Chapter 8, The Heart

Taking the elevator up, Lu Zhou held her hand as they walked through the narrow and tranquil corridor

The void left in the heart and mouth ultimately became an unending torment of restlessness

Lu Zhou heard Shen Yihuan's murmurs and followed her gaze to see the man outside, his expression immediately darkening

At that time, she was truly too playful, childish and ridiculous. In the eyes of other girls, she even had a plethora of romantic escapades. She knew many people, and while she sneaked out to skip classes and play games with them, Lu Zhou was attending class in the classroom

"Is that kid Lu Zhou more handsome than me? Can't you see me?" Gu Minghui pointed at his own face

Hello, how are you

A few nights ago, when Lu Zhou lost control in the hallway of her apartment complex, Shen Yihuan, just like before, became indulgent again, shouting at him to get lost while feeling quite pleased with herself

I later learned about your father's situation

Cherry! You said!" Gu Minghui said angrily, pointing at Shen Yihuan

"Why have you been so long without seeing me and still being so annoying!" Qiu Ruru grabbed a handful of popcorn and threw it at him, "I just want to see what the class monitor looks like now, what's wrong! Huh? What! What!"

She silently finished a bowl of noodles, while Lu Zhou beside her showed no intention of leaving. Shen Yihuan tried to make conversation: "Do you know about the upcoming school anniversary in a few days?"

Lu Zhou handed her a tissue.

It is indeed acceptable; it becomes fine once you get used to it

"Do you need to open the instant noodles right now?" the cashier asked

She answered the phone

She paused with the fork in her hand and said, "Ah, it has been more than three years since that happened"

Gu Minghui is their high school classmate and, apart from Qiu Ruru, one of her only two good friends. She has just returned from studying abroad and they have just made plans to hang out together

Shen Yihuan was taken aback for a moment, then proudly hooked her arm around Lu Zhou's neck, pulling his head down.

Lu Zhou gradually approached her, pulling her over to sit face to face on his lap, pressing the back of the young girl's head to kiss her

It's all good

Qiu Ruru is already in the private room, and Shen Yihuan has come down to pick him up, but he has been waiting and waiting without any sign of arrival

Sitting in the back seat of the taxi, Gu Minghui rested his head on his hand, wearing a lazy and mischievous smile. His hair was slightly disheveled by the wind, and his white shirt was unbuttoned at three places, revealing a large expanse of collarbone. The sunlight reflected off a small square pendant hanging around his neck.

Generally, they only offer a few perfunctory words, kissing the corners of his mouth. If he is still not appeased, Shen Yihuan's anger also flares up. The young girl knows his weakness, and sometimes she picks up her lethal weapon, insisting on a breakup

Now ... ...

The breakup three years ago was initiated unilaterally by Shen Yihuan. After stating her decision, she turned off her phone and went abroad, remaining unaware of all subsequent events.

She looked up at Lu Zhou and sniffed: "What?"

Qiu Ruru opened her eyes wide to closely observe the sea turtle that had just returned from abroad. In fact, Gu Minghui was also quite handsome, but he could not be compared to Lu Zhou, as they were of different breeds

Gu Minghui, carefree and thoughtless: "If we break up, then we break up. With our cherry-like face and this figure! We have everything we could want! Besides, what’s so great about Lu Zhou? He has no stable job, can’t hold a conversation, and is incredibly dull..."

Ah? She was taken aback for a moment, then realized that one of the bottles of water was bought for her, and softly said, "I'll buy it myself."

You no longer want this heart of mine

In the next moment, Lu Zhou pulled the chair beside her and sat down

He pointed to the area over his heart and smiled openly at Shen Yihuan.

During the interval of heating water, Shen Yihuan gently tapped the ground with her toes and spoke to the person beside her: "I still haven't returned the forty-one yuan from last time."

That night, he seemed to understand why male mantises are willing to be devoured by female mantises during mating.

"Have you encountered Lu Zhou?" Qiu Ruru exclaimed, pointing at Gu Minghui, "Why is it that you, this scoundrel, can see Lu Zhou as soon as you return! Why can't I run into the class monitor?!"

