Chapter 26 That kind of thing between classmates... I also like it...

Huh? Xiao Bao?

Jin Huan only heard this.

The sweet words made Jin Huan's heart skip a beat. She looked up and met Zhong Yan's smiling eyes, and whispered, "What is it..."

Zhong Yan made no attempt to hide his intimacy with her on campus; the woman before him was his wife, and that was the only thing he needed to know.

He moved closer to her and said again, "Yes, it's okay to date now."

Oh right, and dating too.

Jin Huan felt a tightness in her chest, as if she had been hit twice. She was at a loss, her heart pounding wildly for a while, before she could only helplessly give up.

Sigh, she really can't do anything.

Jin Huan was so nervous that her palms were sweating. She nodded haphazardly, "Oh."

The rain gradually stopped.

She strolled leisurely around the school for a while, holding Zhong Yan's hand as they walked side by side. Jin Huan kept unconsciously looking at the comparison between their shoulders, realizing that she was still quite a bit shorter than Zhong Yan.

Compared to her undergraduate days, Jin Huan now spends even less time on campus during her graduate studies. There are some places she's never even been to before. After walking for about twenty minutes, Zhong Yan asked her with concern, "Are you tired?"

Jin Huan's breathing was still relatively smooth, and she shook her head with considerable pride: "I exercise every day."

During Zhong Yan's business trip, she made sure to exercise every day. She was able to maintain this routine better later on. Occasionally, she would need to add some extra time to burn off her pent-up energy.

Jin Huan put her hands behind her back, raised her chin, and pursed her lips slightly, as if she had accomplished something extraordinary.

Zhong Yan was amused by her words.

"You're doing great," he nodded in praise.

Jin Huan shook her head when she heard this, thinking that her physical condition was much better now, and she certainly wouldn't be panting like a little dog like before.

Walking around slowly did help with digestion.

Jin Huan stared at the milk tea shop in front of her, looking a little tempted.

After staring at it for a while, she realized what was happening and turned to look at Zhong Yan, who was also looking at her. Jin Huan smiled shyly and said, "I haven't had any milk tea at home these past few days."

Zhong Yan never restricted her behavior, but he subtly suggested that if she wanted something sweet, she could ask her aunt to make it, as the milk tea outside was too high in sugar, which was indeed unhealthy.

However, even unhealthy foods can be eaten occasionally; there's no need to completely eliminate them.

Jin Huan never imagined that one day she would be sitting in a bubble tea shop drinking bubble tea with Zhong Yan.

She also told Zhong Yan that she only drinks three-tenths of a sugary drink each time, which is already very self-disciplined.

The word "self-discipline" is used in her context in this way.

Zhong Yan didn't speak, but just smiled and nodded.

He sat opposite Jin Huan, watching her happily drink her milk tea. His gaze swept casually over the surroundings, where everyone looked like Jin Huan—young faces.

Zhong Yan lowered his gaze slightly.

Du Qingxu sent a message to Jin Huan, asking if she had arrived home yet. Jin Huan did not answer directly; she gave a vague answer and told him that she would return the umbrella to him tomorrow.

She took another sip of her milk tea before suddenly remembering something and looking at Zhong Yan, she asked, "Would you like some?"

She knew Zhong Yan didn't like sweets, but she realized it wasn't good for her to eat alone.

Zhong Yan replied softly, "I won't drink."

Zhong Yan occasionally drinks more coffee, but most of the time he prefers plain water. For him, there is no need for emotional value from these liquids, so the simplest water is fine.

Jin Huanxiao said, "Actually, it tastes pretty good."

She seemed to really like it, and Zhong Yan, looking into her eyes, finally relented, "Let me try some."

Jin Huan responded and handed him what she was holding.

She had already drunk from it, about half of it. Zhong Yan took it and, using the straw she had just used, took a small sip.

Sweet, so sweet, an excessive sweetness filled his mouth, making Zhong Yan feel dazed.

I don't know how many years ago it was the last time I drank something this sweet.

Jin Huan, however, was watching her movements with a smile. When he touched the straw, her face turned red. She stared at him from his lips to his throat, as if she wanted to see how he would drink the milk tea.

