Chapter Forty-Two I Want to Devour You in One Bite

“Hm?”

Yu Sheng hesitated for a long time, fidgeting. “Um, Gu Yan, about what happened this afternoon, I don't blame you, so you don't have to apologize to me. I really don't mind.”

Gu Yan looked slightly surprised, and before he could decide what to say, Yu Sheng dashed upstairs with quick little steps.

Once home, Yu Sheng retreated to her room, threw herself onto the bed, and wrapped herself tightly in her blanket, her cheeks glowing with a faint blush beneath the covers.

Ah, how embarrassing. Wasn't I basically telling him that I’m okay with him doing that to me?

She rolled back and forth on the bed, her eyes sparkling like a galaxy of stars shimmering in a lake.

But honestly, I really don't dislike it. If it’s Gu Yan, I don’t mind at all.

The next morning, when Yu Sheng went downstairs, Gu Yan was waiting for her as usual, leaning against the entrance of their building. The winter breeze gently tousled his hair, stray locks falling over his eyes as he stood with his hands in his pockets, eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought.

Even though she’d slept on it, Yu Sheng’s mind still replayed her bold words from yesterday, and she wanted nothing more than to sink into the ground.

At the sound of Yu Sheng coming downstairs, Gu Yan opened his eyes, turned to look at her, and broke into a dazzling smile.

“Let’s go!”

When they got to class, Gu Yan acted as if nothing had happened the previous day, which set Yu Sheng at ease. She had been worried he might bring it up, and that would have been mortifying.

During gym class in the afternoon, the teacher had them run two laps because of the cold, then gave them free time. Yu Sheng needed to prepare for the math competition, so she took her workbook out to the track and focused on solving problems. Just as she was lost in thought, Lin Ning nudged her twice with her elbow.

“Hey, Yu Sheng.”

“What is it?” Yu Sheng replied without looking up, eyes still on her book.

“Tsk! Look over there!” Lin Ning tugged at Yu Sheng’s sleeve.

Reluctantly, Yu Sheng lifted her gaze to where Lin Ning pointed.

Gu Yan stood there, in a quiet, secluded spot on the edge of the field, shielded by several trees—easy to overlook if you weren’t paying attention.

A girl was standing in front of Gu Yan, her head bowed, saying something he couldn’t hear, but the way her hands were tightly clenched betrayed her nerves.

“What do you think she’s saying to Gu Yan? Is she confessing to him?” Lin Ning whispered, glancing at Yu Sheng.

Yu Sheng’s face was unreadable, her thoughts a mystery. “I don’t know. It’s none of our business anyway.”

Yet, despite her words, Yu Sheng couldn’t help but sneak glances at the pair. She saw Gu Yan say something, the girl nod, then walk away. Yu Sheng couldn’t tell if the girl left happy or disappointed.

The encounter lingered in Yu Sheng’s mind all through class, but Gu Yan’s demeanor remained unchanged, his gaze toward her no different than usual. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

What was it about? Was it really a confession? And how did Gu Yan respond? Did he accept? Yu Sheng frowned in confusion, unconsciously biting the end of her pen.

“That’s dirty, don’t bite your pen,” Gu Yan’s voice came from nowhere as he snatched the pen from her.

Yu Sheng snatched it back. “Mind your own business. I like it.”

Gu Yan was taken aback by her reaction, realizing he might have been a bit overbearing. He smiled faintly and returned to his seat.

Yu Sheng felt a little embarrassed herself, realizing she’d just snapped at Gu Yan. It seemed she’d taken her frustration about gym class out on him, even though he’d done nothing wrong and was only looking out for her.

After school, Gu Yan didn’t seem to mind at all. He waited for Yu Sheng as always, leaning against the desk behind hers as she packed up slowly. His kindness only made Yu Sheng feel worse, the guilt gnawing at her.

“Gu Yan, I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to be cross with you,” Yu Sheng said, head bowed as she shouldered her bag.

Gu Yan was a little surprised. “It’s alright. I don’t mind.”

“Oh, and Yu Sheng, I need to go somewhere after school today, so I can’t walk you all the way home. I can only take you to the school gate,” he said.

