“I’ll catch you.”
After leaving the restaurant, Zhou Anran kept thinking about this sentence he had said.
The restaurant wasn’t far from the Live House, so they decided to walk instead of taking a taxi.
Zhou Anran followed behind him, her head lowered, still pondering over his words.
Perhaps it was because his gaze had been so focused and gentle earlier that she almost had the illusion that he had said those words for her to hear.
But in high school, he couldn’t even remember her name, and since meeting again at university, barely a month had passed.
Even if she thought about it a lot, she only dared to guess if he might have developed a vague fondness for her.
She didn’t dare to imagine anything as strong as “really liking” her.
Could it be that he was telling her about someone else he liked?
That didn’t seem likely either. Given his personality, if he truly liked another girl, he wouldn’t have gotten so close to Zhou Anran. He wouldn’t want to cause misunderstandings or hurt feelings.
So was he just talking about Zhu Ran?
Zhou Anran was lost in thought and didn’t notice the small step ahead. She missed her footing and suddenly realized she was losing balance.
In the next moment, a warm, strong hand caught her lower back.
She suddenly found herself in the young man’s embrace, enveloped by his fresh, clean scent.
Zhou Anran looked up at him in a daze, her gaze meeting his smiling eyes.
“What were you thinking about?” Chen Luobai asked her.
The girl in his arms still seemed stunned, maintaining that soft, obedient look that made anyone want to tease her.
Chen Luobai lowered his head slightly, his voice also dropping: “Is walking with me so boring that you’re distracted to the point of not watching the road?”
Zhou Anran came to her senses and quickly shook her head. “No, that’s not it.”
The girl’s previously porcelain-white face quickly turned a light shade of red. Her slightly round almond eyes were clean and beautiful, hiding a hint of fluster and nervousness.
It was very much like her expression that year in the school’s small supermarket when he handed her a cola.
“Zhou Anran,” Chen Luobai called her name again, “Why are you still the same as in high school—”
Zhou Anran’s heart skipped a beat.
The same what?
Still, liking him the same way?
Had he figured it out?
Chen Luobai slowly finished his sentence: “Still getting shy when teased?”
Zhou Anran let out a sigh of relief, but not completely.
She could feel her face burning, so she didn’t dare deny it, but she also didn’t dare to directly admit it, because the words “getting shy” seemed enough to reveal something.
She ambiguously refuted in a small voice: “Really?”
The soft, gentle voice entered his ears. The girl’s eyelashes trembled heavily, long and curled, along with her voice from earlier, like two small brushes, tickling Chen Luobai’s heart.
Before he realized it, his free hand had already risen.
“If not—” Chen Luobai’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his hand gradually approaching that lightly flushed little face, “Why is your face so red, and your ears too?”
Zhou Anran couldn’t speak.
The street beside them was still quite lively, neon lights flickering, with passersby occasionally glancing at them briefly as they passed.
Zhou Anran didn’t notice any of this, even holding her breath, only seeing the young man’s long, handsome hand getting closer and closer to her cheek.
Three inches.
Two inches.
One inch.
Her heart had never beaten so fast, almost feeling like it was about to jump to her throat. Anticipation and nervousness intertwined, something feeling like it was about to overflow.
A feeling of panic and stuffiness, like heart palpitations.
Then that hand stopped abruptly, less than an inch from her.
Zhou Anran could almost feel the warmth from his hand.
Chen Luobai lowered his gaze, seeing her fair little face had turned from light red to crimson, her eyelashes trembling even more than before, her eyes seeming to be filled with a watery sheen.
He moved his fingers slightly, finally turning his hand and very lightly and restrainedly touching her face with the back of his hand.
As he had imagined, it was soft and warm.
Chen Luobai felt as if his heart had also been scalded, his voice low and hoarse: “How did I not notice at all that day.”
A red sports car sped by ostentatiously on the main road beside them, heavy metal rock music blaring.
Zhou Anran only heard his first three words. Her heart was still racing uncontrollably, her fingertips tugging at the hem of her jacket. The sensation of his hand touching her face still lingered, seeming to give her courage.
“What didn’t you notice that day?”
But Chen Luobai had already lowered his hand, smiling lightly at her: “Never mind if you didn’t hear clearly. It’s not the right time anyway.”
