“Are you out of your mind, Ning Ning? Do you like me? I like you too.” Han Tian’s heart felt a pang of hurt as he met Cheng Shuoning’s gaze.
‘If you agree now, being with you, is this what you’ve always dreamed of?’
It was indeed something Cheng Shuoning once dreamed of, but now he no longer liked Han Tian.
“I’ll say it one last time,” Cheng Shuoning lowered his eyes, “I like you.”
The hint of patience in his voice froze the smile on Han Tian’s face.
He had believed it, but the expression on the young man’s face was so cold, so cold it seemed like a lie.
He even seemed impatient with himself, something the Cheng Shuoning he once liked would never do.
How could he like him anymore?
Han Tian kept asking himself, his eyes growing darker, unable to tell if it was anger because Cheng Shuoning liked him or something else, making his mind buzz, all reason evaporating.
“It’s been so long since that happened, why can’t you let it go? Yes, I made a mistake, but can’t you see all the good I’ve done for you over the years?”
His hysterical voice drew the attention of many onlookers, almost everyone thinking Cheng Shuoning had done something to drive Han Tian mad, their disdainful gazes like needles pricking him.
The things he said became more and more outrageous, and Cheng Shuoning wondered where he got the nerve to speak such twisted logic so confidently. Coldly, he said, “You dislike me, so I’ve kept my distance. Isn’t that what you wanted? Why are you still clinging on?”
“Clinging?” The word made Han Tian grit his teeth, “Yes, I once disliked you, but isn’t that your problem? You caused the misunderstanding, so whose fault is it really? I’ve already apologized to you, tried to please you in every way, isn’t that enough for you to forgive me? I’ve even cut ties with Cheng Meng, what more do you want?”
The more Han Tian spoke, the angrier he became, unable to control himself, pointing at Xu Wangzhi as he accused Cheng Shuoning, “You say you like me, but have you moved on to someone else? Who do you like?”
Cheng Shuoning brushed Han Tian’s hand away, his eyes cold as he stared, “Don’t point at people randomly.”
His gaze was as distant as frost on a snowy mountain, and even a second of eye contact could send a chill through one’s bones.
Han Tian’s body stiffened, like a ball colliding with an iceberg, receiving no reaction from the icy mountain.
Because he was being ignored, he couldn’t be bothered to waste words, the disparity making him feel like he was about to explode.
Cheng Shuoning turned and walked away, not giving Han Tian another glance.
For someone he once knew well, the best approach was to ignore them completely. If he spoke, they might think he still had feelings, and Han Tian was the perfect example.
The more Cheng Shuoning ignored him, the more Han Tian wanted to get closer.
He rushed forward, grabbing Cheng Shuoning, pleading, “Ning Ning, I really regret it… I truly know I was wrong. I’ve realized my feelings, I do like you, please don’t be like this, give me another chance.”
Cheng Shuoning smiled slightly, “You don’t really like me, you’re just unwilling to admit it. Han Tian, face it, you never truly had me in your heart.”
These words struck Han Tian to his core, leaving him stunned.
He did like Cheng Shuoning, but he couldn’t describe what that feeling was.
Whenever he saw Cheng Shuoning being close with others, laughing with others, and being cold to him, he felt a surge of anger.
“Is there really no chance?” Han Tian asked softly, his brows furrowed, looking at Cheng Shuoning with a hint of pity.
“There’s no chance.” Cheng Shuoning replied calmly, “I always thought we were friends, but I realized I was wrong, you never treated me as a friend.”
“How could I not…”
“If you really considered me a friend, you’d respect me, not pretend to like me while secretly despising me.” Cheng Shuoning turned to leave, “Stop deceiving yourself, Han Tian.”
This time Han Tian didn’t chase after him, watching helplessly as Cheng Shuoning walked away with Xu Wangzhi, until they were out of sight.
Suddenly, his eyes felt a bit sore, as if something that once belonged to him was now completely unrelated.
Someone stopped beside him, Cheng Meng reached out and patted his head, “Han Tian, why lower yourself so much? The more you act like this, the less he’ll care about you, after all, besides you, he now has someone else by his side.”
Besides Cheng Meng tattling to Cheng Shuoning, Han Tian couldn’t figure out how Cheng Shuoning knew his thoughts, glaring at Cheng Meng, “Cheng Meng, did you tell Ning Ning about our conversations?”
Cheng Meng raised an eyebrow with a smile, “Why would I?”
“To show off to Ning Ning that you took someone from his side.” Han Tian said viciously.
Cheng Meng chuckled, never having heard something so amusing, and said leisurely, “There’s no need for that, Han Tian, you’re overthinking it.”
