On the way back to school, Fu Yidong shared a lot of experience about pursuing men with Yu Nuo.
Yu Nuo was confused by it all but silently noted down a few points.
Back at the dorm, Liang Xi was watching dramas and drinking bubble tea with another roommate. Yu Nuo greeted them and sat down at her spot to rest.
She put on her headphones, opened her computer, and worked on her graduation defense PPT for a while. While browsing through her D drive, she suddenly saw a file named “TG-Conquer”. It was the recipe she had written for him before. Her finger paused on the mouse.
After spacing out for a few seconds, she felt like something was missing in her heart.
In her headphones, the song switched to Yan Renzhong’s. Yu Nuo picked up her phone and put it on repeat.
She searched for Chen Yuzheng on Weibo and clicked into his profile. He had only reposted TG’s official Weibo post, with 0 following.
Yu Nuo scrolled through his past likes and suddenly saw her photo.
It was from the Spring Finals in Chengdu at the Daci Temple. She was looking up slightly, standing under a tree with prayer ribbons.
Yu Nuo’s heart skipped a beat.
Some time had passed, and she felt nervous about opening that photo.
Actually, Yu Nuo knew she wasn’t ugly, but she was always insecure about everything about herself. When she first started university and took photos with others, she would even shrink back, afraid to look at the camera. When roommates held up phones to take her photo, Yu Nuo would instinctively cover her face.
Later, because of Fu Yidong, she tried taking some cosplay photos. Only then did Yu Nuo gradually return to normal and stop being so resistant to others photographing her.
After psyching herself up for a few seconds, she clicked on her photo.
The angle, lighting, and atmosphere were all good, showing only half of her fair profile.
Yu Nuo secretly sighed in relief.
She wondered what Chen Yuzheng’s first reaction was when he saw this photo…
After staring at that page for a few minutes, she moved her finger to the plus sign at the bottom left of the screen and followed his account.
After following him, she felt a bit guilty. Yu Nuo followed several other people through TG’s official account to push Chen Yuzheng’s name further down her following list.
After closing her phone, Yu Nuo was troubled, pondering how to ease her relationship with Chen Yuzheng.
She had always been a bit slow in this area and had never pursued anyone before… In the current situation, she didn’t know what kind of distance to maintain with him would be best.
Yu Nuo took out her small notebook, chewing on her pen, and wrote down the first step Fu Yidong told her:
- Be more proactive in finding topics, chat with him, show care for him. Use some small tricks appropriately, let him help you with small favors to bring you two closer.
Yu Nuo lay on the desk, playing with her small wind chime for a while.
After a while, she gathered her spirits and opened WeChat, sending messages to Ultraman, Killer and others: [The matches are coming up soon, remember to eat well these days.]
Finally opening Chen Yuzheng’s chat window, she thought for a moment and modified the second half:
[The matches are coming up soon, have you been eating well lately?]
Several minutes passed, and Killer and others all enthusiastically replied, except Chen Yuzheng.
Yu Nuo waited a bit longer, still no reply. She felt a bit down, wondering if he hadn’t seen it, or if he had seen it but didn’t want to reply…
Her phone suddenly vibrated, making Yu Nuo’s heart jump. She quickly picked it up to look.
Conquer: [1]
Yu Nuo had looked this up on Baidu before, but still pretended not to know: [What does 1 mean?]
Conquer: [Yes]
She thought for a moment: [What are you doing? Can you type a few more words?]
Conquer: [Showering]
Yu Nuo’s mind briefly imagined it, and her face immediately heated up. She quickly dispersed those romantic images and hurriedly replied: [Then go shower, I won’t bother you now ^ ^]
After a while, Chen Yuzheng sent a voice message.
Yu Nuo paused her music and stared at that three-second voice message for a while before playing it.
There was a faint sound of running water in the background, and Chen Yuzheng’s voice was a bit teasing, “What, did you have something else to tell me?”
Yu Nuo: [No… don’t reply anymore, focus on your shower.]
Right after sending it, Chen Yuzheng’s voice message came immediately. But before Yu Nuo could play it, he recalled it.
Yu Nuo waited for a while, confirming he had no intention of sending anything else, then closed her phone.
Although she hadn’t managed to chat much with Chen Yuzheng, her mood seemed… to have improved a bit.
Yu Nuo tied up her hair, ate dinner, and received a complete love guide from Fu Yidong.
She looked through it with a learning attitude. After reading through it, she still felt she wasn’t quite brave enough to implement it.
With the Intercontinental Championship approaching, Yu Nuo was afraid of disturbing Chen Yuzheng’s training, so she hadn’t actively chatted with him again.
—
In a flash, it was Friday.
All of TG headed to the airport, on the same flight as OG and YLD.
The teams arrived around the same time, each wearing their custom team uniforms with sports bags, team names and IDs printed on their shoulders and backs. WR and TG were in black and gold, while OG and YLD were in red and white. All were young men around twenty, getting off the bus with their suitcases, moving in an impressive group with fans surrounding them asking for autographs and photos.
