Enamorarse del diablo

Capítulo 8

"Tiancheng University?" Lin Xiang read it aloud. That was a very prestigious university. It was called Tiancheng because it implied that the students who entered the school were as smart as geniuses. It was ranked first in the country in terms of popularity and was a university that many high school students could only dream of. It was also the lifelong dream of many students.

“But…” Lin Xiang hesitated slightly. Actually, Lin Xiang didn’t want to go to university. He just wanted to finish high school and then spend the rest of his time with his mother.

Yang Yingying chimed in, "It's settled then. When we fill out college applications in a few days, Tiancheng University will be our first choice. As for the tuition, don't worry, my parents will help."

Seeing Yang Yingying's innocent face, Lin Xiang couldn't bear to refuse. Tiancheng University was something that was out of reach for Lin Xiang when he was young!

"Oh!" Lin Xiang responded softly, without saying anything more.

In the days that followed, when filling out the forms, Lin Xiang hesitated when he looked at the first column. After a moment's thought, remembering his promise to Yingmei, he still filled in Tiancheng University. Lin Xiang smiled and didn't care about the university, because he didn't fill in the second and third columns for his preferred schools.

Lin Xiang didn't have any hope and forgot about it afterward. Then, the results came out, but Lin Xiang didn't go back to school to check the results. His classmates came to tell him that he found out.

That day, Lin Xiang was talking to his mother at the hospital when his classmates suddenly rushed in, panting. Lin Xiang was surprised and wondered what had happened to make his classmates so nervous.

Yang Yingying spoke first, "Brother Xiang, it's...it's on..."

Hearing Yang Yingying's breathless words, Lin Xiang asked in confusion, "Slept with? Slept with what?"

Fang Yetong answered quickly from the side, "Yang Yingying is saying that you were admitted to Tiancheng University and that your grades are excellent with six A's."

Upon hearing this news, Lin Xiang was at a loss for words, never expecting that he would actually pass the exam.

Lin Xiang smiled and replied, "Oh."

Then he said to his mother, "Mom, did you hear that? Xiang'er got into Tiancheng University..."

Lin Xiang happily told his mother the news, then turned around and asked, "How is it? How about you guys?"

The students smiled mysteriously. "Guess?"

"Hahaha..." Everyone smiled at each other, understanding each other without saying a word.

It seems they all passed the exams. The class ranked first in the whole school, meaning the students admitted to Tiancheng University accounted for the largest proportion. This made the beautiful teacher very happy.

Next was the graduation party. When the students received their admission notices from Tiancheng University, they celebrated wildly, singing and dancing all night long. Lin Xiang left early because it was the high school graduation party that night. Lin Xiang and Master Chen asked for leave and went straight to the hospital after leaving the school.

Upon entering the ward, Lin Xiang saw a familiar figure from behind. He stepped forward, and the person, hearing footsteps, turned around in surprise and asked, "Brother Xiang, why are you back so early?"

"Yuanmei, what are you doing here?" Lin Xiang asked in surprise.

Chen Yuanyuan smiled and said, "I heard from my dad that you got into Tiancheng University. So, as soon as I got home from school for the holidays, I came straight here to congratulate you. I didn't expect you to be back so soon."

Looking at Chen Yuanyuan's radiant smile, so beautiful it was breathtaking, and having not seen her for so long, Lin Xiang was speechless with emotion. Yuanyuan's angelic beauty was incredibly captivating, and Lin Xiang felt embarrassed, blushing as he stood to the side, unsure of what to say!

Chen Yuanyuan spoke first, and the two chatted about everyday things. Chen Yuanyuan was all smiles. When Lin Xiang saw Chen Yuanyuan off, the hospital returned to silence. Lin Xiang looked at his mother and felt a surge of emotion: "Mom, when will you wake up?" Lin Xiang choked up as he leaned over the hospital bed.

Outside the window, the bright moon shines softly; what should I do tomorrow?

Please see the next installment: A Deliberate Plan, The Tomb of the Qin Emperor.

The Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, Volume 1: Life's Encounters, Chapter 21: A Deliberate Plan, The Tomb of Qin Shi Huang

Chapter word count: 2218 Update time: 08-02-29 17:51

Summer vacation passed by uneventfully.

That day, Lu Xiangxiang suddenly came to find Lin Xiang. Lin Xiang was puzzled because he hadn't seen Lu Xiangxiang during the summer vacation and wondered what she had been busy with lately.

