Chapter 48: Did You Fall in Love?

Jian Hongyou thought Tang Zazan was incredibly resilient, able to laugh so carelessly after such a traumatic experience.

A more fragile girl would have been left with lasting trauma.

Jian Hongyou called hotel services, and a staff member soon arrived with an ice pack.

She wrapped it in a towel and applied it to Tang Zazan’s face.

“Zazan, you need to go out more, stay home less, and never get into a car with a stranger. You were lucky to be rescued.”

Jian Hongyou felt it was necessary to explain the gravity of the situation.

She didn’t want this silly girl to get tricked again in the future.

Tang Zazan was also afraid.

“I know.”

Jian Hongyou sighed, “From now on, take a licensed taxi or use a ride-hailing app. Take a picture of the license plate and send it to me, or to your boyfriend when you have one. Don’t get into any other cars.”

“I understand. But Youyou，do you think I would feel very safe if I had a boyfriend like Gao Ye?”

Jian Hongyou paused, pulling her hand and pressing it onto the towel.

“Hold it yourself.”

Tang Zazan covered her face and asked again, “Youyou，say something. How do you feel?”

Jian Hongyou kicked off her shoes and lay down on the bed, ignoring her.

Tang Zazan clicked her tongue.

After a while, she said, “Youyou，is there anything to eat? I’m starving.”

Jian Hongyou glanced at the time. It was too late for the hotel to have food.

“Order takeout.”

“Okay, should I ask Gao Ye? He might not have eaten dinner either.”

Before Jian Hongyou could speak, Tang Zazan went out, still holding the white towel.

She knocked twice on the door excitedly.

Yu Nanzheng opened the door.

Both of them were instantly disappointed.

Yu Nanzheng thought it was Jian Hongyou.

Tang Zazan thought it was Gao Ye.

“Yu Nanzheng, where’s Gao Ye?”

“He left.”

“Left?”

“Do you need something from him?”

“Oh, nothing.”

Tang Zazan turned around dejectedly and went back to her room.

Jian Hongyou scanned her, “What do you want to eat? I’ll order.”

“I’m not hungry.”

Tang Zazan lay on the bed listlessly, her eyes vacant.

Jian Hongyou muttered a curse, “What a loser!”

“Go take a shower, you’re filthy.”

Tang Zazan looked at her with resentment.

“I’m heartbroken, can you have some sympathy? You’re still criticizing me.”

“Did you fall in love?”

“No…”

In high school, Gao Ye, like Yu Nanzheng, was a popular figure, the center of attention wherever he went.

Countless girls liked him.

She was an invisible girl, neither good nor bad at her studies, with no outstanding personality traits.

In short, Gao Ye wouldn’t have noticed her at all.

She was short back then, sitting in the front row, while Gao Ye and Yu Nanzheng sat in the back.

Because of the distance, she had to enter the classroom from the back door every day.

This way, she could catch a glimpse of Gao Ye.

Sometimes he was sleeping, sometimes he was reading manga.

She started reading manga because of him.

At first, she just read, buying many manga books, some of which she bought following Gao Ye’s choices. Whatever he read, she bought.

It felt amazing to do the same things as him, to share common interests.

Later, she suddenly had the urge to draw manga.

That’s how she became a manga artist.

She kept this secret crush to herself, telling no one, lacking the courage to confess.

Until Gao Ye went abroad.

Over the years, she lurked in the high school class group, hoping to hear any news about Gao Ye.

Gao Ye wasn’t in the group, but occasionally she’d hear other classmates talk about him and Yu Nanzheng, but always about the past.

She never expected to run into him here.

“Youyou，do you think Gao Ye has a girlfriend?”

“Who knows?”

“Ask your Yu Nanzheng, they’re good friends, right?”

“No.”

Jian Hongyou found Gao Ye annoying, always on guard around her.

If she didn’t know that Yu Nanzheng had a goddess he liked, she would have thought Gao Ye and Yu Nanzheng were a couple.

But Yu Nanzheng wasn’t interested in Gao Ye, what if Gao Ye had feelings for Yu Nanzheng?

It wasn’t impossible.

That might explain his hostility towards her.

She couldn’t let Gao Ye harm Tang Zazan until she figured things out.

“Youyou，just ask for me, can you bear to see me miserable and unable to eat or sleep?”

Jian Hongyou: “…”

“Youyou！”

“Fine, fine, I’ll ask. But I’m warning you, don’t go near Gao Ye until I’ve figured things out.”

“I know.”

Tang Zazan shyly buried her face in the blanket.

“Remember that.”

“Mm-hmm.”

After a while, the doorbell rang.

Jian Hongyou kicked Tang Zazan.

“Go open the door.”

“Okay.”

It was the delivery guy at the door.

Tang Zazan carried the takeout bag and walked in with a light step.

“Youyou，you’re the best to me.”

“Eat quickly, then go take a shower.”

“Okay, okay, okay.”

It was still early, and Jian Hongyou couldn’t sleep either. She put on a jacket and shoes.

“I’m going out for some air, you clean up after you eat.”

Tang Zazan gave her a thumbs up.

The beach was quite crowded at night, with twinkling lights, very beautiful.

There were couples chasing each other, laughing so sweetly.

There were also children playing, their voices clear and cheerful.

Everything was so warm.

Jian Hongyou wore a mask and pulled her collar up.

No one should recognize her.

Suddenly, a large hand landed on her shoulder.

Jian Hongyou turned her head and saw Yu Nanzheng’s devilish face.

The sea breeze ruffled his short hair, adding a touch of wildness.

“You came out for some air too?”

“Mm-hmm, let’s go together.”

Jian didn’t say anything and walked forward.

Yu Nanzheng had long legs and caught up with her in a few steps, walking beside her.

Suddenly, a soccer ball flew towards Jian Hongyou, about to hit her.

Yu Nanzheng moved to the side, shielding her, the ball hitting his back and bouncing away.

A little boy ran over to pick up the ball, looking at them cautiously.

Yu Nanzheng turned his head, the little boy cried out in fright.

Jian Hongyou teased, “You scared the little kid.”

Yu Nanzheng scoffed, “He’s a scaredy-cat, I didn’t do anything. This place isn’t suitable for playing soccer, it’s dangerous.”

Jian Hongyou looked at the calm but dangerous sea.

Yu Nanzheng was right.

A couple rushed over.

“Son, what’s wrong? Who bullied you?”

The man stood with his hands on his hips.

“Don’t cry, tell me, I’ll settle the score with him.”

The little boy pointed at Yu Nanzheng.

Jian Hongyou frowned.

This child wasn’t well-behaved, he didn’t apologize for hitting someone, instead, he blamed the victim.

The man stormed up to Yu Nanzheng.

“Did you bully my son?”

“I didn’t bully him, he almost hit my wife with the ball.”