Category: I Don’t Want to Be Reborn With You

Chapter 18: Substitute Player

The shapely doctor at the infirmary, in her white coat and black stockings, wrapped Silly Goose’s foot in a bandage. It was just a sprain, she said, and a month of rest would be enough for a full recovery. Lu Li was a bit curious. Why would this attractive doctor wear a hip-hugging skirt and black stockings to work? Wouldn’t it be distracting for the already restless adolescent boys? Or was that her intention?

After bandaging Silly Goose’s foot, the doctor asked Lu Li if he wanted a checkup too. It would be just behind the curtain. Lu Li shuddered and instinctively refused.

Chu Jingyi lay on the bed, her head covered with the sheet, motionless like a log. After the doctor left, Lu Li asked, “Yi Bao, does your foot still hurt?”

No response. She was playing dead.

“Yi Bao, why aren’t you talking?”

Still no response. She was like an ostrich burying its head in the sand.

“Are you asleep?”

“Asleep…” she mumbled softly.

“How can you talk if you’re asleep?”

Lu Li playfully pressed his hand against the girl’s abdomen through the thin blanket, feeling the warmth of her flat stomach. Chu Jingyi flinched slightly but remained silent, continuing to pretend to be asleep.

His hand wandered across her slender waist, greedily exploring every inch. Silly Goose’s body trembled, and she let out a soft moan.

“Are you awake now?” Lu Li asked.

“No…” she replied through gritted teeth.

Lu Li got up and locked the door to the infirmary, then sat back down beside the bed. His right hand, restless, slipped under the blanket, lifting the thin fabric of her sports top and coming into contact with her delicate skin. It felt incredibly soft and smooth.

It was clear that Silly Goose’s tolerance for intimacy had increased. Since their King’s Game, she wasn’t as shy and reserved around him anymore.

Realizing this, Lu Li became bolder. His hand moved upwards, grazing the edge of her breast, his fingernails even brushing against the fabric of her bra. Jingyi’s figure was surprisingly voluptuous. Slender girls were like that; because of their thin frames, even with ample breasts, they wouldn’t look too busty in clothes.

Silly Goose finally couldn’t take it anymore and threw off the sheet covering her head. “Stop touching me~” Her tone was more coquettish than annoyed.

Lu Li didn’t remove his hand, keeping it pressed against her bra. He grinned. “Awake now?”

“You’re such a bad guy!” Silly Goose lightly punched him. “Everyone will know about our relationship tomorrow… waaaah…”

This silly girl, did she think no one knew about their relationship? To put it bluntly, if you threw a book randomly in the school, it would probably hit a student who knew about the rumors between him, Chu Jingyi, An Baili, and Wen Hupo.

“Okay, okay, don’t be mad. What about your competitions? What are you going to do?”

Silly Goose rolled her eyes at him. “You bad guy, can you at least take your hand out of my shirt?”

How could he? The warmth and softness of her breasts were too tempting. Lu Li put on a pitiful expression. “Come on, let me touch for a bit, considering how worried I was.”

Silly Goose remembered his worried expression earlier, her eyebrows furrowed, beads of sweat on her forehead. She looked so heartbroken. The little girl’s heart softened, touched by his concern. “Just this once… Don’t, don’t lift my bra, you can only touch from the outside…”

Allowed to kiss today, allowed to touch tomorrow, what about the day after tomorrow? Silly Goose, you’re so easy to deceive. Don’t you know men are all wolves in sheep’s clothing? Lu Li felt a pang of guilt. He withdrew his hand. “There will be plenty of opportunities to touch later, no need to rush.” His hand was warm, still carrying the girl’s sweet scent. He wanted to sniff it, but he was afraid Silly Goose would think he was a pervert, so he resisted the urge with great willpower.

“Next time, next time, only after we’re married…” Silly Goose said, then suddenly realized what she had just blurted out and covered her mouth, her face flushed crimson.

Yes, yes, yes, everything you say is right. This was Lu Li’s only thought. Some things… you couldn’t blame King Zhou, you couldn’t blame King You of Zhou, and you certainly couldn’t blame him, Lu Li.

“You still have competitions this afternoon and tomorrow, right?” Lu Li changed the subject, casually putting his arm around Silly Goose.

Silly Goose quickly composed herself and snuggled against him. “I definitely can’t compete now. I’ll have to find someone to replace me. I can forfeit the individual race this afternoon, but not the relay race tomorrow… Lu Li, how about you replace me in the relay race tomorrow?”

Relay race? That was a team event… Wasn’t that the one Wen Hupo signed up for?

With the warm and fragrant jade in his arms, Lu Li couldn’t bring himself to say no. He hummed in agreement, despite his usual aversion to group activities.

Silly Goose gathered her courage and kissed him on the cheek. “This is your reward for participating in the race~”

“If I help our class win the championship, will there be an extra reward?”

“What kind of extra reward do you want?” Her big eyes blinked, her expression adorable.

Lu Li was mesmerized, just staring at her. “Anything you want to give…”

Silly Goose melted under his gaze. A surge of affection overwhelmed her, and she initiated a kiss. Their lips met, but the silly girl didn’t know what to do next. Lu Li gently sucked on her lips, his tongue parting her teeth and finding hers, the sound of their saliva mixing filling the air.

Just as the atmosphere was heating up, there was a knock on the door.

The female doctor’s voice came, “Why is the infirmary door locked?”

Lu Li and Silly Goose quickly separated. Lu Li awkwardly opened the door. He had thought the doctor had gone to the sports field, but she had unexpectedly returned.

“Sorry, I locked the door because I didn’t want anyone to disturb Jingyi’s rest.”

“Oh?” The doctor licked her bright red lips. “You haven’t even wiped off the lipstick mark on your face.”

Lu Li instinctively touched his lips, then realized that she was trying to trick him. Silly Goose never wore lipstick at school. How could there be a lipstick mark?

The doctor chuckled. “Did I interrupt something?”

Lu Li laughed awkwardly. “No, no, not at all. Please take good care of Jingyi. I’ll go back to the sports field…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll guard the door for you. I won’t let any other boys near your little girlfriend.” The doctor laughed heartily, surprisingly straightforward.

Lu Li thanked her and hurried away. Back on the sports field, his mind was still replaying Silly Goose’s passionate kiss. A fire ignited in his lower abdomen. Lu Li wondered if his price was increased libido.

Chapter 17: Unexpected Lingering with Beauty

By mid-April, the temperature in Chuanhai had already risen. Outsiders often said that Chuanhai had no spring or autumn, only summer and winter. The biting cold wind only lingered briefly on the Jinjiang River before disappearing with the flowing water. The athletes’ attire on the sports field was proof of this. Under the bright sun, athletes in shorts and t-shirts were warming up, beads of sweat already forming on their foreheads. Lu Li had heard that in the northern parts of China, people still had to wear cotton-padded jackets and gloves at this time of year.

Chu Jingyi was participating in the high jump. The little girl, with her hair in a ponytail, was warming up, her eyes shining with a fiery light. Silly Goose was an all-around talent. Besides her excellent academic performance, she was also musically gifted and quite athletic. It was just that her other talents were so outstanding that people often overlooked these minor strengths – just like Lu Li. He wasn’t thinking about the high jump at all, just staring at Silly Goose’s delicate face with a silly grin. Why did she look more and more adorable?

Silly Goose had a large fan base among the students. Even before she appeared, boys and girls were holding up banners that read: “Miss Chu Jingyi will win!”

Lu Li and An Baili tried to get closer, but someone in the fan group shouted, “Is that Lu-dog?”

“Ahhh!! Kill Lu-dog!”

“Get him!”

Lu Li was so scared that he ran away, not daring to go near Yi Bao’s fan club again. He hadn’t even done anything to them, had he?

An Baili giggled. “Honey, do you know what the students are calling you now?”

“What?”

“Old dog, Lu-dog, that dog Lu… haha, none of them are nice words.”