Seeing Lu Xiangxiang walk in alone, Lin Xiang quickly picked up a chair and set it down. After Lu Xiangxiang sat down, Lin Xiang was surprised to find that she had dark circles under her eyes. He jokingly asked, "Beautiful lady, do you stay up late every day? Girls aren't pretty if they have dark circles under their eyes!"

Lu Xiangxiang didn't reply, but instead buried her head as if she was thinking about something. Suddenly, she looked up and asked, "Lin Xiang, I want to ask you for a favor?"

"What is it?" Lin Xiang had never seen Lu Xiangxiang, the most beautiful girl in his class, speak so seriously and solemnly. He was shocked and realized that his tone had been a bit harsh.

Lu Xiangxiang still didn't answer Lin Xiang's question. Instead, she turned to look at her aunt and stared at her for a long time before slowly saying, "Lin Xiang, could you accompany me to the rooftop for a walk? I want to see the world properly!"

Huh! What's wrong with Lu Xiangxiang today? Something feels off, Lin Xiang wondered to himself, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong.

Seeing the irresistible look in Lu Xiangxiang's eyes, Lin Xiang smiled and said, "Of course! Let's go! Let's go to the rooftop and see the world!"

After saying that, he pulled up the thin sheet to cover his mother, then opened the door and walked ahead.

The elevator continued to ascend, and the two remained silent.

With a crisp "ding," the elevator doors slowly opened, and Lu Xiangxiang stepped out first. Lin Xiang followed behind her. Lin Xiang couldn't understand why the atmosphere was so oppressive today, like a gloomy sky about to unleash a continuous drizzle, making people feel very uncomfortable.

The elevator only goes to the top floor, and the floor above that is the rooftop. To get to the rooftop, you need to walk up one flight of stairs. Lin Xiang followed behind silently, thinking, "This must be the thirtieth floor! The rooftop is the thirty-first floor. What kind of world can you see from such a high place?" Lin Xiang was full of questions, but he could only put them aside for now and consider other things.

As the iron gate opened, a bright light appeared before him, and Lin Xiang felt a sense of relief, realizing that the light gave him a completely different feeling! His mood gradually broadened along with the light.

The magnificent and beautiful cityscape before him had already left Lin Xiang in awe.

On the rooftop, the wind was quite strong, but Lu Xiangxiang was not afraid and kept walking forward until she reached the edge of the rooftop before stopping.

Lin Xiang was horrified to see Lu Xiangxiang looking down at the world below. What if something happened to her? Seeing Lu Xiangxiang's gloomy expression, he was really afraid that she had come up here to commit suicide. Lin Xiangxiang quickly stepped forward and supported Lu Xiangxiang's shoulders.

Lu Xiangxiang turned and nestled into Lin Xiang's arms, softly murmuring, "Lin Xiang!"

Lin Xiang quickly hugged Lu Xiangxiang, looking down at the beauty in his arms. Out of the corner of his eye, he thought, "Oh my god! There's a sheer cliff right next to us, as high as the clouds. If we fall, we'll be sent to hell and shattered to pieces."

Lin Xiang couldn't help but tighten his grip on Lu Xiangxiang, gently replying, "Hmm, what's wrong? Is something bothering you?"

Lu Xiangxiang closed her eyes and after a long while, she slowly said, "Lin Xiang, I want to fulfill my wish. Would you be willing to help me?"

"A wish?" Lin Xiang was surprised. He knew that Lu Xiangxiang's wish was not small; it was almost impossible to fulfill. Everyone knew that Lu Xiangxiang's wish was to visit the Qin Emperor's Mausoleum, which she had made nineteen times. For some reason, Lin Xiang still had a premonition that Lu Xiangxiang was born for the Qin Emperor's Mausoleum.

Although Lin Xiang knew this, he still hoped he had misjudged the situation, so he asked softly, "Wish?"

Lu Xiangxiang opened her eyes and stared at Lin Xiang without blinking. Lin Xiang smiled and said, "Of course! I will definitely help you with something so important to you!"

Lu Xiangxiang turned her gaze to the outside world, to the vast sky and towering buildings, and sighed, "If I said I wanted to enter the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, would you still agree?"

As expected, Lin Xiang's guess was entirely correct. For a long, long time...

