Madam, Please Behave
Chapter 422: Full of Youthful Vigor

Footsteps sounded.

The previously closed door suddenly swung open as a figure slipped into the room.

Liu Zhiyue appeared inside.

His shoulder was slightly damp from rain, and his first action upon entering was to lift his hand and pinch the wet fabric.

"It started raining so suddenly..."

His voice reached Zhou Shiyan's ears.

Seeing his rain-dampened hair, a hint of helplessness flashed across Zhou Shiyan's face.

Releasing her grip on the suitcase, she walked toward Liu Zhiyue.

"Look at you, your hair's all wet."

"Couldn't be helped - it started pouring out of nowhere."

Responding casually, Liu Zhiyue looked at Zhou Shiyan standing before him.

"All packed?"

"Mhm."

"Double-check nothing's left behind. We won't be renting this place anymore - if something gets left, what'll we do when new tenants move in?"

"I've checked. Got everything."

"That's good."

With these words, silence fell between them.

They simply gazed at each other.

The atmosphere... suddenly became somewhat charged.

Though the weather wasn't hot, Liu Zhiyue inexplicably felt stifled.

He tugged at his collar.

His cheeks flushed slightly.

"Must be... from running up and down the stairs..."

"Let me fan you."

Hearing this, Zhou Shiyan thoughtfully raised her hand, positioning her palm near his face.

She waved it up and down.

The breeze was minimal, barely noticeable.

Seeing her deadpan expression while making such a silly gesture, Liu Zhiyue froze momentarily.

Then couldn't hold back.

He burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, that's so adorable of you."

"......"

Her hand stopped mid-air as Zhou Shiyan stared at him.

Under her gaze, Liu Zhiyue's laughter died abruptly. Realization dawned - he'd just called her cute to her face...

This...

Gradually, a faint blush spread across Zhou Shiyan's cheeks. Avoiding eye contact, she looked down at the floor.

"Are...are you complimenting me...?"

"I..."

"After going to City B...we won't see each other for a long time. Since it's just us now...if...if there's anything you want to say...I'll listen carefully..."

Her voice grew increasingly soft - had they not been standing so close, Liu Zhiyue might have missed her words entirely.

It was hard to believe such words came from Zhou Shiyan. For a moment, Liu Zhiyue wondered if he'd misheard.

Looking at her averted face...

At her faintly blushing cheeks...

Outside, rain poured heavily.

Inside, they stood facing each other.

His hand slowly reached out.

Liu Zhiyue grasped her hand tightly, as if holding a priceless treasure, with no intention of letting go.

"Shiyan..."

"Mhm."

"I..."

"Mhm, I'm listening."

"Can I...kiss you?"

"......"

"Not like - not on the lips! Just...just a..."

"Okay."

Before Liu Zhiyue could finish stammering, Zhou Shiyan responded.

Then she closed her eyes, tilting her face slightly upward toward him.

Her long lashes fluttered faintly.

Betraying her inner turmoil.

Looking at the girl before him,

Liu Zhiyue felt his heartbeat accelerate wildly. As his pulse raced, his body grew increasingly warm.

Subconsciously, his tongue darted out to moisten his lips.

His mouth felt dry.

He leaned in slowly - painfully slowly - his inexperience making every movement tentative.

The distance closed gradually...

Just as they were about to touch—

"Zhiyue! What're you two doing still up there?!"

His father's voice boomed from outside. Startled, their eyes flew open, hands separating instantly.

Liu Changqing appeared in the doorway.

Taking in the scene of two teenagers standing back-to-back, heads bowed.

Especially his son—

Face red as a baboon's rear.

Frowning slightly, Liu Changqing asked:

"What were you two doing in here? Why are you both so flushed?"

"......"

"......"

Liu Zhiyue had no answer. How could he explain he'd been about to kiss her?

Liu Changqing understood immediately.

A boy and girl alone in a room, with the girl leaving for another city soon? The conclusion was obvious.

Knowing he'd interrupted something, Liu Changqing didn't press further, simply telling Zhou Shiyan:

"Time to go. We're running late."

"Mhm."

As Zhou Shiyan moved toward her suitcase, Liu Changqing nudged his son, whispering sharply:

"Stop gawking! Help...help her with that."

Snapping to attention, Liu Zhiyue hurried over, grabbing the suitcase handle first.

Then they followed Liu Changqing out.

Zhou Shiyan trailed behind, pausing with her hand on the doorknob. Before closing the door, she took one last look at the room.

One final glance at this place filled with precious memories.

The door clicked shut.

She followed father and son toward the stairs.

——————————————————————

At the train station,

Liu Changqing and Liu Zhiyue watched as the mother-daughter pair disappeared through the ticket gates with their luggage. Only when they'd vanished completely did the two men turn toward the parking lot.

Each held an umbrella as they walked.

"Your Aunt Lan must have struggled with this decision," Liu Changqing mused. "Going to City B alone...leaving her child here for school."

He glanced at his umbrella-toting son.

"But let me make one thing clear - though Zhou Shiyan will be living with us, don't cross any lines. At your age, hormones run wild. If something happens, how could I ever face your Aunt Lan?"

"Dad..."

"I know you've got self-control, but a reminder doesn't hurt. Young men brimming with youthful vigor..."

"......"

He wanted to say more, but seeing how his son's umbrella drooped lower and lower...

Liu Changqing let it go.

They reached the car.

The drive home passed quietly.

Arriving at their apartment building, the two took the elevator up. Before Liu Changqing could even retrieve his keys at the door, faint wails reached them.

Loud, distressed cries.

Exchanging alarmed glances, Liu Changqing fumbled with the keys.

As the door opened, his daughter's heartrending sobs filled the air.

Along with his mother-in-law and wife's voices:

"Did it let go yet?"

"No use! Xiazhi's hand is bleeding!"

Realization struck. Liu Changqing rushed to the bathroom.

There he found—

His daughter kneeling on the tiles, face red and puffy from crying.

The culprit behind her distress?

The pet turtle he'd bought her.