Zhou Anran: “…?”
What did he mean by it’s not the right time?
Chen Luobai’s hand that had been loosely around her waist also let go. His voice was very low, sounding particularly gentle: “Let’s go.”
Zhou Anran, not knowing why, perhaps because her heart was still beating chaotically, didn’t pursue the question further. She just lowered her head and softly responded with an “Mm.”
*
When Zhou Anran entered the Live House with him, Yu Bingqin on stage wasn’t rehearsing the two English songs she was going to perform but was singing a Cantonese song Zhou Anran hadn’t heard before. It wasn’t until they finished the rehearsal and had late-night snacks together that she learned the song was called “Unconditional.”
As they walked in, Zhou Anran saw Zhu Ran sitting at the booth closest to the stage where they had sat last time.
In Zhou Anran’s impression, he had always been quite talkative, seeming to be constantly chatting with someone after class. But now he was exceptionally quiet, not even playing with his phone, just focusing intently on the person on stage.
It was a side of him she had never seen before.
Chen Luobai gently pulled out a chair at the booth behind him, his voice also soft: “Shall we sit here?”
Zhou Anran, who also didn’t want to disturb Zhu Ran, nodded: “Okay.”
As Zhou Anran sat down, she still felt the spot on her face where he had touched her burning. It took a long while for her heartbeat to calm down enough for her to focus on listening to the music.
After some time, she heard the person next to her call her name again.
“Zhou Anran.”
Zhou Anran turned her head slightly.
Chen Luobai looked at her: “There were a few things I forgot to tell you last time.”
Zhou Anran blinked.
Last time?
Last time they came to this Live House?
“What things?”
Their seats were side by side. Perhaps afraid of disturbing others, the young man suddenly leaned in a little closer, his fresh scent enveloping her once again.
Zhou Anran’s breath caught for a moment.
“You’re very outstanding, and not timid at all. No law in this world says everyone must have an outgoing personality—” Chen Luobai gazed at her steadily, his eyes particularly bright even in the dim light, his voice low but firm, “You don’t need to envy anyone.”
Zhou Anran’s fingertips, which had been casually resting on the table, suddenly tightened.
It was hard to describe the feeling at this moment.
Of course, she knew that an outgoing personality often had advantages in many situations, and she often disliked how introverted she was. But if personality could be easily changed, there wouldn’t be a distinction between introverts and extroverts.
She had struggled before and tried to change, but it always came at the cost of her emotions.
But now, the boy she had liked for so long was telling her “There’s no law in this world that says everyone must have an outgoing personality,” telling her “You don’t need to envy anyone.”
At this moment, she suddenly felt at peace with herself.
Being introverted was fine. She just needed to try her best not to let this personality affect the things she wanted to do.
Chen Luobai suddenly spoke again: “Moreover—”
He said two words but then stopped.
Zhou Anran steadied her breath before gently asking: “Moreover what?”
Chen Luobai was still looking at her as if implying something: “Maybe someone likes your type.”
Whatever Yu Bingqin sang after that, Zhou Anran didn’t hear a word.
It wasn’t until the group on stage finished rehearsing and the Live House quieted down again that she suddenly came back to her senses.
Yu Bingqin, along with the others, put the guitars at the back of the stage. After coming down from the stage, she first stopped beside Zhu Ran: “Why are you sitting alone?”
As soon as she came down, Zhu Ran stood up.
Yu Bingqin was tall, and Zhu Ran was only about half a head taller than her.
Zhou Anran rarely saw a hint of nervousness on his face, and then saw him point at the young man next to her: “Chen Luobai wouldn’t let me sit with him.”
Yu Bingqin walked to their booth, her face still showing no obvious expression, but if you looked carefully, you could see a faint smile: “Why are you bullying him again?”
Chen Luobai glanced at Zhu Ran unhurriedly: “Which eye of yours saw me bullying him?”
Yu Bingqin seemed to have just said it casually, her gaze turning to Zhou Anran.
Zhou Anran obediently greeted her: “Senior Yu.”
Yu Bingqin responded with an “Mm,” suddenly reaching out to pinch her cheek: “Why is Anran’s face so red, did you bully her too?”
The last sentence was directed at Chen Luobai.
