Chapter 40: More Concerned Than Expected
Kong Yiyue had caught a chill during her period, and with all the worry and pent-up emotions these past few days, her body had taken a turn for the worse. The doctor prescribed some medicine, and after sleeping for a while back at the dorm, she felt better when she woke up.
It was the weekend, and she still had her piano tutoring class to attend. She had just finished getting ready and was about to leave when she unexpectedly ran into Hou Guanglue right at the dorm entrance.
Hou Guanglue was carrying a fruit basket. When he saw Kong Yiyue, he immediately broke into a smile, completely forgetting their unpleasant argument the other day.
“I heard you were sick, Kong Yiyue—you look so weak!”
Although Kong Yiyue felt uncomfortable around Hou Guanglue, she knew better than to be rude to someone being friendly. Still, her face was completely devoid of a smile: “Thank you for your concern. I’m fine now, but I have somewhere to be. Let's talk another time.”
Hou Guanglue could tell she was in a hurry to get away from him, and knew she was still upset about what had happened with Fu Jinting that day. But he didn’t point it out, instead clinging to her and smiling as he said, “You just got sick—where are you going? Tell me the address and I'll drive you there.”
“Thank you, but no need.”
“Kong Yiyue, don't be so polite—we've known each other for years after all…”
“Hou Guanglue, can you please stop blocking my way?” Kong Yiyue really couldn't stand his persistence. She was in a rush, and he was clearly trying to delay her.
“Getting angry again just like that? Alright, alright, I won't keep you then. Take care of yourself, and remember to call me if you need anything.” With that, he stuffed the fruit basket into her arms, forcing her to catch it. The scene reminded her of the night he'd given her milk tea.
Kong Yiyue looked at him without speaking.
Hou Guanglue grinned innocently. “Don't get too touched—eat more fruit, it's good for you!” Then, as if afraid she'd shove the basket back at him the next second, he quickly took off.
His tall figure disappeared in an instant. Holding the basket in her hand, Kong Yiyue felt it was unusually heavy. That familiar feeling of being torn that she'd felt that night came flooding back. She thought to herself: Is Hou Guanglue really doing this because he likes me?
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she immediately thought of Fu Jinting, and frustration welled up inside her. She was already in such a difficult position—couldn't Hou Guanglue stop adding to her troubles?
Kong Yiyue carried the fruit basket straight to the dorm supervisor's office, claiming she'd found it by the dorm entrance and asking the auntie to handle it.
The supervisor had clearly seen the basket in the boy's hands earlier—how had it ended up being “found”? Did he leave it there because the girl he was looking for wouldn't see him, and just abandoned it?
These boys these days—what is the world coming to! The auntie thought to herself. She supposed she'd just keep it for now and see if any girl came to claim it. So she said, “Alright then, leave it here.”
Kong Yiyue was relieved that the matter was resolved, and couldn't help but smile as she thanked the auntie: “Thank you for your trouble, Auntie.”
Kong Yiyue finally got to see Fu Jinting when he returned to Lian University at the end of March. It was quite a coincidence—she'd woken up early that morning and was heading to the dance studio to stretch when she overheard two girls on campus discussing a wealthy, handsome guy.
From what she gathered, he was good-looking, driving a BMW and wearing sunglasses, and was heading toward the Economics and Management Department.
Economics and Management Department?
Because of Fu Jinting, she was particularly sensitive to that name. She frowned thoughtfully: Could it be Fu Jinting is back?
Unable to contain her excitement, she called him. The moment he answered, she could feel her voice trembling slightly as she asked, “Are you at Lian University?”
Fu Jinting clearly knew it was her—he just hummed in response.
Kong Yiyue couldn't tell what mood he was in, so she asked carefully, “Can I borrow fifteen minutes of your time?”
The old Kong Yiyue would never have used the word “borrow”—even when it came to the 500,000 yuan, she'd confidently used the term “advance payment.”
Fu Jinting's face was cold as he said, “Kong Yiyue, why should I lend you those fifteen minutes?”
Kong Yiyue's heart sank. Every word and gesture of his was filled with rejection—was it really because he was with Nie Lingwei?
“Fu Jinting, even a criminal about to be executed is given a fair explanation by the authorities. I just want to ask a few questions to clear things up—it won't take long.” Her voice was calm and polite.
Fu Jinting raised an eyebrow—his striking phoenix eyes were noticeable even from a distance. After a long pause, he asked, “Where are you?”
Kong Yiyue had waited so long without a response that she'd thought he'd refuse outright. But when he said this, she felt a surge of joy—was he agreeing?
Her voice brightened as she said, “Where are you? I'll come find you.”
They agreed to meet downstairs at the university library. Classes hadn't started yet, and the campus was peaceful and quiet, shrouded in a light mist.
When Kong Yiyue arrived, Fu Jinting was already waiting there. He wore a gray stand-up collar jacket and black pants that accentuated his long legs. Watching his tall, handsome back, she stopped walking without realizing it. She silently repeated his name over and over in her heart: “Fu Jinting…”
As if sensing her presence, Fu Jinting turned around and glanced at her. His gaze darkened as he said, “What do you want to ask? I don't have much free time.”
