Chapter Eighteen: A Midnight Conversation

The summer night was cool as Zhou Miao and Hu San stepped out of the taxi and walked along the community path, each lost in their thoughts, silent. As they neared home, Hu San sneaked a glance at Zhou Miao, only to see him staring blankly ahead, his mind elsewhere.

Hu San’s fingers twisted nervously behind her back, and finally she couldn't hold back any longer. “Just now, you asked me… so what do you think?”

Zhou Miao looked at her. “Why do you like me?”

Hu San’s face flushed, her big eyes darting about. “...I don’t know, I just do.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhou Miao flicked her forehead, making her clutch her head in pain and glare at him.

“You don’t even know why you like me, and you dare say you do,” Zhou Miao said with disdain.

“I just do, okay?” Hu San protested, rubbing her forehead.

“You know nothing about liking someone. You just think I’m handsome—shallow.” Zhou Miao had no interest in such girlish affection; it was usually a fleeting crush, and perhaps the next moment, she’d fancy someone else more handsome.

His indifferent attitude instantly infuriated Hu San. She grabbed Zhou Miao’s collar, pulled his face down, stood on tiptoe, and said earnestly, “Remember this: I don’t like you because you’re handsome. There are plenty of handsome people, but I like only you.”

Her boldness startled Zhou Miao, but seeing his reflection in her eyes, something in his heart softened. Still, he replied stiffly, “Oh.”

Hu San grew anxious. “What do you mean, ‘oh’?”

If she didn’t get an answer tonight, she wouldn’t sleep a wink.

“‘Oh’ means I get it,” Zhou Miao answered perfunctorily, unwilling to respond.

It was an awkward moment. After senior year, they would part ways, go to different cities, and might never meet again in this lifetime. In college, they would encounter all kinds of people and temptations. No one could guarantee unwavering loyalty; to fall in love now was almost surely to end in nothing.

Hu San refused to give up, clinging to Zhou Miao’s shirt and stretching it out.

“No way! You’re not leaving until you explain yourself!”

“Let go! You’ll tear my shirt—just bought it on Taobao,” Zhou Miao protested, worried for his shirt.

Suddenly, Hu San’s gaze sharpened as though she’d realized something. “Do you like Lin Yiyi?”

Lin Yiyi? Zhou Miao was baffled, taking a while to recall—a pretty girl from the neighboring class.

“I’ve never even spoken to her. What are you talking about?”

“Then do you like me or not?”

Zhou Miao sighed. “You’re only in senior year; you don’t understand what real liking is. What you feel now is just a crush, at best. When you get to college, you’ll meet better, more outstanding people. If you still like me then, that’s real liking.”

Hu San fell silent at his words, releasing his shirt but still stubbornly watching him.

After a while, she declared, “Fine, wait and see. I’ll prove it to you!” With that, Hu San marched away without looking back.

Zhou Miao finally breathed a sigh of relief—she was gone.

But just then, as Hu San reached the building entrance, she stopped, then hurried back, landing a fierce punch on Zhou Miao’s stomach.

“Serves you right, you jerk!”

After delivering her blow, she stomped away, looking thoroughly annoyed.

Zhou Miao clutched his stomach, utterly bewildered. Was there something wrong with this girl’s head?

Hu San stormed straight to her bedroom upon returning home, her face full of anger. Her parents didn’t even have a chance to ask, exchanging confused looks—why did she come back in a mood? Did they have a fight?

Just then, Hu San reemerged, a red ribbon tied around her forehead, full of vigor. “Dad, hand over all your secret stash. Sign me up for more college prep classes. I must get into university!”

Her father nodded instinctively. “Alright, no problem, but what’s gotten into you, girl?”

Hu San clenched her little fists, her face fierce yet childish. “I’m fine, I’m great. I’ve never craved power—craved knowledge—like I do now! I’ll study hard, I’ll work hard, I’ll read!”

“Whack!” Her mother smacked her bottom with a slipper. “Speak sensibly.”

“Waa~ He rejected my confession!” Unable to hold back any longer, Hu San threw herself into her mother’s arms, crying loudly.

Her mother rolled her eyes, patting her daughter’s back to comfort her. “It’s nothing, nothing. When you get to college, we’ll find someone a thousand times, ten thousand times more handsome!”

At her words, Hu San instantly raised her head. “I’m not some shallow girl who only cares about looks! I don’t like him because he’s handsome. Why do even you see me that way?”

Wiping her tears, Hu San said, “Just wait and see, I’ll prove myself!”

With that, she ran back to her room, opened her books, took a deep breath, cleared her mind, and threw herself into her studies.

Meanwhile, Zhou Miao, just home, saw his parents sitting on the living room sofa, faces full of curiosity. He sighed helplessly, “Why aren’t you asleep at this hour?”

Hong Xue patted the sofa. “Come here, son, tell Mom—who’s that girl?”

Zhou Miao waved his hand. “Just a regular classmate, don’t overthink it. I’m not planning to date anyone for a while, so don’t worry.”

He ignored their further questions, went straight to his room, flopped onto the bed, and let out a long breath. So tired.

The kitten, already asleep, saw him return and snuggled into his arms, rubbing its chin against him and purring contentedly.

Zhou Miao gently stroked its little head. Cats were better—so much simpler than people. He took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of the cat, and drifted to sleep.

The next day, Class Two of Senior Year buzzed with excitement, everyone discussing Zhou Miao’s appearance on the reality show. Hu San, holding half a pancake, waited a long time, but Zhou Miao never showed up for class. He probably wasn’t coming.

Just then, Li Xueqin, the first period teacher, entered and saw the students talking about Zhou Miao. She knocked on the blackboard.

“Alright, it’s not a big deal. Stop talking about it already. You’ve been going on since last night—aren’t you tired?”

“Teacher, why didn’t Zhou Miao come today?” the class monitor asked, echoing everyone’s curiosity.

“He’s taken leave for some matters and won’t be coming to school recently. That’s enough—stop asking about him. Take out yesterday’s test papers…”

Hu San stared blankly at the empty seat beside her. He must be under a lot of pressure. She’d planned to comfort him last night, but ended up punching him instead.

Would he hold a grudge? That was entirely possible—he was so petty.