Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
By the time he returned to his dormitory at Block 7, the biting cold breeze had finally calmed him down. He was no longer that excited, agitated nor intoxicated.
When his mind was finally clear, he suddenly started to worry. Would Yan Zheke find that they were advancing too fast? Would she be unable to accept such rapid advancement and psychologically reject this relationship? Or would she feel that heâs too impatient and misunderstood him as a guy who only focused on carnal desire, but not true passion?
He had thought of these questions before. His plan for the first kiss was to test the waters, yet when he achieved it, he started to worry about his gains and losses. He was afraid that he would destroy his own image in the girlâs heart.
But he really could not control himself at that time...Furthermore, the girl in front of him was not just any other girl, but someone he loved a lot. When she looked at him shyly and revealed a seductive look, he just could not control his desires...
Lou Cheng sat at a corner of a flower bed and allowed the chilly breeze to blow against him. He took out his phone, and started wondering if he should apologize to Yan Zheke.
Nah, apologizing after a kiss would be too irresponsible as a man. This would make the girl think that the guy only wanted to take advantage of her...
Yup, I need to show her that Iâm a responsible man with a pleasant attitude, and that I want to treat her better...
Even though there were many discussions on topics like âWomen shouldnât get marriedâ, âMen shouldnât trust womenâ and âOne night stand is the new normâ all over the internet, Lou Cheng figured that he was a conservative man. Since he had not gone through too many sufferings in the society, and since he had held her hands and kissed her lips, he felt that he should be responsible for her for life.
While his thoughts were running deep, his phone beeped and showed a notification from QQ. Yan Zheke was âpissedâ and replied to his previous smiley emoji: âIâm not going to talk to a pervert!â
Seeing such reply, rather than being surprised, Lou Cheng was pleased. He noticed that his girl was shy and not mad at him.
He heaved a sigh of relief and âlooked pitifulâ as he replied: âI just couldnât control at that moment.â
âAt that moment?â Yan Zheke questioned and followed up with a ârolled eyesâ emoji. âHumph, now that I think back, I feel that all these were part of a plan! Be honest, did you already have those bad thoughts when you asked me out for a stroll by the lake?â
âYou can even see through this? Lou Cheng blushed and felt guilty. Fortunately, the girl was not beside him now.
He considered for a moment and decided to be honest with her. He confessed his thoughts to the girl, without hiding anything from her.
âYes... Not only did I thought of kissing you when we were by the lake, I felt like kissing you when we were in the cinema as well. However you were too focused on the movie so I didnât bear to interrupt, and I didnât manage to get a chance after that... I guess guys tend to be more impulsive and anxious about such things. I keep thinking of getting closer to you. Moreover, you did mention you need more time to get used to having one more person in your life before accepting my confession. You also said you had not reached the stage of being crazy about me, didnât you?â
âIâm not trying to pressurize you, but Iâm afraid that youâd leave me someday, and tell me that we should just be friends. Thus I want to get more assurance and more confirmation from you...â
After typing the reply from the bottom of his heart, he corrected some words to ensure that they accurately described how he truly felt.
He would always remember what Ming told him: In relationships, honesty is better than hiding secrets, and communication is better than cold wars.
After sending out the reply, Yan Zheke kept silent for a while before she replied.
âFool...â
âFool?â Lou Cheng was initially confused, then he realized what the girl actually meant.
Fool! If Iâm not used or not prepared, do you think Iâd let you kiss without pushing you away?
Fool! Do you need me to say it out that I like you before you can understand?
Fool! Stop filling your head with nonsense!
Lou Cheng was surprised and happy as he felt that he could understand what his girl was thinking. He hurriedly replied, âYes, Iâm a fool, a big fool! Itâs obvious that our relationship is getting better, yet I still worried about losing you and couldnât trust myself...â
âHumph, glad you understand.â Yan Zheke used a âface palmâ emoji and she added, âIâll forgive you this time round, Big Pervert. Youâd better not anyhow kiss me next time!â
âEh, does that mean I can kiss her as long as I donât anyhow kiss?â Lou Cheng chuckled. He was feeling was much more assured now. He immediately replied, âSure sure sure, definitely will not anyhow!â
After they chatted for a while as well as confirmed the time and venue for tomorrowâs treat with her dorm mates, Yan Zheke hurriedly rushed Lou Cheng to wash up as it was almost 10.30 p.m. She did not want him to sleep late and affect his morning training the next day.
While Lou Cheng whistled a tune on his way back to the dormitory, he was mocked by Cai Zongming as âLecher riding on the crest of successâ when he revealed his ground floor face.
After he was done with the wash-up, he went to his bed and was ready to send Yan Zheke a goodnight message when he noticed that she had sent him three voice messages a few minutes ago.
âEh?â Lou Cheng felt doubtful as he opened the voice messages and placed his phone near his ear, switching it to listening mode.
âHais, Cheng, be my rubbish bin for a while. Just listen and donât reply.â
Yan Zhekeâs soft clear voice was heard from the phone.
Her surrounding sounded pretty quiet and spacious, with some sound of the blowing wind.
âSheâs on the balcony...â Lou Cheng was certain about his judgment, as he continued to listen to the messages.
