instinctively went to cover the hem of her T-shirt. Tang Xiaoxiao shot a glance at the woman and turned to leave. Nie Zhuoyang stared at the woman in astonishment: "Ye Ru?"

Tang Xiaoxiao blinked and said mischievously, "Oh, you initially wanted to pursue Yang Buhui, but unfortunately, you didn't succeed."

As the sun sets in the west, the bustling city sheds the heat of the day, and golden rays of light filter through the windows of the corridor, elongating the graceful figure at the entrance of room 912. Ye Ru tried several keys before finally opening the door, stepped inside to change into a pair of slippers, and quietly surveyed the unfamiliar room. She then placed the shopping bag on the dining table and walked to the bedroom door. "Mr. Lin, I am Aunt Tian's daughter. She twisted her ankle this afternoon while shopping at the supermarket, so I will be cooking for you tonight." Ye Ru's voice was soft and gentle. The curtains in the room were drawn, and the light was dim. A man lay propped up on the bed, one arm shielding his forehead, completely still, seemingly asleep.

That year, Nie missed her on her seventeenth birthday, causing her to be caught in a heavy rain and suffer from myocarditis, which required hospitalization. He left without a word, and it has been seven years since. From then on, she regarded him as the most unreliable "male god".

Regardless of the reason for the missed appointment, he has yet to provide even half a sentence of explanation. Therefore, the only explanation is that the date, which she regarded as so important, holds little significance in his heart. Perhaps he has long forgotten about the special birthday gift? Moreover, it is said that shortly after her birthday, he had his first girlfriend.

"I am fine," Tang Xiaoxiao said, shaking her head in confusion. "I just feel very stuffy and want to get some fresh air." Nie Zhuoyang thought for a moment, blinked, and with a mysterious expression said, "I will take you to a good place." Half an hour later, the two stood by the playground of the Civil Aviation Children’s Primary School. Tang Xiaoxiao had not yet calmed down from the excitement of climbing over the wall, while Nie Zhuoyang had already nimbly leaped onto the parallel bars and then extended his hand to her, saying, "Come up!" The night was very dark, like ink that could not be dissolved, with even the stars obscured by clouds, yet his eyes sparkled like stars, twinkling brightly.

As the last rays of light through the curtains faded away, Lin Yufan slightly opened his eyes in the darkness, giving a self-deprecating smile, yet his tone was distinctly desolate: "The doctor said that even if I can stand up, I will be a cripple, a cripple!" Ye Ru did not respond, her palm slowly sliding down from his forehead to gently cover his eyes. He obediently closed his eyes, his voice tinged with fatigue: "Am I being too greedy? I always want to do better, always want to gain more, yet in the end, I can't hold onto anything at all..."

He suddenly turned his head, and his warm lips instantly covered hers, but only brushed lightly against them, falling down in an instant and rising again just as quickly

Lin Yufan was somewhat incoherently recounting, while Ye Ru cautiously withdrew her finger, only to have it grasped by him again. After several rounds of tugging, she extended her other hand to gently stroke his forehead

"Every time you are unhappy, you come to eat spicy noodles. Of course, you also come to eat noodles when you are happy, but it's tomato and egg noodles," Nie Zhuoyang said, raising his hand. "Boss, bring me a bowl of beef noodles, large size!" Tang Xiaoxiao paused her chopsticks and hesitantly asked, "Why are you so free? Are you on vacation, or have you been effectively grounded?" Nie Zhuoyang smiled faintly and replied, "Aren't they the same? Anyway, I am happy to take a break for a while."

