Chapter 274 - A Jar of Honey

The last school trip for the seniors was always special. 

Usually, school trips for TIHS students were conducted outside the country, to allow the students to experience various kinds of people, societies, and ways of life in order to broaden their horizons more.

But the last trip a student of THIS would have would always be spent within the country, as a symbol of their national patriotism. It was often in the less urbanized areas filled with scenic beauty of nature so that students would have a more spiritual connection with the county's natural gifts. It was also to allow the student to unwind from the pressure from their studies and to refresh their mindset.

Linfeng had already rented a private car for the two of them. He just recently stepped into a.d.u.l.thood and now he finally had his own driver's license. 

Linfeng opened the door of the passenger's seat for Xiong Zhi. After she went in, he circled around to the driver's seat and entered the car. He leaned forward and buckled Xiong Zhi's seat belt. His arm reached over her, as if he was embracing her, before he pulled the belt over her body. He was silent as he did all the actions gently.

Xiong Zhi did not take her eyes away from him. She watched him take care of everything with a faint smile in her eyes. It was nice to receive his care after one month of not seeing him. She felt like a pearl being held tenderly on top of his palm.

When Linfeng was finally done buckling her seat belt, he did not move away and maintained the same position. He stayed close to her, lowered his head, and looked directly into her eyes.

She unconsciously held her breath. His intense soulful eyes were looking right through her in such an intimate space.

Thump. Thump.

His warm breathing washed over her and his cool masculine scent overwhelmed her senses. 

Suddenly, the temperature inside the car felt hot. Xiong Zhi gulped.

"Did you have fun?" His warm breath tickled her face. His mesmerizing eyes held hers and refused to let go.

"Huh?" Xiong Zhi dazedly answered.

She felt as if she was being sucked into his eyes, she could not tear her gaze away. Her mind could not comprehend his words because she was too distracted of the sudden closeness. Her mind chanted repeatedly that he was too close, that he looked so handsome in his casual attire, and that he smelled so good.

"You spent quite a bit of time with him, did he take care of you nicely?" Linfeng decided to elaborate his question more. His keen eyes were attentively studying every movement of her eyes and every emotion appearing in them.

Feeling his warm breath hit her face as he spoke, Xiong Zhi's mind was still muddled. "Who?"

"That pretty—I mean, the Second Young Master Lu Yin Ze. It seems you're really quite close to him. Did he take care of you well earlier?" Linfeng repeated himself. Earlier, she smiled at the pretty boy and appeared to be very friendly with him.

Somehow, he felt a bit bothered by the sight, mainly because he did not like how the boy looked at Xiong Zhi. He could stay like this all day and ask her until he gets an answer. He wanted to know if she had fun with the pretty boy.

Because if she had, then Linfeng must expend more effort to make his Young Miss feel even happier with him today. So happy that she could forget the existence of that pretty boy who obviously had hidden intentions. 

As a man who loved her wholeheartedly, he naturally felt the possessiveness of a man over his woman.

Xiong Zhi finally started to regain her wits. After understanding his words, she nodded honestly, ignorant of the thoughts of the man.

"Oh, you mean Lu Yin Ze. Yes, he indeed took good care of me." After all, Lu Yin Ze graciously served as her tour guide around the Luxury Garden. When they took a break, he also served her the best desserts in the Luxury Hotel. Not to mention, he even escorted her personally until here in the City F with his private plane.

If that was a hired escort service, she would surely give a perfect rating of five stars.

Linfeng's eyes flashed darkly. He knew it. That guy looked innocent in appearance but had a scheming heart. He must have taken the chance to spend more time with her as much as possible. 

He would not be surprised if the pretty boy had schemed and made an excuse earlier to have her come to him alone.

Alas, the poor silver puppy was shot by the man simmering in a vinegar jar even when the puppy was lying down.

"I see." He was about to move back and return to his proper position when Xiong Zhi suddenly grabbed his clothes, pulling him back close to her.

Linfeng was stunned for a moment and looked back questioningly at her. Because of the tug at his clothes, he was pulled much closer to Xiong Zhi.

On the other hand, Xiong Zhi realized what she had done and immediately let him go, her face flushing unnaturally. But Linfeng stayed in his position, waiting for her to say something. 

Did his Young Miss want to say something to him?

