"Say, are you jealous of Brother Renshu?"
Dai Zhiqiang sighed helplessly. "Even if I did, it's just my own problem. You guys have known each other for so long, so it's understandable if there are many things I didn't know about you, but Senior Meng knew about."
Li Caiyi giggled. Dai Zhiqiang raised his brows in wonder, so she quickly explained. "It's just you are usually so calm and collected about everything. I thought you weren't the type to make a fuss over something like this.
"I wouldn't care if it's any other person, but it's different when it comes to you. I can't deny that I'm a very possessive person, and I want to monopolize you."
Dai Zhiqiang squeezed her hand tightly. "If we weren't in public right now, I might have already asked your permission for a kiss, but let's stop talking about this before I lose control again."
Li Caiyi blushed when she recalled the last time he acted like a hungry wolf and agreed with him.
The bookstore was pretty empty when they arrived.
Li Caiyi didn't waste any time and immediately searched the corner for a new book. When she finally spotted what she was looking for, she almost couldn't contain her excitement and jumped on the spot.
"Zhiqiang, it's there! My book is there!" Li Caiyi said as she rushed over and hugged one of her books from the stack. Her heart shook, and an indescribable emotion bubbled up inside her.
"I can't believe this day has finally come. I'm so happy." Li Caiyi's eyes glistened with tears, and Dai Zhiqiang stroked her head fondly to comfort her.
"Yes, you have done well in the past few months. Congratulations, Caiyi."
Everyone only knew she only began to write a few months ago, but only she knew how long she had kept her dream hidden from everyone. Seeing her book being published was already a miracle, but now there was a stack of her books displayed for everyone to see.
Emotions overwhelmed her five senses that she couldn't utter words for a few seconds.
"You look so happy. This must mean a lot to you."
Li Caiyi nodded. "Yes, I have been waiting for so long. My father was really against it before, and no one in my family supported me either. Because they are used to listening to my father's words above anything."
Dai Zhiqiang had already heard about how Li Caiyi's parents had divorced. He was worried about how she would cope with the aftermath, but it seemed that divorce was probably for the better.
For Li Caiyi, writing was like drawing for his little brother. And he intended to help her in any way he could.
Li Caiyi noticed she talked too much only about herself, so she took the initiative to ask, "Zhiqiang, do you have a dream?"
Dai Zhiqiang didn't answer immediately and flashed a restrained smile instead. "I used to have one."
"Used to?"
"Yeah, I used to admire police officers so much, and I dreamed of becoming one when I got older."
"That's a very great dream! I think it's very suitable for you." Li Caiyi brightly said.
"But I have long given up on that dream. Now I just want to live happily with my family."
Li Caiyi observed his expression, but she couldn't tell if he was sad about it or not. Either he didn't mind it that much, or he hid his emotions really well. She was more inclined to believe the latter, though.
"Are you really going to give up on it? You have good grades, and I'm sure Shenqiang and Uncle will support you very much."
"I plan to work a job that earns a lot of money in the future. Since I have good grades, I don't think it will be difficult for me to achieve that."
Li Caiyi stared at him with a regretful expression. She knew that Dai Zhiqiang must have thought about it a lot before making that decision.
It was a shame that he felt obligated to throw away his dream for the sake of his family. However, she could understand him.
Li Caiyi was forced by her family to abandon her dream, and Dai Zhiqiang abandoned his dream for the sake of his family. She wondered which one of them was the more unfortunate one.
At least she had a chance to do whatever she wanted to do now. But Dai Zhiqiang probably would have been stuck in the same shackle for a long time. The sad part about that was that this was none of anyone's fault and couldn't be controlled.
If their position were reversed, Li Caiyi was sure she would do that without hesitation.
Dai Zhiqiang chuckled, noticing her troubled look. He put his hand on top of her head before saying light-heartedly.
"Don't make that face. My dream just changed into something else. I didn't force myself because as long as my loved ones are happy, that's all I will ask for."
"And you said you are a selfish person," Li Caiyi smiled bitterly, "I think you are still very selfless when it comes to your needs."
Dai Zhiqiang's smile instantly changed into a more provocative one. His eyes glowed with a mischievous glint. "You talked as if you know what I need. I can be selfless about anything but one."
He sneakily wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. He moved her, so she stood in front of him as he hugged her from behind.
"This one is the only thing I will never share with anyone." He whispered seductively beside her ears.
Li Caiyi's body shivered all over, sensing the moist air on her earlobe. Her heart drummed loudly, and she accidentally dropped the book she had been holding since earlier out of surprise.
Thud!
The sound of the book made a few people look their way. Thankfully, Dai Zhiqiang's tall and big body easily covered Li Caiyi's body from sight. The onlookers immediately brushed it off as nothing and continued with what they were doing.
Meanwhile, Li Caiyi had to hold back her voice because Dai Zhiqiang kept teasing her by caressing and tickling her side.
"S-stop that. There are people around us!"
"They wouldn't notice anything. I worked in the library for more than a year, so trust me on this."
"Even so, this posture is really inappropriate. Did you forget what we were talking about before?"
"Hm? You said that but I don't see you resisting my advance," Dai Zhiqiang said wickedly. It was like a devil whispering words of temptation to her.
The voice was so pleasant and sinfully attractive. It drowned her reason and weakened her resolve. She just wanted to be wrapped in his firm hand forever.
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