[No Love on the Other Shore] (21-30)

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-23

Chapter 21 God's Playful
Tricks Xu Ke held his phone, flipping open the cover, closing it, flipping it open again, closing it again, repeating this mechanical action countless times before finally dialing the number he knew by heart but had never dialed before. How ironic, he'd actually gotten his sister's phone number from someone else.
"Where are you?"
"In the dorm."
"Come out, I'm downstairs."
"Where's Lei Yuan?"
"He said he had something to do, he can't come."
"Oh."
Downstairs in the dorm, people came and went, and on the road beside them, cars of different brands were parked. Among the drivers were parents and lovers. The sunlight was a bit dazzling, and Jiang Yunuo squinted uncomfortably. Xu Ke stood not far away, his tall, straight back standing out with a strangely aloofness amidst the bustling crowd.
Xu Ke frowned as he looked at the large suitcase in Jiang Yunuo's hand, "So much stuff, it's only for about twenty days?"
Jiang Yunuo glanced at him, "I didn't ask you to carry it."
Xu Ke put it down without hesitation and stood by, watching.
Jiang Yunnuo glared at him, then dragged the suitcase forward. The school was built on a mountain, with many steep slopes of varying lengths. She dragged her luggage in one hand and carried her bag in the other, following closely behind the leisurely strolling man, step by step, sweating profusely. That Lei Yuan, he not only didn't come himself, but also sent this heartless disabled person to watch the spectacle.
Finally, at an extremely long slope, she collapsed onto her suitcase, exhausted.
Xu Ke turned around, smiling, "Need my help?"
She continued to glare at him.
Xu Ke patted her shoulder without a care, pointing to the slope ahead, "See, if you drag the suitcase up in an S-shape, it'll save you more energy. Keep it up."
Jiang Yunnuo was too tired to glare at him anymore.
Xu Ke chuckled, picking up the suitcase. "Silly woman, all those relationships you had were for nothing. Women need to learn to show weakness at the right time. What are men for? To be bossed around."
"You really want to be bossed around?"
"If that person were you, I wouldn't mind..." Xu Ke blurted out, then paused, noticing her smile suddenly freeze, her eyes looking away helplessly, her ears slightly red. He sighed inwardly and continued, "You're my sister."
Damn it, he gripped the handle tightly, his fingers turning faintly blue. His self-control was waning day by day. If she were more observant, she probably would have noticed long ago.
A heavy sense of shame, like a dark, filthy shadow, constantly shrouded his heart.
If the dependence and intimacy of childhood were merely mutual comfort in that cold family, then what did it mean now?
At five, she was his sister, his support. She was always so strong, inspiring both admiration and dislike in him.
At ten, she was his closest family and companion. Suddenly, he realized she was just a child, and he enjoyed teasing her, finding pleasure in her anger.
At fifteen, she was his warmth, his longing. Moral principles had already taken root in his mind; their initial kiss was childish play, the innocent thoughts of a young boy. But when longing overwhelmed him, her warm smile remained vivid, captivating like sunshine, and she became his desire.
His heart was fragile and corrupt; he punished himself with escape and exile, but it was far from enough.
At twenty, when they met again, they lingered between being so close and so far. Approaching or distancing themselves was torture.
In the vast sea of people, in this great world, he only felt for his sister. Did God also enjoy playing cruel jokes?
Why did she come back? Why was he here, foolishly waiting?
Jiang Yunuo stole a glance at Xu Ke. The atmosphere between them was strange. Ever since Lin Xuan's phone call, she didn't know if she was shy or embarrassed; she couldn't bring herself to look at him openly. If it weren't for that call, they could still interact as before, but now, everything seemed different. She didn't know if Lin Xuan was right, but her feelings were definitely different.
Jiang Yunuo wanted to say something but couldn't find a topic. Xu Ke stared blankly ahead, his lips tightly pressed together, his thoughts unreadable. She glanced at his left hand, still wrapped in gauze, and said, "Let me get it."
"I'll get it," Xu Ke uttered, then fell silent.
Winter break arrived, and the dormitories were going to be locked down. Jiang Yunuo rented a room near the school and planned to work as a French tutor. Since she had run away, Jiang Min hadn't transferred any money to her account. She had spent most of the money she brought, but thankfully, she had found two French tutoring jobs, which would at least solve her basic needs.
Xu Ke hailed a taxi and said, "Going home isn't like I have nowhere else to stay."
"Which home? Yours? No way," absolutely not, not at all.
Xu Ke glanced at her. "It's the home you lived in before you were fourteen."
"No," she immediately refused. They didn't want her as their daughter anymore, why would she go back?
"Xu Ruihuai doesn't go back often," Xu Ke paused, "Besides, that house is now in both our names." That was the only request he ever made of Xu Ruihuai, because it held memories of her.
"Both of ours?" Jiang Yunnuo was somewhat surprised. "Xu Ruihuai has suddenly had a change of heart? I keep wondering if I'm really his daughter."
"Then, am I really Jiang Min's son?" Xu Ke's expression was indifferent. "Who told us to have parents like these?"
"They say children from troubled families have strange personalities, but we're doing alright. It's all thanks to my good upbringing, isn't it, Keke?" Jiang Yunnuo said, pinching his cheek. Thinking about going home, she felt a strange excitement, as if the gloom in her heart had vanished. Home... Seven years away, living alone in the school dormitory, or staying with Jiang Min, it never felt like home.
"What did you teach me? You abandoned me seven years ago," Xu Ke turned to look at the street scene outside the window. "Luckily, I'm kind-hearted and have good aptitude, which allowed me to thrive in this treacherous society."
"You're just bragging. Who didn't reply to my letters or call?" Not knowing who abandoned whom, Jiang Yunnuo couldn't help but pinch his cheek, asking fiercely, "Tell me, if I hadn't come back, would you still have gone to find me?"
"No," he answered without hesitation.
Jiang Yunnuo sighed. Lin Xuan was indeed talking nonsense. This guy didn't even have a shred of sibling affection, how could he still...? A sudden pang of sadness struck her. She felt like she was the only one busy with nothing, while he continued doing his own thing, acting like nothing was wrong. Lin Xuan had gone mad, and she had gone mad along with him.
Xu Ke carried her luggage into Jiang Yunnuo's room. The room was furnished exactly as it had been seven years ago, and her favorite Doraemon doll still sat on the bed.
"Is Aunt Lin still here?" she asked, hugging Doraemon close.
"She left after I moved out. The cleaning lady comes by occasionally."
Jiang Yunnuo looked around, memories flooding back.
"Hey, give me back my Doraemon DVDs," she said playfully, stretching out her hand. "You've been borrowing them... for thirteen years, plus interest."
“Who remembers where I threw it?” He looked at her, sitting there leisurely. The empty house felt warm because of her, and his heart was filled with this warm feeling. As
Jiang Yunnuo was talking to herself, she looked up and unexpectedly met a pair of eyes as bright as stars. Xu Ke was staring at her intently. Her heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her head in a fluster.
Xu Ke looked away, his expression indifferent. “I’m going to take a shower. We’re going out to eat later. There’s no food at home, and I’m all sweaty from carrying boxes. Please don’t carry so much stuff in the future…”
Jiang Yunnuo looked at his left hand and asked, “How do you shower?”
Xu Ke gave her a strange look, raised his right hand,
and her eyes stung slightly. A twenty-year-old was still a cherished darling in many families, but he had long since lost that safe haven.
“Let me help you,” she said.
“Shower?” He raised an eyebrow, amused.
“Uh…wash your hair.”
She smeared shampoo on his hair, which was jet black and shiny, somewhat coarse, quite different from her own soft hair.
"Shampoo got in my eyes, it hurts," he mumbled, like a child.
She chuckled softly, only to hear him continue, "Jiang Yunnuo, you're so clumsy, not at all like a woman." She simply lathered his face with foam, then picked up a dry towel to wipe him.
He sat on the edge of the bathtub, facing her, his eyes tightly closed. His nose was straight, his eyebrows thick and dark, his beautiful brow bone making his facial features more defined, softening the androgynous softness of his features. His forehead was smooth, showing a man's fortitude. He really was different from when he was a child, she thought, and then, almost involuntarily, she pressed her lips to his forehead, then his eyebrows, then… It was absolutely involuntary; afterwards, he swore to heaven with three fingers.
The warm, gentle touch made him tremble slightly, and he instinctively reached out to embrace her waist.
When her eyes met his deep, dark eyes at an extremely ambiguous distance, she suddenly pushed him away, but couldn't break free from his embrace.
"I'm leaving," she said abruptly.
"Where to?" He raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued.
"Back to the dorm," she replied blankly.
"It's winter break now, you should stay home," he said, still holding her.
"Uh, I want to go out now," she said, her expression dreamy.
"At least help me rinse the soap off my hair first."
"Okay."
She couldn't understand why she was eating out with him; she should have stayed far away from him. What would he think of her? That her sister was a pervert? That her sister assaulted her brother? Oh God, help me, help me, help me…
"Sister," seeing her absent-minded appearance, Xu Ke could only take her hand and lead her across the street, "It was just an accident."
Yes, yes, she nodded frantically, it was just an accident.
Perhaps, she was bewitched.
Chapter 22 Not Made of Iron
Watching Jiang Yunnuo chop vegetables was a frustrating experience. Slicing a plate of potato shreds could take a quarter of an hour. She liked to neatly stack the sliced potatoes before chopping them into fries.
"Are you chopping wood?" Xu Ke, standing to the side, couldn't take it anymore. "Did you always cook like this when you were alone?"
"It's already pretty good," she said nonchalantly. "When I'm alone, I never make such complicated dishes."
"Let me show you what real potato shreds are," he said, taking the knife with his right hand and reaching behind her with his left, pressing down on the potatoes on the cutting board.