He has finally let go of the unexpected experiences in the world that once caused him to sink into despair

Shen Yihuan frowned, her fingers curled slightly against the wall of the cup, her heart feeling as if it had been squeezed by someone: "Do you often get hurt there?"

"Lu Zhou, you tell me, are you a beast?" Shen Yihuan took the lead in accusing, trying to seize the initiative

She is fully aware that in her relationship with Lu Zhou, it is entirely Lu Zhou who is diligently managing and striving to maintain it

This is the appearance of a spoiled rich kid, only capable of deceiving innocent young girls. The class monitor, on the other hand, embodies an entire aura of abstinence, the kind that makes one weak in the knees at just a glance

After leaving the convenience store, she found herself in a state of despair; the words spoken by Lu Zhou as he departed struck her like a blunt knife, cutting into her heart and grinding it to pieces

Shen Yihuan tilted her head and looked up at him

Lu Zhou lowered his gaze, his expression very calm, repeating: "Have you not been feeling well lately?"

"Hmm, alright," Shen Yihuan said with a slight smile, "What kind of photos does the school want?"

Lu Zhou thoughtfully stood up: "I am leaving"

Too flamboyant

The boy has grown into a man

Shen Yihuan is not accustomed to silence, but Lu Zhou is inherently a quiet person

He slowly sat up straight at that moment, raising both hands in a gesture of surrender

She has no idea how she could completely forget about this, sitting here with Lu Zhou, and even finishing a cup of instant noodles

Shen Yihuan slightly curled her lips and said, "Are you sure you want me to say it"

The heat was oppressive; just a few minutes standing outside, and Shen Yihuan had already broken out in a thin layer of sweat on her back

She immediately reacted, instinctively looking out the window, and indeed saw Gu Minghui across the street

Previously injured

Voice hoarse: "How much longer do you want me to endure?"

The fervent love of the youth transformed into binding ropes, restraining both individuals

It was only after she returned to her country for a long time that she gradually realized that Lu Zhou seemed to really no longer come to find her, having heard that he was directly assigned to Xinjiang in his third year of university

An indescribable emotion arises from the depths of the heart

It is a pity that I could have added you on WeChat

"Shen Yihuan, what are you doing?" came a teasing voice from the other end.

Then, pointing at Qiu Ruru, she began to argue forcefully, "Are you out of your mind? Just because that guy is a bit better looking, you turn your elbow outward? I just returned to the country and you are cursing at me like a bastard? When you asked me to buy things for you, you called me 'darling' with every word!"

It's okay

Lu Zhou looked at the box of instant noodles and frowned slightly, but in the end, he said nothing

Her phone in her pocket suddenly vibrated, and there were still soup stains on Shen Yihuan's hands

Lu Zhou looked at her, his brow slightly furrowed

Traversing mountains and rivers, crossing hills and valleys, navigating the intricate paths of rugged terrain.

Gu Minghui and Qiu Ruru both stopped their actions after her call, falling silent as they looked at her

The young girl had a vacant look in her eyes, devoid of focus. Even when that man spoke to her in a flirtatious manner, Shen Yihuan merely displayed a hint of impatience, lacking even anger, exuding a weariness that seemed to emanate from her very bones

Gu Minghui's casual smile faded instantly upon realizing that the man next to Shen Yihuan was Lu Zhou, and he said into his phone: "Shen Yihuan, have you been kicked in the head by a donkey?"

The hotel lobby was brightly lit, illuminating all ambiguities to the point of being unavoidable. It was only upon arriving here that Shen Yihuan began to feel a bit guilty.

The man slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was a precarious calmness.

Just as he repeatedly did during those five years

Teacher Xu is their high school homeroom teacher

When she gets tired of playing, she will return to the classroom and enjoy Lu Zhou's kindness towards her

Because he is also willing

Shen Yihuan was afraid that the sound from her phone would be transmitted through the current to Lu Zhou's ears, so she hung up directly without having a chance to say anything

The streetlights dutifully cast their light on the nights of late summer and early autumn, the fine rays falling upon Lu Zhou's head.