âIâm terrified. When I gave up on resisting and chose to accept it, I felt really uneasy about my future...â
âCheng, can we last? Are we able to hold on to each otherâs hand to withstand all the struggles and tests till we get old and sick, and still rely on each other?â
âIâm afraid. Iâm afraid that if I give it my all and put my true feelings to this relationship, Iâll end up being defeated by reality and Iâve to watch you leaving me painfully. If thatâs the case, my heart will ache badly, so badly that I could just die...â
âThey always say that first love never lasts. Iâm very worried. Iâm worried that one day the person I marry isnât you. Thatâll be such a nightmare...â
âAlright, Iâm done pouring out these negative thoughts... I never had such nonsense thoughts or worries. Itâs all because of you!â
Lou Cheng listened to her words quietly. Whatever random conversations going on in his room could no longer be heard. His heart and mind were clear as he started to tear.
He took a breath and without heeding to Yan Zhekeâs instruction, he replied,
âIâm afraid as well, and Iâm also fearful of how the future will be like. However, if we donât even dare to take the risk, then wouldnât we miss each other? Risk it and work hard on it, then thereâll definitely be hope!ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âI work hard on practicing martial arts and strengthening myself, so that I could get hold of my own destiny to seize that opportunity and hope in life.â
âEven though Iâm too young to say all these, but Iâm going to say this. Iâm confident with myself, and Iâm confident with what I like. Youâre my destiny.â
After a while, Yan Zheke sent him a scolding emoji and replied,
âThought I told you not to reply!â
âGo sleep, Pervert!â
Lou Cheng grinned and immediately replied, âGoodnight!â
âGoodnight, see you tomorrow~!â Yan Zheke seemed to have forgotten the awkward confessions and replies exchanged moments ago.
âSee you everyday!â After sending this message, Lou Cheng patiently waited. He had a feeling that the girl would reply him something special.
He waited for 10 minutes before he finally saw a new message from Yan Zheke.
âYes, Iâll work hard as well...â
He seriously stared at this message for a few minutes, before he revealed a smile and went to sleep.
...
The next day, he woke up early as usual for his morning training. He then went for the special training, bathed and changed before running to the entrance of the female changing room to wait for Yan Zheke.
The weather was unexpectedly cold today, and Yan Zheke wore a thick outer jacket that made her look like a cute teddy bear. The moment she saw Lou Cheng, she pretended to be annoyed and turned her head to another direction as she retorted. âPervert! Big pervert!â
Lou Cheng kept quiet and laughed. He then used his left hand to hold her lean hand. âYes yes yes, Iâm your pervert, exclusive to you only!â
âWhat kind of description is that?â Yan Zheke had never thought that Lou Cheng could be that thick-skinned and was speechless for a moment. She immediately changed a topic and said, âLet me give you a heads-up about my two dorm mates. One is named Le Liantong, who we often called her Dirty Tong...â
While they were happily chatting and joking, both of them left the martial arts arena and walked towards the crowd at the school building. They decided to pass by the building, crossed the long bridge, walked along to pedestrian walkway at the dormitory area and finally meet Zong Yanru and the others at the Academy Cafeteria.
On their way, Lou Cheng and Yan Zheke noticed a big group of people gathered in front of them, and all of them seemed to be looking at the roof of a building. Out of curiosity, they joined the group and were shocked to realize an unknown man was standing outside of the seventh-floor window, staring towards the groundfloor.
âSomeoneâs going to jump!â Yan Zheke said with a trembling voice and held on to Lou Cheng tightly.
This was her first time seeing such incident.
Before Songcheng University opened its new school campus area, about one to two students were jumping off the building every year. After moving to the new area, there were no more of such incidents for almost half a year. In fact, someone said that the principal had sighed with relief and said that the Feng Shui was much better here. Never did he expect that someone was going to make the first jump today...
Lou Chengâs mood had changed instantly. He took a breath and said to Yan Zheke, âYou stay away. Iâll go over to take a closer look.â
âAlright, be careful.â Yan Zheke understood what Lou Cheng was thinking, so she urged him.
Just as Lou Cheng was getting closer, the manâs face turned pale as he smiled and decided to plunge down.
âDamn it...â Lou Cheng cursed softly as he channeled his energy to his feet before leaping forward. He leaped to the right position based on his judgment and without caring much about his injury on his right arm, he extended his arms in the midst of all the screaming.
Bam! Lou Cheng managed to catch the suicidal man. The moment he grabbed the man, his feet suddenly sank, causing cracks to appear on the cement ground where he stood. Yan Zheke looked upon them worriedly.
There was a strong rebound. He forcefully straightened his back, sank both his arms, and withdrew an inch before he jerked both of them outwards.
This caused the man who had plunged down from the building to be tossed out and onto the ground not far away. The man was filled with fear and bewilderment as if he had just woken up from a nightmare.
Lou Cheng exhaled. He felt that his sports shoes were about to split, and the injury on his right arm seem to have aggravated.
But no matter what, all these were not as important as a humanâs life.
As he noticed that the teachers and security guards were joining the crowd, as well as the over-lookers were shockingly staring at the man and himself, Lou Cheng shouted,
âWhat is there to be afraid of, since youâre not even afraid of death?â
He then turned around, walked off and joined Yan Zheke outside the second school building. This incident had secretly given him fame and honor.