Chapter 4

Seems Like a Date

The September rain brought a hint of autumn’s chill, and the air filled with an unforgettable earthy scent.

Qing Ting’s umbrella was not small; there was ample room for one person but it required them to stand closer together for two.

However, Wei Lai stubbornly refused. He knew without a doubt that if he did so, she would tease him again.

As they walked along the misty streets, maintaining a distance slightly more than an arm’s length apart, Wei Lai preferred getting a little wet rather than being laughed at by Qing Ting.

“How did you know it would rain this afternoon?”

“I didn’t know. You suggested I bring an umbrella if I’m afraid of the sun, so I listened to your advice.”

Qing Ting’s tone conveyed her trust in him, and her slight smile, paired with the gentle early-autumn drizzle beside them, added an especially tender beauty to the scene.

Unconvinced, Wei Lai kept his face stern and shifted his gaze to the houses lining both sides of the street.

(Certainly hiding something, trying to fool me.)

What a fool, not even staying aware of weather forecasts!

It had been common knowledge, yet Qing Ting deliberately withheld this information from Wei Lai, curious to see when he might figure it out himself.

Recalling Wei Lai’s expression of deep regret on the day he discovered the truth, Qing Ting couldn’t help but secretly smile.

As she gazed ahead at the rain-soaked streets, her eyes filled with anticipation.

With only a short distance left to reach home, Qing Ting remained silent while Wei Lai, unable to resist, discreetly glanced at her.

(Why does she always look so stunning when quiet? It’s too bewitching,) Wei Lai muttered inwardly. 

Suddenly, Qing Ting turned her head, startling him, and he hastily diverted his gaze.

“Are you peeking at me again?”

“No, I was just checking what you’re looking at.”

“How can you know what I’m seeing if you weren’t peeking?”

Qing Ting’s question left Wei Lai speechless, forcing him to concede by saying stubbornly, “It’s not peeking; I’m simply curious about what caught your attention. You’re being unreasonable!”

“You might be right.” Qing Ting continued scanning their surroundings. “I’ll tell you what I’m looking for, then – I’m trying to spot your house. I’ve only been there a few times, so I’m not entirely sure.”

“Over there, that house.” Wei Lai pointed to a building about a hundred meters away. “In about fifteen minutes, my parents will be back from work. After you’ve seen my room, make sure to leave quickly. We don’t want them catching us.”

Wei Lai’s expression was stern and serious. 

Qing Ting, covering her mouth with one hand while holding an umbrella with the other, couldn’t help but tremble slightly in amusement.

“What are you laughing at?”

Caught giggling, Qing Ting let go of her hand, no longer hiding her smile.

“It’s funny how showing someone your room seems like going on a date with a girl, trying not to get caught by your parents.”

With delicate fingers, she gently poked Wei Lai’s cheek. “Have your parents ever scolded you for bringing girls into your room before?”

“No way!” Wei Lai vehemently denied it.

(Honestly, I’ve never brought any girls into my room, which is exactly why I can’t risk being discovered.)

Hearing Wei Lai’s inner thoughts, Qing Ting’s heart skipped a beat, and she nonchalantly responded:

“Oh, I understand. I’ll just take a quick look around, and then I’ll leave.”

“That would be best.”

***

The rain continued to fall, droplets coalescing on the walls and forming streams that trickled down from the eaves.

Standing at his house’s front door, Wei Lai stared at it for a moment, then glanced back at the street behind him, ensuring his parents hadn’t returned unexpectedly. Only then did he pull out his keys to unlock the door.

“Why are you sneaking in like a thief?”

“That’s none of your business; I’m just used to doing it this way.”

As the door opened, a faint lavender scent wafted out from inside—the Xu Xiang’s habit. She liked placing a bottle of perfume in the living room to alleviate her and Wei Zikang’s fatigue after returning from work.

Following Wei Lai into the house, Qing Ting wrinkled her nose slightly upon noticing the subtle floral aroma in the air.

“Auntie changed the perfume again, but it still smells lovely. Makes me wish I could visit every day.”