Lu Li wiped the sweat from his forehead, lamenting the intensity of teenage jealousy. It was just because he had won the hearts of the beauties. Unlike him, the great and saintly Lu Li, who was unfazed by the ups and downs of life, always calm and collected. These youngsters still had a long way to go…

After watching from the stands for a while, Lu Li felt bored. These student athletes were just amateurs. The high jump competition was especially comical. After the first round, all the first-year high jumpers were eliminated. Soon, it was the second-year high jumpers’ turn. Lu Li spotted Silly Goose among them and couldn’t help but feel nervous. Could Yi Bao really clear the bar? Would she get hurt?

He overheard a few students in front of him whispering, “Who’s that girl in the middle? She’s so pretty.”

“You don’t know her? That’s Chu Jingyi, the former school beauty…”

“I’ve only heard of her, never seen her. I only saw Wen Hupo at the New Year’s Eve party.”

“Don’t get too excited, let me tell you something…”

“What?”

“She’s taken.”

“What?! By who?”

“Lu Li.”

“Which Lu Li?”

“The Lu Li who acted opposite Wen Hupo at the New Year’s Eve party.”

“How dare he!” Lu Li heard the boy slam his fist on the chair angrily. It seemed he had made another enemy for no reason.

The second-year high jumpers were more physically developed and performed better than the first years. After the first round, all the athletes, including Jingyi, cleared the bar. After the bar was raised in the second round, some athletes started getting eliminated, but Silly Goose remained steady. It seemed he didn’t have to worry too much about Yi Bao.

Just as Lu Li was starting to relax, the third round began. Only four athletes remained in the second-year group. This round would probably decide the winner. Chu Jingyi’s biggest weakness was her height. She was the shortest in the group. Although her legs weren’t short, her jumping power was limited. Standing in front of the high bar, Chu Jingyi looked particularly petite.

An Baili muttered, “Maybe Jingyi should just give up. I don’t think she can clear it this round. After all, she’s not a professional athlete…”

Lu Li had the same thought, but he didn’t say anything, just led An Baili closer to the field. Chu Jingyi was the last to jump. She nervously fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her gaze scanning the audience. The moment she saw Lu Li, her anxiety subsided. Silly Goose smiled sweetly and gave him a thumbs-up.

For Chu Jingyi, there wasn’t really anything she had to win. She had never been very ambitious. She just wanted to make her parents proud. Just like this high jump competition, she didn’t really care about winning. But when she heard Wen Hupo’s declaration of victory, a fire ignited in her heart. She felt like she couldn’t be worse than Wen Hupo, at least not in front of Lu Li. If Wen Hupo could do it, she could do it too… She didn’t want to lose to other girls, especially those who liked Lu Li…

With this thought in mind, Chu Jingyi jumped.

The girl’s graceful figure, as she arched backwards, coincided perfectly with the rising sun. The brilliant rays of light seemed to cradle her, the image of a heaven-blessed beauty etched in everyone’s minds.

Heaven might have favored the beauty, but misfortune also lingered.

Lu Li’s face paled with fear. He stepped onto the railing, about to jump down from the stands and rush onto the field.

Chu Jingyi hit the bar and fell awkwardly onto the mat. Her small figure seemed to be swallowed by the soft cushion, and she didn’t get up. Lu Li was the first to react, faster than everyone else by more than a second or two. While everyone else was still stunned, he had already jumped over the barrier, past the judges, and rushed to the mat.

“Jingyi!”

His voice was filled with panic. Only in the face of an accident did he realize how important Chu Jingyi was to him. He would probably never meet another girl like her again, so pure, so kind, so gentle, her heart completely his.

Chu Jingyi lay on the mat, sobbing softly. “Why did you come?… I didn’t want you to see me cry…”

Lu Li breathed a sigh of relief. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“My foot hurts…” she whimpered.

Lu Li saw the teacher from the judging panel approaching and noticed that everyone’s eyes were on them. He decisively lifted Silly Goose onto his back. “Teacher, Chu Jingyi is forfeiting the competition, I’m taking her to the infirmary.” A young judge wanted to say something, but another judge stopped him. They just watched as Lu Li carried Chu Jingyi away from the high jump area.

Chu Jingyi’s face had never been so red, not from embarrassment at failing the high jump, but from being carried away so intimately by Lu Li in front of so many people. She felt like by tomorrow, everyone in the school would know about their relationship… Thinking of this, Silly Goose couldn’t help but whine, “Why did you run in here…”

“I was worried you were hurt.” Lu Li said, panting. “If you were hurt, my heart would bleed. I thought, what would I do if I never saw such a beautiful girl again?”

“Silly… it’s just a sprain, it’s not that serious.” She smiled happily, her cheek pressed against Lu Li’s back, and she secretly kissed his shirt.

Chapter 16: The Opening Ceremony

If he said that he had just practiced table tennis with Wen Hupo all night and nothing else happened, would Chu Jingyi believe him? Yi Bao would definitely believe him, but he wasn’t so sure about An Baili. An Baili would definitely bite him, leaving two faint teeth marks on his little brother.

In fact, An Baili didn’t say or ask anything.

For the next few days, Lu Li would go practice with Wen Hupo after school every day. They practiced table tennis, the three-legged race, and he even taught her some running techniques. At first, Lu Li was filled with impure thoughts, but noticing Wen Hupo’s growing determination, his lust subsided. He had never felt so calm and composed around her. She just wanted to win, and he, as her only male friend, should do his best to help her, shouldn’t he?

Time flew by, and amidst the boisterous noise of the campus, the sports meet began.

The sports meet in the world of teenagers was no less important than the UN elections. Passion, sweat, and muscles were on full display on the green field. The boy who ran the fastest, jumped the highest, and threw the farthest would always attract waves of cheers. Even standing on the sidelines, you could feel the surge of hormones, the deafening cheers drowning out the announcements from the podium – this was the sports meet, a boisterous and exciting world.

Some athletes had been preparing for this event since last year. Their eyes were sharp and fierce, their bodies strong and powerful, looking even more intimidating in contrast to the petite girl leading their team.

“Now approaching us is the team from Class 7 of the second-year science program. Their momentum is like the rising sun, like hungry wolves…” The announcer was reading from a script. Lu Li recognized it as the one An Baili wrote, piecing together random phrases. He didn’t expect the announcer to actually read it out loud.

The first day’s events were mostly individual events, and Wen Hupo had signed up for some of them. Lu Li scanned the field, like an albatross searching the sea, trying to spot that golden figure. An Baili pinched his arm. “Stop looking. Jingyi’s competition is this morning, you should pay more attention to her.” Lu Li smiled awkwardly and tried to say something to An Baili, but his words were drowned out by the waves of cheers.

“Now approaching us are the athletes from Class 1 of the second-year liberal arts program. Look, leading the team is the little princess of Chuanhai, Miss Chu Jingyi…”

So it was Chu Jingyi who elicited such enthusiastic cheers.

Lu Li stood up straight, barely able to see over the heads of the audience in front of him. An Baili tugged at his arm, and Lu Li let her climb onto his shoulders.

“Ah, I see Jingyi!” An Baili shouted excitedly. “She looks so pretty today, so cute in her sports outfit…”

Indeed. Normally, Yi Bao was neatly dressed, dignified and polite, gentle and generous, the perfect image of a virtuous wife and mother. But today, with her hair tied up and wearing a red sports outfit, Silly Goose’s delicate face lost its usual composure, replaced by a youthful and playful charm, like a pretty girl from the middle school next door. She looked incredibly adorable.

Silly Goose’s skin was fair and rosy, practically glowing under the sunlight, a stark contrast to the tanned skin of the athletes behind her. And Chu Jingyi was the most impressive among all the team leaders. The athletes from Class 1 of the second-year liberal arts program surrounded her like stars orbiting the moon, carefully following her every step, afraid of missing the beat. Silly Goose had that kind of leadership in their class.

