Lemon Soda Candy - 60
Zhou Anran returned to the dorm, where Xie Jingyi and Yu Xinyue were still awake.
Bai Lingyun’s bed and desk were, as usual, empty.
Xie Jingyi looked surprised when she saw her. “I thought you wouldn’t be back tonight, like Lingyun.”
With the experience from last time, Zhou Anran instantly caught the implication but felt too shy to dive into such bold topics with them. She played dumb. “Why wouldn’t I come back?”
Xie Jingyi grinned. “Then why’s your face so red?”
Zhou Anran: “…”
She gave up, she couldn’t fool Xie Jingyi, nor could she outtalk her.
“I’m going to wash up,” she mumbled.
Fleeing to the bathroom, Zhou Anran immediately unhooked her clothes, feeling a lingering discomfort all evening. The unfamiliar yet intimate sensation that made her heart tremble, seemed to cling to her skin.
Especially after she’d agreed to that sentence, someone had gotten bold and leaned down to kiss her there.
Zhou Anran shook her head, trying to push those blush-inducing memories out of her mind.
After washing up, she climbed into bed.
Her phone pinged.
C: [Not asleep yet?]
Zhou Anran: [Nope.]
Zhou Anran: [But I’m about to.]
Zhou Anran: [You’re back at your dorm, right?]
C: [Yeah.]
C: [Is it red?]
Zhou Anran: “?”
Red? What’s red?
Before she could ask, two more messages popped up.
C: [Looked a bit red before you left.]
C: [Lighter next time?]
Zhou Anran's face burned as she realized what he meant, the phone suddenly too hot to hold. She tossed it aside, flipped over, and buried her face in the pillow.
The phone stayed silent for a couple of seconds.
Then, since he hadn’t gotten a reply, more messages came through.
It pinged once.
Twice.
Three times.
Zhou Anran buried her face in the pillow for a few more seconds before her curiosity won out. She fumbled for the phone.
C: [Never mind.]
C: [You’re probably too shy to say.]
C: [I’ll check myself tomorrow.]
Zhou Anran: “??”
She tossed the phone aside again.
The next day was Sunday. After breakfast, Zhou Anran went to the apartment with him as usual. After changing into slippers at the door, she hesitated, then said with a flushed face, “I have a paper to finish today. There’s a lot of material to go through.”
Chen Luobai glanced at her, his gaze lingering on her face before subtly drifting downward. The corner of his lips twitched, his tone lazy. “No worries. You do your thing, I’ll do mine.”
Zhou Anran: “…?”
But she couldn’t bring herself to refuse him.
The paper was already mostly done, and with a whole day ahead, a little delay wouldn’t hurt.
As he led her into the study, she spread out her books and opened her laptop. Watching him leisurely open his own computer beside her, she realized he’d been teasing her again.
She felt a spark of annoyance.
But there was also a sweet, warm feeling of being respected.
The paper didn’t go smoothly, keeping her busy nearly all day. After dinner, she worked another hour or so, finishing close to eight.
By then, the sky was completely dark, the city lit up with vibrant neon lights that felt less foreign now.
Zhou Anran rubbed her neck and glanced over to find Chen Luobai sitting quietly, watching her.
“Done?” he asked.
She nodded, a small dimple appearing on her cheek.
“Wanna watch TV together?” he asked softly.
Zhou Anran: “Have you finished your assignments?”
“Too many debts to pay.” Chen Luobai reached for her hand, pulling her up. “No rush for now.”
They’d been together for over a month, and she’d been to his apartment plenty of times, but they’d never have a chance to just sit down to watch TV. Thinking he could use a break, she let him lead her to the living room.
On the couch, Zhou Anran tilted her head. “What are we watching?”
Chen Luobai didn’t answer right away. He turned on the TV, flipped through channels, and stopped at CCTV-5. Tossing the remote onto the coffee table, he put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “Haven’t had time to watch a game with you.”
Zhou Anran's eyes flicked to the screen.
The top left corner read “CBA Regular Season, Round 16” in bold.
From before they were together until now, he seemed to always be making up for her past regrets. She should’ve been used to it, but staring at those words, her nose stung for a moment.
