Chapter 45: The Feeling of a Heartbeat
Chapter 45: The Feeling of a Heartbeat
Lin Mu immediately broke into a sweat from anxiety and didn’t know what to do. Just then, Song Yuru suddenly let go, then forcefully turned Lin Mu’s body, and the two instantly ended up facing each other.
Slightly stunned, Lin Mu was just about to speak when Song Yuru suddenly threw herself at him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her bright, pretty lips against his.
Lin Mu’s eyes widened in astonishment as he stared at the Song Yuru who was now right in front of him. He only felt as if something had entered his mouth, nimbly exploring everywhere.
His mind exploded with a roar. Lin Mu felt as though he had entered an incredibly novel world; the sensation was extremely wonderful. No longer able to resist, Lin Mu also embraced Song Yuru and awkwardly extended his own tongue.
Song Yuru’s heart leaped. Without realizing it, she tightened her arms around Lin Mu even more. Just as she was quietly enjoying the moment, Lin Mu suddenly pushed her away, panting heavily.
“Yuru, I really can’t take it anymore. You should go back to sleep!”
After saying this, Lin Mu quickly rushed back into his room, firmly shutting the door behind him. His heart was pounding wildly inside his chest.
“How could this happen?”
Leaning against the door, Lin Mu tightly clutched his chest, his face full of confusion. Clearly, his body’s lack of control left him very puzzled; this had never happened before.
Song Yuru stood there blankly staring at the closed door, her feelings extremely complicated. On one hand, she thought Lin Mu was truly a gentleman—he had actually managed to stay rational in that kind of situation.
On the other hand, she felt a little angry. She had been so proactive, yet she still hadn’t managed to hook Lin Mu. Had her charm diminished?
But when she recalled Lin Mu’s clumsy kiss in return, Song Yuru smiled smugly. That was probably Lin Mu’s first kiss, right?
When Song Yuru returned to her room, Ling Xuanrong and Ye Zixi had already finished showering and were waiting for her. As soon as she came back, they eagerly approached and asked, “So, Yuru, did he fall for it?”
“Ah, it failed. He’s such a blockhead with no sense of romance at all.”
Song Yuru sighed and shook her head helplessly.
“No way?!”
Ling Xuanrong looked utterly surprised.
“Really! You were dressed like that, and he still didn’t react? Could it be that there’s something wrong with him physically?”
Ye Zixi immediately made a bold guess.
“Nonsense! A-Mu is perfectly healthy!”
Song Yuru shot Ye Zixi a glare. “He actually reacted quite strongly. It’s just that his self-control is too good—he actually managed to restrain himself at the last moment and locked himself in his room. I almost started doubting whether I’ve lost my charm!”
“You’re crazy! We went to all that trouble for nothing, and we were waiting to see some drama!”
The two girls yawned out of boredom and went back to their own beds to get ready to sleep.
“Hmph, hypocrites! If you weren’t interested, why did you wait for me to come back?”
Song Yuru gave the two girls a look of disdain; she had seen right through her so-called best friends.
The next morning, when Lin Mu got up, he discovered, to his surprise, that all three women in the house were already awake. He smiled and greeted them, “Hey, good morning. How come you’re all up so early today?”
The three women noticed that after one night, Lin Mu seemed different from before. Ye Zixi looked him up and down curiously. “Hey, after just one night, you seem to have changed a bit.”
“Oh, really? Did I become more handsome?”
Lin Mu smiled narcissistically and rubbed his chin. The three girls collectively rolled their eyes in response.
“Since everyone’s up, let’s go have breakfast together. My treat!”
Lin Mu laughed heartily and led the way outside.
“Hey, have you noticed? A-Mu really does seem different.”
Ye Zixi nudged the other two girls. “Before, when he looked at us, A-Mu’s eyes would always avoid ours. Now he dares to look straight at us?!”
“Yeah, I feel like something’s different too.”
Ling Xuanrong also spoke with puzzlement. Then both of them looked at Song Yuru. Clearly, they thought that whatever Song Yuru did last night had caused Lin Mu’s change today.
“Why are you looking at me? I think it’s strange too. Last night he was clearly still quite shy and didn’t dare look me in the eye. Who knew he’d change today?” Song Yuru quickly waved her hands, denying any involvement.
“Did you two really do nothing last night?” Ye Zixi raised an eyebrow and took two steps forward, pressing for an answer.
“We really did nothing. I just kissed him, and then he got so scared he ran back to his room. That’s all that happened.”
Song Yuru hurriedly explained.
“Really, it was that simple?”
Ling Xuanrong also seemed not to believe it.
“Of course! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be questioning whether my charm has faded compared to before.”
Song Yuru said impatiently.
“Well, never mind. When we have breakfast later, let’s ask him if something stimulated him.”
Ling Xuanrong chuckled softly. Song Yuru and Ye Zixi also thought it necessary to ask for clarification.
Sitting in the noodle shop, Song Yuru added some chopped scallions to her noodle soup and casually asked Lin Mu, “A-Mu, did something stimulate you last night?”
“No, I slept very well. I just seemed to have had a dream that made me suddenly understand some things.”
Lin Mu gave Yuru a strange look, then smiled slightly and shook his head.
Ye Zixi and Ling Xuanrong immediately turned their gazes toward Song Yuru. Their looks clearly conveyed that they were convinced Song Yuru had said or done something to Lin Mu.
