Campus Ace Girl

When Bai Xun said it like that, Chu Ci just looked at him quietly: "You know?"

Bai Xun is younger, two years younger than Chu Yan, he doesn’t think he would know such a thing.

But Bai Xun shrugged: "I know. But I know some things, you might not know some things."

Chu Ci frowned.

Bai Xun’s eyebrows suddenly smiled quite seductively, he sat lightly on the back of the sofa and said: "I forgot to tell you, my girlfriend is Chu Yan."

Chu Ci just thought he was talking nonsense, glanced at him, and then went on with his own business.

Bai Xun’s eyes are deep, knowing he doesn’t believe it, so he didn’t insist and directly put his hands in his pockets and left: "I’m on leave for two days."

Chu Ci called out to him: "It’s my father’s birthday the day after tomorrow, come over for a meal."

Bai Xun stopped: "I’ll bring my girlfriend."

Chu Ci was slightly displeased: "Stop joking."

Bai Xun suddenly became serious: "Brother, I really have a girlfriend."

Chu Ci finally looked up, frowned, and Bai Xun was already gone.

After he left, Chu Ci took out a book from the drawer, the book written by Gu Mingzhu.

His hand brushed the cover, as if he was touching those painful past memories.

Chu Yan is back, she seemingly no longer bears the scars, but he had locked everything away in this drawer...

Chu Ci let out a long sigh.

As long as she’s good, it’s fine.

On the other hand, Bai Xun drove back, he is a top trending male celebrity, usually, many people follow him, to go home he has to drive around a few laps to shake them off.

When he got home, Chu Yan was not there, he called her while looking around, finally confirming she might have gone to work on company matters, then he lay down on the sofa, turned on the TV and slept with his clothes on.

He’s too tired, his overly busy schedule allows him only five to six hours of sleep a day, and over time his body naturally couldn’t take it.

He slept for four to five hours, and when he woke up it’s almost dusk.

At the door, Chu Yan stood.

She was carrying groceries and seemed a bit surprised when she saw him, then said: "You’re back?"

He sat up, with messy hair leaning on the back of the sofa it made him look even younger, like he’s in his early twenties, full of boyish charm.

Chu Yan put down what she was holding and beckoned to him: "Come over."

Chu Yan walked over and sat beside him, Bai Xun hugged her waist resting his chin on her shoulder, "Cook for me, I’m starving."

Chu Yan pried apart his grip, turned to look at him: "Then why didn’t you come back sooner?"

"Busy." He slumped on the sofa, smiled: "I can rest for two days."

Chu Yan kicked him: "Then go cook for me?"

His cooking is better than hers, knows a lot of dishes, Chu Yan agreed to be with him largely due to this reason, but after he returned to the country to focus on his career they rarely have the chance to do it together.

Bai Xun was kicked by her, grumbled softly: "Again it’s me."

But, although he’s two years younger, he’s very accommodating to her, soon got lively picking up the groceries to the kitchen, Chu Yan watched him busy in the living room, couldn’t help but smile.

She gets along well with Bai Xun, he’s very indulgent to her.

Sometimes, he acts spoiled with her, but mostly he takes care of her.

It’s just, their time together is far too little...

During mealtime, Chu Yan took out a notebook to work, Bai Xun brought a cup of water over to her, when she took it he suddenly said: "The day after tomorrow there’s a senior’s birthday, come with me?"

Birthday?

Chu Yan was stunned for a moment.

Because the day after tomorrow is Chu Changhe’s birthday... Every year before, on his birthday little Chu Yan would hold a cake, sing happy birthday song to wish daddy a happy birthday, Chu Changhe would say his Yan Yan is so cute.

Chu Yan lowered her eyes, bitterly thought: There won’t be a chance anymore, right!

Bai Xun had been watching her expression, at this time asked her softly: "What’s wrong?"

Chu Yan shook her head: "Nothing! Just thinking of something else."

"What is it?" Bai Xun asked her softly.

Chu Yan shook her head: "It’s nothing, work-related."

Bai Xun lowered his head, leaned against her forehead: "The day after tomorrow, agreed then."

Chu Yan thought for a moment, then nodded.

Bai Xun then laughed: "Seems like if I propose now you’d agree."

Chu Yan kicked him: "Go cook."

He immediately went off playfully, while cooking he grumbled about her being fierce, said he wants to find a gentle girl instead.

Chu Yan focused on her work, dryly said: "I’ve already told you I have a bad temper."

"Spoiled maybe?" Bai Xun replied casually.

Chu Yan suddenly felt dazed, her hand paused unknowingly—

Spoiled... It’s not wrong, but after being spoiled and then harshly stepped on, from the clouds suddenly falling into the mire, she doesn’t even have a home anymore.

