Chapter 172 - I like you

Since everyone was drunk last night they had to suffer a tremendous hangover the next morning. Thus they departed late. On their way back they decided to visit the village market as well. As a result the time they reached the pier it was already evening.

When they reached the pier Ning Tan got a call from her parents telling her that her grandfather was ill and she needs to come back home. So she didn't waste time and left for her home from there after bidding Yuerui and Yefang goodbye.

Yuerui and Yefang were left alone.

Since they came there by bus, their way back to the dorm was also bus. And it was getting darker. So they didn't waste any time and went to the bus stop.

But unfortunately, every bus was crowded with people. In order to get a comfortable journey, they had been waiting for a bus with fewer people for a long time. Later, when they were tired of waiting they decided to hop on the next bus even if it is crowded.

Even though Yuerui wished to have a seat on the bus, but all she got was another crowded bus. Since they had no other options, they took that bus.

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Since the bus was crowded, Yuerui decided to stand near the door where she could at least breathe. Even though she found a good place to stand but she was still feeling uncomfortable. Because all the people standing near the door were male. Yuerui had heard the news of girls being molested on the bus many times. And it mostly happens at night. She looked around the people and she could see those strange people staring at her. In the crowd of people, Yuerui hardly could see any female.

The continuous bumping of the bus was making it even harder for her to stay calm.

"Can't the driver drive a little slow?' she thought.

She had to put all her strength in her arms which was holding the pillar next to her.

In her uncomfortable situation, Yuerui had to hide behind the broad shoulder of Han Yefang who was standing turning on the other side.

While Yefang was standing with his serious, grumpy face, suddenly he felt the warm breathing of Yuerui falling on his back. He looked behind and saw her trying to hide behind him. He didn't say anything. He just casually turned towards her and raised his two hands blocking her surroundings.

.

When the surprised Yuerui raised her head and looked at his face he whispered sarcastically, 'Those people really stink. You don't wanna smell them."

Yuerui didn't say anything. She just chuckled silently. 

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At the next stop, some of the people get off the bus and they finally got a seat near the door. It was not a window, but at least they got a seat. Yefang told her to take the seat hurriedly and she silently went there and took the seat.

Yuerui and Yefang both had their individual bag packs. When Yuerui sat on the seat she put her bag on her lap and told Yefang to give her his bag so that he can stand comfortably.

Since now Yefang had been busy listening to music in his earphone. Suddenly his eyes fell on Yuerui. She did not look comfortable.

Even though she got to take a seat but the person standing next to her was not looking like a good person. He was constantly trying to touch Yuerui. Either by putting his hand on the back of her seat so that he can touch her neck or pretending to fall on her when the bus shakes.

He put down his earphone and said to Yuerui with a loud voice, "Hey, Yuerui is the bag very heavy? You can give it back to me."

The sound of his 'Hey!' was so loud that both Yuerui and the pervert were startled.

"No, it's not heavy. It's alright." Yuerui replied.

Han Yefang came close to her and said to the pervert, "Can you move a little, brother?" he asked politely.

But the pervert didn't move. He just looked at him.

He didn't say anything. He gave him a smile and pushed him in a manner as if he is making space for other people and took his spot.

"Mai Yuerui, do you have water? Mine is finished and I am so thirsty." He said casually.

It's been a while that Yefang had made a right on Yuerui's water. He asks her casually and Yuerui also feels delighted to give him.

"You finished your water? You want me to believe that? Have you ever bothered to bring water with you lately?" Yuerui replied as she handed him the bottle.

"Why bother when you are here." He casually replied and drank water.

This casual reply was again successful to make Yuerui feel something new.

She didn't look at him when she took the bottle back and put it back in the bag.

After that, they started to talk about casual stuff. On the whole bus, only their conversation could be heard.

No one saw that while they were talking Yefang had been grasping the hand of that pervert with such a force that almost blocked the blood flow of his hand. When the pervert was wailing silently he gave him an oddly cold expression and returned to his talk. Because that pervert still didn't stop his attitude.

After some time, the person sitting beside Yuerui had reached his spot. So when he prepared to stand up Yuerui looked at Yefang to tell him to sit beside her. But before she could tell him that person said to Yefang, "This seat is yours, brother." He gave him a mischievous smile and left.

Not only him every people on the bus toom them as a couple.

Yefang didn't say anything. He silently took the seat.

After they get off from the bus, Yefang walked her towards her dorm and bid her good night before leaving.

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After that day, Yuerui and Yefang became more close to each other. They would keep seats for each other in the class as well as on the bus. Even though He, Yuerui, and Ning Tan hang out together but the two of them had their own world. They didn't admit it, but it existed.

Soon people started to talk about them. But every time anyone asked her she would tell it's nothing and he is just a friend. Because she also was not sure about her feelings and named their relationship as friendship.

Time soon fled and their semester came to an end. Yuerui had so many plans for her semester break. She didn't plan to return very soon. She wanted to spend time with her friends along with Yefang.

But suddenly Yefang started to behave differently. He would not talk much to her. He became a little distant. They didn't even wish hello to each other during their exams.

Yuerui became a little upset. But she never took the initiative to talk to him at first. With a long heart, she returned home.

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In the new semester, Yuerui decided to take another new course in mathematics. But this time she was not able to convince any of her friends.

Since last semester, Yuerui and Shu Ren had been having quite a good amount of conversation. Yuerui had been feeling sorry for her inwardly. So she first approached her with good intentions. They are not friends but good classmates. Since her friends were not available Yuerui had to ask Shu Ren. But she was not available as well. So in the end she had to apply alone.

She took it as a new experience to face the world alone.

But to her surprise, she found Han Yefang in the same class.

