Chapter 146: Forget the Past, Look Only to the Future

"Alright." Song Chengyi released her and looked at the photo on the phone.

"Let me see, let me see." Luo Yixia reached out, trying to snatch it.

He held his arm up high, completely ignoring her jumping attempts. He quickly set the photo as his phone's lock screen wallpaper, though only on the system interface.

"Your expression is too blank; it looks ugly. I deleted it." Song Chengyi turned off the phone.

"Why did you delete it? Let me take a look!" Luo Yixia felt a little annoyed.

Song Chengyi shrugged and shoved the phone back into his pocket. "Let's head back." He turned and started walking back.

Luo Yixia lowered her head, deep in thought as she looked at the photo she had taken. Finally, she couldn't resist and posted it to her social media feed.

[I hope you appear in all my seasons.]

Attached was the photo of Song Chengyi's back. Although he was far away and even a street cleaner had made it into the frame, perhaps because of her own guilty conscience, she felt it was a bit too conspicuous.

Never mind, he’s so far away, and it’s just his back; surely no one would know it’s Song Chengyi... he’s just a passerby, after all.

As if making a final decision, she tapped the screen and hit publish.

Fate would have to decide the rest. She didn't want to hold back anymore; she just wanted to grab a megaphone and shout to the whole world that Song Chengyi belonged to her, that Song Chengyi belonged to Luo Yixia. Regardless of what others thought, he was hers, and regardless of what Song Chengyi thought, she didn't care.

Luo Yixia forced a bleak smile. Had she gone crazy?

"What are you dawdling for? Are you coming?" The person in front stopped, turned sideways, and reached out his broad palm toward her.

Luo Yixia smiled, caught up, and placed her hand in his.

Forget it. As long as he was holding her hand right now, and as long as she was by his side, that was enough.

That night, Song Chengyi predictably came to collect his "reward." The two were locked in an intimate embrace. Even though she had helped him once before, such things were never easy for a girl to handle with composure.

Luo Yixia’s heart was pounding wildly. She leaned against his chest as he guided her hand, moving it back and forth. She closed her eyes and buried her face in his embrace. Song Chengyi pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, then trailed it down her forehead, eyebrows, and eyes, finding her lips with precision.

Luo Yixia’s body trembled uncontrollably.

"Xiaxia, look at me." Song Chengyi bit her earlobe lightly.

Luo Yixia looked at him through half-closed, misty eyes, her little face flushed red. Song Chengyi smiled with satisfaction, leaned in, and licked the seam of her lips. Luo Yixia’s eyes widened suddenly, stunned.

"Open your mouth," he murmured, and she obeyed as if under a spell.

A long time later, Song Chengyi kissed her lips once more, then stood up to grab tissues from the bedside table to clean up.

"I’m going to take a shower," Song Chengyi said after tidying her up.

Luo Yixia felt her legs were still a bit weak, even though nothing major had actually happened.

"Um," she tugged at his clothes, her face turning red again. "Didn't you say it was getting cold and you didn't want to take cold showers?"

Song Chengyi paused for a moment, then realized what she meant and laughed, "I'm taking a hot shower."

After Song Chengyi left, Luo Yixia lay there, staring blankly at her own hand. Images that made her heart race and her face flush flooded her mind again. She buried her face in the pillow and muttered to herself, "Luo Yixia, you are so dirty-minded..."

***

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and it was time for them to return to school.

Luo’s father had already begun to walk around and was sitting in the living room drinking tea. Luo Yixia sat nearby, still feeling uneasy. "Dad, I have to go back to school."

"Go ahead, take care of yourself."

"Dad, don't rush the company matters. You need to look after your health first. Uncle Li has been helping you out lately; if you can, just take a couple more days to rest." Luo Yixia began to nag him incessantly.

"Alright, alright, just go back to school. You've been chattering in my ear for two days now; your mother finally stopped nagging, and now you've started." Luo Hongtao lowered his voice for the last sentence.

Luo Yixia pouted. "Then I'll come back on Sunday. If anything happens, you must call me; don't you dare hide anything from me, understand?"

"Yes, yes, yes, go on." Luo Hongtao was eager to shoo her away.

The car drove smoothly toward the school.

"Oh, I forgot something." Suddenly, in the car, Luo Yixia did something out of character and slapped her own forehead.

"What's wrong?" Song Chengyi glanced at her.

"I forgot, ahhh!" Luo Yixia frantically pulled out her phone. Indeed, there were tons of unread messages, though her social media feed was surprisingly quiet. The photo she posted yesterday hadn't caused a single ripple. Aside from a few friends teasing her as usual, there was nothing else.

It was just those unread messages; she remembered she had promised to do a solo match with someone, and she had completely forgotten. Zhao Qian had already sent several messages, some even trying to provoke her.

[I was held up by something the other day, let's do it tonight.]

Zhao Qian replied with an [OK] almost immediately.

Luo Yixia clutched her phone and suddenly smiled at Song Chengyi.

"Don't smile at me like that, it's too ugly; I'm afraid I'll crash the car," Song Chengyi said, remaining as cold as ever.

Luo Yixia’s smile collapsed instantly.