Jiang Yunnuo stiffened her back. Without physical contact, she could clearly feel the warmth emanating from him, his shallow breathing, and his faint, refreshing scent. His warm breath brushed against her hair, brushed past her bangs, tickling her, yet she dared not move.
What was this man doing now? Was he trying to ruin everything? These past few days, she had spent her days facing the wall in repentance, her nights tossing and turning, avoiding seeing or speaking of anything improper, exhausting herself to gradually forget the accident. Why, then, was he provoking her again? She wasn't a calm person, even somewhat emotional, but when she made up her mind, she could always find a mask of composure. She planned to say something before her heart pounded so hard she felt like she was about to faint.
"Xu Ke, you're too close."
Hearing her slightly hoarse voice, Xu Ke simply stared intently at the knife in his hand. His movements were meticulous and nimble, the thin shreds of potato piling up between the blade and the cutting board. Outside the window, the setting sun slanted in, its sunlight like a deep longing, soft and low, yet when it fell on the clean blade, it was dazzlingly bright.
“Look,” he deftly sliced a plate of potatoes, “even with a big piece of wood in between, I could still slice them faster and better than you.”
“Fine, I’m wood,” she retorted angrily, kicking him behind her. “Since your hand is almost healed, don’t eat food made of wood anymore.” His calm words always easily provoked her temper, yet also inadvertently dispelled her confusion. Perhaps this way of interacting was best for them—unable to get closer, yet needing no retreat either.
“Ouch,” he said, putting down the knife, his hands on the counter, his head bowed, resting on her shoulder.
“Keep pretending. I didn’t use much force,” she glanced back. “Does your hand still hurt?”
He closed his eyes slightly, a pain in his heart, a struggle to suppress his pain. Had he ever tasted this feeling? The fear of knowing there was an abyss ahead yet still stepping in, the desolation of knowing there was nowhere to retreat yet still comforting himself. You've never felt this way before, yet you always act so carefree, seducing me and then playing the innocent victim. Cruelly, you leave me to bear it all alone… Damn it, do you think I'm made of iron?
He slapped the counter, straightened up, "Please, sister, hurry up, they're almost here." With that, he left the house, intending to go to the station to pick up those drunkards, and maybe stop by the supermarket to buy some prepared food. He wasn't confident in Jiang Yunnuo's efficiency.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, it was six o'clock. Having set out a table full of dishes, Jiang Yunnuo felt a little tired and shook her arms. Why should she have to cook on his birthday? Exhausted, she was just about to sit down and rest when the doorbell rang.
Outside, a group of boys rushed in, carrying several cases of beer.
Lei Yuan waved to her, "Hey, Yunnuo, how's your cohabitation going?"
"Cooking, washing clothes, serving the young master," Jiang Yunnuo said, dividing the cooked food Xu Ke had bought into plates.
Lei Yuan wandered around the room, gathered a bunch of picture frames, and brought them to Lu Chengyu, "I guessed right, didn't I? The undeniable fact is right here, it's just the two of them, siblings."
Lu Chengyu glanced at the photos and nodded, "Yeah, good." He was a student at the medical university next door, and somehow ended up hanging out with Xu Ke and the others, even becoming the team doctor for the basketball team. They were supposedly high school classmates.
"Good what? Can you say a few more words at once?" Lei Yuan shook his head and said to Jiang Yunnuo, "I called Zhou Yu, everyone from your dorm should come over, otherwise it'll just be a few guys, how boring." Zhou Yu was a member of the student union and was quite familiar with Lei Yuan.
"That's all?" Jiang Yunuo glanced at him with a smile.
Lei Yuan chuckled twice, checked his phone, and said, "They've arrived. I'll go down and meet them."
The music was deafening, and empty bottles littered the ground. For most people, the indulgence of youth and the recklessness of young people were nothing more than this.
Jiang Yunuo stared intently at Xu Ke. This brat, how can he drink so much? No matter who offers him a drink, he accepts it without hesitation. As soon as someone said, "If you're a brother, have a drink," he grabbed a bottle, tilted his head back, and started chugging. If you added the line, "Waiter, another eight bowls of strong liquor and ten catties of beef," it would have a rather heroic feel to it.
Twenty-year-old boys, after a few drinks, start making a ruckus. Putting aside gossip, the frequency of profanity and dirty jokes increased, regardless of whether there were girls present. In the end, they were just classic jokes widely circulated online. Even after being repeated hundreds of times, the speaker was still enthusiastic, and the listener was still entertained. Even in this situation, Xu Ke remained the center of attention. He calmly twirled the bottle in his hand, telling a joke no one else had heard before. His eyes gleamed with a playful light, his tone steady and relaxed, his enunciation clear and precise, eliciting ambiguous laughter from the crowd.
"Superficial!" Jiang Yunuo glared at him fiercely. He, however, raised the corners of his mouth, nonchalantly raising the beer bottle in his hand at her.
Huang Zixi, chin in hand, eyes hazy, sighed indistinctly, "How can there be such a person? Even telling dirty jokes has such class. Yunuo, your brother is truly a gem. I'm so envious..."
Guan Ying smiled faintly, "Why are you envious? For Xiao Jiang, he's someone she can only look at but not touch, poor Xiao Jiang..."
Jiang Yunuo spat out a mouthful of beer. Those words... yet she couldn't help but steal a glance... He was indeed very charming, and for a moment she couldn't bear to look away. It was just a pity that he was her brother. Disappointment lingered in her mind, refusing to leave, until it stirred ripples in her already turbulent heart, then, like waves gently blooming on the shore as the tide gradually rises.
Unconsciously, Jiang Yunuo had downed two bottles of beer. Rubbing her temples, she went to the cabinet and poured herself a Sprite.
"Honey water will help," she said, looking up to see Lu Chengyu leaning against the cabinet, a glass of water in his hand.
"Okay, let's try it," she said, taking out some honey. "Want some too?"
"No, thank you."
"You don't seem to like drinking much," she said, sipping her honey water as she chatted with him.
"Yes."
"..." He was indeed sparing with words. Jiang Yunuo brushed her hair aside, considering what to say.
"Third-degree black belt?" Lu Chengyu suddenly asked.
"Yes," she smiled somewhat shyly, "It's been a while since I practiced."
"Let's spar sometime," he smiled, reaching out to brush away the stray hairs falling in front of her eyes, his usually cold and stern features softening instantly.
In the quiet, dark night nearing midnight, the cool air carried the scent of alcohol.
Jiang Yunuo emerged from the bathroom and walked through the darkened living room, drying her wet hair as she avoided the scattered bottles.
On the sofa, someone held a bottle, occasionally taking a sip.
She frowned, walked over, and snatched the bottle from his hand. "Some people drink themselves to death," she said, her tone initially accusatory, but now filled with tenderness.
"Sit," Xu Ke patted the sofa beside him.
Jiang Yunuo sat down next to him, glancing at the clock on the wall, and chuckled, "Ten minutes until I'm twenty."
He draped his arm over her shoulder, his voice languid, "Where's the present, sister?"
"Go find it yourself," she pinched his cheek, "You're a grown-up now, you have to be good from now on," and most importantly, you can't tease her anymore.
"I want it now," he muttered somewhat disgruntled, his eyes half-open, a childlike expression.
"I already gave it to you," she thought, annoyed, the feeling of being possessed returning, she moved his arm away, wanting to escape as quickly as possible.
He gently stroked her damp hair. "No, what I wanted, you didn't give me." How could you let them touch such fragrant, soft hair so carelessly? How could you laugh and chat with other men? How could you willingly let them hold your hand, kiss your lips, and become their girlfriend…?
She tilted her head to look at him. "So, what gift do you want?"
A slight pang of pain shot through her heart. This carefree, innocent attitude ignited a surge of anger within him. What kind of gift…? When people receive a corresponding reward, after the initial surprise, what they want is naturally more.
He moved closer to her, his arm moving behind her back, his hand resting on her waist. "Just like the accident last time." Jealousy, easily provoked, always readily breached the floodgates of reason, surging forth. What he wanted was what they had, or what they had never possessed.
His voice was hoarse and deep, like a deep, dark pool. She was almost breathless with shock.
“You’re drunk,” she said, pressing her hand against his chest, trying to create an arm’s length distance between them. Even through his clothes, she could feel his strong, powerful physique and his rapid heartbeat. The burning sensation made her clench her fist in despair. This wasn’t Xu Ke, not her brother, but a strange and dangerous man.
There was no answer. He stared directly into her eyes, his dark pupils flashing with a mixture of fear, resistance, and confusion. He sighed helplessly, reaching out to cover her eyes, as if this could conceal his deep guilt and self-reproach. His tongue gently traced her lips, the strong taste of alcohol mingling with his masculine scent, forcefully filling her nostrils. Her mind went blank for a moment, then cleared instantly.
“No,” she cried, turning her face away in a panic, “You brat, you’re drunk. You think I’m Yan Xiluo?”
Xu Ke’s movements suddenly stopped. What was she talking about now?
Jiang Yunnuo breathed a sigh of relief, holding up four fingers and waving them in front of his eyes. “How much is this?”
He didn't answer.
"I knew it, you don't recognize me anymore, you think I'm your girlfriend," she forced a smile.
"Is this fun?" Xu Ke slowly stood up, his gaze clear and cold, devoid of any emotion. "Jiang Yunnuo, you find this kind of playing hard to get in front of me quite amusing, don't you?"
She looked up, puzzled. This side of him was something she had never seen before.
"Seducing me, and then pretending nothing happened," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "It's really interesting for an older sister to seduce her younger brother, isn't it?"
"I didn't...seduce you," she swallowed hard. For the first time in her life, she suddenly felt completely lost. Her understanding of him over the past twenty years was overturned in that instant.
"You didn't?" He suddenly laughed, a handsome yet frivolous smile. "You really think what happened that day was an accident? No one would kiss their own brother like that. This kind of ambiguous game suits your taste, doesn't it?"
