Running away from the Love-Brain

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This was the first time Cui Xijin realized that life isn't always so orderly. It doesn't require a plan that is precise to the minute or second, nor does it necessitate pre-setting all possible outcomes; rather, it often presents unexpected surprises that were never part of the original plan.

For example, this sunrise that was forecasted to appear at 6:01.

They had slept through the night, and by the time they woke up, SpongeBob SquarePants had aired who knows how many episodes, with Squidward and SpongeBob dancing hand in hand. Suddenly, Chi Buyu's palm brushed against Cui Xijin's face, moving from her eyes to her mouth, then to her nose, and finally to her ears. Contentedly, she pressed her palm against the lower half of Cui Xijin's face and sleepily sang,

"Do you want to dance?"

The faint light of dawn streamed in through the curtains, and Cui Xijin nearly fell off the bed as she groggily glanced at the time on her phone. She then looked at the sleepy singer beside her, unsure what strange dream she was caught in.

"Chi Buyu..."

With great effort, she parted her lips under Chi Buyu's palm to make a sound, discovering that her voice felt parched, as if it had just run out of the desert.

Chi Buyu was still drowsy, naturally burrowing deeper into Cui Xijin's embrace, her head completely nestled in.

"Chi Buyu."

Cui Xijin struggled to call out again.

Chi Buyu sleepily swatted at her mouth and mumbled, "I love you, please don't disturb me."

Where did she learn that?

Cui Xijin silently stared at her for a while, her mouth moving again. But as soon as she opened it, Chi Buyu completely pinched it shut. She became a pouty platypus.

The platypus helplessly looked at the peacefully sleeping Chi Buyu. If they didn't get up soon, they would miss the 6:01 sunrise. But...

Cui Xijin sighed.

Raising her sore arms, she gently removed Chi Buyu's hand from her mouth and held it lightly.

After all, watching the sunrise wasn't a must-do on this trip.

"Give me a kiss," Chi Buyu suddenly said.

"What?" Cui Xijin thought she had misheard.

She stared at Chi Buyu's fluffy hair and her motionless expression, doubting whether that voice had really come from her.

"Give me a kiss."

Chi Buyu repeated, her voice drowsy.

Finally, Cui Xijin reacted.

She kissed Chi Buyu's finger.

In the next moment, Chi Buyu suddenly closed her eyes tightly, as if warming up her vocal cords, and declared,

"Let's go!"

Then there was no further reaction.

Cui Xijin asked, "Where are we going?"

Chi Buyu again shut her eyes tight and insisted,

"Let's go!"

Was she dreaming or was she awake? Cui Xijin glanced at her phone: it was 5:55. Just as she was about to say they couldn't leave now, another voice rang beside her ear,

"Let's go!"

It was the third time she had heard this. She thought it was just like before.

But this time was different.