"I want to discuss something with you," Luo Yixia said coquettishly, her tone so sweet it could drip honey.

"Hmm?"

"Let's talk about it tonight." Luo Yixia beamed.

Song Chengyi didn't ask further. Since there were no classes that night, Song Chengyi took her back to their apartment. For a rare occasion, Luo Yixia actually cooked that night.

Song Chengyi looked at the two steaming bowls of noodles and felt a bit uneasy. "Is there something on your mind?"

"Nothing, just eat first. Hurry up and try it; see if it's good." Luo Yixia looked excited.

Song Chengyi took a bite; it was passable, just clear soup noodles, but for Luo Yixia, it was no small feat—at least she knew how to boil noodles now. After finishing, Luo Yixia kept urging him to go take a shower.

"What time is it?" Song Chengyi checked the clock on the wall; it was only around seven.

"Hurry up, hurry up." Luo Yixia was using a towel to dry her freshly washed hair.

"You're in such a rush, it gives me an idea," Song Chengyi said, glancing at her with a meaningful look.

"Hmm? What idea?" Luo Yixia stopped, looking bewildered.

"Are you trying to engage in some 'exercise' with me, and that's why you're in such an impatient rush to urge me?" Song Chengyi leaned in closer.

Luo Yixia froze for three seconds, then realized what he meant. Her face exploded into a deep red, and she pushed him away. "What nonsense are you spouting? Go take your shower!"

Song Chengyi took his change of clothes and sauntered into the bathroom, giving her one last look as he left. Luo Yixia pressed a hand to her pounding heart. It was over, completely over—she had fallen into the pit named Song Chengyi and would never be able to climb out.

Song Chengyi had been full of anticipation, thinking that her urging him meant she might really want to do some "exercise." When he entered the bedroom in high spirits, he found Luo Yixia sitting cross-legged on the bed, head down, typing away with lightning-fast fingers. She didn't even notice Song Chengyi approaching and sitting down next to her until she was done and finally realized someone was there.

Luo Yixia smiled at him immediately. Looking at her smile, Song Chengyi felt his heart tremble.

*What should I do? I can't hold back anymore...*

Song Chengyi’s brain was racing. Honestly, he wouldn't mind if something happened tonight. Luo Yixia wasn't exactly a child anymore, and it was about time. Besides, he was certain he liked her; no matter what had happened before, he only wanted to be with her from now on.

Just as he couldn't control himself and leaned in to kiss her, Luo Yixia shoved her phone into his arms with a beaming smile.

"Can you do me a favor?"

Song Chengyi was dumbfounded. He picked up the phone; it was a game interface.

"???"

"I made a bet with a friend that I'd beat him to a pulp in the game, but you know, I have the heart but not the skill, so you have to beat him up for me," Luo Yixia blinked, acting a bit spoiled.

"???"

So, she urged him to take a shower and cooked him dinner just to trick him into playing a game for her? He had been so full of anticipation, only to be asked to play a game? So, no "exercise" at all, just gaming?

Song Chengyi’s expression turned grim.

"Hmm? Can't you?" Luo Yixia immediately pouted, looking pitiful.

Song Chengyi cursed under his breath. How had he become so completely wrapped around Luo Yixia’s finger? At a time like this, shouldn't he be slapping the phone onto her face and saying something like, "In your dreams!"? Why couldn't he bring himself to do it?

What was going on? His body nodded uncontrollably, and he muttered, "Yeah."

*Huh? I actually agreed?*

Song Chengyi was going crazy.

"I knew you could do it! Go on, beat him up; he mocked me and called me a noob," Luo Yixia said, clearly indignant.

Song Chengyi looked down at the one-on-one invitation someone had sent.

*A guy?*

Song Chengyi silently clicked "Accept."

Then, the opponent sent a message: [It's not too late to concede. Call me 'big brother,' and I'll carry you in a ranked match later.]

Song Chengyi gave a sarcastic smile. Who would be calling whom "big brother" remained to be seen.

[Let's go easy, I'm playing A-Li.]

Luo Yixia quickly chimed in, "He's been playing A-Li lately, but he's really bad. He can't play it well."

Song Chengyi didn't speak. The game began, and he instantly locked in A-Li.

"Are you going to play this too? I tried it before, and I couldn't play it well," Luo Yixia said, looking a bit dejected.

At the start, both players began clearing the lane, minding their own business. Luo Yixia kept chattering, "I've played with him before. His A-Li is a noob, but he's still okay. I've never seen you play A-Li either."

Song Chengyi reached level two and decisively started the fight.

Perhaps Zhao Qian didn't take Luo Yixia seriously and remained unhurried. He hadn't even reached level two yet and was down to a sliver of health when he retreated under the tower, thinking he had simply underestimated her. He didn't expect her to be so aggressive, but at least he wasn't dead.

To his surprise, the opposing A-Li rushed in as if she had a death wish—and this was under the tower before the three-minute mark! The damage was immense, even though she only had less than two-thirds of her health.

In an instant, Zhao Qian’s A-Li was dead. Song Chengyi’s A-Li used her first skill to retreat to the starting point and used her second skill to block the tower's damage.

Perfect!