BSS - Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Deng Chuan hugged Xu Wei tightly, her arms wrapped around her so firmly that Xu Wei could barely breathe. She seemed oblivious, burying her head in Xu Wei's neck and inhaling deeply.

"What are you doing here?"

The force of the hug made Xu Wei stumble back a few steps. She reached back to grasp Deng Chuan's hands on her waist, then lowered her head to affectionately nuzzle the Little Friend's forehead. "Silly, isn't it your birthday tomorrow?"

Deng Chuan looked up, stunned.

She had never paid much attention to her birthday; in previous years, she always needed someone to remind her. On top of that, she had been so swamped lately that she had almost no extra energy to keep track of special days like this.

Birthday? But… the first snow of the year hasn't come yet…

With this thought, Deng Chuan stammered, her mouth slightly agape, "I can't believe time has passed so quickly…"

Xu Wei smiled and pinched her ear. "It has. Before you know it, a whole year has gone by."

Deng Chuan suppressed the emotions surging within her and asked Xu Wei, "How did you get here? Did you take time off?"

"Mhm," Xu Wei replied nonchalantly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Deng Chuan's ear.

Deng Chuan continued, "Have you eaten?"

The Little Friend had suddenly become very steady and reliable. Xu Wei watched her with a smile, her eyes sparkling. "No."

Before Xu Wei could react, Deng Chuan gave her a light kiss on the corner of her mouth. "Are you hungry? I'll take you to eat first."

She let go of Xu Wei, took her hand, and led her outside.

Xu Wei let herself be pulled along. She wiggled their joined hands and said with a quiet laugh, "Don't let anyone see…"

Deng Chuan pulled her forward with large strides. "I'm not afraid."

They held hands openly as they returned to Deng Chuan's seat, gathered her scattered books and pens, and walked out with her bag.

They held hands so naturally, as if it was how things were meant to be. The sight was so pleasing to the eye that even the students nearby, who had been looking down at their books, quietly raised their heads to watch. Some of Deng Chuan's classmates were among them, and it wasn't long before the news that "Deng Chuan left study hall early with a pretty older sister" spread through their class group chat.

Everyone teased Deng Chuan, gossiping in the group chat for a while, but the person in question never appeared. The topic of conversation gradually drifted elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Deng Chuan was completely unaware of this, strolling hand-in-hand with Xu Wei along a campus path.

The sun had sunk toward the southwest, and a golden twilight covered the entire campus. It cast a long-missed warmth on their skin. The path had been swept clean, and a thick layer of fallen leaves was piled in the flowerbeds alongside it.

With her bag slung over one shoulder, Deng Chuan walked with Xu Wei around the school. Even in just half a year, she had become very familiar with the path they were on. But walking with Xu Wei, listening to her soft whispers beside her, the ordinary scenery suddenly seemed exceptionally fresh and beautiful.

"Past that bridge up ahead is Yan Lake. There are ducks in the lake, and they're said to be quite plump. A lot of people like to take pictures there."

"There are often a lot of people in that pavilion over there. They're from the English Association. They go there for morning readings, recitations, and to practice their spoken English. International students also go there specifically to practice their Chinese."

"Have you ever been?"

"No," Deng Chuan said with an embarrassed smile. "Their morning readings require you to be there very early, and I can't get up."

A group of people was gathered around the corner ahead. As the two of them got closer, they saw a yellow cat lying on the ground, rolling over and showing its belly. Beside it was a small pile of scattered cat food and an opened can.

Xu Wei laughed. "Is it putting on a performance?"

From time to time, people couldn't resist reaching out to pet the cat sprawled on the ground. As Deng Chuan watched, she explained to Xu Wei, "This cat's name is Longan. He's the most affectionate of all the cats in this area because he's the greediest."

Sure enough, once Longan had had his fill of affection, he rolled over, stood up, and shook his fur. He was broad and stout, his jowly face a perfect circle, with a pouch of flesh hanging from his belly.

He took one step, then flopped down again and let out a coquettish meow.

The two continued walking. In the setting sun, Xu Wei's profile was bathed in a hazy, soft light. Deng Chuan saw her lips move slightly. "What wonderful university days."

Deng Chuan turned her head to look at her.

Xu Wei gazed ahead, her expression holding a kind of beautiful wistfulness, like a light veil over the face of a medieval noblewoman. Deng Chuan looked at her, then at the sunset clouds on the horizon, at the sun that seemed to be melting into them, and at the sliver of a snow-white moon visible in the distance. The path was quiet. Occasionally, students would pass by, the brush of their shoulders bringing a faint, cool evening breeze. It felt as if all the beauty in the world had converged in this single moment, presenting itself right before her eyes.

Deng Chuan squeezed Xu Wei's hand tightly. She could feel their rings pressing against each other, and it was as if she could hear the tiny clink of metal. Deng Chuan's heart grew heavy and damp. She looked into Xu Wei's eyes and said earnestly, "Thank you for coming."

The sunset was still reflected in Xu Wei's eyes. A gentle smile, as wistful and lingering as the sunset itself, played on her lips. Hearing Deng Chuan's words, she tilted her head in confusion, waiting for her to continue.

Deng Chuan gazed at Xu Wei, who was so close. Her eyes were fixed intently on her, and in that gaze, Deng Chuan felt her own existence with absolute certainty. Her hesitation vanished, her courage slowly returned, and the heavy fog obscuring the future was dispelled. Before night fell, Deng Chuan saw with perfect clarity the path leading to her future.

In Xu Wei's gaze, Deng Chuan was fearless.

