Was he going to kiss me?

Chen Jianye was excitedly about to make a call when he suddenly looked up at Chen Meiyun again.

"How about we go to my place tonight..."

But Chen Fan's second aunt cut him off.

"Oh, enough. We'd have to cook all over again at your place. Let's stay here. I already have food ready anyway."

"I'll go stir-fry a few more dishes..."

"Call those two over first. We'll celebrate with our immediate family, and when you hold a college admission banquet for Fan, we can invite all the relatives over for a proper celebration."

Chen Jianye thought it over and nodded.

"You're right. Let's do that."

As his father started calling his third and fourth uncles, his second aunt pulled his mother, Li Jinqiu, into an excited conversation.

The whole family was swept up in the enormous surprise and joy.

Chen Fan stepped out of the house alone and stood outside the door.

He looked up at the starry sky overhead.

He clenched his fist slightly.

He had finally made it through the Gaokao, with a few scares but no disasters.

I wonder what Ruochu is doing right now.

How high did she score?

Is she thinking about me?

At that thought, Chen Fan couldn't stay put any longer.

"Mom, I'm heading out for a bit."

Before his mother could answer, Chen Fan had already darted into the yard.

"Where are you going?"

His mother, Li Jinqiu, followed him out.

"I'm going to see my classmates and ask about their scores..."

"Aren't you eating? Your third and fourth uncles will be here any minute."

Chen Fan had already mounted his bicycle and was riding out of the yard.

"I'm full. Don't wait for me. I'll head home on my own tonight."

With that, he disappeared in a flash.

"That boy..."

Li Jinqiu shook her head, but her face was full of proud smiles.

Normally, if Chen Fan went out alone this late at night, Li Jinqiu might have given him a stern talking-to.

But now, everything about her son pleased her.

Chen Fan pedaled furiously all the way into town.

He raced straight to Su Ruochu's residential complex and slipped inside while the elderly gatekeeper wasn't looking.

In his previous life, Chen Fan and Su Ruochu had started dating in their sophomore year of college.

During winter break that year, Chen Fan had secretly come over to see her.

So he still had some idea of which building she lived in.

He found her building from memory, then started counting the floors one by one.

When he reached the fifth floor, he saw that the lights inside were still on.

Chen Fan knew someone was home.

But how am I supposed to contact Ruochu?

Should I just barge in?

He didn't need to think about it. Her parents would definitely throw him out.

For a moment, Chen Fan stood downstairs, feeling rather dejected.

Heaven seemed to have heard his plea.

Just as Chen Fan was about to turn around and push his bicycle away.

A familiar, lovely figure appeared on the balcony off the study on one side of the fifth floor.

Chen Fan's eyes lit up.

He gazed excitedly at that lovely figure.

Su Ruochu was wearing a loose, flowing dress.

She rested both hands on the balcony railing, the moonlight spilling over her slender, delicate figure as though draping her in a sacred glow.

Her long hair fell over her shoulders as she quietly gazed at the distant stars.

She wondered what Chen Fan was doing right now.

What score had he actually gotten?

Had he been thinking about her?

Perhaps their hearts really were connected.

Her gaze swept down toward the ground.

Then she froze, disbelief filling her face.

She stared blankly downstairs, where a familiar figure stood.

Su Ruochu even wondered if her eyes were playing tricks on her.

Until the figure below raised his hand and waved at her.

Delighted, Su Ruochu immediately covered her mouth with her hand, barely stopping herself from crying out.

"Y-you... what are you doing here?"

Su Ruochu called softly.

Unfortunately, Chen Fan couldn't hear her at all from below. He gestured with both hands, though she had no idea what he meant.

"Wait for me. I'll be right down."

Su Ruochu pointed at herself, then at Chen Fan.

Then she turned and rushed into the apartment.

A few minutes later, a beautiful figure darted out of the stairwell.

After rushing through the entrance in a few quick steps, Su Ruochu suddenly stopped short.

Composed and ladylike again, she lowered her head and walked toward Chen Fan with a little reserve.