Lu Xiangxiang shifted her gaze to Lin Xiang's eyes. Lin Xiang frowned, then let out a soft sigh and said, "Of course, I said I would help you!"

Lu Xiangxiang smiled and hugged Lin Xiang back, saying, "You're so kind! Although I feel a little sorry for your aunt, it won't take up much of your time."

At this moment, what else could Lin Xiang say? His earlier contemplation was only about his mother. If he went to help, he would have to leave her for a while. But when he thought about how Lu Xiangxiang had always been good to him and often came to the Lin family to chat with Lin Xiang's mother, he realized that Lin Xiang had made friends with these people a long time ago. If anyone needed help, Lin Xiang would do his best to lend a hand.

"It's settled then. Come to my house the day after tomorrow morning. We have something to discuss."

"Okay!" Lin Xiang responded softly, then put his arm around Lu Xiangxiang and left the rooftop, saying, "Let's go!"

Lin Xiang was genuinely afraid that Lu Xiangxiang had come up to commit suicide. Not understanding the situation, he decided to leave first.

Lu Xiangxiang didn't say anything more, but followed Lin Xiang back to the elevator and then back to her mother's ward.

"Yingmei! When did you arrive?" Lin Xiang asked.

Hearing the sound, Yang Yingying turned around and saw Lin Xiang embracing a beautiful woman. The woman was also nestled in Lin Xiang's arms, making them look like a couple deeply in love. What was even more infuriating was that the woman in Lin Xiang's arms was actually her biggest rival in love, Lu Xiangxiang.

Yang Yingying felt a surge of inexplicable anger and glared at Lin Xiang and Lu Xiangxiang.

Only then did Lin Xiang realize his mistake. He quickly helped Lu Xiangxiang up and was about to step forward to explain when Yang Yingying stomped her foot and stormed out the door.

"Yingmei... Yingmei..." Lin Xiang kept calling out, but when he chased her to the door, there was no one there. He was at a loss and looked back at Lu Xiangxiang.

Lu Xiangxiang smiled and said, "Hurry up and chase after them!"

Upon hearing Lu Xiangxiang's words, Lin Xiang didn't hesitate any longer and quickly ran out the door to chase after her.

Lu Xiangxiang's smile faded, a wave of desolation washing over her. She lowered her head and gently held Lin Xiang's mother's hand by the bedside, saying sadly, "Auntie, Xiang'er has nothing left now. What should I do?" She murmured to herself, her voice so soft that she didn't even know what she was saying. Then she wiped away her tears, stood up, looked at Lin Xiang's mother, and left.

The Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, Volume One: Life's Encounters, Chapter Twenty-Two: Going to Great Lengths for Friends

Chapter word count: 2049 Update time: 08-02-29 17:51

Lin Xiang kept chasing her until he finally caught up with Yang Yingying on the street.

Seeing Lin Xiang blocking her way, panting heavily, and recalling what had just happened, Yang Yingying stomped her feet in anger, ignoring Lin Xiang completely and walking around him.

"Yingmei, you...you have to let me explain!" Lin Xiang chased after her again.

"What's there to explain? I saw it all!" Yang Yingying said angrily without stopping.

"Just now... just now it wasn't what you imagined." Lin Xiang followed beside Yang Yingying. When this question came up, he really didn't know how to answer. Should he just say that Lu Xiangxiang threw herself into his arms? If he said that directly, Yang Yingying would definitely throw a tantrum.

Yang Yingying suddenly stopped and turned to look at Lin Xiang, saying loudly, "I saw it all, and you still won't admit it! Do you expect me to see you two in bed for it to be true?"

The sound caused a stir. Lin Xiang was startled and turned around to find that he had been surrounded by a crowd of passersby, all casting disapproving glances at him. Lin Xiang was annoyed and shouted at the passersby, "What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a couple arguing before?"

Passersby saw Lin Xiang's fierce appearance and didn't dare to provoke him. These days, handsome men and beautiful women are easily impulsive. What kind of world is this? Back in the day, they could only hold hands and get close on their wedding night. Unlike young people nowadays, who have children before marriage. And so, the onlookers and well-meaning people dispersed.

Yang Yingying hadn't thought through what she'd just said, and her face flushed red to her ears. Hearing Lin Xiang's roar, she felt a sweet warmth in her heart. Even so, she just snorted and ignored him, continuing on her way.

