Chapter 9 (2/2)

Her instincts told her that she was being followed. Yun Jin looked back to see Cheng Zheng with his sling bag walking a few paces behind. Seeing that she had discovered his presence, he walked up alongside her.

“It’s late. A girl shouldn’t be walking alone at this hour.” He kicked a small pebble in his path.

“There’s nothing to fear. See everyone’s still out and about. Has your good friend finished recounting his exciting story?” The moment the words escaped Yun Jin’s lips, she regretted it. What had that got to do with her?

Cheng Zheng looked at her wide-eyed. “Oh… That… You know too?”

Yun Jin did not reply.

“So you’re unhappy over this sort of thing?” He asked doubtfully.

Yun Jin mulled it over and said self-derisively “I have no right to be unhappy over ‘this sort of thing’. ‘This sort of thing’ is just a huge joke to the likes of you… He has the right not to accept her, but why must he treat the matter so flippantly?”

She was seldom so piercing with her words and usually refrained from revealing her innermost thoughts. Just that on this particular night, it felt like her heart was choked up and if she didn’t spill, she could scarcely bear it.

Cheng Zheng paused before he rushed ahead and blocked her path. He glanced down at her “Zi Yi is not a bad person. Regarding tonight, he’s just too shocked. But Su Yun Jin, I never knew you could feel unjustified for others. I am surprised.” He laughed “Aren’t you doing the same with my feelings? But who will speak up for me?”

He was very much taller than her and Yun Jin felt that his voice was coming from his chest. Somewhere, his words were resounding in her heart, and she did not have the heart to reject him cruelly.

“For my university application, I will be applying for Q University. That is, if nothing goes awry. So I should be moving to Beijing once summer vacation is over. Yun Jin, come with me.” He may have spoken calmly but anyone could sense his hope and desperation as he staked everything on this one plea.

He searched her face for any sort of reaction. After some time, Yun Jin raised her gaze wearing a radiant smile that Cheng Zheng had never seen before. She didn’t reply but unexpectedly, she tiptoed and kissed him softly on the lips.

Cheng Zheng’s world burst into fireworks. The busy hive of activity, the endless stream of cars and pedestrians all faded into the backdrop, all because of that one kiss.

“Cheng Zheng, this I return to you.” Before Cheng Zheng could fully react, Yun Jin had already walked some distance away.

“Don’t follow me anymore.” she tossed back.

Cheng Zheng stared at her retreating back till he could see her no longer. He stood very still as though unwilling to break his trance. However, other people had a firmer grip on reality than he. When he was no longer in view, Yun Jin turned in his direction and said softly “Goodbye Cheng Zheng.”

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