"Y-you... what are you doing here?"

Chen Fan grinned.

"I missed you."

Su Ruochu's cheeks flushed, and she looked a little shy.

"Were you thinking about me up on the balcony just now?"

Chen Fan teased her with a smile, not really expecting an answer.

To his surprise, Su Ruochu hesitated for a second, then gave a gentle nod.

"Mm..."

That barely audible murmur was already the boldest expression of affection she could manage.

Chen Fan gazed at Su Ruochu, his eyes warm and his admiration undisguised.

In the few days since he had last seen her, Su Ruochu had trimmed her long hair and gotten straight bangs, making her look both playful and ladylike.

Under Chen Fan's steady gaze, Su Ruochu grew a little flustered.

"What are you looking at?"

"My wife is so beautiful."

"You're talking nonsense again. Who's your wife?"

"It's true."

Chen Fan smiled. "You really look beautiful dressed like this today. I love it."

"Such a smooth talker!"

Su Ruochu gave a soft scoff, but her smiling eyes and the slight upturn of her lips betrayed her mood.

Chen Fan smiled and invited her.

"Want to take a walk?"

Su Ruochu hesitated.

"I... can't stay out too long. My mom's still home..."

Chen Fan nodded with a smile.

"Don't worry. Just a few minutes, then I'll bring you back safe and sound."

"If you're really worried, how about I give you the police officer's phone number? Would that do?"

Su Ruochu rolled her eyes charmingly.

Without a word, she took the lead and walked toward the complex's exit.

Chen Fan smiled and hurried after her, pushing his bicycle.

Neither of them noticed what was happening on the fifth-floor balcony.

Su Ruochu's mother, Lin Wanxiu, stood there with a dark expression, watching their retreating backs with obvious displeasure.

On the road, the two young people walked side by side.

Beneath the streetlights, their shadows slowly merged, making them look like a pair of lovers nestled together.

Su Ruochu kept her head lowered and said nothing.

Chen Fan pushed his bicycle with one hand, while the other swung back and forth with seemingly casual ease.

At last, their fingers brushed lightly together.

Then they sprang apart as though shocked.

Finally, Chen Fan gathered his courage and gently took Su Ruochu's hand.

Su Ruochu's cheeks were rosy, but this time she neither objected nor pulled away.

Blushing, she met Chen Fan's eyes, and he immediately broke into a goofy, earnest grin.

"Just for a little while."

Su Ruochu couldn't resist his childlike expression.

So she let him hold her hand as they wandered aimlessly together.

At last, Chen Fan spoke.

"You checked your Gaokao score, right? What did you get?"

"584," Su Ruochu said softly.

Chen Fan smiled and glanced at her with a hint of pride.

"I got 603."

Su Ruochu suddenly pressed her lips together in a smile.

"I already knew."

"You knew?" Chen Fan's eyes widened.

"Mm. Our homeroom teacher called my house this afternoon, and I asked about your score while we were talking."

"He said your score had even shocked him."

"And your Gaokao score put you in the top ten in the whole school and the top thirty in the district."

Su Ruochu's face was full of delight, and she seemed very proud of Chen Fan.

Then, as though something had occurred to her, she suddenly turned to him.

"With 603 points, you could actually try applying to some of those famous universities."

"Do you regret applying to Cloudsea University with me?"

Chen Fan grinned and tightened his grip on Su Ruochu's hand.

"Not at all."

"No matter how high I scored, it wouldn't mean anything to me."

"All I wanted was to go to the same university as you."

Hearing that, Su Ruochu felt a sweet warmth inside and gave Chen Fan a coy glance.

Under the dim yellow streetlight, Su Ruochu's eyes were beautiful and captivating.

Chen Fan was mesmerized.

As though sensing the heat in his gaze, Su Ruochu's heart trembled, and she suddenly grew nervous.

Is he going to kiss me?

Just as Su Ruochu was at a loss, Chen Fan began lowering his head toward her.

Her body instantly went taut, and her mind went blank.

What should I do?

Should I... turn him down?