Chapter Fifteen

Chu Lian never expected that watching a football match would lead to such an unexpected disaster.

In the evening, she and her friend returned from a jog and bumped into Cheng Xiangbei outside the football field. She smiled broadly, intending to greet him, but Cheng Xiangbei merely nodded and hurried away. Chu Lian felt a little annoyed, but she couldn't show it in front of her friend. She wanted to follow him in, but was afraid her friend would see through her thoughts. Caught in this dilemma, her friend said, "Xiao Lian, the football field looks lively. Let's go watch for a while."

In the past, Chu Lian would never have watched such a barbaric sport. But Cheng Xiangbei had just entered the soccer field, and a thought struck her. Without a word, she followed her friend to the sidelines. Looking around, she saw boys shouting and playing soccer, some even disheveled. Chu Lian frowned slightly, carefully searching for Cheng Xiangbei among the crowd. In the distance, it seemed to be him, but she couldn't be sure. She pulled her friend along the edge of the field, moving slowly, seemingly casually, but actually very attentively.

"Xiao Lian, I didn't know you liked football too," her friend said with a smile.

Chu Lian nodded perfunctorily, finally spotting Cheng Xiangbei's figure at the other end of the court. Tall and imposing, handsome and dashing, he possessed a uniquely masculine heart when he smiled. "Let's watch from here."

"Huh?" The friend was bewildered. Apart from a few boys doing their exercises, there was nothing else to see in this corner.

Chu Lian walked slowly, pulling her friend along, trying her best to hide her increasingly rapid heartbeat. In front of the goal, Cheng Xiangbei was talking to another boy, who seemed very angry and kicked him. Chu Lian watched helplessly as Cheng Xiangbei took the kick, and she felt a surge of anger. Who was this person? Why would they treat Cheng Xiangbei like this?!

Chu Lian thought Cheng Xiangbei would retaliate in kind, but to her surprise, Cheng Xiangbei not only wasn't angry, but instead slumped his shoulders and apologized profusely. The more Chu Lian watched, the more uncomfortable she felt; Cheng Xiangbei's temper was far too good.

"Xiao Lian! Look how handsome that boy is!" her friend exclaimed. In front of the penalty area, Cheng Xiangbei seemed to be demonstrating for the boy from before: a run-up, a kick, and a beautiful arc as the ball easily went into the net. His dashing figure captivated countless peeping eyes. Chu Lian composed herself, glancing around. The subtle or bold admiring glances made her extremely uncomfortable.

"I wonder which class that boy is in," my friend sighed.

“School of Engineering, Cheng Xiangbei,” Chu Lian whispered. Her friend turned around, surprised, and asked, “How did you know?”

Chu Lian smiled, a hint of smugness in her eyes. "We're in a joint dormitory with them."

"Wow! That's amazing! You're so close to the source!" my friend exclaimed enviously. "Hey, has anyone shown interest in you, such a beautiful woman?"

Chu Lian glanced at her sideways, a slight smile playing on her lips. "No, not at all!"

"Hey, the most beautiful girl in the department, being overly modest is just arrogance. Does saying you don't have something mean you do?" My friend winked.

Chu Lian smiled and lowered her head, then said nothing more. The two stood quietly, watching as several more boys ran onto the court.

"Should we go over and say hello?" my friend suggested with a smile.

Chu Lian shook her head, a little embarrassed. She didn't really have a connection with Cheng Xiangbei, and besides, the court was full of boys; it wouldn't be appropriate to approach him rashly. Watching Cheng Xiangbei chatting and laughing, a blush crept onto her face. The two stood there for a while longer, then, glancing at the sky, their friend suggested they eat. Chu Lian glanced longingly at the court, then calmly left with her friend. However, just as they reached behind the net, something unexpected happened—

"Ah!!!" Her friend screamed in alarm. Chu Lian felt a sharp pain in her head, lost her balance, and fell to the ground in a disheveled state.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Lu Nan ran over nervously. If Cheng Xiangbei hadn't been holding him back, he would have tripped and fallen.

"Nannan, relax, it's okay." Cheng Xiangbei patted his back to help him catch his breath.

"Huh? Chu Lian?!" Li Weide recognized the "victim".