He hadn’t taken everything yet, so why boast prematurely? When Zhou Xundu only had eyes for him, that would be the best time to strike Cheng Shuoning.
*
On the bus, Mother Cheng called, and Cheng Shuoning hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Tomorrow is Saturday, your father will be back, will you come home too?” Mother Cheng said softly, “Come back and stay, Ning Ning, it was my fault before, I apologize.”
“I’m fine living outside.” Cheng Shuoning replied.
“Nonsense, how can outside be better than home?” Mother Cheng said, “I apologize for being biased before, and for speaking harshly to you, I’m sorry, I’ve neglected you all this time. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Cheng Shuoning pursed his lips, looking out the window, “I’ll come home for a visit tomorrow.”
Hearing that he didn’t want to move back, Mother Cheng sighed, “Alright.”
After hanging up, he met Xu Wangzhi’s gaze, and Cheng Shuoning explained, “I have to go home tomorrow.”
“What time will you be back?” Xu Wangzhi asked.
“In the afternoon…” Cheng Shuoning didn’t think much about why Xu Wangzhi was asking, “I’ll go for lunch, and should be back after.”
Xu Wangzhi paused slightly, his expression gentle, “I bought movie tickets for five o’clock tomorrow afternoon, Ning Ning, let’s watch a movie together, I’ll wait for you at the cinema entrance at five.”
Watch a movie? Just the two of them…
Cheng Shuoning blinked, almost without hesitation, he agreed, “Okay.”
Realizing how quickly he had agreed, he felt a bit embarrassed and looked out the window at the scenery.
“Ning Ning,” the person beside him called, his voice low, “do you still like him?”
“Who? Han Tian? I stopped liking him long ago.”
In truth, he should say that after being repeatedly probed and Han Tian never giving a clear answer, his feelings for Han Tian had already faded.
“Ning Ning, can you try to like me?” The warm breath brushed against his ear, the young man’s voice cool and magnetic, filled with endless tenderness.
Cheng Shuoning shivered slightly, turning to look at Xu Wangzhi, who had somehow gotten closer, his throat dry, unable to say a word, and he didn’t dare to continue meeting Xu Wangzhi’s gaze, his eyes falling elsewhere.
So close…
The familiar scent enveloped him, making Cheng Shuoning tense all over, his heart racing, he gripped the seat tightly, trying to use it to distract himself.
Under the scorching gaze, he whispered a single word, “Okay.”
The voice was so soft it was instantly drowned out by the noise inside the bus, but Xu Wangzhi still heard it.
His lips curled into a smile, his eyes filled with gentle laughter, as he reached out to ruffle Cheng Shuoning’s hair.
The young man’s cheeks burned, his grip on the seat tightening.
…
Saturday was an overcast day, the temperature dropping sharply. Cheng Shuoning put on his coat, donned a hat, and took a car to the villa.
When he arrived at the villa, he immediately saw the man sitting on the sofa, his expression stern and serious.
He walked over and obediently called out, “Dad.”
“Ning Ning, you’re here.” The man, who had been so serious, instantly smiled, “Come, sit next to Dad.”
Cheng Shuoning sat on the sofa beside him, feeling his father’s gaze on him the entire time.
They rarely interacted, and weren’t close, almost like strangers.
Because Father Cheng was too busy, he never had time to spend with him.
“You look much thinner since I last saw you.” Father Cheng said after looking him over, “I’ve heard a bit about what’s going on from your mom. Don’t stay outside, move back home.”
“I’m fine where I am now.” Cheng Shuoning shook his head, refusing, “And I haven’t lost weight, I’ve even gained some.”
He pinched the flesh on his face, making Father Cheng laugh.
Mother Cheng came out of the kitchen wearing an apron.
Cheng Shuoning was a bit surprised, not expecting her to cook personally today.
“You’ve only been away a few days, but you look much more worn out. Where are you staying now?” Mother Cheng looked at Cheng Shuoning, her eyes full of concern.
Cheng Shuoning had just mentioned the name of the neighborhood when Mother Cheng frowned, “That place isn’t fit for people to live in. There’s a house in your name, it’s a bit far from your school, but you can move there…”
“There’s no need.” Cheng Shuoning cut her off, “The place I’m living now is really nice.”
“Alright, if you need anything, remember to tell Mom and Dad.” Mother Cheng didn’t insist, turning back to the kitchen.
The atmosphere in the living room was relatively harmonious until Cheng Meng came down the stairs.
He grabbed a bottle of soda and was about to head back upstairs.
Father Cheng called out, “Didn’t you see your brother is here? Aren’t you going to say anything?”