“The scent disappears once we open the windows for ventilation.”

Wei Lai wasn’t particularly fond of the perfume smell. In the evenings, when Xu Xiang came home, she would open the windows for half an hour to ventilate, and similarly in the mornings.

It baffled him why they bothered buying perfume if they always had to ventilate afterward.

“Well, I better enjoy it while it lasts.” Qing Ting took a few more sniffs, growing increasingly fond of the fragrance.

“Let’s go; didn’t you want to see my room? The sooner we finish, the quicker we can return home.” 

Wei Lai glanced at the clock on the wall, feeling increasingly pressed as the time for his parents’ arrival drew near. He gently took Qing Ting’s hand and led her upstairs.

“Don’t rush, take it easy,” Qing Ting quickly placed the umbrella in the corner and followed Wei Lai up the stairs.

Wei Lai’s room was located on the second floor of their house, usually kept closed.

Inside, apart from a desk for doing homework and a bed for sleeping, there was also a bookshelf. However, the bookshelf wasn’t well-stocked.Besides a basic illustrated encyclopedia, it held only a Pikachu plush toy with a few comic books tucked beneath. Additionally, there was a wooden chess set made of pine wood and a common cardboard box containing a Snakes and Ladders game. Two shelves also served as storage for everyday shoes and slippers.

Upon entering the room, Qing Ting immediately fell in love with the Pikachu plush toy. She then pointed to an empty space in the room, asking where he kept his clothes for the future.

Wei Lai explained that his mother typically stored his clothes and brought them out when needed.

After their conversation, Qing Ting’s gaze fell back onto the Snakes and Ladders game on the bookshelf. She pulled Wei Lai closer and said,

“Either give me your Pikachu plushie or play Snakes and Ladders with me.”

Before Wei Lai could respond, he heard Xu Xiang’s voice from downstairs:

“Little Wei, is someone visiting our home?”

As if rewinding time, Wei Lai knew exactly what would happen in the next minute as soon as she opened the door.

He swiftly rushed into his room, grabbed his Pikachu plushie, and returned to face Qing Ting.

“This is for you. We’ve seen my room now, so please head back quickly.”

(I know you like Pikachu; I’ll just give it to you. Hurry up, or Mom will be back any moment.)

She liked Pikachu? Qing Ting gently squeezed the Pikachu plushie held in one arm. Its softness was indeed adorable. But she really wanted to play Snakes and Ladders alone with Wei Lai. At school, only the boys played together, leaving her no chance to join in.

She yearned to see Wei Lai’s expression after losing to her.

But oh well.

The two of them raced downstairs. Wei Lai fetched an umbrella for her while Qing Ting, stroking the Pikachu, found herself increasingly fond of it, noticing how much it resembled Wei Lai.

“Take your umbrella, it’s still drizzling outside. Stay safe on your way.”

Time was running out. Wei Lai hastily handed the umbrella to Qing Ting and rushed to open the main door.

“Thank you for the Pikachu, I really love it.”

“You’re welcome.”

As Wei Lai opened the door, he glanced back at Qing Ting holding her Pikachu by the staircase entrance, standing in her skirt and wearing  a gentle smile on her face.

Her and her favorite cartoon character… Wait, what am I thinking? Mom will be home any minute now.

Snapping out of his daze, Wei Lai quickly returned to Qing Ting’s side and ushered her out the door.

After closing it, he ran back to the living room, looking up at the clock on the wall.

Just over one hour – we made it, that was close!

Relieved, Wei Lai collapsed onto the sofa.

Precognition indeed helped, but having only one hour was too tight! It felt like racing against time itself.

Outside, the rain had stopped.

Everything glistened wetly after the fresh shower.

Qing Ting, clutching the Pikachu gift from Wei Lai, descended the stairs outside his house with light-hearted steps.

She encountered Xu Xiang, who had just finished work and was returning home.

Xu Xiang casually greeted Qing Ting. 

“Oh, Xiao Ting, school’s out already?”

“Yes, Auntie.”

 But as they passed each other, she suddenly sensed something was off.

“Wait!”

*****

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