Chapter 3 — Kitten And Love Under The Bush

10. As soon as the hot crab-filled dumplings were brought up, I felt sick to my stomach. I immediately wanted to reach for chopsticks but was held back by Tong Khuynh Chu's hand. Even though I kept glancing longingly at the dumplings, he still leisurely pulled out a wet towel from his pocket and slowly tore the bag. From my palm, he carefully wiped every bit of it down to the tips of his fingers, his voice was even, neither fast nor slow: "Just touched trash, it's dirty." I silently noted in my heart: this person has a clean illness. Long drooping eyelashes, attentive yet gentle expression, somehow make people easily fascinated. He raised his head to see my bewildered face, his eyes slightly darkening a bit. He gently patted my head, then placed a pair of chopsticks in my hand. “Eat it.” I was like a sleepwalker, picking up a cake and taking a bite. “Is it delicious?” — Tong Khuynh Chu asked. “It's delicious.” …Who would have thought! Once Tong Khuynh Chu wiped his hands, even the dumplings I had longed for could no longer taste what they tasted like. I fell into a new cycle of thinking. 11. “Van Van?” A somewhat hesitant female voice rang out from the back left. I turned my head. Another higher voice interrupted: "I said it was Van Van, you still don't believe it!" This time, even Tong Khuynh Chu turned around to look. The sound of bowls and chopsticks being knocked over rang out, and someone cried out in panic. The same voice rang out: "Van Van, you and Mr. Tong... are you really seeing each other?" I raised my eyebrows... "Mr. Tong"? She said it so unnaturally, her voice was gentle but could not hide the ripples inside. The girl in front of her had a delicate face and was dressed very neatly. Unfortunately, her light yellow jacket was stained by a large piece of dipping sauce, making her look somewhat miserable. I looked at her silently for a few seconds, seeing her somewhat avoiding eye contact, her fingers tightening on the hem of her shirt. I put my hand on Tong Khuynh Chu's elbow and smiled sweetly: "That's right, there's been a buzz in the school, the 'love confession' thing is so popular." “Manh Giai, don't you know?” Her face gradually turned white with every move I made. When she heard the mention of "love confession", her face clearly trembled. Tong Khuynh Chu slightly hesitated, but immediately took my hand. His voice was polite but cold: "Hello everyone, I am Van Van's boyfriend." His large hand with clear joints covered mine, seeming to make outsiders think we were already intimately close. I unconsciously curled my hand slightly, but he squeezed me tighter. "We are roommates," I introduced in turn, "Vuong Lo, Tran Ngon... and Manh Giai." Tong Khuynh Chu nodded slightly in greeting. Vuong Lo and Tran Ngon stepped up to greet me a few times, politely said a few words and then remained silent. During my first year, I spent most of my time in the library, leaving early and coming home late, so I wasn't very close with my roommates. I glanced again at Manh Giai who was still standing in the same place - I never expected that one day I would be trapped by her like this. I used my knuckle to gently nudge Tong Khuynh Chu's palm: "Let's go home." When saying goodbye to Vuong Lo and Tran Ngon, although the two girls still smiled, their eyes shone with shock that could not be hidden. I was a bit surprised, but on the outside I remained calm. Tong Khuynh Chu stood up, helped me wrap the towel, and naturally held my hand. Ten fingers tightly clasped. It's like I've done this a thousand times before. I slightly lowered my eyes, hiding the shaking emotions in my heart, and walked out of the store with him. Inside, Manh Giai's face was as white as paper. Outside, the sky is blue, the sun is bright, and swallows fly across the sky. 12. After walking about ten meters, I bowed my head and looked at my fleece pajamas... then suddenly burst out laughing. But not just a little laugh. The more I thought about it, the funnier it became, to the point where I could barely stand up straight. “What's wrong?” — Tong Khuynh Chu tilted his head and asked. I wiped away the tears at the corner of my eyes, looking at his vague face through the glittering tears: "They think... think..." Halfway through speaking, I remembered the expressions of Vuong Lo and Tran Ngon just now, and couldn't help but burst into another burst of fierce laughter. I laughed for three minutes, while Tong Khuynh Chu still stood still next to me, his eyes filled with gentleness, not showing any signs of impatience at all. I finally suppressed my laughter, gasped and said: "They think we're