Chapter Forty-Six: What Difference Does It Make If We're Together?

“What are you doing with my notebook?” Yu Sheng asked in confusion. “That’s just my English notes. There’s nothing special in there.”

“Your English notebook, is it? Do you know what language is written on the cover?”

“It’s French, isn’t it? Why?”

“I happen to know how to read those words. Come, let me teach you.” As he spoke, Gu Yan uttered a string of strange-sounding words. Yu Sheng didn’t understand what he meant, but she followed along and repeated them naively after him.

“Right, you need to repeat it several times to learn it properly.”

“What does it mean?” Yu Sheng looked at him, bewildered.

Gu Yan arched an eyebrow, a mischievous smile on his lips. “It means ‘I like you.’”

Yu Sheng: “…”

So she had just told him “I like you” over and over?

Yu Sheng was mortified, at a loss for words, wishing she could disappear into the ground out of embarrassment. Just then, the bell signaling the start of class saved her.

“Hm? If you like me, just admit it. Why be shy?” Gu Yan poked her cheek teasingly.

Gu Yan’s brazen display became a curious sight for those paying attention.

That afternoon during P.E., Gu Yan went ahead to the court with Yang Xiaolong and the others because he wanted to play basketball. Lin Ning wanted to use the restroom, so Yu Sheng waited for her outside.

She was staring absentmindedly at the drifting clouds when suddenly a shadow fell over her.

“Yu Sheng, can I ask you something?” Chen Ke’an adjusted his glasses.

“Sure, what’s up?” His demeanor was uneasy; Yu Sheng had never seen him like this and felt a twinge of curiosity.

Chen Ke’an glanced around. The hallway was nearly empty since the bell was about to ring.

“Are you… are you together with Gu Yan?” He fixed his gaze on her, as though he didn’t want to miss a single flicker of emotion.

Yu Sheng was caught off guard, stumbling over her words, unsure whether to hide the truth or confess. After a long pause, she finally made up her mind and nodded. “But don’t tell my parents, okay? I haven’t told them yet.” She patted Chen Ke’an on the shoulder.

He said nothing, neither agreeing nor refusing.

Yu Sheng waved her hand in front of his face. “Did you hear me? Don’t tell my parents! Or yours either!”

Their parents knew one another because they’d been classmates in middle school.

Chen Ke’an came to himself and forced a faint smile.

“Alright. I won’t say anything.”

Yu Sheng was about to speak when Lin Ning emerged behind her. “Hey, Chen Ke’an, aren’t you going to class?”

He glanced at Lin Ning, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “I have to help the teacher organize some materials, so I can skip this period.” With that, he hugged his books to his chest and walked away.

Lin Ning shook the water off her hands, looking after him in puzzlement. “What’s with him? He seems down.”

She watched his retreating figure, her eyes thoughtful.

Yu Sheng looked at Chen Ke’an’s back as well. He was tall and thin, and from behind, he seemed pale and fragile. Walking alone down the empty corridor, he looked especially lonely.

“I don’t know,” Yu Sheng murmured as she watched him go.

“Oh, come on! Let’s hurry to class!” Lin Ning splashed a bit of water at Yu Sheng and dashed off.

“Lin Ning!”

Only when their voices had faded did Chen Ke’an finally stop. He looked up at the distant birds soaring in the sky, an unspoken ache stirring in his chest.

Why? Where had things gone wrong? Why didn’t she like him? If only she said she liked him, he would have rushed to her side without hesitation.

But when both people are waiting for the other to take the first step, how can there ever be an ending?

After the break, Gu Yan returned just to tell Yu Sheng he was going to keep playing and insisted that she stay and watch him.

Lin Ning said, “Then I’ll go?”

Yu Sheng grabbed her arm, unwilling to let her leave. “Stay and watch too! You might spot some handsome guys from other classes.”

“Oh, so I’m just here to be subjected to your public displays of affection. Yu Sheng, you’re really something.” Lin Ning sat down, arms folded, but didn’t leave.

“I’ll treat you to a grilled sausage later,” Yu Sheng coaxed.

“Fine. For the sake of grilled sausage, I’ll put up with it.”

Yu Sheng had always thought watching boys play basketball was boring and avoided it whenever there was a game. But for some reason, watching Gu Yan play was different. Her eyes followed him closely, cheering for him whenever he scored, feeling nervous when he missed.

And every time he made a basket, Gu Yan would throw her a flirtatious wink and wave.

Lin Ning thought: What if I want to leave? Even sausage can’t keep me here.

After another basket, Gu Yan ran over to them. “So? Isn’t your man handsome?” He lifted his shirt to wipe his face, and for a moment, his abs flashed into view.

Yu Sheng: “…”

“Next time, can you not use your shirt to wipe your sweat?” Yu Sheng ignored his choice of words, her attention caught by his actions.

“What’s wrong? Are you shy seeing your man’s abs?” Gu Yan smirked mischievously.

Lin Ning, sensing the sweet nothings about to unfold, slipped away to give them space.

