Chapter 93: Can’t You... Just Let Me Succeed?

His breath seemed to falter for a moment. After taking a deep breath for two seconds, Bian Yang finally spoke, his voice inexplicably hoarse.

“Tang Xiaoyu.”

She stiffened slightly.

His warm palm rested gently on the crown of her head. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I’m just voicing my wish—I don’t expect a response.”

Tang Yu said nothing, only looked at him.

He held himself tense, and it was a long while before he managed to ease the knot of anxiety in his chest. “I just wanted you to know—all my care, my thoughtfulness, my attention to you—it’s not because I’m your big brother, nor some fleeting impulse. It’s because I like you. I seriously, truly like you.”

The wind began to rise. Bian Yang’s expression was intent.

“But if my feelings ever become a burden to you, or make you uncomfortable, please tell me. I’ll restrain them, and step back to wherever you feel safe. I like you because I want you to be better, not because I expect anything in return.”

Her lashes fluttered, a soft, downward sweep.

“About last night—that kiss…” Bian Yang’s fingertips brushed the corner of her lips, his thumb resting on her soft mouth. In his dark eyes, there was a deeper glimmer. “That was me losing control. I’m sorry.”

Tang Yu raised her eyes, meeting the young man’s gaze.

It was the first time she had ever seen such careful caution on Bian Yang’s face.

She had thought that since he never mentioned it, he must have forgotten—after all, he’d been drunk last night.

So she pretended nothing had happened too, feigning composure throughout the day.

But he hadn’t.

He even said… I like you.

The wind in Echo Valley tangled her hair, a few strands trailing across her cheek and blocking her view of Bian Yang.

But she still kept her eyes fixed on him, not blinking once.

Her silence, in Bian Yang’s eyes, seemed like she was hesitating over how to turn him down.

He moved his thin lips, his eyes clouded with unnameable emotion.

A boy who grew up idolized and adored, for the first time tasted deep defeat.

He forced a smile, a bit self-mocking, raised his hand and pinched her cheek. “It’s okay if you want to refuse me.”

He pressed his tongue to his jaw, feigning lightness and ease, his gaze wild and proud. “After all, a man as handsome as I am should be prepared for a little heartbreak. But Tang Xiaoyu, when I like someone, I go all the way. If you don’t like me now, that’s fine. There’s plenty of time. Take your time getting to know me, and then you can fall for me—it’s never too late…”

“No.”

She interrupted him suddenly.

Tang Yu heard her own voice and was startled, her face flushing scarlet.

She quickly pressed her lips together, lowering her head, not seeing the light that filled Bian Yang’s eyes.

“No?” His breath hitched, his heart pounding inexplicably, caught between uncertainty and hope. “No… what?”

Tang Yu’s fingers clenched tightly at her sides.

She had never wanted anything before.

Everything before her had always seemed bleak, as if veiled by a heavy curtain.

When her parents left, she didn’t ask them to stay.

When teachers blamed her unfairly, she never explained.

When others bullied her, she could swallow her pride and endure, waiting for her chance.

Except for her studies, she had hardly ever taken the initiative.

Because there was so little she could control.

It was like walking each day along a pitch-black country road, silent and alone, just counting down the ruined days.

She had never imagined that someone could burst so brightly into her life.

Make the world seem radiant.

This time, she wanted to fight for something.

Just this once.

She wanted to reach for the blazing sun, to bend and scoop up the moon from the sea.

She wanted, bravely, to reach out and seize this light with all her might.

Tang Yu lifted her head, her eyes shining brighter and more resolute, meeting his gaze with courage.

Bian Yang brushed the hair from her cheek, looking at her the same way.

“If—if…” Tang Yu’s every word seemed to carve itself into his heart, trembling again and again.

He wanted to hear more, both hopeful and afraid.

Never had he thought that cowardice could become his own name.

With so many voices swirling around him, the only one he could hear now was Tang Yu’s.