Lu Li looked at her small, tense face and couldn’t help but smile. He had to find a chance to make Yi Bao wear a sports outfit in private. Her serious and silly look made him want to tease her.

He then thought of Yi Bao’s little white tiger, the soft and delicate flesh still vivid in his mind, so clean and pure. He wondered what it felt like…

At the back of Class 1’s team, a flash of platinum blonde caught everyone’s attention.

The wind blew across Chuanhai, lifting Wen Hupo’s smooth blonde hair, like a silk banner, like the flowing robes of a Greek goddess. She walked at a leisurely pace, an ethereal air about her.

Among the women Lu Li had met, only two had such unique temperaments.

One was Zhu Xi. Beneath her beautiful and cold exterior hid a heart filled with strange passion and deadly poison, like a black wolf hunting its prey. The other was Wen Hupo. Beneath her aloof and ethereal beauty hid a restless and wandering soul, like a lost white dove.

Suddenly, Wen Hupo turned her head, her gaze piercing through the crowd, meeting Lu Li’s for a fleeting moment. It was a strange feeling, among so many people, they could find each other with a single glance, a casual turn of the head, catching the subtle expressions on each other’s faces.

Lu Li’s heart skipped a beat. This feeling again. He had felt it the first time he met Wen Hupo, his heart no longer his own, but captured by this foreign girl with golden hair.

He forced himself to calm down.

Wen Hupo smiled. Lu Li had a feeling that this smile was so faint that no one else could see it, but he was certain she was smiling. She tilted her head and made a “meow” shape with her mouth.

Why “meow”? Why a cat?

Lu Li remembered that rainy night, Wen Hupo holding the kitten and asking him, “Can I keep it?”

“It’s just a stray cat, a homeless little thing, no one wants it.”

“Would you dislike a homeless little cat?” she had countered.

“It’s up to you.”

Stray cats weren’t easy to care for. They were fragile, and because they were separated from their mothers too early, they were still wild and aggressive. Especially during the first few days at a new home, they would meow incessantly at night, disturbing everyone’s sleep.

A thought flashed through Lu Li’s mind, as if he had grasped something.

An Baili snorted. “Hmph, Wen Hupo isn’t that bad. Just a little uglier than me.”

Lu Li chuckled. The little village girl truly had no self-awareness.

The fleeting thought in his mind disappeared because of An Baili’s interruption. He vaguely felt like he had missed something. When he looked at the field again, the team from Class 1 of the second-year liberal arts program was already gone. Both the lovely Jingyi and the blonde princess had left.

“Let’s go, Baili. Let’s go to the high jump area and watch Jingyi’s competition.”

Lu Li patted An Baili’s bottom, signaling for her to get off his shoulders.

An Baili giggled and tugged at Lu Li’s ear, pointing ahead with her other hand. “Let’s go, Lu Li mobile! Beep beep!” Her legs tightened around his neck, her feet dangling playfully.

Chapter 15: The Night Before

Silly Goose’s little tantrum came and went like a breeze. The next morning, the girl was back to her usual warm and affectionate self, chattering about trivial everyday things. She said she had planned to ignore Lu Li for the entire week, but seeing his good behavior, she forgave him. It was so nice to have a girlfriend who was so easy to please. This was Lu Li’s only thought. Chu Jingyi was like a docile little rabbit, even her anger was adorable.

Oh, and there was also Baili.

Silly Goose chattered away on his right, while An Baili clung to his left arm, her face beaming with happiness. The three of them sat on a bench under the osmanthus tree in the botanical garden, a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Lu Li was content with his current life. He had thought about what An Baili said about his and Wen Hupo’s relationship in his past life, and perhaps there were still some lingering regrets, but he had let go now, at least that’s what he thought.

Just then, An Baili interrupted Silly Goose’s chatter. “By the way, have you guys heard?”

“Heard what?”

“These days, after school, Wen Hupo has been practicing table tennis alone on the court, until very late. Even the security guard told her to go home, but she wouldn’t listen.” An Baili’s gaze drifted into the distance. “She wasn’t at the activity classroom this morning either. Maybe she went to practice again. I didn’t expect her to be so invested in this sports meet. I thought someone like her wouldn’t care about anything.”

An image appeared in Lu Li’s mind: under the moonlight, in the quiet campus, Wen Hupo alone, practicing table tennis clumsily, her blonde hair plastered to her forehead with sweat. When the ball flew off the table, she would chase after it, pick it up, and continue practicing, repeating this hundreds of times…

Was it really necessary? Wen Hupo, do you really have to go this far?

“I must win. I must.” He remembered the blonde girl’s determined words.

Chu Jingyi also fell silent, looking at Lu Li thoughtfully.

An Baili said, “As her partner, shouldn’t you help her?”

Baili knew that Lu Li’s first love was Wen Hupo. What was her motive for saying this? An Baili smiled sweetly, and for a moment, Lu Li couldn’t see through her thoughts.

“I already taught her.”

“Is just teaching enough?” An Baili poked Lu Li’s chest with her finger. “Shouldn’t the prince share both the joys and sorrows with the princess?”

She might be a princess, but I’m not a prince. Lu Li wanted to retort, but he heard Chu Jingyi say firmly, “Lu Li, you should help Hupo.”

“What?” Lu Li thought he had misheard.

Silly Goose nodded. “Lu Li, you should help Hupo. If she’s so determined to win at the sports meet, there must be a reason. If there’s anyone who can help her, it’s you, Lu Li. Go help Hupo!”

“But, but, aren’t you jealous?”

“…Of course I’m jealous…” Chu Jingyi’s serious expression softened. “But Wen Hupo only has the three of us as friends. If we don’t help her, she’ll be all alone. If you deliberately keep your distance from Hupo because you’re worried about my feelings, I’ll feel bad.”

Silly Goose’s words made Lu Li speechless.

She held his hand. “The Lu Li I like is a hero who can do anything for those he cares about. He’s loyal and righteous, brave and decisive, not someone who hesitates and overthinks.”

Silly Goose’s words struck Lu Li’s heart like a thunderbolt, shattering his hypocritical ego. Yes, using “I don’t want Jingyi to be jealous” as an excuse to distance himself from Wen Hupo was just that, an excuse. The real reason was his resentment at being rejected.

He had always looked down on others with a sense of superiority, but Wen Hupo’s words had shattered his self-importance. Why? Yes, why should Wen Hupo be able to ask him for favors so casually? To play with his feelings?

Then why should he expect Wen Hupo to like him?

An Baili seemed to sense Lu Li’s wavering heart. She rested her head on his shoulder. “Silly Lu Li, be nicer to girls. They’re very sensitive. Even Wen Hupo, she must have a delicate heart. Don’t treat her like a precocious wise woman… After all, she’s just a seventeen-year-old girl…”

Lu Li took both girls’ hands, one in each of his. After a long silence, he sighed. “I must have saved the galaxy in my past life.”

“You must have wanted to divorce your wife in your past life,” An Baili said with a smile.

Silly Goose asked innocently, “Why would he want a divorce?”

“Because silly Lu Li is greedy~”

After school, Wen Hupo looked at Lu Li’s laptop in the activity classroom. He hadn’t come today. She was getting used to it. These days were no different from her days in America. Waking up alone, eating alone, painting alone, having afternoon tea alone, and then, as the long night descended, lying in bed, waiting anxiously for sleep.

Life was just repeating the same boring day thirty thousand times.

At least, she had something to look forward to now.

Wen Hupo grabbed her table tennis paddle, locked the classroom door, and headed towards the gymnasium. Chuanhai No.1 High School had excellent sports facilities, and the lighting was warm and inviting. The spacious table tennis hall was empty except for the lone figure of the blonde girl. It should have been that way.

Her pupils constricted, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

Lu Li was practicing at a table, bouncing the ball. Seeing Wen Hupo arrive, his expression remained unchanged. “Want to practice together? Practicing alone isn’t very effective.”