Ye Ru quietly left, rummaged through the medicine cabinet to find the medicine and prepared it, then returned to the bedside to feed Lin Yufan the medicine. However, Lin Yufan would not open his mouth, and no amount of shouting could wake him. Ye Ru had no choice but to pry open his jaws with a spoon and force the medicine down his throat

Nie Zhuoyang swayed back and forth on the parallel bars, holding a beer can and pointing to the top of his head, then continued to alter the lyrics: "I always see your clear eyes in my dreams, my heart is awakened once again, I stand here recalling the scene of our past farewell, you stand so lonely under the starlight ... ... "

"It's done, the gatekeeper is coming, hurry up and leave!" Tang Xiaoxiao exclaimed softly. Seeing that Nie Zhuoyang showed no reaction, his gaze was dazed, looking as if he was truly drunk, she quickly reached out to nudge him.

Tang Xiaoxiao lifted her face to listen, unable to help but feel her heart flutter. She quickly reminded herself that the deep emotions conveyed in this magnetic and melodious singing were merely a result of the profound vocal skills of the amateur band’s lead singer beside her. Thus, she began to interject: "You still won't admit you've had too much to drink, singing out of tune like that!"

It was indeed the rainy season, and during the night, several lightning strikes and thunder damaged the equipment at the radar station. Tang Xiaoxiao's father, Tang Shengqiang, the station chief, received a report from the duty officer and immediately organized personnel to go up the mountain for repairs

Halfway through the medication, Lin Yufan suddenly began to cough violently, followed by a surge of vomit mixed with the smell of alcohol pouring from his throat, splattering all over Ye Ru.

Ye Ru detected a strong smell of alcohol and glanced at the bottle on the bedside table. After a moment of hesitation, she walked to the edge of the bed and leaned down to ask again, "Mr. Lin?" The man mumbled a vague "mm" and let his arm drop, yet he still did not open his eyes. When Ye Ru clearly saw his slightly furrowed brows and handsome face, she couldn't help but be surprised. Indeed, life is full of unexpected encounters; although this world is vast, sometimes it feels quite small. It turned out that this Mr. Lin was none other than Lin Yufan, an old classmate of Captain Nie. Ye Ru noticed that his eyes were tightly closed, his cheeks flushed with an unusual redness, and his breathing was quite rapid. Alarmed, she reached out to feel his forehead, which was indeed burning hot; he had a fever. Just as she was about to reach for the lamp, Lin Yufan suddenly grabbed her: "Xiao Xiao, is that you?" Ye Ru was about to deny it when she saw him shake his head with his eyes still closed, giving a bitter smile: "No, don't make a sound!"

He pushed the door open and indeed saw Tang Xiaoxiao engrossed in a large bowl of oil-splashed spicy noodles, so he sat down opposite her: "Who made you angry to put so many chili peppers?" Tang Xiaoxiao raised her head and glanced at him with red-rimmed eyes: "Who said I am angry?"

She truly is a failure, having only had two experiences in her life, the first being Nie Zhuoyang, and the second, still Nie Zhuoyang

A short honk sounded, and Tang Xiaoxiao turned her head to see a black Land Rover slowly stopping in front of the flight attendant building across from the Rainbow Restaurant. Nie Zhuoyang got out from the left side of the car, first took an umbrella from the trunk and opened it, then walked around to the right side to open the car door, and gentlemanly held his hand to shield the door frame.

"Did I drag you down?" Tang Xiaoxiao dared not tell him that she had spent all her free time recently scrolling through Weibo. She had registered multiple accounts and participated in the online battles all night, staunchly supporting Nie Zhuoyang. ... Little did she know that speaking too much would lead to mistakes, and several times she was caught by the opponent, who launched a fierce attack on her verbal loopholes ...

"You know so much, Casanova!" Tang Xiaoxiao shot him a glance and lowered her head to eat her noodles. Nie Zhuoyang silently watched for a moment and said softly, "Little raindrop, you just finished your night shift, right? Eat well and go back to sleep for a good while. When you wake up, everything will be fine." His voice was gentle and magnetic, like water flowing through sand, capable of soothing all anxiety and troubles. Tang Xiaoxiao raised her head and found herself staring into his unfathomable eyes, momentarily taken aback. Little raindrop, he called her little raindrop! Whenever he saw her cry as a child, he would call her little raindrop, no longer teasing or bullying her, but instead finding ways to make her happy. "Look at you, dark circles under your eyes and bags, hair all messy." Nie Zhuoyang pouted, wearing a look of disdain, shaking his head, "Hurry back to sleep, you messy girl, you look terrible!" Tang Xiaoxiao blinked and then huffed in indignation. That serious demeanor and gentle gaze from Nie Zhuoyang just now must have been her imagination, right? It seemed she really needed to get some sleep.

