Chapter 646 - Or else What (1/2)

Xiao Luo and Huang Ruoran walked across the tranquil lawn, neither saying a word. Huang Ruoran was feeling a little nervous as she had never been on a one-on-one date with a man before. Huang Ruoran appeared demure as she swung her hands back and forth. Her cheeks were blushing, and she felt self-conscious and giddy at the same time. It was the complete opposite from her usual image as a class monitor.

“How long will you guys be here?” Xiao Luo asked, breaking the awkward silence.

“I think we will be here for about two weeks,” Huang Ruoran said in almost a whisper.

“So, you are here on an exchange program with the Hua major students?” Xiao Luo asked.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Huang Ruoran replied with a gentle nod, as the light from a street lamp revealed the exquisite, natural beauty of her face, untainted with makeup.

Xiao Luo laughed and said, “That’s great. You can increase your knowledge and understanding of the Mei culture and improve your English at the same time.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Huang Ruoran plucked up her courage and raised her head to look at Xiao Luo. “What about you? Are you in the Mei Nation for a vacation?” she asked.

Xiao Luo chuckled and said, “Why else would I be here?”

“I thought you might be here on a business trip,” Huang Ruoran replied.

Xiao Luo merely laughed without responding to her question.

Soon, they reached the main road after walking through the lawn. Huang Ruoran felt like they were a couple taking a stroll through the university grounds. Her cheeks were burning, and her heart was thumping rather rapidly. She was giddy with excitement.

Suddenly, Xiao Luo stopped to look at the crescent moon in the night sky. Then he said, “It is getting late, and it is time for me to go. You should head back as well, Wang Ling is still waiting for you.”

“So soon? I want to walk with you a little more,” Huang Ruoran said, her voice trailing off toward the end of her sentence with a hint of disappointment.

Xiao Luo heard what she had said. Even though Huang Ruoran had not made it too obvious, he knew that he had to put a stop to those lingering feelings of hers. “My wife is waiting for me at the hotel. She is alone, and I am afraid something might happen to her,” he replied.

That statement was false, but it was effective.

What?

Her face immediately changed. Wife? Xiao Luo had married?

In disbelief, Huang Ruoran asked, “You… You are already married?”

Xiao Luo nodded his head firmly and said, “Yes.”

Huang Ruoran lowered her head after Xiao Luo confirmed his marital status. No matter how hard she tried, she could not wipe away the disappointment that washed over her face. It was a tremendous blow to her heart, and she was feeling lost and bewildered. “Why did you suddenly get married?” she asked.

Xiao Luo looked at her steadily for a while. Then he laughed lightheartedly and replied, “I do not think it is that strange to get married at my age.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Huang Ruoran lowered her head again. She forced herself to smile before raising her head once more. “Xiao Luo, congratulations!” she said, holding back some unshed tears.

She could not hide the sad look in her eyes. Just like that, Xiao Luo had crushed her dream of being together with him. Her feelings for him were so strong that it felt like a breakup and the unshed tears threatened to roll down her face.

“Thank you,” Xiao Luo replied in a gentle tone.

It had been unpleasant, but some things in life were better resolved early before they got out of hand. Otherwise, such matters could create unnecessary conflicts. He did not think that he would meet up with anyone from Huaye again. But the world had become so small that one would invariably bump into friends from the past when they least expected it.

“Alright, it is time for me to go. Goodbye,” Xiao Luo said, then he smiled and turned around to leave.

“Xiao…”