Forced into a romantic relationship

Chapter 336 Unless you let me hug you!
Although it was only a brief moment of confusion, Han Zhou could still tell that Gu Zheng's reaction was similar to his own before; she also failed to think of Xiao Xiaoxiao immediately.

This discovery did not make him happy about his accurate guess; instead, it made him somewhat uneasy.

Now it seems that the impact on his memory is no longer limited to him and Xiao Xiaoxiao, but has spread to many more people. He cannot be sure if this is because he ignored the warning from the "mysterious brocade pouch" and tried to find the truth, but it is clear that changes have begun to occur.

And it's by no means a simple change.

Whether it's the sudden awakening of memories from a high school classmate, the "temporary amnesia" of the guzheng, or even Xiao Xiaoxiao's illness and hospitalization, all seem to point to this.

He had somewhat anticipated this, but he didn't expect that the people around him would be directly affected, which was quite different from the indirect impact he had imagined. As for how many people were affected, it would take time to confirm.

If things continue like this, our peaceful life might really be disrupted...

"Han Zhou?"

"Han Zhou?"

"Han Zhou! Are you alright?!"

The repeated calls pulled Han Zhou back to his senses. Seeing that everyone was looking at him, he shook his head and smiled, "It's nothing. I just suddenly thought of something. Sorry."

"You don't look like you're alright..."

Lin Anyu looked suspicious, while secretly observing Gu Zheng's expression, wondering what Han Zhou had just said to her that made her look dazed yet suddenly enlightened.

...Did this appease the guzheng?
"It's really okay."

Han Zhou changed the subject and looked at Bai Tongtong again. Before he could ask a question, she answered his question on her own initiative, saying uncertainly, "It should be something for the second year of high school. The reunion for the first year is held in the second semester."

You could tell from her tone that she wasn't very certain. Although she could remember a few fragments, the memory was too vague. She couldn't even remember who attended the class reunion.

"Sorry, it's been so long, I don't remember many things clearly... Do you remember?"

She looked at Lin Anyu, hoping he could help her recall.

Lin Anyu pondered for a while, then hesitated and said, "I think there was a class reunion in the second year of high school, but to be honest, I don't really remember it. I'm not even sure if I attended it, let alone saw Han Zhou hugging..."

At this point, his heart tightened, afraid of upsetting Guzheng again, so he quickly changed the subject, "Speaking of Han Zhou, does it really matter whether you're in your first or second year of high school?"

The other girls didn't interrupt, since it was a matter between Han Zhou's high school classmates, and they couldn't really get involved. However, they could tell that Han Zhou seemed to take this matter very seriously.

Apart from Han Zhou and Gu Zheng, no one else noticed that their focus had shifted from the girl Han Zhou was holding to other, relatively minor topics.

Discussions about this matter in the high school class group gradually subsided, and were soon flooded with other messages.

"It's important. I already have the answer, but thank you anyway."

Han Zhou didn't want to delve too deeply into the topic; the fewer people involved in Xiao Xiaoxiao's affair, the better. However, to his surprise, everyone seemed to understand his thoughts, or perhaps to avoid further provoking Gu Zheng, they didn't press the issue further, and the topic was quickly shifted elsewhere.

Everyone was quite understanding...

Han Zhou chuckled inwardly, then suddenly felt someone tug at him. He turned around and met Gu Zheng's complicated gaze.

He didn't resist, and with Guzheng's pull, he leaned closer, only to hear her ask in a low voice, "That girl is very likely Xiaoxiao, right?"

“Very likely.” Han Zhou nodded and said softly, “But I don’t remember it at all.”

He is now basically certain that Gu Zheng had indeed temporarily forgotten about Xiao Xiaoxiao, otherwise she wouldn't have been so slow to realize this until now.

"Really?"

"of course it's true."

"Hmph, does that mean you can just hug anyone you don't remember?"

Gu Zheng was not happy. She did not know the truth behind the matter, but even if there was a reason, the thought that Han Zhou had hugged other girls and they were inseparable made her feel uncomfortable.

Han Zhou felt a little guilty and subconsciously thought of hugging Mo Yixia on the snow mountain. He said awkwardly, "You know I'm not a casual person. There must have been a reason for doing that."

"What could possibly cause someone to cling to another person so tightly that they can't be pulled apart? Is it a matter of life and death?" Gu Zheng rolled her eyes.

You're right, it really was a life-or-death situation back then... Han Zhou gave a bitter smile, too embarrassed to reply.

Gu Zheng grew increasingly unhappy and was about to say something more when she saw a look of confusion and bitterness flash across Han Zhou's eyes. Her heart softened, and she gave a cold snort, muttering softly, "Considering it's my birthday today, I won't hold it against you this time..."