"Third grade summer vacation? I still remember how you didn't keep your word back then!" Tang Xiaoxiao pouted, "At that time, I was sick and hospitalized. You clearly promised to go to the seaside to find a cloud snail for me, but you didn't show up for most of the summer vacation afterward. You weren't hospitalized for alcohol poisoning, were you?"

Ye Ru hurriedly settled him down to sleep, then quickly went to the bathroom to tidy up. Seeing that her skirt was severely damaged, she had no choice but to randomly find a T-shirt from Lin Yufan's wardrobe to change into temporarily, and then washed the skirt clean and hung it out on the balcony to dry

Tang Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment while standing, when she heard the sound of the bedroom door. A woman emerged from inside, holding a cup, her head slightly bowed. She appeared to be in her thirties, with delicate brows and long eyes. Her hair was casually tied up in a somewhat disheveled bun, and the loose-fitting men's T-shirt she wore did little to conceal her curvaceous figure. Particularly striking were her two bare, graceful legs, which exuded an alluring charm that seemed entirely natural.

Being kissed by the "male god" in the hearts of many girls, should she not be overwhelmed with excitement and joy? Unfortunately, she only fainted for a moment before regaining her senses

But I succeeded in the surprise attack the next day! Nie Zhuoyang smiled and said, "Do you remember? Just like this—"

Seeing Tang Xiaoxiao in a distracted state, Nie Zhuoyang smiled somewhat playfully: "What are you thinking about? It's not the first time I've kissed you. Later, Wang Dali also wanted to kiss you, but I gave him a beating."

Perhaps it was before her birthday? Then she was merely his "spare tire"? It seems she indeed has the potential to be a spare tire. But this time, she has decided to maintain her inner defenses and resolutely not be tempted again

Perhaps due to the lack of sleep after the night shift, Tang Xiaoxiao felt somewhat dazed, as memories from the past surged to the forefront of her mind, melting like dark chocolate, both bitter and sweet. She lowered her eyelids and silently got into Nie Zhuoyang's car

Under her soothing presence, Lin Yufan finally calmed down a bit and sighed softly, saying: "I relied on Zhuo Qiyuan's financial support to continue my education from high school all the way to university. This is a secret. Do you know why? Because he owes me!"

He kissed her

With a "pa" sound, Nie Zhuoyang tapped the edge of Tang Xiaoxiao's bowl with his chopsticks: "What kind of relationship do we have that you treat me so distantly?"

"Captain Nie, that was truly well said!" Tang Xiaoxiao clapped her hands and smiled, "Now I can rest assured; otherwise, I would have owed you a great favor."

I know this is a dream, so let me stay in the dream a little longer. Everything is a dream, there was no car accident, and I am not injured! Ye Ru, feeling a pang of compassion, gently pulled down his hand, said nothing, and simply patted the back of his hand in a comforting manner

You are overthinking it. The situation here is quite complex and does not concern you. " Nie Zhuoyang waved his hand and continued, "Moreover, I would do the same for any passenger. Upholding passenger rights and ensuring flight safety are the professional qualities and fundamental responsibilities of a civil aviation captain.

"I haven't had too much to drink! Let me sing a song for you," Nie Zhuoyang said, and began to sing softly, "The starlight at the horizon reflects on my face, illuminating my restless heart, the endless journey is so long..."

With a dull thud, Nie Zhuoyang fell straight down from the parallel bars

In a moment of distraction, Tang Xiaoxiao suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder. She raised her head, only to find Nie Zhuoyang, who had appeared beside her at some unknown time.

