Forced into a romantic relationship

Chapter 242 Because a pigeon flew away

“I said, Senior Wang Lengqiu.”

Call me Qiuqiu, or Qiuqiu.

Han Zhou had originally intended to ask about something else, but upon hearing this, he sighed and said, "Why do you insist that I address you this way?"

He had been keeping this question to himself for a long time.

"I've heard that an affectionate nickname can bring two people closer together."

"But our relationship is clearly not at the point where we can use affectionate terms."

"That's why we need to use affectionate nicknames to build rapport."

"Your logic is absolutely flawless..."

"Have it?"

"Have."

"Thank you."

"……You're welcome."

The two were sitting on a bench on the steps of the square. In order to speed up the process of the pigeons coming to feed, Han Zhou specially activated "Animal Affinity" to attract more pigeons to fly towards him.

As it turns out, Wang Lengqiu's "theory" was indeed correct, or rather, Han Zhou's guess was right; the requirements of this temporary mission were indeed based on Wang Lengqiu's will.

【Current Progress 7/10】

Once the three pigeons have finished eating their feed, the mission will be complete.

Han Zhou was quite satisfied. Compared to the huge reward of thirty points, this temporary mission was practically effortless. However, it was also thanks to the fact that the mission target was Wang Lengqiu. If it were someone else, they might not have been so cooperative.

The only problem was their current posture. Because they needed to extend their left and right hands and bring them together, their bodies were almost touching, which looked somewhat ambiguous.

His heart wasn't exactly racing, but it would be a lie to say he wasn't bothered at all. Han Zhou didn't even dare to turn his head, afraid of bumping into Wang Lengqiu.

Since they couldn't separate for the time being, he decided to ask questions to ease the awkwardness.

"Um, Wang... I have a question for you."

"what is the problem?"

"Why do you insist on dating me? There must be some other reason besides the fact that I'm a stick figure, right?"

Han Zhou originally didn't want to ask this question, but that was to avoid any entanglement between the two of them. However, now that he had asked everything he needed to, and he and Wang Lengqiu were already involved, there was no need to deceive himself and draw a line anymore. Asking the question sooner might allow him to make a better decision.

"Nothing."

Perhaps because she was also worried about turning her head and bumping into Han Zhou, Wang Lengqiu kept looking down at the pigeon in her palm and gently touched its head with her right hand. "Just because you are a stick figure, there is no other reason."

Han Zhou was taken aback for a moment, then coaxed, "But the world is so big, maybe we can find other stick figures. It doesn't have to be me, right?"

"No, that won't happen." Wang Lengqiu shook his head seriously. "There's only one stick figure, and that's you."

"But since you know how to turn into a stick figure, it means others can know it too, so there must be more than just stick figures..."

"Only I know the method, and only I can become a stick figure like you."

"Why are you so sure?"

Han Zhou looked suspicious. Although they hadn't known each other for long, he knew that Wang Lengqiu wasn't a crazy person who talked nonsense. What she said was just difficult to understand, not baseless.

"Because stick figures are unique," Wang Lengqiu said.

"so what?"

"Being unique means there will never be another stick figure, so you are unique, and I want to date someone like you."

At this point, Wang Lengqiu gently shook her head and said seriously, "No... it's not just about dating, I also want to marry you."

Han Zhou was struck dumb, almost dropping the pigeon in his hand.

what?
What did he just hear?
This girl, whom he had only met less than ten times, actually said with a serious expression that she wanted to marry him?
Just because he's a stick figure?
What kind of classic Japanese romance anime setting is this?

"Etc., etc……"

He took a deep breath, finally managing to gather his scattered thoughts. After trying to recall for a while, he tentatively asked, "Have we met when we were little?"

Wang Lengqiu asked doubtfully, "What do you think?"

"Definitely not."

Han Zhou quickly dismissed the idea. Wang Lengqiu was not only a beautiful woman, but also a very distinctive one. Her pitiful and charming aura was unforgettable, if not unforgettable. If he had met her when he was a child, he would never have forgotten her.

Moreover, Wang Lengqiu is now two grades older than him, which means that the same applies to other periods of his life. He has never had a large social circle since he was a child. He basically only knows his classmates and doesn't even interact much with students in his grade, let alone girls who are two grades above him.