The boy’s lips pressed tight, staring at her slightly parted mouth. Tang Yu looked at him and said, “If I’m not as good as you imagine…”

“Damn!” He had waited so long only to hear this, his jaw clenching, unable to hold back a curse. “Tang Xiaoyu, after everything I said, you still say that? Can’t you see, the one who really needs you… is me.” The last few words came out soft and trembling.

Like—this rose would only be beautiful in your hands.

Like—only when Bian Yang met Tang Yu did he feel free.

He couldn’t help pulling her into his arms, his chest heaving as he hugged her tight.

“Can’t you just… let me have my way, just this once?”

Her fingers twisted in the fabric of his shirt until it was wrinkled.

“I’m actually a good guy, you know. You could give me a try. I’ve never dated before, but I’m a fast learner.”

He lowered his eyes, his lashes trembling. “Everything I said just now was a lie—I don’t want to suffer for love at all…”

Tang Yu buried her face against his chest, breathing in his scent, unable to keep from laughing.

After a while, she tugged at his shirt. “Bian Yang.”

He didn’t answer.

Tang Yu’s lashes quivered. “You’ve squashed the flowers.”

Only then did he slowly let her go, his messy hair tousled by the wind, falling over his dark eyes.

“You’re gentler with those useless flowers than with me,” he scoffed.

He seemed to have forgotten how many times he pricked his hand wrapping those very flowers that morning.

Tang Yu paused in tending to the flowers, turning to look at him. “Are you complaining about me?”

Bian Yang choked on his words. “…Would I dare?”

“You would,” she said mildly. “You never do the practice sheets I ask you to.”

“….”

There it was again—those damn worksheets.

“Bian Yang, want to make a bet?”

Her skin was tinged with pink from the sun. Bian Yang stood opposite her, blocking out the dazzling light. “What kind of bet?”

“On the college entrance exam,” she said, eyes full of laughter. “If you can score six hundred or above, I’ll say yes.”

Bian Yang didn’t react at first. “Huh?”

She had already turned her back, looking out over the valley.

“Are you serious?”

Stars seemed to spark in the boy’s eyes as he walked up to her, cupping Tang Yu’s face in his hands, confirming, “You’re not lying?”

Her gentle face flushed, and she nodded.

Bian Yang’s lips curved uncontrollably into a smile, at last breaking into laughter.

“Tang Yu.”

She looked up.

“You said it—no backing out.” His forehead rested against hers, voice low. “I’m scared I won’t be able to take it if you do.”

“Mm,” she replied. “Never.”

The next moment, Tang Yu felt herself lifted off the ground, his arm tightening around her waist as he spun her through the air, nearly dizzying her.

The valley echoed with the boy’s laughter and the girl’s startled cries.

“Bian Yang, put me down!”

He obediently set her down, and Tang Yu, flustered, stomped on his foot.

Bian Yang let her, a small footprint marking the white of his shoe, but he didn’t care at all. He shouted into Echo Valley, “Tang Xiaoyu, it’s just six hundred points—wait and see!”

A mere six hundred points.

He was getting off easy.

Tang Yu pulled at her lips. “With your current grades, six hundred might be a bit difficult.”

Bian Yang leaned lazily against the railing, a smile in his eyes, full of confidence. “We’ll see about that.”

Tang Yu glanced at him, holding the railing as if summoning all her strength, and shouted into Echo Valley, “Then I wish you success!”

When the echoes finally faded,

She caught her breath, closed her eyes, and shouted freely,

“I want a life of freedom! I want to be a warrior in the world! I want to reach the highest point in my life! I want passion and recklessness, and I also want…”

She stopped suddenly, turned to the boy beside her, and softly said, “Bian Yang.”

I also want Bian Yang.

“Hmm?” He thought she was calling him.

Tang Yu pressed her lips together, looking at him seriously, her smile pure as sunlight.

Bian Yang struggled to look away.

And yet she smiled at him—so sweet it hurt.

I also want Bian Yang.

That last sentence, Tang Yu whispered only in her heart.