“Okay…” Her smile was dazzling. Wen Hupo rarely smiled so brightly, as if all the joy in her heart was pouring out, forming a river of blooming flowers. There weren’t many interesting things in this world, and Lu Li was one of them.

“Focus before you serve, don’t try to hit the net intentionally. Focus on getting the ball over the net consistently first.” Lu Li instructed patiently.

Looking at his serious profile, Wen Hupo blurted out, “Hold my hand and teach me.”

The gymnasium fell silent. Lu Li nodded slightly. “Okay. You need to develop muscle memory, so your mind can focus on other things.”

He stood behind Wen Hupo, very close. He could smell her fragrance, a pleasant scent he couldn’t quite describe, but it was addictive. He remembered Old Chen bragging to him about how Western women were all looks and no substance, their skin rough, their body odor strong. Now he could correct Old Chen. Wen Hupo had none of those flaws.

Lost in thought, Lu Li held Wen Hupo’s small hand. It wasn’t warm, but cool, yet the feeling was indescribably satisfying.

He took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind. “This is how you serve…”

Chapter 14: Before the Games Begin

That day, the usually docile Jingyi suddenly slapped Lu Li, tears welling up in her eyes. After putting her clothes back on, she ran away, crying. Since then, Silly Goose seemed to be angry. She hadn’t spoken a word to him at school, even when Lu Li apologized. The silly girl would just turn her head away haughtily, pretending not to hear him.

Lu Li admitted that he had gone too far, pushing the little lamb too hard.

During PE class that day, the students were practicing on the field, preparing for the spring sports meet next week. Lu Li found a shady spot and squatted down, secretly watching Silly Goose warm up. Chu Jingyi had signed up for the high jump and was now stretching, a look of anticipation on her face. A girl beside her suddenly leaned in and whispered something, then Silly Goose noticed Lu Li squatting in the shade. She raised her head and snorted at him disdainfully.

An Baili was working in the logistics group, her task to write encouraging letters to the athletes. The letters, barely thirty words each, were all copied from the internet. An Baili pouted, holding a pen between her nose and lips, looking around boredly. However, since she was close to Chu Jingyi, no one gave her a hard time.

As Lu Li was observing the scene, the golden-haired angel descended upon him once again.

“Teach me how to play table tennis,” she said.

“You don’t know how to play table tennis?”

“Not really.”

“Then why did you sign up?”

“I heard you’re very good at it.”

Lu Li’s table tennis skills were average, honed from practicing with Sister Yameng. He looked up, squinting against the bright sunlight, and saw Wen Hupo’s breathtakingly beautiful face. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling her face with light and shadow, making her look like a model from a magazine.

“Come on.” Lu Li stood up, grabbed a pair of paddles, and found an empty table with Wen Hupo. “Do you know the rules?”

“I know a little.” She seemed a bit surprised. “I thought you would refuse me again, so as not to upset Jingyi.” Her tone was a mix of teasing and self-pity. Lu Li tried his best not to overthink it. “Why would I do that? That would be too deliberate. We’re still friends, aren’t we?”

His words were actually quite heartless, and Wen Hupo noticed. The corners of her lips drooped slightly. She wasn’t happy.

Wen Hupo’s table tennis skills were at the beginner level, the kind of girl who was holding a paddle for the first time, bouncing the little yellow ball on the table once before serving with her paddle in an awkward grip, like she was flipping a pancake. The ball flew high, not even clearing the net.

You’re completely clueless… How are you going to play doubles like this?

Lu Li picked up the ball. “That won’t do. You have to learn from the basics, from how to hold the paddle.” Wen Hupo’s hand-eye coordination was terrible. Lu Li explained for a long time, but she still couldn’t figure out how to grip the paddle or serve properly. He had no choice but to stand behind her, guiding her hand, showing her how to play.

Wen Hupo suddenly asked, “Have you taught anyone else before?”

“…” Lu Li’s hand paused. “No.”

Wen Hupo hummed in response, her expression unreadable.

By the end of PE class, Wen Hupo had finally learned how to serve, at least she wouldn’t embarrass herself too much at the sports meet.

“Why are you so insistent on this?” Lu Li bought a bottle of mineral water and handed it to Wen Hupo. “You could have just waited for the arts competition in September. Your paintings will definitely be a hit.” That’s what happened in his past life. Wen Hupo rose to fame during the arts competition in the first half of her senior year. Her paintings were even featured in the Chuanhai Daily. Back then, Lu Li could only admire her from afar.

“I want to win a sports competition.” Wen Hupo’s tone was firm. “I have to win. I have to.”

Come on, you barely exercise. You’re as fragile as a flower in early spring, how can you compete with others? Lu Li shook his head.

“Let’s practice the three-legged race then. That’s the only event that requires more teamwork than physical strength. It’s also the event I have the highest chance of winning.” Wen Hupo said.

Lu Li shook his head decisively. “No.” This event required two players to tie their legs together and run. Physical contact was unavoidable. It wasn’t that he was being a gentleman, but he didn’t want to upset the girls who liked him. Girls were always like that, getting upset over trivial things. If you asked them what was wrong, they would shake their heads and say nothing. Then one day, during an argument, they would bring up all those buried grudges. To avoid this situation, Lu Li made the most conservative choice.

The first time he rejected Wen Hupo, he felt conflicted and pained. The second time, he felt relieved. The third time, he was numb. Now, he felt nothing but indifference.

The bell rang for the end of class, and Lu Li left without hesitation, jogging towards Chu Jingyi. He needed to appease his Yi Bao. He couldn’t let his little white tiger run away, could he?

Wen Hupo watched Lu Li’s retreating figure, an inexplicable tightness in her chest. The most cruel thing in the world wasn’t having nothing, but having something and then losing it. Perhaps Lu Li was a scumbag in love, but in friendship, he was a friend unlike any other she had ever had. She didn’t want to lose him.

Lu Li was the one who had smiled at her under the osmanthus tree on the rooftop and asked, “Need any help?” He was also the one who was now avoiding her and rejecting her. Which one was the real him…? Wen Hupo hugged her knees and squatted down by the table tennis table, a bitterness rising in her heart.

Was this… the regret of youth?

“What are you doing? I have to go back to class.” Chu Jingyi glared at Lu Li, who was blocking her way. The other students tactfully avoided them, leaving Silly Goose with no escape route.

“Yi Bao, there’s a new horror movie coming out next month. Want to go to Hengdian to watch it?”

“Who’s Yi Bao? Don’t call me that!” Chu Jingyi pouted, her lips forming a perfect “o.” If it weren’t for the other students around, Lu Li would have kissed her right then and there.

“Okay, okay, I was wrong last time, I didn’t lift my leg on purpose…”

Chu Jingyi’s face flushed crimson. “Don’t even mention it—you pervert—” Her most private place, the place where she peed, had been touched by this pervert! And the most embarrassing thing was that when she changed her underwear that night, she found a faint wet spot. The flustered Silly Goose didn’t dare to ask her mother, so she searched online for “Is it normal to wet your pants at seventeen?” and “Home remedies for urinary incontinence.” Then she realized, did Lu Li also know that she wet herself?

Feeling seven parts embarrassed and three parts annoyed, Silly Goose decided to ignore Lu Li for the next week. Of course, just a week. She wouldn’t be able to stand it for any longer than that.

Seeing the pitiful and innocent look on the boy’s face, Chu Jingyi’s resolve crumbled. She clasped her hands behind her back, her fingers intertwined, her gaze darting around. “Anyway, anyway, I don’t want to talk to you…”

Chapter 13: Punishment or Reward?

The game continued. By now, the girls had only removed a pair of stockings, while Lu Li was down to his boxer briefs. He was in a desperate situation, with no more clothes to remove. He didn’t dare to admire the girls’ beautiful legs anymore and focused on his cards. Hmm, not bad, his hand was decent this time.