"You...get away," she heard her own voice sound so unfamiliar, fragile and stiff, trembling slightly. Her heart pounded wildly, stumbling and falling into the deepest darkness. An unprecedented sense of shame, like the shadow of a demon, assailed her.
He leaned down, teasingly lifting the collar of her bathrobe. "Looking like this, you still dare to say you didn't seduce me?"
She looked down and realized that one side of her collar had slipped down to her shoulder, her exposed skin shivering in the winter night. She clutched her collar tightly, wanting to say something, but unable to utter a word.
A suffocating silence ensued.
On the table, her phone suddenly glowed blue and vibrated frantically. Xu Ke
answered the call, smiled faintly, "Okay, I'll be right out," and then put on his coat and left.
In the quiet night, the cold air flowed slowly.
Jiang Yunnuo walked to Xu Ke's bedside and took out a hand-woven men's wristband from under his pillow, embroidered with the numbers "01.20," his birthday.
Chapter 23: I Can't Fall in Love with Him
She left the travel agency, her hand clutching the plane ticket, numb in the cold wind.
The winter night fell early, oblivious to the season. Along the way, taverns and shopping malls were brightly lit, music blaring. Pedestrians of all kinds hurried along, their faces beaming with joy. On New Year's Eve, amidst the bustling world, there was nowhere for her to belong.
She entered an elegantly decorated restaurant, ordered her favorite dishes, but lost her appetite. The surrounding noise only amplified her loneliness.
She received several calls and texts from classmates and friends wishing her a Happy New Year, which she replied to with feigned cheerfulness. Then, on a whim, she dialed a long phone number. A woman's languid, melodious voice came from the other end. She hesitated for a moment before whispering, "It's me... Happy New Year." Jiang Min on the other end paused before softly asking, "When are you coming back?" Her eyes welled up slightly. "Soon," she replied, a warmth rising in her heart.
"Are they... alright?" Jiang Min's voice was somewhat unnatural.
"They're fine," she replied, looking up at the crowds on the street.
"And you, how are you?"
Suddenly, she wanted to find a shoulder to lean on and cry her heart out. But amidst the surging crowds, she remained alone, utterly isolated. In the end, they exchanged only a few pleasantries before hastily hanging up.
She took out her keys in the darkness, fumbled for the door, and entered the dimly lit room. She didn't turn on the lights; this silent, dim world was hers.
Suddenly, she noticed a red glow flickering on the balcony. She pushed open the door and saw a similarly forlorn figure standing against the wind. That person hadn't been there for several days.
Xu Ke stubbed out his cigarette and turned to look at her.
She turned and went inside, but heard his slightly hoarse voice behind her, tinged with embarrassment, "I'm sorry."
"Go away, I don't want to see you," the light shone from afar, illuminating her pale, indifferent face. She quickly went back to her room, trying to close the door, but someone reached out and blocked it from the outside. "Get out," she shouted coldly. The door caught his left wrist. She heard his low growl, and then she let go… Anyway, she was leaving tomorrow.
Xu Ke turned on the room light, standing there with his head down. "I..." He hesitated, unsure how to begin. He raised his hand and slammed it against the wall in frustration. "I must have been fucking stupid to say those things to you."
She placed her bag on the table, facing him without a word. After tomorrow, she would forget everything, forget him, and start living her own life. From then on, he would never appear in her world again.
A corner of the plane ticket peeked out from her small leather purse. On the bed, her clothes, which she hadn't had time to tidy up, were scattered haphazardly.
Xu Ke walked over thoughtfully, pulled the ticket out of the purse, and said, "One-way, for tomorrow?" He glanced at her, picked up the purse, and rummaged through it.
"What are you doing?" She tried to take the purse back, but couldn't overcome his strength. "I really, really hate you more and more."
"Me too," he said indifferently. Me too, I hate myself more and more. He waved the passport in his hand, then stuffed it into his wallet. "This, I'll keep it here for now."
"Xu Ke, what's wrong with you?" Her hands clenched into fists. This kid was incredibly annoying.
"You want to leave over such a trivial matter?" He looked at her mockingly. "You're too fragile."
"You're right," she was indeed fragile. Her anger was suddenly suppressed, and she could only weakly extend her hand. "Give it back to me." If she couldn't afford to play this game, couldn't she at least avoid it? Besides, she simply didn't have the courage to face it. Some things happen unexpectedly, even if you're the one who started it.
A sudden wave of frustration climbed onto her brow, her bright, lively eyes dimmed, her delicate lips tightly closed, and her pretty face was filled with weariness and sorrow.
His heart ached, as if struck by a blunt object, a pain that spread gradually but grew stronger. He stood there quietly, even if he only took half a step forward, he would have pulled her into his arms to ease his deep self-blame and pain. However, he could only stand there quietly, even his breathing was soft.
"Don't go," he heard his own voice, low and dejected. He swallowed hard. "I won't drink so much again." He didn't ask for anything, just wanted to keep her by his side, even just a glimpse from afar. Faced with a forbidden love, he was ultimately just a selfish and cowardly mortal.
One week into the semester, Valentine's Day.
The school's disciplinary team members were as numerous as the roses at the roadside flower shops—annoyingly so. The disciplinary team was composed of party members and student council cadres. Their mission was to roam every corner of the campus after nightfall, dedicated to preventing boys and girls from putting their arms around each other and to using fines to line their own pockets for food, drink, and entertainment—and business was quite good.
"Sister, brother, please," Lei Yuan said, placing his hands on Jiang Yunnuo's shoulders.
Jiang Yunnuo glanced at the agents hidden in the surrounding crowd and quickly pried his hands away. "No, I don't have that much money for them to fine me."
“If they dare take a single penny from you, I’ll wipe them out,” Lei Yuan pulled a red armband from his pocket. “If you’re a brother, you have to help. I’ll beg you on my knees in the snow, okay?”
“Kneeling naked won’t work. I’m powerless. It’s up to you now,” she said with a smile, turning and walking back to the dormitory.
The dormitory was very quiet, with only Jiang Yunuo and Guan Ying left. The others had gone for a walk with their boyfriends.
“406, Guan Ying!” Suddenly, a thunderous voice echoed in the empty corridor, making Jiang Yunuo’s eardrums ring. She looked up and saw Guan Ying lying on the table reading a novel as if nothing had happened. From the boys’ dormitory, through the iron gate, someone’s persistent call could still be heard. Doors of the neighboring dormitories opened one by one, and the girls peeked out, wanting to see who it was. That voice was loud enough.
“You won’t answer your phone. If you don’t come out soon, it’ll cause a public outcry,” Jiang Yunuo said, pressing a finger to her ear. “Even if you’re refusing, you should at least explain it to him.” Guan Ying
rolled her eyes at her, got up and went out. A moment later, she came back in, her face flushed, holding a pink rose. “Tacky,” she said, throwing the rose on the table.
“It’s a bit lacking, but at least the sentiment is good,” Jiang Yunuo said, resting her chin on her hand.
Guan Ying blushed again and said, “He invited us to the dance, and Xiao Lu and the others are going too.”
She hesitated for a moment and said, “I don’t want to go.”
Guan Ying patted Jiang Yunuo’s forehead. “Xu Ke has something to do today and can’t go. Why are you two siblings still having a cold war? What’s wrong?”
She stuffed the potato chips Lei Yuan had given her into her mouth and mumbled, “Let’s go, let’s go.”
In the faculty cafeteria's main hall, lights flickered. Guan Ying was shyly led into the dance floor by Lei Yuan.
The crowd was full of boys with hair combed like mirrors, and Jiang Yunuo, somewhat bored, absentmindedly looked away.
Lu Chengyu extended his hand to her, "Let's dance, we've got nothing better to do." He placed his hand on her waist, and she couldn't help but giggle, "Sorry, it feels a bit like tickling," she said, leaving several marks on his shoes as she spoke. She became even more flustered, only able to apologize repeatedly. Her smile was lively and lovely, her eyes fresh and natural; he couldn't help but smile too, tightening his grip on her hand. The two adjusted their steps, but her gaze wandered elsewhere.
Xu Ke leaned lazily against the doorframe, putting the last cigarette between his teeth; the empty cigarette pack traced a white parabola in the shadows, landing squarely on the trash can. He took out a lighter, bent down, and lit the cigarette. The bright yellow firelight illuminated his face, almost revealing his slightly trembling eyelashes. In the light and shadow, his facial features appeared sculpted. He tilted his head slightly, exhaling a puff of white smoke. Amidst the swirling smoke, his expression was ambiguous, a half-smile on his face.
The lamplight lingered outside his shadow, making him appear even taller and more aloof, as if isolated from the world. The bustling, vibrant world around him seemed to become mere background to him.
Her heart emptied little by little, until only a dull ache remained.
She seemed to see his gaze sweep over her, and hastily averted her eyes, fixing them on the second button of Lu Chengyu's shirt.
"He smokes heavily," she murmured.
Lu Chengyu looked at Xu Ke. "He almost never smoked before."
Lost in thought, Jiang Yunuo heard her dance partner say, "Focus, okay?"
After the song ended, Lei Yuan and Lu Chengyu went to the bar to buy beer. Guan Ying returned to her seat with a radiant smile, "I never realized before, but dancing is actually quite nice."
Jiang Yunuo, standing to the side, seemed oblivious, lost in thought.
"Little Jiang, what are you thinking about?" Guan Ying leaned closer, looking into her eyes.
"Uh..."
"Looks like someone's become infatuated," Guan Ying's probing smile magnified before her eyes, "Have you fallen for someone?"
Who have you fallen for?
I've fallen for someone I shouldn't love.
Some things, though we deliberately avoid them, are undeniably real.
Chapter 24: Falling, Oh Falling
Facing Guan Ying's probing gaze, Jiang Yunuo merely twitched her lips, took a sip of orange juice, and savored the sour taste. Guan Ying didn't ask further, lazily nestling into the sofa, sipping her juice. Her gaze swept across the room, and she seemed to see something, a strange thought suddenly popping into her mind. It was so strange that she almost laughed out loud.
