Song Yu Meng was recounting Yi Ranâs confession to Su Xiao Xiao, being detailed enough to even mention them secretly holding hands. She was both happy, and also wanted to show off how good Yi Ran was to her.
âI stuffed the paper ball in her hand, and she smiled so happily after she squatted down and saw it. Then she held my hand. I was scared because of the camera on the wall, so I flung her hand away, then guess what?
âWhat?â
âYi Ran wouldnât listen to me, she insisted on holding my hand. My hand was all painful from all that pinching, I couldnât get out of her hold!â
She was clearly using a reproachful tone, but she couldnât hide a sweet smile from blooming on her face.
Song Yu Meng stopped for a second, then started again. âAfter that, Yi Ran hid our hands behind us and she said, then letâs hold hands in secret?â
Just thinking of that scene, Song Yu Meng started getting shy again.
âAhââ! Crazy Yi really is too flirty, how does she know how to do this? You donât even know how moved I was!â She covered her red cheeks with her hands as if she was reenacting her reaction back then.
âIf I had known Crazy Yi would confess today, I would have dolled up. Xiao Xiao, do you have makeup in your dorm room? Lend it to me, I didnât sleep well last night, I must look so ugly!â
Su Xiao Xiao was about to shake her head when Song Yu Meng quickly continued: âNo, no! Crazy Yi said she doesnât like me with makeup, she prefers me barefaced, so I wonât put makeup on from now on!â
Su Xiao Xiao looked at her friend and was happy for her. But⊠was her good friend being too exaggeratedly happy?
A woman in love is the scariest thing. The slightest breeze moving the grass would result in her brain coming up with a bunch of reasons. This was exemplified when it came to Song Yu Meng.
She was still basking in her happiness when suddenly, the smile on her face disappeared.
âNo! Crazy Yi is so flirty, she wouldnât have a lot of exes, right?â
âUmâŠ..â Her attitude changed so fast, Su Xiao Xiao didnât know what to say. âWhy donât you go ask Yi Ran that?â
Song Yu Meng nodded hastily. âYes! I havenât asked this question yet, I need to ask her. If she has any exes, I will never talk to her again!â
Su Xiao Xiao stared at her, speechless.
Soon, Song Yu Meng changed her mind. âForget it, itâs too cruel to ignore her for life. Iâll just ignore her for a minute!â She giggled.
Ignoring Yi Ran for a minute already made her so uncomfortable, what more a lifetime?
Su Xiao Xiao shook her head helplessly, thinking: A woman in love really is too scary!
âŠâŠ
Returning to the classroom, Song Yu Meng saw her Yi Ran sitting there and quietly working on homework.
The bright sunlight filtered through the tree branches dancing in the wind to shine on her head, enveloping her in a warm glow. Her face was particularly mesmerising against the sunlight.
Song Yu Meng felt as if she was drunk staring at Yi Ran.
Her anxiety also slowly calmed down.
She had a feeling of tranquillity.
Yi Ran also noticed her and smiled, putting down her pen to walk over to her. She saw Song Yu Mengâs dazed eyes and gently said: âI didnât ride my scooter here today, shall we walk home later?â
Under her warm gaze, Song Yu Meng lowered her head and smiled slightly. âOkay.â
âGood girl.â Yi Ran smiled and stroked her head, her tone soft as water.
âŠâŠ
On the way home, they walked slowly, shoulder to shoulder, not in a rush at all to get home. They were basking in the presence of each other on this quiet night.
They didnât hold hands.
They wanted to, but they didnât dare, still unused to some changes between them.
Suddenly, Song Yu Meng said: âI have something to ask you, you must answer me honestly.â
Yi Ran saw her stern yet adorable manner and asked in amusement: âWhat do you want to ask?â
âBesides me, have you ever liked anybody else, and dated anybody else?â Song Yu Meng stared at her nervously.
Yi Ran stroked her head as they walked, smiling. âAre you silly? Asking this sort of question again. Didnât I tell you last time? I never liked anybody else, and I have never dated.â
She quickly added: âOf course, except you.â
Song Yu Meng was finally happy, but she asked intentionally: âThen in the future? What if you fall for someone else and donât want me anymore?â
Saying that, she looked at Yi Ran pitifully as if it really happened.
Yi Ranâs heart squeezed and she stopped walking, pulling hard on Song Yu Mengâs hand to pull her into her arms. The hand she used to pull Song Yu Meng slid over her back and rested on her right shoulder.
Yi Ran crooned softly: âLook at you, overthinking again. I already like you so much, how would I be able to like someone else?â
Song Yu Mengâs heart thumped quickly, but she cheekily pushed out of Yi Ranâs embrace and complained: âYouâre not allowed to hug me, there are so many people around!â
She jogged ahead, looking back at Yi Ran occasionally, a cheeky smile on her face.
Under the bright moonlight, Yi Ran looked at her fleeing silhouette and smiled. Her heart had been filled up completely, there was only space for Song Yu Meng inside.
At a traffic light, Yi Ran finally caught up to her. It was unclear who started it, but their hands were now firmly held together. From the initial moments of shyness and awkwardness to the naturalness right now, their fingers interlocked.
There were only the two of them at the traffic light, so it was convenient for Yi Ran to speak.
