Chapter 56: Go on, let your heart flutter

In the end, Lin Ruo still didn’t agree. She dropped Yang Fan off at the gates of Tianning Normal University, then drove off, not even knowing herself where she was headed.

After a while, Xia Yufei and the other five came out. They went to the same upscale restaurant as the last time—the finest establishment in this area.

“I thought you’d only come tonight,” Xia Yufei said.

“I’m not coming tonight, so I came at noon instead, to spend the afternoon with you.”

Xia Yufei smiled. Of the five, Lin Ruo, Lin Xi, and Zhao Jing were the aloof types, Wu Qian was the cute one, and Xia Yufei was a blend of both.

Zhao Mengnan and Li Susu had that innocent, wide-eyed look again.

“Yufei, can you two stop showing off? Couples who flaunt their love never last!” Zhao Mengnan teased.

“Mengnan, are you cursing me?”

“Of course not! Yufei, what Mengnan means is that she hopes you two break up soon, so she can swoop in.”

Yang Fan’s expression grew odd. You’re really just going to steal me in broad daylight?

“So you want to swoop in, huh? Fine, I’ll step aside for you,” Xia Yufei laughed, glancing at Yang Fan. “Why don’t you take Mengnan too?”

Yang Fan looked awkward, but truth be told, this girl was quite thoughtful, even setting him up.

“Yufei, then I won’t hold back,” Zhao Mengnan said, moving closer and looping her arm through Yang Fan’s.

“Mengnan, you’re really going for it?” Yang Fan chuckled as he scratched his nose. “You six really are close.”

“I’d take Mengnan if I could, but I’m not up to it,” Xia Yufei replied, giving him a playful slap. The others burst out laughing.

“All right, enough teasing. Yufei, I have a gift for you!” Yang Fan produced a small box, and when he opened it to reveal a necklace, their eyes sparkled.

“Wow!”

Unfazed, Yang Fan put the necklace on Xia Yufei himself.

She simply smiled; all that mattered to her was Yang Fan’s heart.

“Is this a proposal?” Li Susu asked.

“Of course it is! A necklace is for tying you to my heart.”

Xia Yufei’s eyes melted, and the others sighed in admiration.

“How romantic.”

“Honey, I want one too!” Zhao Mengnan shook Yang Fan’s arm, sending shock through the group.

“Mengnan, did you just call him ‘honey’?”

“You don’t get it. This is one way to climb the ranks. Yufei, take notes,” Zhao Mengnan declared proudly.

“He’s all yours,” Xia Yufei laughed.

“So, honey, will you buy me one?” Mengnan persisted.

“I will, but secretly. Don’t let Yufei find out.”

“Great, then we can get a room together and I’ll be sure to take the top spot.”

The group erupted in laughter. Yang Fan smiled at Xia Yufei—this junior of his really was something else.

The dishes arrived quickly, and everyone ate and chatted.

“By the way, Mengnan, have you thought it over?”

“About climbing the ranks?” Mengnan asked.

“Still dreaming? If you become a third wheel and Yufei bullies you every day, I’d feel sorry for you.”

“You hear that, Mengnan? A third wheel,” the others teased.

But Yang Fan was being serious.

“I mean your plan to enter the entertainment industry. Have you made up your mind?” he asked.

Zhao Mengnan blinked. “I still want to give it a try.”

“Alright, if you’re sure, then let’s do it. Tomorrow’s Saturday, right? Come to my company and I’ll explain everything in detail.”

“Okay, I’ll have Yufei come with me.”

“Good!”

“Can we come too?” Li Susu asked.

“Of course! I’ll treat you all to a feast at noon, and you can help keep an eye on my Yufei.”

“As if I’d run off!” Yufei protested.

“You never know,” Yang Fan grinned.

“I think it’s you Mengnan’s after,” someone chimed in.

“That’s right, I am!” Mengnan admitted without a hint of embarrassment.

“You two are about to turn on each other,” Li Susu sighed.

Everyone laughed and shook their heads.

After lunch, Yang Fan took Xia Yufei and the others to the amusement park. At three in the afternoon, Li Susu and the others said they had to head back, giving Yang Fan and Xia Yufei some time alone.

“Honey, I’ll call you tonight—book a room and wait for me!” Mengnan called out.

Yang Fan made an OK gesture, and the group dragged Mengnan away.

“Your dorm mates are really bold—nothing is off-limits with them.”

“Aren’t you and I getting a room too?” Xia Yufei teased.

“Let’s go then!” Yang Fan replied.

Xia Yufei blushed instantly.

Honestly, after two days and nights of temptation, Lin Ruo’s occasional provocations, and the awkwardness with Wu Qian that morning, Yang Fan had spent these past days at the brink of collapse.

They spent the afternoon together, and after their joy, held each other tightly.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered.

“I’ve missed you too. Where are you taking me for the National Day holiday?”

Yang Fan paused. Everything seemed to happen around this holiday.

“I have work—my company’s opening,” he explained. After the opening, he had plans with Zhao Jing in the evening.

“Do you need my help?” she asked.

“No need. Just come. I’ll have Wu Qian bring you.”

“Okay.”

There really wasn’t much left to hide. The five from the maze had all met and knew of each other’s existence.

By the time they left, it was past eight. After grabbing a bite with Xia Yufei, Yang Fan took her back to her school.

Lin Ruo appeared again from who knows where. Yang Fan got in the car, and the two sat in silence. Lin Ruo said nothing, lost in her own thoughts.

Back in the dorm at Tianning Normal University, Xia Yufei found everyone getting ready for bed.

“You’re back?” someone asked.

“Yep, your turn now!”

“I’m just about to go—the room’s already booked!” Zhao Mengnan grinned.

“Let me start a video call for you two to discuss your plans.”

Yang Fan received the video call from Xia Yufei on the way home, but it was Zhao Mengnan who appeared.

“Honey, once you’ve booked the room, I’ll be right there!” she teased.

Yang Fan laughed. “Where’s Yufei?”

“What do you want with her? She’s just the third wheel!”

“You’re the third wheel!” came Yufei’s voice, laughter ringing out in the background.

After some chatting, they hung up.

“You’re a senior chatting so happily with a bunch of sophomores. You really are something,” Lin Ruo remarked.

Yang Fan just chuckled as Lin Ruo went on, “So, where to next?”

“Home, of course,” Yang Fan replied.

“Are you sure? It’ll just be us at home.”

“What about the others?”

“Zihan’s shooting a night scene! So it’ll just be the two of us tonight.”

“As if that’s not how it usually is. We’ve spent more time together than anyone. If we weren’t a couple, no one would believe it.”

“See, you wolf, you’re still after me!”

“I’m just thinking about this feeling. Haven’t you heard the saying? 'What you can’t have always stirs the heart.'”

“Then keep dreaming! With all that time spent yearning, you might as well study the system panel instead of staring at me all day.”