“C-could you not be so blunt?” Yu Sheng struggled to find the right words. “And if you need to wipe your sweat, you can ask me for a tissue or a wet wipe. Why do you have to lift your shirt in public? Do you think people don’t notice?” She poked his chest in exasperation.

To her surprise, Gu Yan just grinned wider and grabbed her finger. “Sorry, I just wanted you to see. But if you’re so worried about your man’s abs being seen, then from now on, I’ll let you wipe my sweat.”

“Don’t call yourself ‘my man’—aren’t you still underage?”

For a moment, Gu Yan slipped up, forgetting he was no longer the college graduate he’d once been. “Slip of the tongue—boyfriend.”

The guys playing nearby exchanged complicated looks.

Wu Jielin nudged Yang Xiaolong. “Think he’s got a girlfriend now?”

Yang Xiaolong sighed. “So what if he does? He’s always been impressive.”

“Guess we shouldn’t bother him when we hang out anymore—he’s got someone now.”

Yang Xiaolong nodded and casually sank a three-pointer.

Yu Sheng, sitting on the sidelines, had no idea that her words from that morning had already become empty, and by the end of the day, half the class had tacitly acknowledged that she and Gu Yan were together. Of course, self-important types like Shen Ting still refused to believe it.

After they went to the store, Yu Sheng bought Lin Ning a grilled sausage. Lin Ning looked at the pitiful sausage with a mournful expression and bought another for herself.

Well, now you two can be a pair, Lin Ning thought as she tapped the two sausages together. At least you won’t be lonely.

Though Chen Ke’an’s mood was visibly affected the day he found out about Yu Sheng and Gu Yan, he soon returned to his usual self. Yu Sheng had wanted to ask him about it, but seeing him back to normal, she decided not to press.

In fact, because Chen Ke’an had promised to tutor Lin Ning, she was especially excited.

“When are you guys having your tutoring session? Where? Maybe we could join you,” Yu Sheng asked casually.

But Lin Ning refused immediately. “If you two come, won’t we be subjected to a public execution? You two go study on your own. Chen Ke’an and I are going to the library.”

“The library? Gu Yan and I went there last time too, but you’ll have to keep your voices down.”

Lin Ning nodded eagerly.

“But it’s just Chen Ke’an tutoring you. Why are you so excited?” Yu Sheng was puzzled.

Lin Ning bit her lip unconsciously. “Is it? Maybe it’s because I’m getting free lessons from a top student. I can already picture my grades improving.”

Yu Sheng chuckled. “Did your mom’s rule about your phone still hold after the last exam?”

Lin Ning lifted her chin proudly. “Of course!”

“Lin Ning, you’ll definitely get a new phone after this exam!” Gu Yan suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Really? Why?”

Why? Should he tell her it was because he came from the future and already knew what would happen? If he remembered correctly, she would get a new phone after the final exams, regardless of her results.

“Because I believe in my deskmate’s teaching skills!” Gu Yan patted Chen Ke’an on the shoulder.

Chen Ke’an glanced at him, adjusted his glasses, and said nothing. He really didn’t want to see him right now—this guy who’d transferred in out of nowhere, didn’t study seriously yet did better than him, and had gotten together with Yu Sheng so quickly. Why?

Lin Ning, seeing Chen Ke’an’s silence, thought he was regretting his offer and hesitated to speak.

“Mm.” Chen Ke’an grunted softly and went back to his exercises.

“Chen Ke’an, don’t just sit there during breaks. Come play ball with us! You were pretty good in the last game,” Gu Yan said.

Yu Sheng nodded. “Yeah, you used to come out during breaks, didn’t you? Let’s play volleyball at the gate next time!”

“Do you have a ball?” Lin Ning held out her hand, smiling.

“It’s at home,” Yu Sheng admitted awkwardly. “But I can bring it next time.”

Chen Ke’an was known as a loner in their class. Aside from occasionally chatting with the three of them, he barely interacted with others. But because he was a top student, many classmates sought him out for help, so at least he wasn’t the most isolated.

Anyone could see that Gu Yan was trying to get Chen Ke’an to open up. Every time he played ball, he’d call out to him, but Chen Ke’an never joined.

Gu Yan had long noticed that Chen Ke’an liked Yu Sheng. That was why he’d been wary of him before. But now, seeing him working on his assignments, looking so downcast, Gu Yan felt a pang of guilt. He had come here to make friends with him. Aside from Yu Sheng, he was willing to yield in everything else.

“Chen Ke’an, will you play volleyball with us next time Yu Sheng brings the ball? All four of us, like we did at the beach.”

Chen Ke’an’s pen paused. He looked up to see Yu Sheng’s expectant face. He didn’t want to ruin her mood.

But he didn’t want anyone’s pity, either. He wasn’t to be pitied. He could work harder and improve his grades. As for Yu Sheng, he would always watch over her from behind. No one understood her better than he did—he could read her every frown and smile. So, Gu Yan, even if you two are together now, so what? I’ve still won.

“Alright,” Chen Ke’an said softly, offering Yu Sheng a rare, genuine smile.