87

 The classroom after class was a stark contrast to the quiet just ten minutes earlier. Everyone rushed toward the door, and the hallway was bustling with noise and busy footsteps.

Xiang Ran followed Teacher Li, contemplating how to start the conversation.

“Teacher, is there something urgent you need to talk to me about?”

“It’s not urgent, just wanted to discuss the preparations for the art department's exhibition starting in a few days.”

“Oh, I see. Can we talk about it later? My girlfriend is in the hospital, and I need to go see her!”

Xiang Ran had thought Teacher Li was calling him for something urgent, but it turned out to be just a reminder about the anniversary celebration’s big screen.

They reached the corner, and while Teacher Li clearly intended to go upstairs, Xiang Ran’s gaze remained focused downstairs.

Noticing his student’s anxious demeanor, Teacher Li, holding his thermos, said, “Oh, then hurry up! We can talk later.”

Seeing Teacher Li’s approval, Xiang Ran nodded and immediately turned to run downstairs.

He moved so fast it was almost as if he were a blur.

Teacher Li shook his head, unable to help but sigh, “Ah, young love!”

As Xiang Ran dashed down the stairs, Teacher Li continued upstairs, unaware that behind them, Qi Dong and Fatty were still stunned by their conversation, as if struck by lightning.

“Did you hear what Ran just said?” Fatty asked.

“He said he’s going to accompany his girlfriend!” Qi Dong replied.

“!!”

“???”

“Oh my god!”

“So, Ran really has a girlfriend?”

“I noticed that thing on his wrist during lunch today! It was obvious something was up!”

“He skipped the library for her, ignored his thesis, and even ditched class...”

“Now he’s even ignoring his computer?”

Fatty said this while adjusting his backpack.

“And what’s even more frustrating is that we got first place on the last group assignment!”

“Wait, can you focus on the main point?”

“All I want to know is... who is his girlfriend?”

Qi Dong interrupted Fatty.

“Yeah! Who is his girlfriend?”

After saying this, the two exchanged puzzled glances, both confused.

---

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Liu Shuyao looked at Xiang Ran's reply.

He said he would come to see her soon, which probably meant he was anxious, right?

She bit her lip, feeling her anxiety ease a bit.

Then she replied with her room number.

Sitting beside her, Zhao Ying and Li Meixun suddenly noticed the smile on Liu Shuyao’s lips and leaned in with mischievous grins.

“What’s up?”

“Did you get in touch with Xiang Ran?”

Liu Shuyao nodded while sitting on the hospital bed, her voice soft: “He said he’s coming to see me now.”

“Alright then~ Since your boyfriend is coming, we should leave; we can’t be third wheels.”

Li Meixun, being perceptive, started to pull Zhao Ying away.

But then Liu Shuyao grabbed her sleeve.

“Um...”

“I still don’t know how to tell him about my memory coming back!”

“Just ask him directly! You’ve always been straightforward.”

"??"

Li Meixun sat back down at the mention. “That... that was in the past!!!”

“And besides, do the things done while you were amnesiac still count?”

“Why wouldn’t they? Don’t you remember how you pulled his arm and called him ‘hubby’?”

Zhao Ying chimed in.

She had certainly been inundated with dog food lately.

Maybe because she had read too many shoujo comics, but watching the campus beauty, who had been single her whole life, chase after someone was simply irresistible.

Always saying things that made it hard for others to handle with her innocent expression.

“But I remember it now!”

“Those words were so cheesy, I feel a bit embarrassed...”

Liu Shuyao buried half her face in the pillow, her voice muffled.

“You're only embarrassed in front of us. Once it’s just the two of you tonight, it’ll be all sparks and romance.”

“Or just ask him if you’re still together!”

Li Meixun was very straightforward.

“But remember, now that you’re dating again, you must take control of the situation!”

“Stand tall!”

“Last time you pursued him, this time you should experience what it feels like to be pursued!”

“So you need to straighten your back and give him orders!”

“Huh?”

“Give orders?”

As soon as Liu Shuyao heard those words, her face scrunched up.

How could she order her boyfriend around?

It’d be more likely for her to be the one getting ordered!

“Yes! Think about it carefully!”

After saying a lot, Li Meixun glanced outside at the weather and pulled Zhao Ying to leave.

“Let’s go! It looks like it’s about to rain.”

Not long after they left, Xiang Ran arrived.

When he opened the door, he felt an odd sensation.

The curtains in the ward swayed gently, and through the window, the darkening sky hinted at impending rain. The white bed sheets were neatly spread out, with a transparent IV bag hanging on one side, the drip line slowly descending.

Liu Shuyao sat on the bed, her face pale from illness, looking as fragile as a reed ready to topple. A few strands of hair fell messily across her delicate cheeks, and she wore an oversized T-shirt, making her appear even more slender.

Hearing movement at the door, her innocent eyes looked over, resembling a small animal caught in a dilemma.

Xiang Ran stood at the door, the rise and fall of his chest and heavy breathing indicating how hurriedly he had come.

Perhaps he was tired from running, as a cute little kitten band was visible on his wrist, which seemed completely mismatched with him, much like a line of code left on a confession wall.

Or like a pink rabbit warmer tucked in a nerdy backpack.

Leaving traces of oneself on the person you like is such a joyful thing.

From the moment he entered, Liu Shuyao could see only him.

Xiang Ran was oblivious to the emotions stirring in Liu Shuyao.

He hurried to her bedside, anxiously taking in her appearance.

“Did you catch a cold from the mountain wind?”

“It’s my fault for not bringing you a thicker jacket.”

“How do you feel now?”

“Is there anywhere else that hurts?”

Xiang Ran bombarded her with questions, then instinctively raised his hand to check if her forehead was still hot.

Realizing the awkwardness of their situation, he awkwardly lowered his hand and began looking for something else in the room to distract himself.

Every move he made was under Liu Shuyao’s watchful eyes, reminding her of the unanswered questions she had asked earlier.

Xiang Ran felt a lump in his throat.

Previous Chapter Next Chapter