Chapter Nineteen: Your Brother Is Quite a Wild One

But when he thought about Yusheng’s lips, Gu Yan’s ears flushed a little.

After all, in his previous life, he’d never tasted them, even up until his death. When he was with Yusheng, they had only ever held hands—he hadn’t even hugged her.

Why was I so innocent in my past life?

Thinking about his former self, Gu Yan wanted to laugh at himself. The more he thought, the more amused he became, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.

Yusheng and Lin Ning glanced at him as if he were a lunatic, and this time Chen Ke’an joined in their silent scrutiny.

Gu Yan stifled his laughter and shook his head, not daring to look at Yusheng, lest he be unable to stop himself from staring at her lips.

“Gu Yan, why do I feel like you’re becoming more outgoing?” Lin Ning remarked.

“What makes you say that?”

“At first, you were just like Song Jing’an—quiet, always wearing that sullen face. I honestly thought you were the cold, top-student type. But now, you seem pretty easy to get along with.”

As Lin Ning spoke, Yusheng and Chen Ke’an both nodded in agreement.

Gu Yan thought back to his earlier behavior. When he’d just been reborn—fresh from experiencing his own death, and his parents’—and then discovering what had happened to him in high school, it had been too much to take in. He’d become obsessed with finding the culprit, a little paranoid, and on edge. But now, he’d let go of all that. Like Song He had said, if you get a second chance, why not live a little more recklessly? Why care so much?

Gu Yan smiled. “Maybe I just wasn’t used to being here before.”

“I see.”

During evening study hall, as usual, Gu Yan finished his homework and glanced over at Yusheng.

He started worrying again about what to say to her later.

I can’t just shamelessly blurt it out!

Noticing that the “rich girl” wasn’t in the classroom, Gu Yan decided to sneak off to the basketball court to play for a while.

Just as he was packing up to leave, he hesitated, then wrote a note for Yusheng.

He tapped her on the back, tossed her the note, and slipped out the back door.

Chen Ke’an watched his deskmate sneak out and sighed, returning to slog through his unfinished assignments.

Yusheng picked up Gu Yan’s note, turned around, and caught only a glimpse of his back.

She unfolded the note. It read: I’m at the court. Come find me after class.

He went to practice? Yusheng wondered.

Gu Yan didn’t return before evening study ended. After thinking it over, Yusheng decided to go look for him.

It’s not like I want to go—I’m just going to let him know class is over, then I’ll go home.

Yes, that’s all!

Lin Ning’s home was far, and her father was waiting outside the school. She was packed up before the bell rang, and when it did, she waved to Yusheng and dashed out.

“Isn’t Gu Yan going home with you today?” Chen Ke’an asked as Yusheng packed her bag.

Her heart skipped a beat.

How does Chen Ke’an know Gu Yan and I go home together every day? I’m usually the last to leave the classroom.

“Oh, we don’t always go together. Sometimes we just happen to walk out at the same time,” Yusheng replied with a smile.

“Ah, I see,” Chen Ke’an said, understanding. “Gu Yan left early today. Do you—uh, is someone picking you up?”

Yusheng hesitated, unsure how to answer. Didn’t he know Gu Yan went to play basketball?

“No, we live so close—it’s only five minutes away, why would I need someone to pick me up?”

“I heard there’s a gang of troublemakers hanging around near our neighborhood lately. Just be careful.”

By now Yusheng had finished packing up.

Seeing she was about to leave, Chen Ke’an quickly said, “Let’s go togeth—”

Before he could finish, Yusheng interrupted, “I’ve got something to do. You go ahead!”

She patted his arm and left.

Phew! Once outside the classroom, she let out a deep breath.

Yusheng walked to the court and saw Gu Yan shooting hoops alone. As she approached, he just sank a three-pointer.

“Gu Yan, I came to let you know class is over,” she said, then turned to leave.

Gu Yan had been planning to show off another three-pointer for her, but when she made to leave right after speaking, he panicked and rushed to grab her wrist.

“Wait a moment.”

Yusheng felt the heat of his hand, still warm and sweaty from playing, and her own wrist grew warm in response.

“Is there something else?”

“I—um… Let’s walk home together. That’s our arrangement, remember? Don’t forget.” Gu Yan hesitated, unable to say what he really wanted.

“Oh, okay,” Yusheng replied lightly.

On the way home, Gu Yan originally walked beside Yusheng, but remembering how sweaty he was, he worried she might find it unpleasant. So he slowly drifted to her right and a step behind.

Yusheng noticed but didn’t comment, continuing on at her own pace.

“Yusheng.”

“Mm?” she hummed, her tone unreadable to Gu Yan.

“Are you… going to watch the basketball game next week?” he asked tentatively.

“I don’t know. Depends on my mood,” Yusheng said, adjusting her backpack.

“Then—then, will you come to watch me play? I’m pretty good—you saw my three-pointer earlier, right? I used to be on my old school’s team, too!” Gu Yan tried to sound casual. Sorry, Song He, I still don’t know how to be cool.

After a while, Yusheng nodded. “If I have time, I’ll come.”

