Huan’er stopped, holding his hands with both of hers, “Can’t I stay with you?”
Like spoiled coquetry, yet also like waiting for a request to be granted, she swayed his arm.
That way nearly shook Jing Qichu’s heart out.
Near midnight, on a quiet campus path, a couple in passionate love.
He certainly understood Huan’er’s meaning.
“It’s possible…” Jing Qichu’s tongue-tied, “But… but I… I’m not prepared.”
“Did you book a twin room? Can’t it be changed?”
Has this girl become silly from studying?
Jing Qichu tapped her forehead with some amusement, “Safety measures.”
Huan’er was unconcerned, “There’s a 24-hour convenience store nearby.”
Young Mr. Jing finally caught on—he was the silly one, while she had deliberately waited until now with thorough and careful planning.
“Oh, unless by preparation you meant technique rather than supplies? If you haven’t…” Huan’er suddenly blushed and lowered her head, “We could watch videos… study the theory first.”
How did it get here? She had initially guessed correctly about his so-called preparation but then went off on an entirely unrelated tangent.
Jing Qichu turned his face aside to hold back his laughter, then composed his expression and looked at her again, “You don’t need preparation for that.”
Huan’er suddenly raised her head, looking slightly surprised, “So you…”
“What are you thinking?” Jing Qichu flicked her nose, his tone somewhat helpless, “I’ve never had practical experience.”
Huan’er made an “oh” sound, then suddenly smiled, “Then shouldn’t we watch something to prepare?”
Something like male pride was suddenly stirred.
Jing Qichu leaned close to her ear, “If you insist on watching, you’ll have to deal with the consequences.”
In the moonlight and streetlamps, he saw her ear turn bright red.
A delicate, obedient, bright red little ear—heaven knows what willpower he used to stop himself from biting it.
“Let’s go.” Jing Qichu collected himself and put his arm around her, walking toward the campus exit, “I booked a room with a double bed.”
Huan’er’s parents’ generation hadn’t yet developed awareness about sex education for their children, but children who grew up in the faculty housing area could be more calm and composed about these things than their peers—after all, even complications from circumcision surgery had become a topic of academic discussion at the hospital cafeteria tables. So facing the colorfully packaged products on the convenience store checkout counter shelf, the two casually picked up and put down items, researching before finally selecting an ultra-thin type. Huan’er even whispered in Jing Qichu’s ear, “Check the size, make sure it fits properly.”
“This whole row is the same size.” Jing Qichu was unconcerned, “As long as it’s not too tight, it won’t fall off.”
“There have been cases of them getting stuck inside.” Huan’er said seriously, “I heard about a case from my mom, they didn’t pay attention at first thinking it would come out naturally, but later it almost caused an infection, quite troublesome.”
Jing Qichu laughed, “Then manufacturers could develop a custom-made service, membership-based.”
The cashier was used to customers buying condoms, some hurrying away embarrassed, others making small talk to ease the awkwardness, but someone discussing business opportunities from market demand—this was truly a first.
“How much?”
“Oh, thirty-two.” The cashier hadn’t recovered from his surprise, momentarily unsure of their purpose in buying this item.
Jing Qichu paid, said thanks, and left with his arm around Huan’er.
Another couple entered the store, the girl standing at the door looking around, the boy hastily grabbing a box and placing it on the counter, staying silent throughout as if afraid of being seen, quickly paying and leaving arm in arm.
Now that’s the normal way, the cashier thought to himself, watching their retreating figures.