Chapter 100: A Heartfelt Confession

The confession scene, arranged by the planning department, was not only simple but also imbued with a touch of romance.

The open space beneath the girls’ dormitory was filled with flowers, arranged in neat rows of vibrant colors. In the center was a clearing large enough to hold about ten people, with a pathway leading to the dorm entrance, and another path prepared for Xia Dong Ren to enter the central area.

At that moment, the wedding planner’s host stepped into the clearing, took the microphone, tested it twice to ensure it was working, and then announced, “Good afternoon, everyone. Today, I have the honor of witnessing a couple coming together under my hosting.”

Suddenly, Liu Sheng, feeling playful, shouted loudly from the crowd, “What if the girl says no?”

His words sparked laughter from all the students present. Many girls in the dormitory peeked out from their windows, calling out, “It’s okay! If the girl being confessed to refuses, I’ll come down and say yes!” “Me too!” “Count me in!”

Hearing the girls’ shouts, Xiao Jia couldn’t hold back and said, “Xia Dong Ren, after you’re done, remember to lend me this spot—I need to settle my single status today!”

The host spoke again, “I wonder which charming girl has captured the heart of this thoughtful young man. Since he’s put so much effort into this, let’s not rush. The young man even invited a famous local band to entertain us. Shall we start with a song from our band?”

“Sure!” The students cheered as the band’s music began to play. After the prelude, the lead singer started:

“Lonely souls from the North, here we meet, two lonely ghosts from the North...”

As the song ended, the host, voice soft and full of emotion, said, “These two people are like the lyrics: both lonely souls from the North, yet they met here in the South. Though their cities are close, they chose to meet a thousand miles away. Now, I’ll hand the stage over to today’s suitor.”

The crowd erupted in cheers, but Xia Dong Ren hesitated, trembling with nervousness. He whispered to Liu Sheng, “I can’t... I’m too nervous... What should I do? Maybe... maybe you go up for me?”

Liu Sheng pushed him forward, saying, “Save that line for your wedding night. I won’t back down then—after all, we’re brothers!”

As Liu Sheng nudged Xia Dong Ren to the center, the host took the microphone and said, “Looks like our young man is a bit nervous. Let’s give him a round of applause, everyone!”

At the window, Tian Yun’s eyes welled with tears. The girl beside her whispered, “Isn’t that the guy who chats with you every day? You’re so lucky!”

Tian Yun wiped her eyes and said, “Hey, we’ve only known each other a few days. Maybe the confession is for another girl.”

The host handed the microphone to Xia Dong Ren and stepped aside. Liu Sheng was about to leave but was grabbed by Xia Dong Ren, who said, “I’m nervous; stay by my side, okay?”

Because Xia Dong Ren held the microphone, everyone heard it, prompting laughter once more. Even Tian Yun upstairs laughed.

“Come on! Are you serious? If you can’t do it, I’ll go!” Xiao Jia shouted from the crowd.

After that, all the boys started to cheer, saying, “I can do it!” “I’ll step in for you!”

Liu Sheng looked at Xia Dong Ren and said, “Come on, I’ll stand right next to you. This is your lifetime happiness, and something you owe someone.”

“Owe someone?” Xia Dong Ren asked.

Liu Sheng quickly explained, “I’m just kidding. Hurry up and start! I’ve got a surprise for you later.”

The reason Liu Sheng said this was that before Xia Dong Ren’s return, he and Tian Yun had met through a matchmaking setup and, inexplicably, ended up together. So Xia Dong Ren owed Tian Yun a romantic confession.

Xia Dong Ren took out the prepared note, trembling as he held the microphone. Clearing his throat, he began:

“My name is Xia Dong Ren, from a northern city called Xinghai. The girl I’m confessing to today is Tian Yun. She’s from a northern city named Yizhou, just over a hundred kilometers from where I live—very close. But in my nineteen years, I’ve never seen her. I’m grateful to come to this university because it brought me to Tian Yun.”

He suddenly paused and looked at Liu Sheng, asking, “Is this okay?”

“What? You’re not confessing to me, so why ask me?” Liu Sheng was baffled by such a question at this moment, and incredulously retorted.

Of course, their exchange was picked up by the microphone and broadcast through the speakers, causing the students to laugh once again. Upstairs, Tian Yun was already crying, deeply moved. Xia Dong Ren was her first love, and she had always believed in either not loving at all or loving wholeheartedly. This was the first time a boy had moved her to tears.

Xia Dong Ren cleared his throat again and continued:

“Tian Yun, that day on the playground, the first person who noticed you wasn’t me—it was Liu Sheng.”