Was it because he was meeting that girl from this afternoon?

Yu Sheng didn’t reply. Gu Yan didn’t notice the change in her expression, and as soon as she finished packing, he turned to leave.

The moment he turned, Gu Yan felt a faint tug at the hem of his coat.

“Gu Yan, could you not go see her?” Yu Sheng said softly, her head lowered so he couldn’t see her face.

Gu Yan was taken aback, unsure what she meant, but her delicate tone, almost pleading, made him pause. “Hm?”

“That girl from this afternoon—are you going to see her? Please don’t,” Yu Sheng’s voice was both plaintive and a little spoiled.

Gu Yan understood. So she saw it after all, he thought, amused that he’d gone to such lengths to find a hidden spot.

But seeing her obvious misunderstanding, Gu Yan decided not to waste this opportunity.

“Why not?” he asked, turning to gently hold the hand that clutched his coat, his gaze fixed on her eyes.

Yu Sheng hadn’t expected the question. She didn’t have an answer, only a stubborn refusal to let Gu Yan meet another girl.

“Because… I just don’t want you to. Didn’t she confess to you?” Yu Sheng’s voice grew even smaller, her head lowered further. She didn’t know why she was acting so out of character, saying such selfish things, but she simply couldn’t bear the thought of sharing Gu Yan with anyone else.

Gu Yan gently lifted her chin. Her face was a picture of shyness and grievance, as red as an apple. He almost wanted to bite her.

He pulled Yu Sheng into his arms. “She did confess to me, but I told her I already like someone else and turned her down.”

Yu Sheng, caught off guard in his embrace, forgot to struggle and just let him hold her. “Then where are you going?”

Gu Yan ruffled her hair. “My mom sent me a package. It’s at my aunt’s house, and she asked me to pick it up. I’ll have dinner there too. So don’t worry, I’m still yours—I won’t run off with anyone else. I’m very loyal, you know.”

“Who’s worried? I just asked because I’m afraid you’ll run into a bad girl who’ll lead you astray,” Yu Sheng said, pulling away with a flushed face.

Gu Yan raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? But the naughtiest girl I’ve met is you.”

Yu Sheng protested, “How am I naughty? I’m the teacher’s favorite and the model child in the neighborhood.”

Gu Yan couldn’t help but smile. She was just too adorable.

“You’re always bullying me,” he said, feigning grievance.

“When have I ever bullied you? If anything, it’s you who bullies me!” The two bickered playfully all the way to the school gate.

“Go on then, head to your aunt’s. Say hi to her and Yiyi for me,” Yu Sheng said, giving him a gentle shove.

“I’ve changed my mind—I’m not going to my aunt’s anymore.”

The package could be delivered by his aunt anyway.

“But didn’t you say your mom sent you something important?” Yu Sheng asked.

Gu Yan considered this. “Then I’ll just walk you home first.”

“I’m not a child. Why walk me home?”

Despite her words, it was already dark outside—winter nights came early—and the path home passed through several dim alleyways. Yu Sheng felt just a little uneasy.

“No way. I promised your parents I’d look after you,” Gu Yan insisted, though Yu Sheng’s parents had never actually said that. He simply wanted to make sure she got home safely, especially given how late it was. What if something happened, or if that trouble came sooner than expected?

Finding no way to refuse, Yu Sheng let Gu Yan walk her home. After seeing her safely inside, he returned home, picked up his phone, and messaged his aunt to see if she was home.

Soon after, Han Lu called him on voice chat.

“Hello, Auntie, are you home?”

There was a long silence on the line, a few crackles, and then Yiyi’s grandmother’s voice came through.

“Brother, are you coming to our house?”

Hearing Yiyi’s voice, Gu Yan softened. “Brother will be there soon. Is your mom home?”

“Mhm, Mommy’s cooking. I answered the phone for her.”

Right after she spoke, Gu Yan heard Han Lu’s voice in the background, asking Yiyi to hand over the phone. “Gu Yan, hurry up! Dinner’s almost ready. I made chicken soup just for you, to help you recover.”

