Her mouth was small, and her complexion was very good, rosy and full.
"You've arrived," Qu Yun began with this sentence.
"Are you disappointed?" You Ran's tone was quite sharp.
Qu Yun did not answer the question, but You Ran admitted that it was a smart move, because no matter what he said at this moment, he would be deliberately nitpicked.
Even if it were Rong Momo's needle, it would be useless if it pricked cotton. There would be no sense of accomplishment, and of course, no need to prick it again.
Then, You Ran's tone softened, "Last time, when I left, I tore off your button, so I came today to sew it back on for you."
"Oh," Qu Yun said, indicating that she understood.
Fortunately, it was just a small button to sew, so even though You Ran wasn't very skillful, she was still able to get the job done smoothly.
Holding a shirt and buttons in his left hand and a needle and thread in his right, the long, unruly white thread, led by the needle, twisted and turned, densely weaving itself into a dead end with no way out. The only possible escape was to be cut in half.
It may seem tragic, but who knows what it's thinking? Perhaps, its greatest happiness is simply being with the button.
One must know the joys and sorrows for oneself.
The work of sewing buttons is not much. You leisurely tie a knot in the thread, pick up the scissors and cut it. The button and the thread are forever entangled together.
"Look, not bad, right?" You Ran handed the shirt to Qu Yun.
"Yes." Qu Yun took the shirt, nodded, and then asked, "Are you still angry?"
“Getting angry won’t help, you won’t feel sorry for me,” You Ran said.
Qu Yun continued with the same policy—it's not wrong.
"I originally wanted to break up with you in a fit of anger, but after thinking about it carefully, I realized you would definitely agree without hesitation and use this opportunity to dump me, which would be a huge loss for me. So, I'll forgive you." You Ran put on a magnanimous act.
"Well then, thanks." Qu Yun smiled.
His smile was like that of an unfathomable beast, and of course, a very, very handsome one at that.
Next, the two went to the riverside road, ate some home-style dishes at a restaurant, and then went to the viewing platform to look at the river.
To be honest, the weather in December is really not suitable for going out. The wind is like a naughty child, always sticking its icy hands into people's collars, making people shrink back in fear.
As dusk settled, only the faint outlines of waves on the river surface could be seen, rippling gently yet coldly.
A roadside vendor was hawking small items. You Ran took a liking to a pair of gloves. There were three of them, and the middle one was for couples to wear together.
Doesn't this just make sneaking around and taking advantage of someone seem perfectly legitimate?
Without saying a word, You Ran rushed up and bought a set, then forced Qu Yun to put it on.
"I won't wear it," Qu Yunshang struggled.
"If you say another word, I'll push you into the river and give you a cold bath," You Ran threatened, her expression and tone making it very clear that she would do it.
So Qu Yun put it on anyway.
Inside the large glove in the middle, You Ran held Qu Yun's hand tightly.
Although it was a large block of ice, You Ran noticed that Qu Yun's hands were warm, like a small hand warmer.
You Ran felt better. There are fewer and fewer men like this who are handsome, can pay by credit card, and can also be used as a free hand warmer in winter. She couldn't let him go easily.
Wearing gloves allows her to confidently grip the railing, freeing her from worrying about her hairstyle.
She let her three thousand strands of hair fly freely, with a few even drifting to Qu Yun's cheek.
"Your hair is really long," Qu Yun said.
"Do you like long hair?" You Ran asked.
“Compared to hair that’s only an inch long, long hair is considered more feminine,” Qu Yun said.
“Then, I will grow my hair long for you from now on. If there is a fire, I will protect your hair first, not your face.” You Ran held Qu Yun’s hand in the glove even tighter.
Qu Yun's face, hidden in the deep darkness, remained serene and elegant: "Am I... really that important to you?"
"You're only finding out now?" You Ran rubbed her wind-blown hair against Qu Yun's clothes.
"Why me?" Qu Yun asked softly.
"What do you mean?" You Ran asked.
"I mean, why did you have to meet me?" Qu Yun's voice was very soft, so soft that it was almost blown away by the wind.
"Who knows?" You Ran paused, then countered, "I have a question too, why did you run into me?"
Qu Yun did not answer. His profile was like a sculpture, a relief, a noble relief in the black velvet air, pleasing to the eye.
"We've been blowing cold air so much it's almost made our brains go haywire." You Ran sniffed and moved closer to Qu Yun.
He was like a luminous being, drawing her, like a moth, forward.
The river water seemed to be frozen as well; the sound of the waves crashing against the shore was also stagnant, with a hardness, as if the muscles and bones were not obeying its commands.
"Qu Yun, are you like this with everyone?" You Ran asked. "Always standing aside like an observer, always so calm, as if nothing has anything to do with you."
