Chapter 19: Support

Wang Yan braced himself on Tong Xingyao’s legs and leapt down.

Although Xingyao’s legs were comfortable to sit on, Pei Zhanxi was still at home—he wasn’t sure if she had left yet. If not, he could take the chance to foster some closeness.

He picked up the lunchbox.

Clatter!

Something fell to the floor.

Setting the large lunchbox aside, he bent down and retrieved the object. It was a business card.

He glanced at Xingyao, who simply sat there, lost in thought, seemingly still savoring the moment.

Wang Yan: (⇀‸↼‶)

Well, that didn’t mean kissing would be off-limits in the future.

“Xingyao, do you want to act in movies?” Wang Yan asked, clearly noticing the business card.

Xingyao remained still for a moment, then nodded faintly.

He smiled. “Wonderful! You finally have something you want to pursue.”

“Something… I want to pursue…” Xingyao repeated, turning to meet his gaze.

“Yes, exactly,” Wang Yan replied. She now had something she truly desired—to leave her mark, a permanent impression.

Her recently tear-stained eyes still carried faint redness, but a crescent-shaped smile appeared. Small tears clung to the tips of her lashes, and the soft peachy hue under her thin eyelids hadn’t entirely faded.

Wang Yan, oblivious to how endearing she looked, continued to pat his chest encouragingly.

“You’ve grown up, Xingyao. You’re a big kid now. Don’t worry—I’ll be there to support you on set.”

He wrapped her head into his chest. Being slightly shorter than him, he had to tiptoe, using the lunchbox to gain just enough height.

Xingyao pressed her eyes shut, cheeks snug against his clothing, greedily absorbing the warmth and softness. Her body relaxed slightly.

A tiny curve of a smile appeared at the corner of her lips as she nestled in Wang Yan’s embrace.

Support?

Words alone… weren’t enough.

Wang Yan, lost in the joy of seeing Xingyao find her own ambitions, had no idea she was plotting a subtle response.

She maintained her cozy posture, adjusted her breathing, then—

First, she gently tilted her head, nuzzling against him.

Then, reluctantly, she pulled away, her small head gradually sinking under its own weight.

Her eyelids drooped, long lashes like delicate fans, weighed down by sleepiness. She blinked a few times, futilely resisting the mounting drowsiness.

“Sleepy?” he asked just as she swayed.

Suddenly, Xingyao’s head tipped sharply toward the corner of the desk!

“Ah!” Wang Yan’s heart skipped. He caught her face just in time, the edge of her forehead stopping millimeters from the hard surface.

“Careful!” he exclaimed, cupping her face and checking for injuries. “Did you hit it? Does it hurt?”

Xingyao leaned into his hand, eyes half-open, glassy with drowsiness.

“…dizzy…”

He carefully let go of her face and took her hand. “Come on, let’s move.”

Guiding her gently, Wang Yan led the half-asleep girl out of the classroom.

Afternoon sunlight bathed a secluded, lush lawn on campus. Wang Yan looked around, selecting a soft, shaded spot beneath a tree.

He sat first, patting his thighs to create a comfortable resting place, soft and inviting under the sun.

He beckoned to Xingyao, still rubbing her eyes and struggling against sleep.

“Come here, Xingyao. You can rest here.”

Trusting his encouraging gaze, she finally lay down.

When the back of her head touched his warm, springy thighs, her heart fluttered with joy.

She carefully adjusted, pressing half of her cheek fully against his soft lap, nose grazing the clean scent he carried.

Her long black hair fanned across his pants and the green grass, forming a serene, picturesque scene.

Indeed… it was a thousand times more comfortable than she had imagined.

Her breathing slowed, soft and even.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappled across her peaceful face, casting a gentle golden glow.