They attracted attention as soon as they entered the airport hall.
Before checking in luggage, Yu Ge came alone to TG’s area, ignoring others’ occasional glances, and said to Yu Nuo: “Give me your boarding pass.”
Yu Nuo: “Huh?”
“I’ll upgrade your seat.”
Yu Nuo was stunned for a moment and pointed to Xiang Jiajia beside her: “No need, no need, I already chose seats, we’re sitting together.”
Killer listened to the siblings’ conversation for a while and discussed quietly with Chen Yuzheng: “Tsk tsk, Fish may seem cold usually, but he’s quite nice to his sister.”
Seeing no response, he bumped Chen Yuzheng’s shoulder: “I’m talking to you, didn’t you hear? Where are your manners?”
Chen Yuzheng continued playing his game and casually said: “So what do you want me to say?”
Killer couldn’t stand his attitude, “Who are you trying to fool, don’t think I don’t know, you’re planning to steal Fish’s sister!”
Hearing this, Chen Yuzheng’s movements paused for a moment. He glanced at him, “Want to speak louder? Need me to find you a megaphone?”
Seeing he didn’t deny it, Killer pressed on, snickering, “So how’s the stealing going?”
Chen Yuzheng’s face was expressionless as he uttered three words: “Can’t steal her.”
…
…
Yu Nuo sat in her chair, checking her bag for power bank, thermos, earphones, band-aids, and motion sickness pills.
The mechanical female voice in the airport kept repeating announcements.
TG’s members had finished checking in their luggage and were preparing to go through security together. Yu Nuo stood up from her chair, still searching in her bag for foam earplugs, unsure if she hadn’t brought them or if they were packed in her suitcase.
This flight to Paris was long-haul, taking over ten hours, and she was worried about her tinnitus acting up.
She felt anxious, falling behind the group, head down rummaging through her bag. While walking, she didn’t notice her surroundings and accidentally bumped into someone.
Her bag fell to the ground, and Yu Nuo quietly said sorry.
The person who was bumped frowned, brushed their shoulder, and muttered: “Watch where you’re going.”
After they left, Yu Nuo crouched down and started picking up the scattered items one by one.
Halfway through collecting them, she suddenly felt a shadow fall over her.
Chen Yuzheng was silently helping her pick things up.
He was crouching on one knee, wearing a mask that covered half his face. A small section of his high bridge nose showed, and his black feather-like eyelashes were lowered, hiding the emotions in his eyes.
Yu Nuo’s movements paused for a moment.
Nearby, several female fans huddled together with their phones, giggling as they took photos of Chen Yuzheng.
The other TG members hadn’t noticed the small incident behind them and had walked far ahead, joking and horsing around.
He finished picking everything up and handed it to her.
Yu Nuo carefully looked at him once, “Thank you.”
Chen Yuzheng’s eyes were black as he lifted his eyelids to glance at her, propped his elbow on his knee to stand up, “No need.”
Feeling his distance, Yu Nuo paused for a moment, then quickened her pace of packing everything back into her bag.
Looking to the side, Chen Yuzheng had his hands in his pockets and had already walked far away.
—
After passing security, there was still over an hour before boarding.
Killer, being a ladies’ man, loved chatting with girls the most and gathered near Xiang Jiajia, joking around with them.
Ultraman was bored and also joined them.
Xiang Jiajia talked about a young celebrity she was following lately, and after a while, showed Yu Nuo photos: “I think he looks a bit like your brother, what do you think?”
Yu Nuo looked for a while, and there did seem to be some similarity in the eyes and brows. She nodded: “Maybe a little bit.”
Killer also studied it and said: “How does he look kind of feminine? How is he like Fish?”
Xiang Jiajia felt they had no common ground and continued scrolling Weibo, giving him a side-eye: “What do you mean feminine? He has a youthful air, understand? Fair and clean-looking, very lovable. You straight guys don’t get it.”
“No, what’s wrong with this era? Is there any hope? How did you girls’ aesthetic sense become so warped? I feel this little celebrity isn’t even as handsome as Chen Yuzheng.”
Killer deliberately looked at Yu Nuo, “Our Conquer is also young, nineteen years old, so vigorous, so handsome, and not feminine at all, full of masculine charm, a total hunk. Why chase stars when you could chase our team’s AD!”
Xiang Jiajia: “…”
Killer turned to ask Yu Nuo: “What do you think, Sister Yu Nuo?”
Yu Nuo was silent for a moment then said: “Um… I think…”
Ultraman listened from the side for a while, couldn’t take it anymore and shouted, “Killer, you’re too gross! You’re all weathered looking with stubble, calling a flower-like young girl like Yu Nuo ‘sister’, are you perverted or what!”
Yu Nuo: “…”
Xiang Jiajia asked: “Nuonuo, don’t you have any favorite celebrities?”
