Chapter 121

I collided head-on with a soft body, the fullness and elasticity making me bite back the curse that was already on my lips. I looked up and saw a girl with delicate features blushing in front of me, looking a bit lost.

Standing just over 5 feet tall, her plump chest strained against her white shirt, and her clean, slender legs peeked out from under a black knee-length skirt. Her slightly pale yet pretty face, adorned with bright, beautiful eyes, was full of shyness. The blushing cheeks framed by the short hair at her neck were quite captivating.

Though not traditionally beautiful, there was a unique charm in the way she carried herself, a distinctive allure in her demeanor.

"Are you okay? Did I hurt you?" My tone was gentle and concerned.

"It's nothing." The girl's thin red lips parted slightly, revealing white teeth, and her voice was sweet.

"Are you a teacher here? I'm here to enroll," she said softly.

"What's your name?" I didn't rush to deny.

"I'm Lily," the girl replied, her cheeks turning pink.

I extended my hand to her, "Great to see you around."

Lily hesitated before reaching out her right hand, her fingers long and delicate, with smooth skin and faintly visible blue veins.

I gently held her hand, deliberately exerting a little pressure to savor the smooth and delicate touch. It felt like an injustice to let go of such a pretty girl.

"I'm Zachary, also here for training. Do I look like a teacher to you?"

Lily glanced at me, her already shy face turning even redder. I could sense her breathing growing heavier.

She pulled her hand back, stammering, "Sorry... no offense, I mean... you're hot and all..."

She paused, looking into my smiling eyes, "you do seem quite mature."

"Alright! Mature enough to be your teacher."

I teased, coaxing a laugh from Lily. Realizing she might be acting too casually, she quickly covered her mouth with her slender hand.

"Where are the others? Haven't they arrived yet?"

"They've all gone to eat. The teacher specifically asked me to wait here for you. Let me take you to the restaurant."

"Then let's go." Lily turned and walked towards the elevator.

As I inhaled the lingering fragrance from my hand, I sighed. This innocent Lily might have a high IQ, but her emotional intelligence seemed pitifully low. She believed everything others said, making her appear easily pursuable.

I followed behind Lily, watching her shapely buttocks sway beneath her student skirt, tempted to reach out and touch.

A mischievous thought flashed through my mind.

"Lily!" I called her name softly, then quickly leaned over, lowering my head to her level.

Lily turned her head without any defenses, her rosy lips accidentally brushing against mine.

She froze for a moment, then let out a scream and quickly stepped back.

Though it was just a brief touch, I could distinctly feel the fragrance and softness of her lips.

Lily stood timidly before me, her cheeks flushed, at a loss for words.

I put on my best innocent face. "Sorry... I swear... Ididn't mean to."

Lily glanced at me, tears spilling down her face as she squeezed her eyes shut. Her backpack slid off her shoulder, and she bolted for the elevator, hands pressed to her face.

"Lily, I'm sorry." I picked up her book bag and hurried after her.

The atmosphere in the elevator was suffocatingly awkward.

Lily stared down at her toes, while I silently regretted my actions.

Lily was just too naive!

At the restaurant, I casually introduced Lily to everyone. My composed tone made Lily look at me strangely, her beautiful eyes filled with a hint of shyness.

"Now that you've met everyone, great. We've already paired up, so it's just you two left," the instructor said.

This instructor sure was efficient!

Lily glanced at me, her cheeks flushed, but she said nothing.

Every day after training, I'd come up with some reason to swing by Lily's room and ask her out. My lines were pretty much:

"Lily, wanna hit up a bar with me tonight?"

"Lily, let's go grab some stuff at the mall later."

But she always shut me down. After thinking it over, I figured I was coming on way too strong. A girl like her might've found it too much, maybe even a little scary.

I decided to change my strategy.

The next day, during the group training session, I didn't sit next to her as usual. Instead, I chose a spot in a distant corner.

The routine group discussions proceeded without any off-topic remarks from me.

As soon as the training ended, I left immediately.

After dinner, I returned to my room, lying in the dark, refusing to open the door no matter who came knocking.

I maintained this behavior for two days, noting that Lily would sneak glances at me during class, her eyes slightly red.

I chuckled to myself; Lily was finally taking the bait.

When Lily looked back at me again, I pouted at her and made a kissing gesture.

Lily blushed, her gaze shyly avoiding mine.

After class today, I headed back to my room early as usual. I sprawled out on the bed, watching the clock tick by. Before I knew it, it was already past eight, and just as I was about to give up, there was a soft knock at the door.

I was overjoyed.

Lily had finally come!

For the past two days, my deliberate coldness had been aimed at catching her attention.

I opened the door, and there was Lily, clearly putting in the effort. Even though she wasn't exactly a pro at this, she looked stunning—her freshly washed hair falling loose over her shoulders, and her lips, just a hint of gloss, soft and inviting.

"You're still up. Can I come in?" Lily approached me, carrying the scent of her perfume.

I bent down and gestured for her to enter.

"Thank you." Lily smiled sweetly and closed the door behind her.

"What brings you by so late?" I asked, trying to keep my cool even though I was stoked inside.

Upon hearing my question, Lily pouted, her cheeks flushing, her eyes looking somewhat pitiful and aggrieved.

"Do I need a reason to drop by? You'e not mad at me, are you?"

"How could I?"

I gazed deeply into her eyes.

"In fact, you know," I paused deliberately, gently placing my hand on Lily's shoulder. "I really like you. Being with you is what I've always dreamed of, even if just for a brief moment. But we're not from the same world. You're so pure, so kind, and I'm afraid of hurting you. That's why I forced myself to stay away from you."

Sometimes, presenting the truth as sweet words can be more impactful, especially for a young girl in the throes of first love.

"Then why did you act that way towards me today?" Lily's questioning eyes met mine.

"It's because I couldn't control my feelings. I really like you, and I'm sorry." I continued to lay out the truth.

Sure enough, as Lily heard my confession, her face turned a deeper shade of red.

"I've heard things about you too, and I know I shouldn't like you. But ever since that day, I haven't been able to forget you."

Lily lowered her head in silence for a moment, then mustered the courage to look into my eyes. "But why did you take my first kiss and then act so cold towards me? Have you ever thought about how I felt?"

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.