The soothing music gradually stopped, the lights flickered and changed, and suddenly a powerful, energetic dance tune erupted, deafeningly loud. The dance floor gradually filled up, with people dancing freely and sweating profusely. Suddenly, the sofa next to Jiang Yunuo sank, and three or four unfamiliar men squeezed in.
"Little sister, sitting here is so boring, why don't you go out and play with your brothers?" one of them put his hand on Guan Ying's shoulder. Guan Ying stood up and tried to pull Jiang Yunuo away, but they surrounded her.
"Don't go, have a drink with your brothers," the men said, bringing their glasses to her lips. Guan Ying couldn't resist and stumbled back onto the sofa. Jiang Yunuo was furious. She snatched the glass in front of her, swirling it gently. "What's the rush? The pills haven't even dissolved yet," she said, splashing the glass in the man's face.
The men were stunned for a moment, their words filled with foul language. Jiang Yunuo looked at the pale-faced Guan Ying, then at the thugs groping and cursing in front of her. She couldn't fight back, and she couldn't run away either. " Damn, where did Lei Yuan go?
Why didn't he show up to save the day?"
Hearing the voice, Jiang Yunnuo was slightly startled, surprisingly feeling more nervous than about fighting these guys. A complex mix of emotions stirred within her.
Xu Ke stood expressionless behind them, exhaling smoke rings.
The group turned around, seeing only one "hero," and grinned lewdly. "Oh, you've got your comeuppance."
Xu Ke nodded at them. "Want to play? Fine, I'll play with you." Suddenly, he grabbed a beer bottle from the low table and smashed it against the wall. Glass shards flew everywhere. He grinned, holding a cigarette, and pointed the remaining half of the bottle at them. "Don't fucking stand there, come at me!" Before he finished speaking, he was surrounded.
Jiang Yunuo snapped out of her daze and anxiously called out, "Keke, no..." Just then, they heard two loud bangs of breaking bottles. Lei Yuan and Lu Chengyu walked over, each carrying a broken bottle. "Damn, we haven't had this much fun in ages," Lei Yuan said loudly with a laugh.
The group looked up and saw that the three men in front of them were all over six feet tall. They pointed at Xu Ke, who was standing in the middle, and said irritably, "You just wait," before shoving and pushing their way away.
Lei Yuan pulled Guan Ying to his side and looked her over carefully. "Sorry we're late."
Xu Ke frowned. "What's wrong with you guys? You can't even handle two girls."
Guan Ying calmed down a little and gently nudged Jiang Yunuo. "How can your brother talk like that? No
respect for his elders." Jiang Yunuo touched her nose. "Oh, he's just like that. Don't take it to heart."
Lu Chengyu took her hand. "Are you alright?" She was startled for no reason, vaguely sensing something was amiss, so she subtly pulled her hand away.
"Don't be so impulsive next time, there's no one around," Xu Ke tossed away her cigarette butt, looking away. "Running away
is the best policy, you know?" "I wonder who was impulsive," she muttered, looking down at her toes. "If we could leave, why didn't we leave earlier?"
Guan Ying leaned close to her ear. "Xiao Jiang, why are you acting like a little wife in front of your brother?"
She suddenly felt all the blood rush to her head, her face burning. Luckily, they were in this environment, so no one could tell. She scratched her hair, pretending to be nonchalant. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Never mind, never mind, it's all my fault. I dragged Xiao Lu to buy beer. I apologize," Lei Yuan said with a grin, handing Xu Ke a bottle of beer.
Xu Ke waved her hand. "I've quit." Her gaze seemingly unintentionally swept over, and Jiang Yunnuo slightly turned her head away, looking away, lost in thought. He pulled out a lighter, patted his pocket, "Damn, I'm out. I'll go buy a pack of cigarettes."
"Will you die if you don't smoke?" she blurted out again.
Xu Ke paused, said nothing, and slowly sat back down on the sofa.
Lei Yuan looked at the two of them and couldn't help but chuckle, "What sibling grudge can last overnight? A quarrel at the head of the bed, a quarrel at the foot of the bed..."
"Shut up!" Guan Ying and Lu Chengyu shouted in unison. Neither of them uttered a sound.
Guan Ying almost burst out laughing, quickly suppressing it. Lei Yuan also realized he had momentarily lost his temper, used inappropriate words, and hadn't finished speaking, so he had to abruptly shut his mouth.
Jiang Yunuo felt a sudden surge of panic, the overhead lights making her dizzy and restless. She held her breath, involuntarily stealing a glance at the person sitting opposite her. Xu Ke casually leaned back on the sofa, his thin lips tightly pressed together, watching the dancing crowd with an expressionless face. She lowered her head, slurping her orange juice, but her right hand, holding the glass, trembled slightly. "Damn it," she muttered, then clutched the glass tightly to her chest with her left hand.
"Xiao Jiang, let's go clubbing," Guan Ying suddenly patted her shoulder. The music and facilities here weren't as good as a disco, but at least the atmosphere was nice.
Jiang Yunuo was startled, her expression gloomy. "No, I want to go back to the dorm."
"That's right," Lei Yuan finally found an opportunity to speak again, "Even the school isn't safe right now, it's better to go back early."
The night breeze was cool, the moonlight was cool, and plum blossoms seemed to be blooming in the woods, their fragrance wafting in the air, a cool sweetness permeating the atmosphere.
Jiang Yunuo suddenly felt much clearer-headed, and her heart wasn't as awkward as before.
On the dimly lit oval playground, some lovesick boys and their friends were arranging a giant heart shape with white candles. When the wind picked up again, the candlelight flickered, and a few points of light faded away, the poor boys busily running between the extinguished candles. At the edge of the playground, a happy girl initially stood shyly with a smile, then couldn't help but wipe away the tears that streamed down her face. Whistles rose and fell from the crowd of onlookers, adding a youthful vibrancy to the usually quiet night.
Seeing this scene, Lu Chengyu said, "It's chilling."
Lei Yuan also shivered, glancing at Guan Ying, thinking, "Luckily, she's not a picky or unreasonable person; otherwise, if I had to do something so embarrassing, I'd be mortified."
Guan Ying looked at the candlelight beside her, warm and ethereal. Perhaps only someone deeply in love would do something like this, but how much did he actually like her?
Jiang Yunuo watched the boys' hurried figures on the field. At first, she only felt a chill, but after getting used to it, it wasn't so bad. Looking at them again, she felt an indescribable sense of emotion. She wondered if she would ever meet someone like that, persistently and foolishly doing things just to win a faint smile from her, or the sweetness hidden in her heart, even if he was just putting on a show. Life is filled with performances everywhere, but when these brave souls who put on a show for love appear, even absurdity can transform into touching moments. Almost every girl is moved by this, even if they show disdain. She was no exception.
As Xu Ke passed by the giant red heart, several candles at his feet were blown out by the wind. "
It's not complete," he thought, as he pulled out a lighter.
Jiang Yunuo saw that tall, slender figure bend down, the warm orange glow dancing between the lighter and the candle wick. A gentle breeze blew, extinguishing even the small flame in his hand. He frowned slightly, then knelt on one knee on the lawn, relit the lighter, and cupped the brilliant flame in his hand as if holding a fragile object, carefully lighting the wick. His fingers glided slowly, one lighter after another, the starlight shimmering again in his palm.
He watched quietly for a while before standing up, tossing the lighter up with his right hand. The silver casing flashed in the darkness, and he caught it with a slight smile, placing it in his jeans pocket.
All of this exuded a sense of nonchalance and casualness, but in Jiang Yunuo's eyes, it was like all the positive and negative electrons in the atmosphere colliding and surging, a momentary upheaval, breathtaking and awe-inspiring.
Chapter 25 The Condom Incident
"Alright," the beautiful woman looked around, then waved her hand, "You can go now."
The hourly worker took the money and left.
The beautiful woman lay on the clean, mirror-like black lacquered desk, lost in thought.
Familiar footsteps echoed in the hallway outside, steady and powerful, and a bright, sweet smile graced her face.
Xu Ke pushed open the door, sunlight streaming through the spotless glass windows, piercing his eyes. He squinted slightly; even after countless such experiences, he still doubted whether he had entered the wrong house, and then, for the nth time, he mentally muttered, "Damn it.
" "Xi Luo," he nodded to the beautiful woman, "You've come."
"Yes, I've finished reading those books, I've come to return them to you," Yan Xi Luo turned around, leaning against the desk, her hands supporting her behind her.
This posture perfectly showcased her impeccable figure, Xu Ke mentally assessed. A beautiful woman is a beautiful woman; every gesture and movement is beautiful, unlike some people…
He recalled the morning he went for a run with Lu Chengyu yesterday. That person ran towards them through the mist, casually patted Lu Chengyu on the shoulder as she passed by, and called out breathlessly, “Hey, handsome!” When he turned around, he saw her haphazardly tied ponytail bouncing behind her.
“You’re quite diligent,” Lu Chengyu had said at the time.
She turned to face them, her steps never faltering, “Losing weight, I’ve gained three pounds this month,” she said, and then dashed away.
Thinking of this, he shook his head inwardly. A beauty like Yan Xiluo would definitely not do high knee exercises in front of a guy while complaining about how much weight she’d gained.
Suddenly seeing Xu Ke’s thoughtful smile, Yan Xiluo’s face flushed. The usually composed and unflappable woman suddenly didn’t know whether she should look into his eyes, his nose, or simply not look at him at all.
“You don’t need to tidy up my room every time you come,” Xu Ke tossed his backpack onto the bed.
“It’s nothing,” she replied generously, “Friends shouldn’t be so calculating.”
“Mm-hmm,” he nodded, “Friends aren’t meant to be treated like fairy godmothers.”
