Chapter Forty-Five: Be Careful

After confirming their relationship, the way Yu Sheng looked at Gu Yan changed completely.

The next day, Gu Yan leaned against the hallway, gazing at her with a face full of spring.

“Hand,” Gu Yan said, reaching out to Yu Sheng.

Yu Sheng slapped his hand away. “No, someone will see us.”

Gu Yan looked at her, wounded, until Yu Sheng couldn’t bear his gaze anymore.

“We can hold hands later, once we're outside,” she said, embarrassed.

Gu Yan’s face blossomed into a smile.

“But about us, let’s keep it secret for now. Besides Lin Ning, I don’t want anyone else to know,” Yu Sheng said.

“Why?”

“Because… it’s a bit early for romance. If the teachers find out, it’ll be troublesome,” Yu Sheng said, lowering her eyes.

“That’s nothing. As long as it doesn’t affect our studies, it’s fine,” Gu Yan said, unconcerned.

“Would your parents be okay with you dating so soon?”

Gu Yan thought for a moment. “They usually don’t interfere in my affairs. I doubt they’d stop me.”

How nice, Yu Sheng thought.

“I don’t think mine would agree.”

Gu Yan tilted his head to look at her. “Have you talked to your parents about it? Did they ever say you couldn’t?”

Although they hadn’t said anything, wasn’t this something everyone understood?

Yu Sheng shook her head. “No, but isn’t this normally not allowed?”

“That’s not necessarily true. Early romance depends on the person. If someone can help your child become better, I don’t think any parent would object,” Gu Yan said, blinking at Yu Sheng’s troubled face. “Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll be with you and face it together.”

Yu Sheng looked up at Gu Yan. He was so reassuring.

She nodded. “But promise me, you’ll keep a low profile. Let’s not let others find out.”

“Alright.” Gu Yan rubbed his head, a little embarrassed. In truth, he had already told Song He yesterday, and that guy had been quite pleased.

Yesterday.

After talking with Gu Yan, Yu Sheng couldn’t wait and called Song He, not even checking the time difference.

“Hey, Gu Yan, what do you want now?” Song He yawned on the other end.

“I just wanted to tell you: Yu Sheng agreed to be with me,” Gu Yan said, positively glowing.

“Oh, just now? Didn’t you say you’d already confessed? Wasn’t it rejected last time?”

Only then did Gu Yan remember he hadn’t mentioned last time’s rejection, too embarrassed to bring it up.

“I was just talking last time. I didn’t actually confess.”

“That’s good. Well, I wish you happiness. Go enjoy yourself, I’m going back to sleep.”

“Hey, wait, I need your help with something.”

“Hurry up and say it,” Song He grumbled. He was always good-natured, except when just woken, then all his usual patience evaporated.

“I think someone’s targeting me. A few days ago, I was kidnapped, and…”

“What? You were kidnapped?” Gu Yan hadn’t told Song He about last time.

“Oh, it was nothing. Listen.”

“What do you mean ‘nothing’? You were kidnapped and I, your best friend, didn’t even know? Is it because Yu Sheng is with you now, you’ve forgotten all about me, sob sob sob.” Song He suddenly perked up, playing the fool.

Gu Yan was exasperated. “Really, it wasn’t a big deal. I have something else to tell you.”

---

“What else? Is it more important than this? You really value romance over friendship,” Song He grumbled, his face darkening. Should he just hang up?

“Alright, just say it,” Song He said, clearing his throat when silence lingered.

“You sure? If you start wailing again, I’ll hang up.”

Song He nodded, “Mm, go ahead.”

“I received a package recently. It was sent under my mother’s name, with a photo of Yu Sheng and me, and a note. The note said, ‘The game has begun.’ I don’t know what it means. What game? Is it about Yu Sheng?”

“The game has begun?” Song He muttered. “But didn’t you say Yu Sheng’s issue wouldn’t happen until next year? Why so early?”

“Exactly. In my previous life, I never received a package like this. So I don’t know what to do. He’s in the shadows, and I can’t see his intentions.”

“Tsk, that’s tricky. What if you get yourself caught up? If you can’t be reborn again, wouldn’t that be a loss?”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Rebirth isn’t something you can just do at will!” Gu Yan snapped.

“I was joking! If you’re gone, I’d be heartbroken,” Song He pouted.

Gu Yan said nothing.

“Hey, say something! Weren’t you asking for my help? Why so quiet?”

Gu Yan actually regretted asking. With Song He’s attitude, who knew how things would turn out.

“My parents are in Country Y, where you study. The person used my mother’s identity to send the package, so I want you to check on something for me.”

“Huh? What am I supposed to check?”

“I think he used my mother’s identity for two reasons: to warn me, or because he’s close to her and knows her details.”

“Oh, I see. So what do you want me to do?”

