Rejected by the Campus Belle, I Find My True Love-Chapter 33: Cui Hao Comes Knocking (Please support, first subscription requested!)
Cui Hao was as restless as an ant on a hot pan, pacing around. "That’s not the point! But it’s true I didn’t sleep at all last night, Xue Yang. You have to tell me what’s going on. You two are just arguing, right? You’ll get back together in a few days."
Xue Yang patted Cui Hao’s shoulder. "Cui Hao, you can’t live in the past forever. My life is good now. I’m not hung up on it anymore, and you shouldn’t be either."
He had told Cui Hao so much about Chen Ying in the past that Cui Hao’s first reaction to hearing he was giving up on her was to assume he was just bluffing. Even when Chen Ying said she had a boyfriend, Cui Hao still didn’t believe it. It wasn’t until she appeared before them with her boyfriend in tow that Cui Hao had a sudden realization: Xue Yang had truly given up on his six-year-long pursuit.
Most importantly, Chen Ying had never really liked Xue Yang. Otherwise, why had Xue Yang failed to win her over after six years, while someone else succeeded in only a few days?
Are women really that heartless?
If Cui Hao had known it was Chen Ying who initiated the relationship with her new boyfriend, who knows what he would have thought.
Cui Hao shook his head. "So... I was the only one who took it seriously, huh?" He was unsure whether to laugh at himself or be happy for Xue Yang.
Suddenly, he seemed to notice something, his eyes widening as he stared at Xue Yang. "Wait..."
Xue Yang turned back, looking at Cui Hao with a puzzled expression. "If you have any more questions, ask them all at once. Then, let’s drop it. It’s over between me and Chen Ying."
"You son of a..." Cui Hao lunged forward like a madman and started tugging at Xue Yang’s collar until the bite mark on his neck was exposed. "I knew it! You must be hiding a girl somewhere, that’s the only way you could give up on this! Spit it out, what’s her name? Is she a student at our school? Or another one? No wonder you’ve been bolting off campus the second class ends. You’ve been rushing off to a date! Are you living together? How far have you gone? How can the son find someone before his old man does?"
Cui Hao had completely forgotten his earlier unhappiness, his eyes now gleaming with gossip.
Xue Yang touched his neck, only now remembering that Lin Xi had bitten him last night, leaving a mark.
"You’ve got it wrong." Xue Yang pushed Cui Hao toward the classroom, scratching his neck. "This isn’t a bite mark. I was bitten by a bug while sleeping at my rental apartment. It’s still itchy. Come on, class is about to start. Let’s go!"
Lin Xi hasn’t even acknowledged our relationship yet! If I told Cui Hao, with his gossipy nature, he’d definitely insist on coming back with me after class today to see Lin Xi. That would scare the poor girl to death. She might seem bold in front of me, but every time we go out, she’s so socially anxious she wishes she could just hide inside my clothes.
"Let me tell you," Cui Hao said, "I think there might be something promising with the girl I connected with this time."
"Congratulations."
"..."
***
On Friday afternoon, the clothes from Tide Apparel arrived. Lin Xi cheerfully went downstairs to pick up her package.
"Hello, excuse me. Is this Number 49, Alley 8, on Yanbei Road?"
Lin Xi looked up to see a young man, about twenty years old, asking her for directions. The man was tall and sturdy, about the same build as Xue Yang, but he paled in comparison when it came to looks. For one thing, Xue Yang’s complexion was much fairer. The only thing he had in common with Xue Yang was that he seemed sincere.
"Yes, it is."
After replying, Lin Xi hugged her package and quickly ran back to her rental apartment. She was relieved she was wearing a mask; it would be a huge hassle if she were recognized.
Did I just see a fairy? Cui Hao scratched his head. His mind was still replaying the moment Lin Xi had looked up at him. In his entire life, he had never seen such a beautiful girl. Even in a plain T-shirt, her large, watery eyes seemed to speak, and they had instantly captivated him. The mask only enhanced her beauty, giving her a mysterious, half-concealed allure. If he wasn’t still on a mission to see if Xue Yang was hiding a beautiful woman in his apartment, he would have definitely chased after her to ask for her contact information.
Following his memory, he found Xue Yang’s rental apartment and knocked gently on the door.
Logically, Xue Yang should be back by now. As soon as he opens the door, I’ll rush in. I’ll definitely catch the woman he’s hiding in there. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Cui Hao firmly believed that Xue Yang was hiding a beautiful woman. After all, what other explanation could there be for a guy who suddenly started smelling fragrant and dressing better?
Lin Xi had just set the package down and hadn’t had time to open it when she heard a knock at the door.
Judging by the time, that must be Xue Yang. That guy must have forgotten his keys again.
Cui Hao knocked for a bit, then stopped. After waiting for a while with no response, he was just about to knock again when the door opened from the inside.
Lin Xi was still wearing the matching couple’s outfit from earlier. She had on loose trousers that hid her figure, but this time, her mask was off, revealing her stunning face.
Cui Hao was instantly smitten. "It’s you! Could this be fate?"
Seeing a stranger, Lin Xi slammed the door shut. She leaned against it, her face pale with fright.
How did he follow me here? He can’t be a pervert, can he? What should I do? Why isn’t Xue Yang back yet?
Lin Xi had clearly grown accustomed to thinking of Xue Yang first whenever she was in trouble.
Just then, the knocking started again. "Hello? Could you please open the door?" a voice came from outside.
"Who... who are you looking for?"
Cui Hao took a couple of steps back, double-checking the apartment number—this was Xue Yang’s place. "I’m looking for Xue Yang."
Xue Yang?
Lin Xi’s expression relaxed slightly, but her face remained ashen.
I’m doomed. He must be one of Xue Yang’s classmates, here to look for him.
"I don’t know any Xue Yang," she said. "You have the wrong place."
"That’s strange. I’m sure my friend Xue Yang lives here." Cui Hao scratched his head. I couldn’t have remembered wrong, could I? He had even come with Xue Yang when he first rented this place and remembered teasing him about it. He’d joked that Chen Ying, the campus belle, would never agree to come stay with him in such a small apartment.
"You’ve remembered wrong. There’s no Xue Yang here. I rented this place myself. You’d better leave, or I’m going to scream for help!"
Could I really have remembered it wrong? Cui Hao thought, then said aloud, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean any harm. I’m a student from nearby Yanbei University. You don’t have to be afraid. I’ll leave right now."
Cui Hao wasn’t the type to pester someone relentlessly. Seeing her reaction, he figured she lived alone. Although he really wanted to get to know her, he left.
After Cui Hao was gone, Lin Xi remained pressed against the door, afraid he might return.
Xue Yang, please come back quickly.
But then, another worry struck her.
Wait, no... Xue Yang won’t run into him on the way back, will he?
