《Abstinence》 First Movement: 《Illegitimate範》
Chapter Fifteen: The Hidden Codename
1) Morning Sweetness
The next day when she woke up, the sun wasn’t roused by an alarm clock.
The light outside the window was soft, tinged with a hint of blue and gold, like dawn diluted by seawater, gently spread across the hotel’s white sheets.
The room was quiet, filled only with the low hum of the air conditioner and the steady breathing of the person beside her.
The sun turned her head slightly and found Zi Ang had already woken up.
He leaned against the headboard, half-sitting as he looked down at her. His gaze was as deep as a still pool; no one knew how long he had been watching.
“Morning.” His voice carried the husky timbre of morning, sounding especially captivating.
The sun blinked, not yet fully awake, but smiled first. “What time is it? Did I… oversleep again?”
“Doesn’t matter.” He reached out to brush the hair from her forehead. “You slept well—that’s what matters most. Here, time is whatever I say it is.”
He got up, fetched a dust bag from the sofa, and handed it to the sun.
“Wear this today.” He opened the bag to reveal a white dress, fitted yet understated. “We’re going to the aquarium.”
The sun took it, her fingers brushing the soft fabric, and asked instinctively, “Why the aquarium all of a sudden?”
“Because the lighting there is beautiful—perfect for photos.” Zi Ang leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Besides, it matches what I’m wearing—couple outfits.”
The sun’s ears burned. Her heartbeat raced. She looked at Zi Ang in his white shirt, refined and clean.
“Are we… a couple?” The words slipped out before she could stop them; it was the question she had buried deepest.
Zi Ang didn’t answer right away. He cupped her face, his thumb resting on her cheek, smiling gently. “Until I officially confess and you truly say yes, we’re not. This is just a taste… You deserve a more perfect confession.”
The sun lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes, yet her heart was in turmoil. She liked him—that much was certain—but the tightrope-like dependence made her afraid to nod easily.
When they changed and stepped out, Zi Ang naturally took her hand. The gesture was so smooth it felt rehearsed countless times. In the car, the sun gazed at the receding scenery outside, her mind replaying his words. If he really confessed, would I say yes?
2) Aquarium Romance
The aquarium entrance was nearly empty. Blue light poured down from above, clean and pure. Zi Ang photographed her the whole way—low angles, backlighting, reflections—shooting with professional skill, even capturing her silhouette lost in thought before a massive tank.
“You took so many; I’ll have to pick for ages when we get back,” the sun muttered.
“No need to choose—every shot of you is beautiful.” Zi Ang smiled innocently. “It’s rare to act like normal people, so we should keep more memories.”
At the underwater tunnel, a staff member suddenly waved. “Handsome guy and pretty girl! Want a souvenir photo here?”
The sun instinctively looked at Zi Ang. He smiled. “Come on, enjoy being ordinary for a bit.”
They stood in the center of the tunnel as fish swam overhead. Zi Ang wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close, then lowered his head for a kiss—not rushed, but natural and intimate.
When the flash went off, the sun felt as if she had truly become an ordinary girl.
At lunch, Zi Ang went to the restroom. The sun watched his retreating figure, heart full of sweetness, until a curvaceous girl collided with him. Zi Ang reflexively caught her; she fell into his arms.
In that instant, the sun’s heart sank. The scene was too familiar—like how she had “accidentally” met him.
The girl asked, blushing, “Can we get to know each other?”
Zi Ang smiled, his voice low but just loud enough for the sun to hear: “Although I don’t have a girlfriend yet, the person I like is watching. Whether I stay single depends on today.”
With that, he turned and walked back to the sun.
The sun gave him a cold look. “That scene looks familiar, Mr. Zi Ang.”
Zi Ang chuckled and leaned toward her ear. “It is. The difference is—she wants to meet me, while you’re someone I’ve schemed endlessly to win over.”
The sun’s ears flushed instantly. “You’re so annoying…”
Zi Ang laughed happily, hooking her fingers under the table.
3) Silent Passion