I had no intention of confessing my feelings over the phone — something as sacred as a confession must not be treated with such carelessness. I was determined to have Wang Yao come down so I could tell her face to face.

  As I ran towards the girls' dormitory, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Two confessions in a single day, and to two different girls, no less. I wondered if this could qualify as a world record — of course, excluding those seasoned playboys. One day, when I grow old and write this chapter into my memoir, I'm sure my grandson will stare at me in disbelief and say, "Grandpa, you really were a scumbag, huh?"

  Sometimes, even when you know you're destined to be rejected, you still throw yourself headfirst into it. There was a strange, fiery excitement in that thought.

  Life rarely offers us the chance to act like a fool — since I've already stepped into this role, I might as well play the fool to my heart's content!

  Just as I was about to reach the dormitory, I vaguely saw a girl rush out of the building.

  It was Wang Yao!

  What was she doing out here so late at night?

  I had planned to call her downstairs, but seeing her come out on her own threw me into a panic. Instinctively, I ducked behind a tree nearby.

  To my astonishment, Wang Yao stopped about three meters away, panting heavily, hands on her knees.

  "Why are you hiding? Come out now."

  I froze. Was she… talking to me? Impossible. She couldn't have seen me, could she?

  "Zuo Fei, are you coming out or not?"

  I was utterly dumbfounded. She really was talking to me! My heart pounded as I sheepishly emerged from behind the tree, clutching my knees and gasping for breath alongside her.

  "I’m asking you, what are you doing out here this late?" Wang Yao's eyes were ablaze with anger.

  I was completely thrown off. What did I do to provoke her? I stammered, "I… I…" unable to find an excuse.

  "Speak!" Her gaze was sharp and piercing.

  My confidence crumbled under her glare. The fervent passion I felt moments ago was now doused like a flame drenched in cold water. I fumbled, "I… I was just… taking a walk…"

  "Liar!" Without warning, Wang Yao's fist crashed into my abdomen.

  "Oof!" I gasped, nearly doubling over from the impact. I had no idea her punches packed such a force!

  "Are you going to tell me the truth or not?" she seethed, grabbing my arm and driving her knee hard into my stomach.

  I bent over in pain, my breath knocked out of me. At that moment, it never crossed my mind to fight back — not only because she was a girl, but also because I was utterly clueless about why she was so furious.

  "I swear, I was just taking a walk, sister… I mean, auntie… grandma… just spare me, please!" I was one step away from falling to my knees.

  But Wang Yao showed no intention of letting me off. Seizing the opportunity while I was doubled over, she drove her elbow down hard onto my back several times. The pain was excruciating, as if my spine was about to crack.

  "I'm begging you! What did I do to deserve this?" I pleaded, staggering back a few steps.

  "You kissed me earlier, and now you're lying to my face! Do you still dare to say you haven't wronged me?" Wang Yao growled, taking another step towards me, her fists clenched.

  I panicked. Without thinking, I turned around and ran.

  "Stop right there, Zuo Fei!" she bellowed from behind me.

  "Like hell I would!" I screamed in my mind, running as if my life depended on it.

  Wang Yao was relentless. She chased me halfway across campus. We sprinted from the dormitory to the basketball court, the streetlights growing dimmer as we ventured into darker areas.

  "I said STOP!" Wang Yao's voice rang out. "Last warning — if you don't stop now, I'll go get my machete!"

  Her words sent a shiver down my spine. I remembered the rumor about her once chasing Da Mao with a machete. My feet skidded to a halt. Getting beaten up was still better than being hacked to death.

  Wang Yao caught up and immediately resumed her assault. Her fists pummeled my stomach again and again. "Run, huh? Keep running, I dare you!"

  I dared not retaliate. I could only curl up and endure the beating. Thankfully, she was gracious enough to spare my face — she probably knew my face was my meal ticket.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Finally, when she had exhausted herself, she asked, "Now tell me — why did you come out here so late?"

  I was on the verge of tears. Confess? Absolutely not. I braced myself and insisted, "I told you… I was just taking a walk… HOUZI succeeded, I failed, I was heartbroken, so I came out for some air… and then you… you beat me up for no reason… Where's the justice in that?"

  "Still lying!" Wang Yao scanned the ground and, to my horror, spotted a brick. Without hesitation, she picked it up and marched toward me.

  "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Calm down, Wang Yao!" I stumbled backward, waving my hands frantically. "Let's not escalate this, okay?"

  "Last chance — are you here to confess your feelings to me or not?"

  Her words were like a lightning strike. I was utterly dumbfounded. How did she know? Was she a mind reader?

  Seeing my stunned expression, she knew she had hit the mark. Without another word, she threw the brick aside and swung another punch — this time, it landed square on my face. My cheek instantly burned like fire, and I could feel it swelling up.

  And she still wasn't done. Fists, kicks, and curses continued raining down on me. "You scumbag! You confessed to Lin Ke'er in the morning and now you're confessing to me at night? Who the hell gave you such audacity? What do you take me for, huh? How long have you been lusting after me?"

  I was speechless, but Wang Yao didn't need my answer. She continued her tirade, venting her fury with every blow.

