<h4>Chapter 265: Chapter 265: Kiss</h4>


    Cheng Lie couldn’t help but think about what the driver uncle said that day: boys should take the initiative.


    Originally, he wanted Yun Shifei to fall deeper and deeper in love with him, so much so that she’d confess to him on her own.


    But what the driver said seemed to make sense too.


    She was so timid—how long would he have to wait for her to muster her courage?


    Maybe he should take the initiative for once.


    However, his emotional boundaries made being overly proactive a challenge requiring immense courage for him.


    So, he went online to search for tutorials on simr situations.


    With that thought, Cheng Lie stepped forward and approached Yun Shifei from behind.


    Today, Yun Shifei had tied her hair up into a high ponytail, revealing her slender, fair neck.


    Cheng Lie gazed at the girl’s delicate skin and reached out, wanting to touch it.


    Create an ambiguous atmosphere on purpose—for example, wrapping his arms around her from behind. That way, she’d know he liked her, and she liked him too, and then they could be together.


    This was one of the few useful methods he had found online.


    But, for some reason, as he stretched out his hand toward her neck, he suddenly felt that such behavior was a bit excessively awkward.


    Before, he had been able to interact with her naturally. But now, using some inte technique, everything just felt... off.


    As he was reflecting on what felt wrong, Yun Shifei suddenly turned her head.


    She had been watching TV when she sensed something behind her. Turning her head, she saw Cheng Lie standing there wordlessly, hand reaching out, and she was so startled that she leapt up.


    "Cheng Lie, are you trying to scare me to death?" Yun Shifei stared at him, her face pale.


    For him to suddenly appear behind her without a sound—how could that not be terrifying?


    Cheng Lie snapped out of his thoughts and lied calmly, "I didn’t have time to greet you."


    Yun Shifei was speechless, but this kind of behavior was typical of Cheng Lie, so she sighed resignedly. "Have you finished washing the dishes?"


    Cheng Lie nodded.


    "Then let’s watch TV together. This show’s pretty good."


    This era had produced many ssic TV dramas, the kind that would still be broadcast even a decadeter.


    Cheng Lie sat down beside Yun Shifei and apanied her in watching TV.


    After a while, Yun Shifei yawned. "In a bit, I want to visit the welfare center to see Xiao Yi. Are youing with me?"


    Cheng Lie murmured in agreement.


    If she was going, of course he’d go too.


    "Then let me nap for half an hour first. I woke up early today. Why don’t you rest a little too?"


    Cheng Lie shook his head, turned off the TV, and picked up a book beside him to read.


    Yun Shifei, hugging a throw pillow, curled up on the edge of the sofa and quickly fell asleep.


    She had always been a quick sleeper, especially infortable environments. Before long, Cheng Lie could hear the steady rhythm of her breathing.


    Unable to resist, he put down his book and leaned closer to Yun Shifei, silently observing her as she slept.


    While she slept, her features softened and rxed. She appeared to be having a wonderful dream, as evidenced by the small smile ying at the corners of her lips.


    Cheng Lie kept watching without realizing that the distance between them was getting smaller and smaller.


    When he came to his senses, he was already just one centimeter away from her.


    This close, he could even catch the faint fragrance she carried.


    A scent unique to her, special and enticing.


    It made him want to get even closer.


    At that moment, he felt that most of the online advice about men taking the initiative was utter rubbish,pletely impractical.


    To him, it all just felt unnatural.


    Instead, he much preferred the spontaneous intimacy that came naturally between them.


    Like now, as he leaned forward and gently kissed Yun Shifei on the forehead.


    This kiss—it had been a long time since their first one at the amusement park.


    This was the second.


    Just as he finished kissing her, the girl shifted slightly, causing Cheng Lie to startle and pull back abruptly. He picked up the book again, feigning nonchnce.


    Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Yun Shifei hadn’t woken up. She had merely turned to her side and drifted back into sleep.


    Then he heard her murmuring softly.


    Cheng Lie heard it clearly—Yun Shifei was saying his name.


    "Cheng Lie..." Her voice was soft and sweet, like a gentle ripple spreading across his heart.


    Cheng Lie’s heart began to race uncontrobly. He couldn’t hold himself back again and gave her another gentle kiss, this time on her supple cheek.


    As he’d imagined, it was as sweet as honey.


    When Yun Shifei eventually woke up, her face was filled with confusion and embarrassment. Her gaze flickered nervously whenever she looked at Cheng Lie.


    Cheng Lie nearly believed she had discovered his stolen kisses.


    But, if she had realized he’d kissed her, there’s no way she’d still be sitting there looking dazed, like a clueless little fool.


    Thinking back to those two kisses, a subtle smile tugged at Cheng Lie’s thin lips.


    Yun Shifei avoided meeting Cheng Lie’s gaze because she had just dreamed that he kissed her!


    No, to be precise, Cheng Lie had kissed her, nting a big kiss on her cheek.


    After waking up, she even subconsciously touched her cheek.


    Hmm... this feeling was too wonderful. If Cheng Lie hadn’t called her to wake up, she wouldn’t have thought about getting up at all.


    "If you don’t get up soon, it’ll be toote to visit the welfare center," Cheng Lie said, urging her again.


    By now, it was already four o’clock in the afternoon.


    Yun Shifei wondered how she had managed to nap for so long.


    She jumped up and ran to the bathroom to ssh water on her face. Afterward, she told Cheng Lie, "Let’s go, we’re heading out."


    Cheng Lie noticed the water droplets still clinging to Yun Shifei’s face. He grabbed two tissues, cupped her face, and gently wiped it for her. "Why didn’t you dry your face properly?"


    Hearing the mild scolding in his tone, Yun Shifei blushed, feeling a bit perplexed.


    She realized that her interactions with Cheng Lie hadpletely flipped from how they’d been back in South City.


    No, actually, their dynamic seemed to alternate back and forth.


    Sometimes, he was the obedient one, letting her lead him around, just like that time at the market.


    But other times, he disyed such a manly side—like now, helping her wipe her face.


    What kind of unpredictable behavior was this?


    Yun Shifei felt like she was bing increasingly puzzled by Cheng Lie.


    At the welfare center—


    As soon as Yun Shifei got out of the car, a group of children surrounded her.


    Since she visited every week, the kids were very familiar with her. Every time they saw this big sister, they knew she’d bring delicious snacks and tell them exciting stories.


    Even the director auntie often told them how wonderful this big sister was, reminding them to always wee her when she visited.


    Yun Shifei distributed the snacks she’d bought for them. These were the treats she and Cheng Lie had picked up at the supermarket earlier, where Cheng Lie had insisted on paying first at checkout.


    Watching this cold, seemingly aloof man, Yun Shifei thought to herself, his heart is actually so warm.


    Who could argue otherwise?


    That’s why, even when people in their neighborhood used to spread negative rumors about Cheng Lie, Yun Shifei never believed them for a second.


    Hearsay could never outweigh what she saw with her own eyes. She trusted what she had personally witnessed.


    Fang Kaiyi had also grown more cheerfulpared to before. He even started conversations with her voluntarily now.


    "Big Sister, look at my Rubik’s Cube! Isn’t my ying really awesome?"


    He had already managed to align all the same-colored blocks together.


    Yun Shifei couldn’t resist praising him, "You’re amazing!"


    Cheng Lie pursed his lips—he could solve it with his eyes closed.