Taking the initiative to embrace him; shining bright on school anniversary day
Lu Zheng watched as Wen Qingli lightly bit her lower lip with her teeth, making her lips look even more vivid and glossy. He calmly shifted his gaze away.
He slid his large hands into his trouser pockets, pressing down on a part of himself that was beginning to stir.
What was wrong with him? How could he be so easily tempted by such a small action from her?
“Is there anything else upsetting you?” His voice came out low and husky.
Wen Qingli was still wrapped up in the quiet joy of learning that he had never been involved with Bai Chuxue, so she did not notice his unusual reaction.
Hearing his caring tone, she asked softly, “Do you still remember Su Yue?”
Lu Zheng had always had an excellent memory. After only a brief moment of recollection, he knew exactly who she was talking about.
“I do. You two used to be quite close.”
Wen Qingli nodded. “Right after she graduated from university, she married my father. I ran into her at the mall today, along with Bai Chuxue. Just as I was leaving, she told me she is pregnant.”
Lu Zheng immediately sensed the sudden drop in her mood. Looking at her thin, delicate frame, he held out his hand toward her. “Would you like a hug?”
Wen Qingli lifted her head sharply, her long lashes fluttering wildly, while a storm of emotions surged inside her heart.
She had never dared to hope that she would ever be this close to him, let alone held in his arms.
Gazing at his broad, solid chest, she felt a slight sting in her nose. “Yes.”
Suppressing the flutter in her chest, she stepped forward slowly and leaned gently into his embrace.
His arms were even stronger and warmer than she had imagined.
Her nose brushed against the fabric of his shirt, and she caught his clean, distinct scent—one that was uniquely his.
A flush rose to the tips of her ears, and her heartbeat quickened beyond her control.
With trembling fingers, she wrapped her arms around his lean, firm waist.
He smelled so good.
Lu Zheng raised his large hand with its clearly defined knuckles and patted the back of her head gently. “It’s all right to cry if you feel like it.”
Wen Qingli closed her eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart.
It beat strong and calm, not racing the way hers was.
Even though she could tell he was only trying to comfort her and did not feel much affection for her, she still felt deeply content.
She shook her head softly. “I’m not that little crybaby anymore.”
She would no longer break down into tears whenever something went wrong.
“It doesn’t matter. In front of me, you can cry whenever you want.”
The words made her nose tingle and her eyes grow warm—she really did feel like crying now.
Lu Zheng was truly such a good man.
She definitely had not made a mistake in falling for him in secret.
The weekend arrived.
Wen Qingli was woken up by the ringing of her phone.
It was Mingtang calling.
“Qingli, where have you been? I’ve been ringing your apartment doorbell for ages and no one answers!”
Wen Qingli sat up in bed, her voice still thick with sleep. “I’m staying at my mother’s place.”
“Come back to the city right away! It’s our school anniversary today! I’ve already reserved a beautiful gown for you—you absolutely must look stunning for this event!”
Wen Qingli murmured in agreement. “Send me the address.”
Lu Zheng had gone to a neighboring city for meetings over the past two days, and she wondered if he would be able to make it back in time for the celebration.
It felt ridiculous—they had only been apart for two days, yet she already missed him.
An hour later, Wen Qingli arrived at the dress shop.
Mingtang pulled out an evening gown made of moonlight-white sheer fabric with one shoulder exposed. “Qingli, go try this on right now!”
Wen Qingli took the dress and stepped into the fitting room.
She emerged a short while later.
The moment Mingtang and the shop assistant waiting outside laid eyes on her, they were completely dazzled.
The soft, lightweight fabric clung to her slender, graceful figure, highlighting her long, elegant neck, straight shoulders, and delicate collarbones that seemed deep enough to hold water. Her skin was so fair it practically glowed.
Her features were clear and bright, and her oval face carried a soft, innocent charm—she looked just like a fairy who had accidentally wandered down from heaven.
“Darling, why won’t you ever consider being with a woman? I really wish I could turn you!”
Mingtang hurried over and cupped Wen Qingli’s face in her hands. “How can someone be this beautiful?”
After Su Yue had betrayed their friendship, Wen Qingli had gone through a long period of feeling low and withdrawn. It was the lively, bright Mingtang who had stayed right by her side through it all.
“You look beautiful too, Mingtang.”
“Doesn’t matter—my Qingli is still the prettiest of all.”
The two best friends spent the whole morning at the shop having their makeup done, their hair styled, and their nails painted.