Kong Yiyue's delicate eyebrows twitched slightly—had all the good memories from before completely vanished?
She paused before asking, “I hope to get the most honest answers from your heart to my questions—can you do that?”
Fu Jinting's eyes flickered with doubt.
Kong Yiyue explained further, “I know this request might be a bit much, but I've been thinking for a long time why things between us have come to this. I think it's largely because we haven't been honest enough with each other—I don't understand your thoughts, and you don't understand my considerations.”
“So?” Fu Jinting asked, his voice steady and unwavering.
“So I want to know—is Nie Lingwei really your girlfriend?” She said, “Don't try to hide it from me. Whether yes or no, it'll become clear eventually. No matter how well you pretend, there will always be cracks.”
“If you'll find out the answer eventually, why rush to ask me now?”
Kong Yiyue lowered her eyes slightly. They were two or three meters apart, but Fu Jinting could clearly see the loneliness on her face. She said, “I'm only pursuing you under the assumption that you're single. If you have a girlfriend, then I…”
—Then I'll have to start thinking about whether I should continue.
She detested people who meddled in other people's relationships, just as she couldn't bring herself to be that person.
The reason she'd boldly told Fu Jinting in high school that she'd become his girlfriend—even his wife—was simply to plant the idea in his mind that “their relationship wasn't purely platonic.” She wanted him to feel a twinge of unease when considering dating other girls, remembering her existence.
She'd always believed she had the ability to prevent Fu Jinting from being with Nie Lingwei after he returned from abroad. But that day while shopping, hearing Nie Lingwei say what she had, Kong Yiyue began to doubt—was she really powerful enough to change someone else's fate?
She didn't know, wasn't sure, couldn't be certain—which was why she wanted the answer from him directly.
“If I did have a girlfriend, you'd just give up pursuing me, is that it?” Fu Jinting lowered his voice, each word heavy with emphasis.
Kong Yiyue thought she detected a hint of gritted teeth in his tone as she replied, “That decision is up to me. Fu Jinting, you haven't answered my question yet, so I can't answer yours.”
Fu Jinting let out a cold laugh. Even the most cunning businessmen he dealt with in the corporate world rarely had her level of focus, determination, calmness, and persistence.
He felt a twinge of regret for agreeing to her request, but since he'd promised, he should keep his word. Taking a deep breath, he said indifferently, “No.”
No? Nie Lingwei isn't his girlfriend? Kong Yiyue was stunned—she hadn't expected that answer!
Fu Jinting watched the change in her expression, silently cursing her “stupidity” before opening his mouth to speak. But Kong Yiyue beat him to it: “Then my second question—between your family and me, you chose your family, didn't you?”
It took guts for Kong Yiyue to ask such a question face to face. The relative importance was obvious to anyone.
Fu Jinting nodded. “Yes.”
Only after asking did she realize how foolish the question was. His family had been with him for decades, and the Fu family was wealthy and powerful. In contrast, she was alone—she couldn't bring him any benefits or advantages, and couldn't even give him simple happiness right now. Why would Fu Jinting put himself in a difficult position for her?
Kong Yiyue felt a pang of bitterness, mocking herself: “I was being foolish.”
Fu Jinting didn't say anything more, remaining silent.
Kong Yiyue smiled faintly. “Fu Jinting, this is my last question—would you be willing to try accepting me? Just give us both one last chance. Maybe by the time we graduate, I still won't have moved you, and if so, I'll try to let go.”
Her words were measured and thoughtful—she'd even considered the reasons and her final choice in advance.
Fu Jinting's expression was cold and distant. He looked up at Kong Yiyue, no trace of pleasure on his face as he asked, “Kong Yiyue, you've asked me so many questions. For fairness's sake, you should answer a few of mine honestly in return, shouldn't you?”
“…Ask away.”
“First question: Why were you so persistent back then even though you didn't like me?”
“Because I thought—if there really was someone who would accompany me for the rest of my life, I hoped that person would be you.”
“…” Fu Jinting was momentarily stunned. Kong Yiyue didn't continue, waiting for him to process her words.
After composing himself, he asked his second question: “Then how much do you like me now?”
“…It seems more than I did at first.” Kong Yiyue thought for a moment before saying, “I've lived this long, and I still don't really know what it feels like to like someone. Jiang Manxin said I shouldn't force you to like me if I don't like you first, and that made me uncomfortable. Even Xiang Yi—when he told me about your decision, I was really sad. The biggest surprise was when Nie Lingwei told others she had a boyfriend—I immediately thought of you being with her. And just from that thought alone, I felt heartbroken and miserable.”
“Fu Jinting, that's when I realized—I actually care about you more than I thought I did.”
Fu Jinting's expression shifted slightly. After a long silence, he asked, “Even if there's no future for us together, you don't care?”
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