Chapter Sixty-One

Rain Xingyue, unable to endure the pain, had no choice but to agree to Lin Zimo’s demand. “Fine, I promise, okay? Just let go of me first. Honestly, with your violent temper, you’ll never get married, let me tell you.” Even as her arm was being squeezed, Rain Xingyue couldn’t resist teasing Lin Zimo.

Lin Zimo didn’t loosen her grip—instead, she squeezed even harder, making Rain Xingyue yelp in pain. Lin Zimo said coolly, “Still have comments to make? Trust me, just a bit more strength and you’ll wish you were dead.”

“Aah, I was wrong, big sis! Please, have mercy on me, pretend I’m just an ignorant fool, okay?”

“Oh, all right, just because you begged.” Lin Zimo finally released her hand, and Rain Xingyue immediately covered the spot, now bruised from Lin Zimo’s grip.

“Honestly.” Rain Xingyue hesitated, then said, “You really are wicked, bullying me like this. What, do you want to play tricks on me like Chen Siyu did?”

Lin Zimo laughed—Rain Xingyue’s words amused her. “She is who she is, and I am myself. Why do you care about her? Don’t lump me together with Chen Siyu. I just want to conquer you, that’s all.”

“Conquer me? And how exactly do you plan to do that? With violence?” Rain Xingyue asked.

“Stop thinking about how I treated you just now. It’s your own fault for always messing around with me.” Lin Zimo replied, clearly exasperated.

Rain Xingyue forced a smile. “You’re the one who teases me, big sis. I just said you were a little violent, but you really went overboard—those three words fit you perfectly.”

The phrase “violent girl” struck a nerve with Lin Zimo, and she made as if to pinch Rain Xingyue again. Frightened, Rain Xingyue shielded his arm. He’d only spoken the truth, but saying such things in front of others was courting disaster.

Lin Zimo thought to herself: He’s just an insufferable straight man, why should I get angry? If I argue with him, it’s my loss. So she put on a bright smile and said, “Come on, take me home. It’s getting late.”

Rain Xingyue eyed her suspiciously. “Why are you smiling like that? Are you plotting to rob and murder me? Maybe you’re planning to pinch me again as revenge?”

No one could fathom Rain Xingyue’s logic; only he could imagine such things.

“I swear—” Lin Zimo couldn’t help but curse at Rain Xingyue, but she restrained herself, her expression calm. “Just hurry up and take me home, or I’ll finish you off!” Her tone carried a hint of menace.

Rain Xingyue didn’t dare say more, only nodded. Any further protest would just stoke Lin Zimo’s fury and bring him more physical suffering.

On the way, the two of them drew a lot of attention—not because of Rain Xingyue, but because of Lin Zimo. Her figure and long hair were striking, drawing more eyes than when she wore makeup. Some even approached to ask for her contact information, but she refused them all. It was only when she declared, “This is my boyfriend,” glancing at Rain Xingyue, “I fell for him first, you’re too late,” that the persistent admirers finally gave up.

In truth, Lin Zimo was taking advantage of Rain Xingyue, using this chance to voice her feelings for him—just this once. Rain Xingyue was stunned by what she said. Could Zimo really like me? Impossible!

The word “like” brought to mind the scene when Wu Siying had forcibly kissed him. He’d nearly forgotten it, but Lin Zimo’s words brought it right back, and he could only shake his head ruefully.

Hearing Lin Zimo’s declaration, the hopeful bystanders all melted away. Some still trailed behind, but the chill in the air soon sent them fleeing.

Once the crowd had dispersed, Rain Xingyue said, “Hey! How could you say something like that? You can’t just say you like me so casually.”

Lin Zimo retorted coyly, “It was the only way I could think of. What, should I have called you ‘Daddy’ to wake you up?”

“In any case, you should be less flamboyant about it,” Rain Xingyue said flatly. “We Chinese aren’t as open as you Japanese; we’re more reserved. The word ‘like’ isn’t something to throw around. It should be reserved for someone who truly cares for you, someone you both admire. Don’t be like me, just drifting through life.” He mocked himself.