She smiled silently. A fairy godmother? Did he mean girlfriend or nanny?
“However,” he mentioned seemingly casually, “I’m moving back to the dorm in a few days.”
“Why?” she asked, startled.
He smiled, “I don’t have money for rent.”
In the evening, Jiang Yunuo, carrying her books, prepared to go to her elective class.
Lei Yuan walked up from behind, draped his arm over her shoulder, “Come on, let’s help your brother move.” Then, no matter how much she refused, she was helplessly dragged along.
“Don’t do this, that’s your brother,” he said indignantly.
Xu Ke hadn’t expected to see Jiang Yunuo here again.
He saw her standing there awkwardly, seemingly overwhelmed by the clutter in her room, unsure of where to go or what to do.
She stood there awkwardly, looking somewhat timid.
Perhaps that word had nothing to do with her. But he stubbornly believed that the person standing there was a delicate, timid little girl. Thinking this, his heart was filled with a strange tenderness.
"Hey, hey, do you still want these things? Why the hell don't say something?" Lei Yuan waved a stack of old magazines in front of him.
He looked away irritably, "Yes," though he hadn't really seen what the pile of magazines was.
Feeling like she had nothing to do, Jiang Yunuo was drawn to a photo album on the bookshelf. She casually flipped through it; the slightly yellowed photos showed warm moments from the past, but now they looked jarringly messy. If, without these past events, without these memories, what would have happened between them...? Perhaps they would have been strangers, perhaps...
“Sister,” the voice rang in her ears, deep and melodious, its gentle warmth almost bewitching. Startled, she looked up, avoiding his eyes. It seemed like ages since he'd addressed her that way, and his current call made her incredibly uncomfortable!
She glanced at him quickly; a flicker of unease crossed his face. He gently pulled the photo album from her hand. “If you have nothing to do, help me pack up the bedding.”
“Okay,” she said, walking over to tidy his single bed.
In the crevice between the bed and the wall, she found a small, square plastic bag.
It was magenta, with a smiling banana on it, the person wearing sunglasses looking quite sophisticated. The bag was torn open, faintly emitting the sweet scent of strawberries.
She held it, lost in thought for a moment, then vaguely remembered seeing it in an advertisement—the brand was called… “Jissbon,” she said with certainty.
The other three people in the room, including Lu Chengyu, turned to look at her.
"Holy crap, what's this?" Lei Yuan laughed. "You've got it this time."
Xu Ke's gaze was somewhat blank.
"Whose is it?" Lu Chengyu was also very curious.
"How should I know?" Xu Ke's face flushed slightly. He glanced at Jiang Yunnuo, unable to discern her emotions.
Lei Yuan teased, "Exactly, all women are the same when the lights are off. Do they even remember who's who?"
"Shut the hell up," he suppressed a laugh, looking at Jiang Yunnuo with a red face, somewhat embarrassed. "This really isn't mine."
Jiang Yunnuo felt a burning sensation at the base of her ears. She casually tossed the packaging bag on the ground and whispered, "We should commend her for this behavior; at least she knew to use a condom."
"Not bad," Lu Chengyu nodded. "
Alright," Lei Yuan suppressed a laugh, patting Xu Ke's shoulder. "Young and impulsive, everyone can understand. Don't pretend, it's pretty silly."
"..."
Jiang Yunuo helped Xu Ke move some clothes, feeling a bit tired, so she said to them, "Keep going, I'm going back to the dorm."
"Hey, wait," Xu Ke, unable to bear it any longer and ignoring the strange looks from the other two, grabbed her arm and pulled her aside, feeling incredibly awkward. "...Um, it's really not mine...I never use that stuff..." As soon as the words left his mouth, he immediately realized he'd made a mistake.
Sure enough.
Jiang Yunuo looked tired, but very seriously, "It's better to use it, unless you're planning to make me your aunt early. Hmm, your child should call me aunt, right?"
He paused slightly, releasing her hand. "Whatever you say."
His voice was cold and indifferent, the light in his eyes flickering like the cold stars in the sky.
What a brat, a promiscuous man.
She kicked off her shoes, weakly throwing herself onto the bed, then burying her face in the soft pillow until she couldn't breathe.
Whose birthday is it today, she wondered.
In a daze, she heard someone call from the iron gate, "406," followed by the sounds of doors opening and closing, footsteps coming and going. She impatiently turned over.
Guan Ying gently placed a box of something beside her pillow. "Xiao Lu asked me to give this to you."
She stared at the colorful object, but had no interest in even opening the box.
Chapter 26: Wishing Everything Could Be As Before
When Jiang Yunnuo spoke to him, it was as if she were looking at a stallion.
Xu Ke closed his eyes and remembered that look in her eyes—three parts disappointment and seven parts disdain. It's really weird, why did she have to clean his bed? Is it fate? Thinking of this, his already chaotic thoughts were further weighed down. Life is already so helpless, and I'm still torturing myself here, he thought to himself, throwing his sports backpack on the basketball court floor, then getting up to go for a layup, intending to block it.
But he failed.
"Are you playing basketball or just being a target?" Captain Liu snatched the rebound from him effortlessly.
"You dare say that?" Xu Ke snatched the ball from his arms, refusing to give it back. "Did you take your girlfriend to the rented apartment again while I was away?"
Old Liu scratched the back of his head, stammering, "That was just a few days ago..."
Xu Ke almost sighed to the heavens. He pulled Old Liu aside. "Boss, it's fine if you want to solve the problem, but once you're done, just throw it away."
"You didn't throw away the used condoms?" A gossipy guy with sharp eyes sidled up from the side.
"Damn, I remember throwing them away," Old Liu shouted. "
You didn't throw away the Jissbon packaging," Lei Yuan said with a smile.
Old Liu glared at Xu Ke. "I thought something was wrong... Did your girlfriend see it? Is it a misunderstanding? Who? Yan Xiluo? It's okay, I'll go clarify."
"His older sister saw it," Lei Yuan corrected.
Old Liu laughed, "Then there's even less of a problem. She's from France, why would she care about that? Besides, she's your sister, not your wife. You're a grown man, why are you afraid of her... I mean, isn't she always trying to control you? That's so boring. Look at my sister, she even introduced me to girls, but she thinks my current one isn't pretty enough..." "
Okay, you can shut up now," Xu Ke tried to shove the basketball into his mouth.
Lei Yuan patted Xu Ke's head, "Yunnuo is really unfair, why didn't he think of introducing you to a blonde, blue-eyed French girl? I'll talk to her about her another day, see if there's anyone suitable for me."
"Can you shut up?" Xu Ke muttered, throwing the ball on the ground.
"I said," Old Liu looked at him thoughtfully, "you're not still a virgin, are you?" Before he finished speaking, the boys all chuckled.
"Get lost," someone roared.
Spring always comes particularly early in this city.
In March and April, the rain drizzled, and the greenery outside the window was lush.
During the mating season, even the air seemed damp and warm.
Since Xu Ke moved back to the dorm, Jiang Yunuo had been running into him more often on campus. Living in the same building, it was hard to avoid each other.
One time, in the light rain, she saw him emerge from the gymnasium with a group of boys. He wore a white t-shirt, wide-leg jeans, and white casual sneakers, without an umbrella. His short, dark hair shone brightly, a few strands damply falling across his forehead, glistening droplets running down his face, dripping between his brows. His eyes, hidden behind a thin veil of rain, were like a misty lake, shimmering with moisture.
Occasionally, girls would pass by, whispering, "Look, it's Xu Ke from the School of Political Science and Law," or "His eyes look so melancholy..." He was clearly laughing and chatting with others, Jiang Yunuo thought bitterly, blinking, hoping to find a trace of melancholy on his face. "
If you knew he lived like a stallion, would you still feel this way?" she had once bitterly wondered.
Even so, when that gaze seemed to casually sweep across her face, she could still feel her heartbeat become irregular.
Ignoring him became her most frequent action. She would often pretend not to see him, and then greet acquaintances, such as Lei Yuan, Lu Chengyu, or other casual acquaintances.
His clothes weren't particularly striking; in fact, they were rather rough, the kind of style most popular among boys—comfort over style. Everything seemed impeccable. Yet, she still felt something was off. What was it? A glance caught sight of his tanned arms… It wasn't summer, why was he wearing short sleeves? So flamboyant!
Even if they bumped into each other, since that incident, they had become like parallel lines, their intersection at an infinity.
Many things, happening repeatedly, become habits.
If one day she didn't see him, a piece of her heart would be missing, leaving her feeling lost.
So, on the tree-lined paths, in the cafeteria, in the library, by the playground, his shadow seemed to be everywhere.
After this happened countless times, Jiang Yunuo felt like she was going crazy.
She wanted to find him, wanted to call him, even wanted to create the illusion of an encounter. But in the end, she did nothing, and couldn't do anything.
Finally, one day, Lu Chengyu saw Jiang Yunuo sitting alone on the high bleachers by the empty playground.
A few wispy clouds drifted across the sky, and in the middle of the playground, a breathtaking expanse of tender green stretched out. Faint traces of rain or tears clung to her cheeks.
For a long time, she gazed at that green expanse, until her eyes could no longer open, then she looked towards the distant sky. Only then could she clear her mind, her thoughts filled with nothing but that single color.
He stood beside her, holding an umbrella, listening to the slow, muffled sound of raindrops falling on the umbrella, echoing in his heart.
As darkness fell, he gently placed his hand on her cold hand. She flinched slightly, rubbed her eyes, and looked up at him. Then he saw a faint sense of loss linger in her clear eyes, briefly before disappearing.
Taking her hand, he said, "Let's go, it's getting dark."
Back in the dormitory, Guan Ying looked at her with confusion, "Why is your nose so red?" "
Really? Maybe it's a little cold."
"How can you feel cold in this weather? You've caught a cold."
Jiang Yunuo smiled nonchalantly, slightly relieved to recall Lu Chengyu's calm expression earlier.