Han Lu had visited him several times in the hospital after his last illness, but hadn’t brought Yiyi, worried she’d disturb his rest.

“Auntie, you really didn’t have to. I’m all better now.”

“Your mom insisted. I’m just following orders. Last time your parents were busy and couldn’t take care of you—don’t blame them, okay?”

Han Lu thought Gu Yan might resent his parents. Before his rebirth, he probably would have. But after everything he’d been through, he understood their difficulties and their love. He felt no resentment at all.

“I don’t blame them, Auntie. I know they mean well,” Gu Yan said sincerely.

“That’s good. Hurry over—I made lots of food.” Han Lu finished, and Yiyi’s voice chimed in again, “Brother, come quick! Mommy made so much food today. I miss you!”

Gu Yan chuckled softly. “Alright, Yiyi, be good. I’ll be right there.”

After hanging up, he hailed a cab to his aunt’s house, curious about what his mother had sent him. She hadn’t called to let him know, nor sent it to his address, even though he’d given it to her.

When he arrived, Yiyi opened the door and immediately clung to his leg.

Gu Yan could only scoop her up to change his shoes. Yiyi wrapped her arms around his neck and refused to let go. “I missed you so much, brother.”

“Brother missed you too, but you can’t hold on so tight—I can’t breathe.” Yiyi’s chubby arms squeezed his neck tighter, nearly suffocating him.

Han Lu laughed and pried her off. “Let him go, Yiyi.”

Reluctantly, Yiyi released him, and Gu Yan finally caught his breath.

“She never does this for her dad. He’d be furious if he saw.”

Gu Yan noticed her father wasn’t home. “Where’s Uncle?”

“He’s on a business trip and won’t be back for a few days,” Han Lu said as she brought out the dishes.

Gu Yan helped her set the table. “Auntie, what did my mom send, anyway? She never mentioned it, and why did she send it here?”

Han Lu shook her head. “She didn’t tell me either. The package has been here for days—I would’ve missed it if the delivery service hadn’t called. I wondered why she didn’t say anything.”

“I’ll go check what it is first,” Gu Yan said.

“The address and phone are mine, but the recipient is you, and the sender’s name is your mom,” Han Lu explained, handing him a document envelope from the bedroom. “Looks like paperwork. Have a look.”

Gu Yan took it. It had come from overseas, and the recipient was indeed himself. “I’ll call my mom and ask what she sent. I could’ve sworn I gave her my address. Did I get it wrong?” he muttered, about to open the envelope when Han Lu stopped him.

“Open it at home. Dinner’s ready, and I worked hard on it, so you’d better eat it all.”

Gu Yan smiled helplessly. “Alright, I will.”

Han Lu looked satisfied, and Yiyi clapped her hands. “I love Mommy’s cooking. It’s the best!”

Han Lu didn’t cook often due to work, but Gu Yan had to admit her food was excellent. After dinner, he was so full he could barely stand. As he was about to leave, Yiyi clung to him, crying, “Don’t go, brother! Stay with us tonight, please?”

Gu Yan hesitated. “I have school tomorrow, Yiyi. Next time, alright?”

Han Lu gave him a look and quickly pulled Yiyi away while she wasn’t looking. “Go on, come back and play next time.”

Yiyi struggled and wailed in Han Lu’s arms. Gu Yan’s heart ached for her, but he had no choice. “Yiyi?”

“She’ll be fine in a bit—a lollipop will cheer her up. Go home, it’s late, and don’t oversleep tomorrow,” Han Lu said, holding Yiyi.

Gu Yan sighed. “I’m heading out, Yiyi. I’ll visit you next time.” With that, he hurried out the door.

Ever since Gu Yan brought Yiyi over once, she’d grown especially attached to him.

He left the complex and got into a taxi, glancing at the document envelope in his hand. He opened it.

What could be so important that my mom sent it by courier?

Inside was a sheet of paper and a photo. The moment he pulled them out, his skin prickled with goosebumps. The photo showed him and Yu Sheng walking together, clearly taken secretly at some unknown time. The paper bore only five words, stark and chilling:

—The game has begun.