4. The opportunity that entangles you

What is it?

Speak! As I was about to be dragged to the bus stop, I anxiously said, "Zuo Ye, do you have some hidden troubles that make you treat me this way? The teacher said you have depression; has something happened to you in these three years..."

"Do you really believe in that kind of illness?" Zuo Ye scoffed, "Not wanting to attend class normally, so they just got a medical certificate for depression."

A silence enveloped me from behind as I suddenly pushed him aside and rushed into the bathroom. A few minutes later, I emerged wearing my wet clothes.

I continued mockingly, "However, I will not return to Lora City either. It would be too pitiful to go back after having all my dreams shattered! I will find another dream in Zijing City and hold on to it!"

to receive comfort

Don't touch me

As I opened the door, I saw Zuo Ye sitting on the sofa, holding a cup of steaming black tea. The soft light illuminated his face, which was fair and radiated a faint glow

She is wearing an oversized men's shirt, which is so large that the hem reaches her knees. The sleeves are rolled up, revealing her slender arms. However, compared to the shirt, the pants are even wider and larger, with at least half of the pant legs folded up, and the crotch hangs very low.

Fool! If I hated you, I would not allow you to cling to me

Zuo Ye merely dragged me forward, maintaining his silence.

The smile at the corner of my mouth froze halfway, and I widened my eyes, looking at Zuo Ye in disbelief. He sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, his gaze still sharp and unapproachable.

He suddenly placed his hand on my shoulder

The bus moved forward, and I did not dare to look back at the signboard with the name "Zuo Ye" even once. What expression would be on his face at that moment?

Zuo Ye placed the teacup on the tea table, his gaze gloomy and his voice low: "Go back"

This is none of your business where I stay! Thank you very much today, I am going back!" I turned around and hurriedly headed for the door, just as I was about to pull the doorknob, a hand pressed against the door.

Zuo Ye was taken aback, his expression serious as he walked towards me. I looked up at him, my gaze resolute

Tears fell with a soft "thud" from my eyes, and before I knew it, my face was once again wet

What is happening? Is Zuo Ye kissing me? Kiss—me—?!

He withdrew his hand, picked up the backpack I had placed on the table, pushed aside my still-dazed self, and opened the door: "Go back."

I closed my eyes, and the scene replayed in my mind of Zuo Ye lowering her eyelids and applying iodine to my ankle

My mind is filled with question marks, and my hands futilely struggled in the air for a moment, falling into blankness

The clothes soaked by the rain cling uncomfortably to my body, just as my heart feels as if it is pressed against something that separates it.

How infuriating, just when I thought he was about to return to the Zuo Ye I once knew, in the blink of an eye, he has transformed back into a demon

Is it a sigh of relief or a disdainful curl of the lips

However, the next sentence from Zuo Ye left me stunned: "Go back to Luola City"

My wrist was weighed down by the heavy backpack, and each of my steps felt as heavy as if I were carrying a lead ball while moving. Yet, I resolutely boarded the bus and took a seat

"Who... who asked you to help me..." I tried to sound tough, but I couldn't help but sob, "I never expected you to help me, and I didn't want to trouble you! If I had known... it would have been better if you had just left me alone... at least I wouldn't be feeling this heartbroken... this sad..."

The left gaze flickered slightly, and a trace of something profound passed through the depths of the eyes, yet it remained inscrutable.

Fortunately, the ankle was only temporarily sprained. I moved it a bit, and now it doesn't hurt much. I can move freely now

Do not raise unnecessary expectations

The corners of his mouth curled deeper, filled with a terrifying wickedness: "Kiss is my usual trick to comfort girls"

Just like when we were children, I cling to you because you are willing to give me the chance to cling to you. But now, you no longer provide me with such an opportunity, and I will certainly walk away

Is he doing this today to draw a line between us? Does he think that by helping me this once, he no longer owes me anything? In his eyes, have I always been so annoying, always a great trouble?

Suddenly, as if awakening from a dream, he released me, lowering his head and breathing rapidly, while I, blushing, gasped for air

I lowered my head: "Why? I... I will not go back..."

Well, the rain outside should have stopped by now, I should head home... Today, thank you very much, Zuo Ye

"Then do not put on a disappointed face, do not always look as if you are about to cry," he said coldly, "Our past ends here today"

I lowered my head

The sound was suddenly blocked, and Zuo Ye bit my lip, our teeth and tongues closely intertwined

However, I do not feel any resistance or aversion at all

I never expected that he would bring me to his residence

... ...

... ...

The bus stops by the side of the road

I struggled fiercely: "I told you not to touch me—uh—"

"I was just so happy a moment ago..." I said, wiping my lips vigorously, "I really regret... coming to Zijing City, meeting you... you have completely ruined the good impression I had of Zuo Ye in my heart..."

The moment I think of it, the one who kisses me is Zuo Ye... I feel as if my entire body has become light, as if I am about to float above the clouds...

I swiftly swatted his hand away, but he seized my wrist in response and pulled me into his embrace

"Why?" I was being forcibly pulled by him, walking forward for a while. When we reached the entrance of the apartment, I finally came to my senses. "Why... why do you want to kiss... kiss me?" Just thinking about the scene that had just occurred made my face even redder, and it felt very hot.

I did not expect anything at all

"Oh... Zuo Ye, if I cling to you like this, do you hate me very much... If you hate me, I will definitely walk away..."

Zuo Ye stood behind me, speaking very closely, "Not my business? Then why are you here?"

I glanced around the house—its layout was simple yet clean and tidy. Is this the place where he currently resides? Has he always lived alone?

My body involuntarily froze, as if my mind and thoughts had been instantly drained.

Those fragments of memory are like mirrors shattered by time, overlapping, dim and hazy, distorted and deformed in the mind

Then you just now ... ... why ... ...

Until this moment, I still feel as if I am dreaming

Wiping away the moisture from the mirror, I see another version of myself on the smooth surface of the glass

I can't believe he actually turned back to help me. Is it because he still remembers that I have been afraid of the dark and thunder since I was little

What does it mean ...? ... Our past, is it only until today?

I suddenly raised my hand and vigorously wiped my lips, as if my mouth had come into contact with something dirty that could not be removed no matter how hard I tried

This is not the place for you to stay

He continued, "There will be no help for you next time"

You see—I can manage without your help!

Zuo Ye finally released my arm, hung the backpack onto my hand, and with a smirk at the corner of her mouth said: "You know, when a girl cries in front of a boy, what does it usually mean?"

Tears threaten to spill over. Through the tears, I see a fool, waiting foolishly for a boy named Zuo Ye to come and love her. ... But as she waits and waits, love is lost along the path of waiting ...

A sorrowful emotion that cannot be swallowed blocks my throat, I want to take a deep breath, yet my shoulders tremble with the strain.