“You’re really good at self-deprecation, but in my eyes, you’re not that bad. You just can’t express yourself—and maybe you’re a bit repressed. The quintessential introvert.”

“You’re calling me an introvert? Well… I suppose you’re not wrong.” Rain Xingyue wasn’t offended; in fact, he accepted the title.

“Don’t give up on yourself just because I called you that!” Lin Zimo said.

“It suits me, really. I rarely talk, just sit in the classroom reading. No one ever notices me.”

“Enough with the self-pity,” Lin Zimo said. “I’ve always wanted to ask: yesterday, your skills were extraordinary. Have you trained?”

Lin Zimo had long suspected Rain Xingyue wasn’t an ordinary person, guessing his martial arts were at the peak of eighth-degree black belt, maybe even ninth, though she wasn’t sure.

Her guess wasn’t wrong. Rain Xingyue’s skills were at eighth-degree black belt; he’d retired, so that was as far as he’d go. If it weren’t for retirement, he might have reached ninth degree. When showing off his striking techniques to Huang Feifan and Zhang Yi, Xiao Jian had thought Rain Xingyue was already close to that level.

In response to Lin Zimo’s question, Rain Xingyue replied, “I’m just a bookworm; I don’t know any martial arts. I picked up those moves from TV.”

“So you’re self-taught?” Lin Zimo asked.

Rain Xingyue smiled, “Exactly. I didn’t want to be bullied, so I taught myself and joined your Celestial Source Team, working as the medic with Senior Lin Ling. That’s more than enough for me.” He didn’t tell her the truth—that he had been one of the original members of the Celestial Source Team. Lin Ling and Xiao Jian kept his secret too. The other team members might not, but Rain Xingyue wasn’t worried; Lin Zimo had only met Xiao Jian and Lin Ling.

Thinking of the Celestial Source Team, Rain Xingyue remembered the upcoming reunion in a month—except, of course, for Zhang Yan, who was no longer with them…

“Rain, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Lin Zimo noticed his tears and tried to comfort him, though she didn’t know the reason.

Rain Xingyue snapped out of it, wiped his tears, and said, “It’s nothing, just some old memories.”

“You still haven’t answered my question—why are you so skilled?”

“I told you, I just learned those moves from TV. What you saw yesterday was the result. To be honest, it was my first real fight,” Rain Xingyue continued to mislead her, and Lin Zimo believed him.

“Don’t lie to me. If you do, you’re a puppy,” Lin Zimo replied innocently.

Rain Xingyue made an OK gesture. “I won’t lie to you. If I do, I’ll grant you one wish—how’s that?”

Lin Zimo’s eyes sparkled. “You said it! Grant me a wish, just remember that. But I still think you’re hiding something. No matter, I’ll find out your secret one day.”

“Then wait for that day. Let’s go.” Rain Xingyue reached out and took Lin Zimo’s left hand. Lin Zimo blushed, “Wha—what are you doing?”

Rain Xingyue feigned innocence. “Didn’t someone just say I’m your boyfriend? As your boyfriend, I have to play my part, unless you want those people to chase after you.”

Lin Zimo wanted to pull her hand back but couldn’t bring herself to do it. So Rain Xingyue held her hand all the way home. Passersby looked at them, marveling at the golden couple. Many admired Rain Xingyue for winning such a beautiful girlfriend, envying and resenting him in equal measure.

Lin Zimo, usually unfazed by public opinion, now felt shy—perhaps because Rain Xingyue was holding her hand. She kept her head lowered, staring at the ground the whole way.

After an hour’s walk, they reached the entrance of Lin Zimo’s building. Rain Xingyue released her hand, but to his surprise, Lin Zimo gripped his right hand tightly.

“We’re here, aren’t you going to let go?” Rain Xingyue asked.

“Well… I want you to walk me all the way to my door,” Lin Zimo murmured, her cheeks flushed and her voice barely above a whisper.