Chapter 111: Night
Wang Chen arrived at the school gate and waited.
There were only two streetlights on each side of the gate, giving off a bit of light. Outside that area, all the way to the road, it was completely dark, you couldn't even see your own hand in front of your face.
He was wearing a fitted white long-sleeve shirt with dress-style shorts. His hair was slicked back, and there was a light scent of hair gel around him.
Before coming out, he had borrowed a razor to shave his beard, which grew like stubborn weeds. He washed his face with facial cleanser and even asked Zhao Pan for a face mask. He did all this just to show his best self when meeting Li Mu’s sister.
Behind his back, he was holding a small, fancy doll. Something he had bought over the weekend from a gift shop.
As the meeting time got closer, Wang Chen became more and more nervous.
“No matter if the confession works or not, at least I won’t have any regrets,” he whispered to himself, trying to calm down, even though he knew the chances of success were low.
But how would he know if he didn’t even try?
Finally, he saw a figure in the darkness ahead.
The person walked slowly, and as they got closer, the light from the streetlamp showed that it was Li Juan, the one Wang Chen had been thinking about all this time.
The moment he saw her, he suddenly realized she always seemed to wear the same hoodie and jeans. But he didn’t think too much about it and quickly pushed that thought aside.
Even though she was wearing a hood that hid her face, Wang Chen smiled with joy and walked forward quickly. He said, “I’m Wang Chen, Li Mu’s roommate. Nice to meet you.”
He reached out his hand toward her.
Li Mu, with his head down, carefully reached out and gave Wang Chen a quick handshake. But as soon as they touched, he pulled his hand back like he got shocked, stuffed it into his hoodie pocket, and wiped it on his clothes.
Who knows what Wang Chen’s hand had been touching before?
Perhaps he saw him as a 'material' that would help him generate electricity.
No, the more he thought about it, the more grossed out he felt.
He tried hard to keep those wild thoughts under control, but Wang Chen just thought Li Mu was feeling shy.
“Um...” Wang Chen wasn’t new to dating, but this was by far the most nervous he had ever been. He carefully thought about every word in his mind and finally asked, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“......”
“You seem to really like milk tea, right? Want to go get some?”
Li Mu took a deep breath and tried to copy Xiao Jing’s cold way of talking. He said, “Just say what you want.”
“Your voice...”
He quickly explained, “I caught a cold.”
“It’s pretty sexy,” Wang Chen’s face turned red. “Sounds really nice.”
“......”
Are you flirting with me?
Since his voice didn’t give him away, Li Mu relaxed a bit.
He looked at the nearby streetlight, wanting to guide Wang Chen toward the darker area. But then he worried that being in total darkness might give Wang Chen the wrong ideas.
Then he glanced at the nearby security booth and suddenly felt safe.
This spot had been carefully chosen, if anything went wrong or if Wang Chen got angry, he could immediately call the school security. At the same time, the darkness would help hide his weak points in disguise.
“I have something to do later,” he said. He didn’t want to talk too much with Wang Chen.
Wang Chen took a deep breath to calm his excitement. Then he brought out his left hand from behind his back and handed Li Mu the small doll he had bought over the weekend.
“I bought this just for you,” he said.
“Mm.” But Li Mu didn’t take the doll. He just replied coldly, “If you have something to say, just say it.”
Wang Chen felt that Li Mu’s tone sounded a lot like his roommate’s, but he quickly brushed off the doubt. They’re siblings, after all. It’s normal if they sound a bit alike.
He tried to read Li Mu’s expression and could just barely see a bit of red on the face under the hoodie. That gave him a little confidence, so he started his confession.
“Um, Li Juan... I liked you from the moment I saw your photo...”
Li Mu stayed silent, trying hard to hold back the uncomfortable feeling inside and quietly listened.
If he interrupted now, Wang Chen might think it was just because he didn’t finish his confession. Then he might keep chasing after him.
So Li Mu kept his patience, listening as Wang Chen nervously spoke words that sounded like he had copied them from somewhere.
“I really like you... like love at first sight... I...”
Wang Chen was so nervous he could barely speak properly.
So cheesy...
Li Mu kept his head down, and his hands in the hoodie pockets were tightly clenched.
A moment later, Wang Chen finished.
Li Mu finally let out a quiet sigh and said, “Sorry, I already like someone else.”
Fighting the awkward feeling inside, he added, “Yu Fan treats me really well. I don’t plan to betray him... so give up already.”
Then he looked up at Wang Chen, who stood quietly on the other side.
Wang Chen stayed silent for a few seconds, then softly pleaded, “Can you give me a chance? Maybe we could get to know each other first.”
“This kind of thing you’re doing... it’s not right,” Li Mu said, stepping back into the shadows so that his body was completely hidden in the dark. “Don’t come looking for me at school again. The more you do this, the more I’ll dislike you.”
Back when the semester first started, he and Wang Chen had almost gotten into a fight over smoking in the dorm. It nearly turned physical.
At that time, the other roommates held them back, and Li Mu had backed off too after seeing how tall and strong Wang Chen was. He let it go, until now.
At first, Li Mu only pretended to be his “sister” to get some free food and drinks out of it and get back at Wang Chen a little. He didn’t expect things to go this far.
“Okay... I understand,” Wang Chen said softly, clearly disappointed. “I hope you two are happy.”
“Please take this toy anyway. If you ever get into trouble, just call me.”
Li Mu said nothing and shook his head.
If it had been one of those girls who play around with lots of guys, maybe she would’ve liked someone like Wang Chen. Then, if she messed up, at least there’d be a nice guy to take the fall.
Li Mu took two steps back and was just about to speak when Wang Chen suddenly asked in surprise.
“Why are you wearing exactly the same shoes as Li Mu?”
Wait a second!
Why is your brain suddenly working so well?!
Li Mu’s body froze. He stammered, “Me and my brother... bought the same pair.”
He quickly stepped back again, trying to disappear into the dark street. But when he saw Wang Chen stepping toward him too, he started to panic.
“Did you get a haircut?”
Even though the hood covered most of Li Mu’s face, Wang Chen had spent so much time looking at his “sister’s” photo that he naturally noticed small differences.
Now Li Mu was freaking out even more.
He pulled his hood lower, trying to hide his face, and mumbled, “That’s it. I have to get back to night classes.”
After saying that, he turned and walked away as calmly as he could, but his steps got faster and faster, like something scary was chasing him. It went from walking, to speed-walking, to a light jog... and then he just ran off.
Leaving Wang Chen all alone in the chilly night breeze.