She took the colorful box from the drawer, opened it, and inside was a Doraemon plush toy with a pull ring. Pulling the ring, familiar musical notes floated out; upon closer inspection, it was the song she had once played, "So This Is How Love Hurts." Guan
Ying picked up the Doraemon and examined it. "Oh, it's custom-made; you can't buy it outside. Little Lu is very thoughtful."
Jiang Yunuo immediately felt a headache coming on. She stuffed the plush toy and box back into the drawer.
In the middle of the night, she suddenly felt a chill all over her body, her head spinning, but she couldn't fall asleep again. She touched her forehead; it was a little hot. Damn it, Guan Ying's jinx really came true.
She took some medicine in the morning, asked Guan Ying and the others to help her get a sick day, and curled up in bed, lying there half-asleep. She vaguely heard someone push the door open and come in.
"Who is it? Skipping class? Back so early?" she muttered. The person seemed to walk to her bedside. "Could you please get me some water? Thanks."
Hearing someone place a water glass on the table next to her, she kept her eyes closed but didn't want to move. The person gently pulled her up.
It was a pair of male arms, strong and powerful.
Was a pervert in, or... a ghost? She shuddered, her scalp tingling, and she became more awake.
Chapter 27 Sudden Attack of Love
She forced her eyes open. The water glass was on the table next to her, but it was empty.
The room was quiet; there was no one else besides her.
The warm embrace, the warm breath, the feeling was so clear, yet it was just a nightmare.
She helplessly mocked herself. This was a girls' dormitory; how could he possibly get in?
Then, she couldn't fall asleep anymore, only lying on the bed, staring blankly at the pale ceiling.
Around five o'clock in the afternoon, she took a thermos to the water room to get water. It was crowded, and the washroom was noisy.
"Guan Ying said you were sick, are you feeling better?" His voice rang in her ears, like a dream from that morning, somewhat unreal.
She looked up; Xu Ke stood before her, a backpack slung across his shoulder.
"I took my medicine, I'm much better."
"Really?" He reached out to touch her forehead, but she lowered her head slightly, avoiding his gaze.
His hand paused briefly in mid-air before he lowered it, took her thermos, and went into the washroom.
On the way back, silence reigned; they had truly reached a point where they had nothing to say to each other, which she found somewhat ridiculous. Only
when they reached the corridor leading to the girls' dormitory did he hand her the thermos.
"Have you had dinner?" he asked.
"Not yet," she replied, having no appetite.
"What do you want to eat?"
"I don't know," she said, just wanting to get inside quickly.
He said nothing more, turned, and left.
That evening, Guan Ying rushed in with a thermos lunchbox. "Eat up, it's still hot!" She opened it to find congee with preserved egg and lean pork, shiitake mushrooms and bok choy, and stir-fried shredded potatoes with vinegar—a clear, fragrant dish. Jiang Yunuo's appetite was immediately whetted. She pulled Guan Ying, clamoring, "Come on, beautiful, give me a taste!" "
I can't accept something for nothing," Guan Ying quickly pushed her away.
"It's so delicious! Where did you buy it?"
"This is something you can't buy with money," she smiled and winked, "Your little brother made it at home."
Turns out, even congee can be choking.
Huang Zixi grabbed Jiang Yunuo's arm, repeatedly saying, "A handsome guy who can cook! Give it to me, give it to me! I'd pay whatever it takes!"
"So considerate," Guan Ying smiled at her.
It was April, with a gentle spring breeze.
At noon, Lu Chengyu rode his bike to Xu Ke's place for lunch. Spending so much time in the lab, he felt the medical school cafeteria smelled like formaldehyde.
The sun was shining brightly, making him feel comfortable all over. Every time he passed the playground, he couldn't help but glance at the distant stands, even though she never appeared again.
Thinking of Jiang Yunuo, he admitted he was somewhat interested in her, even though her first impression of him was that of an ordinary person.
But when he saw the girl on stage, wearing a black baseball cap, a t-shirt, and jeans, calmly playing a tune he couldn't remember the name of, the long brim of her cap almost obscuring her eyes, she casually moved the brim aside, revealing bright black eyes, her lips slightly pursed, a serene smile playing on her lips. The scene was ordinary, the clothes ordinary, the movements ordinary, yet a slight stirring stirred within him. This girl was interesting.
But that was all.
He was a somewhat reserved person, his demeanor seemingly indifferent to his age. To girls, he seemed rather distant. Few people would invest too much enthusiasm in a handsome, unsmiling man, thus avoiding much trouble and annoyance. Unrequited love is always a two-way street; for example, someone like Xu Ke often causes a lot of trouble because his rejection wasn't thorough enough. Furthermore, he always believed that it was foolish and a waste of time to fall in love with someone in college where the future was uncertain, but this situation was everywhere.
So, he often said, "One should be low-key."
Lei Yuan would often retort, "That's not being low-key, that's being a repressed flirt."
Some people, seeing his indifferent expression, would swallow their words, but Jiang Yunnuo was an exception. She would pat his shoulder, joke with him, and occasionally tap his head lightly with a book, mocking him, "Don't think you're so great just because you're good-looking. You still need to eat, drink, and use the toilet. Unless you stop eating, drinking, and going to the toilet from today onwards, I'll admire you."
However, their relationship was nothing more than that.
Lu Chengyu looked up and saw the banners fluttering in the stands, only then remembering that Lei Yuan had mentioned there was a sports meet today.
The morning was mostly women's events, and it was currently the final stage.
The 100-meter hurdles race had been turned into a hurdle-pushing 100-meter race by the strong girls, with the last girl carefully and gently stepping over the hurdles each time, managing to stay upright, and finally, looking bewildered, snatching first place. The scene of the 1000-meter race was quite spectacular, with far more people running on the inside of the track than participating girls. The senior students led the race with water and clothes, while the junior students followed leisurely behind. The girls throwing the shot put were all quite tall, making the boys measuring the data run far away with a sense of unease. One of the girls struck a very powerful pose, spun rapidly, threw the shot, and then fell flat on her face, almost hitting her own foot.
Lu Chengyu leaned back on his bicycle, watching the bustling scene before him, lazily basking in the sun. His mood was rarely disturbed by external factors, remaining as calm as ever.
"Jiang Yunnuo, go!" someone shouted from the stands.
This shout inadvertently reached his ears.
Inadvertently, he turned his head and glanced over.
However, many things change unexpectedly. By the time he realized it, he could only watch helplessly.
The finish line of the 400-meter final was right in front of him, and Jiang Yunnuo felt she had a very good chance.
And indeed, things took a dramatic turn because of a water bottle that flew in out of nowhere.
She had already sped up, preparing to sprint. Unable to dodge in time, she stepped right on it.
Then, she fell rather unceremoniously.
And yet, she still managed to get third place.
Her ankle seemed twisted; she walked with a limp, her fair arms covered in black mud mixed with scrapes, looking somewhat disheveled.
Teachers and classmates ran towards her, and she smiled and waved to them.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling on her face, her smile warm, her eyes crinkling. Her bright black eyes were like two round, lovely grapes, and a few glistening beads of sweat glistened on her delicate nose. When she smiled, her fine, white teeth were revealed, and tiny dimples bloomed gently around her rosy lips. After exercising, a healthy glow rose on her cheeks, and a few strands of hair playfully fell across her forehead, swaying gently in the breeze… Her
clear smile mirrored her transparent heart…
“Kawaii!” A sweet, coquettish voice seemed to echo in his ears, and Lu Chengyu was instantly lost in thought, thinking, “This time I’m really doomed.”
The bright sunshine, the verdant leaves—the sudden change always caught him off guard.
Xu Ke held her pen, gazing at the other end of the playground.
Under the sycamore tree, that figure patted Lu Chengyu’s shoulder, then jumped onto the back of a bicycle, seemingly laughing happily.
It had been so long since he’d seen her smile.
When she was with him, she became increasingly silent. They both hid their true selves from each other. Although no one’s heart is easily seen through, she wasn’t happy with him around. So, what was the point of keeping her by his side in the first place? Now, he could only choose to stand at a distance, quietly watching her.
"1.85 meters," the boy measuring the long jump data repeated when he saw him distracted.
He snapped out of his reverie and was writing when, "snap," the pencil tip broke in two, leaving a long, thick line that stood out starkly against the white paper.
Chapter 28 Impulsiveness is the Devil
Guan Ying slowly used her chopsticks to pick all the mutton off the bamboo skewer, then picked up a piece and put it in her mouth, chewing slowly.
"This is how you eat mutton skewers," Jiang Yunuo said, picking up a skewer, biting into it, and demonstrating with a flourish.
Guan Ying rolled her eyes at her, "Your mouth is covered in grease." Saying this, she gently dabbed her lips with a tissue, took out her phone from her bag, "I'll call Lei Yuan and ask him to call Xu Ke out too."
"Why call him? We're almost finished eating."
"We'll go for a walk later. You're limping like this, we can't let you go home alone. Or I can call Xiao Lu."
"No."
Guan Ying rolled her eyes at her again, "You're such a hassle. Fine, I'll call Xu Ke to pick you up. Why are you two still arguing? It's been so long."
"No way."
The call was already connected, and Guan Ying's words were concise and clear, "Be there within ten minutes, or else."
"..."
"Not even a minute late, Xiao Jiang is being held captive by those hooligans...yes, the same ones from the dance last time..." Then, the beautiful woman hung up the phone with a sweet laugh.
"Uh, that joke went a bit too far," Jiang Yunnuo was truly annoyed; women in love were indeed unreasonable.
Guan Ying glanced at her watch and continued to elegantly eat her lamb skewers.
Xu Ke hastily threw on a coat and ran outside.
"Hey, slow down, those two girls are lying to us..." Lei Yuan shouted as he chased after him.
A few minutes later.
Xu Ke stood at the restaurant entrance, hands on his hips, panting heavily.