Chu Yan can’t distinguish these years, whether she gained then lost, or lost then gained, in any case, the past for her is like a dream, sometimes waking up in the middle of the night thinking she’s still that ignorant teenage girl, but the tears on her face told her, all the cruelty really happened.

Many times, she couldn’t hold back wanting to return to that embrace, shamelessly begging him to continue... to want her, but when such thoughts arose she was truly ashamed.

Chu Yan, you are no longer part of that family, you don’t even have the privilege to drink a cup of your favorite milk tea, on what grounds do you still dare to monopolize their son?

And she, wouldn’t allow herself to become such a person.

Chu Yan lowered her eyes quietly, unwilling to think about those, continued working.

But she didn’t know, at the kitchen door, Bai Xun was standing with arms crossed silently watching her.

Yes, he knows everything.

Knows about her and Chu Ci, knows she can’t forget Chu Ci, so he returned and brought her back too.

He wants to cure the disease in her heart, either bravely or be with him.

As long as she’s willing, he’d like to take care of her for a lifetime, never let her down, never let her have a home then not have one, never let her face show a disappointed expression.

Half an hour later, Bai Xun brought the dishes to the table, took off his gloves: "Yan Yan, dinner is ready."

Chu Yan put down her work, smelling the aroma she walked over: "Let me see what’s good to eat."

"Isn’t it the groceries you bought?" He smiled, served her a bowl of soup.

Chu Yan took a sip: "It’s quite tasty."

Bai Xun smiled: "Whenever there’s a chance I’ll cook for you."

He suddenly paused: "If you agree to propose, I’ll quit the entertainment industry, start a small company or become a stay-at-home husband and you support me."

"Wishful thinking." Chu Yan snorted lightly: "I don’t support kept men."

Bai Xun suddenly put down the chopsticks, cradled her face, getting closer and closer.

Chu Yan was taken aback by his sudden enthusiasm, her hands pressed against his front: "Don’t make trouble, we’re eating."

He rubbed his face against her cheek, like a puppy trying to please: "Isn’t my face enough to live off you?"

Chu Yan couldn’t help turning away, laughed: "Enough, how about finding a few more to support you together?"

"No." He hugged her, resting his face in her neck: "Don’t want anyone else."

Chu Yan patted him: "Mr. Bai, you’re 24, stop acting spoiled with me all the time."

But he didn’t let go of her, instead picked her up, carrying her to the previous sofa, moved the notebook away and pinned her down on the sofa to kiss...

"Hey." Chu Yan lightly hammered his shoulder: "Why did you suddenly..."

Bai Xun didn’t speak, he just kissed her over and over.

He was very gentle and meticulous, and Chu Yan didn’t dislike his kisses; most of the time she even enjoyed them.

When it ended, he buried his face in the crook of her neck, panting, his voice hoarse: "Let’s go eat."

Chu Yan, helpless: "You’re just..."

"24 years old, it’s normal," he mumbled, then patted her, "go eat, I’ll be right back from the restroom."

Chu Yan frowned.

Did he... really have to be like this?

Bai Xun energetically jumped off the sofa, walked a few steps, then turned back and said mischievously: "How about we give it a try?"

Chu Yan tossed a few words back at him: "Go take care of yourself."

Bai Xun flashed a brilliant smile, showing his white teeth, and ran off.

Chu Yan adjusted her clothes and continued eating, thinking to herself—

If he really had such a request, she probably wouldn’t refuse.

She quite liked Bai Xun; at least he was a reliable man, even if he was young, only 24.

He was quite popular, lots of girls liked him, and he could go days without a call or message, but she trusted him, never thinking he’d get caught up in any nonsense. Not that he was naive, but Bai Xun gave her the feeling of restraint, even if he sometimes seemed indifferent on the surface.

About ten minutes later, Bai Xun returned.

He had changed into white sportswear, looking vibrant and handsome.

His looks always drew attention.

He sat down, and Chu Yan pinched his cheek: "You look pretty fresh-faced."

"Don’t mess with a 24-year-old man," he said, glancing at her, then devoured the meal and tossed the chopsticks: "You wash the dishes."

Bai Xun could cook but refused to wash dishes.

Chu Yan nodded: "Alright, I’ll wash."

He seized the chance to suggest: "Let’s not work later. Let’s go for a walk, I’ll wear a hat and sunglasses, just like an old married couple strolling around."

Chu Yan propped her chin up: "Old married couples wouldn’t go to the washroom."

Bai Xun got annoyed: "I’m respecting women! Don’t act like you don’t appreciate it!"

