CH 7

Ruan Nan left her room and walked down to the parking garage, chose an inconspicuous looking Land Rover, then drove north to the school campus. It was currently around 8 or 9 in the evening, although lights illuminated the campus, which was still occupied by students participating in various club activities. There was a path trailing the main grounds that was lined by trees and brightly lit by lamps, making it a popular rendezvous spot for couples.

Qin Juran’s dormitory was in the very back of the campus; Ruan Nan’s foot pressed on the gas until she reached the parking lot in front of the building.

Outside stood a couple who appeared to be going through “the talk,” engaging in a fight with their tongues. As Ruan Nan’s headlights flashed against them, they were about to shout until they saw the driver through the windshield, forcing them to shut their mouths and walk away resentfully.

Ruan Nan turned off the headlights and sent a message to Feng Jing: “Is Qin Juran in her room?”

“She’s not here, did you come, Sister Nan? I’ll go down to meet you.”

“No need. Where’d she go?”

“Sister Nan, are you downstairs? She just got a phone call a moment ago and left soon after. I think she went towards the lovers’ hill, why don’t you wait down there for a moment?”

“Mm.”

Ruan Nan pressed her phone shut. Although the S University facilities were high-class overall, the dormitories certainly ranged in quality. Qin Juran’s dorm was made up of the most basic, 4-person rooms, and with the unideal location, there was almost no one else around.

After waiting for half an hour, the clock was already pushing 10 p.m. More and more students began returning to the building, but Qin Juran had yet to be seen.

Ruan Nan noticed the small neon green motorbike parked in the lot, then got out of her car and began to walk towards the lovers’ hill.

At this hour, most of the students were gathered amongst the front courtyard or the tree-lined path; there were only a few on the lovers’ hill specifically. The further Ruan Nan walked, the fewer students she saw. A chilly breeze rustled the tall, looming trees on either side of the path, and animal howls echoed through the air.

As she noticed a shrouded passerby move in front of her, Ruan Nan stopped midstep, instinctively folding her arms across her chest.

She stood frozen in place for a good second, then hearing footsteps around her, she finally broke out of her daze. She hesitantly uncrossed her arms and took a deep breath, mustering her courage as she continued walking.

When she reached two lines of shrubbery, Ruan Nan heard a group of footsteps approaching. They seemed to belong to some male students, as she heard periodic bursts of curses and what sounded like lashings.

Ruan Nan paused in her step, but unfortunately, someone had noticed her presence before she could walk back. A female voice called out, “Over there.”

As a gust of wind swept behind her, rustling the dark trees, Ruan Nan swallowed dryly and froze in place. Amid her hesitation, she felt herself being yanked to the side. Before she could stand up, she gave a rough shove and toppled over.

Ruan Nan’s knee slammed against the ground. Just as she was about to let out a cry of pain, she felt her entire body become enveloped by a softness. The person hugging her from behind, seemingly trying to prevent her from shouting, then hurriedly whispered into her ear, “Be quiet, it’s just me.”

Qin Juran???

Ruan Nan’s eyes widened and she struggled to break free. She heard Qin Juran say, “If you agree to stay quiet, I’ll let go.”

Considering that she was already disadvantaged by being half a head shorter than Qin Juran, as well as being restrained from the back, Ruan Nan only hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Qin Juran loosened one arm and steadied Ruan Nan with the other, seeing that she fell earlier. The two then shuffled to a narrow gap amongst the shrubs. Qin Juran lowered her voice and pointed with one hand outwards, making a shh gesture with her other pointer finger.

“Did they come here to mess with you?” Ruan Nan frowned.

“Didn’t you, too?” Qin Juran shot back.

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“…the troubles of being the campus bell – everywhere there’s someone trying to bother you.”  Ruan Nan’s gaze settled on Qin Juran, her eyebrow lifting in response.

Qin Juran smirked. “I never thought Miss Ruan was a bother.”

“…..” Finally, the loud shouts of the group faded away. Ruan Nan asked, “Who were they?”

Suddenly, Qin Juran noticed the bruise on Ruan Nan’s knee; there was a little blood where the skin had scraped. She frowned and reached out to take a closer look, when Ruan Nan warily pulled back her leg.

Qin Juran answered, frustrated, “Probably Liu Qiang. One of the girls was sitting with him at BLUE HOUSE that night.”

