The long lanterns along the night market street were as bright as day. The shouts of the peddlers and the laughter of the tourists gradually faded through the transparent glass.
Lu Zhen asked almost pleadingly, "Jiang Yuan, could you consider me?"
Jiang Yuan suddenly looked up at Lu Zhen. Her pupils constricted sharply, her head felt swollen and numb, and her hand holding the milk tea trembled slightly.
Was Lu Zhen saying that he liked her?
Seeing Jiang Yuan's extreme shock, Lu Zhen gave a self - deprecating smile. His gaze fell on the milk tea she was holding tightly, and he continued on his own.
"We met in the second year of senior high school. In the second semester of that year, I realized that I had fallen in love with you. This feeling has lasted until now, taking up almost half of my high - school years."
"I know you're very shocked now and you've never liked me. But please listen to me first and don't reject me in a hurry."
Jiang Yuan listened in silence.
"I don't know how I fell in love with you. Maybe it was when you patiently explained problems to me day after day, or perhaps it was the first time we met, when you stood up for me and scolded others."
"When filling out the college entrance - examination application, I was possessed and filled in a school very close to yours. After the semester started, I didn't contact you actively. I often wandered around your school, wondering if we were fated to meet."
"So it was you who saved a little girl near my school some time ago." Jiang Yuan murmured in a low voice, looking blank for a moment.
"Yeah, I became her hero and saved her." Lu Zhen couldn't help but smile. But when his gaze met the silent girl across from him, his bright eyes dimmed slightly.
Actually, did she know that the one he had always wanted to save was her? He wanted to pull her out of those stagnant memories and tell her that the outside world was vast. She didn't have to be fixated on Chi Xu and waste her time.
She could also look at the people around her, like him.
This was a bit of his selfishness.
He thought that as days went by, he could earn a glance from Jiang Yuan and a moment of her heart fluttering.
But he didn't expect that Jiang Yuan had always been thinking about Chi Xu.
He just hated that he hadn't appeared earlier to meet Jiang Yuan. Then, Jiang Yuan wouldn't have always been obsessed with Chi Xu.
"Facts have proven that we're really fated. Didn't we meet after the semester started?"
It was just that he was one step too late. It was his timidity. Instead of asking for help himself, he relied on the fate given by God.
Lu Zhen was very helpless. His voice gradually became hoarse and he couldn't speak. It felt like something was stuck in his throat, bringing discomfort and a bitter taste.
He paused for a long time before speaking.
"Of course, when I said 'could you consider me', it means that I like you. Could you forget about Chi Xu and give us a try? I promise I won't treat you like Chi Xu did."
"I..." Jiang Yuan opened her mouth blankly. When she met Lu Zhen's burning gaze, she quickly shrank back, as if she had been burned, and it felt like a scorching pain in her heart.
After a long time, Jiang Yuan said, "You know, I don't like you."
Actually, in many cases, the details had already shown that Lu Zhen liked her.
For example, he remembered her food preferences. For example, during a period in high school when it was very chaotic near the school, Lu Zhen escorted her home.
As for herself, she had regarded him as a brother and a good friend, being outspoken for him.
When he was mocked, she jumped out to refute. When his grades declined, she tried her best to help him analyze.
She never bothered to think about the purpose behind his actions.
It was also possible that her own actions had caused misunderstandings for Lu Zhen, which finally evolved into his long - lasting affection.
"Sorry, Lu Zhen. Maybe in high school, I regarded you as a friend and a brother without a sense of propriety and distance, which made you like me."
Jiang Yuan still hung her head, staring at the label on the milk - tea cup, not having the courage to look Lu Zhen in the eye and respond.
"No, I've always known that you only regarded me as a friend and a brother. I've long known that you have someone you like in your heart. It's just that you're stubborn and never admit it."
The four words "friend and brother" were like tiny needles, pricking his heart densely. This pain became more and more obvious and unbearable as time passed.
Lu Zhen said the last sentence in a joking tone, with a hearty laugh.
After the hearty laugh, there was only endless silence left.
"I'm serious. Why don't you consider me? It's not embarrassing for you to realize that you like Chi Xu. But you're not sure about Chi Xu's attitude. Afraid of what happened when you were a child, you could just be with me and give Chi Xu a little stimulation."
"No, it's unfair to you." This proposal was strongly opposed by Jiang Yuan. For the first time in a long while, she looked up and stared directly at Lu Zhen.
"You like me. It's your freedom. But I don't like you. I can't use you because of my own selfishness and cause trouble for you."
"Then forget it." Lu Zhen shrugged, pretending not to care. He leaned closer, staring at her. "I've confessed to you. Can we still be friends in the future?"
Jiang Yuan didn't know. She just looked at him quietly.
Lu Zhen wasn't in a hurry either. With a smile on his lips, he quietly looked at Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Yuan gave in and said, "Sure. If you have any difficulties, you can come to me. But you have to know that I won't like you and there won't be any chance."
Maybe there won't be any intersection in the future.
If she could fall in love with him, after knowing him for almost three years, she would have fallen in love long ago.
Hearing her words, Lu Zhen was already very satisfied. It was like a gorgeous firework exploding in his heart. He laughed boldly. "If Chi Xu ever treats you badly in the future, remember to come to me. I'll punch him for you."
"Pfft." Jiang Yuan couldn't help laughing. Most of the awkward atmosphere between them dissipated. She nodded. "Sure, I will. After all, you're strong and powerful."
"Actually, I have an unseemly request. I'm not sure if you'll agree. I'm afraid it'll put you in a difficult position."
"Just say it." Jiang Yuan said generously.
"I want to draw a perfect ending for my first love. This is my first time falling in love. It can't end in a hurry."
"May I hug you?" Seeing Jiang Yuan stunned, Lu Zhen quickly explained, "It's just a polite hug. I really want to leave a wonderful memory for my first love."
Jiang Yuan rubbed the wall of the milk - tea cup with her palm. The appropriate temperature was transmitted through the thin paper cup.
Under Lu Zhen's nervousness, Jiang Yuan showed a smile. Her eyes were clear and bright. "Sure."
Outside the transparent glass of the milk - tea shop, Chi Xu had been looking for Jiang Yuan in the night market for almost half an hour. But the night market was so big that it was not certain that he could find her.
He stopped, out of breath, and checked his phone. The message "Where are you?" he sent to Jiang Yuan had not received a reply.
Just as he caught his breath and was about to continue looking for Jiang Yuan by chance, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar figure.
Before his lips could curl up into a smile, they froze.
He saw Jiang Yuan and Lu Zhen hugging each other across a not - very - wide table.