The Hainan Miao Clan has such a custom of "biting the hand to signify love"; the harder a girl bites a boy’s hand, the deeper her love is supposed to be.
Although he knew that her bite was just an unintentional act for the dumplings, in this romantic haven akin to a paradise, at that very moment, his heart was truly moved... to unease...
Li Qingshen looked at the lively and excited girl beside him and suddenly felt the world was exceptionally bright and beautiful.
Not far away, a bonfire was burning, with crackling sounds carrying over, amidst laughter and song, like a slice of heaven on earth.
Soon after everyone had eaten their fill and drank heartily, coupled with the exuberant Miao women who found many of the visiting staff handsome and charming, they approached them for conversation, then pulled them over to the bonfire.
Ling Momo and Li Qingshen were no exception, initially circled around the bonfire, Ling Momo was a bit reserved, but as time passed, she gradually let loose, ending up dancing with great enthusiasm.
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Everyone had a blast, and by the time the party dispersed, it was already two-thirty in the morning.
Li Qingshen drove Ling Momo away, she not showing the slightest sign of tiredness, her spirits high, she suddenly suggested to watch the sunrise.
Li Qingshen did not refuse, instead he immediately set the navigation and headed towards End of the World.
The drive took about an hour, and when they arrived it was not yet four o’clock, the seaside was quiet and devoid of people, with the distant sky faintly beginning to lighten.
The sea breeze was strong, blowing away much of the alcohol, and Ling Momo felt even more sober.
Ling Momo and Li Qingshen sat on the beach, yet between them, silence reigned.
Ling Momo listened to the waves lapping against the shore, thinking there was still time before sunrise, and not wanting to continue in silence which was both boring and awkward, after some thought, she turned her head to look at Li Qingshen’s face, beautiful as an illusion, and broke the silence, "Teacher, let’s play a game."
Li Qingshen turned his head to look at the girl and nodded, asking, "Okay, what game?"
"Hmm, let’s do question and answer," Ling Momo said, not really knowing what else to play, so she chose the simplest game.
Li Qingshen continued nodding, his voice elegant, "What are the rules?" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel·fire.net
"We’ll play rock-paper-scissors, the winner asks a question, and the loser must answer truthfully, no lying allowed." Ling Momo, afraid that Li Qingshen might lie, blinked and with a radiant smile added, "Liers won’t find happiness, you know!"
"It’s a bit like truth or dare," Li Qingshen thought for a moment, then readily agreed, "Alright, let’s start."
Then they played rock-paper-scissors.
Li Qingshen lost the first round, and Ling Momo, biting her finger and rolling her eyes, asked, "Teacher, where was your first time?"
Li Qingshen gazed deeply at Ling Momo and answered, "In a hotel."
Ling Momo nodded and continued, Li Qingshen lost again, so she asked, "Which hotel?"
Li Qingshen looked at Ling Momo, his eyes growing warmer, and replied, "Imperial Palace."
Ling Momo’s expression changed slightly, his first time was at the "Imperial Palace," just like hers... both at the "Imperial Palace."
Thinking of this, Ling Momo couldn’t help but think of Enson, her expression becoming slightly stagnant, and Li Qingshen, watching the silent girl, spoke up and asked, "What’s wrong?"