  "I hate men like you the most — chasing one girl while eyeing another. Do you think I need your pity? You think you can just come and mess up my life like this? If word of this spreads, how am I supposed to maintain my reputation? I swear, I’ll kill you for this!"

  Having had enough, she turned to leave. I scrambled after her, apologizing profusely, "I'm sorry! I was wrong! I promise I won't think about you again. I swear I'll keep my mouth shut. Please, don't let this affect your reputation!"

  But she ignored me, striding furiously ahead.

  After about fifty meters, she abruptly stopped. Without warning, she slumped down on the steps beside the basketball court, buried her head in her knees, and her shoulders began to tremble.

  She was crying.

  I froze, unable to believe my eyes. Wang Yao… crying?

  "What do I do now…" she sobbed.

  I quickly sat beside her, gently patting her back. "Alright, alright, it's my fault. I was out of line. I get it now. I promise I'll never like you again. I swear I won't tell a soul about what happened. I'll make sure no harm comes to your reputation, okay?"

  But Wang Yao didn't respond. She only cried harder. I was utterly helpless, my mind blank. I could only keep apologizing like a fool.

  After a long while, she finally lifted her head. Her face was swollen from crying, her voice choked, "You don't get it, do you?"

  I was confused. "Get what? You just beat me up, cursed me out, and now I'm promising to stay away. What else do you want?"

  Through her tears, she croaked out the words that hit me like a thunderbolt:

  "But… what if I’ve already fallen for you?"

  I was momentarily stunned, staring blankly at Wang Yao. It was already close to midnight, and there wasn’t a single light illuminating the basketball court. I could only rely on the pale moonlight to make out her face.

  I was certain she wasn’t joking — the sincerity in her voice was unmistakable. Wang Yao was still sobbing intermittently, her slender shoulders trembling slightly. The cool night breeze swept across us, and for a long, long time, silence hung heavily between us. Wang Yao had developed feelings for me? I could hardly believe it. I almost suspected I was dreaming, but the genuine sound of her weeping and the chill of the night wind reminded me that this was undeniably real.

  “How long has it been?” I asked softly.

  “I don’t know…” Wang Yao’s voice was choked with emotion. “Maybe from the moment the girls first told me about a boy who kept standing up for Lin Ke’er, even after getting beaten up seven times in three days… I started to feel you were different. Later, in the park, you protected Lin Ke’er without hesitation, even if it meant going against the entire Nine Princes. That was when I began to admire you. You know… the few of us sisters have had our hearts broken by unworthy men before. Most of the guys we met were scum. I once dated a boy — brilliant student, excellent character, good-looking too — but after dating for less than three days, he got beaten up and didn’t even dare talk to me afterward. That’s why when everyone praised you, saying how remarkable you were, I couldn’t help but secretly glance at you a few more times.”

  She paused, took a deep breath, and continued, “But I knew I couldn’t do that. You were Lin Ke’er’s predetermined boyfriend. I couldn’t possibly betray my sister like that, so I kept suppressing myself. But then that night… when Da Mao stabbed you to protect me… I almost couldn’t hold it in anymore. I was so jealous of Lin Ke’er. Why did she get to have such a wonderful boyfriend? But I still endured it. I kept telling myself — he’s not mine, I can’t think that way. Until tonight… when I heard you confessed and got rejected. You know how happy I was? Is that very despicable of me? I know it is, but I couldn’t help it. I thought maybe I’d have a chance, but when I asked Lin Ke’er, she said she hadn’t figured out her feelings yet. I pretended to comfort her, but deep down, I was utterly disappointed… Forget it, the more I say, the more vile I feel. This is not who I am!”

  “Keep going,” I said softly. “I’m listening.”

  Wang Yao fell silent for a moment before she continued, “I was afraid you’d be upset, so I went to drink with you. But during the drinking, I realized something was wrong. Why did you keep glancing at me? And later, after we got back to the dorm… you actually had the nerve to kiss me! Do you know how lucky you are that I didn’t beat you to death on the spot? When I got back to my room, I kept thinking — what if this fool got carried away and came to confess to me? Wouldn’t that completely ruin me? I had to stop you. So I ran down to check, and sure enough — you really dared to come!”

  As she finished speaking, she punched my shoulder again.

  I didn’t dodge. I just looked at her and said gently, “Do you want to hear my side of the story?”

  And so, I began to recount my journey — from the moment I first laid eyes on her and was instantly captivated, to how I suppressed my feelings repeatedly because I didn’t want to be a fickle man. I told her how I forced myself to wholeheartedly pursue Lin Ke’er, convincing myself it was the right thing to do. Yet every time Wang Yao appeared, my heart would waver uncontrollably. And when she was abducted by Da Mao, my bottled-up emotions exploded, and I fought recklessly to save her. I admitted that I kept suppressing my growing affection for her, refusing to become the kind of man I despised. But after being rejected by Lin Ke’er tonight, the alcohol in my system and that impulsive kiss had completely unraveled my restraint, compelling me to come find her.

  By the time I finished speaking, Wang Yao was just as dazed as I had been earlier. In fact, we were caught in the exact same emotional turmoil.

  I let out a long breath and said, “Since we like each other, why don’t we…”

  “Impossible!” Wang Yao suddenly sprang to her feet, her voice sharp and resolute. “I will never be with you!”