already living together, hahaha..." The expression on Tong Khuynh Chu's face finally changed. His facial features were inherently sharp and oppressive, but lately he's been smiling a lot, so that aspect of his aura has been hidden quite a bit. At this moment, the smile at the corner of his lips gradually disappeared, and an almost irrepressible arrogance began to appear on every line of his face. He slightly raised his lips: "Oh? Is that so?" My heart suddenly flashed a strange thought: "Maybe this is the real Tong Khuynh Chu." Damn... it's true that the more I look at it, the more I love it. I instinctively wanted to raise my hand and rub my fingers when I realized... I was still holding his hand. Tong Khuynh Chu also noticed, gently withdrew his hand, his face still very calm: "The girl just now... is the one who posted on the 'love confession wall', right?" My thoughts immediately followed: “Mostly.” “Do you need any help?” — His voice returned to its familiar gentleness and warmth. I shook my head: "I don't plan to do anything." He quietly said "yes" and said nothing more. On the contrary, I couldn't help but ask: "Don't you want to know why?" Tong Khuynh Chu smiled: "I have my reasons for everything I do. You just need to support me." “Whatever it is?” — a strange emotion welled up in my heart, causing me to blurt out a question. Without hesitation, he replied: "No matter what." After several recent probes, I can almost confirm that the story on the "love confession wall" was a trick of Manh Giai. And she... likes Tong Khuynh Chu. But whatever the reason, she chose to do it — I don't care. If it's just a temporary mistake, you'll know how to turn around. If I stubbornly refuse to awaken, God will find a way to teach me. I don't want to waste time and energy on irrelevant gossip. This world has so many beautiful and valuable things waiting for me to pursue and explore. But… having someone who is willing to stand by your side unconditionally is truly something that makes people feel warm and incredibly happy. The shadows of the two of us stretched out on the road, intertwined and then separated with each step. It's like in my heart, something... is breaking the ground and emerging. I suddenly pulled Tong Khuynh Chu's hand and rushed away as if running away. The North wind blew loudly, brushing through my sideburns and hair our ears. But in my chest, there was a rolling warmth that spread throughout my limbs. I later understood, at that moment - between us was filled with ambiguity, but we still couldn't call it love. 13. The next day, officially entered the new semester. Tong Khuynh Chu and I were both extremely busy with tight schedules, tight schedules from morning to afternoon. But unlike before, I no longer ran to the library or self-study room every morning and night, but with Tong Khuynh Chu - sharing a corner of the table in my living room every day. We hardly talked at all, only the sound of a pen gliding on paper, the sound of turning pages in a book, and the sound of typing on a keyboard echoing in the quiet space - connecting the two people at two corners of the table. This habit originated when I once asked Tong Khuynh Chu about an economic model. After he finished the lecture, he immediately sat down and opened the book to read, and it has continued until now. I rubbed my tired eyes, raised my head and immediately met his attentive gaze. Tong Khuynh Chu was leaning on the edge of the table, quietly looking at me - I don't know how long he had been looking. His pale eyes reflected the soft light of the table lamp. “Are you hungry?” — Tong Khuynh Chu asked. I touched my stomach, "It's a little bit." “Wanna eat spaghetti?” I thought he was talking about ordering food, so I casually replied: "Okay." Tong Khuynh Chu stood up and left the room. A minute later, he walked in carrying a bag of groceries. This time… seems to be running across the house? I watched him go straight to the kitchen and couldn't help but raise my eyebrows. Leaning against the kitchen doorframe, I watched him skillfully boil water, strain noodles, and dice tomatoes. His hands are long and beautiful, even when holding a shovel, it makes people feel very satisfied. “Do you know how to cook?” "Yes. You also know how skilled my mother is. When Aunt Ha is not home, I often cook for myself." I suddenly got excited: "Or... let me do it together?" For the first time, Tong Khuynh Chu did not immediately look at me with gentle eyes. He pursed his lips slightly, slightly hesitant. I squeezed in next to me, extremely confident: "Don't worry, I don't have my mother's inheritance. Her mother, her hands and feet are clumsy..."