Among the three, Silly Goose was the worst card player. Her emotions were transparent, her good or bad hands clearly displayed on her face. Lu Li just had to read her expressions to guess her cards. Gradually mastering this trick, Lu Li went on a winning streak. An Baili was stripped down to her underwear and skirt, her beautiful body freed from the constraints of clothing. Silly Goose was even worse off. Even after counting her little necktie as a piece of clothing, she was also down to her underwear.

Chu Jingyi’s figure was similar to An Baili’s, but she was taller and more slender, her breasts fuller. The girl wore a creamy white bra, her stomach flat, her waist slender. Her youthful body kept drawing Lu Li’s gaze. The two girls, almost naked, sitting side by side, were a feast for the eyes. Lu Li stared for a while, until Silly Goose blushed and stood up. “I’m not playing anymore.”

This game had pushed Silly Goose beyond her limits. It took a lot of determination for her to last this long.

“One last round, one last round.” Lu Li said shamelessly, shuffling the cards. “The final round to decide the winner. After this round, the rain should stop…”

With a girl like Chu Jingyi, if he followed the rules and waited for her to take the initiative, he might never even get to hold her hand. Sometimes, being proactive and breaking the rules could bring unexpected rewards.

As expected, Silly Goose hesitated and sat back down, one arm covering her bra. “Just one last round.”

This final round was different from the previous games. Whoever lost had to take off their last piece of clothing. Humans were good at self-deception. If there was a layer of fabric, it could still be considered swimwear. But if even the fabric was gone, that was a different story.

An Baili had clearly anticipated his thoughts. The development of this game was completely within her control. She deliberately sat close to Chu Jingyi, their arms intertwined, their beautiful bodies a tantalizing display in front of Lu Li. Their arms, their legs, their slender waists—it was a feast for the eyes.

In this final round, Lady Luck didn’t favor anyone. Lu Li’s hand was neither good nor bad, the odds of winning or losing about even. He decisively called “landlord” and took the three extra cards, which actually lowered his chances of winning.

Lu Li played two straights in a row. Silly Goose was clearly getting anxious. She didn’t want to be naked in front of Lu Li. That kind of thing should only happen after marriage. To stop Lu Li, she broke up her good hand and forcefully beat his straight. Unfortunately, An Baili wasn’t much help. She played absentmindedly and mistakenly played a pair of sevens, which Lu Li immediately beat with his pair of twos.

Under Chu Jingyi’s despairing gaze, Lu Li played his last card – a three. This time, it was truly a three. If either of the girls had both jokers, he would have lost. Unfortunately, An Baili had the Big Joker and Chu Jingyi had the Small Joker, and neither of them wanted to play them.

Chu Jingyi looked at her hand of random cards and then at the four cards in An Baili’s hand, her expression pitiful. “Can I not take off my clothes? I, I don’t have anything left to take off.”

An Baili shook her head. “No, we have to follow the rules. But girls shouldn’t just take off their bras, either. How about this, Jingyi and I will put on skirts, and then we just take off our panties. How about that? With skirts on, we won’t be completely exposed in front of Lu Li.”

Skirts without underwear?

Lu Li’s nose twitched, and he silently gave An Baili a thumbs-up.

Sometimes, complete nudity wasn’t beautiful. It was too straightforward, too blunt, lacking a certain subtlety. The Chinese valued implicitness. In this aspect too, partially concealed was more alluring than completely exposed, and going commando under a skirt was even more suggestive.

Chu Jingyi didn’t have such complicated thoughts. She thought An Baili was just being considerate of her and quickly agreed. “Then Lu Li, you have to turn around while Baili and I put on our skirts and take off… that. And you’re not allowed to peek…”

Lu Li turned around and heard the girls’ hushed conversation behind him.

“Baili, do we really have to do this?… Is this really okay…?”

“We’re already Lu Li’s girlfriends, it’s fine, it’s fine.”

A moment later.

“Baili, this feels so strange… My bottom feels cold…”

“Me too…”

Lu Li turned around and saw the two beautiful girls standing there awkwardly. They were only wearing bras, their fair skin exposed, but they had inexplicably put on dark green plaid skirts. Their legs were pressed together tightly, not daring to move.

Even though he couldn’t see anything inappropriate, the knowledge that they weren’t wearing anything under their skirts made his head spin.

Silly Goose pressed the hem of her skirt down and said, her lips pursed, “Are you satisfied now… pervert…” Her tone was a mixture of annoyance and shyness.

Satisfied, very satisfied. Lu Li grinned and took out his phone, opening the app. “There’s one last punishment. Jingyi, you have the most cards, so you get to choose the punishment.”

“Huh?… Another punishment? But I… I…” Silly Goose was flustered.

Lu Li clicked the random button, his expression shifting rapidly. “It’s the same punishment as before, sit on the king’s lap until the next game starts.”

Silly Goose was relieved. What? It was just this simple task? “There’s no next game. Then I’ll just sit for one minute.” When they were alone at school, Lu Li would often hug and cuddle her. Silly Goose was used to it. What was so difficult about sitting on his lap for a minute?

But as she walked towards Lu Li, she suddenly covered her skirt, her face turning red.

Lu Li pressed his thighs together. “Come sit, what’s wrong? Why are you blushing again?”

“…I can’t sit…” she mumbled.

“What?”

She wasn’t wearing any underwear, she couldn’t sit. And Lu Li was also only wearing his underwear. If she sat down, wouldn’t her most private parts be pressed against him? Chu Jingyi shook her head vehemently. “I can’t sit…”

An Baili immediately shouted, “Jingyi is trying to cheat again, she’s trying to cheat again—”

“I’m not cheating…”

Lu Li sighed. “Okay, if Jingyi doesn’t want to, then forget it.”

The two of them, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop, had Chu Jingyi completely trapped. In the end, she could only ask pleadingly, “Can I just sit for thirty seconds? No, twenty seconds?”

“Even ten seconds is fine.” This was the classic tactic of retreating to advance.

As expected, hearing the number “ten,” Chu Jingyi smiled and decisively sat on Lu Li’s lap. Lu Li felt her soft, plump buttocks pressing against his thighs, the delicate mound between them faintly discernible… He instinctively moved his thighs upwards, gently nudging, and felt a wave of tingling warmth. Lu Li suddenly understood something he had never understood before:

It’s the little white tiger.

The next second, he was met with Chu Jingyi’s startled cry and a slap from the seemingly docile Silly Goose.

 

Chapter 12: Punishment or Reward?

The first round of cards ended with Chu Jingyi’s victory. The girl was so happy she was practically dancing, her eyes sparkling with uncontainable joy. “Lu Li, what card were you holding? Why couldn’t you beat anything?”

Lu Li casually tossed the two into the discard pile. “A three.”

Silly Goose wiggled her waist excitedly and said proudly to An Baili, “It’s a good thing I saved the Big Joker, otherwise Lu Li would have won~ Hehe~” Lu Li loved her genuine, unadulterated smile. It was worth losing a card game to see such a smile.

An Baili cheered, “Lu Li, Lu Li, you lost! You have to take off a piece of clothing. You’re the loser this round, you have to obey our command.”

Clothing? He had just taken a shower and was only wearing three items: a t-shirt, shorts, and underwear. Under the two girls’ curious gazes, Lu Li took off his t-shirt, revealing his toned, youthful body. Silly Goose glanced at him, her joy replaced by an indescribable emotion. She shyly turned her head away, stealing glances at him from the corner of her eye.

Could this be the first time this girl has seen a shirtless boy?

A mischievous thought crossed Lu Li’s mind. He casually moved closer to Chu Jingyi, and the lingering scent of his shower gel wafted towards her. Silly Goose became even more well-behaved than she was in class, her eyes fixed on her nose, her nose on her heart.

An Baili picked up her phone and clicked on the “punishment” option. The app randomly generated a task: “Kiss the king’s hand.” It wasn’t too outrageous.

Silly Goose’s hands were beautiful, her fingers slender, her nails neatly trimmed and tinged with a healthy pink. When Lu Li kissed the back of her hand, she trembled slightly and let out a soft whimper. He couldn’t hear what she was saying.