"You are also taking this course?" Yuerui asked him.

"Yes. I didn't know you were here." He said.

"Why? Would you have not come if you knew?" she asked sarcastically.

"Why would I?"

"I am just saying."

This way they again started to keep contact but not like before. They would meet in the class and say goodbye in the class.

One day, after class, Yefang asked her to hang out with him.

"Hey, Mai Yuerui, do you wanna hang out somewhere?" he asked with a little nervous face.

"Sure. Let me call Tantan. She has no class today." Yuerui said with a smile.

"It's been a while since we three went out together." She said as she was looking for her phone.

"No…" Yefang nervously replied.

Yuerui looked at him surprisingly.

"I… mean just the two of us. I have something to tell you." Yefang said nervously.

Even though Yuerui had been friends with Yefang for so much time. But she has never gone out with him alone. There has always been her, Yefang, and Ning Tan together.

Actually, Yuerui had never gone out with any boy other than her family members.

So when Yefang said to go out just the two of them Yuerui became nervous. She didn't know if she should go? Due to her inner anxiety, she decided to reject him. But deep down inside she knew, she wanted to say yes.

"Umm… what do you wanna say? You can tell me now?" she replied.

"It's not a good place."

"Umm… then how about on our way to the bus?" she suggested.

"Um… No…" Yuerui could feel that he was not feeling comfortable to say it here."

"Actually I just remembered, I have to do my laundry today. So I think I will not be able to go today." Yuerui made an excuse.

"Oh… then you go on. I will tell you later." He replied.

"Okay. Then let's go get the bus."

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Today the students of the Arts faculty arranged a festival to exhibit their creative works. So it was pretty crowded outside.

As they were going ahead outside the varsity area they were being pushed by the crowd. Yuerui had to use the hands as a shield to block the wave of people. But our little cat was hardly able to save herself. Suddenly Yefang came close to her. He held her by his left hand and used his right hand to block the crowd thus protected her.

He had never come this close to her before. She could smell the faint minty smell of his perfume which tingled her nose.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"Mmm…" she nodded.

Thus they get to reach the bus stop.

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After that day, Yefang again asked her out. But Yuerui made another excuse and left early.

"Is he asking me for a date?"

"Does he have any feelings for me?" she wondered.

Since then Yefang didn't ask her again and Yuerui also didn't bring that subject because she didn't want to say 'No' to him.

Since the previous trauma has left an influence on her, she is afraid to tangling herself with any boy in a romantic relationship. Besides, another reason for her to not get involved in any relationship is her father. He is straight against any romantic relationship before marriage.

Since she knows that she will eventually reject him, it's better if this subject is not discussed further. Her one 'No' will result her to lose a friend which she does not want.

Some days later…..

Yuerui had a presentation in her department. She didn't have any other class that day. While she was preparing for her turn she got a message from Yefang.

"I came to your department and wanted to say 'hi' to you. Can we meet now?" he messaged.

She didn't message him. She called him instead.

"Hey!"

"I wanted to come. But actually, I have a presentation to present now. I am so sorry." She said apologetically.

"Oh… so, where are you?"

"In the seminar." She replied.

"Okay then, cool. Bye." He cut the call.

"Who were you talking with, Mai Yuerui?" Shu Ren asked her from behind.

"A friend." She replied with a smile.

"But your expression didn't tell that it was a friend. Are you seeing someone?" she asked with excitement.

"No... I am not seeing anyone. He is just a friend." Yuerui tried to clarify.

"O… If you see someone, don't forget to tell me, please? I really wanna know how my brother-in-law will look like." Shu Ren teased her.

"What rubbish are you saying? Brother-in-law? You went too far." Yuerui couldn't but blushed.

After saying her goodbye Shu Ren went for her presentation.

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Shu Ren and Yuerui had quite a big gap in between their rolls. Yuerui's turn came much later after Shu Ren.

It was her first presentation at such a big seminar. Her heart squeezed due to her anxiety. Her hands became sweaty. She had to rub her hands on her clothes to make them dry.

She slowly took her steps and reached before the board. As she turned to face the professors and the students she started to feel a slight difficulty to breathe.

As she was having trouble to control her emotions her eyes fell on the door. It suddenly opened and Han Yefang entered the seminar.

Today's presentation was open to all. That's why students of other departments were welcomed to join them.

Han Yefang looked at her and gave her a gentle smile. He cheered her silently. Yuerui couldn't read his lips due to distance but as he came closer to the seats she could see the look on his eyes. It was assuring her to not be afraid. He was assuring her that he was with her.

With his silent support, Yuerui managed to gather her courage and thus was able to finish her presentation.

After her turn, she was embraced by her two friends. Only they knew how messed up Yuerui was before her presentation.

While her friends were hugging her, Yuerui tried to peep outside the seating area. But she could not find Yefang.

Yuerui went outside the seminar but she could not found him outside as well.

Later that day, Yuerui was leisurely scrolling her social media account, and her friends were gone to do laundry. When Yuerui went to get some snacks, her phone chimed in. it was a message from Yefang.

"You were amazing today."

As soon as she saw the message she called him.

"Where were you gone today? I looked for you but you weren't there. Your phone was off too." She said.

"You were great today. I didn't want to spoil your mood"

"How can you spoil my mood.?" Yuerui said with a smile.

"Actually Yuerui, I have been wanting to tell you something for a while. But I didn't get any chance. Now… I really can't take it anymore."

Yuerui realized the time has finally arrived. The thing that she delayed all this time has now come in front of her.

Yuerui didn't say anything.

A long silence prolonged for some time.

After a moment Han Yefang finally confessed,

"Mai Yuerui, I like you."

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