The moment the words fell, Chi Ze Rui, dusty from travel, appeared at the door.
Through the glass, he could see the young girl he longed for.
Before he could feel joy, he saw her shyly fall into another’s embrace.
The overwhelming sweetness that washed over him was like a dense hail of swords.
It annihilated the impulsiveness he had felt all the way here.
And all he wanted was to flee.
“Wow! Chi Ze Rui!”
“Why is he here?”
“Looking for Yu Wen Li, right?”
“Oh my gosh! He’s so handsome!”
One exclamation after another ensnared Chi Ze Rui’s steps like ropes.
Unbeknownst to him, he had already pushed open the door.
It was the moment songs were being changed, and many noticed his arrival.
Including Yu Wen Li.
And the young girl in his arms, slowly raising her head.
Their eyes met.
Chi Ze Rui sighed silently.
He was exquisitely and boldly built, a spectacle just by standing there.
Many girls in the private room blushed, stealing glances at him, wanting to look but afraid to.
Hao Luo Er subtly moved closer to him.
A silent declaration of possession.
After a brief silence, Chi Ze Rui, with no retreat, stepped forward.
As the distance shortened, the redness and swelling on her lips became more pronounced.
Chi Ze Rui suddenly felt as if every step he took was on the tip of a knife.
Painful, yet without blood.
“Brother Yu.”
He stopped a half-step away, his voice tight as he called out.
Yu Wen Li instantly understood something. After a few seconds of silence, he nodded and asked:
“Something up?”
“Mm.” After responding, he paused for about half a minute before resolutely saying:
“Please take care of Luo Er. I have something to tell Yi Yi.”
Hao Luo Er’s eyes instantly lifted with a complex expression.
He wanted to…?
Wen Ting Xue: ???
He finally looked up at her, but still couldn’t utter the words ‘I like you.’
Not that he didn’t want to, but he didn’t dare.
He feared that if he said it, they wouldn’t even be friends anymore.
“Mm?”
Without hearing more, Wen Ting Xue couldn’t help but urge him on.
Chi Ze Rui lowered his gaze and abruptly asked, “When did you see the news?”
“Ah?”
The topic shifted too quickly. Wen Ting Xue was stunned for a few seconds before saying, “This morning.”
“Then why are you congratulating me now?”
He suddenly looked up, his ink-black eyes fixed on her.
As if trying to pierce through her very soul.
Wen Ting Xue was somewhat startled and stammered, “I, I was afraid of disturbing you…”
Disturbing…
Heh.
Chi Ze Rui obviously didn’t believe such a lie.
If he hadn’t come today, he probably wouldn’t have heard the word ‘congratulations.’
Perhaps in her heart, he didn’t even count as a friend.
That’s why even a ‘congratulations’ was so stingy.
Chi Ze Rui lowered his head again, like a defeated dog.
“You…” Wen Ting Xue found him very strange tonight.
She couldn’t help but take a step forward, bend down, and look him in the eye, asking, “Are you feeling unwell?”
As she spoke, she reached out to touch his forehead.
Chi Ze Rui watched her without stopping her.
The young girl always carried an indescribable faint fragrance.
Like a flower, yet not a flower.
“You don’t have a fever.”
Wen Ting Xue withdrew her hand and mumbled.
Chi Ze Rui curled his lips, not replying.
He liked the way she cared about him.
Even if only for a few seconds.
“Are you in a bad mood?” the young girl guessed, then added:
“That shouldn’t be the case, you won the championship.”
Why wouldn’t someone be happy after winning a championship?
Wen Ting Xue couldn’t understand his thoughts at all.
Chi Ze Rui gave a bitter smile.
He should be happy about winning.
But he just couldn’t find any joy.
His mind was filled only with her.
So, he flew back impatiently.
Wanting to confess his feelings to her, wanting to compete with Brother Yu openly.
But now…
He didn’t dare anymore.
He truly didn’t dare.
Given the young girl’s personality, if he confessed, she would definitely distance herself from him.
At that point, let alone friends.
He might not even be able to see her.
He didn’t want that outcome.
He would rather be a normal friend by her side.
Than to become a stranger after revealing their relationship.
Chi Ze Rui thought humbly.
At least, she would care about a friend.
Even if it was just verbal, he was content.
After speaking, Chi Ze Rui didn’t re-enter the private room but left directly.
Wen Ting Xue thoughtfully pushed the door open and went inside.
Hao Luo Er immediately ran over and asked, “Where’s A Rui?”
“He…” the young girl replied slowly, “left. He asked me to tell you.
“He’s going back first, and asked us to take you home.”
“No need,” Hao Luo Er couldn’t wait and walked out, “I can take a taxi myself.”
“Hey—”
Wen Ting Xue tried to stop her, but she had already disappeared out the door.
“…”
Was she that eager?
She turned around and bumped into a familiar embrace.
Her nose filled with a clean, crisp scent… Huh???
Wen Ting Xue sniffed, then looked up, “Did you smoke?”
“Mm.”
Yu Wen Li pulled her onto the sofa, replying lazily.
Wen Ting Xue frowned disapprovingly, “You should smoke less in the future, it’s bad for your health.”
Yu Wen Li played with her black hair that fell on her shoulder, not replying.
A moment later, he asked indifferently, “What did A Rui say to you? It took so long.”
Writer's block, posting a short chapter for now.
Happy New Year, my little darlings! May you be rich, beautiful, and have all your wishes come true!