“You hate me the way I am,” Qu Yun stated.
“Sometimes, it’s not just dislike, it’s hatred. I hate you for acting so indifferent when I’m so invested in the relationship. I really hate you,” You Ran said.
"Then why..." Qu Yun stopped there.
"Why should I stay with you?" You Ran brought her mouth and nose close to Qu Yun's chest, a gesture she liked because it allowed her to clearly smell his scent. "Because I'm stupid."
“If a very proactive man comes along in the future, perhaps…” Qu Yun didn’t finish his sentence because he knew that You Ran understood what he was saying.
“I think it’s you who will leave me in the future,” You Ran said.
"Things are unpredictable," Qu Yun said calmly.
"You don't even dare to make a vow," You Ran glared at him defiantly.
Qu Yun smiled and looked away, not wanting to steer the conversation back to their sensitive topic.
You Ran suddenly pulled her hand away from the glove they shared, exposing her pale hand to the cold air. She cupped her hands around her mouth and, facing the river, shouted with all her might, "Qu Yun, I love you! I will never leave you!!!"
The voice was loud and clear, without any hesitation or drama; it was simply earnest, persistent, and unwavering.
She wore a fluffy scarf that wrapped around her face, making her look like a kitten in the cold wind, her nose red from the cold, which made her look pitiful.
But her eyes, reflecting the cool river water, shone with a resolute light: "You dare not say it, but I dare."
After saying that, You Ran continued to shout her vow towards the river, over and over again: "Qu Yun, I love you, I will never leave you!!!"
The sound echoed on the viewing dam, attracting the attention of many, but You Ran seemed completely oblivious, stubbornly telling her heart's secrets to the river.
Qu Yun's eyes were like the river tonight, deep, cold, and gentle, with light and scattered waves silently lapping against the table.
And so, You Ran kept shouting until her throat became hoarse before she stopped.
She took a few breaths, turned to Qu Yun, and asked, "Did you understand?"
Qu Yun nodded, a faint flower petal tucked between his lips: "Not only did I understand, but Ms. Chen Jie from our department, who just passed by, probably understood as well."
These words struck like a thunderbolt, shattering You Ran's courage and leaving her utterly bewildered.
The faculty members found out?!
You Ran quickly checked the direction Qu Yun was pointing and decided to rush over and chase after the teacher.
Upon closer inspection, she realized she had been tricked. You Ran was about to confront him when she turned around and bumped into a pair of soft lips.
In other words, Qu Yun stole a kiss from her.
After a moment of surprise, You Ran closed her eyes and savored the rare kiss once more.
This time, Qu Yun's mouth tasted minty, full of minty flavor.
In the midst of that passionate kiss, You Ran heard Qu Yun whisper: "You're so cute tonight."
Although it wasn't the vow she wanted him to make, it was already very rare for Qu Yun to say such a thing to her on his own initiative.
You Ran was very content.
Since Xiaomi can handle Da Xiong, one day she will be able to handle Qu Yun as well.
You Ran made this vow.
This was the eleventh lesson Qu Yun taught her—rewards, which were given occasionally.
Although, it's still a little short of what You Ran wants.
[Lesson 12] My Aunt's Uncle Does Exist
You Ran would never have given up until Qu Yun said those words.
So she turned to her powerful mistress for help, and even if things didn't go well, she managed to complete the impossible task for Big Bear.
"Do you only want to hear one sentence?" Xiaomi asked.
You Ran told him that, given Qu Yun's strange temper, it would be quite a feat if he could utter even half a sentence that she wanted to hear.
"That's easy, considering you studied psychology." Xiao Mi scoffed.
Youran told him to release the hydrogen sulfide as soon as possible.
So, her mistress whispered a suggestion in her ear, and then, You Ran's lips couldn't help but curl upwards, and she smiled like a cat that had just stolen some fish.
The next day, Saturday, at Qu Yun's house.
I was relaxing on the sofa, watching TV with Qu Yun.
Before long, Qu Yun noticed that You Ran was acting very strangely today, for example—
"Qu Yun, do you love this man's watch?" You Ran asked.
"It's alright." Qu Yun didn't seem to care much.
"Just tell me whether you love me or not," You Ran corrected.
"It's just a watch, does it really need to be a matter of love?" Qu Yun asked.
"Just answer my questions, okay? You're usually so concise, why are you asking so many questions today? Let's do it again, do you like the watch that man on TV is wearing or not?" You Ran was unusually persistent about this question.
To avoid further harassment from her, Qu Yun gave her answer: "I don't love her."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a sharp pain shot through his scalp—You Ran swiftly ripped a hair from his head.
"May I ask what you're doing?" Qu Yun slightly lifted her eyelids.