Lin Xiang followed closely, explaining until his mouth was almost dry.

In truth, Yang Yingying knew in her heart that Lin Xiang wasn't that kind of person, and she firmly believed in his loyalty in relationships. However, she wasn't sure if Lin Xiang truly loved her, because many times when they were together, Lin Xiang gave Yang Yingying the feeling of an older brother to his younger sister. To be honest, Yang Yingying hated that feeling.

Seeing Lin Xiang's anxious look, Yang Yingying chuckled and stopped, saying, "Alright, Brother Xiang, I believe you're not that kind of person. Are you thirsty? I'll treat you to ice cream." With that, she grabbed Lin Xiang's hand and ran to the McDonald's ice cream stand by the street, handing him an ice cream and saying, "Here you go!"

Lin Xiang took the ice cream. You know what, the weather on this hot summer day was really hot. Lin Xiang was covered in sweat from the chase just now. He quickly put the ice cream in his mouth and felt a refreshing coolness. Ah, so refreshing!

As Yang Yingying walked, she said, "Brother Xiang! I came to find you because I'm going to the beach with my family tomorrow. Would you like to come with them?"

Lin Xiang really wanted to travel. What's wrong with seeing the outside world, especially the beautiful sea, a place of his dreams! But could he go in his current condition? His mother was lying in a hospital bed, and although the nurses were taking good care of her, he was still worried. He also had a promise to Lu Xiangxiang that he couldn't break.

For a long time...for a long time...

Lin Xiang had too many things to consider, while Yang Yingying waited for his answer, firmly believing that he would agree.

Lin Xiang looked on with anticipation and smiled, "The beach must be beautiful!"

Yang Yingying had already taken out a plane ticket from her bag and handed it to Lin Xiang, saying, "My parents have already booked your plane ticket, Brother Xiang?"

Lin Xiang saw it; it was a plane ticket to the seaside. Airplanes and the sea were Lin Xiang's lifelong dreams, and now they were suddenly right in front of him. Lin Xiang hesitated, then replied humbly, "Ying-mei, thank you! But I can't leave right now. When my mom gets better, I'll go on a trip with you, okay?"

Yang Yingying felt a pang of sadness. She knew she shouldn't let Lin Xiang leave her mother's side at this time, and she knew Lin Xiang would refuse. But she still held onto a sliver of hope, because love is selfish, Yang Yingying knew in her heart.

Undeterred, Yang Yingying asked, "Brother Xiang, it's only for half a month, it won't delay Auntie's trip, don't worry! Auntie has professional nurses taking good care of her in the hospital, she'll be fine!"

Lin Xiang knew this, but he had already promised Lu Xiangxiang their meeting the day after tomorrow. Thinking of Lu Xiangxiang's sorrowful face, something must have happened. Lin Xiang couldn't run away from his friend when she needed help the most. As for Yingmei's trip, all he could do was say hello…

Thinking of this, Lin Xiang didn't hide anything. He believed Yang Yingying would understand, and confessed, "I've already promised Lu Xiangxiang that I'll go help her fulfill her wish the day after tomorrow, so..."

"What?" Yang Yingying stared wide-eyed at Lin Xiang in disbelief.

Walking on the beautiful beach with Lin Xiang, feeling the gentle sea breeze, and enjoying the picturesque sunsets and sunrises, all these things can ignite the passion in young people. These days, Yang Yingying has been fantasizing about one evening on the beach, where she can receive the tenderness and lifelong happiness of the male lead, just like the female lead in a romantic Korean drama.

Yang Yingying was in a panic. She hadn't expected it to end before it even began. She angrily shouted, "Shameless!!!"

After saying that, Yang Yingying tore the plane ticket in her hand into shreds and threw it in Lin Xiang's face, then ran away crying without looking back.

Lin Xiang stood there stunned for a moment. When he came to his senses, he could only see Yang Yingying's receding figure. Lin Xiang felt a piercing pain, as if his heart was bleeding. Ignoring the strange looks from passersby on the street, he bent down to pick up the torn airplane tickets on the ground, put them all in his pocket, and gazed at the street where Yang Yingying had disappeared.

Lin Xiang couldn't understand. She was fine just a moment ago, so why did she suddenly get so angry? Women! They're incomprehensible! No wonder the poem says it well: A woman's mood is like the clouds in the sky, sometimes sunny, sometimes gloomy.