Chapter Forty-Five: Untitled (Part Four)

Among the many ways to gently transition one’s emotions, He Tianran chose the most straightforward: self-exposure.

This could be seen as the worst method or the best one.

Now, as long as Cao Aiqing gave a negative answer, He Tianran could wholeheartedly turn his attention to another girl and devote himself to nurturing that relationship.

He didn’t like Zhang Zhifan; Wen Liang had made her feelings clear to him. So, regarding Cao Aiqing, he should also draw a definitive line on this secret crush.

Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.

He had never been in a relationship, but at the very least, he should behave like a decent person. The old saying couldn’t be wrong.

Drama and conflict might look entertaining, but when actually lived through, they brought no joy. He never wanted to hear Wen Liang say things like “Don’t lie to me” again. Even without the girl herself saying it, He Tianran felt deeply wronged just thinking about it.

A homebody couldn’t suddenly become a scoundrel, and he wasn’t willing to become one either. So it was better to ask the question early, get a definitive answer that would let him give up, and cut the knot swiftly—this was better for everyone.

But the premise for this method to work was that Cao Aiqing had to reject him!

Would she refuse him?

No matter how he thought about it, there was no chance she would say yes!

He Tianran’s sudden confession caught Cao Aiqing completely off guard. She forced a smile, avoiding his gaze.

“What are you doing? Are you joking again...?”

“I’m not joking. I’m serious. I’m asking, if I pursued you, would you accept?”

He repeated the question, his earnestness even more solemn than someone rudely awakened from sleep.

“You’re so mean. I just scolded you a moment ago, and you’ve said those things about me before...”

Cao Aiqing’s cheeks flushed brightly, her appearance blooming with a delicate charm.

“Just tell me ‘No, I can’t possibly like you,’ and it will be over—”

What was going on? He Tianran wasn’t one to joke around so much. Waiting endlessly for the answer he wanted, he felt utterly dazed and decided to just hand her the response.

“I... we should just... be... friends..."

Cao Aiqing stammered, unable to articulate well. She had been confessed to before, but never so suddenly, and always considerate of others’ feelings, she didn’t know how to refuse properly.

“That’s right. We’ll always only be friends. I’m just a lazy frog dreaming of eating swan meat. I could never win you over, right? Nod your head!”

Seeing his lead working, He Tianran pressed on. Startled, Cao Aiqing nodded obediently. Then realizing something was amiss, she lowered her head, glanced up at him again, quietly reassuring:

“No... why do you say such things about yourself...?”

“I’m happy!”

Seeing her nod, He Tianran was genuinely pleased. He had never expected that being rejected by Cao Aiqing would bring him more joy than sorrow.

Cao Aiqing looked at him, thinking he was putting on a show of angry frustration. She twisted her hands nervously in her lap.

“I just think we’re in our final year of high school, it’s not appropriate to say these things now; it would distract us from studying...”

“That’s right. Not just senior year; we’re never suited to talk about this. Don’t worry, I’ll set myself straight and have no improper thoughts about you anymore.”

He Tianran added, his words even harsher than hers.

Hearing his determination to block all future possibilities, Cao Aiqing was nearly in tears.

“Don’t... don’t be like this. Don’t scare me. I never said no...”

“???”

Even though her last words were almost a whisper, He Tianran heard them clearly. His eyes widened like copper coins, gazing at this gentle, beautiful girl as if he had seen a deity descend.

“I... I just...”

Cao Aiqing rambled, her mind blank as she searched for the right words. But He Tianran wasn’t going to listen any further. He interrupted:

“There’s no ‘just’! No means no! Cao, you have to stand firm! Don’t feel guilty because you rejected me! It’s your freedom and right. Don’t worry about my embarrassment; we’re still friends. Besides, a gentleman does not accept charity in love! I don’t need you to pity me! I already know it’s impossible between us!”

Well, he said everything himself, leaving Cao Aiqing speechless.

Her mind, already blank, was now like mush.

Several classmates were drawn by the voices and glanced over. After speaking, He Tianran stood up, left with a casual “I’m going out for some air,” and walked away with an air of nonchalance.

Cao Aiqing watched him leave, coming back to herself after a long moment.

She closed her eyes, her chest rising and falling, and took out her notebook, intending to sketch as usual.

But by chance, she turned to the page about the Clear Water Temple, where they had written a dialogue:

“Do you like architecture too, He?”

“I only know this place is suitable for confessions.”

Confession?

“Hmph...” Cao Aiqing snorted in displeasure, quickly crossing out the sentence. She repeatedly moved her pen across the line, from simple scribbles meant to obscure the words to swirling circles.

The prank of the blackout, the quiet farewell at the bus stop, the note she made to treat him, the arm shyly reaching out, the last tricky question on the test paper, and today’s heart-fluttering problem—

All these scenes flashed through Cao Aiqing’s mind like a revolving lantern.

“Always bullying me, always bullying me, always bullying me, how annoying, how annoying, ugh~”

As she muttered, the circles she doodled grew larger.

...

On the rooftop, He Tianran listened to the ringing bell signaling class had started but had no intention of returning to the classroom.

He planned to skip all his classes today. After all, piano music was already coming from the auditorium, probably Zhang Zhifan rehearsing. He was a performer too; taking a little time off wouldn’t be a big deal.

Why not attend class? Because of his own careless words. Going back now would be unbearably awkward facing Cao Aiqing.

That girl really didn’t know how to refuse. Her evasive answer nearly made him misunderstand.

Final year of high school is not the time. So could he pursue her after graduation?

By the time the college entrance exams were over and everyone scattered like stars, even if he wanted to, where would he go to chase her then?

“She didn’t say no outright. Probably just trying to save my face.”

He Tianran thought clearly. Compared to his openness with Wen Liang, he hadn’t been as transparent with Cao Aiqing. Still, he felt that resolving this without hurting anyone was the best outcome.

“Things can never go exactly as one wishes, but at least I have a clear conscience.”

He dramatically summed up the event in his mind, picturing himself as someone deeply world-weary and full of stories.

“He Tianran, I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”

Hearing someone call from behind, He Tianran turned around, surprised to see the long-unseen Xue Yong—and Ye Jiaqi?