A strange thought suddenly occurred to Lu Li. If his future father-in-law knew he was bullying Jingyi like this, he would probably be exiled to Africa. Should he choose mining or becoming a mercenary?

The second round began. This time, Chu Jingyi called “landlord.” Lu Li didn’t hold back, and his cards were also good. He and An Baili worked together seamlessly, quickly defeating Silly Goose, who was now frowning.

In the end, the little landlord lost with eleven cards in her hand. According to the rules, she had to choose the highest level of punishment. Chu Jingyi pouted and reluctantly took off her socks, revealing her small, white feet. That counted as a piece of clothing, right?

“The punishment is to sit on the king’s lap until the next game ends.”

Chu Jingyi was relieved. That didn’t sound too bad. An Baili was the first to finish her cards this round, making her the king. Silly Goose sat on An Baili’s lap without hesitation, the two beautiful girls looking at each other. “This isn’t so bad…”

Lu Li looked at the two pairs of intertwined legs and silently adjusted his posture. Silly Goose had taken off her stockings, revealing her smooth, slender legs. An Baili was still wearing her stockings, the black stockings accentuating her leg shape, making him want to reach out and touch them. The black and white legs intertwined in front of Lu Li, the scenery beneath their skirts faintly visible, a beautiful sight beyond words.

The third round began. The two girls, sitting together, were hesitant to call “landlord,” so Lu Li ended up being the landlord. Perhaps his luck had run out, but his cards were terrible this round. Card games were like that, skill accounted for only 30%, the remaining 70% depended on luck.

Lu Li still had a chance to turn the tables, but his attention was repeatedly drawn to the two pairs of legs, his gaze wandering between the black and white, and he missed his opportunity. The two girls high-fived, celebrating their victory over the big bad Lu Li. The atmosphere had become more lively by now, and the three of them were more relaxed.

Lu Li took off his shorts, leaving only his boxer briefs. The most awkward thing was that, due to his earlier arousal, there was a noticeable bulge in his pants. An Baili saw it and smiled knowingly, while Silly Goose looked at him curiously.

“What’s the punishment?”

“This time, the punishment is to be the king’s, Jingyi’s, seat cushion with your face~ For at least two minutes~” An Baili read the task with a mischievous grin. Lu Li even suspected that she was making up these punishments.

Well, it’s not like I’m at a disadvantage. Thinking this, Lu Li lay down on the floor, looking like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. “Jingyi, come sit.” Silly Goose gasped and pressed her hands against her skirt. “Sit on your face with my butt? Wouldn’t that be dirty…?”

“No, no, come on, the floor is cold.”

“Okay…” The innocent Jingyi hadn’t realized the implications of this task, or rather, she hadn’t thought about that aspect. But as she cautiously approached Lu Li, she suddenly realized something. “Um, Lu Li, can you turn your head so the back of your head is facing up?” If Lu Li’s face was up, wouldn’t she see his… and even be in direct contact with his…?

An Baili was the first to object. “No, we have to follow the rules strictly. The rules say it has to be your face. We’re all a couple now, there’s no need to be so shy about this kind of task~” An Baili seemed to have a talent for brainwashing.

Lu Li put on a brave face. “Come on! I can handle it!”

Chu Jingyi blushed. “How about we change the punishment?”

“No, no, Jingyi is trying to cheat, Jingyi is trying to cheat—” An Baili shouted, as if announcing it to the world.

Silly Goose gritted her teeth. “Close your eyes, and don’t open them.” Lu Li obediently closed his eyes, and the next second, he felt a warmth and the touch of fabric on his face. The fabric was warm, and he could feel the soft flesh beneath it. And a faint fragrance.

Lu Li moved his lips, wanting to say something, but suddenly felt Jingyi’s thighs clamping down on his head. “Don’t talk… Don’t move your mouth…” The girl’s face was burning hot. She felt like she might have gotten carried away, actually agreeing to this kind of punishment.

Lu Li let out a muffled “mm-hmm” and used his skin to explore the contours of the girl’s body. His tongue darted out slightly, startling Chu Jingyi, who quickly stood up. “Wh-what are you doing?!”

Lu Li felt that wonderful warmth leave his face and opened his eyes with a hint of regret. “My lips were a bit dry, I wanted to lick them.” Just now, for a moment, he had lost his mind. He could clearly feel the outline of her “butterfly” with his nose, a delicate line, a clean and smooth line. He couldn’t resist the urge to touch it with his tongue.

“I don’t want to sit anymore,” Chu Jingyi said angrily.

Lu Li quickly agreed, afraid of making Silly Goose storm out. He glanced at An Baili, who was looking down at him. Lu Li followed her gaze and coughed lightly, discreetly adjusting his now evident arousal while Silly Goose wasn’t looking.

“Pervert…” An Baili whispered.

“Can a scholar’s actions be called ‘perverted’?”

Chapter 11: King’s Game

Lu Li ended up running to the bus stop alone in the rain. Chu Jingyi was the first to see him. She hurried over, stood on tiptoe, and held the umbrella over his head. “Oh, why didn’t you bring an umbrella?” An Baili also asked anxiously, “Where’s your umbrella?”

“I ran into Wen Hupo, and she lost her umbrella, so I gave her mine.” Lu Li didn’t lie, answering truthfully. “Wen Hupo looks like she doesn’t exercise much. I couldn’t just let her walk home in the rain, could I?”

“Hmph, as if that young miss would have trouble getting home. She could just call a car.” An Baili pointed out the obvious, and Lu Li paused, realizing she was right. He had been overthinking, his mind too clouded by complicated thoughts.

After saying this, An Baili also realized her words might have been a bit insensitive, as Chu Jingyi was also a “young miss” who could call a car at any time. She was going to the low-rent district with them today, planning to visit their home, and was waiting for the bus with them. Silly Goose had left her keys in the classroom, and Lu Li had gone back to retrieve them.

Chu Jingyi quickly took out her phone. “Let me call a car. We can’t let Lu Li catch a cold.” Chu Jingyi usually took the subway. She wasn’t one to flaunt her privilege, this simple girl acting as if her privilege didn’t exist if she didn’t use it.

Lu Li didn’t object. He was very susceptible to the cold.

After arriving at the low-rent district, An Baili quickly unlocked the door to Lu Li’s apartment. “There should still be hot water, go take a shower quickly.” Lu Li agreed and nodded at Chu Jingyi. “Jingyi, make yourself comfortable. Don’t mind our humble abode.”

“Of course not…” Chu Jingyi shook her head quickly, afraid that Lu Li would misunderstand.

After Lu Li took his clothes and went to the bathroom, the sound of running water soon followed. Chu Jingyi turned to An Baili with a puzzled look. “Baili, why do you have a key to Lu Li’s apartment?”

“Huh?” An Baili was caught off guard. What should she say? She couldn’t possibly tell Jingyi that she snuck over every night and fooled around with Lu Li in his bed. Why was Jingyi so perceptive at a time like this?

“Baili?”

An Baili said evasively, “It’s a spare key from Sister Zou Yameng. She gave it to me in case of emergencies. You know, the low-rent district isn’t as safe as your neighborhood. There are thieves at night.”

What thieves? The petty thieves in this area had long been tamed by Zou Yameng. They wouldn’t dare to steal anything from here. The older ones had all left to find work elsewhere. The only ones left were spineless cowards.

“Oh, oh.” Chu Jingyi seemed to accept this explanation and didn’t probe further. An Baili breathed a sigh of relief, reminding herself to be more careful in front of Jingyi. It took a lot of effort for Jingyi to finally accept their three-way relationship, and she couldn’t let her efforts go to waste, or Lu Li would hate her.

“Does Lu Li usually have any hobbies?” Chu Jingyi looked at the sparsely furnished apartment. There was a notebook on the table, the one she had given to Lu Li for his birthday.