Back when she barely knew team names and only recognized one active player, watching her first game with Zhou Xianhong, she never imagined that one day she’d be in his arms, hearing him say he’d watch a game with her.
Zhou Anran wrapped her arms around his waist, nestling closer.
Chen Luobai noticed her small movement, his brow lifting slightly. “Why so clingy all of a sudden? Just watching a game, and you’re throwing yourself at me?”
Zhou Anran: “…”
He pinched her cheek, his tone teasing. “Guess I’ll have to watch more games with you then.”
This guy couldn’t stay serious for more than a few minutes.
The sting in her nose vanished instantly.
Blushing, Zhou Anran pulled his hand away and slid back to her original spot.
“The game’s starting.”
She’d once overheard him and Zhu Ran in class talking about staying up late to watch a game and getting so mad he couldn’t sleep. She thought he might get heated while watching, but he didn’t.
Maybe that game had been particularly bad. Today, with both teams playing averagely, he stayed calm and quiet.
Only when she asked about technical details did he explain patiently. Or, mid-quarter, he’d lean over and pop a candy in her mouth.
His apartment’s snacks and drinks changed often, but that lemon soda candy was always in stock.
The game started at 7:35 PM and ended at 10:00 PM.
Zhou Anran was about to nudge him to do his assignments when she remembered something. “Oh, Zhu Ran mentioned yesterday that Tang Jianrui and the others are coming next weekend. He asked me to check if Xixi and the girls want to join.”
Chen Luobai toyed with her hair. “Yeah, Zhu Ran mentioned it. I owe them a meal anyway. Might as well treat them at the gathering. Ask in the group chat if Dong Chen and the others want to come.”
Zhou Anran nodded and opened the group chat.
Zhou Anran: [@Everyone]
Zhou Anran: [Free to hang out next weekend?]
Zhou Anran: [Tang Jianrui and his crew is coming over.]
Zhou Anran: [He says he owes you all a meal, so he’ll treat you all at the gathering.]
Yan Xingxi: [Who’s ‘he’?]
Zhang Shuxian: [Yeah, be clear. How’re we supposed to know?]
Sheng Xiaowen: [No idea +1]
Even Dong Chen chimed in: [Come on, Zhou Anran, spell it out. How do we know who you mean?]
Zhou Anran: “…”
Suddenly, a warm hand grabbed hers.
Chen Luobai pressed her finger to the voice message button, chuckling. “I’m treating.”
He let go, and the message was sent.
A short voice clip.
The group chat exploded with replies.
Yan Xingxi: [My bad. Should’ve known I’d get stuffed with dog food again. Shouldn’t have asked.]
Zhang Shuxian: [Shouldn’t have asked +1]
Sheng Xiaowen: [Shouldn’t have asked +2]
Zhou Anran, helpless: [Can you guys be serious?]
Zhou Anran: [So, are you free or not?]
Yan Xingxi: [1]
Sheng Xiaowen: [Of course. I’d make time even if I didn’t have it.]
Zhang Shuxian: [I’m free!! Finally free next weekend!!!!]
Dong Chen: [1]
Yan Xingxi: [Copycat.]
Dong Chen: [A ‘1’ means I’m copying you? Yan Xingxi, your ego’s getting bigger.]
Dong Chen: [Not arguing with you.]
Dong Chen: [You coming? @He Mingyu]
He Mingyu: [Nah, I’ll pass.]
Dong Chen: [Why not?]
Dong Chen: [Aren't you free next weekend?]
He Mingyu didn’t reply, maybe busy.
Zhou Anran blinked. “He Mingyu says he’s not coming.” She hesitated, recalling Chen Luobai’s slight jealousy over He Mingyu before, and checked with him. “Should we ask him?”
Chen Luobai: “I’ll ask.”
Seeing his calm demeanor, Zhou Anran figured he’d only been bothered by her buying He Mingyu a coffee. She nodded. “Okay. I’ll ask Shuxian if she wants to come with Tang Jianrui’s group, so they can look out for each other.”
Chen Luobai gave a casual “mm” and kept one arm around her shoulder, the other hand typing a message on his phone: [Really not coming?]
