Chapter 91: Playful Teasing
Chen Cheng finally understood why middle and high school teachers always emphasized no dating.
Even though she wanted to focus on studying and not drag An Yuan down, especially since he had the potential to get into a top-tier university while she could only manage a lower-ranked one. Right now, she simply couldn’t concentrate in class.
It felt like her mind was wrapped in a soft, pink haze. She kept zoning out, sneaking glances at An Yuan across the room, replaying the memory of their kiss. She regretted pulling away from his deeper kiss and couldn’t help but imagine how romantic their real first time would be. Face burning, she buried her head in her arms, completely unable to focus on the lesson.
She seemed to have transformed completely into a girl, both physically and mentally...
"Tomorrow is New Year's break, so I won’t assign too much homework. Make sure to rest well," the homeroom teacher said.
They wrote the homework list on the board, about the same amount as a regular weekend.
But little did they know… the other teachers had already packed their schedules with assignments.
"So much homework," Chen Cheng muttered.
This year, New Year's Day happened to fall on a Sunday, giving senior students a rare two-day break.
And not long after that, winter vacation would arrive.
Before she knew it, the semester was coming to an end. She had gradually adjusted to the hectic life of senior year… and to her new life as a girl.
"This is even more exhausting than working."
Chen Cheng had actually worked before. The summer after graduating high school, she had taken a job as a sales assistant at a major clothing brand.
In reality, she had done just as much as the store manager, handling almost everything alongside An Yuan. By the end of the month, with salary and commission combined, she had made around 6,000 yuan, enough to buy her very first laptop, which she had used all the way through college.
Back then, working with An Yuan hadn’t felt too bad. But after graduation, when she was on her own, her social anxiety got so bad that she didn’t even dare go to interviews. Her roommates had to help her get her internship paperwork signed.
But at least in this life, she would always be with An Yuan.
And no other woman would take him away from her again.
The bell rang.
Excited cheers erupted from the class as students jumped up to celebrate their New Year's break.
Chen Cheng turned her head toward An Yuan. She had already packed her bag in advance and eagerly dashed over to his desk.
"Time to go home!"
The moment she saw him, she couldn’t hold back her joy. Her smile was so bright, it made her eyes curve into crescent moons. Sweet and soft, like a piece of cake.
Gao Dong glanced at her, noticing the pink aura practically radiating off her. He leaned closer to An Yuan and whispered, "So… did you finally win her over?"
"I think so?"
"You think? If you don’t lock it down now, just wait until the graduation ceremony, she’ll have a line of guys confessing to her."
But An Yuan didn’t seem worried at all. He casually slung his bag over his shoulder and walked past Gao Dong.
"Let’s go," he called out to Chen Cheng.
"Oh! Coming!"
She quickly followed after him in small, bouncy steps.
"An Yuan! Wanna hit the internet café?"
The moment she heard that voice, her expression darkened. She whipped her head around, glaring at Ah Qiang like a guard dog protecting its food.
In her past life, she had been on good terms with Ah Qiang.
But in this life? No way was she going to let him drag An Yuan to the internet café every day.
If An Yuan went gaming, then what about her?!
"Next time," An Yuan replied, completely unfazed. Then, without hesitation, he reached for Chen Cheng’s hand and pulled her toward the door. "Let’s go."
"Wait—what?!"
A wave of stunned silence washed over the class. Then, whispers and quiet gasps filled the room.
"Whoa~"
The teasing and cheers made Chen Cheng’s face turn even redder. Her first instinct was to struggle, but when she turned her head.
She locked eyes with Li Wanyi, whose face was filled with disbelief and heartbreak.
And just like that, her embarrassment vanished. Instead, she leaned even closer to An Yuan. This was their way of declaring ownership of each other.
No more random love letters from other guys, no more girls trying to steal An Yuan away.
As they stepped out of the classroom, the chilly January breeze made Chen Cheng shiver.
Luckily, An Yuan’s hand was really warm, giving her a bit of comfort from the cold.
Chen Cheng lowered her head, staring at their interlocked hands. She wanted to say something but hesitated, feeling too embarrassed to bring it up.
Were they really a couple now?
Their interactions had long since crossed the boundaries of just being friends, what they had now was something only couples would do. They had even kissed before.
But An Yuan never actually confessed to her…
So technically, they were still just friends!
Narrowing her eyes, Chen Cheng noticed that her other hand was freezing, as cold as an ice pop. She quietly slowed her pace, falling half a step behind An Yuan, then suddenly leaped up and shoved her icy hand down the back of his collar.
"An Yuan~" She called out sweetly. An Yuan instinctively froze for a second, but the next moment, his entire body tensed. His eyes flashing with the intent to retaliate.
"Surprise! Ice pop attack!"
But An Yuan had already anticipated her move. He dodged in a split second, bending down just in time to avoid her ambush, then quickly pressed his back against the wall in a defensive stance.
"Nice try! I saw that coming!"
"Tsk!"
With a quick dash, An Yuan ran into the restroom, splashed some cold water on his hands, then stepped out, holding them up like a villain preparing to strike. His gaze slowly drifted toward Chen Cheng’s neckline.
"What… what are you doing?"
Alarmed, Chen Cheng quickly zipped up her school jacket all the way, covering her neck. She even crossed her arms over her chest, instinctively on guard.
"I’m just letting you try my ice pop!"
"AHHH!!!"
Letting out a scream, Chen Cheng spun around and ran down the stairs. But of course, An Yuan wasn’t about to let her escape. He immediately ran after her.
Hearing the loud scream, Hu Wei peeked out from the hallway, just in time to see the two of them chasing each other out of the school building.
"Ah, young love~"
"What love?! An Yuan is bullying Chengcheng again!" Chen Shuting, standing beside her, huffed in frustration.
"Pfft, it’s just their way of flirting. Let them be."
Right outside the building, a huge sports field stretched before them.
Chen Cheng ran as fast as she could, sprinting across the field. But after a few hundred meters, her stamina gave out.
Sure, she had been joining morning runs lately, but she had been slacking off, only ever doing one lap at a time, so her endurance hadn’t improved at all.
Meanwhile, An Yuan was completely at ease, staying just a few meters behind her, like a cat playing with its prey.
Another hundred meters passed. Chen Cheng’s legs finally gave out. She collapsed onto the grass, panting hard, chest rising and falling rapidly.
"I can’t… I can’t run anymore!" she gasped.
That’s when An Yuan casually walked up to her, knelt down, and before she could react, pressed his ice-cold hands against her burning cheeks.
"AHHH!!! GET AWAY! YOUR HANDS ARE FREEZING!"
Her strength was completely drained, and no matter how much she struggled, she couldn’t break free from his grasp. He didn’t let go until his hands had warmed up.
He had to admit, her skin was ridiculously soft and smooth.
Grinning, An Yuan squatted beside her and teased, "Feels nice, huh?"
"You!"
Fuming, Chen Cheng kicked him, making him stumble and fall backward onto the grass.
Seeing him finally get a taste of his own medicine, she immediately forgot her frustration and burst into laughter.
She got up from the ground, looking mischievous. Clearly planning to mess with him again.
But before she could make a move, An Yuan cut her off.
"Alright, alright! Time to head back."
"No way! My hands are still freezing!"
Still sitting cross-legged on the ground, An Yuan reached out, gently wrapping her cold hands in his warm palms.
"There. Better now?"
Chen Cheng froze, caught off guard by the sudden shift from playful fighting to… flirting.
Her teasing expression melted away, replaced by a shy, flustered look.
"Mm… yeah."