Yes, his hobby is what we do in bed. This thought popped into An Baili’s mind, and she blushed. “Jingyi, let’s play a game later! The one we saw on our phones earlier…”

“The King’s Game?” Chu Jingyi was also interested, taking out her phone excitedly. “Okay, okay! The last time I played a game was during the Chinese New Year holiday, Landlord with everyone…”

She opened the King’s Game app and asked, “Which theme should we choose? There are themes for friends, close friends, best friends, couples…”

“Couples, of course. It’s just the three of us, so no one will be at a disadvantage.” An Baili had a plan.

Silly Goose clicked on the “Couples” theme. After reading for a while, her face flushed crimson, steam practically rising from her head. She stammered, “Isn’t this a bit… too much…?”

Just then, Lu Li came out of the bathroom, freshly showered and changed. He was drying his hair with a towel as he walked towards them. “What’s too much? Baili, are you corrupting Jingyi again?”

“Lu Li, Lu Li, come here, come sit, let’s play the King’s Game.”

“How can we play with just three people? Let’s play Landlord instead.” Lu Li said, sitting down between the two girls.

“We’ll combine it with Landlord. The winner becomes the king and can give orders to the other two.” An Baili clearly came prepared.

“Jingyi, what do you think?” Chu Jingyi was the guest after all, so Lu Li decided to hear her opinion.

“I, I’m fine with anything.” Silly Goose’s face was still red.

“I’ll add another rule. The loser, besides obeying the king’s orders, has to take off a piece of clothing. How about that?” An Baili said. “Otherwise, it’s too boring.”

Lu Li’s eyelid twitched. An Baili, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?

Before Silly Goose could object, An Baili took out a brand new deck of cards from her bag. She really did come prepared. Lu Li felt a strange sense of anticipation. To be honest, he hadn’t had any truly intimate moments with Silly Goose, mostly because he felt protective of her.

Men, when it came to women, often jumped from a kiss to thoughts of sex, their desires ultimately driven by lust. Women, on the other hand, often held overly high expectations for men, thinking that they had some noble intentions, that sex wasn’t their ultimate goal.

It was like the classic question: Can men and women be just friends? The answers from men and women were probably completely different.

For Lu Li, the answer was obviously no. Silly Goose had fallen for his trap, allowing him to get closer and closer under the guise of friendship.

Lu Li remained silent about An Baili’s clearly manipulative suggestion. Seeing that he didn’t object, Silly Goose blushed and acquiesced.

An Baili dealt the cards, starting the first game.

Lu Li was clearly a better card player than the two girls. He called “landlord” and quickly declared victory, only one pair of twos left in his hand. As long as he played this pair, An Baili and Chu Jingyi would not only have to remove a piece of clothing, but also obey the “king’s” command.

Silly Goose was visibly nervous, her toes fidgeting, her teeth gently biting her lower lip, her blush deepening. She nervously watched Lu Li’s hand, afraid that he would play the pair.

Lu Li hesitated for a moment, then played a single two.

Silly Goose breathed a sigh of relief. Overjoyed, before An Baili could even react, she quickly slammed her hand on the table. “Big Joker! Big Joker! My Big Joker is the biggest!”

Silly girl, even if you played a three, I would say it’s the biggest.

Lu Li sighed and said, “Pass.”

Chapter 10: Melancholy in the Rain

Lu Li liked cats. They were beautiful, elegant, and aloof. The little kitten in his arms hadn’t even opened its eyes yet, its meows heartbreaking. He tilted the umbrella, shielding the tiny creature from the cold wind and rain. After a while, Wen Hupo’s voice came again, “I warmed some goat milk at the convenience store, is that okay?”

Lu Li raised the umbrella slightly, peeking out with one eye. “Where’s your umbrella?”

Wen Hupo’s usually smooth and flowing blonde hair was now plastered to her face and clothes. Her dark green school uniform was also clinging to her body due to the dampness, making her look less put-together than usual.

“I forgot it at the store.” Wen Hupo handed him a plastic cup of warm goat milk. Lu Li saw raindrops dripping from her delicate, white wrists, the pitter-patter like the melody of a piano.

Lu Li took the cup and sighed. “Let’s go back to the activity classroom first. You’ll catch a cold dressed like that. I’ll get you a new uniform from the logistics office.”

“…Okay.”

Back in the activity classroom, the kitten’s meows grew weaker. Lu Li asked Wen Hupo to take care of it while he went to the logistics office to get a new uniform. When he returned to the classroom, he saw Wen Hupo carefully holding the kitten, her movements stiff and awkward as she tried to feed it. A puddle of rainwater had formed on the floor beneath her seat.

“Achoo—” She sneezed.

Lu Li tossed her a new towel he had grabbed from the logistics office. “Dry your hair. I’ll feed the kitten.”

Wen Hupo nodded and started rubbing her hair haphazardly with the towel. Lu Li watched her movements and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Have you never washed your own hair before? You don’t even know how to dry it properly?” Wen Hupo’s face was pale from the cold, the blush on her cheeks even more noticeable. “I always have the maids do it, it’s difficult to manage my hair by myself…” “Then why do you keep it so long?” “It would be a pity to cut it, wouldn’t it?”

The kitten, after finishing the goat milk, fell asleep peacefully. Lu Li placed it in a drawer and then turned to Wen Hupo. “Let me dry your hair for you. You’ve been rubbing it for a while, but the roots are still wet. You’ll catch a cold tomorrow.” He was calmer now than he was in the morning. After all, Wen Hupo was innocent. He was just being unreasonable due to his disappointment. Wen Hupo had always been like this, she had never changed, she had never loved anyone. Why did he think she would make an exception for him?

“Are you still angry?”

“…Why would I be angry?”

“You were clearly angry this morning.”

Lu Li took the towel and carefully dried Wen Hupo’s hair. He often dried Sister Yameng’s hair because she didn’t like using a hairdryer.

“I wasn’t angry.”

“You’re lying,” Wen Hupo said. “Lu Li, I don’t understand. Why were you angry? Did I say something wrong?”

No, you didn’t say anything wrong. Lu Li’s hand paused slightly. He suddenly thought of a phrase: fated to meet, not fated to be together. He and Wen Hupo were definitely fated to meet, they always seemed to find each other, but there was a thin layer of glass between them, visible but untouchable.

Wen Hupo thought of what An Baili had said to her. After hesitating for a long time, she finally asked, “Lu Li, do you really like me?”

What was this? A second interrogation? Couldn’t she tell if he liked her or not? Lu Li chuckled. “Not anymore.”

To be precise, he used to, but he had let go now. Letting go was a swift process, it could happen in a single day. He had spent many nights pondering the meaning behind Wen Hupo holding his hand, even dreaming about them being together. When he woke up the next day, he would linger on the dream like a lovesick teenager.

Hearing Lu Li’s answer, Wen Hupo secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but she felt an inexplicable sense of loss.

Lu Li tossed the towel aside and walked towards the door. “You can change behind the door, I’ll keep watch for you outside.”

Wen Hupo’s clothes were soaked, she couldn’t go home like this. Lu Li closed the classroom door and could faintly hear Wen Hupo walking behind the door, followed by the rustling sound of her changing clothes.

“Lu Li…”

“Yes?”

“I apologize. Can you stop being angry? Can we go back to how we were before?” Wen Hupo’s voice was hesitant, lacking its usual crispness. “Like before, the three of you chatting and laughing, and me listening quietly behind you. Is that okay?” She regretted it. She no longer wanted to pursue a perfect memory. The more she pursued perfection, the more she felt its absence.

“Miss Wen Hupo, you don’t have to apologize…” There was only a door between them. The girl behind the door was probably half-dressed. “We’re still friends.” Yes, they were still friends, but he would no longer instinctively try to please her or obey her like before.

“…Really…?” Wen Hupo’s voice became even more hesitant, each word weighing a thousand pounds. “Why do I feel like something has changed…?”

Lu Li didn’t respond. Wen Hupo finished changing, came out holding the kitten, and said, “Let’s go, they lock the school gates at eight.”