He turned her head toward him and bit her cheek hard before letting her go.

Chu Yan cried out twice: "Alright, alright, let me go, I’m about to suffocate."

Seizing the moment, he kissed her once more before letting go.

When he let go, both of their expressions were somewhat... well, because they were a young man and woman who’d been together for a long time, it’s impossible not to feel anything.

Chu Yan felt a bit uncomfortable, coughed lightly: "I’ll go wash the dishes."

He nodded: "I’ll go have a smoke."

Chu Yan stopped him: "Don’t smoke, it’s bad for your health."

"Just one. I only smoke one when I really can’t handle it. I know my limit." He wrapped an arm around her and kissed a strand of her hair as he got up.

Only at times like this did Chu Yan feel that Bai Xun was a very mature man, not a 24-year-old boy acting spoiled around her, leaving her unable to tell which version of him she truly liked.

She went to wash dishes while, on the other side, Bai Xun stood on the balcony and lit a cigarette.

He didn’t smoke it because she said it was unhealthy.

He always thought, just in case, just in case she chose him in the end, he’d better keep himself alive to accompany her.

Accompany her into old age, watching her hair turn white, from a little princess to an old princess.

He was willing to cook for her for a lifetime, but she must wash the dishes for a lifetime. He wouldn’t spoil her into losing herself like Chu Ci did because if he ever had to leave, she wouldn’t be heartbroken for too long...

Bai Xun placed the cigarette on the railing and quietly watched it burn out.

Chu Yan finished washing the dishes and came over to him, "I’m going to change clothes."

He made a sound of agreement, then said: "There’s a similar set of women’s clothes in my wardrobe, you can wear it."

Chu Yan responded softly and went to his bedroom’s dressing room to look. She soon found it.

She didn’t go back to her room to change, she just changed there. Halfway through changing clothes, he came over.

Bai Xun quietly watched her, she glanced at him and continued changing...

He asked her: "Why don’t you move your things here?"

Chu Yan put on her clothes and gently replied: "I’m afraid you wouldn’t be used to it."

He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her waist, and said nothing.

In fact, her changing clothes in his place and not avoiding him showed she truly wanted to continue with him. Suddenly, he felt maybe... in the end, she would choose to be with him.

"Weren’t we going for a walk?" Chu Yan whispered.

He chuckled, put on a hat, wore sunglasses, and took her hand to head out.

Once in the car, he asked where she wanted to go.

Chu Yan thought for a while: "Let’s go to South Gate Street. I used to stroll there with An Xi and Wang Qin often."

Actually, that "often" was only once or twice. Back then, she was always with Chu Ci. Since returning to Beicheng, there were very few opportunities to hang out with An Xi, so she wanted to make up for it now.

Although, everyone was around, Wang Qin got married, and An Xi now had two kids. Everyone went from 20 to 26 years old, no longer able to drop everything for a spontaneous outing as before. There are always too many considerations.

Chu Yan thought to herself, the only one who could accompany her might really only be Bai Xun.

Bai Xun used his phone to navigate, then drove over.

At this time, he seemed like a standard boyfriend, not like someone two years younger, when suddenly he asked: "Did you bring any cash?"

Chu Yan nodded: "I did. I can also pay with my phone."

He watched the road condition, smiling happily: "Then tonight I’ll repay you."

Chu Yan rolled her eyes and couldn’t help asking: "Have you ever ’eaten meat’?"

"Before I met you, I used to have big meals every day. Since meeting you, I’ve turned vegetarian." He, being playful as usual, made Chu Yan simply ignore him.

All the way, he kept joking around endlessly.

But it brought their relationship back to the time in the UK, the awkwardness of when she just returned had disappeared. Actually, he was a very capable guy, who could win over many women if he wanted, so at this moment Chu Yan almost believed him when he said he was always well-fed...

The car stopped, Bai Xun unfastened his seat belt and hummed: "I’m quite picky too!"

Chu Yan sat still, tying up her hair, and turned her head: "I get it, just haven’t eaten any ’meat’."

He immediately pulled her over and bit her: "Try saying that again."

Chu Yan was just about to speak when she was hit by the headlights of a car opposite.

She looked up.

The car was very familiar.

Chu Ci’s car.

At this moment, Chu Ci sat in his car, the headlights glaring. He looked pretty upset.

And she was straddling Bai Xun’s lap, holding Bai Xun’s neck.

Just like that, they locked eyes in silence.

After a while, Bai Xun pulled her head down and kissed her.

Chu Yan was very tense, motionless... but she didn’t push away.

If she pushed away now, she would feel sorry for Bai Xun and also feel... there’s no need.

After all, it was just an old acquaintance.