Volume One, Chapter 10 “I said I already have someone I like—is that so hard to understand?”
Suddenly, the darkness was pierced by light.
In Xu Zhi’s hand was a compact flashlight—black, about eight or nine centimeters long—casting a soft beam of amber-yellow light, gentle and easy on the eyes. She held it out to Liang Jinmo. “Here, this is for you.”
Liang Jinmo didn’t move. His gaze drifted from the flashlight back to her face, his eyes full of wariness.
Xu Zhi’s hand hovered awkwardly in midair. “It’s too dark in here. You should keep this with you, so if you ever get locked in again, you won’t be afraid with some light.”
She knew she couldn’t stop Fu Wanwen from locking Liang Jinmo up; there was so little she could do.
Still, Liang Jinmo said nothing.
With no other option, Xu Zhi set the flashlight on the floor. She’d intended to apologize for tearing up his test paper earlier, but with him giving her the cold shoulder, her one-woman show had nowhere to go.
“I’m leaving now,” she said after a hesitant pause, glancing at him again. “Don’t sit on the floor too long—it’s damp.”
Liang Jinmo remained silent. Embarrassed, Xu Zhi backed out, wrestling with herself: should she let him out?
But who was she, really? Just a child, not even a member of the Liang family, and she’d never dared defy the adults. If Fu Wanwen found out she’d secretly freed Liang Jinmo, she’d be furious.
In the end, Xu Zhi closed the door and slid the bolt into place.
Such a small act, and yet she felt like a thief. When she returned downstairs, she couldn’t rejoin the cheerful camaraderie of her classmates. Her mind kept returning to that pitch-black room, to Liang Jinmo huddled in the corner.
That night, Xu Zhi slept fitfully, only to be woken early by a phone call.
Liang Muzhi had come to her school to see her.
He seemed to have boundless energy, never one for sleeping in. Xu Zhi, groggy and weary, dragged herself out of bed, washed up, and went downstairs—only to spot a bright blue Ferrari parked outside the dormitory.
The car’s striking color and model drew plenty of sidelong glances from passing college students.
Leaning against the car, Liang Muzhi cut a striking figure, tall and handsome, basking with ease in the attention of the crowd.
Suddenly, Xu Zhi didn’t want to approach—she even considered running away.
“Xu Zhi!” Liang Muzhi waved at her.
With no escape, she forced herself over. “How did you get your car onto campus? And is this a new one? I’ve never seen it before.”
“I won it in a race on a bet—impressive, right? It’s a global limited edition!” he said proudly, patting the car. “Come on, let’s get breakfast.”
Xu Zhi quickly refused. “No need.”
She had developed a shadow over eating with him; who knew if another Chen Jing might appear halfway through.
Liang Muzhi saw straight through her. “Just the two of us today.”
That made Xu Zhi even more determined. “No, I’m going to the library—I have exams coming up, I’m busy.”
Liang Muzhi’s expression faltered. “Still upset?”
She didn’t think she was angry—just tired.
Seeing her quiet, he said, “I came specifically to apologize for Chen Jing’s behavior. She’s blunt, doesn’t watch her words—you shouldn’t take it to heart.”
Xu Zhi was silent for a few seconds, then spoke with more gravity. “Liang Muzhi, can you not come looking for me at school anymore?”
He stared at her, caught off guard.
“You have a girlfriend now. You should keep your distance from other women. Besides…” She glanced at the car he was so proud of. “When you show up here like this, so high-profile, what do you think my classmates believe? For years, they all thought you were my boyfriend. I don’t want any more misunderstandings.”
Liang Muzhi stood dumbfounded. Xu Zhi had always been gentle, easy to appease—a mild little lamb. He’d come in person to apologize, yet she’d turned him down flat.
His brow furrowed, but before he could speak, a voice interrupted.
“Xu Zhi!” Yang Xue, fresh from her morning run, walked over as if Liang Muzhi didn’t exist. “Have you had breakfast? I saved us seats in the library. Let’s go study.”
Xu Zhi seized the chance. “I’m off to study.”
Liang Muzhi glanced at Yang Xue. As a pampered young master, he’d never been so thoroughly ignored. He couldn’t help himself. “Yang Xue.”
Only now did Yang Xue seem to notice him. She looked his way, lips curling with a mocking edge. “Why, it’s Young Master Liang. How does someone as busy as you find the time?”
Liang Muzhi’s pleasant expression vanished. “What’s that supposed to mean? If you have a problem with me, say it—don’t be so passive-aggressive.”
Xu Zhi, ever peaceable, tugged at Yang Xue’s sleeve, hoping she’d let it go.
But Yang Xue wasn’t the type to hold her tongue. She stared Liang Muzhi down and spoke bluntly: “Why would I have a problem with you? I’m not the one who’s been hurt. Over the past three years, plenty of good guys wanted to pursue Xu Zhi, but you scared them all off. Other girls enjoy sweet romances, but Xu Zhi’s been living like a nun.”
Xu Zhi thought, It hasn’t been that bad…
It wasn’t being alone these years that pained her, but realizing that the person she thought shared her feelings, in truth, never had her in his heart.
She took Yang Xue’s hand. “Let’s go, we need to grab our books and study.”
Xu Zhi tried to smooth things over, but Liang Muzhi, ever the entitled young master, wouldn’t let it rest. He thought Yang Xue was being unreasonable, but some things needed explaining. “Don’t go. Let’s clear this up. Wasn’t I just worried she’d fall for some random guy? I was looking out for her.”
“Wow,” Yang Xue retorted, “what a noble reason. But did you ever consider her feelings? Claiming to be her boyfriend—what if she likes someone else? You’d ruin her chance at happiness!”
“She doesn’t!” Liang Muzhi was genuinely irritated.
He’d gotten up early, driven over to apologize, only to be rebuffed by both girls, and now Yang Xue was pouring salt in the wound. He couldn’t take it anymore.
By now, passing students were shooting curious glances, but he didn’t care.
Yang Xue was equally fired up, glaring at him. “Just because she didn’t before doesn’t mean she won’t now or in the future!”
“If she does, I…” He hesitated.
He’d never really considered the possibility—Xu Zhi always seemed like a naïve little sister; he couldn’t imagine her liking another man.
But the moment didn’t allow for much thought. Instinctively, he said, “If she does, of course I’ll wish her well…”
At that, Xu Zhi finally spoke, after attempts at mediation had failed. “I do.”
Liang Muzhi froze.
Yang Xue turned to look at Xu Zhi as well.
Xu Zhi met Liang Muzhi’s eyes, her voice not loud but clear. “I already have someone I like.”
Liang Muzhi was stunned. He frowned, confusion flickering across his face. After a pause, his lips twisted awkwardly. “Xu Zhi, what nonsense are you talking about…”
“I said I have someone I like. Is that so hard to understand?” Xu Zhi’s tone was calm. “You have someone you like now, too—shouldn’t you be able to understand how I feel?”
Liang Muzhi’s mind went blank, and he blurted out, “Impossible. You never told me.”
Xu Zhi was never one for secrets; to him, she was transparent. They’d spent every day together in the past, and even after going to different universities, they talked daily by phone or WeChat. He’d never heard her mention any boy.
Xu Zhi sighed. “We’re just friends. We don’t have to tell each other everything. Didn’t you only tell me about you and Chen Jing after things had already happened?”