Chapter 25: Letting Myself Go After Entering University

Because it was real.

Cheng Yao smiled and asked, “Can you guess which brand it is?”

“Van Cleef & Arpels, of course I know it! Oh my god, it’s so exquisite…”

“How can you tell whether a diamond is real? It’s not worth much to begin with, just hyped up by capitalists. These days the fakes are indistinguishable from the real thing.”

“Mm…”

“Here, let me put it on you.” Cheng Yao took the watch and fastened it on her wrist. It fit perfectly on her slender, pale wrist, instantly sweeping away any sense of frailty and replacing it with refinement.

Zhang Ya twisted her wrist and nodded softly. “Very nice. Your taste has improved. I still remember those little gifts you bought me back then, each one was a real eyesore.”

“What are you talking about?” Cheng Yao leaned in, wrapping his arm around her waist.

Zhang Ya braced her hands on the piano, smiling at him. Cheng Yao didn’t hesitate, just lowered his head and kissed her.

Her lashes trembled as she closed her eyes.

A day apart feels like three years; it had been nearly two months now.

Suddenly Zhang Ya opened her eyes. “Wait, something’s off—your technique is much better than before. Are you hiding something from me!?”

“?”

In that instant, Cheng Yao felt a chill run through him, as if he’d just gulped down an iced soda.

I…

Are you Detective Conan himself?

It’s absurd that she could notice such a thing—we haven’t even kissed in over a month.

His heart was pounding, but he managed to keep a calm face, placing his hand on her shoulder. “I improve every day, okay? Don’t overthink it, just keep holding on and don’t move.”

“….”

She eyed him suspiciously. Just a month apart, and even his personality seemed a bit different. Was it just her imagination before?

Cheng Yao wouldn’t give her time to think. He almost wanted to kiss her until her lips swelled in retaliation—the scare she’d just given him!

And what he’d learned from Lu Mengyao wasn’t just kissing.

Suddenly, Zhang Ya opened her eyes, her cheeks as red as dawn, glaring at him. “I’ll chop off those pig paws of yours!”

“Oh, I got carried away.” Cheng Yao grinned sheepishly, changing the subject. “With legs this fair, what a waste if they don’t pedal a tricycle.”

“Off.”

“….”

Cheng Yao stopped pressing her down.

Now that he’d calmed down, he realized it really wasn’t appropriate, not in the girls’ dorm.

Zhang Ya pulled her clothes down, blushing to the roots of her ears. “You know what, maybe we shouldn’t bother with noodles. Let’s eat out.”

“No way, you promised to make noodles for me.” Cheng Yao protested.

“Only if you promise not to mess around.”

“Alright, I promise.”

“Mm, you sit down first.”

Cheng Yao took out a box. “There are also two little earrings. Want to try them?”

“Leave them on my desk. I’ll try them on tonight when I get back.”

“Alright.”

After a while, a bowl of noodles was brought out, with two small bok choy and a poached egg.

Zhang Ya took some side dishes from the fridge. “Try this spiced gizzard. It’s great with rice.”

“Your fridge is well-stocked. This dorm is comfy.”

“We bought everything ourselves.”

“No wonder.”

Cheng Yao ate the noodles—they were delicious.

Zhang Ya sat across from him, watching intently. “Cheng Yao, you’ve changed quite a bit.”

“Have I?”

“Yes. Only someone who’s known you for a long time would notice. You’re much more mature than in high school. But you were always ahead of the curve.”

“That’s right.” Cheng Yao nodded. After his parents left, it was just him and Cheng Cheng. If he didn’t grow up fast, who would?

Zhang Ya smiled. “What have you been up to lately?”

“Doing some things online.” Cheng Yao showed her a message on his phone.

Zhang Ya was surprised. “Sweet Candy Boys? What a strange boy group name. They want you for a talent show?”

“Yeah, but I turned them down.”

“Why? Isn’t that a great opportunity?” Zhang Ya asked, curious.

