Chapter 2: The Ride That Changed Everything

Xìng Ruò had never felt this kind of speed before.

The motorcycle shot forward, cutting through the rain like a streak of black lightning. The roar of the engine vibrated through her bones, and the cold wind whipped against her face, carrying the scent of rain and asphalt.

She clenched her fists around Lóng Yì’s jacket, her knuckles white.

“You might want to hold on tighter,” he called over his shoulder, amusement lacing his voice.

She swallowed hard but did as he said, gripping him more securely.

If anyone had told her this morning that she would be riding on the back of Lóng Yì’s motorcycle by nightfall, she would have laughed in their face.

Yet, here she was.

The streets of Jiāng City blurred past them, a mix of neon signs, wet pavement, and blurred headlights. Most of the city had already retreated indoors to escape the rain, leaving the roads relatively empty.

Xìng Ruò tried to focus on anything other than the fact that she was pressed against Lóng Yì’s back.

He was warm.

She hadn’t expected that.

Everything about him—the rumors, the way he carried himself—made him seem cold, untouchable. But now, feeling the steady heat of his body through his jacket, she realized how human he was.

“Relax,” his voice rumbled through the rain. “You’re gripping me like I’m about to throw you off.”

“I wouldn’t put it past you,” she muttered.

Lóng Yì let out a low chuckle. “You think so little of me, huh?”

She said nothing.

He wasn’t wrong.

Lóng Yì was nothing like her. He belonged to a world of danger, rebellion, and recklessness, while she had spent her entire life following rules, trying to be the perfect daughter.

Her father, Xìng Wéiyán, would be furious if he ever found out about this.

And yet, she didn’t regret accepting his offer.

Because for the first time in a long time, she felt something different.

Freedom.

The ride was exhilarating, a sharp contrast to her usually structured, predictable life. There was something thrilling about the way Lóng Yì handled the bike—effortless, confident, like he had mastered the streets of Jiāng City in a way no one else had.

And despite everything she had heard about him, she felt safe.

Maybe that was the most dangerous part of all.

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The Stop at the Bridge

After what felt like an eternity, the motorcycle finally began to slow down.

Instead of taking her straight home, Lóng Yì pulled over at a quiet spot by the bridge that overlooked the city. The rain had softened into a light drizzle, making the lights of Jiāng City below shimmer like scattered stars.

“Why are we stopping?” she asked, pulling off the helmet.

“Thought you’d like the view,” he said simply.

Xìng Ruò frowned. “I thought you were taking me home.”

“I am.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on the handlebars. “But you looked like you needed a break.”

She hesitated.

“Was that your first time on a motorcycle?” he asked.

She nodded. “Obviously.”

He smirked. “Figured. You scream ‘perfect student’ from a mile away.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “And you scream ‘troublemaker.’”

Lóng Yì let out a low chuckle. “Fair enough.”

For a moment, they just sat there, listening to the sound of raindrops hitting the pavement.

The silence between them wasn’t awkward, but it wasn’t exactly comfortable either. It was something in between—like two people who weren’t supposed to be in the same space, yet somehow were.

Xìng Ruò turned to look at him. “Why did you offer to give me a ride?”

Lóng Yì glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Would you believe me if I said I was being nice?”

She raised an eyebrow. “No.”

He grinned. “Didn’t think so.”

She waited, expecting him to deflect the question with another joke.

But then, his smirk faded just slightly.

“I don’t know,” he admitted, looking back at the city lights. “Guess I was curious.”

“Curious?”

“You’re not like the girls who usually chase after me.”

Xìng Ruò frowned. “I don’t chase after you.”

“Exactly.” He turned to face her fully, resting his cheek on his knuckles. “That’s what makes you interesting.”

She felt her stomach tighten.

Lóng Yì was flirting.

And worse—she didn’t hate it.

She quickly turned her gaze back to the city, trying to ignore the way her heart was beating too fast.

“This was a one-time thing,” she said, more to herself than to him. “I don’t make a habit of accepting rides from bad boys.”

Lóng Yì chuckled, the teasing glint returning to his eyes. “We’ll see about that, princess.”

She exhaled sharply. “Stop calling me that.”

“Make me.”

She shot him a glare, but he only smirked in response.

It was infuriating.

It was also—God help her—kind of charming.

Before she could think too much about it, he pushed himself off the bike. “Come on. Let’s get you home before your dad sends out a search party.”

Xìng Ruò stiffened.

Lóng Yì didn’t know anything about her father. About how strict he was. About how furious he would be if he saw her with him.

But if there was one thing she knew for sure, it was that Lóng Yì was the kind of person her father would never approve of.

And yet, as she climbed back onto the motorcycle, gripping his jacket once more, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the last time she would see him.

No matter how much she told herself otherwise.

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