Chapter 271: Chapter 271

Ye Ling hadn’t thought about taking this money. After putting it away, she got on the bus heading to the school. Right now, she could only wait for Xiang Weilai to return and give it back to him. When she arrived at the school, it was much quieter because of the winter break, and there were some like Ye Ling who didn’t go home. As Ye Ling walked towards the dormitory, she bumped into Fu Lei, who seemed equally surprised to see her.

"You didn’t go home?"

They both asked at the same time, then exchanged smiles.

Fu Lei looked at Ye Ling with tender eyes, "Not going home for the New Year, why don’t we spend it together."

In this session of students, there weren’t many girls, and Ye Ling was the quietest among them. After spending a long time together, Fu Lei noticed many similarities between Ye Ling and himself, which was why he felt for her. Fu Lei’s family was very poor; even the fare for coming to school was borrowed by his family from outside. Every month, the subsidy given by the school was mailed back to help his long-term sick parents with some income, even though it was not much, at least it was eight yuan a month.

To save on travel expenses, Fu Lei also didn’t go home. Seeing Ye Ling staying back reminded him of his own situation, making him feel even more for her.

"Sure." Ye Ling also enjoyed spending time with Fu Lei.

Fu Lei was meticulous, like a sensible rural kid. He was the class monitor, earning everyone’s trust, even Ma Yue, who was usually spoiled, never gave Fu Lei a hard time. Despite his challenging life, Fu Lei’s smile was bright, uplifting everyone around him.

"By the way, I’ve heard good news, the production team will soon be disbanded, with land contracted to each household. My parents aren’t well; now that we have our own land, it will be easier for them." Fu Lei’s pure smile shone through, "Once I graduate, I can directly apply for a job. There’s no need to worry about things at home; I can work at ease, this is worth celebrating. Come on, let me treat you to noodles."

Fu Lei was heading toward the cafeteria, but stopped to speak when he ran into Ye Ling on the way.

"The cafeteria will close in a few days. How about this, I’ll treat you to a meal today and take you to a stall outside the school to eat. Once the school cafeteria closes, you can go there." Ye Ling always saved her monthly stipend, so she was more financially comfortable than Fu Lei. "You won’t deny me this chance, will you?"

Fu Lei didn’t refuse, "Alright, then you treat me, and once I start working, I’ll treat you."

Without a hint of awkwardness or embarrassment about letting a girl pay for the meal, Fu Lei’s candidness made Ye Ling feel her two lifetimes couldn’t compare because winter vacation had started, and they could freely come and go from school. The place Ye Ling took Fu Lei to was a wonton stall, with a big bowl of wontons costing only two cents—enough to fill Ye Ling’s stomach, let alone Fu Lei’s smaller appetite.

After the meal, as they headed back, they surprisingly ran into Shen Bin. Shen Bin glanced at Ye Ling momentarily, his expression unchanged, but when he saw Ye Ling with Fu Lei, there was a meaningful look in his eyes, making Ye Ling uncomfortable, as if she was doing something disgraceful.

"Instructor Shen." Though it was no longer military training season, new students were used to addressing Shen Bin as instructor.

Shen Bin nodded at Fu Lei who greeted him without looking at Ye Ling, striding away.

With Shen Bin, the iceberg, gone, Ye Ling felt the air cleared. Fu Lei noticed Ye Ling’s tension, "Still angry at Instructor Shen for saying your self-defense moves looked like dancing?"

Hearing this, Ye Ling gritted her teeth in annoyance.

Twice this morning, it was brought up.

Fu Lei chuckled, his eyes shining but his tone exceptionally serious, "Ye Ling, you look very cute right now."

Ye Ling paused, looking up at Fu Lei, then accidentally locked eyes with his tender gaze. Her heart fluttered, instinctively shifting her gaze, "I need to work tomorrow, I’ll head back first."

Fu Lei’s eyes were filled with disappointment, his smile fading, "I know school prohibits romance, but I want to tell you that after graduation, you’ll be the first I pursue."

Ye Ling wanted to take a step to leave immediately but felt her legs weighed a thousand pounds, unable to lift them. Her eyes uncontrollably turned to look at Fu Lei, who smiled tenderly, "Ye Ling, I like you."

When Ye Ling regained her senses, Fu Lei had already gone far, but her mind only held his words, ’Ye Ling, I like you.’

In two lifetimes, this was the first confession she received.

Ye Ling couldn’t figure out her feelings, but she knew she didn’t dis feeling; her heart even skipped uncontrollably. She didn’t dislike Fu Lei; whenever there were troubles, she would inadvertently look at Fu Lei, and his smile would chase all worries away.

Ye Ling didn’t know what was wrong with her, feeling like walking on clouds all the way back to her empty dormitory, but Fu Lei’s words lingered in her mind.

The next day, when going out, Ye Ling found a job at a hotel near the school, washing dishes in the kitchen, but unexpectedly Fu Lei was there washing vegetables. They ended up in the same place, with surprised smiles meeting each other’s eyes.

Especially after Fu Lei’s confession yesterday, even though Ye Ling said nothing, she could sense the change in the atmosphere between them. After work, Fu Lei even held Ye Ling’s hand while crossing the road, naturally, making Ye Ling thankful they weren’t wearing their school uniforms. Then she realized Fu Lei was holding her hand, hastily trying to pull it away, but Fu Lei didn’t let go.

With a handsome face lit by a sunny smile, Fu Lei turned back, looking at Ye Ling, who glared at him, without saying anything, just smiling joyfully. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

Under this smile, Ye Ling quieted down, no longer attempting to withdraw her hand until they approached the school gates and released hands as they entered the campus. Fu Lei stopped, observing Ye Ling hesitating to follow, without lifting her head but still feeling his scorching gaze.

"Ye Ling, you like me too." It was a certain voice brimming with undisguised happiness, adding, "I’m truly glad, happier than I’ve ever been."

Ye Ling’s ears could hardly resist heating up, forcing herself to lift her head shyly, "Fu Lei, we’re still students."

"Look at me." His voice turned into a refreshing summer stream.

Ye Ling glanced at his face before swiftly averting her gaze; Fu Lei, however, felt like a bird freed into the sky, "Ye Ling, it’s wonderful to have met you." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)