âDo you have time on Saturday? Want to watch a movie with me?â
Song Yu Meng smiled and teased: âIs this considered you asking me on a date?â
âYeah, Iâm asking you.â Yi Ran smiled while moving her face closer, asking in a flirty tone. âSo, honourable lady, would you give me some face and agree?â
Song Yu Meng was tickled pink, and she acted as a haughty lady. âThen this lady shall reluctantly agree.â
Yi Ran smiled and raised a finger to poke her red face, teasing: âYour face is all red, what reluctantly? Are you shy again?â
âIâm not shyâŠâŠâ
Her face got even redder.
Yi Ran smiled wider. âWhy are you so prideful, youâre already dating me.â
Song Yu Meng scolded: âYouâre not allowed to say anything else. Walk properly, or else I wonât hold your hand.â
Yi Ran immediately shut up and held onto Song Yu Mengâs hand even tighter, afraid she would get annoyed the next second and move her hand away. Her girlfriendâs hand was so soft, it was so comfortable to hold, sheâs not letting go!
âWhy are you holding on so tightly, youâre hurting me.â Song Yu Meng whined.
âIâm scared youâll run.â
âI wonât run.â
âI wonât let go even if you donât run.â
Song Yu Meng lowered her head and smiled secretly, her heart feeling even sweeter than honey.
âŠâŠ
Amidst the gentle, warm breeze, the two of them made their way slowly home, hand in hand. They both didnât want to let go, and they also didnât want either one to leave, so they stood there looking at each other.
Another warm breeze brushed by, even the wind was gentle and sweet.
âWhy arenât you going yet, canât bear to leave me?â Song Yu Meng held her hands behind her back, with her head cocked to one side.
Yi Ranâs breathing stopped for a second, her heart pounding loudly. With red ears, she lowered her head. âMm, I canât bear to leave you.â
Song Yu Mengâs heart also did somersaults, and she reached out to hold Yi Ranâs hand. âI canât bear to leave you either.â
âThen Iâll call you later?â
âOkay.â Song Yu Meng agreed happily.
The two of them held hands for a little while more before parting ways reluctantly.
Song Yu Meng entered her house with a huge smile, her family would have been hard-pressed to not be able to guess she was happy.
âGood daughter, what are you smiling so happily at?â Mr Song asked.
âNothing!â Song Yu Meng immediately wiped the smile off her face and frantically tried to find a reason. âThatâsâŠâŠ Crazy Yi fell off her scooter today when she was riding, I just thought it was funny!â
She forced a smile.
She didnât plan to tell her parents about her dating Yi Ran yet.
Mr Song and Mrs Song exchanged a glance, feeling it was a bit odd.
Song Yu Meng hurriedly continued: âDad, Mom, I wonât stay and chat, Iâm going to my room to do homework.â
She ran off immediately.
Mr and Mrs Song were even more suspicious now. Their daughterâs smile didnât seem like it was because of Yi Ran falling off, more like because she was dating???
Even weirderâŠâŠ
âWhat did our daughter say?â Mr Song asked Mrs Song.
Mrs Song found it hard to believe: âXiao-Yu said she was going to do homeworkâŠâŠâ
Odd, their daughter never did homework.
â Song Yu Mengâs room â
She jumped on her bed, holding her phone, waiting for Yi Ran to call her.
After a few minutes, she finally got the call from the person she liked. The phone hadnât rung for more than a second when she picked it up.
She immediately started grumbling.
âCrazy Yi, why did you call me so late, I waited five minutes for you! Youâre not trustworthy at all!â
A slight sound of laughter came from the other side.
âAre you silly? I put down my bag in my room and immediately called you.â Yi Ran used her shoulder to press the phone against her ear while she rummaged in her bag. âWhat are you doing? Homework?â
âYouâre the silly one. Iâm clearly calling you, how could I be doing homework?â
âI thought you were missing me.â
âWho misses you, youâre so narcissistic.â
âI miss you.â
Song Yu Mengâs face reddened, but she was happy inside.
âGlib-tongued. What are you doing?â
âMaths homework.â Placing her phone on her table, Yi Ran was working on homework while complaining. âThereâs so much maths homework today, itâs crazy. Tang Seng must have been provoked, sigh, itâs terrible!â
Song Yu Meng giggled.
âWhat are you laughing at, are you done with it? Iâm going to collect your homework tomorrow.â
Song Yu Meng asked angrily: âWhat! Iâm your girlfriend and youâre still going to collect my homework?â
âYeah, even more so because youâre my girlfriend. Iâm being responsible for you, and for your maths grades at the same time.â Yi Ran laughed naughtily, then added on. âWhy, arenât you touched?â
Song Yu Meng said huffily: âAs if. What sort of twisted logic is this? You donât even know when to compromise.â
âDummy, this is called showing favouritism. If it was anybody else, I wouldnât care if they handed in their homework or not.â
âYou only care about me?â
âAsking even though you know the answer. Of course, I only favour my girlfriend.â
Song Yu Meng lay on her bed, resting her chin on her left forearm, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
âBut maths is so hard, I donât know how to do itâŠâŠâ She rolled herself up in her blanket as she rolled around on her bed, whining to Yi Ran cutely.
âDummy, donât even know how to do maths. Iâll teach you.â