"Thank you for remembering my birthday, thank you for coming to Beijing… This is my university, and I'm about to turn a year older… Xu Wei, do you believe in me? Even at nineteen, I can protect you well."

"I do," Xu Wei said, gently stroking the Little Friend's face. "You little fool… don't let your imagination run wild."

In the deepening twilight, she didn't see the redness rimming Deng Chuan's eyes.

They had dinner at a Japanese barbecue restaurant near the university. Xu Wei hadn't originally wanted to eat dinner, but Deng Chuan insisted. "There isn't much good food here in Beijing, and the flavors are quite heavy. I've been to this place with a classmate. She's from the south, and she said it really suits a southerner's palate."

"Mhm." Xu Wei watched Deng Chuan push open the door, a wind chime overhead tinkling softly. "Oh, it's this place. You sent me a picture when you were here."

"Yep." Deng Chuan told the approaching waiter, "A table for two," and as she followed him, she turned back to Xu Wei and said, "The quality of the beef was pretty good last time."

The two of them ordered a chicken and vegetable salad, a sukiyaki pot, short ribs, and beef tongue. Charcoal glowed red-hot under the wire mesh grill. Deng Chuan tested the temperature, then neatly arranged the meat on top and poured draft beer into Xu Wei's glass.

The clear yellow liquid slowly rose in the glass, the white foam just barely cresting the rim. Xu Wei glanced with a smile at Deng Chuan, who was watching the glass intently as she pulled her hand away. "All grown up now, are we? Just assuming you can drink?"

The beef tongue had been scored, so it cooked quickly, sizzling and releasing its aroma. Deng Chuan placed the grilled tongue into Xu Wei's bowl. "No, it's just that tonight feels especially right for drinking with you."

The restaurant's lighting was dim and yellow, and small partitions separated the tables, creating little private worlds. Deng Chuan saw that Xu Wei's eyes were glistening, reflecting the red glow of the charcoal fire. The rising aroma of grilled meat had flushed her cheeks. She looked drunk before she'd even had a sip, her words full of tender affection, her breath as fragrant as an orchid. "Why?"

The sukiyaki pot was bubbling away. Deng Chuan dipped a slice of beef in raw egg and placed it in Xu Wei's bowl. "I'm not telling you… Hurry up and eat."

"So mysterious." Xu Wei lowered her head and gave a gentle laugh, then ate the piece of meat Deng Chuan had given her. She raised her crystal-clear glass. "Well then, cheers."

When they left the barbecue restaurant, the night draped a soft, rose-colored veil over them. The streetlights cast long spotlights on the ground. Deng Chuan held Xu Wei's hand and walked her back to her hotel.

Neither of them mentioned whether Deng Chuan would stay the night. It wasn't until they were downstairs at the hotel, with Xu Wei still remaining demurely silent, that Deng Chuan finally couldn't help but squeeze her hand. "Aren't you going to invite me in for a glass of water?"

Xu Wei smiled, pretending not to understand with a casual air. "No."

Deng Chuan's voice softened as she laid her cards on the table. "Can I stay with you tonight?"

Xu Wei deftly pulled her hand, turning them into the hotel lobby. "You drank with me just for this?"

"…" Deng Chuan held her breath for a long moment, the tips of her ears turning red. "No…"

"Hmm?" The elevator arrived with a ding. It was empty. Xu Wei turned and fell into Deng Chuan's arms, wrapping her own around her waist. "Really? You tell me you miss me every day, and now that I'm here… you don't want me anymore?"

Deng Chuan looked into her eyes. Xu Wei's cheeks were flushed, her gaze a little hazy, and the smell of alcohol wafted from her, as if she were drunk. "Not that kind of 'want'…"

She thought for a moment, then put her hands on Xu Wei's waist, holding her loosely. "Alright. I do. Very much."

The elevator reached their floor. Deng Chuan kept an arm around Xu Wei as they walked out, asking in a low voice, "Do you remember where you put the room key?"

Xu Wei struggled a little in her embrace. "Of course I remember. I don't need you. I'll open it myself."

"Okay." Deng Chuan supported her as she began to stumble down the hallway.

Whether by coincidence or design, the room Xu Wei had booked had an exceptionally beautiful night view. Pulling back the curtains revealed the glittering, vibrant city of Beijing below.

Unfortunately, neither of them was in the mood to appreciate the view. Deng Chuan's mind was on Xu Wei, who had gone into the bathroom to shower as soon as they entered the room. She pulled the curtains shut.

After closing the curtains, Deng Chuan helped unpack Xu Wei's change of underwear and nightgown from her suitcase. She tentatively called out to the closed bathroom door, "Teacher Xu?"

Xu Wei didn't answer. Only the faint sound of running water came from behind the door. Deng Chuan waited for a long time and started to worry.

Xu Wei hadn't locked the door; Deng Chuan was able to turn the handle. Hearing the water gradually stop, Deng Chuan knocked again. "Xu Wei? Open the door. You didn't take your clothes. Don't catch a cold."

There was dead silence from behind the door.

The weather was cold, and Deng Chuan was afraid Xu Wei would get chilled. She hesitated, wondering if she should go in. She stood outside the door, agonizing over the decision for a long time. Just as she was in the midst of this internal battle, she suddenly heard Xu Wei say quietly from inside, "You fool. Come in."

Not knowing what state Xu Wei was in, Deng Chuan didn't have time to think it through. She focused on turning the handle and, with great propriety, kept the door between them, extending only one hand inside to pass Xu Wei her clothes.

She felt Xu Wei's water-beaded fingertips brush across her palm.

The next second, Xu Wei pulled her inside.

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