Chapter 18: Confession

Before stepping into the restaurant’s side door, Lin Sitian stopped.
“Can’t go back like this.”
Zhou Sheng didn’t understand.
“I’ve been out so long—Xuelin came looking. If we go back together, they’ll definitely talk.” She lowered her head, glancing at their clasped hands, touching her warmed, no – longer – cold cheeks. “Li Hailiang loves teasing the most.”
Zhou Sheng: “They don’t know I went to find you.”
“Anyway, no.” She felt guilty.
Zhou Sheng didn’t think much, but her flustered insistence made him embarrassed too. “You go first, I’ll come later.”
“Okay.” Lin Sitian nodded, about to leave when she realized she still held his hand. Gazing at it, she suddenly asked, “On the bus today—did you hold my hand on purpose?”
So obvious, yet she asked again.
Zhou Sheng’s eyes dimmed, looking away. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” Her tone rose.
Zhou Sheng tightened their hands. “Maybe now too.”
“Tsk, Schrödinger’s hand – holding.” Lin Sitian huffed, letting go and leaving.
Zhou Sheng was surprised, raising a brow—
She knew Schrödinger.
Who knows what he recalled next. Zhou Sheng turned, slowly squatted, burying his head in his arms, only red ears visible.
“Lin Sitian, where did you sober up? Took so long—Xuelin couldn’t drag you back. Vomited?” Wang Yue teased as she sat.
“My tolerance is great—I just wanted fresh air. Can’t I enjoy the night view at the scenic spot?” Lin Sitian glared at him.
Everyone bantered again. Meng Qiaoyu returned from Class 8’s table, seeing Lin Sitian back, giving her a look: You okay?
Lin Sitian suppressed a laugh, raising her glass. “Toast you.”
Meng Qiaoyu was confused. “Toast what?”
“To a good classmate who helped me so much—deserve a toast to thank.”
If it weren’t Meng Qiaoyu, Zhou Sheng might not have shown jealousy…
Was it jealousy? Though Zhou Sheng hadn’t clarified, his behavior screamed “like”. If he told her it was just possessiveness—she’d swear never to talk to him again.
Despite their couple – like interactions, Lin Sitian didn’t dare assume anymore. Her heart had been on a rollercoaster tonight—she couldn’t take another twist.
Soon, Zhou Sheng returned.
Thinking of their confession in the woods, Lin Sitian tensed, afraid to look at him.
“Monitor, you were gone half an hour—drank all the wine.” Li Hailiang said. “Can’t drink, so you hid, right? Guessed it!”
“I can’t drink.” Zhou Sheng answered bluntly. “I don’t drink—no need to pretend.”
“Haha! Li Hailiang tried to provoke, but the monitor admitted it directly.” Wang Yue laughed, slapping the table.
“Is it embarrassing? Not knowing is not knowing—scoring 49 won’t become 94 just because you refuse to accept it.” Zhou Sheng’s words left them stunned. Not because he exposed Wang Yue’s score (everyone knew), but…When did the aloof, indifferent – to – worldly – affairs, study – only Zhou Sheng start roasting people?
Still a sharp roast.
Lin Sitian couldn’t hold back a laugh.
What…can’t people say he’s embarrassing? This sudden competitiveness.
But this made Zhou Sheng more relatable—no longer a boring study machine. Once they saw he could roast, classmates talked to him more.
And Lin Sitian, like nothing happened, chatted with Cui Qian and Yang Xuelin.
They chatted with others, left and right—same as before, but somehow different.
Dinner lasted till 8. The table was a mess—Class 1 and 8 still chatting and bragging. Wang Yue, red – faced, almost befriended Zhou Sheng; after polite rejection, he cried about his “wandering life”. Li Hailiang sang “Actor” with BGM; Wang Yue countered with “Ugly”. Chaos reigned.
Zhou Sheng laughed more and more, glancing at Lin Sitian.
Lin Sitian puffed her cheeks, glaring at him.
Zhou Sheng blinked: What’s wrong?
Lin Sitian sighed, thinking jealousy was pointless, switching to a 委屈 face, using two fingers to signal “Let’s go”.
Everyone was drunk, singing, chatting—no one noticed them.
Zhou Sheng’s shoulder was hugged by Wang Yue, helplessly shrugging, mouthing: Can’t leave.
Lin Sitian mimed pulling an invisible hand off.
Then, mid – silent conversation, Li Hailiang and Wang Yue’s duet went wrong—Wang Yue turned and kissed Zhou Sheng’s cheek.
Zhou Sheng and Lin Sitian froze.
Lin Sitian’s anger flared—ready to confront Wang Yue, but Zhou Sheng quickly signaled her to calm down.
Going would expose everything.
Lin Sitian moved her stool, glaring at Wang Yue for ages before Zhou Sheng calmed her.
Zhou Sheng, disgusted, moved Wang Yue’s arm to Li Hailiang’s shoulder, escaping the drunk’s grasp, sitting closer to Lin Sitian.
Closer again, they looked at each other. Zhou Sheng’s gaze fixed on her cheek, stunned. Lin Sitian had drunk a lot—cheeks red, eyes bright, a hint of drunken moisture. Her sweet face triggered protectiveness.
Lin Sitian thought he had something to say, but he just stared—her face felt like it was burning. Flustered, she patted her face, mouthing: Got something?
Zhou Sheng smiled.
He shook his head, resisting the urge to pat her cheek.
But still placed a hand on her head.
Lin Sitian, pressed down, looked up defensively: What are you looking at?
His thin lips parted, one word at a time—
Looking at you.
Two words, hitting her heart like a drum.
His hand fell to the table, back touching hers.
Fingertips tentatively brushed hers.
She stared at the leftover food, unconsciously hooking his finger.
Wordless 默契 —he responded.
