“Beep~。”
As a long whistle echoed through the gymnasium, the match between Elite High School and Jiefangbei High School finally came to an end.
There was no doubt, Elite High School had lost, and they had lost badly.
Unlike the low-pressure atmosphere in Elite High School, cheers erupted from the audience as soon as the match ended, wave after wave, threatening to lift the gymnasium's roof.
Liu Wenqin, returning from the coach, was excited, throwing an arm around Luo Chuan’s shoulder.
“Chuan, let's go, the team is having dinner tonight, I'll treat.”
He had received confirmation from the coach that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, his admission was basically secured.
However, Luo Chuan shook his head.
“I won’t go, I have other things to do.”
He looked in Li Anran’s direction. Liu Wenqin smacked his lips, sighing.
“Alright, then I can’t refuse you next time, huh?”
“Definitely.”
After a quick exchange with Liu Wenqin, Luo Chuan walked towards Li Anran.
With Liu Wenqin drawing attention ahead, no one really noticed Luo Chuan, the “invisible man.” He easily reached Li Anran.
“Does your foot still hurt?”
Li Anran shook her head.
“It’s much better.”
“Congratulations, your team made it to the second round of the league. You’re just one step away from winning the championship.”
Luo Chuan chuckled.
“You’re congratulating the wrong person. I’m not on the team, I’m just a tool to help out.”
“Are you going home now?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll take you back,” Luo Chuan said.
“No… ”
Before Li Anran could refuse, Luo Chuan interrupted.
“Cut it out, you’re in no condition to go back alone. What if something happens to you?”
“Come on, I can skip class anyway. Going back now might even help cover up your skipping.”
Hearing the word ‘skipping’, Li Anran didn’t say anything else.
As they walked out of the gymnasium, Luo Chuan noticed Li Anran’s awkward expression and said,
“Does it hurt again?”
“No... nothing.”
The taxi stand was a bit of a walk. Thinking for a moment, Luo Chuan squatted down in front of Li Anran.
“Get on.”
Li Anran stared at Luo Chuan’s back, stunned, hesitant to make a move.
Luo Chuan turned his head and urged.
“What are you waiting for, get on! Don’t you want to go back?”
“Oh.”
Under Luo Chuan’s urging, Li Anran awkwardly climbed onto his back. As she clearly felt his strong back, she shyly pressed her face against his clothes, as if this could hide her from others.
Luo Chuan’s walk naturally drew a lot of gasps, as it was quite daring for shy high school students.
When they reached the school gate, the gatekeeper was about to scold them, but Luo Chuan spoke first.
“She twisted her ankle and can’t walk. I’m taking her to the hospital.”
The gatekeeper was speechless, staring at Luo Chuan for a few seconds before letting them pass. However, as they left, he said,
“Kid, this time is fine, but next time, pay attention. This doesn’t look good.”
“Got it, Uncle.”
Then, Luo Chuan carried Li Anran towards the taxi stand, step by step.
Neither of them spoke, but they could both feel their heartbeats quickening. A pink bubble of ambiguity kept appearing around them.
After an unknown amount of time, perhaps a dozen minutes, or maybe only a few seconds, Luo Chuan suddenly coughed, and asked softly,
“Li Anran, do you like me?”
Li Anran’s mind went blank, her heart racing. Just as she didn’t know how to answer, she heard Luo Chuan continue.
“I like you. Let’s go out.”
After that, there was silence for half a minute. Just as they were about to reach the taxi stand, she murmured,
“Okay.”
If Luo Chuan hadn’t had good hearing and been so close, he might not have heard her.
Li Anran’s affirmative response relaxed Luo Chuan. It wasn’t anything else, he genuinely liked this girl, sincerely and intensely, bold yet considerate.
And Luo Chuan wasn’t Liu Wenqin. He wouldn’t feel inferior or lost because of their status. He only had the drive to move forward.
Reaching the taxi stand, Luo Chuan hailed a taxi. They sat in the back seat together, and unintentionally, their hands intertwined.
Li Anran was shy but didn’t pull away.
Of course, that was all they could do with the driver in the front. Even if Luo Chuan wanted to do anything else, he couldn’t.
“Do you have time this weekend?” Luo Chuan suddenly asked.
Li Anran, snapping out of her thoughts, nodded.
“Yes.”
“I’ll go find you then. We’ll go out and play.”
“Is this considered a date?” Li Anran’s eyes lit up with happiness.
“Of course,” Luo Chuan said with a straight face.
With the beginning established, the newly-confirmed couple was like a dam breaking, talking nonstop, wanting to say and ask everything, wanting to integrate into each other’s lives as quickly as possible, leaving a mark of color.
But good times always pass by quickly. When the driver stopped the car in front of Chunfeng High School, Luo Chuan and Li Anran came to their senses, they had arrived.
“We’re here already,” Li Anran said, a bit wistful.
After getting out of the car, Luo Chuan helped Li Anran walk into Chunfeng High School. The gatekeeper didn’t say anything, letting them pass upon seeing Li Anran’s injury.
Then they went to the infirmary.
According to Luo Chuan, this would prevent their teachers from discovering the truth about skipping class. After all, they were genuinely injured. The details about when and where they got hurt could be blurred.
Luo Chuan originally planned to stay a little longer, but Li Anran suddenly received a message.
“Oh no, Li Tie Gun seems to have noticed I’m not there.”
Li Tie Gun was Li Anran’s homeroom teacher, Li Meng.
“Don’t worry, just do as I said.”
After a short while, Li Meng rushed into the infirmary, relieved upon seeing Li Anran.
“Anran, are you alright? Why did you twist your ankle?”
Li Anran glanced at Luo Chuan and said,
“Teacher, I’m fine. The doctor said it’s not serious. I’m sorry for bothering you to come here.”
Li Meng scolded her playfully,
“What are you sorry for? As your homeroom teacher, I should be responsible for your safety. Next time, tell me immediately if something like this happens. You hear me?”
“Got it,” Li Anran replied obediently.
“Alright, you get some rest. I’ll call your parents to come pick you up later.”
“Thank you, Ms. Li.”
Li Meng turned and left, glancing at Luo Chuan as she did. She thought he was another student who came to see the doctor. He seemed familiar, but…
Didn’t all teachers find students familiar? So she didn’t think much of it.
Once Li Meng was gone, Li Anran breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness I got away with it.”
“Your acting was pretty good,” Luo Chuan said with a smile.
“Of course,” Li Anran said, a bit smug.
However, Luo Chuan still sternly told her never to climb the wall again.
Li Anran nodded in agreement.
After reminding her to rest well, Luo Chuan was about to leave. If he encountered someone who knew him, things would be bad.
Chapter Note: Thanks to “15992..”, “Feng Ying Luo”, and all the readers for your support. Thank you for your flowers and comments!