Chapter 218: Hey, Hey, Do You Ever Get That Feeling… Like You Want to Fall in Love?
It looked like the ex-girlfriend, Gu Xiaoxue, was having a rough time!
It’s not like Lin Yibai was feeling nostalgic or anything. She just felt a little emotional for a moment.
After all, no matter who you are, if you once cared deeply for someone for years, and treated them like they were the most precious person in the world… how could that same person suddenly seem so worthless once they're with someone else?
Lin Yibai always thought someone like Gu Xiaoxue would end up clinging to another rich guy. She didn’t expect her to date some loser instead, and even get into a fight with another girl because of it.
It really made you sigh and shake your head.
That just showed, breaking up had been the right choice.
Lin Yibai gave a small, awkward laugh and raised her glass. “Haha, why are we even talking about that woman? It’s just ruining the fun of our get-together.”
One of the guys laughed loudly, smacked his forehead, and raised his own glass in apology. “You’re right! I’m such an idiot for bringing up Gu Xiaoxue. Compared to you, she’s like a tiny firefly next to a bright full moon. If Changyu chose you, then we can all stop worrying.”
Another guy also raised his glass seriously and said, “Changyu can be a bit clueless. Yibai, I hope you’ll be patient with him. We’re counting on you to take care of him!”
The last guy added, “Everything we want to say is in this drink. Cheers!”
Lin Yibai: “Huh?”
This felt like she had just been handed the main quest in the game or something.
What was going on?
But then she remembered, these were just her so-called “boyfriend’s” dorm buddies. It made sense. In every dorm, there were always a few guys acting like dads. And now that graduation was near and some people were leaving early, they were just handing over their dear friend, Xia Changyu, to her.
That meal was both joyful and a little emotional.
As the gathering ended and people went their separate ways, Lin Yibai could only say, “No matter what we say, words can’t express everything. So all I can do is wish everyone a bright future.”
That brought out another round of happy laughter.
Later, the two of them walked slowly along the street and waited by the car for their driver to arrive.
Lin Yibai had many thoughts in her heart. She leaned against the car door and asked, “So… do you have anything you want to say?”
Xia Changyu gave a sheepish smile and asked back, “What could I say? Do you mean about my roommates, or about my ex, Gu Xiaoxue?”
Lin Yibai smiled. “Both. But if you want to talk, talk. If not, that’s fine too.”
He let out a light sigh. “Ah~”
After thinking about it, Xia Changyu felt that, as a man, he probably should explain a little. But he had to say it the right way.
He started with his roommates.
“One of my dorm mates is doing an internship now, two are getting ready for graduate school, and I’ve been super busy helping my company move. Our friendship is still strong, but we’ve all been doing our own things lately, so we’ve gotten a bit distant. That’s all.”
Lin Yibai looked at him with a smile. “And what about the other thing?”
“You mean Gu Xiaoxue?” Xia Changyu smiled again and moved a little closer to her. He said seriously, “All I can say is… the more I understand people like her, and the more I hear about what happened to her, the more I realize how amazing you are.”
Lin Yibai asked, “How amazing?”
Xia Changyu said, “So amazing that you’re still willing to be my official girlfriend. It makes me feel nervous, like I might lose you any second. So… when can I officially confess to you again?”
Lin Yibai: “Huh?”
What’s with this guy?
I asked you to answer my question, not turn it back on me! Why aren’t you playing fair?
As for why she still hadn’t become his official girlfriend, Lin Yibai wasn’t sure herself.
She had already accepted the fact that she had become a girl now.
But...
Still...
She just couldn’t make that final decision.
While she was still in a daze, Xia Changyu suddenly grabbed her hand and said, “Please, don’t wait anymore, okay? I hope, even after this beautiful summer passes, and in the quiet calm that follows, I can still hear your sweet laughter.”
Xia Changyu really liked her. From the moment they met, he felt like he had been hit by a magical spell, like a witch’s kiss had struck him.
She was like someone singing under the sea, wearing the stars and moon on her shoulders.
And he was like someone on shore, quietly weaving a net.
Lin Yibai’s heart couldn’t stay calm anymore. She looked away and said nervously, “Y-You… don’t be like this… Let me think about it more, okay? Give me a little more time.”
Anyone with eyes could see that Lin Yibai’s heart was already shaken.
She was just hesitating. She still couldn’t make up her mind.
But why was she even hesitating? She didn’t know herself.
Xia Changyu wanted to say more, but the driver they called had already arrived. After they got into the car, the two of them stayed quiet the whole way.
Lin Yibai was dropped off first.
Xia Changyu got out of the car and gently patted her head. “Go rest early, okay? You drank quite a bit tonight.”
“Stop patting my head,” Lin Yibai said as she fixed her messy hair and mumbled, “If you keep doing that, I’ll never grow taller… Not that I’m still growing at this age. Anyway, you’re just annoying!”
Xia Changyu laughed loudly. “Hahaha! Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you.”
Lin Yibai quickly shook her head, a real look of frustration on her face.
“No, that’s not what I meant. It’s just… ugh! Why can’t you understand what I’m trying to say? I wasn’t really complaining just now. That was me being playful, okay? Like how girls act cute sometimes? You’re really such a blockhead… I don’t feel like explaining anymore. Just hurry up and get back in the car, the driver’s still waiting!”
Playful? She was being playful just now?
Xia Changyu almost wanted to slap his own leg. He really was clueless. It wasn’t until she clearly pointed it out that he finally realized. Maybe it would’ve been better if she scolded him a bit more.
But… there’s always time.
Xia Changyu got back in the car and said, “Alright, see you later.”
Lin Yibai replied, “Mm-hmm! Bye-bye, see you tomorrow.”
The car drove away quickly.
Lin Yibai, still feeling a little tipsy, slowly walked into her apartment complex.
When she reached her rented place, she saw a notice on the door. It was from the landlord, asking her to move out within a week or two.
She just shrugged after reading it, not too bothered.
She never really got along with the landlord anyway.
And since it was the start of a new school year, the landlord probably wanted to raise the rent for new tenants. So getting kicked out was expected.
It’s not easy living away from home in a strange city.
“Whew~” Lin Yibai let out a long sigh and said, a bit tired, “Guess I have to go house-hunting again. So annoying… Maybe I should just say yes to that guy Xia Changyu, become his girlfriend, and move in with him.”
“Ugh, no, no.”
“A real man stands proud between heaven and earth.”
“Hmm… but I’m not a guy anymore, am I?”
“Ah… there are so many real-world problems to deal with. Is this what life is like for a college senior about to graduate?”
“......”
Actually, Lin Yibai didn’t have to worry so much. She could rely on a man if she wanted to.
It’s okay to fall in love. But if your whole plan is to depend on a guy, act cute, and avoid all responsibility? That’s not okay.
Deep down, she still had the mindset of a guy. Seeing other people work hard for her made her feel itchy, like there were bugs crawling on her if she didn’t do something too.
Now that she was a girl, she couldn’t push herself to extremes.
But she could still try her best in small ways.