Zhou Anran’s heart skipped another beat.
She wanted to turn her head to look at him but felt it would be too obvious in front of so many people.
Then she heard the young man’s voice beside her, with more amusement than before and a meaningful tone: “I wouldn’t say it’s bullying.”
Zhou Anran: “…?”
The intimacy in his words was unmistakable.
The few people behind Yu Bingqin all turned to look at her, their faces bearing teasing smiles.
Zhou Anran felt her face grow even hotter.
The band’s keyboardist was the senior who had first called him “campus heartthrob” and greeted him at the KTV last time. Her name was Zhong Wei, with an oval face, short hair, and a cool demeanor.
Now, Zhong Wei leaned on Yu Bingqin’s shoulder, smiling at Chen Luobai: “I heard from Sister Qin that you’ve been learning guitar from her lately and can already play one song. Why don’t you take this opportunity to play it for us? I’d love to see a handsome guy play the guitar.”
The male band members protested.
“We play guitar every day, and you don’t see us?”
“Zhong Wei, I’m telling you, this is a personal attack.”
“Exactly.”
Zhou Anran finally couldn’t resist turning her head to glance at him.
When did he secretly learn guitar from Senior Yu?
The young man leaned back in his chair, a casual smile on his face, his tone lazy and seemingly joking: “That won’t do. Handsome guys don’t easily play guitar for others to see.”
Zhong Wei wasn’t offended and just glanced at Zhou Anran again with curiosity: “Of course, I know I don’t have that privilege. I wonder if Zhou junior does and if I could piggyback on the opportunity.”
Zhou Anran: “…?”
She quickly averted her gaze.
Although she knew Zhong Wei was teasing because of his ambiguous comment earlier, Zhou Anran’s heart still lifted slightly.
A moment of silence.
The young man’s voice slowly sounded: “Maybe next time. I haven’t learned it yet.”
“Ah… seems like we won’t have that pleasure today,” Zhong Wei sighed.
Zhou Anran’s heart sank back down.
She lowered her head, her shoulders drooping slightly.
Senior Zhong had initially said he had already learned it.
Was there a miscommunication with Senior Zhong, or did he not want to play for them and make an excuse?
Zhou Anran pursed her lips.
She seemed to be overthinking again, fixating on one or two sentences.
But when you like someone, it seems you can’t help but try to interpret every word they say.
Yu Bingqin’s voice rang out: “We’re going for a late-night snack. Are you guys coming?”
“Of course,” Zhu Ran immediately agreed.
Chen Luobai’s tone was still lazy and casual: “You go ahead. We’ll join you later.”
?
We?
Did he mean her?
Zhou Anran was a bit confused and couldn’t help but turn her head to look at him again.
She caught the young man turning his head towards her, his chin lifting slightly in her direction. Though he was answering Yu Bingqin, his gaze remained fixed on her face: “I have something to say to her. Lend me your key.”
Zhou Anran’s fingertips curled slightly.
What else did he have to say to her?
Was it about those three words she only partially heard on the way?
“Wow~” Zhong Wei pushed the other male band members, “Let’s go, let’s go. Don’t disturb the juniors.”
Yu Bingqin smiled faintly again, taking the key out of her pocket and tossing it to him: “Don’t bully her.”
Chen Luobai caught it: “I’ll try not to.”
Zhou Anran: “…?”
After Yu Bingqin and her group left, the Live House returned to silence.
Zhou Anran’s hands pressed against the seat, her palms beginning to sweat.
“Want to hear it?” the young man’s voice sounded very low.
?
Zhou Anran turned her head slightly, not quite understanding: “Hear what? What do you want to tell me?”
What did he want to tell her?
Why did he seem to be asking for her opinion before saying it?
Chen Luobai suddenly laughed, then jerked his chin towards the stage, “Me playing the guitar. Want to hear it?”
Zhou Anran was stunned, her eyes widening slightly: “Didn’t you say you hadn’t learned it yet?”
“I lied to her,” the young man’s tone hinted at a trace of arrogance, “How could I not know how?”
Zhou Anran’s heart skipped another beat.
“If you want to hear, come with me to the stage?” Chen Luobai asked her.
Zhou Anran nodded heavily.
After getting on stage, Zhou Anran followed him to the back.