In other words, we can rule out the possibility of a childhood friend being forgotten after growing up...

"So you think that I found your grandfather's wallet and returned it honestly, and that this money is very important to your family, so you were moved to tears and wanted to repay me with your life? I need to clarify this point again: it was really not me who found the wallet, but Teacher Ouyang."

"What are you talking about?" Wang Lengqiu asked, puzzled. "Why should I repay you with my body just because you found my grandfather's wallet?"

Okay, it seems it's not a case of repaying a small favor with one's own body...

Han Zhou pondered for a moment, then hesitated and said, "This guess is rather presumptuous. I hope you won't be angry if I'm wrong."

"I am not angry."

Although she didn't know what the other person was guessing, Wang Lengqiu nodded nonetheless.

"Is it..." Han Zhou hesitated for a moment, "...is it because your grandfather's condition was too serious that day, and he was about to pass away, and his dying wish was to see your boyfriend or something..."

Wang Lengqiu fell silent.

Got it right?
Han Zhou's heart skipped a beat. Of all the guesses, the one he least wanted to be right was this one.

He looked at the girl beside him, only to find that she had been gazing at the distant flock of pigeons with a somewhat infatuated look in her eyes.

Hundreds and thousands of pigeons took to the air again, circled in the low sky, and then landed back on the ground, like clouds gathering and dispersing.

“How magnificent,” she said softly.

Han Zhou's face darkened. He was about to ask if the other person could listen to him properly when the other person replied, "No, my grandfather is in good health, but he does often say that he hopes to see me find a boyfriend and bring him back to meet him."

Han Zhou was taken aback, and tentatively asked, "So this is your reason for wanting to marry... and wanting to date me?"

Wang Lengqiu shook her head: "I like Grandpa, but that can't be a reason for me to date."

Okay, so it seems it's not a story about sacrificing happiness to fulfill the last wishes of a loved one...

Han Zhou breathed a slight sigh of relief, but then his headache worsened.

Because he couldn't think of a reasonable explanation other than these. Perhaps "stick figures" could explain everything, but he couldn't interpret it.

With a sigh, he asked again, without much hope, "Then why do you insist on dating me?"

"Because you are a stick figure."

Okay. Han Zhou knew Wang Lengqiu would answer like that, which was why he had been guessing all along, since he couldn't get a definite answer directly from the girl.

However, it wasn't entirely fruitless; at least he learned one thing—

In Wang Lengqiu's eyes, stick figures seem to possess a unique meaning.

Although I know this is pretty useless anyway...

[The temporary task has been completed, and you have earned 30 points.]

As he pondered, a notification appeared before Han Zhou indicating that the mission was complete. He looked at the pigeon in his palm, gently patted its head, and the pigeon stopped pecking at its food and affectionately rubbed against his fingers.

“It seems to really like you,” Wang Lengqiu said.

Han Zhou casually remarked, "Perhaps it's because my index finger resembles its relative."

"Relatives?"

"It's nothing." Han Zhou turned off "Animal Affinity," stood up, and said, "Alright, the pigeon feed is almost finished, I should go back too."

Having obtained the points, he prepared to flee.

"Are we going back now?" Wang Lengqiu looked up at him.

"Hmm, I'm suddenly a little hungry, I should go back to school for lunch," Han Zhou said, making up an excuse.

"Oh."

Wang Lengqiu nodded slightly, poured the last bit of pigeon feed from the bag onto the ground, stood up and said, "I'm hungry too. Let's go eat together. I know there's a really good food stall in the cafeteria."

Han Zhou was taken aback, then forced a smile and said, "It's rare for me to come out today, so I'm not planning to go to the cafeteria. I want to eat something good outside the school."

Wang Lengqiu nodded and silently took out two discount coupons from his pocket: "I happen to have two discount coupons for a deluxe buffet. Let me treat you to something nice."

Han Zhou: "..."

"No need, I suddenly miss the braised chicken from the cafeteria."

Wang Lengqiu put the discount coupon away and took out two more coupons: "I also have coupons for the cafeteria. Let me treat you to braised chicken."

Han Zhou opened his mouth, wondering if he had misheard, and said with a blank expression, "No, where would the cafeteria get discount coupons? I've never heard of them before?"

