Forced to Love (GL) - Chapter 16

Even though it was still summer break with extra classes and the new semester hadn’t officially started, the sports meet was still some time away.

But Xue Yuanlong couldn’t help but start worrying early.

In the past, Class Three’s participation in the sports meet was mostly just for the sake of joining. It never really mattered, and it didn’t affect anyone.

However, as the sports committee member, he still felt a little disappointed.

After all, to put it simply, who doesn’t have a competitive spirit?

Fortunately, this time…

Xue Yuanlong stared at Lingxi, hoping she would agree.

Lingxi clearly didn’t expect such a sudden topic change from him. Her hand paused on the book cover, and she instinctively looked at Shen Sui.

“The sports meet is still a long way off.” Shen Sui glanced at him and reached out to take the book from Lingxi’s hands.

“It is, but I noticed Yao is quite agile, so I thought I’d ask in advance.” Xue Yuanlong scratched his head and gave an awkward smile. Seeing the book in Shen Sui’s hand, he remembered what had just happened and felt a little embarrassed. “Sorry about that, Yao. I’ll let you two get back to what you were doing. I have something else to do, so I’ll be off.”

“Alright.”

After Xue Yuanlong left, Shen Sui raised her hand to return the book to the shelf, but it was on the highest level. Even on tiptoes, she could barely reach it.

Lingxi stepped closer. “Let me do it.”

Shen Sui turned to look at her, remained silent for a moment, and then handed her the book.

Lingxi slightly lifted her heels off the ground and placed the book back.

Once she steadied herself, Shen Sui suddenly asked her,

“Are you going to the sports meet?”

Lingxi thought for a moment. “Either way is fine. Do you want me to go?”

“……”

Shen Sui seemed unprepared for this response. There was a brief pause, like a fleeting meteor passing through her mind.

Then, she asked impulsively, “If I want you to go, will you go?”

Lingxi nodded seriously. “Yes.”

Shen Sui saw that her expression was as usual, even firm and justified.

Shen Sui’s slightly parted lips moved, but in the end, she didn’t say anything.

…

Xue Yuanlong didn’t give up after leaving. Instead, he became even more persistent. Whether at school or on weekends at the bookstore, Shen Sui began seeing him more often.

Or rather, she saw him around Lingxi more often.

During school breaks, he would bring sports magazines and try to talk to Lingxi, regardless of her reaction.

Shen Sui’s pen would pause slightly while writing, leaving a trace of black ink on the paper.

On weekends at the bookstore, Xue Yuanlong would follow behind Lingxi, talking and gesturing animatedly.

Lingxi remained calm, neither happy nor annoyed, allowing Xue Yuanlong to hover around her.

Through the shifting crowds, Shen Sui watched them from a distance.

Even though the bookstore’s air conditioning was strong, her peaceful mood suddenly turned heavy.

“Yao, are those limited-edition sneakers? So cool!”

Originally, just two of them were heading home, but somehow, an extra person had tagged along.

Xue Yuanlong’s eyes widened as he looked at Lingxi’s shoes.

“Maybe,” Lingxi replied casually, not paying much attention.

As they passed a shop with a fitting mirror, Shen Sui quickly glanced at their reflection. She saw the blue sneakers with an animated design.

She didn’t recognize the character, but she recognized the brand logo clearly.

“I wanted to buy the men’s version of those, but I couldn’t get them…”

Xue Yuanlong sounded regretful, but for some reason, it grated on Shen Sui’s ears.

As they got closer to home, Shen Sui’s steps slowed.

“What’s wrong?” Lingxi noticed and tilted her head to ask.

Stopping in place, Shen Sui said, “I don’t think I’ve ever been to your house.”

Lingxi was caught off guard by the sudden statement and hesitated briefly. “Do you want to?”

“Yeah.” Shen Sui looked at her firmly.

“Alright.”

They changed their route. Lingxi didn’t invite Xue Yuanlong, and he took the hint, finding an excuse to leave as he watched them go together.

When Shen Sui entered Lingxi’s home, she saw the exquisite murals, the luxurious leather sofa, the soft carpet, the well-maintained green plants, and the spotless, gleaming floor tiles. She became even more aware of their differences.

The bright LED light above illuminated Lingxi, making her look even fairer, as if she were glowing.

“Please, have a seat.”

Lingxi led her inside. Shen Sui’s feet sank into the plush carpet, her body relaxed into the comfortable sofa, and she held a delicate ceramic cup. Lingxi watched her with a smile.

Heat spread from the touchpoint to her entire body.

For a moment, Shen Sui felt like she was at the foot of a snowy mountain—one step forward led to eternal ice, one step back to the warmth of spring.

A ripple spread in her heart, and in the next second, she saw a familiar figure in her mind.

Shen Sui suddenly stumbled.

She knew that figure.

That night, Lingxi walked Shen Sui home. After they parted, Lingxi watched Shen Sui’s back with a slight frown.

She had a gut feeling that something was off with Shen Sui.

But no matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong.

Lingxi stood downstairs for a while, but after confirming nothing seemed unusual, she left.

Summer classes flew by, and soon the new semester started. Two weeks into school, the homeroom teacher announced the sports meet, with Xue Yuanlong in charge of sign-ups.

Lingxi had no plans to participate. Xue Yuanlong’s invitations didn’t sway her at all. But when he brought the form to her, Shen Sui suddenly looked up from her exercises and glanced at her.

Lingxi hesitated.

Shen Sui had mentioned the sports meet before. Did she want her to join?

Lingxi wanted to ask, but before she could, the homeroom teacher joined in, turning one person’s persuasion into two.

“…What do you think, Shen?”

“Hm?” Shen Sui looked up, her gaze landing on Lingxi. Her dark eyes were unreadable for a long moment. Then, she said, “Mm.”

Shen Sui wanted her to participate.

Feeling like she had received permission, Lingxi agreed.

Each student could enter up to three events. Lingxi chose the 100-meter sprint and the relay race and signed her name on the form.

On the day of the competition, the school was filled with excitement.

As Lingxi got ready for her event, she turned back. “I’m going now.”

Shen Sui stood up as well. “Alright.”

Lingxi tied her hair back, looking more athletic. Through her loose T-shirt, Shen Sui could faintly see her collarbone.

Shen Sui suddenly called out to her.

“Good luck.”

“Don’t worry.” Lingxi smiled.

She would do her best—because Shen Sui wanted her to win.

But to Shen Sui, those words meant something different entirely.