A Hidden Promise

(Zhou Chen’s Perspective)

I was taken aback, never expecting Ling Yan to ask about this. When I had mentioned it to her before, she hadn’t even bothered to respond. I thought she had no interest in my affairs at all.

“Well, I…”

I shifted my gaze to Ling Yan across from me, about to answer, only to find her frowning, her clear, pitch-black eyes fixed intently on me.

(In an instant, a chill shot straight to my head. The words I wanted to say stammered and died in my throat. My heart raced with a guilty feeling, like a cheating husband caught in bed by his wife.)

(But setting aside the fact that Ling Yan doesn’t like me, the main point is that I haven’t done anything wrong. Was I really just hallucinating? After all, this was the first time Ling Yan had asked me such a question. I must be nervous.)

“Um, how should I put it? I do like fried chicken, and as for the thing with Xiao Lu…”

I scratched my head awkwardly and glanced at Xiao Lu.

Back then, Xiao Lu had warned me in a terrifying tone not to tell anyone. So I never brought it up with anyone. If she hadn’t brought it up today, I might have forgotten about it entirely.

“Just say it if you want, Chenzi. Why are you looking at me?”

Xiao Lu turned her head away, not looking at me, as if she didn’t care.

But I could see her hands tightly gripping her school skirt on her lap, completely bloodless. She clearly cared a lot.

I sighed. I had hoped to talk more with Ling Yan, but it seemed there was no chance now.

“Um, Ling Yan, do I have to say it?”

I mustered my courage and met Ling Yan’s eyes directly.

“…Okay.”

Ling Yan held my gaze for a few seconds before shifting her eyes slightly and replying softly.

Great. I didn’t expect Ling Yan to be so understanding. It’s a pity that she took the initiative to ask me, but I gave up. There probably won’t be a chance like this again.

(So frustrating. All thanks to Xiao Lu.)

I looked at Xiao Lu with some discomfort, only to find her beaming with joy, staring straight at me.

“What are you looking at me like that for, Xiao Lu?” I asked, knowing the answer.

“Who’s looking at you? Don’t flatter yourself.”

Xiao Lu rolled her eyes at me, then secretly glanced at Ling Yan, who was sitting frozen in her seat. The smile on her face gradually faded.

“Um, Little Yan, are you okay?”

Xiao Lu waved her hand in front of Ling Yan’s eyes, looking worried.

“Ah, um, I’m fine.”

Ling Yan snapped out of it, looked at Xiao Lu, then at me, and shook her head. She placed her hands on the table, pressed her forehead against them, and ignored us again. Her long hair completely covered her face, making it impossible to see her expression.

(What’s wrong with Ling Yan? I don’t think I said anything that would upset her.)

I looked at Xiao Lu, but she hurriedly lay down on the table, ignoring me just like Ling Yan.

I was completely baffled. (What’s going on with everyone?)

Just as I was pondering this, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

I took it out and saw a message from Xiao Lu.

Xiao Lu: Chenzi, thank you.

(Really? She’s just an aisle away from me, does she really need to text me?)

Zhou Chen: No need for thanks, but what do we do about Ling Yan now?

I saw Xiao Lu with her forehead against the edge of the table, her arms moving slightly. Soon, my phone buzzed again.

Xiao Lu: Sorry, but I’ll make it up to you.

(Make it up? By causing me more trouble next time?)

Zhou Chen: No need. Just be more careful next time. You said yourself that we couldn’t tell anyone, right?

After I sent that, Xiao Lu didn’t reply for a long time. Just as I looked up to see what she was up to, my phone vibrated.

Xiao Lu: [Image]