“I’ll send you my mother’s hospital address. Not sure if it’s far from you.”

“Send it now.”

Gu Yan was surprised. “Weren’t you going back to sleep?”

“Sleep? You woke me up in the middle of the night with shocking news. I’m wide awake! Send it over.”

Gu Yan chuckled, sent it from his computer. “Did you get it?”

Typing noises sounded from the other side. “Got it. Just checked, it’s not too far. I can go tomorrow.”

“Right, I’ll send you the package tracking number. See if you can check with the courier company to find the exact sending address. If it’s my mother’s hospital, then we’re on the right track.”

“What? Say that again. I don’t get it.”

“I mean, if the sender’s address is my mother’s hospital, then that person must be someone around her. That narrows it down.”

“Oh, I get it. There’s a branch of that courier company near me. We should get results quickly, but as you know, they’re strict about privacy. I might not get much.”

Gu Yan frowned. “I see…”

“Pfft, I’m joking. You really bought that? If they won’t tell, worst case, I’ll hack their system.”

“Please don’t break any laws. You’re my only contact over there. If you’re gone, what will I do?”

“So I’m pretty important, huh? You should treat me better. Give me ten percent of your love for Yu Sheng.”

Gu Yan laughed. “Impossible. Maybe one percent, as thanks.”

“Romance over friendship, sob sob sob.”

“Alright, let’s talk tomorrow. Get some sleep. Let me know if there’s news.”

---

After hanging up, Gu Yan pressed his brow, pondering his current situation. He really didn’t know if being reborn was a blessing or a curse.

Now.

After entering the classroom, Yu Sheng quietly called Lin Ning outside.

“What’s up? The rich lady’s about to arrive,” Lin Ning asked.

“I just wanted to tell you—we’re together now.” Yu Sheng’s face flushed.

“What? Say it louder,” Lin Ning put her ear closer, grinning mischievously.

“You heard me. I’m not repeating it,” Yu Sheng said, turning to go back inside.

“Wait, wait, you’re just joking, right? You really are together? Finally official? Who confessed first? Did you kiss yet?”

The first questions were fine, but the last one was ridiculous. Yu Sheng’s face darkened.

“Be serious, we haven’t reached that stage. We just made it official yesterday.”

“Oh, I see,” Lin Ning said, sounding disappointed.

“Why the sigh? Anyway, I’ve told you, let’s go back in,” Yu Sheng said.

“It must have been Gu Yan who confessed, right? I can’t imagine you doing it,” Lin Ning teased.

“Why? What if it was me?” Yu Sheng protested.

“With your thin skin, your face would be bleeding before you got the words out,” Lin Ning scoffed.

“I—well—fine, it was him,” Yu Sheng admitted.

“But Gu Yan really had it tough. It wasn’t easy for you two to finally be together,” Lin Ning sighed, feeling sorry for Gu Yan.

“Why was it tough? I’m easy to chase. I just like those who like me.”

“With that blockhead of yours, you never notice when someone likes you. Do you know how much effort Gu Yan put in for you?” Lin Ning lectured.

Did he really? What kind of effort?

Yu Sheng was pondering when the sound of powerful heels echoed behind them—regular, familiar, and alarming.

“What are you two doing out here? Morning reading has started, why are you wandering?” The rich lady looked at them sternly.

Lin Ning reacted quickly. They were chatting in the unused classroom next to theirs, the door open. “Teacher, we left our books here. We came to get them for morning reading,” she said sincerely. Since this room was for boarders to study, the teacher wasn’t suspicious.

“Hurry up, find them and get back to reading,” the teacher said, striding into the classroom, heels clacking.

Yu Sheng breathed out and gave Lin Ning a thumbs up. “You’re amazing, Lin Ning.” Calm under pressure, she lied with a straight face.

“Alright, let’s go,” Lin Ning said, shoving a book into Yu Sheng’s hands.

“By the way, I’ve only told you about us. Don’t tell anyone else,” Yu Sheng reminded her, but Lin Ning was already out the door, unclear if she heard.

After confirming their relationship, Gu Yan became bolder. Every break, he’d poke Yu Sheng’s back, signaling her to turn around, but when she did, he’d just smile, saying nothing. After several times, Yu Sheng was amused.

“Gu Yan, why do you keep poking me? You tell me to turn, then don’t say anything,” Yu Sheng complained.

“I just want to look at you,” Gu Yan whispered in her ear.

Yu Sheng blushed. “Don’t you see me every day? What’s so special? I’m afraid you’ll get bored.”

“How could I? I’ll never get tired of seeing you.”

“You and your smooth talk. Be careful, don’t let others discover us,” Yu Sheng said, grabbing a book and pretending to ask Gu Yan a question.

“Alright, I’ll help you with the problem.” Gu Yan laughed at something he saw, leaned over, and took Yu Sheng’s notebook from her desk.