One more try.

“You have to come, okay? Or else I’ll… I’ll…”

“Or else what?” Yusheng turned to look at him, blinking.

“Or else I might not play well… if you’re not there,” he finished, deciding to stick to his own approach.

Since Gu Yan had said so much, Yusheng felt it would be wrong to keep giving him vague answers.

“Alright, I’ll come.”

Gu Yan lowered his head, grinning in delight.

When they neared the entrance to their neighborhood, they saw several students on motorcycles, as if waiting for someone.

“Chen Ke’an said there’ve been some troublemakers around lately—looks like he was right,” Yusheng commented.

Gu Yan looked more closely at the group and saw they were wearing uniforms from Yu Chen’s school.

“Those are from Yu Chen’s school.”

As they walked past, Yusheng tried not to pay them any attention, but Gu Yan couldn’t shake the feeling that a few of them looked vaguely familiar.

Before they had fully passed the group, someone stepped in front of Yusheng.

Seeing a boy dismounting to block her way, Gu Yan quickly pulled her behind him, shielding her with a fierce look.

“You must be Gu Yan and Yusheng! I’ve met you before. I’m Shen Henyun, Yu Chen’s friend.”

Gu Yan considered him for a moment. “Oh, the one Yu Chen beat up the other day?”

Shen Henyun scratched his head, a little embarrassed. “Yeah, I deserved it last time.”

“So what are you doing here now?” Yusheng asked, puzzled. Why are you blocking me at my own neighborhood entrance with a whole gang?

“Yu Chen’s bike broke down today, so I gave him a ride home. After he got in, he saw you weren’t home yet and got worried. I told him I’d wait for you, but ended up waiting with my brothers who were out cruising around. Since you’re here now, we’ll be off.”

With that, Shen Henyun got back on his motorcycle.

“See you!”

He and his crew revved their engines and sped off, leaving the noise echoing behind.

Yusheng was a little stunned by Shen Henyun’s wildness.

When did Yu Chen get such rowdy friends? Impressive!

Only after they’d left did Yusheng realize she was still hiding behind Gu Yan. She quickly stepped out from his shadow.

Thinking about how Gu Yan had protected her just now, she felt a surge of happiness—though she couldn’t quite say why. It just made her feel warm and sweet inside.

“When did Yu Chen start making friends like that?” Yusheng asked.

Gu Yan shook his head. “But Shen Henyun seems like a good guy, so you don’t have to worry about Yu Chen falling in with a bad crowd.”

“I’m not worried—I just think his friend is pretty cool and handsome.”

Gu Yan felt a twinge of jealousy. “You like that type?”

“Not especially, just think he’s cool.”

Looks like I need to become a bit cooler myself, Gu Yan mused.

After parting ways, Yusheng went home. As soon as she opened the door, she looked at Yu Chen with a complicated expression.

Yu Chen felt uneasy under her gaze. “What’s up?”

“I think you boys are so strange. Do all guys become friends after fighting each other?”

Yu Chen didn’t catch her meaning. “Depends on the person.”

“Your friend Shen Henyun seems nice—and pretty wild.”

Yu Chen almost choked.

“He’s still here?”

“He just left. Said he was waiting for me.”

That Shen Henyun! I told him to leave!

Yu Chen rolled his eyes at the empty air and said nothing more.

“Your bike broke down today?” Yusheng asked.

“Yeah, the tire was flat for some reason. I’m going to bed, sis.” With that, Yu Chen went to his room.

Thinking back on the night’s events, Yu Chen felt exasperated.

After evening study, he’d gone to the bike shed and found his tire flat. His first thought was that someone had let the air out. As he was about to push the bike to a repair shop, Shen Henyun came roaring up on his motorcycle.

“Need a ride? Hop on!” Shen Henyun patted the seat behind him.

Yu Chen eyed him skeptically. “The security guards didn’t stop you for riding in here?”

Shen Henyun raised an eyebrow. “I’m the king of freedom at our school. Even if I drove a supercar in, they wouldn’t dare say a word!”

That only made Yu Chen more reluctant to ride with him.

So flashy!

“Hurry up! More people are showing up,” Shen Henyun said, feigning concern.

You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? I bet you’re the one who let the air out of my tire!

With more and more people arriving, Yu Chen had no choice. It was clear Shen Henyun wouldn’t leave unless he got on, so Yu Chen put on a mask that covered most of his face and hopped onto the motorcycle.

“Let’s go already!”

“Alright, hang on tight!”

Despite his showy style, Shen Henyun was conscientious enough to choose a road with almost no students, afraid of hitting someone in the dark.

“Why are you so set on being friends with me? We already settled things between us,” Yu Chen asked.

“Anyone I’ve got my eye on is my brother!” Shen Henyun laughed from the front.

“Like who?”

“You’ve got guts—I like it.”

“And?”

“Even after being beaten up, you never backed down. You still stood your ground with me. I like that.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it. I just like having gutsy friends. You’re my brother.”

Hearing Shen Henyun’s explanation and recalling all the rumors he’d heard, Yu Chen couldn’t bring himself to believe any of them.