Zhong Yan noticed her gaze and looked up. Jin Huan quickly looked away, trying to cover it up, and couldn't help but lick her lips, pretending that she hadn't seen anything.

Like a high school couple dating, she's the one dating, and he's the one catching them in the act.

Zhong Yan returned the milk tea to her.

"Not bad," he politely commented.

Jin Huan nodded softly in agreement, "Right...it's delicious..."

Jin Huan slurped a few mouthfuls and finished the entire cup of milk tea, cleaning it up completely.

It was dark outside by then.

Jin Huan is now trying to explain to him about having dinner with Du Qingxu today. It's true that she didn't think much of it, and it's also true that she made a mistake, which she must admit.

Zhong Yan looked at her with a smile, not paying attention to what she was saying. His expression remained largely unchanged as he listened calmly to Jin Huan's words of repentance and apology.

After she finished her confession, she placed her hands on the table and looked at him obediently.

“I heard you,” Zhong Yan asked. “And then?”

Jin Huan shook his head.

That was the end of it.

Mr. Zhong, being such a tolerant person, probably thought she was just playing house, so he wouldn't take it to heart. Jin Huan observed his expression to make sure he really didn't care about it. She should have breathed a sigh of relief, but for some reason, her chest felt tight again.

Jin Huan lowered his head sullenly and took a deep breath.

"Want to go see a movie?" Zhong Yan asked her.

There were some dating routines that Zhong Yan hadn't done before, but they were pretty much the same. Today was Valentine's Day, and restaurants and cinemas were probably packed, unlike them, who were sitting here drinking milk tea.

"I prefer watching movies with you at home."

It's better at home. At home, we can be closer, kiss anytime, or do something else.

Jin Huan thought so.

That's also possible.

Zhong Yan nodded: "Would you like to order another milk tea to take home?"

With an expression of agonizing guilt amidst his own elation, Zhong Yan said, "Let's drink together."

Jin Huan's eyes widened, and she immediately nodded: "Take it!"

.

Zhong Yan changed his clothes and came out, while Jin Huan, the hardworking little bee, was running up and down the stairs.

The home theater is on the basement level. Jin Huan, wearing slippers, took some homemade cookies and cakes from the kitchen on the first floor. Although she doesn't drink alcohol, she thought that having a little wine at this time would create a better atmosphere. Quietly, slightly tipsy, it would be very romantic.

Jin Huan is busy with her own understanding of love and dating.

Zhong Yan stood on the stairs, watching her back as if it were a gust of wind.

He recalled seeing her standing with that male classmate in the car that afternoon. On a holiday like today, if you didn't know better, it would be easy to assume they were a young couple from school.

A thoughtful boyfriend would rather get wet himself than not tilt the umbrella towards his girlfriend.

Like all campus couples.

It was a very harmonious and touching scene.

That's how it should be in other people's eyes.

At this moment, Zhong Yan inevitably thought of that scene, even if it was just such a simple scene, where the two people who looked like a "campus couple" did not even have any physical contact.

But as we all know, campus romances only require such a simple atmosphere, and young people's love is always easily satisfied.

In Zhong Yan's view, getting along with his wife is a long and peaceful process.

He doesn't interfere with her, nor does he force her to do or not do anything. The age gap will inevitably make them different, and he will gradually work things out with those differences.

Only today did he realize that girls her age might yearn for a romantic love affair more than a peaceful, respectful marriage.

Those things that young couples do seem to be things he can't provide.

He could be tolerant of her and fulfill any of her requests, but he could never get along with her like her peers.

Zhong Yan had always been well aware of his own strengths. His knowledge, experience, and wealth were not something that some young upstarts could easily match. He was not boastful about it, but he was confident because he had enough. However, the moment he saw them, he felt for the first time that his confidence was quietly cracking.

For a moment, he couldn't control himself, or rather, he didn't know how far the crack had progressed.

Jin Huan only noticed Zhong Yan at this moment.

He changed into a wool sweater, which made him look more approachable. Wool sweaters were the most attractive garment on Zhong Yan. Jin Huan stared at him for a second, then happily asked, "Are you ready?"

Zhong Yan nodded.

"I'm all done too." Jin Huan took two cups and beckoned Zhong Yan to come downstairs.

In just over ten minutes, she transformed the monotonous home theater into a vibrant space.