Xiong Zhi blushed deeper. She had acted instinctively. She liked him staying close to her, so she stopped him from moving back. But then she realized that Linfeng needed to drive. How could he drive at this position? Xiong Zhi felt ashamed of her impulsive desire and did not know what to say, so she stayed quiet and bit her lips.

Linfeng watched her every move. Naturally, his gaze fell on her bitten lips.

...Somehow, her lips looked even ruddier and more tempting today.

He swallowed and moved up his gaze, away from temptation. "Is there something you want to say to me, Young Miss?" 

'Young Miss?' 

Xiong Zhi's attention was immediately distracted. She looked at him with slight complaint in her eyes. 

"We are alone here," Xiong Zhi reminded him.

"Oops," Linfeng laughed cooperatively. "Yes, we finally have our exclusive time together, Zhi'er. Sorry, it took a long time."

"It's fine. It's not like you left me because you wanted to."

"Still, we missed a lot of days. I owe you all of them." Linfeng had not forgotten their deal.

"I lost count of the days. You don't need to mind it. Aren't we together now?" 

Perhaps, because of the close distance where they had no need to speak louder, all of their exchanges came out in whispers.

Inside the car, the two people stuck intimately close together, whispering to each other.

Linfeng's hand moved and held onto the headrest of the passenger's seat where Xiong Zhi was sitting, his fingers barely touching her hair. 

"It's alright. Didn't I tell you I will pay you for a lifetime?" His fingertips naughtily caught a lock of her hair.

If it was let down to flow freely down her back, he could easily take up a few locks and bring them to his lips. Too bad her hair was tied up in a ponytail. He was afraid that he would end up pulling at her ponytail and hurt her scalp.

Thus, he satisfied himself with wrapping her silky locks around his fingers.

"Besides, about the nickname, many people call you Zhi'er. Like your classmate, Lu Yin Ze... and Miss Song. It's not something I especially call you alone," Linfeng said with a hint of grumbling. He feared that Xiong Zhi would think he was targeting the pretty boy, so he also mentioned Song Xuantin.

"But when I say 'my Young Miss', I feel like I'm yours alone..." he said in a hazy voice.

'And in a way, you are mine' 

His mesmerizing voice could make any girl start screaming in worship and adulation. His peach blossom eyes were enticing Xiong Zhi. His eyes blazed as he gazed at her.

Xiong Zhi's heart received a huge attack. The current Linfeng was filled with appeal and magnetism, as if he was luring her into the unknown.

'Yours alone.' 

Those words stabbed at her heart, but she willingly embraced it. 

Thump. Thump. 

Her heart pounded so loudly. 

Xiong Zhi put her hands on her chest. Her cheeks were rosy, and her watery eyes were in a haze.

"If I continue to call you 'my Young Miss' from now on, I will always be reminded of my promise to you. To pay you with my whole lifetime for your unwavering trust in me." He sighed. "What can I do? I feel like this lifetime alone is not enough. You must accept me in our next lifetime, too," Linfeng teased, not knowing that Xiong Zhi's heart was already drowning in sweetness.

The Young Miss who was still a newbie in love in this lifetime was dying in saccharine sweetness. Her ears were pregnant with his magnetic whispers, her heart was beating so fast, her face was on fire, and she felt like she was floating amongst the clouds.

A balloon slowly inflated, turned red and steaming hot in the process, until it exploded with a bang. That was Xiong Zhi's current state.

'Linfeng... He said is willing to be with me even in the next lifetime. Isn't it the same as saying "I like you", or "I love you"?'

Xiong Zhi was already educated to some extent by Song Xuantin who had a PhD in Love Major, so she had learned some romantic connotations.

Linfeng wanted to continue saying a few more words of love, to express his feelings for her. His mouth just parted, but a soft and dainty hand quickly touched his lips, to prevent him from saying more.

"S-stop," Xiong Zhi said with red cheeks. 

"..?" Linfeng's eyes widened a bit, his mouth still covered by the girl's hand.

"My heart can't take it anymore," she continued. Her watery eyes looked up at him as her other hand covered her chest, clutching at her shirt. 

Her heart would really explode if he continued teasing her!

The usually cold Young Miss of the Xiong family was gone. In front of Linfeng was a young woman in love blushing furiously and with her shy yet bright eyes. 

She looked so lovely and alluring. 

It was now Linfeng's turn to feel as if his heart had fallen in a jar of honey.