Chapter 21: I'll Accompany You
After taking the cold medicine Teng Yi brought, Ruan Yu grew drowsy. Jian Xiangxiang repeatedly tried to pry for gossip about Teng Yi, but Ruan Yu brushed her off each time with a simple "We're not close."
Jian Xiangxiang wasn’t buying it.
"You’ve been to his house and you’re still not close?"
"Have you been to Beijing? Does that make you best friends with Chairman Mao?"
"Fair point," Chen Manbai chimed in.
Jian Xiangxiang was left speechless.
Seizing the opportunity, Ruan Yu pulled the covers over her head and fell silent. After the lights went out, Jian Xiangxiang and the others chatted for a while longer, but Ruan Yu had already drifted off, completely missing the conversation.
The cold medicine seemed to work wonders. When she woke up, most of her discomfort had eased—her dizziness was gone, her nose was less stuffy, though her throat remained hoarse.
After washing up, she touched the jacket by her bedside—it was already dry.
Jian Xiangxiang, wearing a face mask, glanced sideways at her. "That jacket isn’t Teng Yi’s too, is it?"
Ruan Yu gave a noncommittal "Mhm," then found a paper bag to pack the jacket into.
"Ruan Ruan, I have a feeling there’s something going on between you and Teng Yi."
"Stop imagining things."
With that, Ruan Yu picked up the bag and left.
She spent the morning in the library since she had no classes. After her afternoon lecture, she headed straight to the Teng residence. Though she had mentally prepared herself for all scenarios, a sudden reluctance gripped her as she stood at the front door.
Her shattered pride, the awkwardness of returning—all of it flared up vividly at once.
Just as she hesitated at the doorstep, the door clicked open.
Ruan Yu froze. Behind the door, Teng Yi was equally surprised.
He looked refreshed, his shoes already on, as if he were about to leave.
"You’re here."
"Yeah." Ruan Yu handed him the bag. "Returning your jacket. I didn’t wash it—was afraid I’d ruin it."
Teng Yi took the bag and stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in.
This wasn’t her first time entering, but she felt more self-conscious than ever before.
"Teng Hao’s upstairs."
Ruan Yu glanced at him. Was he telling her to go up directly? After the argument she’d had with Teng Hao, how were they supposed to break the ice without someone else easing the tension?
Teng Yi casually set the bag on the sofa. When he turned back and saw her still rooted in place, he immediately guessed her thoughts.
"Want me to go up with you?"
"Are you in a hurry to leave?"
"Let’s go." He tilted his chin toward the second floor. "I’ll accompany you."
He said the word "accompany" so naturally, but it made Ruan Yu’s cheeks burn. She turned and walked ahead, Teng Yi following behind. In the long hallway, they moved one after the other, one step above or below. She felt as though she were marching into battle, with him guarding her rear.
With him behind her, she felt much more confident.
"Feeling better from the cold?" he suddenly asked.
Ruan Yu wanted to answer but thought it rude to keep her back turned, so she glanced over her shoulder.
"Yeah, much better. Thank—"
The word "thank" had barely left her lips when she missed a step. Just as she was about to slip, Teng Yi swiftly reached out to steady her. Panicked, she grabbed his outstretched hand to avoid falling.
"Careful." He anchored her balance.
Once steady, Ruan Yu realized their hands were clasped together—palm to palm, gripping tightly.She was momentarily dazed, only realizing after a while that she should let go. When she finally released her grip, her sweeping glance caught sight of the black hair tie on his wrist, and she froze again.
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