"You know, it's actually a bit complicated for me," Tang Xiaoxiao tilted her head and thought for a moment, "You are my former deskmate, and also the ex-boyfriend of my close friend..."

Tang Xiaoxiao turned away after just one glance, and the sorrow in her heart instantly transformed into an ocean, nearly drowning her. The words from a few days ago still echoed in her ears, and she actually took them to heart. What nonsense about not wanting to serve the princess complex; a white knight like him is meant to be paired with a princess, isn't he? ... The type of girl he likes will always be this kind ...

"Where are you going so late?" Nie Zhuoyang pulled her back again

"Is that true?" Nie Zhuoyang scratched his head, pretending not to remember, "Yunluo is not easy to find. Besides, at that time, I was fighting with Wang Dali and was locked at home by my dad. Do you remember Wang Dali? He is the chubby kid who chased you all over the playground..."

You have had too much to drink!" Tang Xiaoxiao raised her hand and vigorously wiped her lips. Indeed, it was the "male god syndrome"; he had come to comfort her, yet he himself had gotten drunk.

After finishing the song, he bent down and extended his hand to her, asking, "Do you want to come up?" She suppressed her wildly beating heart and smiled as she reached out her hand. He grasped her hand, and at that moment, someone nearby set off fireworks on the rooftop; the sky suddenly erupted with brilliant flowers, and the dazzling light danced across his face. The fireworks of that night were deeply etched in her mind. Unfortunately, they missed the most beautiful love at an age when they did not understand love, like the splendid fireworks that vanished before they could be fully appreciated. He grasped her hand, and at that moment, someone nearby set off fireworks on the rooftop; the sky suddenly erupted with brilliant flowers, and the dazzling light danced across his face. The fireworks of that night were deeply etched in her mind. Unfortunately, they missed the most beautiful love at an age when they did not understand love, like the splendid fireworks that vanished before they could be fully appreciated. Tang Xiaoxiao closed her eyes, collected her thoughts, and said, "I can do it myself." With a strong push of her arms, she also climbed onto the parallel bars. "You're not tall, but you're quite strong. Can you not be such a 'tomboy'?" Nie Zhuoyang shook his head and sighed, "You have to give the boys a chance to show off, right?"

Relying on oneself is better than relying on others! Tang Xiaoxiao sat on the parallel bars, tilted her head back, and took a deep breath of the fresh air filled with the scent of earth and grass after the rain, and indeed, her mood improved significantly. Nie Zhuoyang opened a can of beer and handed it to her: "Can you drink? Have a little." Tang Xiaoxiao took it and boldly gulped down several large sips, glancing at him: "Beer is just a beverage to me." Nie Zhuoyang gave her a thumbs up, also picked up a can, and clinked it with hers: "The first time I drank alcohol was during the summer of third grade, when I secretly drank my father's."

Tang Xiaoxiao chuckled and said, "Of course I remember, he was imitating what he saw in a TV drama, chasing after me wanting to kiss me. Later, you joined in the fun, and I was chased so much that I had to hide in the women's restroom"

The cloud snail is a precious and rare type of sea snail found in coastal waters, characterized by its beautiful cloud-like patterns and a pearly white hue with a hint of blue. It has a history of over 200 million years in the ocean and is classified as a fossil-level marine organism. It is said that finding a cloud snail on the beach will bring good luck and a lifetime of happiness

As the dark clouds dispersed, under the vast starlit sky, he turned to the side, gazing at her tenderly and deeply, gradually lowering his head.

Tang Xiaoxiao seemed to be transported back to ten years ago. Binhai No. 1 High School had a strict school spirit, and Nie Zhuoyang, like the other boys, wore a school uniform and sported a crew cut, yet he created a British style with a checkered scarf and a pair of sunglasses. At the welcome party, he played the guitar and sang, captivating countless girls in the audience, including her.