Chapter 15: Do I Have Any Other Choice?

Suddenly embraced by Chen Fan, Su Ruochu’s mind went blank for a moment. Her delicate face flushed with heat, her heart pounding wildly.

“Y-you should let go of me,” she stammered, gently pushing at Chen Fan’s arm.

But he only held her tighter.

“Let me hold you a little longer,” Chen Fan’s voice whispered close to her ear. “Ruochu, I’ve missed you so much.”

Indeed, nearly twenty years had passed since they were separated by life and death in their previous lives. All these years, Chen Fan had never stopped thinking about Su Ruochu.

“I’ve missed you… every single moment.”

“Without you, I’ve been nothing but a walking corpse—my life meaningless without you...”

Curled up in Chen Fan’s embrace, Su Ruochu’s mind was filled with a huge question mark. What was he saying? Why couldn’t she understand?

“Chen Fan, you… please let me go first.”

“No!”

Su Ruochu blushed and spoke softly.

“You… you let me go first, or I’ll really get angry.”

“Then you have to promise me you won’t leave after I do.”

“Okay, I won’t leave!”

Only then did Chen Fan release her and take a step back, eyes burning with intensity. Feeling caught under his gaze, Su Ruochu’s cheeks deepened in color, and she averted her eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, she handed over the umbrella.

“Take the umbrella first, you’re soaked through.”

Chen Fan paid no mind and took the umbrella, holding it over Su Ruochu’s head to shield her from the rain. Seeing this, she gently pulled him closer under the eaves.

The rain fell heavily, drumming around them with a crackling sound. No cars passed by; it was as if the whole world had shrunk to just the two of them.

After a brief silence, Su Ruochu took a deep breath.

“I… I said before the college entrance exam—”

Chen Fan interrupted suddenly, “You came all this way just to bring me an umbrella, didn’t you?”

Su Ruochu glanced up at him.

“Yes, but don’t misunderstand...”

“So that means you don’t dislike me, right?”

“I…”

She opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.

Chen Fan suddenly gathered courage and grasped her small hand firmly.

Startled, Su Ruochu instinctively tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let go.

Frowning, she glared at him, but Chen Fan wore a pitiful expression.

“Just hold it for a moment. I’m afraid you’ll run away.”

Sighing, Su Ruochu seemed defeated by him. She didn’t withdraw her hand and allowed him to hold it.

The rain poured down harder.

---

The two drew ever closer. Despite Chen Fan holding the umbrella, much of Su Ruochu’s dress was soaked through. Chen Fan, meanwhile, was drenched.

After a moment of silence, Su Ruochu finally spoke.

“Maybe I’m not as good as you think.”

“When you get to university, you’ll meet someone better, and then...”

“No,” Chen Fan said firmly.

“Trust me. I understand you better than you do yourself.”

“You’ve already proven how outstanding you are.”

“In the past life, this life, and the next, I will never love anyone else.”

“My eyes are only for you.”

Though these words were unbearably sentimental, Su Ruochu felt no aversion; deep within, a faint ripple stirred.

Caught off guard by Chen Fan’s boldness, she was unsure how to respond.

Suddenly, Chen Fan took off his school uniform jacket and gently helped her put it on, pulling up the zipper.

But when he reached her chest, his hand hesitated.

Because the rain had soaked her clothes, the fabric clung to her body. She was only wearing a thin white dress beneath.

Through the damp material, the pink lingerie beneath was clearly visible.

Su Ruochu’s cheeks flushed scarlet. Looking up, she caught Chen Fan’s intense gaze fixed on her.

“You…”

Before she could finish, his lips covered hers.

Startled, a jolt like electricity ran through her, tingling all over.

She reached out to push him away, but her body felt weak and powerless.

Chen Fan did not take advantage. After the kiss, he pulled her into his embrace, shielding her from the wind and rain with his body.

“Let me hold you a little longer, just a little.”

“I’m so tired, so very tired...” Chen Fan murmured.

Resting against his shoulder, Su Ruochu didn’t struggle for the first time.

Listening to his strong heartbeat, she sensed his exhaustion.

She nestled quietly in his arms.

The only sound around them was the falling rain.

After a long while, Chen Fan’s voice came again.

“Ruochu.”

“Hmm?”

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

Leaning on his shoulder, Su Ruochu whispered, “I… said no dating before the college entrance exam...”

“But I can’t wait.”

“I’m afraid that if we wait too long, you’ll disappear from my life again.”

Why “again”? Su Ruochu was puzzled, blinking.

“If I don’t agree, will you let go?”

“No!” Chen Fan’s answer was resolute.

---

“And if I refuse, will you let me find someone else to be my boyfriend?”

“No!”

“No matter where you go, I will find you.”

Su Ruochu sighed softly.

“If that’s the case...”

“What else can I do?”

Chen Fan suddenly loosened his grip, staring at Su Ruochu in disbelief.

“You… you agreed?”

Blushing, Su Ruochu turned her face away.

“Do I have any other choice?”

Chen Fan laughed.

“No more options.”

“You’re mine forever.”

Su Ruochu pouted.

“That’s fine then.”

“Who told me to be soft-hearted? Seeing you like this, I’m just helping someone in need.”

“Ha ha...”

Chen Fan suddenly laughed with excitement.

“Great! Ruochu said yes.”

“She agreed to be my girlfriend.”

Su Ruochu stamped her foot, cheeks burning.

“Keep your voice down. Don’t want others to hear.”

Chen Fan suddenly wrapped his arms around her slender waist, lifting her up and spinning her around in place.

“I want the whole world to know.”

“I, Chen Fan, am the happiest man alive tonight.”

Watching him shout like a child, Su Ruochu felt helpless but allowed herself to be held.

At the same time, she sighed inwardly.

“Ah, in the end, I still gave in because of my soft heart.”

She gently patted Chen Fan’s shoulder.

“Now, put me down.”

Chen Fan obediently set Su Ruochu on the ground, eyes fixed on her as he brushed a wet strand of hair from her face.

“You look beautiful tonight.”

Su Ruochu blushed and softly said,

“Though I agreed, I have conditions.”

“You have to promise me three conditions first, then what I said earlier counts.”

Chen Fan nodded with a smile.

“Don’t say three, even a hundred—I’ll agree to them all.”

Su Ruochu glared. “No smooth talk. Listen to what I have to say first.”

“Yes, yes. Wife speaks first.”

Chen Fan stood properly, feigning serious attention.

Seeing this, Su Ruochu couldn’t help but smile, almost laughing out loud.

“First condition is...”