Chapter Six: The Beauty of Youth Literature

A brief silence settled between them, and the atmosphere grew gradually more intimate. Both unconsciously deepened their awareness of each other, each conjuring the other's silhouette in their mind, as if someone truly stood by their side in companionship.

It was Furina who first broke the silence. She straightened her posture and, feigning composure, declared, "Very well, if you manage to come here, Lady Furina herself will personally show you all of Fontaine, so you can experience the wonders of another world."

"So... is it a promise, then?"

"Of course. I never go back on my word!"

"I believe you."

On his way to school, moving forward into the morning sun, Lu Mingfei slowly lifted his head. Determination and resolve shone in his eyes, reflecting the light. He seemed transformed, as though reborn.

I will go to her world.

It was a statement, plain and unembellished, yet within its simplicity lay an even deeper resolve and unwavering determination. He spoke it as one declares a fact, not as one making a decision.

...

"Good morning, Lu Mingfei."

Unusually, Chen Wenwen greeted him on the way to school. Her gentle, thoughtful smile seeped into the hearts of many adolescent boys like a slow-acting poison, captivating them utterly.

"Morning," Lu Mingfei replied with a simple smile.

Once upon a time, he had been no different from those other boys just down the road, rendered speechless with excitement whenever Chen Wenwen greeted him, affirming their connection in his heart, instinctively forgetting all the bad news about himself.

But now, he was different. After exchanging greetings with Chen Wenwen, he could remain calm and unruffled, for someone else now occupied his heart.

His heart was too small to hold a second person.

Forgive me, Chen Wenwen. I am going to let you down...

"Hey, hey, what kind of scoundrel's confession is that? Shouldn't you reflect a bit on what you're thinking?" Furina's voice echoed in Lu Mingfei's mind.

Oh, he'd almost forgotten—if his thoughts were too obvious, Furina could hear them.

Although Lu Mingfei and Furina communicated through their thoughts, if he was careful and guarded, she couldn't hear him. But this required deliberate concealment, and stray, instinctive thoughts could still slip through.

"It's not what you think. Although Chen Wenwen was someone I liked before, it's just that..."

"She doesn't like you?"

"...Yes."

"So how could this be called letting her down? Your feelings never even began—what is there to betray? Hmm... let me see. I suppose this relationship didn't just never begin, but rather, no one realized it had already started, nor that it has now ended. Hmm~ Truly dramatic—a charm unique to youth literature."

"Furina!"

"Aiya, my mistake, don't mind me. In a moment I'll be entering an official event, so please don't send any strange thoughts my way."

"An official event? Heh, Lady Furina, you wouldn't want anything to happen during your important occasion..."

"Lu! My dear! Be good~ I promise we'll talk properly once I'm done with my business, alright? Please, please! Don't cause trouble or your adorable Nana will be heartbroken!"

"Ah, fine, fine, go handle your affairs!"

"Hehehe~"

A bell-like peal of laughter rang out, rippling through Lu Mingfei's heart. For him, it was the ultimate delight, a truly wonderful sensation. How splendid.

...

"Eh? Lu Mingfei, I'm surprised you're not pestering Chen Wenwen with pointless chatter today. That's rare, really rare." Su Xiaoqiang had appeared beside him at some point, eyeing him as though inspecting a new species.

"I'm just not in the mood today," Lu Mingfei replied, reigning in his inner thoughts. He didn't want to cause trouble for Furina at her official event. Though they could block each other out, if possible, he hoped this mind-to-mind connection could go on forever.

"What, have you set your sights elsewhere?"

Su Xiaoqiang squinted at him.

"Someone else? You mean you?"

Lu Mingfei shot back.

"Well, if you dare admit in front of the whole class that you like me, maybe I'll agree to be your girlfriend for a day, just to try it out," Su Xiaoqiang replied, arms crossed, a mischievous smile on her lips.

"Heh," Lu Mingfei scoffed, not bothering to answer.

Agree, only to dump me later, is that it? We're friends, I can see right through you.

Although Lu Mingfei and Su Xiaoqiang were of opposite genders and not particularly close, they shared a special bond, a tacit understanding that allowed them to sense each other's thoughts to some extent. They simply had never put it to good use.

Perhaps this was what people called a fateful entanglement.

"So, how was it trudging home in the rain last night? Did it feel exhilarating, like you were about to ascend to heaven?" Su Xiaoqiang sidled up to him with a sly grin.

...

So it's confirmed—the person in the Maybach was the little celestial, just the type to take pleasure in such mischief. She could have gone home on her own, yet insisted on watching Lu Mingfei get soaked.

Ha, and to think this is the same person who loudly declared she would pursue Zhao Menghua. Has she not noticed he's been avoiding her? Only a pal like me would still listen to her antics.

"Boring. Hmph!"

Su Xiaoqiang, noting Lu Mingfei's unchanged expression, felt a twinge of disappointment. Yet at the same time, she sensed something different about him.

This guy... seems to have changed a bit?

As someone who constantly teased Lu Mingfei, she knew him better than anyone—what kind of person he was, how he'd react in various situations, and which of his awkward moments would draw the biggest laugh.

But now, something about him felt different—more grounded, more confident, like a plant that had finally taken root, drawing sustenance from the earth, no longer so easily shaken by the storms.

Who could it be?

Curiosity gnawed at Su Xiaoqiang. The more Lu Mingfei changed, the more she wanted to witness firsthand who it was that had so profoundly transformed his heart.

Thinking of this, she glanced at Chen Wenwen, who was walking with Zhao Menghua, and suddenly grinned. "Hey, look, Chen Wenwen and Zhao Menghua are alone together. How does that make you feel?"

"You're the one who likes Zhao Menghua, not me. Why ask me how I feel?" Lu Mingfei retorted.

...

Su Xiaoqiang fell suddenly silent. Gazing at Zhao Menghua chatting and laughing with Chen Wenwen, she realized the gravity of the situation. A surge of unwillingness welled up inside her. At first, she'd only been pursuing him for fun, but now she truly wanted to win his heart.

No, I can't let her outdo me!

I've always been proud, never once bested by anyone—not in any area. I can't lose ground even when it comes to finding a boyfriend!

"Heh, he doesn't like you, and you don't like him, yet you insist on chasing after him. Who knows, maybe one day you'll have to watch him and Chen Wenwen together, and end up crying like a clown," Lu Mingfei said, his tone laced with irony.

"Impossible! If I, Su Xiaoqiang, set my sights on something, no one can compete with me—no one!" the proud little celestial declared with absolute certainty.