Can't Bear to See Me Go?

"What did you talk about?"

"She wouldn't let me tell you..."

Chen Lu was displeased. He looked at her with a straight face. "Are we still best friends or not?"

The girl nodded slightly.

"So are you going to tell me or not?" he asked, still looking serious.

"Don't be mad... I'll tell you..." Liang Zhirou's voice grew anxious, and she hurriedly spilled everything. "She asked about us..."

Before she could get the words out, Chen Lu put his index finger in front of her moist lips.

"All right, I'm happy just knowing you're willing to tell me. As for what you talked about, that's a secret between you two," Chen Lu said with a soft laugh, his voice gentle. "You don't have to say anything you don't want to."

Liang Zhirou blinked, a little puzzled.

But I'm willing to tell you anything.

When they reached the parking space, Chen Lu slowly started the car, and the girl obediently sat down in the front passenger seat.

Of course, Chen Lu had insisted on it.

As though caring for a child, Chen Lu pulled the seat belt over, drew it across her chest, and buckled her into the seat.

Liang Zhirou sat perfectly still, afraid that an inadvertent touch might be too much to pass censorship, only sneaking an occasional glance at the boy.

For some reason, she had a... strange feeling.

"Why do you look so nervous? You looking down on my driving?" Chen Lu asked with a smile, glancing at Liang Zhirou beside him as he backed out.

Then he froze.

Even though the girl wore a loose T-shirt, the seat belt was pulled tight against her, outlining her shapely figure. She shifted in her seat, a little embarrassed, trying to make it look less obvious.

Chen Lu cleared his throat. "Tell me where, and I'll put it in the GPS."

"Let's go to the supermarket near my home. I need to buy some groceries..."

"Okay."

A little over half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a supermarket.

Watching Liang Zhirou unbuckle her seat belt, Chen Lu had mixed feelings.

Even driving took this long. There was no telling how long this silly girl had spent transferring between buses to get there.

He'd miscalculated. He should've tricked her into agreeing to let him pick her up.

The two walked into the supermarket together. Liang Zhirou carried a shopping basket, looking here and there, while Chen Lu silently followed beside her.

It felt rather novel to him.

It was like they were living a life together.

But boys weren't all that interested in supermarkets or shopping malls, and Chen Lu's attention soon shifted elsewhere.

To the kiddie ride at the supermarket entrance, for example.

It might have been a little childish for elementary schoolers, but it was just right for college students.

He stood to one side, watching the child sitting on it as he waited for Liang Zhirou to finish shopping.

The girl soon came up to him. Without a word, he took the plastic bag from her hand. "Let's go. I'll walk you to your door."

They had barely taken two steps when Chen Lu felt a gentle push on his shoulder. Curious, he turned around.

The girl was holding a bottle of Pepsi-Cola, reaching out to hand it to him.

Chen Lu was taken aback. He hadn't expected Liang Zhirou to remember even that. It was one thing to remember he liked cola, but she even remembered which brand he liked?

"...Thanks."

"I got you one that's at room temperature. Hope you don't mind..." Liang Zhirou lowered her head, her voice still timid. "You have a bad stomach, so drink less cold stuff, okay..."

"I'll listen to you."

The two chatted as they walked into a dark little alley, the surrounding steel jungle blocking most of the sunlight.

After walking on for a while, they arrived in front of a very old apartment building.

At the entrance was a middle-aged woman in a wheelchair.

"Are you Chen Lu?" Xiao Xunfang asked tentatively.

Chen Lu was a little surprised. "Auntie, you know me?"

Xiao Xunfang smiled, the corners of her eyes full of wrinkles. "I often hear my daughter talk about you. You really are a good kid."

"What's so good about me? My mom wants to sweep me out the door every day."

Chen Lu handed the shopping bag to the girl beside him and said seriously, "I'm going now. Call me if you need anything."

Liang Zhirou looked up at him. The words to ask him to stay reached her lips, only to catch there suddenly. All she could do was watch his retreating figure and reach out a hand, a little anxiously.

After a few steps, Chen Lu looked back, as though he couldn't quite put his mind at ease, and happened to see it.

He couldn't help smiling and asked gently:

"What's wrong? Can't bear to see me go?"

The girl lowered her head, clutching the hem of her shirt with both hands. After holding it in for a long time, she finally said in a quiet voice:

"Mm."

Chen Lu, who had only been joking, suddenly froze.