Chapter 7 — When the Goddess Appears

On the carpet, the veins at River Yan’s temples throbbed visibly. He opened his eyes wide and stared straight at me, his gaze brimming with sheer disbelief that I could be so ruthless. Just when I thought he was about to surrender, the face I was pinching gradually flushed red. Those captivating peach blossom eyes fixed intensely upon me, shimmering with a watery gloss. He still dared to harbor such dissolute thoughts in a moment like this! Angered, I tightened my grip even further, leaning down close to him.

Classmate River, are you still eager to continue?

He let out a soft groan, yet stubbornly refused to yield. In fact, he looked as though he was actually enjoying it! A shudder of revulsion rippled through me. I instantly released him and scrubbed my hands furiously against my clothes. I was tainted now, oh god! River Yan simply lay flat on his back, utterly defeated, breathing heavily as he stared at the ceiling.

Do not pester me ever again. Otherwise, I will beat you every single time our paths cross, I warned.

He chuckled softly, turning his head to look at me.

Gu Nan, it seems I have grown even more fond of you.

Damn it! River Yan was completely out of his mind!

The late-summer rain arrived with sudden and ferocious violence. I stood before the entrance of the lecture building, gazing gloomily at the sky. I had not brought an umbrella. Suddenly, a parasol blossomed over my head, casting a welcome shade. River Yan stood with one hand tucked into his pocket and the other holding the umbrella, tilting his head as he smiled at me.

Classmate Gu, did you not bring an umbrella?

It is quite a pity that I only brought one, but I suppose I could walk you home.

I shot him a fierce glare. Not far away, I suddenly caught sight of Kernel emerging from the lecture building, and my eyes instantly lit up.

Kernel, over here!

Kernel looked in my direction, a warm smile touching his eyes. However, the moment he noticed River Yan standing beside me, that smile rapidly faded. He walked straight over to my side.

I did not bring an umbrella either. Whatever shall we do?

I burst into a laugh.

Then we shall simply run all the way back!

Very well!

Kernel slipped off his jacket and draped it over my head, his eyes sparkling brightly.

Run!

The two of us closed our eyes, baring our teeth as we plunged headfirst into the pouring rain, entirely ignoring the brooding figure of River Yan left standing behind us. A mere jacket could hardly shield us from the downpour. By the time we dashed beneath the canopy of the women’s dormitory, Kernel and I were drenched from head to toe, looking like two drowned rats. We looked at each other and simultaneously burst into laughter! Raindrops pelted the ground, kicking up countless ripples in the puddles. All around us, hurried pedestrians dashed past, while the camphor tree leaves were battered wildly by the storming wind. Yet neither of us uttered a word about leaving. After a long, quiet moment, we both spoke at the exact same time.

Kernel, why on earth do you like me so much...

Nan Nan, there is something I have been meaning to tell you...

You speak first!

No, you speak first!

Once more, we spoke in unison. A wry twitch touched the corners of Kernel’s lips. He drew a deep, steady breath.

Let me go first, then.

Nan Nan, the truth is, I deceived you.

The person who has been loving you online for an entire year... was not me.

I stepped into another person’s place to continue loving you. For the longest time, I hesitated, wondering whether I should confess this to you. Out of sheer selfishness, I hoped you would never find out for the rest of your life, but I could not bring myself to keep lying to you. I did not want our relationship to be founded upon a deception.

Seeing that I showed no signs of shock whatsoever, he froze in place.

You... have known about this for a long time?

I remained silent, simply gazing at him. He lowered his head, a bitter, faint smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.

Of course, I should have guessed. That was why you suddenly began keeping your distance from me some time ago.

However... He lifted his head, as though summoning all his courage to meet my eyes. Nan Nan, this was not actually the first time I met you. The truth is, I have known you for a very long time.

This time, it was my turn to freeze. I had no recollection of ever knowing Kernel. If I had ever laid eyes on a face like his, I would undoubtedly have remembered it.

I do not remember. You...

Kernel pulled out his phone and brought up a photograph.

You certainly do not remember, because I did not look the way I do now back then.

I stared at the chubby young boy in the photograph. My pupils dilated in sheer shock! Kernel... was actually him?!

Time flowed backward three years. When I was being mercilessly mocked by others, I too had once resolved to lose weight. During the summer break, I clung to my mother until she agreed to enroll me in a weight-loss boot camp. At that facility, the instructors did not use our real names; instead, we were all required to choose a nickname for ourselves. Life at the camp was grueling. Every single day of training left our legs feeling like jelly, and at mealtimes, we were only permitted tiny portions of low-fat food. Hunger plagued me relentlessly, making my vision swim and turning me into a veritable walking corpse. Until one midnight, when I woke up gnawed by hunger, utterly unable to fall back asleep, and decided to wander out for a stroll. To my absolute astonishment, I spotted a dark silhouette squatting in the corner of the stairwell! Frightened nearly out of my wits, I was just about to scream when the figure suddenly whipped around. His mouth was stuffed full of food, his expression a panicked mix of wanting to speak and choking on the morsels, his eyes rolling back in terror!

Mmh! Mmh...

I rushed over and pounded frantically on his back. After a long while, he finally managed to cough the food out. His eyes reddened as he raised a finger to his lips, signaling me to be quiet.

Do not scream. I... I was simply too hungry, so I came out to grab a bite.

The chubby boy squatting on the floor looked at me with pitiful eyes, clutching a half-eaten package of Oreo cookies tightly in his hand. I stared at those Oreos, my eyes practically glowing with a green light as I swallowed hard.

Where on earth did you get those Oreos?

He whispered in a timid voice.

I have a friend nearby. I was truly starving, so I asked him to toss them over the back wall for me.

You will not report me, will you?

I did not move an inch. Finally, he grasped my intent. Tentatively, he extended a hand toward me.

Well... would you like some?

I immediately seized his hand.

My good friend, no words can express my gratitude for this great kindness.

From that day onward, I learned that the chubby boy’s nickname was Scallop, while mine was Pumpkin. Scallop truly seemed to regard me as a genuine friend. Every time he secretly scored good food at night, he would call me over to share it. Thus, we spent two whole months sneaking delicious treats together, forging an unbreakable bond of comradeship. The only price we paid was that while everyone else at the camp grew slender, the two of us failed to lose an ounce. My departure happened rather abruptly. When my grandmother was suddenly hospitalized, I was forced to leave the camp early, missing the chance to bid him a proper farewell.