Chapter 82

Even though Alice was pretty gutsy on the inside, she came off super shy when it came to actually doing stuff. She had boldly announced she was going after David, but when they were lying together, she was too jittery to sleep.

She'd heard David had a killer body and always wanted to check it out up close. If she got the chance, she wouldn't mind sneaking a touch, especially since she felt brave enough to do anything when David was asleep. So, Alice sneaked a peek at David, her phone's light slowly creeping up the edge of the blanket, lighting up his rock-hard abs.

"Man, what a body. It's a shame he's not a celebrity. But the entertainment world is messy. What if some rich ladies fancy him?" she whispered to herself.

Alice turned off the flashlight, sat quietly on the floor, her hands on the edge of the bed, and her head resting on her arms, wrapped in silence.

"David, I like you." Her soft confession floated in the dark.

David's eyelids fluttered open. Alice went on, "But I know you've got someone in your heart. Clara mentioned Ms. Green, the one you like must be amazing, I can't compete with her." Even though she once confidently said she might not lose to Lila, in the end, she was too late.

She hadn't seen David's youthful arrogance and pride; the David she met was already mature and composed, with deep-hidden thoughts. And Lila, she had seen David's brightest moments and won his heart. How lucky she was!

She added, "Successful men usually go for charming and mature women. I'm seven years younger than you, lacking that charm and not proactive. Only someone as innocent as Simon would like me."

Thinking of Simon, Alice couldn't help but smile. "When he grows up, he won't want a troublesome woman like me who always causes trouble."

"I only dare to say these things when you're asleep. Anyway, you can't hear them." She pouted and lowered her voice, "David, I really hate that Ms. Green! I really hate her!"

David thought, 'So naughty.'

Alice's feelings for David were so strong that she even hated the "culprit" who made him the way he was now. If Ms. Green dared to show up in front of her, she would definitely not be kind!

Alice yawned, quietly slipped back to the other side of the bed, gently covered herself with the blanket, and didn't forget to tidy it up for David before turning her back to him and falling asleep.

It wasn't until she was sound asleep that David moved his stiff body and turned on the warm yellow bedside lamp. He looked at her sweet sleeping face, his hand gently touching his abs and his eyes deep. If she had really continued to explore, he might not have pretended to be asleep.

But clearly, Alice didn't dare to take action, just looking at his abs. Didn't she want to take off his pajamas and explore further?

David slowly leaned down, one arm propped on the bed, the other hand resting beside Alice, enclosing her in his arms. Looking at her defenseless sleeping face, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he lowered his head to gently kiss her soft cheek. Still unsatisfied, he slightly turned his face, almost touching her lips, but in the end, he lightly kissed the corner of her mouth.

"You're right, men do like charming, mature women." David's hand gently tugged at her pajama collar, revealing her delicate collarbone. A complex expression flashing in his gaze, his hoarse voice whispering, "So I have to wait until you grow up then I can take action."

It would be her twentieth birthday next month, a true coming-of-age ceremony.

The next morning, Alice woke up in a daze, still half-dreaming. She looked around at the unfamiliar room, feeling a bit lost. She reached out to scratch an itch and suddenly gasped, rushing barefoot into the bathroom. There was a red spot on her collarbone, and she had scratched it so hard she broke the skin.

'Are the mosquitoes in David's room that vicious?' she thought. 'Of all places to bite, they chose my collarbone. How much blood could there be?'

Just as David walked in, ready to check on her, Alice came out of the bathroom, holding her collar and looking annoyed.

David noticed the red spot and his expression shifted slightly. He cleared his throat. "I forgot to tell you, there are a lot of mosquitoes in my room."

Alice shot him a sidelong glance, too annoyed to speak. What was the point of telling her after she got bitten?

She hugged her pillow and headed back to her room, David trailing behind, asking softly, "Are you coming to my room again tonight?"

Alice stopped at the door, giving David a look of disdain. "You really need to clean your room!"

Because of the spot on her collarbone, Alice put on a band-aid to stop herself from scratching it. At school, Esme noticed the corner of the band-aid and mischievously pulled open her collar. "What's this secret? Had a lovely night, huh?"

Alice glared at Esme without a word.

Esme pouted and pulled her hand back. "Alright, just kidding. What happened?"

Feeling irritable, Alice replied impatiently, "I scratched it myself."

Esme clicked her tongue. "By the way, do you know well someone named Ophelia? She was looking for you before you got here."

"Not really." Alice turned to Esme, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Why was she looking for me?"

Esme shrugged. "She seemed really shy. She stood at the door for a long time without saying anything. I had to ask her before she mentioned your name."

Alice recounted the incident of saving Ophelia to Esme, who suddenly understood. "I see, the fear of campus bullying. But don't worry, Clara is gone, and the remaining ones are no match for you, the top female fighter of Ivywood University!"

Alice gave Esme a helpless look.

As soon as the class bell rang, Ophelia appeared. Esme gently nudged Alice's shoulder, signaling her to pay attention.

Ophelia was a finance student, and the teaching building was different from the computer science building, so Alice was surprised she came all the way here.

"This is for you!" Ophelia handed over a paper bag.

Alice smelled the sweet scent of cream, took a look, and asked, "Why are you giving me food?"

Ophelia seemed a bit shy. "It's a thank you gift."

Alice was puzzled. "Thank me for what?"

"For helping me out, and since Clara left, I feel much more relaxed." Ophelia didn't mention the reason behind the bathroom incident. Those girls had attacked her to please Clara, because Ophelia's academic ranking was higher than Clara's.

Ophelia had thought that since they were all adults, she would just endure it, not wanting to waste time on such matters while she had to work part-time.

Although Ophelia didn't say it explicitly, Alice had probably guessed that. "Got it, no need to come all the way to thank me."

Ophelia nodded to Alice and quickly left. After Ophelia left, Esme leaned in, one hand on Alice's shoulder, the other hand pulling out a cream puff from the bag to taste.

"So sweet." Esme blinked at Alice.

Alice glanced at her and opened her mouth.

Esme immediately stuffed the cream puff into her mouth, licking the cream off her fingers. "Did Ophelia come all the way just to give you this bag of cream puffs?"