“A-Mu, you have to explain it to them clearly! I really didn’t do anything to you!”
Song Yuru said urgently.
“Hahaha, really, it’s nothing. I just feel much more relaxed. I’m sure I’ll get along with all of you even better from now on.”
Lin Mu laughed heartily and noisily slurped up a large mouthful of noodles.
“Well, that’s great. But are you sure you didn’t become like this because of some stimulation?”
Ye Zixi still didn’t quite believe it.
“Do you really want to know? I’ll tell you tonight.” Lin Mu raised an eyebrow and smiled mysteriously.
“Why do you have to wait until tonight? Can’t you say it now?”
Ye Zixi found Lin Mu very strange.
“Some things are better done at night to have the right atmosphere. Don’t you think so, Yuru?”
Lin Mu tossed the topic to Song Yuru and continued eating his noodles noisily.
“Ah? I, I don’t know.” At Lin Mu’s insinuation, Song Yuru’s face immediately turned red, and she hurriedly lowered her head to eat her noodles.
Ling Xuanrong was the type who wouldn’t stop until she got to the bottom of things. She kept pressing Lin Mu, “A-Mu, that’s really not fair. Who only says half of what they mean?”
“You really want to know?”
“Yeah, yeah, hurry up and tell us!”
“Well, you should ask Yuru. She’s the expert; she’ll definitely explain in detail exactly what to do.”
Lin Mu burst out laughing, then buried his head in his noodles.
“Yuru, hurry up and tell us! What exactly did you do?”
Seeing that she couldn’t get anything out of Lin Mu, Ling Xuanrong quickly switched targets and focused on Song Yuru.
“You really want to know?” Song Yuru used the exact same tone as Lin Mu.
“Yeah, yeah! Oh, you’re so annoying! Just tell us!”
Ling Xuanrong felt she was about to reach her breaking point.
“Well, go ask A-Mu. He knows all about it!”
After saying this, Song Yuru giggled herself, then hurriedly lowered her head to eat her noodles.
“Hey! You two little witches! How dare you mess with us?!”
Ye Zixi and Ling Xuanrong looked at each other, completely exasperated.
After finishing their noodles, the group headed to school together. However, parked at the school gate was a very impressive car. Lin Mu now knew a bit about cars and recognized it as a custom series Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Ling Xuanrong glanced at it and nudged Ye Zixi beside her. “Hey, isn’t that Guo Songyun’s car? What’s he doing here?”
“It really is! What’s he here for?”
Ye Zixi was also very surprised. Guo Songyun had been their classmate in high school. He lived close to Song Yuru’s family; they had grown up in the same building complex since childhood. He always bragged about being Yuru’s childhood sweetheart.
“I don’t get it. I heard Guo Songyun is very busy. How does he have time to come here? Yuru has no feelings for him. It’s going to be awkward when they meet.”
“Exactly! Ever since he confessed his feelings to Yuru that time, she’s been avoiding him just to prevent awkwardness. Why is he seeking her out now?”
Ye Zixi covered her mouth and chuckled.
“Zixi, I kind of feel like you’re taking pleasure in this?”
Ling Xuanrong gave Ye Zixi a strange look.
“Not at all! Quick, let’s go take a look.”
Ye Zixi couldn’t hide the smile on her face; the genuine amusement from within showed in her eyes.
“Hi, Yuru, long time no see.”
Guo Songyun first greeted Song Yuru, then noticed the others nearby. “Zixi, Xuanrong, you’re here too. And who is this?”
When he saw Lin Mu standing with the three girls, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
“He’s our friend. What are you doing at the school?”
Song Yuru frowned curiously as she asked Guo Songyun.
“I was too busy the last few days and missed your birthday. Today I came specifically to give you a belated birthday wish. Happy birthday!”
Guo Songyun smiled slightly and, like a magician, produced a bouquet of flowers, offering it to Song Yuru.
“Birthday?”
Song Yuru was taken aback. It was true that her birthday had passed a few days ago, but she hadn’t thought about Guo Songyun at all. She hadn’t expected him to still remember her birthday.
As the saying goes, you don’t hit a smiling person. Song Yuru politely accepted the bouquet. After all, it was a gesture he had specially come to deliver. Even if she wanted to throw it away, she couldn’t do it in front of him.
“I was wondering if you have time tonight?”
Guo Songyun gave Lin Mu another strange look, then turned back to ask Song Yuru. For some reason, he instinctively felt resistant toward Lin Mu.
“Sorry, I don’t have time tonight. I’m having dinner with my sisters.”
Song Yuru rejected him without a second thought.
“Perfect! Let me treat you all!”
Guo Songyun smiled.
“No need. It’s just a few girls having dinner together. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to join. We should get going now; we have class soon. Let’s get together another time when we’re free!”
Song Yuru shook her head, then called to the other two girls and left.
“Hello, I’m Guo Songyun. And you are?”
Watching Song Yuru walk away, Guo Songyun smiled slightly, walked up to Lin Mu, and extended his right hand.
“Lin Mu. Are you also a friend of Yuru’s?”
Lin Mu returned the smile and shook his outstretched hand.
“Yes, Yuru and I are childhood sweethearts; we grew up playing together.”
Guo Songyun flashed a brilliant smile, the corners of his lips curling with a hint of provocation.