Vol 2 Chapter 22: Where Did I Lose

The surroundings were noisy, but Li Wanran's words reached Liu Changqing's ears clearly without missing a single syllable.

The October weather wasn't exactly cool yet, with the midday sun still scorching hot. Even inside the cafeteria, it wasn't as refreshing as one might expect.

Liu Changqing's nostrils twitched slightly as he caught the aroma of food in the air, along with the faint fragrance drifting from Li Wanran beside him.

His brows furrowed slightly.

His right hand holding the chopsticks trembled inexplicably before he averted his gaze from her face.

Picking up some food from his plate.

"Let me be honest."

He put some shredded potatoes into his mouth. The sour and spicy flavor spread across his taste buds as he chewed a few times before swallowing.

When he spoke again, his tone carried a hint of gloom.

"I don't know why, but I feel like I should keep my distance from you. And... I don't understand why out of so many people, you've set your sights on me."

After saying this, Liu Changqing hesitated for a moment.

Ultimately, he continued.

"Truthfully... I don't have much fondness for you. You're very beautiful, but... you should understand that affection can't be forced."

"You mean you don't like me?"

"Correct."

"..."

These words were quite harsh by any standard.

Most girls their age, rejected in such a manner, would likely flee the scene in shame.

Unable to stay another second.

This was precisely why Liu Changqing chose to say these things in front of Sun Fan.

He had little interest in dating a high school girl within the school environment.

Even if she appeared remarkably mature.

His eyes fixed on the girl before him.

Liu Changqing studied her expression, expecting to see discomfort on her face.

But... Li Wanran showed no signs of embarrassment.

She met his gaze directly, staring at him without reservation.

After a while,

Li Wanran lowered her eyelids.

Looking down at the table,

she spoke words that sounded utterly bizarre to Liu Changqing, as if lost in memories.

"I was supposed to have a happy and fulfilling life, but I ruined it with my own hands."

"Huh?"

"You might not understand what I'm saying now, but I don't want to lose it again..."

As soon as these words left her mouth, Li Wanran reached out.

Her hand landed on top of Liu Changqing's.

Her lowered head rose at the same moment.

"No matter what, you can only like me."

"..."

Liu Changqing glanced at her briefly before looking at the hand resting on his.

Closing his eyes, he exhaled deeply.

He withdrew his hand from under hers.

"If you came here just to say these things, I don't think we need to continue this conversation."

"I..."

"I don't know if you've realized this yourself, but even though you say you like me, I don't feel any genuine affection from you... Maybe this sounds convoluted. To put it simply, I don't believe your feelings are real."

"..."

Hearing this, Li Wanran's eyes widened slightly for some reason,

betraying her shock.

Liu Changqing wasn't entirely wrong.

Compared to this sixteen-year-old version, what she truly loved was the Liu Changqing from her original world -

the mature, steady man who had built a family with her, raising a son and daughter together.

Not this somewhat frivolous teenager easily led by her whims.

The age difference fundamentally changed how she perceived people.

Li Wanran knew perfectly well -

to her, he was just a kid now.

Even if they were together, it wouldn't be like that other world...

That Liu Changqing who took such good care of his family, creating true happiness...

Seeing Li Wanran fall silent, Liu Changqing stopped looking at her.

He offered what sounded like advice:

"Whatever you've been through, relationships aren't child's play. I hope you understand that."

To him, she was just a peculiar teenage girl going through some phase.

"..."

The lunch tray sat before them.

Li Wanran hung her head lower, fully aware that Liu Changqing was right.

In truth, even she wasn't sure if her feelings were genuine.

Yet his words just now...

made her realize anew -

He was still him.

Just younger now, though his manner of speaking hadn't changed at all.

At this realization, a slow smile spread across Li Wanran's lips.

This time, she absolutely wouldn't fail.

Absolutely.

Li Wanran's thoughts always ran contrary to others'. Stubborn by nature, she remained impervious to outside opinions.

She had always been this way.

Never changing.

Raising her hand, she picked up the chopsticks resting beside her tray.

Stealing a glance at Liu Changqing eating beside her, Li Wanran said nothing more and quietly resumed her meal.

She wouldn't give up.

It was her turn now.

The two exchanged no further words, but their earlier conversation delivered a crushing blow to Sun Fan, who had been observing everything.

He could never have imagined...

Looking between the exasperated Liu Changqing and the smiling Li Wanran,

Sun Fan felt his world collapse in that moment.

——————————————

After lunch, Li Wanran left.

Liu Changqing and Sun Fan visited the restroom before returning to class.

Compared to modern facilities, the school toilets in this era were quite primitive - no urinals or squat toilets, just wooden buckets.

When full, someone would come collect them for disposal.

Sun Fan remained silent the entire way.

Though Liu Changqing noticed, he didn't press the matter.

Standing before a bucket, lowering his pants.

Sun Fan stood nearby.

The entire walk over, he'd been racking his brain trying to figure out where he fell short compared to Liu Changqing.

Taking position beside him, Sun Fan relieved himself as well.

Two streams flowed.

But the moment Liu Changqing started, the preoccupied Sun Fan instinctively glanced sideways.

Adolescent boys' bodies still developing.

That single glance left Sun Fan utterly stunned.

As if his soul had left his body, he stood frozen in place.

Time ticked by.

When finished, Liu Changqing gave a shake before pulling up his pants.

Noticing Sun Fan's expression, he asked:

"What's wrong? Your eyes are popping out."

"..."

The question snapped Sun Fan back to reality.

His head turned stiffly toward Liu Changqing.

Now Sun Fan understood.

Understood exactly...

where he had lost.