Until certain feelings develop into something distorted, yet it is impossible to pinpoint the moment of change

Understood

Shen Yihuan recalled Lu Zhou's words again

Shen Yihuan thought to herself that you wanted to say from the very beginning that eating instant noodles is unhealthy. However, the relationship has become too awkward now, and she cannot bring herself to say it.

Startled, she loosened her grip, but fortunately, Lu Zhou was quick-witted and agile enough to catch it, preventing it from spilling.

Lu Zhou unscrewed the bottle of mineral water and placed it in front of her

For so many years, I have wagged my tail like a lapdog for you, and I have done enough of that

Shen Yihuan, has your mind been kicked by a donkey? Weren't you the one who used to be most annoyed by him controlling you? Why are you being so pretentious now?

Thank you she said softly

He is willingly and wholeheartedly accepting her temper and shortcomings, finding them sweet and enjoyable

... ...

You are simply foolish! Gu Minghui scolded her

Teacher Xu was unaware that Shen Yihuan had not intended to go, and this remark made it difficult for her to decline

It is 11 o'clock, and the dormitory building is locked.

Operate

Shen Yihuan expressed her gratitude and approached the long table at the entrance of the convenience store, holding a cup of instant noodles in both hands. The bottle of mineral water was left behind at the checkout counter, and Lu Zhou brought it to her, standing beside her without leaving.

Shen Yihuan's voice carried a hint of mischievousness as she said, "What should we do? You can't get in. Do you want me to take you in for the night?"

Ah? She was momentarily taken aback, licked her lips, and appeared confused

Lu Zhou often gets angry about these matters, but Shen Yihuan never seriously tries to appease him

However, deep down, she still believes that Lu Zhou will wait for her at the same place

King-size bed room

Gu Minghui tossed the camera accessories from his bag into Shen Yihuan's arms: "Here, this is what you asked me to bring."

Step by step, he led Lu Zhou into his own trap

"Shut up," Gu Minghui scolded, poking Shen Yihuan's forehead, affectionately wrapping an arm around her shoulder, like a nagging mother. "How did you get involved with him again? Didn't you break up?"

Before he could finish his words, he was suddenly caught off guard by Shen Yihuan's gaze.

He must have been very sad at that time

Lu Zhou, when she no longer wanted it, took a banknote out of her wallet and handed it over: "Together"

"Are you unhappy?" he asked

Submit to Shen Yihuan

Shen Yihuan raised the cup to her lips, wanting to drink the soup, but was blocked by Lu Zhou's hand that came across, fingers spread wide, covering the rim of the bowl, and Shen Yihuan's lips nearly touched the back of his hand

In the end, Lu Zhou did not allow Shen Yihuan to take her in, but instead took the young girl to a nearby hotel

After hanging up the phone, Shen Yihuan looked at the two people in front of her who were staring at her, shrugged her shoulders, and raised one eyebrow: "Shall we return to school together tomorrow?"

She stood to the side, cautiously observing Lu Zhou at the front desk. He wore a white T-shirt and black pants, looking neat and tidy, with no other emotions on his face. With his fingertips, he pushed two identification cards forward.

A familiar voice caused Shen Yihuan to pause for a moment. Instinctively, she stood up and hesitantly said, "Teacher Xu?"

After so many years, I have wagged my tail like a lapdog enough for you

For Lu Zhou, it is different; his memories of Shen Yihuan remain fixed in the time when she was a willful and spoiled young girl, making it difficult for him to articulate the feelings he experienced when he last saw her at her doorstep.

I. "Gu Minghui pointed at his own face, 'Who is more handsome, me or Lu Zhou?'"

He lowered his gaze, looking into her eyes, and sighed: "It is raining"

She is both scheming and nonchalant

He slightly bent at the waist, allowing the girl to tiptoe and kiss the corner of his lips

Yet never truly treats the beloved prey well

On the way to send him back to school, Shen Yihuan was either complaining of leg pain or stomach pain, wanting to be kissed and hugged, throwing tantrums and acting spoiled. Finally, they heard the lights-out bell when they reached the dormitory building.