As soon as she heard the name Liu Qiang, Ruan Nan dragged her leg and was about to follow the group, but Qin Juran quickly grabbed her. “What are you doing? I know that Liu Qiang’s afraid of you, but he’s not exactly here right now. Even if these people hurt us, he can just pretend that he had no idea about it. It’ll just be worse for us in the end.”

Seeing that Ruan Nan still wasn’t giving up, continuing to limp forward, Qin Juran raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to fight for me?”

That stopped her in her tracks.

Qin Juran’s lips curved and she stood up, trying to get a closer look a Ruan Nan’s injury. Meanwhile, Ruan Nan backed away in an embarrassed fashion, half leaning on a wall, refusing to meet her eyes.

Ruan Nan was very thin from the start, but in her seldomly-worn workout clothes, short sleeves and short shorts, a crisp white pair of sneakers, injured leg slightly bent, body leaning against the wall, cap shadowing her eyes, her entire aura instilled…a desire to protect her.

Qin Juran frowned. “Your leg is hurt.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Don’t worry, huh.” Qin Juran lazily straightened herself, tossing a lock of hair to the side. “Then I’m going now.”

As if she suddenly remembered something, Qin Juran looked around hurriedly and deliberately spoke in a hushed tone, “That’s right, Ruan Nan, you don’t live in the dorms so you wouldn’t know, but they say that the lovers’ hill is haunted. You better be careful.”

Qin Juran turned to walk away, leaving Ruan Nan in the shadows. Hearing the word “haunted,” Ruan Nan paled a little and couldn’t help clenching her fists. Staring at Qin Juran’s back, she bit down on her lip and let out a faint “Juran.” The name had hardly let her mouth when Qin Juran suddenly turned back and engulfed Ruan Nan in an embrace.

Although Qin Juran was so tall, she was still a girl, so hugging like this was a bit awkward. Ruan Nan instinctively looped her arms around Qin Juran’s neck, hanging onto her like a sloth on a tree. Moreover, Qin Juran’s impeccable reflexes managed to position themselves such that their foreheads brushed against each other, sending a jolt of electricity where they touched.

Meanwhile, Ruan Nan’s face burned up to the tip of her ears. She meant to come mess with Qin Juran, but how did she end up like this??

A citrusy scent engulfed Ruan Nan’s body and her hair brushed against Qin Juran’s neck. Qin Juran took a light breath, then spoke teasingly, “Hanging on so tightly, huh?”

Ruan Nan let go immediately.

Qin Juran tried to pull her back. “Do you want to come over?”

Ruan Nan fervently shook her head.

“Are you afraid someone will see?”

No response.

Qin Juran pursed her lips. “Let’s go to your car, then.”

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When they returned, Qin Juran grabbed a roll of cotton and some band-aids from her dorm and brought them to the car. They sat in the spacious backseat of Ruan Nan’s Land Rover, the dim lighting glowing on her face and outlining her fine profile.

“Stretch out your leg.”

“I can do it myself.” Perhaps it was embarrassment from being held by Qin Juran the entire way back, but Ruan Nan’s voice came out flustered.

Qin Juran didn’t bother asking again; she grabbed an ankle and propped it on her own knees as she began to clean the wound. Although her fingers were nimble and gentle, Ruan Nan couldn’t help trembling in pain from the sting of the rubbing alcohol. Seeing her distressed reaction, Qin Juran leaned closer and worked extra carefully.

She was wearing another white t-shirt and jeans ensemble today; her black hair was swept to the side and bean-paste colored lipstick adorned her lips. As she leaned forward, her shirt collar drooped, teasing the outline of her ample chest.

At the sight of her own legs atop of Qin Jurans’, Ruan Nan felt her face heat even more. She shifted back slightly, hoping to hide her face in the shadows.

Qin Juran finished bandaging the wound, though she was still worried about the lingering effects of the knee injury. She asked, “Are you sure you’re able to drive? If not, I’ll drive you…”

“You can drive?” Ruan Nan blurted. As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt a bit guilty as she remembered Qin Juran’s financial situation. Moreover, Qin Juran had just helped her.

Her words also reminded Qin Juran of the present situation – she was no longer the affluent company president that she once was. Qin Juran let out a tch, then, arching a brow, she looked Ruan Nan head-on. Grabbing an ankle and tugging it forward, she teased in a husky voice, “How about we go for a ride so you can find out for yourself?”