Cheng Yao shook his head and played her a video. “I have my own ideas now. I don’t really want to be a celebrity.”

What’s the point of being a star now? If anything, he should aim to be the capitalist behind the scenes.

“By the way, where did you learn guitar? You play really well.” Zhang Ya thought his playing was excellent—good enough for even her to notice, though she couldn’t judge the level exactly.

“This is called talent.”

“But your piano is pretty average.”

Cheng Yao winced. “That’s because I didn’t really apply myself.”

“Ah… Cheng Yao, when I was teaching you, were you just going through the motions?”

“No, really, I wasn’t…”

Cheng Yao felt like he was hoisted by his own petard—there was no way to explain himself. So he changed the subject. “Let’s not talk about that. I bought movie tickets. Shall we go tonight?”

“Sure, but don’t you have class tomorrow?”

“Yeah, but I definitely won’t make it back tonight. I’ll catch the early train back tomorrow—there’s enough time.”

Zhang Ya nodded gently. If he caught the 6 a.m. train, he’d make it, though it would be a bit tiring. “Where are you staying tonight?”

“I booked a hotel. Do you want to stay over?”

“Of course not!” Zhang Ya’s cheeks burned. She gave him a glare at the suggestion.

Cheng Yao felt a bit put out. “We haven’t seen each other for so long. Don’t you miss me, or want to spend more time together?”

Doesn’t she?

Even he wasn’t sure.

“No means no. Besides, it’s not like there’s much distance between Shanghai and Jinling. I don’t even blame you for not coming to see me—you’re the one complaining!” Zhang Ya retorted, annoyed.

“You’re right, you’re absolutely right…”

Cheng Yao didn’t dare hope for more. He’d even booked a five-star hotel, only to end up enjoying it alone.

He knew her well. No meant no.

With Zhang Ya’s character and temper, even if he argued until his mouth went dry, nothing would change—he’d only make her mad.

“Is there a guitar?”

“There is—my roommate’s. I’ll get it for you.”

Cheng Yao finished his soup and washed his hands. Zhang Ya came out holding the guitar.

Cheng Yao said, “Let me play ‘Painting’ for you, Miss Zhang Ya.”

“That one’s good—I’ll do the intro for you…” Zhang Ya sat on the bench, pressing the piano keys. She found it all very romantic.

Romance wasn’t about going to a fancy restaurant with your partner,

Or staying at a luxury hotel,

But about sharing the same hobbies and conversation.

That was her idea of life and romance.

With the guitar in his arms, Cheng Yao felt his mood lift, his fingers itching to play. The gentle melody filled the room.

Zhang Ya sat quietly, listening.

With her musical training and talent, she could tell Cheng Yao had a solid foundation. Aside from being a bit lazy with his singing, his guitar playing was truly excellent.

I paint you as a flower, a blossom yet unopened
Then make every drop of longing into rain that falls
Whenever I’m gone, remember my love
We’re under the same sky
Nourishing from afar, waiting for autumn to pass and spring to come
Waiting for the next blossom, just within reach
Love is like a distant road, a beam of bright but gentle moonlight
Happiness is really that simple
With you beside me, this is my paradise

Cheng Yao gazed at Zhang Ya with deep feeling, blinking at her. She crossed her legs and clapped softly.

When the song ended, Cheng Yao asked, “So, do you like it?”

“I love it…” Zhang Ya was delighted. She immediately sat on his lap, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him.

Cheng Yao was stunned, then counterattacked—he hadn’t expected her to be so bold.

Now that she was in college, she’d really let herself go.

Not bad at all.

If she’d always been a shy good girl, he wouldn’t even have the nerve to kiss her.

“Mmm…”

Cheng Yao’s hands started wandering again, and Zhang Ya quickly grabbed hold of him.

He started taking off his own shirt, and Zhang Ya jumped up, wary. “What are you trying to do?!”

“I want to!”

…

…

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