The Wind Heard Her Confession - Chapter 10: A Blinding Crush part 2

At first, the internet café’s private rooms were quite small. After sprawling out on the sofa all night, her back and legs would ache the next day. Over the summer, the café was renovated. Chi Ye’s new VIP room was twice as big as before, with two extra-wide leather sofas and even a private bathroom with a shower.

As an art student, Lin Yuran might have done better sticking with liberal arts classes. But she liked math and science, so when it was time to pick her subjects in grade 10, she chose the science track naturally. She ended up in the same class as Chi Ye again, and they were desk partners once more.

In grade 10, she started staying out all night more often. She felt lucky to have a safe place to stay. She couldn’t bathe at home easily, so she used to go to Xu Jianwei’s dormitory to wash up. Chi Ye’s VIP room became a big help later on. After school, when she wasn’t staying out all night, she’d go there to shower before going home.

When she did stay out all night, she’d wake up in the morning and use that room to wash away the exhaustion of the night before.

While she showered, Chi Ye usually went out to buy breakfast. He always arrived just as she finished washing. During that time, that VIP room felt like a safe harbor to her, sheltering her during those helpless nights.

“Chi Ye, is that girl you stayed up all night with at the internet café our Designer Lin Yuran?” Qin Lang asked.

Chi Ye shrugged off his arm. “What’s it to you?”

“I don’t need your confirmation. I’m already sure.”

Qin Lang shrugged, shooting a look at Lin Yuran and Chi Ye that was on the verge of a smirk.

Feeling there was more to his smile than meets the eye, Lin Yuran furrowed her brow. “How are you so sure it was me?”

“There are lots of girls at our school who like Chi Ye. He could’ve stayed up all night with any of them,” she added quietly.

“I…” Chi Ye opened his mouth, but couldn’t find the words. He managed only one confused syllable.

Qin Lang suddenly burst into laughter.

Lin Yuran blinked at him, perplexed. She couldn’t understand why Chi Ye’s ‘I’ had made him laugh so hard.

“There’s no one else. I can vouch for that,” Qin Lang managed to say through his chuckles, now sounding serious. “Chi Ye hasn’t been in contact with any other girls.”

Vouch? For what? What’s the point? Lin Yuran couldn’t make heads or tails of what he was saying.

Qin Lang continued, “Besides, with your face, Designer Lin, so pretty that one look could ruin someone’s life, who could possibly forget it?” After saying this, he turned to Chi Ye, “Right, Chi Ye?”

Chi Ye didn’t respond. He just turned around and walked back to his office.

Qin Lang called out from behind him, “Aren’t you done for the day? What are you going back for?”

“To grab something.”

After a short while, Chi Ye came out of the office and walked over to where Lin Yuran was standing. He asked Qin Lang, “Ready to go?”

Qin Lang saw his hands were empty. “Didn’t you say you came back for something? Where’s that thing?”

Chi Ye glanced at him briefly, ignoring his question.

Qin Lang laughed. “Sure, sure, let’s go.”

He didn’t forget to invite Lin Yuran. “Hey, Designer Lin, aren’t you done for the day yet? Let’s go together.”

After chatting for so long, Lin Yuran’s train of thought had been interrupted. Besides, it was getting late. She decided to head home where she could settle down and draw.

“Okay.” She packed up her things, then went downstairs with the two men.

After leaving the Ranye Club’s main hall, Qin Lang asked Lin Yuran, “Where do you live, Designer Lin? I’ll give you a ride.”

Lin Yuran smiled, her index finger twirling a set of keys around her neck. “No need, thanks. I’ve got a car.”

“Wow!” Qin Lang was slightly surprised. “You’re young and accomplished, aren’t you, Designer Lin?”

Lin Yuran laughed, glancing at Chi Ye. “I’m off.” She walked straight towards the parking area.

Qin Lang crossed his arms, looking at Chi Ye. He said teasingly, “Hey! The Miss has a car!”

Chi Ye ignored him, a hint of annoyance between his brows.

Qin Lang began slow movement towards the parking area. They stopped near the entrance, curious to see what kind of car Lin Yuran would come out with. Soon, they watched as Lin Yuran rode a bicycle out.

Lin Yuran looped the bike around to face them, smiling. “Surprising, isn’t it?” The bicycle she pedaled was cheap and old, but she wasn’t self-conscious at all. Her smile was carefree, eyes clear and bright, untouched by the superficial anxieties of the world.

Qin Lang looked a bit dazed. He asked sincerely, his concern clear, “Designer Lin, do you live far from the company? Biking is tiring and there’s the sun too. That won’t do. Let Chi Ye arrange for a car to pick you up.”

“It’s close enough. No need for a ride,” Lin Yuran replied. “For someone with a 9-to-5 job, biking to work is the best option. It’s exercise, so I don’t have to make time for the gym.”

Qin Lang gave her a thumbs-up. “Good choice. It’s green, healthy, and eco-friendly.”

Lin Yuran didn’t want to linger. She put on her sunglasses, glanced at Chi Ye, and said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then she hopped on her bike and left.

Her waist-length hair swayed gently in the wind, catching the fading sunlight that wove through her silver strands like a thin veil of pale gold. Her moonlit-pale skin, bathed in the glow of dusk, shimmered with a dreamy aura.

It all seemed unreal. Watching her go, Qin Lang couldn’t help but think she didn’t quite belong in this world.

“Tsk tsk,” he muttered, watching her bike disappear into the traffic. “Confidence! Carefree style! Character! Class!”

He turned to Chi Ye. “She’s quite the impressive girl!”

Chi Ye’s gaze remained fixed on that free-spirited figure, even after it had vanished into the sunset. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves. As their soft whisper filled the air, Chi Ye murmured: “Little fox.”