Cheng Meng glanced over, opened the soda, and drank as he headed back upstairs.
“He was sensible when he was young, but now he’s grown up and still like this.” Father Cheng said with displeasure, “He really has no manners.”
“Let it be, you know his personality.” Mother Cheng said from the kitchen.
Cheng Shuoning sat quietly, saying nothing.
During dinner, it was relatively silent, but Cheng Meng suddenly started talking, “Did you run away with someone else to live together? Why are you back now?”
The harsh words made Father Cheng slam his cup down, “Cheng Meng, if you keep talking nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth apart.”
Cheng Meng’s face turned pale, genuinely frightened by the outburst, and he stopped talking.
Mother Cheng said, “You’re scaring the child with your loud voice.”
Cheng Shuoning calmly peeled a shrimp, soon feeling Father Cheng’s gaze on him, with a hint of suspicion, “Are you really living with someone else?”
He paused, speaking in a calm voice, “No, I’m living alone. It’s just that my desk mate lives next door, and they helped me find the place.”
“Ning Ning, right now your priority is to study well, don’t think about things you shouldn’t at your age. Do you understand what I’m saying?” Father Cheng said meaningfully, “I don’t want to hear any rumors about you and someone else.”
Cheng Shuoning pursed his lips, looking down at the peeled shrimp in his hand, “I understand.”
The meal went relatively smoothly until Father Cheng asked, “I heard you had a falling out with Li Shengfei?”
Before Cheng Shuoning could respond, Father Cheng continued, “You’re all grown up, why have a falling out? What’s past is past.”
“…”
Cheng Shuoning said softly, “Li Shengfei is quite annoying, so I thought since I dislike him, it’s better to keep my distance.”
“If he disliked you, would he stay by your side and treat you well? Would he say you misunderstood him, and that’s why he said those things? Can you really believe such words? Ning Ning, don’t have any more conflicts.” Father Cheng’s eyes were full of approval, “I’ve seen how good that child is to you.”
Cheng Meng couldn’t hold back and snorted.
“What are you laughing at?” Father Cheng slapped the table, and if they weren’t eating, he would have kicked Cheng Meng out.
Cheng Meng quieted down, obediently eating his meal.
“Why are you being so harsh?” Mother Cheng couldn’t help but say.
“I understand, but I won’t reconcile.” Cheng Shuoning put down his chopsticks, having only eaten a few bites, but already losing interest in the meal, his expression growing colder, “As you said, I’m grown up, not a child anymore. I have my own judgment, and I know what kind of person he is better than you do, Dad.”
Father Cheng frowned, dissatisfied with Cheng Shuoning’s attitude.
It seemed like nothing more than a small childish spat, but Cheng Shuoning was stubbornly holding on, which made no sense.
“Did you come here today to act as a mediator?” Seeing Father Cheng about to lose his temper, Cheng Shuoning stood up, “If that’s the case, I’ve already given my answer. Now that the meal is over, I should leave.”
“You stop right there.” Father Cheng said angrily, his brows furrowed, “You’ve only been out for a few days, and you’ve become like this? What have you learned outside? Look at yourself now.”
Cheng Shuoning clenched his fists, his lips tightly pressed together, saying nothing.
He had thought Father Cheng was different from Mother Cheng, that despite their lack of interaction, he at least understood things, but they were no different.
Instead of finding out what had happened, they only wanted him to reconcile.
The living room fell silent, the atmosphere incredibly tense, with only Cheng Meng continuing to eat undisturbed.
Mother Cheng desperately gave him a look, trying to signal Cheng Shuoning to give in a little.
Seeing Mother Cheng, Cheng Shuoning lowered his eyes and smiled slightly, “When Dad scolds Cheng Meng, Mom, you speak up to defend him. But when he scolds me, you only give me looks. Are you really fit to speak?”
The sudden words left Mother Cheng stunned.
She suddenly realized that it was true, something she hadn’t even noticed, and her eyes showed a hint of guilt.
Looking at the pale, obviously stubborn young man, Father Cheng rubbed his temples, his tone softening, “Your Uncle Li told me Li Shengfei has been down lately, and when I asked, I found out you two had a falling out. He wanted me to talk to you about it. I’ve watched Li Shengfei grow up, and there’s nothing wrong with him. Your Uncle Li even mentioned before that when you both grew up, you two could…”
Long lashes trembled, hiding the shadow in his eyes, Cheng Shuoning interrupted Father Cheng, his voice calm as never before.
“If I dislike Li Shengfei, do I still have to be friends with him? Dad, I’m a person, not an object. I won’t do something that makes me disliked and then shamelessly stick around.”.