26. Boiling the Frog

The journey back from the classroom was filled with silence.

Tara followed quietly behind him, staring at his crimson earlobes while grumbling inwardly.

He was the one who asked, yet when she answered, he got shy—he wouldn't even let her hold his hand anymore.

What a stingy guy.

She was so preoccupied with her internal complaints that she didn't notice Killian, walking ahead of her, suddenly coming to a halt and turning around.

And so...

Thump!

A dull sound of impact rang out. Caught off guard, Tara’s vision went dark for a moment from the collision.

She let out a startled cry, her footsteps becoming unsteady as she staggered backward.

However, the expected fall never happened.

Killian reached out, easily catching her wrist and pulling her back toward him.

"What are you thinking about?"

His deep, magnetic voice vibrated from his chest, sounding like a drumhead carrying a faint electric current, making the tips of her heart tremble.

Too close,

Tara thought.

If she tilted her head just a little, she could almost kiss his Adam’s apple.

Her cheeks heated up, and she took a small half-step back.

"No... nothing at all."

When people feel guilty, they tend to get exceptionally nervous.

Would Killian realize she was secretly calling him stingy in her head?

She couldn't help but steal a glance upward at him.

Well, he looked like a cold marble statue; it was impossible to tell anything.

"Do you have any more classes?" He spoke, breaking the brief silence.

Tara shook her head honestly. "No, but I want to stay in the studio to paint."

"Is that so?"

He uttered those three words tonelessly, followed by a flat: "Then I'll head back first."

"Wait!"

The moment the car was about to start, Tara finally couldn't resist. She stepped forward and lightly gripped the edge of the car window, looking at him with hesitation.

Killian’s hand loosened slightly on the steering wheel as he turned his gaze toward her. "What is it?"

"I..." Tara murmured, her voice soft and light. Finally, she nervously bit her lower lip.

Cassie had said that when a pursuit makes significant progress, "simmering the frog in lukewarm water" is no longer enough.

Otherwise, the frog might just hop away while you're still cooking.

At this stage, one must use boiling water to thoroughly cook the prey before it can even react.

Perhaps she could give it a try now.

"Mmph—"

While lost in her thoughts, both her cheeks were suddenly pinched by a large, well-defined hand.

Her lips were forced to pout out like a little goldfish. she looked at the culprit with dissatisfaction. "Killian, why are you pinching me?"

Killian stared at her lower lip, which she had nearly bitten through, for two seconds before letting go. "Nothing. There was something on your face; I was wiping it for you."

Tara didn't think much of it. "Oh."

The tension in her heart actually dissipated quite a bit because of this interlude.

"Killian, could you please close your eyes for a second?" she asked, gathering her courage.

"Why close my eyes?" Killian’s dark gaze searched hers inquisitively.

Tara feigned composure and made up a story: "To show you a magic trick."

Killian stared at her silently for two seconds before finally saying nothing and giving her the face of closing his eyes.

Then, the next second...

Mwah!

An intimate, crisp sound suddenly rang out.

Immediately following it was the sensation of something soft and moist on his cheek.

Killian’s expression froze, and then he looked at her in disbelief.

Tara’s cheeks had turned as red as ripe cherries. Like a little cat that had just stolen a treat, she looked at him with a mix of shame and shyness.

Killian looked at her, his eyes suddenly narrowing. His usually clear, magnetic voice was tinged with a hint of hoarseness. "You..."

The slightly rising tone felt inexplicably oppressive.

Is he angry?

Tara felt a bit panicked. Without thinking, she simply put on a defiant and "fierce" front.

"What are you looking at? You agreed to try dating me yourself."

"Kissing is something couples do often. You're my simulated boyfriend right now, so what’s wrong with a kiss?"

She grumbled, "Besides, it’s not the first time I've kissed you, is it..."

Killian: "..."

He was so frustrated he laughed.

It was his first time seeing someone be so self-righteous after a forced kiss.

She was usually so obedient and soft, yet some of her actions were always unexpectedly fierce and bold.

"Tara, you should change your name," he said suddenly.

Tara blinked. "Huh?"

Killian sneered. "Just call yourself 'Tara the Brave'."

Tara: "..."

Fine, he really is angry. He even suggested such an ugly name.

"I won't."

She gave a defiant hum, not daring to look up at him again for fear he’d suggest more terrible names, and bolted away.

"Phew—"

It was only after a considerable distance that Tara finally stopped and took a deep breath.

That was so intense!

She clutched her steaming cheeks, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Boiling the frog... she wondered how effective it was.

She didn't want to be so forward either.

But if she relied on that cold-faced iceberg to take the initiative, who knew when he would finally catch on?

As she was bent over, panting and lost in thought, a few heavy shadows suddenly fell over her.

Tara snapped back to reality and looked up, only to see over a dozen strange guys wrapped in bandages like mummies.

"Who are you?"

The men didn't speak. They just exchanged looks before suddenly stuffing something into her hands. Then, they knelt on the ground, kowtowed three times, and sprinted away.

Their speed made it look as if someone were chasing them with a knife.

Tara was stunned.

"What's going on?"

"No idea. Maybe they're rehearsing for a show?"

Passersby whispered in curiosity.

Hearing the murmurs, Tara finally snapped out of her daze and looked down at the object the men had forced into her hands.

Then, her eyes flickered slightly.

It was her bag.

She opened it and found her tablet was still inside.

After a quick check, she discovered the tablet still worked and all her data was intact.

At this point, she had a good idea of who those men were.

Recalling everything that happened the previous night, she hesitated for a moment before tapping on her WeChat chat with Killian.

Tara: [Killian, did you make them come apologize to me?]

After she sent the message, it took a moment for the "typing..." indicator to appear on Killian's side.

Killian: [Did you get your stuff back?]

It really was him.

Tara pursed her lips slightly, a shallow smile spreading in her eyes.

[I got it. Thank you, Killian. You're a really good person.]

Killian didn't reply again.

Tara looked at the chat window and couldn't help but daydream.

Counting this, it was already the third time Killian had helped her.

She lowered her eyes slightly, lost in thought.

"Tara, you've been painting for half the day. Aren't you going to eat?"

Evening came, and the sun was setting.

One by one, people in the studio packed up their tools and left, until only Tara and her friend Jane remained.

Jane was also ready to leave, but seeing Tara still painting with such focus, she called out to her.

"I'm not hungry yet. I'll leave after I finish this," Tara replied without taking her eyes off the canvas.

"Alright then, I'm heading out first."

Tara’s eyes remained fixed on the easel. "Mhm, bye-bye."

"Bye." Jane turned and pulled the studio door slightly shut, blocking out the noise from outside.

The entire studio fell silent instantly.

Immersed in her painting, Tara lost track of time until night fell and the city lights began to flicker on.