At this point, she suddenly paused.

Wait a minute, why should she bother with Han Zhou?

Han Zhou isn't her boyfriend, so it's none of her business who he wants to hug, right?

She was angry, questioning, and forgiving at the same time. Wasn't she just putting herself in the position of a girlfriend?

Han Zhou probably didn't notice...

A blush crept up her cheeks, and Gu Zheng glanced guiltily at Han Zhou. Seeing that he didn't show any strange expression, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, puffed out her chest, and continued to maintain her confident demeanor.

Today is her birthday, she has every right to be angry!

Just then, Han Zhou suddenly said, "By the way, Gu Zheng, Xiao Xiao is sick and hospitalized. I want to go to the hospital to see her later. Do you want to come with me?"

"Xiaoxiao is sick?" Guzheng was taken aback.

"Yes, Teacher Ouyang went to the hospital to visit her."

Is the illness serious?

"It's not serious. I heard it's because of too much stress lately."

"go."

Gu Zheng naturally wouldn't refuse. Whether from a friend's perspective or to clarify what happened in the past, she needed to go to the hospital.

"Shall we set off now?"

Han Zhou smiled and said, "No rush, we have to celebrate your birthday first."

……

After lunch, amidst everyone singing "Happy Birthday," Zhong Yin brought out a large cake she had made herself and placed eighteen birthday candles on it.

At Han Zhou's request, these candles were much thicker than ordinary birthday candles, with bright flames, like little suns. It would not be easy for an average person to blow them out in one breath, but it was no challenge for Gu Zheng at all.

Wearing a birthday hat, she had amazing lung capacity and easily blew out all the candles, winning thunderous applause.

Looking at the applause playing at maximum volume on his phone's media player, Lin Anyu said helplessly, "Does this really work?"

"Of course it works."

Han Zhou smiled and looked gently at the short-haired girl who was making a wish with her eyes closed. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her chest, her expression was devout, her smile was bright, and her curved eyes were like crescent moons in the sky.

"Didn't you see? She's very happy."

"I really don't understand the romance between you two."

Lin Anyu shrugged, shook his head and laughed, "But if you could confess to Guzheng today, I believe she would be even happier."

He turned to look at his friend, his gaze unusually serious.

Han Zhou met his gaze without fear and smiled, "That day will come, but not today."

Lin Anyu looked at him for a while, then chuckled and looked away. His tone returned to its usual nonchalant manner as he casually said, "Don't forget to let me know when the time comes. As your brother, I'll take care of all your wedding banquets for free, and I can even be your best man."

"Thank you."

"There's no need to thank me. I'm counting on you to help me get together with Bai Tongtong."

Lin Anyu stretched and said, "By the way, what did you and Guzheng talk about secretly during dinner? She forgave you so easily?" "Nothing much. Guzheng is easier to talk to than you think. Thank you, senior."

Han Zhou took the cake from Zhong Ling who was walking over, handed a piece to Lin Anyu, and said nothing.

Zhong Ling smiled at him and said softly, "Your sister told you not to rush off this afternoon, but to stay for dinner."

Han Zhou was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Please thank Sister Yin for me, but we have some things to do this afternoon. We'll come back when we have time."

"It's okay, if you're busy today, you can come to the store anytime."

"I will." Han Zhou took a bite of cake, thought for a moment, and asked, "By the way, senior, can I borrow your kitchen again later?"

He had just received a message that Xiao Xiaoxiao wanted to drink pork rib soup, and it had to be the kind with sausage. He didn't know where she learned this unique way of eating it from.

Zhong Ling nodded and smiled gently, "Of course, I'll go wash the pot right away. Do you want me to make any other dishes?"

"I'd like to make some pork rib soup. By the way, do you have any sausages at home?"

"Sausage?" Zhong Ling tilted her head, looking puzzled. "Do you need sausage to make pork rib soup?"

"No, that's not it. If you don't have it, then forget it."

"We don't have any sausages at home, but I remember they sell them at the store outside. Wait for me, I'll be right back."

"Need not……"

Han Zhou tried to call out to Zhong Ling, but she ran out of the store before he could finish speaking.

Zhong Yin, who was not far away, immediately saw this scene, quickened his pace and walked over, raising an eyebrow and asking, "Where did Xiao Ling go?"

"Buy sausages," Lin Anyu answered quickly.

Although he couldn't hear the bell's sound, he could still tell where the other person was from Han Zhou's words alone.

Why buy sausages?

"Make pork rib soup!" Lin Anyu answered again.

Zhong Yin looked puzzled and glanced at Han Zhou strangely: "Do you need sausage to make pork rib soup?"