There were various snacks on the table, the cookies were too cute to be true, and the milk tea she brought back was even divided into two cups with a glass. Most surprisingly, there was even a bottle of wine next to the milk tea.

Zhong Yan glanced at it twice, then sat down on the sofa and couldn't help but ask, "Milk tea with alcohol? What kind of trendy way is this?"

Teasingly, Jin Huan opened her mouth, then whispered, "A date... seems like we should have some drinks."

"Can you drink today?" Jin Huan remembered that he had just gotten off the plane, and drinking would be bad for his health if he was very tired.

Zhong Yan leaned back on the sofa, his whole demeanor relaxing: "Of course I can... Can you?"

Jin Huan pointed to the wine bottle: "I don't think this wine has a very high alcohol content. I should be fine having a couple of sips."

Besides, we're at home, with Zhong Yan by our side, so it doesn't matter if we get drunk.

That's what Jin Huan thought.

The movie I chose today is a romance film that was released last year. My classmates mentioned it and said it was very touching. I had always wanted to see it, but I never got to because the film was taken off the screens.

Let's watch this one today.

Jin Huan sat next to Zhong Yan, eagerly anticipating how good the movie would be and wondering if it would make her cry. She had even prepared a pack of tissues for this purpose.

Halfway through the story, Jin Huan completely forgot about eating. She stared at the screen, a sour feeling rising in her throat and eyes, making her heart ache – the kind of feeling one gets when reading a tragic novel.

Tears were already welling up and swirling in my eyes.

Jin Huan reached out and grabbed a tissue, wiping away her tears, her eyes still glued to the screen.

During the climax of the entire movie, Jin Huan almost cried through her tears for a long time, throwing away four or five tissues. Only when the plot finally calmed down did her emotions slowly subside.

She was so caught up in her crying that she forgot Zhong Yan was still beside her. Jin Huan turned her head, touched the tear stains on her face, and suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

It seems she was crying too intensely...

Zhong Yan was watching with her, but his reaction was indifferent. It seemed that the thrilling and unforgettable love in the movie could not move him. Jin Huan couldn't help but ask, "Don't you think their love is very touching?"

Zhong Yan smiled and repeated her words: "...A touching love story?"

Girls are sensitive and their emotions are easily swayed, and Jin Huan is the epitome of this. He placed his hand on his knee, looked her in the eye, and asked patiently, "Jin Huan, do you really understand what it means to like someone?"

Jin Huan wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye and looked at Zhong Yan, puzzled.

This was the first time Zhong Yan had discussed the topic of "liking" with her.

She always confessed her feelings to him in a simple way, always saying that she liked him, but her liking for him stemmed more from physiological impulses, natural and instinctive, which she herself probably didn't understand.

"Like you said you like me, why do you like me? Aside from wanting to be close to me, you might like other people too." Zhong Yan tried to remind her to think about this with a simple mind. Apart from so-called physical attraction, why did she still like him?

They've known each other for a much shorter time.

Even the shortest one next to her.

Jin Huan didn't know how to answer for a moment. She couldn't really explain why, but the moment she saw Zhong Yan, she had a strong desire to be close to him. That was love.

"I like it, that's all..." Jin Huan murmured.

"What about the others?" Zhong Yan's voice deepened as he tried to remind her.

"Do you like that kind of thing between classmates...?"

Jin Huan looked confused; she didn't quite understand the logic. She repeated Zhong Yan's words: "Classmate?"

Her classmates were all very nice and got along well with her. Jin Huan replied, "I like those too... but not this kind."

"Which one?" Zhong Yan asked calmly, guiding him gently. "Which one are they? Which one am I?"

Jin Huan opened her mouth, but couldn't form any words. After a long while, she could only shake her head.

Other people's love stories are always fraught with trials and tribulations, making her feelings seem too simple and naive. They haven't experienced anything dramatic or passionate between them. Does Zhong Yan... not believe in her kind of affection...?

As Jin Huan thought of this, tears welled up in her eyes again, her red eyes making her look particularly helpless. The stinging feeling from before returned like a strong gust of wind, sweeping over her heart and senses. Just like that, she blinked blankly, and tears fell down with a patter.

Author's note: Whoever made you cry, you're the one who has to comfort you...