Chapter Forty-One: Confession Once More

“How did you get my number?” Yu Qian pressed her lips together and asked him.

“What do you think?” Zhou Jingchen’s laughter was full of delight.

Even without seeing him, Yu Qian could easily imagine Zhou Jingchen’s expression.

A little annoyed, she retorted, “Then why are you calling me?”

“You haven’t replied to my messages. I was worried about you.”

“As if I’d believe that!”

“Hahaha, you’re so cute,” Zhou Jingchen was thoroughly amused by her tone. “I’ll come see you at school when it’s overcast.”

“Why are you coming? I don’t want to see you.”

“But I miss you,” he replied, his voice soft and carrying a hint of helpless pleading across the phone.

On her end, Yu Qian found her heart softening despite herself. She bit her lip, unable to respond, not knowing what to say.

“Sweetheart, I’ve taken a leave of absence from school,” he sighed, his voice gentle.

“What? Are you crazy?” Yu Qian was incredulous. If she remembered correctly, he was in his third year of middle school, with less than two months before the high school entrance exam!

“I can’t keep up—it’s really exhausting,” Zhou Jingchen, uncharacteristically, sounded weary. “Just a year. Once I’ve sorted out the company, I’ll go back to school. I wanted to see you on a cloudy day—is that okay?”

Yu Qian didn’t answer, but neither did she hang up.

Though her heart fluttered with affection, she knew it was impossible for the two of them to be together now. She was too young, and the distance between them was too great.

She’d seen countless couples break up before. She didn’t dare trust that he would wait for her, nor believe that someone a thousand miles away would remain faithful.

She often joked in the group chat about reining him in, but deep down, she was conflicted and didn’t believe him.

After a long silence, Yu Qian finally relented, “Alright.”

She would wait and hear what his plans were when he came.

With worries on her mind, she couldn’t focus in class, whether at her little hideaway or at school. For the first time since her rebirth, she was repeatedly punished by teachers and made to stand outside the classroom.

Lost in thought as she left the school gates, the first thing she saw was Zhou Jingchen leaning against a tree.

Compared to before the New Year, he looked noticeably thinner, his face pale, dark circles heavy under his eyes—a clear sign of exhaustion.

Yu Qian felt a pang in her heart.

“Let’s go. We’ll talk as we walk.” She didn’t head towards her home, but instead turned toward a hotel.

“Alright.” He smiled. Though she kept her face taut, her tone betrayed a mix of concern and frustration.

“Why did you have to take a leave from school?” Yu Qian was clearly displeased. The entrance exams were just around the corner; why waste time now?

Zhou Jingchen tried to take her backpack, but she dodged him. Smiling, he said, “I told you last night—it’s too much, I’m exhausted.”

“Then how did you manage before?” She glared, not believing him. “If you don’t have time to study, how do you have time for Yunbo?”

“Back then, the company only had Yunbo to worry about. Now there’s more. Besides work and studies, I have to make time to think about you, too.”

That sudden confession made Yu Qian uneasy.

He ruffled her hair and reassured her, “Don’t worry. I’m already looking for a suitable professional manager. Once I find the right person and they’re up to speed, I’ll have things under control. Don’t worry, alright?”

“Who’s worrying about you! What happens to you is none of my business!” Yu Qian bristled, cheeks flushed, glaring at him fiercely.

Zhou Jingchen tilted his head, “Really none of your business?”

She fell silent again, head down, staring at her toes as she walked.

With a sigh, Zhou Jingchen gently took her hand. “Sweetheart, or should I call you Miss Yu, since we’re both given a second chance, could you trust me a little—give me a chance to pursue you? I truly like you and want to be with you.”

Yu Qian stopped, pulled her hand away, and looked at him seriously. “I won’t deny that I like you, but right now, it’s impossible for us.”

“Why not?” The words “I like you” lit up his eyes, but “impossible” left him dejected.

“First, the age difference. There’s too much between us. Second, the distance. You’re in Zhejiang, I’m in Sichuan—a thousand miles apart. I don’t believe distance makes the heart grow fonder, only greener with envy and suspicion.” Yu Qian calmly laid out her concerns.

A heavy silence fell.

When he didn’t reply, Yu Qian took his sleeve and led him onward toward the hotel.

Once there, Zhou Jingchen was still deep in thought. With no other choice, Yu Qian dragged him to a restaurant for dinner.

After ordering, Zhou Jingchen suddenly snapped out of his reverie, just as Yu Qian interrupted him, “You’ve seen me now. Go back when it’s overcast, as you said—your company needs you, you can’t be away. Dinner’s on me. Afterward, get a room and rest early.”

Her cold indifference stung him, but he finally spoke, “Sweetheart, I still hope you’ll give me a chance. In two lifetimes, you’re the only one I’ve truly liked at first sight. The issues you mentioned aren’t problems to me. I think being five years older is just right—I can spoil you more, take care of you better. And I’ve already decided: once company matters are settled, I’ll transfer my household registration to Sichuan. I want to study in Sichuan, grow up with you. I’m the only child now, so I can make my own decisions.”

Yu Qian looked into his eyes for a long moment before replying, “As you wish. If you can really do that, I suppose I could give you a chance.”

“Alright!” Zhou Jingchen beamed, his gaze unwavering.

“Let’s eat. Afterward, I’ll go home.”

By the time their conversation ended, the food had arrived. They ate quietly, Zhou Jingchen constantly picking out her favorite dishes for her.

Yu Qian knew he’d found out her preferences, but the fact that he remembered them earned him some points.

She watched as he hailed a car for her. Only after she got in did Zhou Jingchen turn to get a room for himself.

Upstairs, lying in bed.

With his arm over his eyes, Zhou Jingchen couldn’t hide the grin on his face.

He’d been prepared for Yu Qian’s complete rejection, but she’d softened in the end.

Even after being reborn, she was still a young girl—not like him, who had honed his cunning in darkness.

With Yu Qian, he had meticulously planned every step: exhaustion, vulnerability, gentleness—all for one goal.

Yu Qian would be his, no matter how cold or reluctant her attitude was. One day, she would belong to him.

Of course, it would be best if she did so willingly.

Zhou Jingchen didn’t want to use those tactics on her.

“Sweetheart, I’m really happy you didn’t refuse me outright.” He couldn’t help but laugh, his joy spilling over.

Back home, Yu Qian cupped her cheeks, blushing at the memory of Zhou Jingchen’s determined expression that day.

This time, she was truly willing to give him a chance.

Since she’d made up her mind, she could pay more attention to him from now on—no need to ignore him as she had these past months.

[Little Fish in Shallow Water]: “Fox, he came to see me today.”

Yu Qian messaged Su Daji privately.

Right now, the only person in the group who supported her and Zhou Jingchen being together was this fox spirit.

[Alluring Beautiful Fox]: “What did he say?”

[Little Fish in Shallow Water]: “He asked me to give him a chance to pursue me.”

[Alluring Beautiful Fox]: “How was his attitude?”

[Little Fish in Shallow Water]: “Pretty sincere.”

[Alluring Beautiful Fox]: “And you? What are you thinking?”

[Little Fish in Shallow Water]: “I agreed. I like him, and if he’s willing to solve the problems, why shouldn’t I give him a chance?”

[Alluring Beautiful Fox]: “As long as you believe he’s worth it. But remember, you’re still young—protect yourself.”

[Little Fish in Shallow Water]: “I will!”