Han Zhou gave a wry smile: "I'm also curious about this question, but I'm just cooking at someone's request, so please don't ask me."

"That's ridiculous... I'll go wash the pot."

Zhong Yin turned to leave, but suddenly seemed to remember something, stopped, and looked back at Han Zhou with a hesitant expression.

Han Zhou saw through her thoughts and said before she could speak, "Don't worry, I will write down the recipes your mother left behind. I can cook them for you a few more times when I have time. If you have any questions, just ask me."

Zhong Yin paused for a moment, then turned and left.

Although the voice was very soft, Han Zhou's enhanced hearing allowed him to hear a faint "thank you."

The voice was unusually gentle.

Lin Anyu was amazed and exclaimed, "Although I've seen it many times before, I still want to ask again—why are you always able to get along so well with beautiful women?"

"Perhaps it's just a natural talent," Han Zhou replied casually.

"Stop with the nonsense. I'm all about being rich, handsome, and tall. Logically, I should be more talented than you in this area, so why can't I get along with beautiful women?"

Lin Anyu looked displeased. "You must have some secret techniques. Don't keep them to yourself. Quickly teach your brother a couple of moves, and I will definitely repay you handsomely in the future."

"Um... I advise you not to learn it."

"Why? You're not worried that I'll easily win over beautiful girls after I learn it, are you? Don't worry, I'm not going to... What's wrong with your eyes?"

Han Zhou sighed, shook his head, and said nothing more.

Lin Anyu was puzzled when Bai Tongtong's gentle voice suddenly sounded behind him: "What are you talking about? Can you tell me too?"

He trembled, turned around and met the girl's smiling eyes, felt inexplicably guilty, and couldn't speak for a long time.

"What's wrong? Is it inconvenient for you to tell me?"

"That's not it."

Lin Anyu gave an awkward smile, then suddenly had a bright idea and said dismissively, "We're talking about games, you know... those dating sims where you win over all sorts of beautiful girls. You probably aren't that interested, right, Han Zhou?"

He smiled and looked to his side, but Han Zhou had already disappeared. He had somehow run to Gu Zheng's side and was now chatting and laughing.

What a scoundrel who forgets his friends for the sake of a pretty face!
He cursed inwardly, but had no choice but to grit his teeth and look at Bai Tongtong, racking his brains to come up with a topic.

"Um... do you also like to seduce pretty girls?"

……

The afternoon sun was cooler than at noon, and the white clouds were broken up by the cold air, scattering in wisps across the azure sky.

Han Zhou carried a lunchbox and walked side by side with Gu Zheng on the tree-lined path.

This is a path that Wang Runxue highly recommends, supposedly a shortcut to the hospital, but I don't know if it's true or not.

"Han Zhou...can I ask you a question?"

"If you're asking me why I put sausage in pork rib soup, then I can't answer that for you."

"Who said I was going to ask that!"

Gu Zheng glared at Han Zhou, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "What I wanted to ask is, if you remember the past and find out that you and Xiao Xiao are actually a couple, then... then... then would you still be with her..."

As she spoke, she looked away, her tone gradually becoming tense, and she unconsciously clenched her fists.

Han Zhou was stunned for a moment, staring at the girl's profile for a long time before he couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter: "You were thinking about this for so long while?"

Gu Zheng blushed, wanting to punch him but holding back: "What's so funny!"

Han Zhou finally managed to suppress his smile, making the girl look away. He asked curiously, "Why do you think Xiao Xiao and I are a couple?"

"If you're not a couple, why are you hugging each other...?"

Gu Zheng pouted, her eyes slightly dim. She felt that she was a petty person. She had said she would not care, but she still held a grudge. However, in her mind, unless they were family members, only lovers would hug each other tightly.

But what if Han Zhou and Xiao Xiao really are a couple? Then she...

Who says only couples hug each other?

Lost in thought, Han Zhou sighed helplessly and chuckled, "Close friends, childhood friends reunited after a long separation, relatives and friends about to part ways... don't all of these have the chance to hug each other? Of course, hugging occasionally is fine, but hugging too often will cause problems."

He suddenly realized that Guzheng's thoughts were far simpler than he had previously thought, almost excessively naive.

"Really... really? Friends can hug each other?"

Gu Zheng's tone was complex, hesitant and uncertain, as if she didn't quite believe it.

"Of course," Han Zhou chuckled.

Gu Zheng fell silent, staring at the other person for a long while. Suddenly, on a whim, she turned her head away and gritted her teeth to speak.

"I don't believe you! Unless... unless you let me hug you!"

A cool breeze swept by, and fallen leaves fluttered down the tree-lined path, like startled sprites.

(End of this chapter)