“Damn, why are you talking about me?” Liu Sheng was stunned. Could there really be a third party in a love confession?

“Don’t interrupt. I just built up my emotions,” Xia Dong Ren said, prompting another round of laughter. Even through her tears, Tian Yun laughed—a laugh born from joy amidst tears.

“Alright, I’ll continue. That day, after Liu Sheng saw you, he grabbed me by the collar and asked, ‘What do you think of that girl?’ At first, I thought he wanted to pursue you. Later, I realized he thought you were perfect for me...”

At this, Liu Sheng couldn’t hold back. He snatched the note from Xia Dong Ren’s hand, flipping through it and muttering, “Can you write something useful for once?” After reaching the last page, he said, “Just read the last page!”

The students were laughing so hard they could barely breathe. Xia Dong Ren continued, holding the microphone:

“I’m no poet like Liu Sheng. I wanted him to write this for me, but it wouldn’t be right. It’s my confession, and my words are limited—please bear with me.”

He cleared his throat once more and went on:

“Tian Yun, from the moment I first saw you, you captured my whole heart. I imagine you sitting beside me during meals, in class, even when I’m asleep...”

At this, Liu Sheng quickly grabbed the microphone, his expression a mix of amusement and embarrassment.

Seeing the students doubled over in laughter, Liu Sheng called out to the girls’ dormitory, “Hello, Tian Yun! Xia Dong Ren may not be eloquent, but he hasn’t slept since last night just to write this confession. If you’re willing to be with him, please shout out loud that you accept.”

“Not true! He didn’t sleep last night because he was gaming with me all night!” Xia Dong Ren’s words left Liu Sheng speechless—hopeless, really.

Amid the students’ laughter, Tian Yun’s voice suddenly rang out: “I accept!”

Liu Sheng thought to himself, “How blind can you be to like Xia Dong Ren? I guess love makes fools of us all.”

Xia Dong Ren jumped up, shouting, “Wow!” Then he yelled at Xiao Jia, “See, success in a confession has nothing to do with ability or talent—it’s all about looks!”

Xiao Jia immediately frowned and retorted, “Are you saying I’m ugly?”

Liu Sheng quickly shouted back at Xiao Jia, “None of that matters; it’s all about true sincerity!”

At that moment, Tian Yun ran down and stopped at the dorm entrance. She covered her mouth tightly, trying not to make a sound, but tears streamed down her face.

Xia Dong Ren opened his arms wide, and Tian Yun ran into them, burying herself in his embrace. He held her tightly, and finally, Tian Yun’s sobs broke free, loud and clear. The band began to play the opening song again.

Liu Sheng teased, “Kiss her!”

The students joined in, chanting, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

Xia Dong Ren cupped Tian Yun’s face and kissed her deeply, lingering without any sign of stopping. Liu Sheng joked, “Enough already! Do you have to kiss her until she can’t breathe?”

Afterwards, Xia Dong Ren and Tian Yun stopped kissing but stayed embraced. Tian Yun’s expression was a mix of laughter and tears—whether crying or smiling, it was all happiness.

Tian Yun hadn’t spoken, but Liu Sheng picked up the microphone and teased, “Wait, Tian Yun gave her first kiss to Xia Dong Ren!?”

The crowd gasped again. Tian Yun suddenly asked, “How do you know that?!”

Xia Dong Ren was stunned. If that was her first kiss, it was both a surprise and a delight. He felt like he had found a treasure and vowed to never leave Tian Yun’s side, no matter what happened—even at the cost of his own life.

Liu Sheng was caught off guard by Tian Yun’s question. If he hadn’t traveled back in time, he wouldn’t know about her first love or first kiss. Scrambling for an answer, he said, “I could tell from the way you kissed just now.”

Liu Sheng and Xia Dong Ren couldn’t stop talking without making the students burst into laughter again. Then, Old Nine in the crowd finally spoke up, “Damn it! Such a touching confession turned into a comedy show because of you two!”

Liu Sheng picked up the microphone and announced, “I have a surprise for you all!” Then he shouted to the sky, “Come out!”

Soon, a hot air balloon floated gently into view. The students gasped in amazement as it landed in the clearing.

Liu Sheng tilted his head, signaling the couple to board. Xia Dong Ren lifted Tian Yun into the basket, and once aboard, he said to Liu Sheng, “I know you’ve never been on a hot air balloon either. Want to give it a shot?”

Liu Sheng shook his head but then, seeing the balloon take off, suddenly sprinted and jumped aboard.

Xia Dong Ren looked down, incredulous. “Are you serious? I was just being polite! How did you actually get on?”

Liu Sheng laughed heartily, saying casually, “You can’t refuse such a warm invitation!”