Jin City University, Foreign Language College.
In the Business English A class, a few girls were sharing snacks with Chen Yu and discussing how to make their hair black and shiny.
"Wow, you really know your stuff!"
"I’ll try it in the dorm at noon. Hopefully, I can have beautiful hair like you."
With half an hour to go before class, everyone was laughing and talking as if they had completely forgotten how they used to bully Chen Yu and laugh at her.
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They were merely using their connection with Chen Yu to curry favor with Tang Xiaowan.
Chen Nan, watching from the side, grew more irritated by the minute and slammed his book down: "Early in the morning and all this chirping. If you want to chat, go outside. Don’t disturb my sleep here."
The girls left, taking the hint, but Chen Yu seemed a bit lost, biting her lip and unnaturally flipping through her textbook.
The same word read over and over again.
She had never before received such attention and praise from her female classmates, even knowing it was insincere, she couldn’t help being overjoyed.
This kind of insecurity was something Chen Nan could never empathize with.
In his mind, black was black and white was white; he couldn’t understand or notice the unique vanity that young girls often have.
"Chen Yu, are you jealous of Tang Xiaowan receiving roses?"
"So you don’t wish to receive flowers?"
"No, it’s not that, but..."
As Chen Yu was still hesitantly searching for words, she saw Chen Nan pull a red rose out of his backpack.
Who knows what that flower had been through; it looked a bit wilted.
Seeing Chen Yu stunned, Chen Nan simply opened her bag and stuffed the rose inside.
The motion was so rough it was as if he were throwing away trash!
"Don’t look down on it. It’s my first time; maybe next time will be better."
Hearing Chen Nan explain his actions this way made Chen Yu’s face light up with joy. Her lips pursed, she didn’t know what to say in response.
He must have sneaked out last night to buy it, right?
It was not easy hiding it for an entire night!
"Do you dislike it because it’s only one? Actually, I..."
After hearing Chen Yu’s reply, Chen Nan felt at ease.
Last night, to sneak out and buy the rose, he had to tell a big fib and returned to the dorm stealthily.
Earlier, when he entered the classroom, he had carefully hidden the flower in his shoulder bag, fearing it would be discovered again.
He wasn’t afraid for himself.
He was considering Chen Yu, afraid she couldn’t handle it and might reject him, which would be disastrous.
During the hotpot dinner on Tuesday, Chen Nan had tentatively asked whether it was better to date openly or to enjoy a secret romance.
Chen Yu unexpectedly replied with "secret."
This answer troubled Chen Nan all night.
It wasn’t until yesterday afternoon that he understood that Chen Yu’s desire to keep their relationship hidden was not just due to a lack of confidence in him, but also a lack of confidence in herself.
She was probably scared because of her last breakup!
"Hey, what are you two doing? Sneaking around—are you hiding goodies, or did you secretly go on a date last night?"
Tang Xiaowan had arrived, and she came with a barrage of questions as soon as she sat down.
Feeling as if his heart was about to leap out of his chest, Chen Nan tried to seem calm as he took out a box of chocolate balls from his shoulder bag: "Here, you guys share these."
Perhaps fearing Tang Xiaowan might misunderstand, Chen Nan was ready to preview his text but then turned his head and added, "Don’t mention it. It didn’t cost much; I redeemed it with points."
Was that said intentionally for me to hear?
Tang Xiaowan looked at Chen Yu with a puzzled face.