Lu Li noticed that the fabric of Wen Hupo’s shirt was much looser than usual. Her underwear must have been wet too. Wasn’t she wearing a bra?

Wen Hupo seemed to be particularly fond of the kitten. “I want to take it home and raise it. I think we’re quite similar.”

“I don’t think so,” Lu Li said bluntly.

“We’re both homeless animals. Only it’s luckier, you found it. If I had found it, it would have probably starved or frozen to death.” Wen Hupo gently rubbed the kitten’s paws.

“How are you homeless? The bathroom in your villa is bigger than my entire apartment.”

“That’s not my home.”

“Then where’s your home? America?”

“Not there either.” Wen Hupo lowered her head.

“Lu Li.” She suddenly called out his name. “If I were to become homeless one day, cold and hungry, what should I do?”

Lu Li gave her a strange look. Wen Hupo would never be homeless. Was this another one of her melodramatic fantasies?

“Just find a place to squat and wait for someone to pick you up.” Lu Li said casually. “Someone will always take care of you.”

“…” Wen Hupo fell silent, not saying anything more.

When they reached the school gate, Lu Li gave his umbrella to Wen Hupo.

“We can share,” Wen Hupo said. “If we stand close together, one umbrella is enough.”

“I’m afraid Jingyi would misunderstand.” This was Lu Li’s only explanation. Wen Hupo opened her mouth, a strange feeling in her heart. It seemed their relationship could never go back to how it was before.

The rain kept falling. And so did the blonde girl’s melancholy.

Chapter 9: Homeless Cat

“Jingyi, why did you help her?”

After school, Lu Li, An Baili, and Chu Jingyi were strolling on the playground. An Baili looked incredulous. “Jingyi, Wen Hupo is clearly trying to steal our man, why did you help her drag Lu Li into this?”

Chu Jingyi said aggrieved, “I’m sorry, I just thought Miss Wen Hupo looked so pitiful. She kept calling Lu Li’s name, but he ignored her. Everyone was watching. I’ve never seen her so embarrassed.”

“Okay, don’t blame Jingyi. I agreed to it, it has nothing to do with her.” Lu Li pinched An Baili’s earlobe, pulling the agitated girl closer. “Don’t take it out on Jingyi. If you’re mad, be mad at me.”

An Baili glared at him. “You too! Wen Hupo just called your name a couple of times, and you caved? Do you still have feelings for her?”

Feelings? It would be a lie to say he didn’t, but the main reason he agreed was because of Chu Jingyi.

He took both girls’ warm hands, swinging them gently, and said, “I’m already content with you two and my sister.”

An Baili grumbled, “When is Zou Yameng coming back?”

“I don’t know, maybe during the Chinese New Year holiday.” Sister Yameng chatted with him every Sunday, mostly about her training routine. The second team had strict rules, and they only had one day a week to use their phones. She wasn’t sure if they would have any long holidays this year.

An Baili whispered, “Let’s see how you explain Zou Yameng to Jingyi then.”

I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Lu Li chuckled dryly, not knowing how to answer.

As the three of them strolled and chatted, a figure appeared in the distance, a figure who once occupied Lu Li’s every thought, but now he desperately wanted to avoid. Did she always appear like a ghost? Suddenly appearing, then silently disappearing.

Wen Hupo smiled, a fake smile. “Are you preparing for the sports meet? Want to practice the three-legged race and table tennis? I heard you’re very good at table tennis, Lu Li.”

Usually, it was Lu Li who went to the activity classroom to find Wen Hupo. She never sought out others, except for today.

“Maybe next time… I still have to analyze the game data. Oh, and I’ll get your payment for the artwork to you as soon as possible. Is Chinese currency okay?” Lu Li adopted a business-like tone.

“Then… okay. I don’t really need the payment… By the way, are we going to the activity classroom for club activities today?” This was the first time Wen Hupo used “we.” She was trying to integrate herself into their little group.

What are you doing… Lu Li shook his head slightly. He didn’t understand Wen Hupo’s obsession. Why did she have to target him? Didn’t she know that this was selfish and cruel to a man who once loved her? Was it out of some condescending guilt? Was she trying to bestow her pity upon him?

You were the one who said you weren’t interested. Now you’re trying to get close. You were the one who was always aloof and impassive. Now you’re forcing a smile.

Wen Hupo, are you still the same calm and rational person? Do you even know what you’re doing?

“Then… then we’ll be going. Bye, Miss Hupo…” Seeing Lu Li and An Baili turn to leave, Chu Jingyi, ever the kindest, said goodbye politely to Wen Hupo, then ran to catch up with them. “Wait for me! Can I go to your place today?”

Wen Hupo stared blankly at their retreating figures, feeling like she had lost something precious. She suddenly remembered those ordinary days in the activity classroom, silently watching the three of them bicker and laugh. Those days were gone now. A wave of frustration washed over her, but she didn’t know where it came from.

She walked back to the activity classroom alone, not in a hurry to pack her bag. She sat in front of her canvas, looking at the vibrant colors on the rough surface. Usually at this time, Lu Li would come to the activity classroom after school and chat with her about painting. Sometimes, they would engage in wild flights of fancy, discussing the past and future of humanity. It was the highlight of her day.

But the clock struck six, the sky turning a dusky orange, and Lu Li still hadn’t appeared. He was with the other girls, perhaps talking about the same topics they discussed, perhaps telling them the same jokes he told her, or perhaps…

She stared at her left hand, remembering the day at the amusement park. Why did she hold Lu Li’s hand that day?

She had always thought the world was boring, that life held no more secrets for her. Now she realized that she had never even understood herself, let alone others.

6:30 p.m. It started raining in Chuanhai. A light drizzle, the sky dark and gloomy, the world seemingly without hope. Wen Hupo held an umbrella, choosing to walk instead of calling a car, her pristine leather shoes stepping on the wet asphalt for the first time.

The rain in Chuanhai was melancholic and poetic, a bit sticky, a bit lonely. A perfect match for her.

Almost all the students of Chuanhai No. 1 High School were gone.

As she was about to leave, she heard a faint meowing sound coming from the flowerbed. A figure with an umbrella reacted even faster than her, rushing through the rain and squatting down by the flowerbed, carefully pulling out a small kitten.

“Meow…” A tiny kitten, the size of a hand, with mottled fur, a common stray cat in Chuanhai.

The figure gently stroked the kitten’s head, holding it close, then stood up and came face to face with Wen Hupo.

“Lu Li…” Wen Hupo smiled instinctively. “You… you haven’t gone home yet?”

Lu Li held the kitten under his umbrella. “Jingyi forgot her keys in the classroom. I came back to get them for her.”

Wen Hupo felt a pang of disappointment. She had thought he came looking for her.

“What kind of cat is that?” She started making small talk. “Let’s walk together for a bit. You won’t refuse this time, right?”

Lu Li’s expression remained unchanged as he gave a noncommittal hum. “It’s just an ordinary stray cat. A poor, homeless little thing.”

“There are stray cats in Chuanhai too? Where’s its mother?”

“Maybe it was killed by the security guards, or chased away, or maybe it just got lost.” Lu Li said. “That’s the fate of a stray cat.” As if understanding his words, the kitten in his arms let out a weak meow.

“It’s cold and hungry. We need to find some goat milk for it.” Lu Li’s attention was completely focused on the kitten.

“Do you often take care of stray cats?”

“…No, not often, just occasionally.” Talking about stray cats brought back some unpleasant memories. “And not just cats, I’ve taken care of stray dogs too. At first, I would take them in, but then I realized I couldn’t take care of them properly.”

“And then?”

“Then I could only give them away. Sometimes, I could only ignore them.” Lu Li thought of the first dog he ever had.

The rain pattered softly. Wen Hupo suddenly saw a light in the distance, breaking through the rain and fog. “There’s a supermarket ahead, I’ll go buy some goat milk powder for it.” Without waiting for Lu Li’s reply, she ran towards the supermarket, her leather shoes getting soaked in the rain.