Chapter 357, Do This and Do That

Ling's eyes wandered for a moment, as if he was considering where to go, and then he seemed to have made up his mind and just sat between Zhuo's legs.

She leaned her back against Zhuo's chest, then put her hands on her knees and looked forward like she usually did during class. Zhuo smiled slightly when he saw her.

"Please use me as a chair... Princess."

"Don't call me Your Highness."

Finally, Ling said something softly with a little annoyance, and then leaned on Zhuo as if he was relieved.

"…Even if I want to be angry with you, I can't. Zhuo has seen through this point of mine. I still feel bad, and I want Zhuo to experience how I feel."

"No, I don't... But how can I experience it?"

"That's what bothers me. I can't see any weaknesses in Zhuo."

"Well, it's not like you, with weak spots all over your body."

"It's not that exaggerated. I just felt that way because it was you who touched me."

Hearing the words "Only Zhuo" that made him feel honored, Zhuoqing couldn't help but curl his lips.

Zhuo of course believed this statement completely, and also knew that it was true - only showing weakness to oneself, and having weakness, the premise is trust and love, so he would care too much. "Just because of Zhuo" such words, it makes people feel very comfortable.

"...I think Zhuo is very adaptable. He is no longer as reserved as he was on Christmas Day. He is very calm."

“It’s not easy at all.”

"I can't tell at all, seeing how calm you are."

As he spoke, Ling turned around and leaned his face against Zhuo's chest.

Zhuo laughed softly: "Why do I have to stick close to it to hear it this time?"

You can pretend to be calm on your face, soak in hot water, and conceal the blush, but the sound of your heartbeat cannot be concealed.

His heartbeat was faster than usual, and Zero blinked and raised his head.

"That's why I told you, you're not calm at all... I've already troubled you a lot in life, and if you're also flustered in this regard, it would be really unbecoming."

Zhuo believed that his feelings of liking and trusting Ling were no weaker than anyone else, so he would naturally care about Ling's feelings and worry whether she would think that he had a bad figure or a bad personality, etc. It was impossible for him to have no thoughts when taking a bath with her. Zhuo wanted to touch Ling and even thought about taking off the covering that was in the way.

The reason why he didn't do this was because Zhuo didn't want Ling to become the victim of his uncontrollable desires, and considering the future, it was not a good idea to follow his instinct and act immediately.

This is probably why Ren said he was a coward - Zhuo couldn't do the kind of thing where he didn't consider the other person or the future, and just did everything he could first.

However, due to Zhuo's personality, he wants to develop little by little, step by step, and there is nothing he can do about it.

"…I thought you were used to my body."

"What's the point of getting used to it? I want the tank to do this and that, but I just endure it."

"Do this, do that..."

"Well……"

"……wash?"

"...I know...I'm sorry, that's why I said I wasn't calm at all."

Ling's neck was stiff, and he looked down with great effort like a rusty turbine, then he turned his head to the side without saying anything, "I hit it." Zhuo was very grateful for this. But looking at Ling's erratic eyes, he didn't know what she was imagining.

Zhuo gave a wry smile and was about to stroke her head and tell Ling that he would not do anything, but he found that Ling had turned around and was staring at him.

Then she sat down again, leaning her back against Zhuo's chest, and pulled Zhuo's arms, which were resting on the edge of the pool guardrail, over to wrap around herself.

The unexpected hugging posture, and not pulling away, to be precise, became tighter, making Zhuo stiff, and Ling turned his head and looked into his eyes seriously, although it was still a little unnatural, but there was something more like a sense of responsibility in it. "...If it lasts a little longer, I can still bear it."

"..."

“…Isn’t that enough?”

"No, no... I always feel like you overestimate me. Boys' self-control and promises at times like this are unreliable."

That's what he said.

After getting permission, Zhuo uncontrollably hugged Ling tightly.

Feeling Ling's slender figure with his hands and body, Zhuo slowly exhaled.

Zhuo rested his chin on the black hair that was so close to him, and Ling whispered in a tone a little softer than usual, "Don't fall asleep here," and then let Zhuo put part of his body weight on her.

Zhuo didn't say "I know" but patted Ling's small shoulder. Then, Ling let out a breath as if he felt itchy.

"……warm."

"Yes."

“Your arms are so calming.”

"It's an honor, but won't it make my heart beat faster?"

"With a heartbeat."

"Is your heart beating faster now?"

"Yes, always."

Even though Ling said so, Zhuo couldn't tell from her calm face. No matter what, it wouldn't be a good idea to touch her to confirm. After all, Zhuo already knew that Ling's heart beat fast. When she was thinking about Ling making some contact, she would immediately become stiff because of excessive concern - every time she became like that, her heart must be pounding.

Ling frankly admitted his current situation, and Zhuo laughed, then leaned forward slightly and pressed close to him.

Lingze didn't dodge, but looked nervous again.

"...If this happens, will your heart beat faster?"

"Yes, but..."

"but?"

"...Now that it's like this, you'd better hold me tighter."

Ling seemed to have turned into a real doll and was frozen in Zhuo's arms. She whispered something. She looked at the bamboo forest in front of her (it was called a bamboo forest, but it was actually just an artificially transplanted decoration), and seemed to be in a state where she could not move.

Because this request was so appealing, Zhuo felt his blood boiling. In order to fulfill Ling's wish to be a little cute, Zhuo gently put his hand around her belly and hugged her tighter.

Zhuo knew why Ling shook for a moment when he touched it, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"is this okay."

"……Row."

"I can still let you go now."

"No, no... not in the future."

After saying "No need to let go, not ever again," something that was unlike Ling to say, Ling gently touched Zhuo's arms that were hugging his heart.

"...Actually, I don't hate Zhuo touching me. I like it and I long for it. But I don't want to actively do these things. Does Zhuo think I'm contradictory?"

(End of this chapter)