Chapter 23: That Realization
Time always seems to pass quickly without us noticing.
Usually, only when you look back do you realize how much time has already passed.
At the end of August, Mu Le is sitting in front of her computer. She is wearing a simple white shirt, and the loose hem covers her shorts, showing her straight, slender legs.
One hand casually clicks the mouse, switching between web pages, while the other holds a nice-looking popsicle, which she licks from time to time.
Seeing that forums and chat groups are full of people complaining, her mood… finally improves a bit.
Although she doesn’t have summer homework and won’t suffer like middle and high school students, just thinking about leaving her small home still makes her a little unhappy.
Of course, since she doesn’t live in a dorm, she doesn’t really resist it that much.
Alright, the real thing that troubles her is how to face her old friends in her current appearance.
And… since she is now a girl, does that mean she can achieve what boys always dreamed of?
Thinking about it feels a bit… well, actually not exciting at all.
She squeezes the slight curve on her chest and pouts.
Only when you are a man entering a girls’ dorm does it truly have meaning!
Okay, nonsense ends here.
“I say, what are you daydreaming about now?” At the door, the man leans against the frame, looking at Mu Le in a daze with some helplessness.
Xiao Yuze is wearing well-fitted casual clothes, looking clean and fresh. The shape of his body under the clothes gives him a bit of a strong, powerful feeling.
Unlike Mu Le, who stays at home all day, he exercises regularly. Even now, while learning work at his father’s company, he hasn’t stopped.
“Huh? Aze…”
“Stop acting cute and go change your clothes.” Seeing Mu Le’s nicely shaped legs, Xiao Yuze’s eyes darken slightly.
“Change clothes?”
“Didn’t you ask me yesterday to go with you to buy some suitable clothes?”
Looking at Mu Le’s confused expression, Xiao Yuze reminds her with a bit of helplessness.
Do you have the memory of a fish? You were so excited about it yesterday, and now you don’t remember at all.
After his reminder, Mu Le finally remembers.
Although she has quite a lot of clothes in her wardrobe, most of them are too embarrassing to wear and not suitable for her now.
Since school is about to start, buying some new clothes is clearly necessary.
But she got too absorbed in using the computer today and completely forgot about it.
“Wait a moment.” Knowing it’s her own fault, Mu Le doesn’t want Xiao Yuze to wait too long.
Under his speechless gaze, she quickly finishes the popsicle in a few bites, then immediately shows a painful expression.
“…Ugh, so cold!”
Xiao Yuze: “……”
Of course it’s cold if you eat so much at once.
Looking at the girl whose face is scrunched up like a bun, he lets out a quiet sigh.
After quite some time of getting ready, Mu Le finally finishes changing clothes with Xiao Yuze’s help.
She wanted to wear pants and a shirt, but unfortunately, except for a few pairs of shorts, the rest are too thick.
It’s the end of August, and outside feels like a steam room. Even without clothes, you would still sweat.
In the end, under his suggestion, Mu Le changes into a simple short skirt with a fitted waist, paired with cute sandals. She looks fresh and light.
Leaving the apartment, since Xiao Yuze’s car is parked nearby, they avoid the feeling of being cooked by the heat outside.
When she gets into the air-conditioned car, Mu Le finally relaxes a little.
Although wearing a skirt still feels a bit strange, she has to admit… it’s much cooler than wearing pants.
“Sit properly.”
While helping Mu Le fasten her seatbelt, Xiao Yuze speaks softly.
During that, his fingers naturally touch her a few times, but the girl doesn’t seem to notice. Instead, she raises her hand excitedly.
“Charge! Let’s go!”
Xiao Yuze: “......”
“Charge”? What kind of random catchphrase is that?
By now, Xiao Yuze was already used to Mu Le’s occasional weird remarks.
He tilted his head slightly. Because of the height difference, his lips ended up right beside her earlobe.
“So… who are you telling to charge, hmm?”
His warm breath brushes against her ear, bringing a slightly ticklish and strange feeling that makes Mu Le shiver a little.
That last “hmm,” with a hint of teasing, makes her face turn red without control.
“Ahem.”
In the end, Mu Le coughs lightly and turns her face away.
Her reaction clearly pleases the man. He smiles slightly and slowly starts the car.
The place where Mu Le lives has a very good location. It’s very close to the university, only about ten minutes by car.
And not far away, there is also a shopping street.
This is also the reason why Mu Le doesn’t live in a dorm. Otherwise, as someone quite lazy, she would really need to think carefully about whether to move out and live on her own.
But not living in a dorm also has its downsides, Mu Le feels that she is becoming… more and more lazy!
Of course, she confidently believes that this is not her fault at all. It’s all because of the person next to her, who takes care of everything too well.
Yes, her laziness must be Xiao Yuze’s fault…
Of course, Xiao Yuze has no way of knowing her random thoughts. But he seems to remember something, and a faint look passes through his eyes.
“Lele… what do you plan to do in the future?” he suddenly asks while driving.
Hearing this, Mu Le is stunned for a moment.
The future… what should she do?
“With Uncle Mu’s personality, are you really planning to stay single forever? Even though you are now a girl, still…”
Xiao Yuze’s words make Mu Le’s eyes dim a little.
What he said is not wrong. If she can never change back, then thinking seriously about her future is indeed very necessary.
But…
What should she do? Or rather… what is she supposed to do?
Mu Le blinks quietly, her eyes filled with confusion. She suddenly feels a bit lost.
Although with Xiao Yuze by her side, she doesn’t feel panic or fear.
“I don’t know… everything feels so messy.” After a moment of silence, Mu Le shows a troubled expression.
Could she stay alone forever?
Obviously not. Humans are social by nature, and Mu Le cannot live alone forever.
Then… find someone to love and live with? But should that person be a man or a woman?
In the end, with her thoughts all mixed up, Mu Le feels a headache coming.
This kind of thing… feels so troublesome.
What she really wants is actually very simple: a small home that belongs only to her, and someone she can happily share everything with.
That’s all. She doesn’t want anything dramatic, nor does she want a painful love story. What she wants is just a peaceful and stable life.
Life may be a bit plain, but even that would already be the greatest happiness.
But… is it really easy to find someone like that?
Huh?
At this thought, Mu Le’s eyes slowly widen.
That kind of person… actually already exists.
And… he is sitting right next to her.
And this calm and steady life she is living now, isn’t it exactly what she enjoys the most?
Someone who spoils her every day. Even though it sometimes makes her feel shy, this kind of life is truly comfortable.
Going grocery shopping together, shopping together, playing games together, eating together…
It turns out that what she wanted has always been by her side. It’s just that because it was so gentle and natural, she got used to enjoying it and forgot to think deeper.
So…
That sudden fast heartbeat, the sudden blush, the sudden wish for things to stay like this forever…
So it is…
Love?
She… likes him.
Her heartbeat suddenly speeds up.
A seed that had been buried deep for a long time, now watered, finally begins to grow…