NOVEL WEB Chapter 4 - The Bold Lu Xiaoya fre(e)
“Big Brother Xiaoloong, are you really not going back to Yanjing with me?”
On a remote village road outside Qinghe Village, Lu Xiaoya raised her head slightly, filled with anticipation, and asked a question.
“I won't be going,” Zhang Xiaoloong replied as he continued walking. Ever since learning about the engagement between their families, he felt awkward being alone with Lu Xiaoya. “If my health improves, I might consider going next year.”
It wasn't that Zhang Xiaoloong didn't want to go to college. He simply didn't understand what was happening to his body.
Over the past few days, whenever he felt his chest warming up, he would immediately retreat and hide. He feared others might notice his glowing and darkening appearance.
If he were to attend university in this condition, he would risk being dissected and scrutinized under a microscope.
“Well, if…” Lu Xiaoya suddenly realized her words were inappropriate and quickly stuck out her tongue, offering a mischievous smile. “You'll definitely recover very soon.”
“I hope so,” Zhang Xiaoloong thought. In truth, he was perfectly fine in every other way, except for the glowing issue. “I haven't properly thanked you for helping me apply for the suspension.”
Lu Xiaoya grinned playfully. “So, how do you plan to thank me? Don't tell me you'll just say ‘thank you' and forget about it? I saved a top scholar from the Gold Department!”
“Top scorer in the Gold Department? Come on, he's just a bit lucky to have scored slightly higher. If he took the exam again, he might not even get admitted,” Zhang Xiaoloong modestly replied.
Previously, he took great pride in being known as the golden science scholar. However, after facing a life and death situation, his reputation no longer held much significance.
“That won't cut it. You're just saying that to avoid giving me credit. But I won't let you off the hook so easily. I want you to thank me properly,” Lu Xiaoya's tone felt a bit coquettish. She recalled her roommates' comments that girls tend to use this kind of tone when talking to someone they like, and her cheeks turned slightly red.
Unfortunately, Zhang Xiaoloong didn't notice Lu Xiaoya's bashful demeanor at that moment. She looked more beautiful than ever, but he simply smiled genuinely and said, “Alright, I'll properly thank you when you're on vacation during the New Year. What kind of delicious food do you want? My mother will make it for you.”
“I'm not going to accept such a cheap offer. My aunt already said she'd cook whatever I want. My current treatment is even better than yours,” Lu Xiaoya blushed even more as she remembered what Liu Mei had told her.
Finally sensing Lu Xiaoya's unusual behavior, Zhang Xiaoloong's heart skipped a beat, though he had never experienced love before. Nevertheless, he generously said, “Okay then, whatever you say is fine. That should be good, right?”
“Um, how about… you accompany me to buy clothes,” Lu Xiaoya's voice became softer, as if she was contemplating an idea. In fact, she was debating whether to be so direct or not. Finally, she lowered her head and said softly, “Just you and me!”
In the countryside, relationships weren't as open as in the city. People would start saying “I love you” and “you love me” from their teenage years. Even if a couple stood together on the road, others wouldn't bat an eye. One common practice was for a boy and a girl to set a date and go to the market together. They would pick out a couple of new clothes for each other.
This was actually a custom done during engagements. Often, the engaged couple might not be very familiar with each other and might have never met before. Through this “date,” they could get to know each other better.
Due to this tradition, girls wouldn't typically invite boys to go shopping alone, unless she was genuinely fond of him.
Though Zhang Xiaoloong wasn't the sharpest when it came to such matters, observing the girl's demeanor and pondering a bit longer, he understood her intentions. However, he quickly remembered that when Lu Dashan was in a coma… he had come to his parents' home to demand the betrothal money.
Zhang Xiaoloong fell silent for a moment. “I'm afraid that won't be appropriate. It's not good if others see it, and besides, Uncle Big Mountain won't approve of it.”
“I'm willing. I'm willing. I'm really willing,” Lu Xiaoya said shamelessly. She suddenly halted, gazing at Zhang Xiaoloong with a quivering lip, feeling hurt. “Big Brother Xiaoloong, my dad told me about what happened that day. It was his fault. You wouldn't bear a grudge against me for that, right?”
“I don't hold any grudges against you, nor do I hate your father. I just don't want to have any dealings with him,” Zhang Xiaoloong replied coldly.
Lu Xiaoya's eyes instantly turned red, tears forming. She struggled to hold them back, but eventually, they rolled down her cheeks. She quickly turned her head away, sobbing softly.
“Don't cry, don't cry…”
Zhang Xiaoloong felt a surge of panic and nervously circled around Lu Xiaoya. He refrained from touching her and said, “I didn't say anything. It's just that your father… He's really dishonest. I know he does it because his family is poor and he wants to get more money for your education, but forcing my parents while I'm unconscious… That's too much…”
Lu Xiaoya observed Zhang Xiaoloong's puzzled expression and decided to seek comfort in his embrace. Her arms clung tightly around him as she pressed her head against his chin.
Despite being a smart person, Zhang Xiaoloong found himself touching a girl's soft body with her unique aura for the first time. He felt a buzzing sensation in his head, freezing him in place.
“Big Brother Xiaoloong, I like you!”
Recalling the advice her roommates had given her, Lu Xiaoya mustered her courage. She couldn't let a good man who liked her slip away easily. With shyness, she bit her lip and spoke those words, even daring to stand on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips.
“I, I, I… I…” Zhang Xiaoloong was at a loss for words after being bombarded with a series of surprises.
Amused by Zhang Xiaoloong's even shyer response, Lu Xiaoya channeled the fierce spirit of a village girl and said, “Well, I just like you, no matter what!”
Zhang Xiaoloong fell silent for a moment, his blushing face gradually regaining composure along with his thoughts. “What do you like about me? Being a top scorer in the college entrance exam is just an occasional high score. If I weren't a top scorer, if I were just a farmer working at home, would you still like me?”
“I…” Lu Xiaoya could not help but hesitate for a moment.
Seeing Zhang Xiaoloong hesitate, a serene smile crept onto his face. “We're still too young. Perhaps, a few years down the line, you'll realize how naive your current thoughts are.”
“I won't,” Lu Xiaoya retorted immediately. “But what if, even after a few years, I still have feelings for you? Would you… be willing to be with me?”
“I can't give you an answer right now because I don't know what the future holds,” Zhang Xiaoloong replied vaguely.
“Big Brother Xiaoloong, have you ever had feelings for me? Even just once?” Lu Xiaoya mustered her courage and gazed intently at him.
Zhang Xiaoloong's face turned red once more. After all, who didn't have some innocent crushes in their youth? “I never paid much attention to such matters.”
Lu Xiaoya looked at his blushing face and finally smiled with satisfaction. “Big Brother Xiaoloong, then what are your plans for this year at home?”
Zhang Xiaoloong took a deep breath and then relaxed. His eyes sparkled as he replied, “What else can I do in the countryside? Everyone calls me the top scholar in the gold subjects. I believe that within a year, I can become the top farming scholar in Qinghe Village!”