He wore wristbands from training, a jersey, and a sports jacket, which seemed to be on backwards.
Jiang Yunnuo almost buried her face in the plate. "Boss, it's done!" Guan Ying
glanced at her watch, a sly smile on her face. "Not bad, faster than expected."
The chaotic breathing gradually subsided. Xu Ke approached the table and gently patted Jiang Yunnuo's head, causing her nose to make intimate contact with the lamb skewers. She looked up at him, only to meet two complex gazes. In a daze, four words flashed through her mind: tender as water.
He looked at her, picked up the juice in front of her, and downed it in one gulp.
She lowered her head, feeling dizzy, and stuffed a skewer of lamb into her mouth.
The two people across the table were being affectionate. Guan Ying was feeding
Lei Yuan lamb skewers.
Lei Yuan put his arm around her shoulder and playfully flicked her nose. "Don't be so naughty anymore."
Jiang Yunnuo immediately felt a wave of teeth break, so she simply lay on the table, watching them with amusement.
Xu Ke sat down beside her, mimicking her behavior, and watched the show intently.
Having put on their act, the sweet couple looked at Xu Ke with perfect understanding, "You're paying today," and left hand in hand.
Then, the atmosphere suddenly became eerie.
“I’m done eating too,” Jiang Yunnuo said, looking at the plate on the table. Her heart was pounding, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, so she tried to distract herself.
Xu Ke glanced at her, beckoned a waiter, ordered another plate of barbecue, and started eating by himself.
She could only keep her head down and continue eating until the last bit of meat on her plate was gone.
Then, with nothing to do, she sat there dumbly. She should have eaten more slowly. She couldn’t stand being like this
for even a second longer, so she stood up.
“Wait for me,” he said, gently taking her hand. His voice was damnably gentle.
This… this was unbearable… She was starting to feel dizzy again. She mustn’t let her mind wander, be seduced, or be tricked…
Unfortunately, her powers were still weak, and as if hypnotized, she obediently sat back down.
A gentle evening breeze caressed her face. The two walked down the street in silence.
She looked at the ice cream shop by the roadside and felt a little thirsty.
“Want some?”
“Mmm,” she swallowed quietly.
He smiled softly and walked into the small shop.
She stood on the street, silently recalling the past. Back
then, he was still that annoying brat who liked to sneak pocket money from her to buy ice cream…
A few teenagers ran past, playfully fighting, and one of them accidentally bumped into her.
Her injured leg couldn't support her weight, and she swayed and fell.
The headlights were blinding, coming straight at her.
In a daze, she heard a woman's scream, the sharp honking of a car, everything was chaotic.
She never expected to die like this…
Just like that, she died in front of him…
He would call her "sister"…
He would be heartbroken…
and then forget her…
never to see her again…
This is for the best…
Heartbreak, this is what it feels like…
His hands trembled slightly, unable to utter a word, only breathing heavily, his mind a blank, dizzy void.
The pain in her arm seemed to bring her back to that fear.
The moment the ice cream hit the ground, white cream splattered everywhere… He rushed over, his face deathly pale.
She heard him call "Nono"... and then she was quickly pulled up.
The truck roared past, but the fear in his eyes didn't fade; his hand still gripped her arm tightly, burning like a branding iron.
He released her arm but pulled her into his embrace.
Through the thin fabric of his clothes, she could feel his rapid heartbeat, far drowning out the sound in her own heart. Unable
to see his expression, his weary voice, like a sigh, came from beside her ear, "You scared me to death."
Her eyes suddenly stung, and a few tears slid down, silently soaking into his clothes.
"It's alright now," she said softly, gently patting his back and wrapping her other arm around his waist.
He seemed to tremble slightly, holding his breath and tightening his arms slightly, but this small movement startled her.
"Let go of me," she cried, snapping back to reality and frantically pulling her hand away.
He ignored her.
"We'll run into acquaintances," she said anxiously, trying to push him away, but her hands were grabbed.
“What if we run into acquaintances like this?” he said, his voice low and brooding, his eyes closed.
She froze, too afraid to move.
The streets were bustling with people at night. Their faces, illuminated by the streetlights, seemed blurry, making it impossible to tell if they were happy or troubled. Jiang Yunnuo carefully observed everyone who passed by, afraid of bumping into familiar faces, afraid of seeing shocked expressions. Yet, those people either hurried by or swept past with indifferent glances, as if they were just an ordinary couple deeply in love…
For a few minutes, Xu Ke felt like he was in a dream.
He smelled the faint fragrance of her hair, heard her breath gently hitting his chest, and felt the warmth and stiffness under his hands. He told himself that it was all real.
This certainty stirred a certain impulse, a desire to talk to her about something.
“I…you…” she stammered, a rare sight indeed.
She looked up at him, her gaze intense.
He sighed inwardly, feeling incredibly conflicted, then closed his eyes and said, “No more ice cream.”
Jiang Yunuo was amused and chuckled. Just as she was caught off guard, his voice rang in her ears again, deep and pleasant, yet like a blow to the head, leaving her dizzy and caught off guard.
"Be with me," he said, looking at her as if asking a question, yet also stating a fact.
A long silence followed… his words shattered all pretense.
His heart pounded, and his hand around her clenched into a fist, his palm already damp.
Indeed, impulse is the devil.
Chapter 29 The Heartless Person
There's a line in *Healing Hands*, "Many things are beyond our control, so we can only control ourselves."
But how can we control ourselves…?
As if hearing familiar music, Jiang Yunuo pulled her phone from her pocket. The three characters "Lu Chengyu" flashed on the screen, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Her phone ringtone wasn't loud, easily overlooked in a noisy environment, but now she could hear it, or rather, sense it.
"I have a call," she said, pushing against him, trying to create distance between them.
“Hmm,” he glanced at the screen, showing no intention of letting go, instead lowering his head to gently kiss her temple.
“Hey, Xiao Lu,” she took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound normal, but his heart was pounding like a ringing in his ears. “I’m out shopping…” she looked up at Xu Ke, “Yes… with some classmates… tomorrow afternoon, um, okay…”
She hung up the phone, turned to leave, “I want to go back.”
“You…” Xu Ke grabbed her wrist, feeling embarrassed and frustrated. After a moment’s hesitation, he couldn’t help but ask, “And then?”
Jiang Yun Nuo suddenly laughed, “Silly boy,” she said, reaching out to pat his face, “Why are you still as clingy as when you were little? I’m your sister, of course we should be together. Really, how old are you, still like a child,” her words were full of doting affection. She paused, then suddenly sighed, “To be honest, sometimes I really don’t want to bother with you, but even if there’s a huge misunderstanding between us, blood is thicker than water, don’t you think?”
She looked at him earnestly, her words gentle and clear.
She said, "Blood is thicker than water between us."
It turns out, everything was just a misunderstanding on his part.
Xu Ke took a step back, finally releasing her. "Why did you come back? You might as well not have come back at all."
"You might as well let me go," Jiang Yunnuo retorted without hesitation.
A look of panic crossed his face, even the dark night couldn't hide it.
She bit her lower lip, no longer looking at him, and turned to leave. Under the streetlights, long shadows overlapped, then separated, finally becoming a solitary figure. Only after confirming he hadn't followed did she softly say, "I'm sorry."
Looking out the glass window at the street, people came and went, yet it was eerily silent. Lu Chengyu held chopsticks in one hand and a phone in the other, seemingly lost in thought, his mind as quiet as this forgotten little restaurant. There weren't many customers, the prices were high, the food was mediocre, its only advantage being the excellent view. He glanced at the time on his phone, then slowly ate a few more bites before getting up to pay the bill. It was already seven o'clock when he returned to school, just in time for class.
Standing in the warm spring breeze, Xu Ke felt a chill in his hands and feet. Even though it was the answer he expected, his heart sank endlessly. The figure ahead was about to disappear into the night; he dared not look any longer, as if each glance increased the pain in his chest, yet he couldn't bear to look away, afraid she would vanish at any moment… He guessed the ending of the story, but he couldn't have imagined the process could be so agonizing.
Yet, he couldn't let go.
He quickened his pace, catching up with her, but carefully maintained a distance until he watched her enter the dormitory building. Only then did he turn back to the store he had passed and buy two packs of cigarettes.
She had said, "Will you die if you don't smoke?"
Xu Ke suddenly smiled when he remembered those words. He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled the smoke, watching it change shape in the wind, bizarre and unpredictable. Some things, you can't give up until you die.
This is a strange world; anything can happen. Although Jiang Yunuo hadn't experienced any great storms, she felt her world was legendary. When she was young, her parents were a strange and vague concept to her. Although they lived together, they always seemed close yet distant; they were always busy. At first, she thought all parents were like this, because adults and children always lived in different worlds and couldn't understand each other. It wasn't until she learned to observe and reflect that she realized how unique her family seemed.
However, human adaptability is always remarkable; when they lack a certain kind of love, they can find substitutes to fill the void in their hearts. Fortunately, there was someone who was always by her side, someone she could always rely on and always miss, even though most of their time together was filled with arguments and conflicts, even though they were separated for years without contact. Emotional dependence, like a mother tongue, had laid a solid foundation in the early years of life. It might fade, it might be overlooked, but it was never easily forgotten.
Perhaps it was just a habitual mutual dependence between her and him. However, when she tried to shake off this dependence, she discovered a vague emotion that made her heart race, caused her unbearable longing, and made her unable to extricate herself, like a drug controlling the central nervous system, seemingly called love.
But love and blood ties are forever incompatible. This world, though strange, possesses profound ethics.
Sitting on the stone steps beside the playground, Jiang Yunuo gazed at the clear blue sky, her mind fluctuating between confusion and clarity.
The weather had been beautiful these past few days.
The brilliant sunlight cast a thin layer of gold across the lush green grass and distant high-rises, refreshing and captivating.
However, some people and some things cannot survive in the sunlight.