He disposed of the noodle soup properly into the trash bin at his feet before explaining: "That soup is unhealthy"

Oh..." Shen Yihuan held the water bottle with both hands and lowered her head again

"Hey, Yi Huan, can you still recognize my voice?" A mature woman's voice came from the other end.

Do you also want to sit for a while

Then her pupils unconsciously dilated, and she stared blankly as Lu Zhou approached, pinching her chin, caressing it with his fingertip, and gently lifting it up

The collar was still open, the bones distinctly rising and falling, and the shadows cast were like a subtle temptation. Shen Yihuan stared uncontrollably for a while, until the water droplets that had gathered on the outside of the chilled mineral water bottle fell onto the back of her hand, bringing her back to her senses.

Recollection of Little Sugar

He handed over an umbrella

After she finished speaking, she felt truly embarrassed. How could someone who was so cautious about her sitting next to him be willing to sit beside her, and moreover, they had nothing to talk about

Yes

Shen Yihuan said: "What is wrong with him?"

The cashier quickly brought over the instant noodles with hot water, with a fork inserted into the opening

Lu Zhou would repeatedly and relentlessly suppress his own feelings to make her happy

Shen Yihuan's phone rang, and she fished out a number from her bag, which was unregistered.

It was only then that I realized the purpose of my outing.

Shen Yihuan

Shen Yihuan was taken aback

Well

Shen Yihuan quickly wiped her hands, took out her phone, and was momentarily stunned when she saw the name Gu Minghui.

There was a burst of laughter: "I also found your phone number in the old registry. Fortunately, you haven't changed your phone all these years. Isn't the school anniversary coming up in a few days? The teachers know that you have expertise in photography, and the school would like to invite you to take a set of photos."

Shen Yihuan tore open the lid and used a fork to stir the noodles.

The first time for the two of them was on the last day of the National Day holiday in their freshman year.

Never tired of trying, she was even quite proud of it at that time

Do not return it to me

This time it is a real breakup she said

Just return it to me

Lu Zhou is required to return to the dormitory before the lights are turned off at 11 o'clock as per regulations

Hmm? What?" She looked at Gu Minghui

You can handle this as you see fit; it was originally a request for your assistance, and there are no specific requirements.

His expression appeared gentle yet resolute under the light of the convenience store

Thus, there was silence once more

Shen Yihuan took a bite of the noodles, chewed a couple of times, and tentatively said: "That bandage on your back..."

It was only then that Shen Yihuan realized that it had started to drizzle outside at some point, and the concrete road had transformed from a light gray to a mottled black.

A friend of hers has become an alcoholic. After she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered that Lu Zhou used to dislike her drinking, so she immediately fell silent and stole a glance at him.

Swipe the room card, open the door, turn on the light, close the door

No longer as slender as before, standing there exudes an unyielding power without anger, with a distinctly resolute outline, irresistibly sexy.

Because of Lu Zhou's inexplicable yet straightforward remark just now, she did not dare to provoke him and was at a loss for words, so she could only remain silent. She felt a bit apprehensive, yet the conflicting emotions brought her a slight sense of reassurance

"Wait a moment." Shen Yihuan ran to get a box of instant noodles and placed it on the counter, then quickly lowered her head in a fluster, staring at the tips of her shoes

Qiu Ruru snorted and rolled her eyes: "A woman's heart is as difficult to fathom as the depths of the sea, you know?"

The cashier kept stealing glances at Lu Zhou, and Shen Yihuan couldn't help but scoff softly in her heart, feeling somewhat dissatisfied

Are you going?

Shen Yihuan stood at the convenience store checkout with her head down, watching Lu Zhou take two bottles of mineral water from the refrigerator, and tilted her head to ask: "Do you need anything else?"

When she has played enough, when her mood has improved, with just a wave of her hand, Lu Zhou will have no choice but to return to her side

"What did you go to the hospital for last time?" he asked again