Chapter 11: The Heiress Campus Beauty and the Illegitimate Son School Bully
Song Qian blinked, her eyes hazy at first, as if she could not quite grasp the source of that strange sensation.
Xiao Yi’s gaze remained locked onto hers, the affection within it so intense it seemed ready to overflow. His heart thundered against his ribs like a drum. He parted his lips slightly, yet found no words to begin. Song Qian, meanwhile, tilted her head, her clear, innocent eyes wide with confusion. She watched him, puzzled by his sudden demeanor, and felt a shy flush creep across her cheeks under his scorching stare. With her hands nervously twisting the hem of her shirt, she asked softly, her expression full of bewilderment, "What is wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Hearing her concerned, naive inquiry, a bitter, helpless smile tugged at Xiao Yi’s lips, though his love for her only deepened. He shook his head slowly, his hands remaining steady on her waist. His eyes grew deeper and more focused, as if he meant to pour his very soul into hers. Leaning in to close the distance between them so she could feel the gravity of his intent, he spoke in a voice both gentle and firm, "It is not my body that is unwell; it is my heart that has been thrown into disarray—because of you. You are like a breeze that blew into my life when I was least prepared, stirring up all my thoughts. I was just thinking how much I wish you could understand the love in my eyes when I look at you, and how much I wish you knew that you have become an irreplaceable presence in my life."
Xiao Yi’s confession landed like a bombshell, churning the calm lake of Song Qian’s heart into a raging sea. Her mind went blank. Instinctively, she spun around, the hem of her skirt tracing a frantic arc, and fled like a startled fawn. Her steps were unsteady, as if every stride were an attempt to escape the overwhelming heat of his emotions. She pressed her hands tightly over her ears, as if that could shield her from the turmoil and confusion rising within.
Watching her retreating figure, a bitter smile touched Xiao Yi’s lips. His heart felt as though it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, and a dull ache spread through his chest. "Indeed," he mocked himself silently, "in my current state, how could I ever offer her a stable life or happiness?" His impulsive confession, he feared, had only brought her distress. He knew all too well the obstacles and burdens currently standing between them, a chasm that felt impossible to bridge. He slowly crouched down, burying his face in his hands, his eyes filled with loss and uncertainty. "Perhaps this is fate’s warning to stop me from indulging in such delusions, yet how can I simply let go of this love?"
Song Qian burst into her dormitory and collapsed onto her bed, the panic within her rising like a surging tide. She squeezed her eyes shut and urgently summoned the narrative system in her mind. "System, what should I do? He confessed, and I just ran away like a fool. My mind went completely blank; I had no idea how to respond. Now I am filled with regret. Have I ruined everything? I want to find him, but I am terrified to face him. I am not even sure if what I feel for him is true love or just a fleeting moment of being moved. Please, help me. Tell me how to fix my mistake. I do not want to lose him like this, but I do not know how to take the first step."
After a moment of silence, the system’s melodic voice echoed in her mind: "Calm yourself first; avoidance will not solve the problem. Perhaps you could try sending him a message, sincerely apologizing for your reaction, and then ask to meet him for a proper conversation. Before you see him, you must search your heart and be certain of your feelings. Do not act on impulse again."
Hearing this, Song Qian took a deep breath and slowly sat up. She picked up her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen.