Chapter 32: Is This the Feeling of Love?

Several bars had opened on the third floor, and late at night, it was a paradise for drinkers. These men had come out to enjoy themselves, and it was only now, at this hour, that their night was ending. Unexpectedly, as they entered the elevator, they encountered a girl with pure, sweet looks. Their previously hazy eyes suddenly sharpened.

Malicious gazes swept up and down her body, as if she were a commodity in a shop window, being appraised with a nasty sort of amusement.

Lu Qingyue felt uneasy under such scrutiny, shrinking instinctively. But behind her was the cold elevator cabin—there was nowhere left to retreat.

In that moment of helplessness, a strong arm suddenly reached out, grasped her wrist, and pulled her close.

Her nose brushed just past the fabric of his shirt; that familiar scent of sea salt mingled with a faint whiff of tobacco invaded her senses.

Before she could react, she found herself shielded by his solid, powerful arm, protected between the elevator wall and his chest.

To prevent her from being ogled again, his hand hovered protectively over her cheek and gently turned her head away.

Those drunken men, seeing such a tall, lean man by her side, realized she was spoken for and ceased their leering, turning back to their crude banter.

Noisy voices filled the air, mixed with the pungent odor of alcohol in the cramped elevator, making her feel nauseous.

Yet the sturdy wall of his chest isolated her from the filth, and all she could see was his figure alone.

When the elevator reached the first floor, Lu Qingyue was about to step out when her wrist was gently held through her sleeve.

This time, he didn’t concern himself with whether it was appropriate; his broad, slender hand clasped her wrist without hesitation, leading her through the crowd like any ordinary couple.

His grip wasn’t tight; his fingers hung loosely, occasionally brushing the soft flesh of her palm.

Being led by him, Lu Qingyue suddenly felt that fleeting, heart-fluttering sensation again.

Even if she had been slow to react before, now she noticed the irregular thumping of her heart.

When Xiao Qingrong grabbed her by the sleeve, her instinctive reaction was disgust, wanting to break free immediately.

But being held by Cheng Xingye, her heart felt as if it were tickled softly by a feather—itchy and numb, with no sense of rejection. Instead, she wanted to get even closer to him.

Is this what it feels like to be moved?

Lu Qingyue wasn’t sure.

After all, Cheng Xingye perfectly fit her aesthetic preferences, but was she really someone who judged by appearances?

Besides, he was six years older than her!

To feel something for a man who could almost be considered an elder—it sounded vaguely immoral.

So on the way home from the mall, Lu Qingyue remained in a muddled state.

Until she reached her doorstep.

Lu Yi, who claimed he would no longer play big brother, seemed to have gone to bed early, leaving only a wall lamp glowing softly in the entrance.

Lu Qingyue returned the coat she’d carried all the way, instantly restraining the playful manner she’d shown in the theater, and thanked him respectfully,

“Xingye, thank you for tonight.”

Cheng Xingye responded with a quiet “Mm,” raised his hand to smooth her stray bangs, and reminded her,

“Don’t argue with your brother when you get back. He’s just got a sharp tongue, but he really cares about you.”

Lu Qingyue nodded, murmuring,

“I know. He’s exactly like my dad.”

She’d lived in this house for sixteen years, witnessing nearly every quarrel between her parents.

Lu Jiachen had been a prodigy in his youth, life always smooth, which fostered a sharp tongue and a sly demeanor. Even after marriage and children, he still enjoyed teasing his wife and kids.

Fortunately, her mother, Xi Yu, was broad-minded. If annoyed, she’d retort, but most of the time she didn’t take him seriously.

The two Lu children inherited traits from their parents: one was sharp-tongued like their father, the other straightforward like their mother.

Though they had bickered since childhood, nothing serious ever came of it.

Having safely delivered her home, Cheng Xingye had no further excuse to linger.

He stood at the foot of the steps, watching her unlock the door with her fingerprint. Before entering, she turned and waved at him.

The cool moonlight fell upon her, but seemed to absorb her warmth, becoming gentle and soft.

Suppressing the itch in his throat, Cheng Xingye feigned calm as he turned to leave. Once in his car, he reached for the pack of cigarettes on the console.

But then he remembered how the girl had frowned lightly when she was close to him tonight, as if she disliked the smell of smoke.

Damn.

Not even allowed to smoke?

Having completely run out of options, Cheng Xingye tossed the cigarette pack back onto the console in frustration.

He glanced up when the lights came on in the second-floor bedroom.

The window was draped with pale purple curtains, faintly glowing with warm yellow light. Inside, a slender figure could be seen.

That small figure paced back and forth, probably busy with her nighttime routine, and the light finally went out after half an hour.

Only when the room was completely dark did Cheng Xingye press the accelerator and leave the neighborhood.

...

After the weekend, the atmosphere in the classroom was noticeably different.

Normally, the half hour before morning reading was when the homework copycats raced against time.

But today, just as Lu Qingyue entered the classroom, she found everyone gathered in the middle, chatting about something with faces full of gossip and excitement.

Upon seeing her, someone nudged a companion’s arm, prompting everyone to stop talking.

Those clustered together glanced back, then dispersed like slippery fish, each returning to their own seat.

Just as Lu Qingyue sat down, Zhou Tingting leaned over and whispered to her,

“Xiao Qingrong came looking for you again just now!”

Lu Qingyue responded with a sound of mild surprise, but wasn’t really taken aback. Seeing everyone busy copying homework, she asked in a low voice,

“Did he say why he was looking for me?”

Zhou Tingting replied, “He didn’t, but obviously he hasn’t given up on you. Otherwise, who would keep chasing after someone after being rejected?”

Hu Qiuyue, sitting in front, secretly turned around with her phone, murmuring,

“I heard from Class Two that he failed to confess last time, so he’s planning a surprise for you this week! If you’re afraid of being pestered, you’d better avoid him as much as possible…”

Lu Qingyue was quite surprised. After the things her brother said that night, Xiao Qingrong still hadn’t given up—if only he applied such determination to studying, he wouldn’t have to worry about getting into Tsinghua or Peking University.

She was just wondering how to avoid him when some boys from Class Two passed by outside. Seeing her at her desk, they whistled teasingly and called out,

“Sister-in-law—”

Sister-in-law, my ass!

Lu Qingyue was suddenly overwhelmed with disgust and jumped up, ready to chase after them and set things straight.

Zhou Tingting quickly grabbed her, “Forget it! If you argue with people like that, you’ll only end up at a disadvantage. Just avoid them if you can!”

Lu Qingyue was indignant,

“They disgust me, and I can’t fight back?”

Zhou Tingting said, “If you get sick stepping in dog poop on the street, does that mean you need to stomp it into pieces?”

Lu Qingyue: “???”

…That actually made some sense.

She calmed down instantly.

Though still angry, she had to admit Zhou Tingting was right.

They had nothing to lose, while she had a reputation to protect.

Lu Qingyue sat back down, pulled out her homework with a grim face, and decided to do a test paper to cool off.