Public Kissing

I scrambled and tumbled onto the stage. Driven by nervous haste as I rushed toward Ling Xue, my foot twisted, and I stumbled heavily right in front of her.

The crowd gathered below the stage was initially astonished. Who on earth could be this audacious, risking death to rush up and offer flowers in a desperate bid for love?

Now, seeing me sprawled in such a disheveled mess right before Ling Xue, a chorus of jeers and catcalls instantly erupted all around.

Someone gasped in disbelief, "Holy shit! Look at that toad trying to eat swan meat without fearing death!"

Another person retorted, "Not necessarily. If he were just some random toad, the security guards would have beaten him off the stage by now."

Yet another cried out in amazement, "Oh! Look! Snow White is actually bending down to help the toad up!"

"Damn it! Could this toad be that very Feng whom Snow White professed her love to?"

Amidst the uproar from the crowd, I saw Ling Xue bend down to assist me. Her eyes held a trace of faint melancholy, as if reproaching me for arriving so late, yet they were overwhelmingly filled with joyful surprise and gentle tenderness.

I could no longer hold myself back. I scrambled up, threw my arms around Ling Xue's neck, and kissed her frantically. Instantly, the jeers and gasps from beneath the stage merged into a chaotic wave of noise.

The beautiful female host standing at the side of the stage was completely stunned as well. She cried out, "Security, get up here right now!"

Several guards rushed forward, but when they saw that Ling Xue was neither struggling nor angry, and was instead passionately cooperating with my kiss, they hesitated.

The guards were not fools; amidst their shock, they could read the situation. It looked like a case of mutual affection and willingness, and if they were to intrude right now, they would surely provoke her wrath.

Han Ling Xue was the daughter of the Han family and the precious darling of the movie city's big boss. Who would dare to offend her and bring trouble upon themselves? Consequently, the security guards simply stood on the sidelines, watching as a spectacle, and did not dare to approach any further.

The host was somewhat at a loss for how to handle such a sudden and unexpected incident on stage, but having seen her share of large events, she quickly composed herself.

With a smile, the host announced into the microphone, "For the sake of this romantic night of love, let the music play!" The sound technician, in a fluster, hastily turned on the speakers, and instantly, Teresa Teng's classic song, *I Only Care About You*, began to fill the air.

*If I hadn't met you, where would I be...?!*

*Though time swiftly flows away, I only care about you, willingly breathing in your very essence!*

*How rare it is in a lifetime to find a soulmate; losing the strength of life would not be a pity at all!*

*Therefore I beg you, do not let me leave you; apart from you, I cannot feel even a shred of tender affection...*

Amidst Teresa Teng's beautiful yet poignant vocals, over a dozen beautiful dancers clad in flowing skirts and holding folding fans filed out one by one, forming a circle around us and beginning a graceful dance.

This created an even more romantic atmosphere. Naturally, surrounded as we were by these dancers, the audience below the stage could no longer clearly see us kissing.

Furthermore, the variety show was being broadcast live. With the passionate, dancing beauties blocking the close-up of our kiss, a great deal of unnecessary awkwardness was avoided. It seemed the host's ability to improvise on the spot was quite commendable.

Ling Xue had been caught completely off guard when I first embraced her, but once I started kissing her, although she felt deeply shy, she did not push me away. Fortunately, the dancing beauties all around us now shielded us from the strange and probing gazes of the crowd.

Ling Xue's delicate face was flushed crimson, and her beautiful eyes held a profound tenderness. She whispered softly, "Feng, why did you only just arrive? I've waited for you for far too long."

I said, emotionally, "Xue'er, I love you!" Saying this, I couldn't resist wanting to kiss her again.

By this time, Ling Xue had also recovered her senses from the passion of the moment. She murmured, "Don't be like this! Come with me!" With that, she took me by the hand and led me toward the backstage area.

Because there were still more than a dozen dancers performing on the front of the stage, by the time the audience below realized what was happening, we had already vanished from the stage.

Following Ling Xue backstage, several of her bodyguards and attendants immediately swarmed around us. Under their escort, Ling Xue led me into a Rolls-Royce that had been waiting for quite some time.

Ling Xue and I sat in the back seat, with only a female driver in the front. Perhaps because Ling Xue was a young woman, she preferred a female driver.

In truth, female drivers varied greatly; while some were unreliable behind the wheel, others possessed exceptional driving skills that surpassed even those of many male drivers.

Inside the car, Ling Xue looked at me with affectionate eyes and murmured, "Feng..." Before she could finish, her lips were sealed by mine again.

Seeing my frantic actions, Ling Xue blushed furiously and said, "Feng, stop it."

Although she said this, I could tell she wasn't putting up a fierce struggle, which only emboldened my courage and made my hands even more daring.

Ling Xue wanted to reject me, yet she seemed unable to bear doing so, causing her breathing to grow rapid and shallow.

Suddenly, my phone rang. Pulling it out to check, I saw to my surprise that the call was from Sister Yang.

A jolt went through my heart. I instantly released Ling Xue, answered the call, and said impatiently, "What is it?"

Sister Yang whispered, "Feng, when are you coming back? I have something to tell you." Fearing that Ling Xue might notice any flaw, I snapped, "I'm busy right now, don't disturb me!" With that, I hung up the phone hastily.

Ling Xue's limpid eyes drifted toward me as she asked, "Feng, who was that looking for you? Is something the matter?"

I lied smoothly, "It's nothing. Just a few of my good-for-nothing friends calling to invite me out for a late-night snack."

At that moment, I felt like a modern-day Chen Shimei, resorting to any means necessary simply to win Ling Xue.

With a hint of puzzlement, Ling Xue asked, "Feng, where have you been all these days? Why didn't you reach out to me?"

Ling Xue was undeniably a remarkably clever young woman. If my lies were the least bit clumsy, she would instantly see right through them.

I deeply regretted not cutting ties with Sister Yang sooner. How was I supposed to lie my way out of this now?

Lying might be a man's instinct, but the problem was that Ling Xue was too smart. If I were to invent an overly defensive lie, it would only arouse her suspicions; it would be far better to tell her the truth outright.

So I said, "Xue'er, I've been working at a small factory, and the job has kept me constantly busy, which is why I didn't dare to disturb you."

Seeing that Ling Xue remained silent and merely gazed quietly at my face, I felt a twinge of guilt, so I lowered my head and feigned an expression of deep insecurity. Looking dejected, I muttered, "Xue'er, you know I've always felt that I wasn't good enough for you, so I never dared to..."

Ling Xue sighed softly and said, "Feng, did you watch the Lantern Festival fireworks show? My feelings were already so obvious—did you really not understand?"

I replied, "Ling Xue, it all felt like a dream to me. I couldn't believe it was real, so I hope you can forgive my cowardice..."

Ling Xue asked, "Then what gave you the sudden courage to jump onto the stage and pursue me tonight, and even kiss me in full view of everyone...?" Pausing here, embarrassment prevented her from finishing.

I answered, "Xue'er, when I saw you singing tonight, you looked just like a fairy maiden, and I simply couldn't hold myself back anymore... Please forgive me for offending you just now."

Ling Xue murmured softly, "If I wanted to blame you, I wouldn't have brought you into my car right now..."

A sudden thought crossed my mind, and I asked, "Xue'er, where are you taking me?"