Chapter Seventy-Four: Secretly Excited

As Song Chengyi treated her better and better, Luo Yixia was happy, yet increasingly felt unworthy of him.

“Alright, I won’t tell anyone,” Song Chengyi suddenly spoke.

“Huh?” Luo Yixia looked up, expecting him to be angry, but he agreed so readily that she was taken aback.

“Next time I text you to come out, you must come, understand?” He stared into her eyes.

“Okay.” Luo Yixia smiled and nodded.

“By the way, your speech tonight was excellent.” Luo Yixia had completely forgotten her earlier sulking over Song Chengyi not telling her about the speech.

“Oh, that? I only found out on the way here. I wrote the draft this afternoon,” Song Chengyi said, unconcerned.

So that was why he hadn’t told her before, Luo Yixia mused.

“I didn’t see you at the cafeteria tonight, have you eaten yet?”

“Yes, I ate in the dorm. There were too many people in the cafeteria.”

Gradually, students began to leave the auditorium, some heading to the sports field, and voices chatting drifted from nearby.

Luo Yixia grew anxious; if anyone found her and Song Chengyi together here, there would be no explanation that would clear things up.

Song Chengyi noticed her nervousness.

He reached out to rub her hair. “Go back, get some rest, you need to be up early tomorrow.”

“Alright.” Luo Yixia nodded.

“Go ahead, you head back first.” Song Chengyi waved her off.

Luo Yixia took a few steps, glanced back at Song Chengyi, then broke into a run.

Song Chengyi watched her leave the field and sighed before departing himself.

On her way back, Luo Yixia ran into several disappointed fangirls.

“Didn’t you leave first? Why are you only just getting back?” Gan Yanyan eyed her.

“I went to the bathroom, haha,” Luo Yixia lied.

“That explains it.”

She noticed the three were all crestfallen.

“What’s wrong? Why are you all so listless?” Luo Yixia waved her hand in front of them.

“Don’t even ask. I should’ve left with you. I nearly got crushed in the auditorium, didn’t even catch a glimpse of Song Chengyi’s sleeve or his back,” Lin Ya grumbled.

Luo Yixia smiled awkwardly. Of course they didn’t see him—he’d already slipped out, not waiting for them to gawk.

All night long, Luo Yixia listened to the three chatter about Song Chengyi.

Then they started frantically searching for Song Chengyi’s personal information on the campus forums.

Someone even created a “Song Chengyi Support Club.”

Luo Yixia just listened quietly, smiling without speaking.

Fortunately, no one at school knew about her and him. If they found out, she’d be torn apart by these fangirls.

But if the three in front of her ever learned that the idol they adored was her husband...

The thought of Lin Ya’s predatory expression sent a chill down Luo Yixia’s spine.

Best left for another day...

The next morning, the whole school was roused by the ringing of the school bell.

Lin Ya threw a pillow in frustration.

“Damn, after finally graduating high school and making it to college, they still wake us up with a morning bell.”

Luo Yixia sighed. It was probably the first day of military training; afraid students would be late, they’d set the alarm.

She rose, washed, and dressed amid groans.

The cafeteria was packed for breakfast.

After finally eating, there was no time to digest before they were called to assemble at the sports field.

The class advisors were waiting.

So much fuss, was it really necessary?

Luo Yixia was arranged to stand next to Gan Yanyan.

Before long, Gan Yanyan shrieked beside her.

Luo Yixia turned to ask what was wrong.

She followed Gan Yanyan’s pointed finger—

She was standing right next to Song Chengyi!

Only two people separated them.

Luo Yixia’s eyes widened in disbelief.

At that moment, Song Chengyi glanced over, equally surprised, but after two seconds, he turned away.

So, the only one truly stunned was Luo Yixia.

When she chased after Song Chengyi before, catching a glimpse felt impossible. Now, when she wanted to avoid suspicion, she bumped into him at every turn.

Gan Yanyan was pinching Luo Yixia’s arm in excitement on her left.

Luo Yixia quietly turned her head back, her expression calm as a lake, though inside, ripples stirred endlessly.

“We’re so lucky! Standing beside our idol—Lin Ya must be going crazy with jealousy, haha.” Gan Yanyan peered past Luo Yixia at Song Chengyi.

“Mr. Sheng’s talking, don’t stare or you’ll get scolded.” Luo Yixia pushed Gan Yanyan’s face away. Her man wasn’t for others to ogle, not even her best friend.

“What’s the big deal?” Gan Yanyan said carelessly, but the first row was too conspicuous, so she stopped craning her neck.

