Chapter Forty-Four: My Girl

Gu Yan had fallen asleep on his desk, and by the time he woke, Yu Sheng had finished her exam and come out. Chen Ke'an had originally planned to leave with Yu Sheng, but seeing Gu Yan, he changed his mind, greeted Yu Sheng, and left first.

"Hey, where's Chen Ke'an?" Gu Yan looked around, puzzled at how Chen Ke'an had vanished in the time it took him to cross the street.

"He left ahead. Let's go," Yu Sheng replied.

Gu Yan didn't think much of it. "How did your exam go?"

"It was okay, I suppose. I don't really know. I did everything I knew how to do," Yu Sheng smiled.

Yu Sheng wasn't being modest; she truly had no idea. Since she was young, every time she felt she did well in an exam, the results would turn out poorly. But when she thought she'd done badly, her grades would surprise her for the better. After learning this pattern, Yu Sheng always claimed ignorance after every test.

"It's fine. As long as you did your best," Gu Yan said, patting Yu Sheng's head. "It's still early. Let’s walk home—it’ll be about dinner time by the time we get there. What do you think?"

Yu Sheng considered it. Her mind could use a break. "Sure."

The sky was already dim by the time Yu Sheng finished her exam. As they walked, streetlights flickered on one after another, creating a spectacular scene. Yu Sheng had never witnessed this before, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Wow, that's magnificent!"

Gu Yan turned to her, "You’ve never seen it before?"

"No, it’s my first time. Every day after school, the lights are either not on yet or already lit." After saying this, Yu Sheng sighed.

"What's wrong?" Gu Yan asked, suppressing a laugh. Right now, Yu Sheng was like a child seeing the world for the first time.

"It's a pity—I didn’t take any pictures," Yu Sheng pouted.

"There's no need to regret; the lights will turn on again tomorrow at this time. I’ll take you outside the neighborhood to see them, so get your phone ready," Gu Yan said.

He was right; the streetlights lit up every day, and Gu Yan would still be by her side tomorrow.

"True," Yu Sheng agreed.

Cars and people passed them by—couples in the throes of young love, students returning from tutoring sessions, sweet elderly ladies with silver hair strolling with their spouses. The streetlights cast a gentle glow on their faces, shrouding everyone in a layer of tenderness.

Remembering her exam was over, Yu Sheng pulled out her phone to reassure her family in their group chat. Just as she was about to type, Gu Yan snatched her phone away.

Yu Sheng looked up, surprised. What was he doing?

She saw Gu Yan’s awkward expression. "What... what are you doing?"

Gu Yan seemed to brace himself, took a deep breath, and gazed intently at Yu Sheng's eyes. Yu Sheng’s intuition told her something was about to happen.

Amid the passing traffic, Gu Yan looked at her, taking in everything about Yu Sheng.

"Yu Sheng, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Afterward, Gu Yan wasn’t sure what possessed him to blurt it out like that. He was nervous—Yu Sheng had already rejected him once. If she refused again, he doubted he’d have the courage to stay by her side, insisting on his feelings.

He didn’t know how much time passed—maybe only a few seconds, maybe a minute. Gu Yan swallowed anxiously.

"Okay."

"Wait, forget it—pretend I never said anything… No, wait, what did you just say?" Gu Yan grabbed Yu Sheng’s shoulders, shocked and incredulous.

Yu Sheng’s cheeks flushed, and she turned her head away. "I said okay."

No sooner had the words left her lips than Gu Yan pulled her into a tight embrace. This time, Yu Sheng didn’t resist; she quietly let him hold her for a while.

Gu Yan was so close that Yu Sheng could hear his heart pounding—thump, thump, thump. This was the first time Yu Sheng truly enjoyed Gu Yan’s embrace; it was warm.

"Can you let go now?" After a few minutes, Yu Sheng couldn’t help but ask.

Gu Yan was still lost in joy, unwilling to release her. Hearing Yu Sheng, he nuzzled her neck fondly before finally raising his head, his eyes brimming with endless laughter.

"Why are you staring at me? Don’t look at me," Yu Sheng shyly raised her hand to block Gu Yan’s gaze, hiding her flushed face.

---

"Haha, you're embarrassed, aren't you?" Gu Yan rubbed his head against Yu Sheng’s palm.

The warmth lingered in Yu Sheng’s hand and her neck burned from Gu Yan’s touch. Her heart raced like a startled deer.

"Let’s hurry, I’m hungry. I want to go home for dinner," Yu Sheng walked ahead quickly.

Gu Yan followed, grinning as he watched Yu Sheng.

"If you keep staring at me, I’ll take it back!"

"Hahaha, don’t! I’m just too happy—you’re finally my girl."

I’m happy too, Yu Sheng thought, her eyes lowered. Because of you, I’ve become a better person. Standing by your side gives me courage to resist the pressures of the world. And now, you’re finally mine.

The winter wind swept by, cold and sharp. Gu Yan pulled up the hood on Yu Sheng’s jacket, wrapping her tightly, then patted her head, satisfied.