"I don't know either. Last time, a lady said I was cute and gave me a few of these. Don't worry, I've tried them, and these discount coupons can be used."

So being cute really can be a meal ticket...?

Han Zhou took a deep breath and said with a headache, "Why do you carry so many discount coupons with you?"

"Because I want to treat you to dinner." Wang Lengqiu was excessively blunt, making no attempt to hide her long-planned scheme.

The look in his eyes was so sincere that Han Zhou felt a little reluctant, but he still coldly laid it out: "I appreciate your kindness, but I hope you understand that the main purpose of my accompanying you this time is to prevent you from bothering me again in the future, not because I genuinely want to feed the pigeons with you, nor because I want to have a meal with you, understand?"

"I know."

Wang Lengqiu looked directly into his eyes, the sunlight behind her was a little dazzling.

"That's why I wanted to treat you to a meal before that."

Han Zhou was stunned, completely unable to discern the emotions contained in those eyes.

The girl's level of concern for him was truly incomprehensible; she had even started to fawn over him. If she were to give up her own identity for the sake of a so-called stick figure, it would undoubtedly be a rather tragic thing.

Is this self-isolation? Or being trapped in the past?
Thinking of the hints in the side quest, he hesitated, then after a long while said, "Why did you have to go to this extent..."

Unexpectedly, this time Wang Lengqiu did not use "because you are a stick figure" as her answer, but instead gave a completely new but equally difficult-to-understand answer.

The sky turned completely crimson, the sun appeared even larger as it sank lower, and the surrounding clouds seemed to be on fire, turning a deep red.

A strong autumn wind suddenly blew up, knocking down an advertising billboard not far away.

Startled by the sudden noise, the pigeons flapped their wings and took flight against the crimson sky.

Against a backdrop of crimson sky and flocks of white pigeons, a girl dressed in white stands with her back to the setting sun, raising her hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her expression indistinct.

"Because a pigeon flew away."

The pigeons flew away...

What does this mean?
Han Zhou was slightly lost in thought. His gaze passed over that endearing face and looked up at the sky, but he didn't see a single pigeon fly away from the square.

Clearly, this is yet another kind of "imagery".

This guy is definitely a lunatic... he thought.

【Daily Task 3 (Wang Lengqiu): Capture 1/10 of the target's 10 facial expression changes to earn 1 point】

……

After bidding farewell to the setting sun, Han Zhou finally agreed to have dinner with Wang Lengqiu.

Because he simply couldn't refuse the other person.

Especially when he thought about how he had repeatedly emphasized that he would not have dinner with Wang Lengqiu, and how the other party had lowered her head, silently put away the discount coupon, and said in a pitiful manner, "The discount coupon will not expire until next month, so I will keep it and treat you to dinner next time," he suddenly felt that he was an ungrateful bastard.

Perhaps this is what they mean by "sincerity is always the ultimate weapon"?

The two were currently in a buffet restaurant, and it had to be said that the restaurant truly deserved the title of luxurious. There were many things that Han Zhou had only seen on TV, and there were always smiling waiters waiting to serve him.

However, he couldn't stand the feeling of being watched while eating, so he used some words to get rid of the waiter and then looked at Wang Lengqiu across the table.

The girl was staring blankly at the crabs on the plate when, as if suddenly noticing his gaze, she looked up and asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Han Zhou shook his head. "I'm just curious about what percentage of the discount coupon it is."

He didn't really know what to say, so he just randomly picked a topic.

"A 30% discount can save a lot of money," Wang Lengqiu said.

"Was this given to you by someone who thought you were cute?"

"No, I specifically bought it online today."

"For today...the robbery last night?"

"The day before yesterday."

"The day before yesterday?" Han Zhou found it strange. "How can you be so sure I'll come out with you to feed the pigeons today?"

"Because I had a feeling it would be like that."

Wang Lengqiu said slowly, "Besides, even if you don't come out with me today, you will eventually come out with me in the future."

"Do I look like such an indecisive person..." Han Zhou couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"That's not what I meant, but you seem to think that way yourself."

Wang Lengqiu shook her head and didn't say anything more, continuing to stare blankly at the crabs on her plate.

(End of this chapter)