Luo Yixia’s advisor was a man in his forties with a beer belly, glasses perched on his face, tiny eyes, and little authority in his voice. He had a good rapport with students.

“Everyone, come get your uniforms. Two sets each. Change in your dorms and be back in twenty minutes.” He spoke earnestly, but somehow it was amusing.

Luo Yixia joined the crowd to find her size.

A boy took his uniform and circled around Mr. Sheng, grinning, “Sir, twenty minutes isn’t enough. I need half an hour.”

“Go on, other classes are done already.” Mr. Sheng tried to kick the boy, who nimbly avoided him.

Luo Yixia went to her dorm to change.

She chose a slightly bigger size, worried a tight fit would be uncomfortable for running or squatting.

Once changed, she felt fresh and clean.

The weather wasn’t too hot in the latter half of the year, but afternoons could still scorch you mercilessly.

Her friends were still chattering away.

Lin Ya, as expected, kept complaining about her bad luck, unable to stand beside Song Chengyi.

“Xia Xia, were you excited standing next to our idol?” Luo Yixia was caught off guard by the question.

“It was alright.”

“See, she’s thrilled,” Lin Ya shrugged.

Luo Yixia wanted to protest—she wasn’t excited at all.

They dawdled downstairs, only to find everyone else already lined up.

Mr. Sheng squinted at his unruly students. “What are you waiting for, hurry up and get in line.”

Both classes stared at Luo Yixia, especially Song Chengyi’s class. She blushed and joined the ranks.

Mr. Sheng and Song Chengyi’s advisor were talking.

Luo Yixia, still embarrassed, didn’t catch what was said.

Suddenly, applause broke out around her, and she joined in.

From afar, she saw several instructors approaching.

Each went to their assigned class.

Perhaps this year’s military training had too many students, because instead of one instructor per class, two classes shared an instructor. That’s why she and Song Chengyi ended up together—they were both medical students in the same department.

Luo Yixia hadn’t expected to stand next to him.

When the instructor approached, Luo Yixia wasn’t paying much attention.

Then girls all around cried out, “Wow, the instructor’s so handsome.”

“Really, he’s so good-looking.”

A familiar voice followed.

“Hello, everyone. I’m your instructor for these two classes.”

Just as Luo Yixia thought the voice sounded familiar, she heard, “My name is Song Zeming.”

Luo Yixia immediately looked up. Not only her—Song Chengyi was shocked as well.

They’d never paid much attention before, but now both were stunned.

Luo Yixia’s eyes widened; Zeming brother, why was he here?

After introducing himself, Song Zeming scanned the students in both classes.

Perhaps due to years of training, he immediately noticed the two shocked faces in the front row.

Song Zeming smiled; the two kids stood side by side.

One looked delighted, the other confused and faintly annoyed.

After so long, that face was still as exasperating as ever.

Coming back was going to be interesting...

Song Zeming followed the protocol, giving an introductory speech.

Meanwhile, whispers continued below.

“This instructor is just too handsome.”

“I checked the other classes—they’re so dull. Ours is the best-looking.”

Song Chengyi glanced sideways and saw the little one beside him staring intently.

He felt a twinge of annoyance.

Was Song Zeming really better-looking than him? Why stare so seriously?

Afterward, Song Zeming had them stand at attention and went around correcting their posture.

When he reached the two of them,

Luo Yixia wasn’t standing quite right.

Song Zeming corrected her posture.

As he turned away, Song Chengyi clearly saw him wink at Luo Yixia.

She grinned back.

No one else noticed, except Song Chengyi, and Song Zeming had done it deliberately, making sure the boy saw.

When he reached Song Chengyi, he merely glanced disdainfully, ignoring his irritation.

Though it was only standing at attention, after half an hour without moving, Luo Yixia could barely endure it.

Her legs trembled.

Fortunately, Song Zeming called a break.

Everyone relaxed, sitting down without a care.

Luo Yixia sat cross-legged, massaging her aching legs.

“If you’re thirsty, go get a drink. Meet back in ten minutes,” Song Zeming said, eyeing their pitiful state.

They all dashed off.

“Xia Xia, want some water?” Gan Yanyan asked.

“You go ahead, I’ll rest a bit.” Luo Yixia shook her head, her legs aching.

“Alright, I’ll bring some back.” With that, Gan Yanyan ran off.

When Luo Yixia stood, she wobbled. Song Chengyi, who hadn’t left, was watching her closely.

He steadied her with a timely hand.

Luo Yixia glanced around; thankfully, no one was nearby or watching.

“Careful.”

“Okay.”

Once she was steady, Song Chengyi let go.

Luo Yixia moved under a nearby tree for some cool shade.