Yu Nuo answered honestly: “No, I mostly watch anime.”
“Huh?” Xiang Jiajia looked a bit worried, “No wonder you haven’t found a boyfriend. The girls I know who like anime think the male characters are too perfect, so they don’t want to interact with real guys.”
Yu Nuo: “I’m okay.”
Ultraman took the chance to ask: “So do you have someone you like?”
Yu Nuo was quiet for two seconds, then nodded, “Yes.”
“WHAT??”
Yu Nuo was startled by Ultraman’s voice, not understanding why he was so excited: “What’s wrong?”
Ultraman felt he was about to discover huge gossip and asked urgently: “Who is he?”
Yu Nuo: “…”
“Give us a hint! Is he tall or short, fat or thin?”
Xiang Jiajia was speechless, not knowing how guys could be such gossips.
Under their burning stares, Yu Nuo felt confused and a bit tortured. She stammered but still answered: “Um… quite tall, thin… but not too thin.”
“Then, is he older or younger than you…” Ultraman wanted to keep asking, but Killer pulled him away: “You idiot, your rhythm is terrible. Get lost, let me handle this.”
Killer sat beside Yu Nuo and looked at her seriously, “The person you like, is he as handsome as Chen Yuzheng?”
Yu Nuo: “Huh?”
“If not…” Killer pondered for a moment, then said gravely: “I suggest breaking up.”
Yu Nuo: “…..”
—
Chen Yuzheng had just finished smoking a cigarette and returned when Ultraman raised his hand to stop him: “Wait, don’t sit down yet.”
Chen Yuzheng: “?”
Ultraman pointed to a water dispenser in the distance: “See that water dispenser? Go get me a cup of water.”
Chen Yuzheng: “…”
Killer crossed his legs lazily: “After getting his, don’t be idle, get your Killer brother a cup too.”
Chen Yuzheng’s face was cold, not knowing what they were up to again. He pushed aside Ultraman’s hand and sat down by himself.
Ultraman turned: “Killer brother, look how arrogant he is, so annoying.”
Killer played along: “I was going to tell him some things I found out about someone, but with this attitude, I don’t want to say anything.”
Chen Yuzheng turned his eyes: “What the fuck did you guys tell her again?”
Killer smiled: “Tsk, why are you so anxious, even swearing?”
Ultraman directed him: “Zheng, get me water first, then I’ll consider telling you or not.”
While they were teasing Chen Yuzheng, Yu Nuo came over. Killer and Ultraman fell silent together.
Chen Yuzheng suppressed his anger.
Killer asked: “What’s wrong?”
Yu Nuo was somewhat nervous and didn’t dare look directly at them, “I brought some snacks to share with you all.”
Ultraman was pleasantly surprised: “Do you still have those cookies from last time?”
“Yes,” Yu Nuo confirmed.
Ultraman, Killer, Van, and others weren’t embarrassed about eating a young girl’s snacks and all gathered around Yu Nuo.
After they were satisfied with their shares and returned to their seats, Yu Nuo looked up to see Chen Yuzheng’s retreating back.
She hesitated but still called out: “Chen Yuzheng.”
Chen Yuzheng stopped and turned his head.
With people all around, Yu Nuo hesitated for a moment, then ran a few steps to catch up. Fighting her shyness, she spoke: “Um… I also bought those candies you like, do you want some?”
Chen Yuzheng’s expression was a bit strange. After a few seconds of silence, he still said: “No need, thanks.”
He prepared to leave.
Yu Nuo asked: “Where are you going?”
Chen Yuzheng glanced at Killer who was spying from afar, then looked back at her: “Getting water.”
Yu Nuo made a small “oh” sound, then asked very carefully: “Those candies, do you not like them anymore?”
She asked one question, Chen Yuzheng answered one: “Haven’t finished the last ones.”
Yu Nuo: “…”
Her expression was like a flustered small animal as she clutched her bag tightly and said softly: “Did I… make you unhappy?”
Chen Yuzheng raised an eyebrow, looking composed: “What unhappiness?”
“Just, the other day, in the car…” Yu Nuo had called out to him on impulse, but since she’d started speaking, she might as well finish, “I didn’t mean anything else, just, if what I said made you uncomfortable, or hurt, I’m… sorry.”
Chen Yuzheng thought for two seconds, not quite understanding, and asked Yu Nuo: “What is there to be sorry about?”
“I…” Yu Nuo struggled with words.
Chen Yuzheng lowered his eyes, looking at her troubled expression, “I was indeed hurt.”
Yu Nuo froze and said another “I’m sorry.”
Chen Yuzheng continued: “However, my hurt might not be the kind you’re thinking of.”
Yu Nuo was completely unaware of several people watching the drama from afar. A bewildered look appeared on her face as she uncertainly asked: “Then what kind of hurt were you feeling?”
After examining her for several seconds, Chen Yuzheng asked: “Are you sure you want me to explain it here?”
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