Hands clasped under the table.
“Tian Tian, Li Hailiang sings so bad…make him stop…”
Lin Sitian jumped, a head suddenly on her shoulder—Yang Xuelin, drunk, acting cute.
“Nonsense! I sing great—no taste! Ask the monitor, ah? Monitor, how’s my singing? Say!” Li Hailiang slurred.
Wang Yue slapped Zhou Sheng’s back: “Let the monitor sing—never heard him!”
They smiled, fending off drunk classmates.
Under the table, their hands stayed clasped, warm.
Deskmates still deskmates—this night felt like a dream.
The table was chaos—they were in a dream.
And my dream…
About you.
Lin Sitian checked herself three times in the bathroom mirror. Knock, knock.
Two knocks—her heart raced.
She took two steps, turned back, fixed her hair, and went out.
Opening the door a crack, she peeked out.
Zhou Sheng stood outside, head down, messaging her—looking up as the door opened.
He looked freshly showered, changed—still a simple white T under a beige linen shirt, loose khaki pants…For 11:30 PM, over – dressed.
Lin Sitian checked the corridor—empty, quiet. His canvas shoes made no sound on the carpet.
“Aren’t you letting me in?” Zhou Sheng awkwardly stood.
Lin Sitian crouched, grabbed his sleeve, pulling him in.
Click—the door locked; she added the chain.
Not the first time locked in—Zhou Sheng didn’t ask, just smiled helplessly.
The room smelled good—her shower scent lingered.
Thinking this, Zhou Sheng straightened, proving he was a gentleman.
Lin Sitian leaned against the door, dim light at the entrance—she’d adjusted it.
Her bright eyes reflected the corridor’s gold; her breathing was clear in the quiet room. Damn, the soundproofing was too good.
She said nothing; he didn’t know what to say. Their gazes locked till Zhou Sheng leaned in. Lin Sitian swallowed, hurrying past him, “Want water?”
“Okay.” Zhou Sheng rubbed his neck—he wasn’t thirsty, but needed to do something.
Lin Sitian poured water. “Heard someone looking for you.”
She’d booked his room next to hers.
“Mm—Wang Yue borrowed a razor.”
“Borrow a razor at night…do you have stubble?” Lin Sitian’s focus shifted.
Zhou Sheng frowned. “That’s insulting.”
“No.” Lin Sitian stepped closer. Zhou Sheng stood by the lazy chair—light was bright enough. She checked his nose, mouth, jaw. “Clean.”
Her sweet scent neared; Zhou Sheng leaned back, flustered. “Not grown yet, but not non – existent.”
Realizing what she was doing, Lin Sitian pulled back. “Not on purpose.”
Now face – to – face in the quiet room, Zhou Sheng nervously grabbed the water, taking a sip—choked.
“Why did you cry today?”
“…”
“You said you’d tell me.”
Staring at her hand, wrapped in his, she whispered, “Changed my mind—won’t tell.”
Zhou Sheng was surprised. “You backtrack?”
“So what—you made me cry today.”
Zhou Sheng, the straight man, hadn’t learned—girls’ “nonsense” makes sense. He didn’t get it, but would later.
He said, “I made you cry—I need to know why.”
“Telling you gives me nothing.”
“What do you want?”
“Mm?” Lin Sitian looked up.
“What reward?” Zhou Sheng, seeing through her, offered himself. Thumb brushing her clenched fist, he whispered, “I’ll 答应 anything I can.”
Lin Sitian’s eyes lit up, sly. “Really?”
Sensing trouble, Zhou Sheng surrendered. “Really.”
“No backing out.” Lin Sitian squinted, raising a pinky. “I’ll tell you later what I want.”
Zhou Sheng hesitated, then linked pinkies—agreement made.
Agreement made—Lin Sitian should fulfill her promise.
But under his gaze, she couldn’t speak, pouting. “Guess.”
“…”
“I’ll tell you if you’re right—so you reflect.”
Reasonable. Zhou Sheng thought, tentatively, “Was it…what I said under your building today?”
He’d realized during rafting.
“What?”
“The…’Not interested in you’.” His face heated. Reverse – engineering: her anger meant…at least probably meant…
Lin Sitian looked away. “Not that—but I’m still mad about it.”
Zhou Sheng’s heart raced.
“I…didn’t want Meng Qiaoyu to tease—he’s irrelevant.” Zhou Sheng chose his words carefully, heart racing. “This is…between us.”
He felt her hand shrink. Looking up, Lin Sitian stared, frozen like a statue.
Zhou Sheng called, “Lin Sitian?”
“Ah, yes.” She stood straight, unblinking.
Now Zhou Sheng was embarrassed. “…I can’t guess.”
“Truth or Dare—you said, if a girl like me pursued you, you’d say no.” Lin Sitian bit her lip, whispering, leaning in, taking his water, placing it aside, inching closer. “Still no?”
Zhou Sheng’s heart pounded—echoes in his chest, everything shrinking, slowing. Only her, clear and vivid.
“Yes.”
Lin Sitian’s eyes filled with deep despair.
This time, he understood….

“If a girl like Lin Sitian pursues me, I won’t agree to her.”
Lin Sitian felt as if a knife was scraping her heart. He actually repeated such words verbatim.
How cruel can one be?
Lin Sitian wanted to yank her fist out of his palm right away. One more second, and tears would spill from her eyes again. Why was he still holding her!
“I kno——”
Before the word “know” landed, Zhou Sheng suddenly pulled her.
“Because she isn’t you.”
“I won’t fall for someone ‘like Lin Sitian’. I love you because you are Lin Sitian.”
At this moment, both of their hearts seemed to forget how to beat.
The world was as silent as death, yet youth surged with a mighty wave in an instant.
“Lin Sitian, I want to date you.” ）