Chen Luobai didn’t touch anyone else’s things, just took Yu Bingqin’s guitar, casually slung the strap over his shoulder, then walked back to the front, sitting down at the edge of the stage.
Zhou Anran had a slight touch of germaphobia, but strangely, she didn’t think much of it at the moment. She followed him and sat down at the edge of the stage, her suspended legs swinging slightly unconsciously.
“What song did you learn?”
Chen Luobai looked up, his eyebrows lifting slightly: “A world-famous tune.”
?
World-famous tune?
Zhou Anran was about to ask him what world-famous tune it was when she saw the young man’s slender fingers already fall on the guitar strings.
She didn’t speak again.
After two or three notes, she didn’t need to ask; she recognized what “world-famous tune” it was.
When Chen Luobai looked up at her again, he saw the girl’s lips curved, the small dimples on both cheeks showing. She was usually reserved, rarely smiling as sweetly and charmingly as she was now.
“I didn’t lie, did I?”
Zhou Anran shook her head, smiling: “No, you didn’t.”
Although it was a children’s song, it was indeed a world-famous tune.
Chen Luobai, afraid of making a mistake, lowered his head again.
Zhou Anran also lowered her gaze to look at him.
The young man’s black bangs fell across his forehead, and because of his serious expression, the lines of his profile seemed even sharper, unbelievably handsome.
When the last note fell, Zhou Anran thought he would stop there, but she heard him start again from the beginning. His voice also sounded along with the notes, singing the English version of the lyrics.
That day when Zhu Ran said in the group chat that he never sang at KTV, she thought it was because he didn’t sing well.
But now the song resonating in her ears was low and smooth. The childish nursery rhyme was sung with a different kind of clear and pleasant feeling.
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky”
Zhou Anran looked down at the young man singing with his head bowed, her heartbeat quickening again in the slow melody.
Only when the song was finished did Chen Luobai finally stop.
He lifted his eyelids slightly, looking at her for two seconds before speaking: “I’ll put the guitar back first.”
Zhou Anran nodded very lightly.
Chen Luobai stood up, returned the guitar, and then came back to sit beside her: “I originally wanted to learn more than just this part.”
More than just this part?
Did he mean he wanted to learn more than just this song and misspoke?
Zhou Anran was curious: “What else did you want to learn?”
The young man’s hand propped beside her, looking down at her: “I’ll tell you later.”
Zhou Anran: “…?”
“Why are you being mysterious again?”
There was a rare hint of slight dissatisfaction in the girl’s tone.
Chen Luobai felt as if that small brush had tickled his heart again. He leaned towards her, propping himself on the stage.
The distance suddenly closed, and Zhou Anran held her breath.
The young man in front of her curved his lips slightly, with a faint hint of mischief: “Leaving some suspense is how I keep my audience hooked.”
His audience?
The Live House, long closed for business, was empty of others.
At this moment, in the vast space, there were only the two of them.
He had sung this song only for her to hear.
She was his only audience tonight.
This person seemed to be speaking to her with increasingly undisguised intimacy.
Zhou Anran couldn’t handle it, her breath was completely held, and her heart seemed to race uncontrollably again.
But his phone suddenly rang a few times.
Chen Luobai lowered his head to get his phone, finally widening the distance again.
Zhou Anran let out a small breath.
Chen Luobai casually glanced at it, looked up saw her small action, and laughed again, no longer teasing her: “Zhu Ran says the food is already served over there. Want to go join them for something to eat?”
Zhou Anran felt that if she stayed alone with him any longer tonight, her heart might overload: “Let’s go.”
The young man casually “mm” -ed, suddenly propped his hand and jumped down from the edge of the stage, the hem of his open baseball jacket fluttering for a moment.
After landing, he turned to look at her: “Coming down?”
Zhou Anran blinked.
She looked down at the ground, which seemed a little high.
“Should I jump down too?”
“Mm.” Chen Luobai looked up at her, “Scared?”
Zhou Anran didn’t pretend to be brave: “A little.”
“What’s there to be afraid of.” The young man on the stage floor suddenly curved his lips, his smile appearing bold and unrestrained in the dim light, as dazzling as when he made that step-back three-pointer on the basketball court that year.
He opened his arms to her: “Shall I catch you?”