"How do you guys play football?!" Chu Lian's friend shouted aggressively. This is outrageous! They get hit by the ball even when they're just outside the field; these people's skills are terrible!

"Yes, I'm so sorry!" Lu Nan bowed and apologized.

Chu Lian sat motionless on the ground. Although her posture was a bit awkward, she kept feeling a dull pain in her head and felt dizzy whenever she moved.

"Let me take you to the hospital!" Luo Ming suggested.

Chu Lian waved her hand. Actually, the ball had barely hit her head when it flew, but she was still a little dizzy. Her friend stepped forward again to mediate: "Hey, can't you see that Xiao Lian can't move? One of you, carry Xiao Lian to the infirmary!"

Yi's bossy tone annoyed everyone, and Luo Ming, who had originally intended to do something good, withdrew his hand. One must take responsibility for one's actions; Lu Nan was about to squat down when Cheng Xiangbei grabbed him and lifted him up. Chu Lian had wanted to stand up, but hearing her friend's words, a glimmer of hope returned to her heart. But as she waited and waited, until her dizziness subsided, Cheng Xiangbei still hadn't made any move, and she felt a pang of disappointment.

"Ah Fei, go!" Li Weide didn't move, Cheng Xiangbei didn't move either, and Luo Ming gave Liu Fei a sly shove.

Liu Fei, being honest, squatted down with his back to Chu Lian. Chu Lian looked up, gritted her teeth, and stood up, supporting herself on her friend's shoulders. "I'm fine now, you don't need to carry me."

When Meng Tianze heard that his cousin had been hit by a ball, he went to the girls' dormitory to comfort her after evening self-study.

Before anyone could announce their arrival, Lu Nan and Cheng Xiangbei walked over. Lu Nan walked in front empty-handed, while Cheng Xiangbei followed behind carrying nutritional supplements and fruit, looking quite like a young master and his servant.

"Tiger, do you think the person is alright?" Lu Nan asked worriedly.

Cheng Xiangbei shrugged. Chu Lian didn't need any support when she got to the end, so how could anything happen to her? "It's nothing, don't worry about it."

"I'm not playing football anymore." Lu Nan sighed. He had to admit he didn't have athletic talent, even though he was a little unwilling.

Cheng Xiangbei reached out and patted his head.

"Lu Nan?" Meng Tianze asked with a smile.

"Huh? You're here too?" Lu Nan glanced at him. "Waiting for your girlfriend?"

"Ahem!" Meng Tianze coughed lightly, "What are you talking about? I don't have a girlfriend."

"Oh." Lu Nan nodded. Whether he had a girlfriend or not was none of his business.

Cheng Xiangbei frowned and said, "Nannan, go tell Auntie to look for Chu Lian."

"Right, right." Almost forgetting the important matter, Lu Nan ran to the dormitory manager to negotiate. Cheng Xiangbei nodded politely to Meng Tianze without saying a word.

"Why does Lu Nan want to find Xiao Lian?" Meng Tianze frowned.

"Nan Nan accidentally hit Chu Lian on the head while kicking the ball."

"Is it serious?" After all, he himself had suffered greatly at Lu Nan's hands, although those injuries were truly laughable.

"She should be fine. Chu Lian walked back by herself," Cheng Xiangbei said indifferently.

Meng Tianze nodded, relieved that his cousin was alright. But this Lu Nan was truly a genius; she could even kick a ball right into someone's head. Her skill was extraordinary. "Lu Nan, do you do this kind of thing often?" Meng Tianze asked with a smile.

Cheng Xiangbei gritted his teeth and said, word by word, "I don't know."

That laugh is disgusting. He doesn't want to talk about Nan Nan with this guy surnamed Meng. Humph!

After communicating with the dormitory supervisor, Lu Nan obediently returned to Cheng Xiangbei's side.

A short while later, Chu Lian emerged, supported by her classmates.

"Xiao Lian, are you alright?" Meng Tianze asked first.

When Chu Lian saw her cousin, her eyes welled up with tears of grievance. Her head no longer hurt, but the person she liked was there when the incident happened, and hadn't even offered a word of comfort; she felt very disappointed.

