The next morning, as Lan Lan’s body ached all over, she did have moments of regret. Though she had prepared herself mentally, Liang Yufeng was more "fierce" than she had imagined, likely because she had stirred him up.
She had brought it upon herself and didn’t blame him. Liang Yufeng had intended to be a gentleman last night; it was she who had been improper, reaching out to him while he slept. As it was her first time, the pain was even more intense. She hobbled when she got out of bed.
Liang Yufeng hurried to support her, his eyes filled with worry and self-reproach. "Does it still hurt? I'm sorry, I'll be more careful next time."
Lan Lan had never gone this far even in her previous early relationships. While she had an open attitude towards love, she had basic principles, such as this being something to do after reaching adulthood. Liang Yufeng had appeared at just the right time. Although he lacked experience, he knew she was a virgin.
As they brushed their teeth together in the bathroom, Liang Yufeng suddenly said to Lan Lan, "Let's get married after we graduate from college."
Lan Lan paused her brushing, not quite understanding. "Why are we suddenly talking about marriage?"
"Last night, you..." Liang Yufeng didn't know how to phrase it, but he still stated his position. "I will take responsibility."
Lan Lan chuckled. "Are you afraid I'll cling to you? Don't worry, I won't."
She didn't have any particular feelings about losing her virginity; it was just an experience in life. She was only a freshman, and marriage seemed too soon. Liang Yufeng might not like her forever.
Lan Lan didn't take his words to heart, but Liang Yufeng was very serious. After that night, he actually rented a small apartment outside the school, seemingly intending to live with her.
January was exam month, and Lan Lan spent almost every day in the library. Liang Yufeng accompanied her, but Lan Lan was always with Lin Mei and Feng Feng, so Liang Yufeng quietly refrained from disturbing them.
Liang Yufeng's major finished its last exam first. Lan Lan still had one more day of exams. When she took her final exam, Liang Yufeng waited for her outside the examination hall. After Lan Lan submitted her paper, she came out and hugged Liang Yufeng. Their interaction attracted quite a crowd.
Liang Yufeng and Lan Lan's relationship was no longer a secret. The day they confirmed their relationship on Christmas Eve, several of Liang Yufeng's classmates had spread the word throughout the academy. Almost everyone knew that Lan Lan had pursued Liang Yufeng.
Liang Yufeng was usually so low-key that he had little presence. Because of his relationship with Lan Lan, he suddenly became the focus of attention. Many people then discovered that he was exceptionally handsome, but he spoke too little and never sought the limelight, hence his lack of presence.
"How did your exam go?" Liang Yufeng held Lan Lan's hand as they walked out of the teaching building. They could occasionally hear people discussing them.
"It was okay, I'm exhausted. It's only freshman year and it's already this tiring. I'll be dead next year when I take certification exams." Lan Lan patted her stomach. "Let's go out to eat tonight. I want hot pot."
Liang Yufeng said, "Mm. Have I prepared it at home?"
Lan Lan: "Mm?"
When Liang Yufeng brought her to the apartment, Lan Lan finally understood what he meant by "prepared." The apartment was completely different from her last visit, furnished with many pieces of furniture, resembling a cozy little home. There was a dining table in the living room, set with an induction cooker and a split pot for hot pot.
Lan Lan couldn't help but be surprised. "Can you read fortunes?" she asked, wondering how else he would have known she wanted hot pot today.
Liang Yufeng smiled and nodded, joking with her. "Is my fortune-telling accurate?"
It wasn't fortune-telling at all. It was because she had once said that when she was stressed, she liked to eat things with strong flavors. After the college entrance examination, she had gone to eat hot pot that very day. He remembered every word she said.
They enjoyed the hot pot immensely. With no other classes scheduled after the exams, Lan Lan moved into the apartment with Liang Yufeng before the holiday. She also discovered Liang Yufeng's cooking skills. He could make many dishes, and whatever Lan Lan wanted to eat, he could prepare it competently.
Lan Lan had been doted on by her parents since childhood and had hardly ever cooked. Therefore, she was very curious about how Liang Yufeng learned to cook. One night before bed, they chatted about it. For some reason, after she asked, Liang Yufeng's mood visibly declined. Lan Lan asked him, "Did I say something wrong?"
"No," Liang Yufeng took a breath and hesitated for a long time before continuing. "I haven't told you about my family yet."
"I don't care about that," Lan Lan wasn't someone who valued background much. "I'm dating you, not your parents."
Liang Yufeng shook his head. He wasn't talking about that. "You asked why I can cook, right? My mother is not in good health and cannot take care of herself."
His tone became more somber as he spoke of it. Lan Lan immediately hugged him to comfort him. "She's very happy too, having a handsome, sensible, and considerate son like you, right?"
Liang Yufeng smiled at her praise and gently hugged her back. "Thank you."
Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng had a period of intense romance, and she genuinely liked Liang Yufeng. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been her longest-lasting boyfriend during college. However, her investment in this relationship was far less than Liang Yufeng's.
Liang Yufeng had dated her with the intention of marriage, but she had no such plans. At nineteen, who could be sure of the future?
With different attitudes towards relationships, conflicts were bound to arise.
Liang Yufeng truly took great care of Lan Lan. In the latter half of their freshman year, when Lan Lan had certification exams, Liang Yufeng not only took them with her but also acted as her "support staff." During her preparation period, he made her various meals and personally delivered them. Others often joked that he was like Lan Lan's nanny.
Lan Lan was a person who needed novelty. By the later stages of their relationship, she no longer found Liang Yufeng as exciting. Perhaps it was because he was too uninteresting, with no life of his own, always revolving around her. For someone with such strong self-awareness, this was undoubtedly a minefield.
On a Friday in the second semester of freshman year, Liang Yufeng was waiting for Lan Lan in the corridor after her class. As they walked out, Liang Yufeng began discussing their weekend plans. "You said last time that Guo Bao Rou was delicious. I've learned how to make it, and I'll make it for you tomorrow. And sweet and sour..."
"Liang Yufeng, don't you have your own life?" Before he could finish, Lan Lan interrupted him. Her tone was impatient, even disgusted.
Liang Yufeng didn't understand why she was so angry. "Did I upset you?"
"I don't need you to revolve around me every day. Put your time into other meaningful things." His making her his entire world put immense pressure on her.
"Your affairs are meaningful to me."
He said it earnestly and sincerely, but Lan Lan felt even more annoyed. "I don't think we're compatible. Let's break up. I'm a bit tired of this."
Liang Yufeng walked around her and blocked her path. "Why? Did I do something wrong?"