– I don’t acknowledge it, nor do I care.
– I simply like you, Wen Tingxue.
The declaration was direct and decisive, unlike the vague hints before. It felt like a resolute choice.
But…
Wen Tingxue’s heart pounded as she gazed at him. “But I’m truly not as pretty as Tong Jiayi. I don’t have any particular talents. Why would you fall for me?”
She truly didn’t understand. She liked him because he was outstanding. But him? What was his reason? He didn't even have eyes for Tong Jiayi; how could she possibly catch his attention? She couldn't grasp it. It was precisely this incomprehension that fueled her fear of being abandoned.
Yu Wenli lowered his gaze, looking into the young girl’s eyes. They were clean and clear, like a fresh spring, her emotions laid bare.
“Yiyi.”
Wen Tingxue’s heart accelerated as she stared at his lips, eager to hear his words yet dreading them. Caught between the two, a desire to escape arose. However, before she could retreat, he spoke.
“Do you like bitter melon?”
“Ah?” The young girl hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “…Yes.”
“But I don’t. No matter how nutritious bitter melon is, I dislike it. I much prefer winter melon. So…” Yu Wenli gently pinched her cheek. “To me, you are winter melon, and Tong Jiayi is bitter melon. Taste, like love, makes no sense. It’s not something that can be dictated by internal or external value, understand? My little fool~”
His voice was drawn out, ambiguous, and lingering with affection. Wen Tingxue shyly lowered her eyes, her cheeks flushed as she mumbled, “Oh.”
A few seconds later, she caught on and retorted, “You’re the fool.”
Yu Wenli chuckled softly. “Sister asks you, did you believe the chat logs Tong Jiayi showed you?”
Wen Tingxue: …
“You said you’re not a fool, but I never even added her as a friend. Where would the chat logs come from?”
Wen Tingxue blinked awkwardly. “…Uh.”
Yu Wenli sighed helplessly. “From now on, no matter what anyone tells you, you must come and ask me. Even if the answer isn’t what you want, at least I won’t lie to you, got it?”
“Got it!” The young girl nodded immediately. She was so obedient and adorable. Then, she changed the subject. “Then you…”
She pointed to the corner of her eye.
Yu Wenli said, “This scar wasn’t taken for Tong Jiayi; it was for myself.” He had indeed been in a race with Shang Ziqian and, despite winning, had sustained injuries. The scar near his eye was from that incident. The reason for the race was indeed related to Tong Jiayi, but it couldn’t be said to be *for* her. After she had saved Chi Zerui, he felt indebted and helped Tong Jiayi whenever she asked. After all, Chi Zerui had taken the blame on his behalf, and he couldn't stand by idly. Moreover, he was busy at the time, and Tong Jiayi didn't seek him out often. Her requests were minor, and he handled them casually. It wasn't until the third year of junior high, when the band was established and he returned to school more frequently, that she began to approach him more often. The most memorable incident was one night when she called, saying she had lost her keys. Her parents were also out, and she wanted him to take her to a hotel. He was passing by, so he didn't refuse. Unexpectedly, Shang Ziqian witnessed this. Coupled with previous rumors, Shang Ziqian assumed there was something between them. From then on, he constantly harassed Tong Jiayi, forcing Yu Wenli to intervene. During the two most severe confrontations, Tong Jiayi was badly injured. To compensate her, he made three promises. However, he was also tired of being forced by Shang Ziqian, so he directly challenged him to a race to settle it.
“I delayed telling you about Tong Jiayi because I was afraid you would be scared,” Yu Wenli said in a low voice. “Shang Ziqian is a madman, bent on death. I feared what he did to Tong Jiayi might happen to you. I was even more afraid that you would leave upon learning everything. But I didn't expect that Tong Jiayi would be more troublesome than Shang Ziqian, and that you would fall for her tricks twice.” Yu Wenli looked at her with a hint of resentment.
“Cough…” The young girl cleared her throat embarrassedly, her tongue suddenly much more agile. “But you hid it from me! If you had told me about your relationship early on, there wouldn’t have been so many misunderstandings. Besides, you said I didn’t believe you, but you didn’t believe me either. How could I leave so easily? Unless…”
“There are no ‘unless’s,” Yu Wenli said, directly covering her mouth. He wanted to eliminate any possibility of damaging their relationship from the root.
Wen Tingxue: … How childish.
…
Lin Ling and Fu Shilin knew about Yu Wenli’s plan. But when the two of them didn’t come down for a while, they began to worry that something had happened. So, they crept upstairs and saw—
The legendarily rebellious Boss Yu was bending down, cradling the young girl’s face. The fingertips, slightly calloused, gently traced the corner of her eye, her cheek, and finally stopped at her lips. He caressed them twice and asked, “She said she was my ex-girlfriend; do you believe it?”
“No.” Because he had said he had no ex-girlfriends.
“Mm, and there won't be any in the future either.”
Wen Tingxue: ??? What did that mean?
The next moment, Yu Wenli lowered his head.
Wen Tingxue & Lin Ling & Fu Shilin: !!! What were they doing! Ahhhh! Beasts!
When Lin Ling reacted and tried to take a photo as evidence, Wen Tingxue accidentally pressed the phone next to her, her palm covering the flashlight. The classroom instantly plunged into darkness. Ahhh! Lin Ling suppressed the instinct to scream and leaped into Fu Shilin’s arms.
Fu Shilin: …! Unexpected joy.
-
When they drove home, a post exploded on the Jiangcheng High School forum with the title – A certain boss surnamed Y and a certain girl surnamed W… kissed. Of course, the parties involved were currently unaware of this.
Yu Wenli reluctantly held Wen Tingxue’s hand and asked, “Want to go see a movie on Saturday?”
The young girl, flustered from being teased, didn’t want to give him a good look. “No!” With that, she swiftly opened the door and got out. Yu Wenli watched the girl’s retreating back and clicked his tongue regretfully. What to do if she couldn’t kiss properly? – Teach her slowly.
As she walked upstairs, she found Xu Kexin holding a glass of warm milk, waiting for her by the door. Seeing her flushed face as she came up, Xu Kexin’s lips curved slightly. “It seems Yu Wenli has appeased you?”
“Ah…” Wen Tingxue replied shyly. Then, remembering Xu Kexin’s hesitant look this morning, she quickly asked, “Class monitor, did you need something?”
“Mm.” Xu Kexin handed her the warm milk. “I’ve already added honey. Shall we talk inside?”
“Of course.” Wen Tingxue opened her room door and let her in.
Inside.
Xu Kexin got straight to the point. “I think, knowing Yu Wenli’s personality, he probably didn’t explain Saturday’s events in much detail. So, I’ll tell you.”
Wen Tingxue:? Was there anything else she didn’t know?