"I can’t see the road," Yu Sheng complained.

"You don’t need to. I’ll lead you—it’s safer that way," Gu Yan said, and before Yu Sheng could protest, he slipped his hand into her sleeve and found her soft little hand, holding it in his warm grasp.

Yu Sheng: ...

So all this was just an excuse to hold my hand?

Though she grumbled inwardly, Yu Sheng let Gu Yan lead her quietly.

Even when they reached her house, Gu Yan still wouldn’t let go of her hand. Yu Sheng struggled but couldn’t break free.

"Gu Yan, let go. We’re at my doorstep. What if my mom comes out?"

"Don’t worry; I’ll let go if Auntie comes out," Gu Yan winked, holding even tighter.

"But you’ve held it all the way here! How am I supposed to get inside?" Yu Sheng said helplessly.

"Can I hold your hand again tomorrow?" Gu Yan asked. "What if you suddenly regret it tomorrow? I should hold you a bit longer."

His childish words made Yu Sheng laugh. Gu Yan’s sudden childishness was both amusing and exasperating.

"I won’t regret it. Let go now."

"Really? Promise me," Gu Yan looked at her seriously.

Yu Sheng sighed inwardly. Was she always so elusive in his heart?

She raised three fingers, "I promise! Why are you so insecure?"

Reluctantly, Gu Yan let go of her hand. It had been warm while he held it, but the moment he released it, Yu Sheng’s hand felt cold.

Gu Yan’s hands were so warm. That was her first thought.

"Alright, goodbye then!" Gu Yan said at the stairway, but didn’t leave.

Yu Sheng saw him lingering and asked, "Are you going or not? I’m opening the door."

"Mm, I’ll watch you go in first."

Yu Sheng couldn’t help but laugh. She nodded, unlocked the door.

She’d never noticed this childish side of Gu Yan before. He was so happy now that she’d agreed to be with him.

Yu Sheng waved goodbye, stepped inside, and closed the door. She turned around to find Wei Yabo standing at the entrance, looking at her with confusion.

"Mom, why are you standing at the door?" Yu Sheng asked nervously, worried her mother might have overheard.

Wei Yabo glanced at Yu Sheng. "I heard someone in the hall and guessed you were coming home, so I was about to open the door!"

Phew, that was close!

---

"I was just discussing a math competition problem with Gu Yan," Yu Sheng said as she changed shoes.

She thought that would end her mom’s curiosity about the hallway voices, but Wei Yabo paused, "Didn’t you say Yan Yan didn’t sign up? Why was he there?"

Damn! She forgot her mom didn’t know Gu Yan had gone with her.

Yu Sheng really wanted to slap herself. Why was she so talkative? One lie needs a hundred more to cover it up—how true that was.

"He didn’t go. I just ran into him in the hallway and asked him about a tough question. He’s so smart—I figured he’d know. We discussed it a bit," Yu Sheng said, then gave Wei Yabo a sheepish smile.

Wei Yabo didn’t press further, "He’s a good student. You should learn from him. Ask him for help when you don’t understand something."

Yu Sheng nodded, "I do! I ask him questions every day!"

Wei Yabo finished and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Yu Sheng, still uneasy, retreated to her room, quietly closing the door before letting out a breath.

If her parents found out she was in a relationship, would they punish her? But since her boyfriend was Gu Yan, maybe they’d go easier on her?

Yu Sheng was just thinking this when her phone buzzed with a WeChat message. She didn’t have to guess—it was Gu Yan.

Gu Yan: Are you home yet? Have you eaten? I miss you. (pitiful)

He sent two questions and a declaration.

Yu Sheng: I’m home. Didn’t you just walk me back yourself?

Yu Sheng: Haven’t eaten yet. My mom’s cooking.

Yu Sheng: I miss you too.

After sending the three messages—especially the last one—Yu Sheng rolled around on her bed in embarrassment.

After spending so much time with Gu Yan, how had she become so bold?

Gu Yan: I miss you every day, every day.

Yu Sheng: It’s not like you haven’t seen me before. We see each other every day! Don’t worry, we’ll meet again tomorrow.

Gu Yan: It’s different. Yesterday we were just classmates and neighbors. Today, you’re mine. That feeling—it’s different.

Yu Sheng smiled at his message. She felt the same way. Though they’d seen each other every day, today—after confirming their relationship—everything felt different. She wanted to cling to him, to see him every day.

Gu Yan: Want to go for a walk after dinner?

Yu Sheng: Depends on my mood.

Gu Yan: Is your mood good? If not, come out and I’ll cheer you up.

Yu Sheng giggled at his message.

"Yu Sheng, Yu Chen, come eat! Dinner’s ready!" Just as she was about to reply, Wei Yabo called them.

Yu Sheng: Talk later—I’m going to eat. My mom’s calling.

Gu Yan: Go eat, and after dinner, come out for a walk with me—no need to bring Yu Chen this time.

Gu Yan was referring to the time she rejected him.

It was only one refusal, but he still remembered.

Yu Sheng laughed out loud at his message.