Chapter 8 — When the Goddess Appears

Just as I was about to step outside, the chubby boy came running after me, gasping for breath with sweat dripping down his forehead. His eyes were red-rimmed as he shoved a crumpled piece of paper into my hand.

My WeChat. You must contact me after you get out of here!

It felt as though we had just served time together in prison. I was both amused and helpless, giving him a casual wave. Yet, in the end, I never did manage to reach him. My grandmother’s illness struck with terrifying suddenness. Just a few days later, she passed away. My bond with her was immensely deep, and I spent every waking moment keeping vigil at the hospital, leaving me no emotional space to think of anything else. By the time her final rites were settled and I finally remembered the encounter, that jacket had already been washed by my mother. The slip of paper had been churned into pulp and was completely gone. I tried returning to the weight-loss camp to track him down, only to discover it had already disbanded, and even the director was nowhere to be found. From that day on, I completely lost touch with the chubby boy whose nickname was Scallop. For the longest time, I harbored a quiet sense of regret. Scallop was the only friend who had ever treated me with genuine kindness, the only person who had never once looked at me with disgust. Who would have guessed that after all these twists and turns of fate... it was actually him all along.

But why on earth did you turn into this?

A little pig transforming into a top-tier fashion model—it was simply unbelievable! Hearing my bewildered exclamation, Jiang Ran sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

After I left that place, I never heard from you. Eating delicious food all by myself suddenly lost its appeal, and for some reason, my appetite was never quite as ferocious as it used to be.

Later on, I started playing basketball, and the weight just gradually melted away.

Then, by sheer coincidence, I came across an online listing where someone was transferring their cyber-girlfriend. That person hadn't censored your personal information.

I saw your username was Little Red Pumpkin, and your profile picture was that tabby cat with the white spot on its forehead that you used to tell me about. Your age matched up too, and I just knew deep down that it had to be you.

I couldn't bear to watch you suffer like that, so acting on some wild impulse, I slid into his DMs and took over.

Even after all that, I still didn't recognize you at first. I never imagined that you would turn out to be... so stunning now.

He lowered his gaze, his long eyelashes trembling faintly.

I am sorry, Nan Nan. I should not have deceived you. It is just that I never knew how to bring myself to tell the truth.

If you want to break up now, I will respect your decision.

I stood there for a moment, completely at a loss for words. Should I marvel at how miraculous destiny truly was? Amidst the pouring rain, I reached out and grabbed his hand.

Break up? What are you talking about? Didn't you promise to always stay by my side?

Jiang Ran was drenched from head to toe, yet his eyes burned with a brilliant, fiery light! A second later, he abruptly pulled me into a tight embrace. His voice was thick with a mixture of lingering grievance and overflowing joy.

Yes!

After the evening lecture ended, just as I stepped out of the auditorium, someone suddenly called out my name. I turned my head. Tang Yan Chuan was standing not far away, his features half-hidden in the gathering shadows, wearing an inscrutable expression.

What is it? I instinctively frowned.

Do you really like him that much? He shoved both hands into his pockets and walked over at a leisurely pace.

I rolled my eyes.

He is my boyfriend. If I do not like him, who am I supposed to like? You are out of your mind.

I turned to leave, but he called out to me once again.

What if the person you were talking to online was never him to begin with?

My expression instantly turned icy as I slowly pivoted on my heel to stare straight at him.

What are you trying to say?

Gu Nan, the truth is that your online lover was me all along. Back then... I was just momentarily out of my mind and transferred you to someone else. The person who stayed by your side for over a year has always been me!

Tang Yan Chuan finally lost whatever restraint he had left.

Jiang Ran is nothing more than a fraud. He has been deceiving you this whole time. We were the ones who were meant to be lovers!

I have known for a long time.

You knew?! Tang Yan Chuan looked utterly dumbfounded. Then why on earth did you still...

Then tell me, why are you bringing this up to me now? I let out a cold laugh. Do you regret it now? Have you suddenly decided you like me again?

Yes, I like you! Gu Nan, back then I truly was just temporarily confused in the head...

I cut him short.

I never imagined you would actually have the nerve to say these words out loud.

Tang Yan Chuan, you really are utterly shameless.

I admit that I was wrong before! Tang Yan Chuan drew in a deep breath, looking down at me from his height.

You can ask for whatever compensation you want.

But Gu Nan, you told me yourself in the past that you liked me. Do you dare to claim that you never had feelings for me?

Was it not because you wanted to meet me that you finally mustered the determination to lose weight?

Now, I genuinely love you!

What is there about me that you supposedly love? Is it just this face?

My voice carried not a shred of warmth.

You truly are a repulsive human being, Tang Yan Chuan.

The person I once liked has never been the person you are today.

His pupils contracted violently. I looked straight into his eyes and pronounced each word with absolute clarity.

And I will never, ever like you. Give it up.

Jiang Ran seemed to be sulking. For the entire day, he practically ignored me. It was a complete contrast to his usual self, when he acted as though he wanted to glue himself to my side every single second. Feeling suspicious, I finally cornered him and demanded an explanation.

Have you found someone else you like now?

If you have, just spit it out. It is not like I am clinging to you.

He stared hard at me, gritting his teeth as he spoke.

I knew it! As expected, you do not care about me nearly as much as you pretend to!

Before I could even reply, I was suddenly yanked into the cool shade beneath the camphor tree nearby. The familiar, clean scent of Jiang Ran washed over me, carrying an oppressive intensity unlike anything I had ever felt from him before. He pressed me gently against the trunk, blocking my escape with one hand braced against the bark beside my ear, lowering his gaze to look down at me. The streetlamps filtered through the trembling leaves, casting mottled shadows across his face. Those light brown eyes were pitch-black in the darkness.

I saw everything that happened the other day.

His voice was very low, tinged with a raspy edge I had never heard before.

That bastard came to look for you again.

I parted my lips, preparing to offer an explanation, but he gave me no chance.

Nan Nan, I heard every single word he said. He watched me, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

Tang Yan Chuan was the one who transferred the account to me, wasn't he?

I froze. So of all the things to hear, he had missed the important clarifications and caught only the parts designed to torture him?

Then tell me... who is it that you truly love?