While having lunch at the mall later, Wen Qingli told Mingtang about Su Yue’s pregnancy.
The mere mention of Su Yue made Mingtang flare up in anger. “That shameless Su Yue! She acts like she’s some high-class treasure, but she’s cheap and common through and through. And your father is no good either! So what if she’s carrying a son? A child born to someone with no conscience is bound to turn out rotten anyway.”
Pfft—
Wen Qingli had just taken a sip of milk tea and nearly spat it out.
“Thank goodness she still has enough sense not to show up today. Does she honestly think she’s better than everyone else just because she married a wealthy older man? If she dares to cross paths with me, I’ll make sure my sharp words drown her out!”
Mingtang kicked Wen Qingli lightly under the table. “Next time she tries to provoke you, call me immediately and watch me tear her apart!”
“Mingtang, having you in my life means everything.”
When Wen Qingli and Mingtang arrived at the school gates, many former classmates had already gathered.
Since they had not been in the same class, they parted ways once they reached the entrance.
“I’ll come find you later, Qingli!”
Wen Qingli nodded and glanced around. Before long, she spotted many familiar faces from years ago, standing in small groups chatting and catching up.
“Wen Qingli! Over here!” The class monitor also saw her and waved her over.
Wen Qingli walked over with a gentle smile.
Many heads turned toward her, their eyes filled with admiration.
“Wow, Wen Qingli has changed so much! She’s so slim and gorgeous now—truly, a girl transforms completely as she grows up!”
“She always had good bones, though. Especially her fair skin that never seems to tan no matter how much sun she gets.”
“Exactly. Even back then, I thought Wen Qingli was prettier than Bai Chuxue. She had two cute dimples when she smiled. She weighed around 120 pounds and wasn’t even that heavy—no idea who started calling her ‘Little Chubby Pig’ in our class.”
Wen Qingli greeted her old classmates one by one, warm and poised.
Just then, a sleek luxury sports car pulled up.
The door opened and Fu Wenzhou stepped out first. He was strikingly handsome and charismatic, wearing a sapphire earring in his left ear. His clothes were bold and unconventional, and he carried himself with an air of unrestrained charm and confidence.
The passenger door opened, and Bai Chuxue got out.
She was wearing a long red slip dress and large round earrings, looking alluring, glamorous, and utterly eye-catching.
Fu Wenzhou scanned the crowd, and his gaze suddenly settled on Wen Qingli.
Tsk.
How had she gotten so thin, like a reed?
He preferred her old, softer, rounder look—it was far more adorable.
Shoving both hands into his pockets, he walked right up to her. “Long time no see, Little Qingli.”
Wen Qingli nodded calmly. “Long time no see.”
“You’re so cold-hearted! After all this time apart, you won’t even give your old friend a hug?”
Seeing everyone looking their way, Wen Qingli felt a little flustered. She lowered her voice. “We aren’t that close.”
“Not close? Why, you’re the first girl who ever confessed to me—and also the first to reject me!”
Wen Qingli fell silent, at a loss for words.
After all these years, why was he still acting so carefree and lacking any seriousness?
“Call me ‘Big Brother’ and I’ll forgive you.”
Wen Qingli frowned slightly. “Can you stop messing around?”
“Wenzhou, your class monitor is calling you over.” Bai Chuxue walked up and said.
Back in school, Fu Wenzhou had been in the same class as Mingtang, but both of them often wandered over to Wen Qingli’s classroom just to see her.
Once Fu Wenzhou walked away, Wen Qingli let out a quiet breath of relief.
Turning her head, she found Bai Chuxue looking her up and down again.
Wen Qingli sensed a faint hostility in Bai Chuxue’s gaze. Aside from the incident over the coat at the mall a few days earlier, she could not think of any other reason to have offended her.
“Since Su Yue definitely won’t be coming, the only one left from our class is Lu Zheng, right?” someone asked.
Hearing his name, Wen Qingli’s long lashes trembled softly.
Had he returned from his business trip? Would he make it to the school anniversary?
Even though he had given her that comforting hug late one night, they still felt distant and unfamiliar. They were both busy with their own lives and rarely spoke.
The class monitor pulled out his phone, ready to call Lu Zheng.
At that very moment, a black off-road vehicle drove up.
Lu Zheng had arrived.
As soon as Wen Qingli saw what he was wearing, her heart gave a sudden, hard thud.