As the sun set, the last shimmer of afterglow was being withdrawn. A chilly breeze brushed past his ears, carrying various sounds from afar.
He Yu looked at the street bathed in golden light. She turned to Gu Yu and asked, “Can you walk me back? My house isn’t that far; it’s only about a half-hour walk.”
“Sure.”
Gu Yu moved forward two steps to stand beside the girl. Facing the gradually fading sunset, the two of them walked forward step by step.
“They say if you don’t like someone, you should clearly reject them and not leave them with any hope. Gu Yu, have you ever thought that way too?” He Yu looked down at the road, her steps low.
“What they say is right, but I don’t want to do that.”
He Yu was silent for 2 seconds before asking softly, “…Why?”
“Because I simply can’t bring myself to be that cruel. You are one of my only, and best, friends.”
“Oh? Look at you being so gentle.”
“It’s you guys, after all. I wouldn’t be like this if it were Luo Ming.”
“You’re still hoping she’ll take the initiative to confess to you? You’re quite a dreamer.”
He Yu knew these words were insincere. She understood how much Luo Ming liked Gu Yu, so an active confession wasn’t impossible. She just didn’t dare to imagine such a failure; she couldn’t accept losing that miserably.
“But hanging a girl out like this when she likes you… you’re going to be suspected of being a scumbag.”
“Then do you want me to reject you heartlessly?”
“What do you think? If you did that, I wouldn’t be able to help myself from hitting you.” He Yu plucked a withered yellow leaf drifting by and carefully traced the patterns on it.
“Just kidding. I don’t have the right, so I won’t be that unreasonable. Actually, I was really scared when I confessed to you just now. I was afraid we wouldn’t even be able to be friends anymore, and I was afraid you would be mean and say no.”
“I don’t think I could ever be mean.”
Gu Yu admitted it frankly. The number of times he had been angry since childhood could be counted on one hand. His father had taught him to reconcile with the world and to treat important people with gentleness. He had always kept that in mind.
The street stalls were closing one after another. Working adults passed them by after finishing their shifts. The air was filled with the aroma of home-cooked dinners. Gu Yu glanced at the girl beside him; she seemed like a different person when she was quiet.
“This is so like you. That might be one of the reasons why I like you,” she lamented softly.
“Can I ask? The reason you like me?”
“Because you’re handsome. Are you satisfied with that answer, hottie?” He Yu reached out and pinched Gu Yu’s cheek. She really liked the feel of the boy’s skin. ‘How wonderful would it be if a young man like him belonged to me?’
“I feel like you shouldn’t be so… shallow.”
“If I don’t humble you, won’t you become a narcissist? Was my praise not enough?” He Yu applied a little more pressure, but she still wasn’t pinching hard enough to hurt.
“Because people say that often. Excessive humility is just pride,” Gu Yu replied indifferently, realizing the topic was drifting. “You still haven’t answered my question. Why do you like… me?”
“Feelings grow over time… or maybe… I just like a silly kid like you?”
He Yu smiled helplessly. She wasn’t sure if it was the influence of adolescent throbbing or the beautiful filter of a first love. This boy made her like him so much that even though her 3 years of affection hadn’t reached the intended conclusion, she couldn’t bring herself to be angry.
“I just didn’t expect you to be such a hard nut to crack, and with so many competitors.”
“What competitors? As far as I know, only you like me.” Aside from He Yu’s clear expression, Gu Yu didn’t interpret any goodwill from the opposite sex as liking. “You’re the one with plenty of admirers. I’ve seen people confess to you several times.”
“But the one I like doesn’t like me back.”
Gu Yu didn’t know how to respond to that, and the atmosphere fell into silence. They arrived at a bridge with concrete sidewalks on both sides. The river below was plated with a layer of golden spots of light. The sunset ignited a large swath of glowing clouds, resembling brilliant silk and satin.
“Tell me your impression of me,” He Yu said out of the blue.
“Beautiful, well-spoken, good grades, popular, and lively.”
“Shouldn’t you add ‘good body’?”
“Yes, yes. You have a thin waist, long legs, and a perfect figure.”
“…And big breasts?” He Yu looked down at her fullness and murmured softly.
“What?” Gu Yu didn’t hear her clearly.
“Nothing. You didn’t hear anything.” She looked up at the sun as it gradually sank, the flush on her face becoming even more pronounced.
Gu Yu had never been to the girl’s house. A 30-minute journey wasn’t long, but it wasn’t short either. He actually quite liked walking like this. The evening breeze sang in his ears as day and night were about to transition. It felt like there were endless topics to discuss with the beautiful girl beside him.
The surrounding scenery gradually became unfamiliar. The river they had just crossed seemed to be the dividing line of the city. On one side, it was old and dim, home to the elderly and the poor who couldn’t leave. On the other side, it was a prosperous, modern urban area with neon lights flashing brilliantly.
He could feel how out of place he was here. He had to tilt his head far back to see the tops of the towering skyscrapers. The cars speeding by were all luxury brands he didn’t recognize.
He suddenly realized that rejecting the girl’s confession was a wise decision.
“Even though my family isn’t some incredibly wealthy landlord or gentry, we can still be considered rich. I’m actually quite a little rich girl,” He Yu said to Gu Yu out of the corner of her eye. “Is Student Gu Yu really not interested in a sugar mommy? Older Sister will take care of you.”
“Actually, if I were to find a sugar mommy, I think Sister Qianxin might be a better choice.”
“Give me your hand.”
“Huh?” Gu Yu didn’t understand why He Yu was suddenly making such a request, but he obediently reached out. Then, he was bitten hard.
“That’s for annoying me again. Since you can’t bring yourself to reject me, you’re just going to make me upset in other ways, aren’t you?” He Yu said indignantly. She furrowed her beautiful brows, looking like a provoked kitten — quite cute.
“It’s just a joke. Sister Qianxin wouldn’t like me the way you do, and I don’t want to be a freeloading man anyway.”
They walked to the entrance of a Luxury Residential Area. The gate was grand and magnificent, and the interior landscaping was excellent, revealing a harmony between technology and nature. One look was enough to see the aura of luxury where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold.
“Why don’t you come in for a bit and meet my parents? Maybe you’ll change your mind?”
“I’ll pass. Just like you like me, I’m loyal to Luo Ming. Besides, how do you plan to introduce me to your parents? Tell them the truth?”
“As my boyfriend, obviously. I’ll just shout at my stinky old dad, ‘Dad, your daughter has done well! I’ve got a boyfriend. It’s this blockhead right here, and I like him so much!'”
“Then wouldn’t your dad break my legs…” Gu Yu was at a loss. He knew the girl was joking and didn’t take it seriously.
“I’ll protect you.” He Yu tapped Gu Yu’s forehead and switched to a serious tone. “I’m going. Before I leave, let me confess to you properly one last time. You don’t need to reply; I know you won’t agree.”
“Okay.”
“Gu Yu… I like you. I like you very, very much. I’ve liked you for nearly 3 years, and I’ll keep liking you in the future. Can you… be my boyfriend?”
He saw the flush rising on He Yu’s face. The evening breeze blew the girl’s hair into a mess. At this moment, she was so beautiful she seemed unreal, capable of shaking almost any resolve in the world. So much so that a “Yes” hesitated on Gu Yu’s lips.
But he still thought of Luo Ming. His slightly parted mouth closed again. The girl turned and walked into the neighborhood, her back appearing slender and lonely.
—