She remembered Claudia, the girl in the film *Interview with the Vampire*, who yearned for growth because of love, turning to ashes in the sunlight and scattering in the wind. Every time she saw that scene, her feelings could only be described as "tragic."
"What are you thinking about?" Lu Chengyu gently tapped her head with a folder.
"Thinking about why you haven't come yet," she replied with a smile.
Lu Chengyu sat down beside her, glancing at her casually. "You can just answer with the first two words."
Jiang Yunnuo chuckled twice, a bad feeling creeping into her heart. She pulled a strand of hair from her shoulder, twirling it between her fingers, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Lu Chengyu chuckled softly, "You're acting like a child. No wonder Xu Ke doesn't treat you like an older sister."
Jiang Yunnuo's heart pounded at his words. She turned to look at Lu Chengyu, only to hear him continue, "But it's only an eleven-month difference, so you really can't tell the age difference. This kind of age gap is quite rare."
She breathed a sigh of relief, explaining nonchalantly, "What's so strange about that? I was premature, seven weeks earlier than my due date. My parents didn't want to rest either, so they kept trying, and that's how... Didn't you say you had a job offer for me?"
"Yes," Lu Chengyu handed her a folder, "A friend's company wants someone to translate product manuals, and they'll transfer the money to your account afterward."
"A timely rain, a timely rain!" Jiang Yunuo casually flipped through the pages and patted Lu Chengyu's shoulder hard. "I'm short on cash, I'll treat you to dinner afterwards, handsome."
"What are your plans for the May Day holiday?" Lu Chengyu asked.
"I don't know, maybe tutoring."
"Seven days off for May Day," he added.
"Hmm, it would be even better if you could earn money for all seven days," Jiang Yunuo looked away.
"You're so poor, how did you manage abroad?"
"I'm ashamed to say, it's not easy to earn money from foreigners either, they're getting more and more cunning," Jiang Yunuo laughed, her face sunny.
Lu Chengyu stared at her for a while, then thoughtfully asked, "How can you still laugh?"
Jiang Yunuo waved her hand dismissively, "As long as I have money to eat, there's a way to live even if you're poor."
Lu Chengyu shook his head slightly, muttering to himself, "Some people really are heartless."
Chapter 30 I Really Want to Kill Him
Saturday, the dormitory was quiet. Jiang Yunuo slept in bed until noon, when she was so hungry she couldn't stand it anymore. She got up to brush her teeth and wash her face, tied her hair in a loose ponytail, put on a white t-shirt and wide-leg low-waisted jeans, slipped on flip-flops, and listlessly strolled towards the only open canteen, 2.5, carrying her lunchbox.
The Student Garden Canteen, located between the first and second canteens, was jokingly called "2.5" by the students. Apart from the specially prepared stir-fried dishes that cost twice as much, the food in the large bowls was practically inedible; the name "Student Resentment" was truly fitting.
The canteen was deserted on the weekend, and the cooks were bored. Jiang Yunuo's hot and sour shredded potatoes were meticulously prepared, looking and smelling delicious, and were even sprinkled with green scallions and bright red chili flakes for garnish. Originally, she only had the basic requirement of filling her stomach, but now she felt a great appetite. She carried her lunchbox, looking for an empty table to sit down.
"Little Jiang, over here," Guan Ying waved to her.
Lei Yuan patted the chair next to him. "Why are you staring blankly?"
"No, not at all," she replied a beat lately. She'd been staying up too late lately, and her brain was starting to malfunction.
Across from them sat Lu Chengyu and that person—the one she longed to see but dared not—now meeting her at a small square table. She couldn't help but glance at him, and he looked up at her too. His eyes were focused and deep, bright as stars. In that fleeting, seemingly casual glance, she was utterly defeated. Jiang Yunuo quickly looked away, feeling utterly dejected, listlessly mashing the hard rice ball in her bowl with her spoon.
Lu Chengyu noticed the faint dark circles under her eyes and asked, "Is it over?"
"Yeah, it's over."
Lu Chengyu added, "Actually, there's no need to rush."
Jiang Yunuo lazily stirred the shredded potatoes in her bowl, "Anyway, I have nothing else to do."
Lu Chengyu seemed to remember something and asked, "When are we going to eat together?"
"Anytime is fine," Jiang Yunuo replied casually.
Lei Yuan looked at Lu Chengyu and then at Jiang Yunuo. "What are you two talking about? What have you been hiding from me? Is there a problem…?" He stroked his chin and looked at Xu Ke. "I'll tell you, reveal some inside information first."
Xu Ke lowered his head and ate his rice. After a while, he finally uttered two words, "No."
Lei Yuan looked at him in confusion. "You've been quite quiet lately. Who has bothered you this time? Why are you trying to be cool like that show-off Lu Chengyu? Are you going on the May Day spring outing or not? Give me a straight answer so I can count the number of people."
"No." "
Lu Chengyu, what about you?" Lei Yuan continued, "Why don't you stick with us? Your crappy school doesn't do anything except deal with corpses. Everyone on the basketball team is clamoring to bring their families. Bring Yunuo along so she can keep our Yingying company.
" "Okay," Lu Chengyu readily agreed.
Lei Yuan was having a good time, but Jiang Yunuo said unhappily, "Do you think I don't exist? You didn't even ask me."
"Men are talking, what are women interrupting for?" Lei Yuan said with a smile. "Learn from our man."
Guan Ying, as expected, acted sweetly and affectionately, shaking Jiang Yunnuo's arm, "Little Jiang, aren't you going? Go, go," her voice sweet and soft.
Jiang Yunnuo shuddered. She secretly glanced at Xu Ke and muttered, "I didn't say I wasn't going." She was determined to avoid Xu Ke. Since she couldn't ignore him, she had to desperately avoid him, hoping to never have any contact with him again. Therefore, her plan would only be contrary to his. She didn't consider herself a weak-willed person. Although she lacked confidence, she wouldn't be so weak as to give up easily. She believed that time could erase all traces, cover up a memory, destroy a relationship, and even change a person.
After dinner, Jiang Yunnuo and Guan Ying returned to their dormitory together.
Jiang Yunnuo continued to catch up on sleep, while Guan Ying lay in bed for a while, unable to fall asleep no matter what, so she started cleaning, wiping the table and then the floor, busy as a bee.
"Honey, can you rest for a while? If you get sick from exhaustion, someone will worry about you," Jiang Yunnuo yawned, half-asleep.
Guan Ying remained silent, diligently wiping the floor again and again.
"Guan Ying..."
she ignored.
Jiang Yunnuo rolled over and lay on the bed. While admiring a beautiful woman, especially a hardworking one, was enjoyable, something felt off. "I said, my dear wife..."
Guan Ying finally stopped, standing there, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, somewhat dazed, completely unlike her usual radiant self.
"You look so pitiful," Jiang Yunnuo said, walking over and pinching her chin. "What's wrong? You were fine just now."
"Little Jiang, I..." Guan Ying stammered, hesitant to speak.
Jiang Yunuo had never seen her like this before, and she became nervous as well. "What...what do you want to say?"
"I f***ing..." She had never sworn before, and before she could finish the word, her face was already as red as a tomato. She took a breath and continued, "I'm supposed to be a virtuous wife, but I'm almost a good mother."
Jiang Yunuo was stunned for a moment, remembering that she had been frequently staying out all night under the pretext of watching movies, so she asked cautiously, "Could it be...that you're pregnant?"
Guan Ying sighed, "My period hasn't come yet, I'm so worried..."
"Why didn't you take any precautions? Does that guy know? How long has it been?" Jiang Yunuo asked a string of questions without stopping in her anxiety.
"He, he..." Guan Ying stammered, her eyes slightly red.
"What did he say? Did he tell you to go to the hospital for an abortion?" Jiang Yunuo remembered Lei Yuan's carefree and nonchalant manner just now, and couldn't help but explode, "Damn it, that kid deserves a beating," she said, and turned to leave.
Guan Ying quickly grabbed her arm. "He doesn't know yet. I don't want him to see me like this."
"Why?" Jiang Yunuo thought for a moment, then patted her shoulder. "You're afraid of seeing him so flustered, aren't you? Don't worry, I don't think he's that kind of person. Besides, are you sure?"
Guan Ying lowered her head. "It's been over a week since I last had a pregnancy test."
"Go to the hospital and you'll find out. Why rush here?" Jiang Yunuo pulled her up from the chair.
Guan Ying pulled her hand away. "Let's wait a few more days. Can you come with me to the pharmacy?"
Jiang Yunuo nodded, and the two went to the pharmacy outside the school to buy a pregnancy test. They started studying the instructions.
"It says it's best to use it tomorrow morning," Jiang Yunuo said.
"If you're going to give me a death sentence, give me one sooner rather than later," Guan Ying said dejectedly, throwing the instructions aside. "What a hassle."
"Maybe it'll be fine," Jiang Yunuo could only comfort her like that.
"Why do they say women become clingy after sleeping together? Now I finally understand, it's just that they have a uterus, not a man's," Guan Ying said bitterly. "You can easily get hung up on one person, and who knows if they'll even want you to be hung up on them."
On the table, Guan Ying's phone rang incessantly.
Jiang Yunuo picked it up and looked at it, saying, "He's calling you."
"Ignore him," Guan Ying took the phone and pressed the power button. "Don't say anything to him either."
"Weren't you getting along well at lunch?"
"Actually, I wish I could kill him," Guan Ying stared at the ceiling, sighing softly. A sudden wave of despair washed over her. She was increasingly uncertain about the man she had once been so close to. What did he really feel for her? And yet she had to pretend to be indifferent and carefree in front of him. She feigned strength because she lacked the courage to face his rejection of her feelings. Guan Ying, oh Guan Ying, you've actually become so vulnerable. Thinking of this, her mood grew increasingly gloomy and bitter.
Love, this thing, hurts both heart and body.

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