The silent He Mingyu replied instantly: [Didn’t you say you didn’t want me to be friends with her?]
Chen Luobai: [After some thought.]
Chen Luobai: [Can’t be that petty.]
Chen Luobai: [She only had you two guy friends in high school.]
Chen Luobai: [Plus, even if you come, you probably won’t get a word in with her.]
He Mingyu: [That last bit’s the real reason, huh?]
Chen Luobai’s lips curved. [Come.]
Chen Luobai: [We’re all gonna get busier. Chances to hang out will only get rarer.]
He Mingyu: [Alright.]
Chen Luobai put his phone away. “He’s coming.”
Zhou Anran didn’t think much of it and said, “Oh. Can you add Tang Jianrui and the others? Shuxian doesn’t have their WeChat.”
Chen Luobai nodded, then seemed to remember something. “Should we invite your dorm mates too? Exams are next month, if they’re free, why not bring them this time?”
Zhou Anran remembered something too. “Xiaowen mentioned last time she wanted you to bring your dorm mates when you treat them.”
Chen Luobai raised an eyebrow. “She still hasn’t given up?”
“She says it’s rare to click with someone’s vibe. Just want to be friends for now. Can we invite him?” Zhou Anran tugged at his hand.
Chen Luobai’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Fine, I’ll ask. If no one minds, I’ll invite the club folks too.”
“Let’s check with everyone then.”
They both bowed their heads, sending messages to confirm.
By the time everything was settled, it was past 10:40 PM.
Zhou Anran set her phone down.
Chen Luobai turned to her. “Done chatting?”
She nodded.
He tossed his phone aside, pulled her closer, and lowered his voice. “Let me check?”
Zhou Anran: “…?”
The living room fell quiet for a moment.
Someone’s face flushed bright red in an instant.
“It’s really a bit red.”
Chen Luobai eyed the faint mark, his hand reaching up. “I didn’t even use much force yesterday.”
Zhou Anran bit her lip. “Be gentle.”
Chen Luobai’s hand paused, a distant memory flashing like lightning.
“That was you, wasn’t it?”
His hand lingered there as Zhou Anran’s thoughts drifted. “What do you mean, what was me?”
“Early in our first year of high school,” Chen Luobai recalled. “I was napping at my desk one day, and two girls passed by. One told the other to speak softer. That was you, right?”
He hadn’t been asleep then and found her voice uniquely pleasant—soft with a slight grainy texture. The speaker seemed gentler, more considerate than her companion.
But he hadn’t thought much of it at the time. He didn’t usually pay attention to girls’ voices in class, and the memory faded quickly.
It wasn’t until he saw her crying on the rooftop that her voice felt vaguely familiar, though he couldn’t quite place it.
Zhou Anran remembered.
It was the day she overheard him and Zhu Ran talking about the game.
“Probably me,” she said.
Chen Luobai’s throat tightened.
He’d missed so many moments with her in high school.
Seeing him lower his eyes in silence, his hand still resting there, Zhou Anran’s face burned. She asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
He snapped back, gazing at her lying there, her flushed face and eyes full of tender affection.
“Nothing.” His hand moved gently again as he called her name softly. “Zhou Anran, want me to make up for another regret?”
Zhou Anran’s eyes caught the small mole near her face, her thoughts drifting again. “What regret?”
What regrets could she possibly still have?
Chen Luobai: “It’s almost eleven. You probably won’t make curfew. How about freshman-year Chen Luobai makes up for high-school Chen Luobai and stays with you tonight?”
Zhou Anran: “??”
Her face felt like it was burning. Chen Luobai, however, started laughing against her shoulder, his chest shaking, his hand still moving, his low, amused voice brushing her ear.
“Why’s your face so red?”
“What’re you thinking?”
“I meant just sleeping, like we used to nap in class.”
Zhou Anran: “…”
“Chen Luobai!”
He chuckled, leaning to kiss her softly, his voice still low. “Just teasing. You take the master bedroom, I’ll take the guest room.”
“Chen Luobai won’t sleep with you tonight, but Chen Luobai will stay with you forever.”
← Previous | Table of Contents | Next →
0
Comments
Post a Comment