And so it goes in circles.

Until Ji Jue nearly brushed her gums to the point of bleeding, and as she walked out, Wen Wen was still struggling with that 'unopenable' door.

"What's up?"

Ji Jue asked in confusion, "Leaving already?"

"No, no, nothing, I didn't mean... it's not..." Wen Wen stammered, shaking her head and waving her hand, "The door! I discovered the door is broken."

"Really?" Ji Jue leaned over to look, "It was just replaced a few months ago, it's still new."

Click!

The doorknob was twisted off.

Wen Wen looked over and repeated once again, "The door is broken."

"..."

Ji Jue sighed helplessly.

Alright, alright, so it turns out the door is broken.

I thought the door was broken.

"Don't worry, leave it to me."

He walked over, took the distorted doorknob, and under Wen Wen's bewildered gaze, tossed it aside.

Then, he leaned in closer to that face that wore remnants of relief and panic.

Gentle, a brief touch.

A taste, and then stopping.

He slowly moved away, gazing into those slightly trembling eyes.

"This time, there's finally some sweetness, right?"

Unfortunately, he couldn't wait for her comments and answers.

"I... I'm leaving, I still have work, so... no more disturbances."

Wen Wen lowered her head, instinctively turned around, wanting to escape, "What just happened... just consider it a thank you, don't, don't misunderstand..."

But her hand was suddenly grabbed.

She couldn't break free.

"Is it gratitude?"

She heard Ji Jue's voice, as if he suddenly understood, "So that's it, it's gratitude, now I'm relieved."

If that's the case, then...

"Then let's give thanks once more."

And so, the familiar embrace from the dreams was revisited. The breath she had grown accustomed to in dreams was now so close.

It forced her to open her eyes and face reality.

Though the back door was right there, it felt as if there was no escape.

But when she closed her eyes, she didn't feel Ji Jue's touch, and when she opened them, she saw his eyes.

So calm.

A reflection of herself mirrored within them.

"Is it really gratitude, Sister Wen?"

Wen Wen instinctively wanted to shake her head.

But if it's not gratitude, what is it? She couldn't figure it out. Maybe she just instinctively wanted to avoid the answer.

The moment she realized this, she couldn't help but laugh.

Laughing at herself.

Thinking she was fearless, she hadn't expected to want to dodge, though she considered herself brave, from past to present, it was all just evasion.

Now, with the path of leaving right before her, she felt a sense of attachment and regret.

So weak.

But once she acknowledged her true self, the initial tension and panic miraculously disappeared.

She returned to calmness, no longer tense or bewildered.

Following her heart's choice, Wen Wen leaned toward the face so close at hand.

Voluntarily closing the final gap.

This time, she didn't evade.

Just like Tong Hua's novel says, indeed.

There's a sweet taste, a blend of mint and osmanthus, seemingly tinged with a lingering hint of alcohol. Just a brief taste is intoxicating.

Completely enraptured.

Until a long time later, seemingly having run out of breath, she let go and gave Ji Jue a faint smile, "Consider it a reward for you."

"Just a reward?" Ji Jue asked back.

Perhaps, who knows?

Maybe there's more, more things inside wanting to surge forth, more greed and desire, more sweetness and joy, like confessions and reliance in dreams, and more...

Moreover, something she couldn't allow herself to say right now.

"If one day, I can figure it out, I'll come back and tell you."

She smiled, her eyes bathed in the bright sunlight.

She no longer bore the once strong and bold demeanor, cheerfully and calmly smiling, facing a world more painful and cruel than a dream.

No more hesitation.

"Sorry, broke your lock, send the bill to Beishan Group, the mission losses will cover it nicely!"

"Is misusing public office like this really okay? Aren't you technically a Federation official?"

"Are you going to report me?"

"No, I mean, can you make a few more invoices? I recently bought a quaternary reaction device and could use the reimbursement."

"Ji Jue, dream stuff should remain in dreams."

Wen Wen mused, stretching her body, basking in the fresh morning sunlight, as if reborn, with a soft sigh, "What nice weather! And, right on time, that damned Wen Sheng is dead..."

She saw the mountain of liquor in the yard, her eyes lighting up, she suggested, "Why not have a drink to celebrate?"

"...Sister Wen."

"Hmm?"

Ji Jue was already starting to feel a headache coming on, "Maybe you should quit drinking!"

"There's so much, wouldn't it be a waste if we don't finish it, at least drink it all first..."

Wen Wen laughed out loud, unceremoniously taking the most expensive bottle, waving it at Ji Jue, and started the freshly repaired motorcycle, "I'll treat tonight, eight o'clock, don't forget the usual place."

The motorcycle roared to life, the engine full of power.

Unfortunately, the noise was constant.

Ah, almost forgot... that rip-off auto repair shop needs sorting out!

Otherwise, I might not even have the money to treat.

Thus, Wen Wen made up her mind.

However, before leaving, she turned back once more to look at that extremely familiar figure behind her.

Unconsciously, she realized how long they'd known each other now.

Even though it felt like their first meeting was just yesterday, yet when she returned to her senses, she realized that this guy had seen all of her embarrassing moments in this life.

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