"Chu Lian, this... please accept it!" Lu Nan handed over the bag, looking embarrassed. He had zero experience dealing with girls, and was even more at a loss when faced with a victim.

"Thank you," Chu Lian whispered. Looking over Lu Nan's shoulder, she saw Cheng Xiangbei behind her. He nodded politely without saying a word. Seeing his handsome face, Chu Lian's heart started racing again. "Xiangbei is here too?"

"Well, I wish you a speedy recovery." Cheng Xiangbei, feeling helpless after being singled out and greeted, replied with a polite remark.

Chu Lian blushed and nodded gently.

"Xiao Lian, do you want your cousin to take you home to rest for a couple of days?" Meng Tianze asked with concern, seeing that his cousin seemed to be alright.

"No need, it's nothing serious." Wanting to appear strong in front of her beloved, Chu Lian smiled.

"Chu, are you really alright?" Lu Nan asked hurriedly.

"Yes, thank you for your concern." If she could visit Cheng Xiangbei every day, she would surely recover quickly, Chu Lian thought sweetly.

"Oh, that's great! I can finally relax now that you're alright!" Lu Nan beamed with joy. Now that Chu Lian herself said she was fine, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief! "Tiger, let's go! Goodbye, Chu Lian!"

Lu Nan waved her paw excitedly and pulled Cheng north.

"Hey!" the brother and sister called out hurriedly, but they were no match for Lu Nan and could only watch helplessly as the two figures disappeared around the corner.

What's wrong with Lu Nan's brain?!

"Tiger..." Knowing that Chu Lian was alright, Lu Nan felt relieved.

"Hmm?" Cheng Xiangbei snorted, still feeling uncomfortable with Meng Tianze's gaze.

"Tiger..." she whined.

Cheng Xiangbei's eyes darted around, and he chuckled, "Stinky tofu?"

"Tiger, you're the best." He clung shamelessly to Cheng Xiangbei's shoulder. Cheng Xiangbei pinched his nose and said, "Being cute won't work, you've already eaten this week."

"I want to eat, I want to eat, I just want to eat!" He started acting like a spoiled child.

Cheng Xiangbei covered his face. Nan Nan's temper was becoming more and more childish. Was it really because he spoiled her? But it felt so good to be relied on. Amidst the teasing glances of others, the two of them playfully walked out of the school gate. Across the street was a tofu stall, and Lu Nan's longing gaze made Cheng Xiangbei's heart flutter.

"Tiger, I don't have class tomorrow morning," Lu Nan said in a low voice.

"And then?" His ears perked up.

"Let's go home... and spend the night." (Blushing, hehe.)

"condition?"

"Five skewers of stinky tofu!!!" Lu Nan glared at him fiercely.

"Two strings!" they bargained.

"Four strings!"

Three strings!

“Okay…” Lu Nan nodded resentfully.

Cheng Xiangbei smiled and obediently went to buy stinky tofu. Lu Nan didn't mind the heat and slurped it down, letting out a happy sigh. Cheng Xiangbei patted his head and took out a tissue to wipe his mouth and hands. "Greedy cat!"

"Delicious!" I patted my tummy. "So full..."

Cheng Xiangbei shook his head, pulling him slowly home to help him digest his food. Under the dim streetlights, the roadside trees blocked most of the light, and they occasionally encountered couples embracing. Their hands tightened around each other, and Lu Nan whispered, "Tiger..."

The voice was soft, and Cheng Xiangbei felt an urge to pounce on him. However… they were still some distance from home, and he wouldn't dare to act rashly even if he wanted to die. Sensing his restlessness, Lu Nan smiled, hooked his arm around Cheng Xiangbei's neck, and jumped onto his back. Cheng Xiangbei obediently squatted down and steadily carried him forward.

"Tiger..." (whispering in his ear).

"Um."

"Tiger..." He blew air into her ear.

A tingling sensation shot up his spine. Cheng Xiangbei gritted his teeth. This vixen, she doesn't even know when to seduce people! "Hold on tight!" He couldn't resist any longer and carried Lu Nan away at full speed.

"Hahaha……"

Author's Note: Happy Birthday to our Motherland! Happy Holidays to everyone!

See you after the holiday... *waving excitedly*