Forced into a romantic relationship

Chapter 399 Cold Autumn Unaware of the Small

Han Zhou's shock at this moment was no less than when he first saw the status bar.

Jiang Taigong is of course Jiang Ziya, which is common knowledge that almost everyone knows. However, the problem is that this is common knowledge from his previous life. In this world, Jiang Ziya does not exist, and naturally, the story of Jiang Taigong fishing does not exist.

As a person of this world, Wang Lengqiu actually knew that Jiang Taigong was Jiang Ziya. Han Zhou didn't know how to describe this absurdity for a moment. His first reaction was that there might be some minor celebrities with the same name in this world. However, after searching on his phone, he found that there was no such person in history. Even if there were a few people with the same name, they had nothing to do with the name "Jiang Taigong".

In other words, the Jiang Ziya that Wang Lengqiu mentioned and the Jiang Ziya he knew were probably the same person.

"You don't fit into this world."

Recalling what the other party had said when they first met, Han Zhou found it hard not to suspect that Wang Lengqiu was his "fellow villager"—a transmigrator from Earth.

What puzzled him was that even if Wang Lengqiu was a transmigrator like him, she shouldn't know his transmigrator identity. Yet, the other party didn't seem surprised at all to hear the story of Jiang Taigong fishing from him.

"Speaking of which, this guy seems to have known me since childhood. Could we be transmigrators from the same manufacturer? But we're two years apart in age..."

Han Zhou mentally complained, then after a moment's thought, decided to take this opportunity to have a good talk with Wang Lengqiu.

If the other party really is a time traveler, then there's a big problem.

If the other party is not a time traveler, then the problem is even bigger.

"Senior Wang Lengqiu, could you come with me for a moment?"

He stood up, turned to look at Wang Lengqiu, and said, "I have something I'd like to talk to you about."

The latter did not speak, but silently stood up, her long hair fluttering in the wind, her thin figure looking as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

"Han Zhou, what are you doing...?"

Ouyang Lianyu looked at Han Zhou with a puzzled expression, thinking that he wanted to talk to Wang Lengqiu about the past.

"It's okay, we're just chatting."

Han Zhou smiled and led Wang Lengqiu to a tree not far away. Everyone could see the two figures, but they could not hear their voices.

Xiao Xiaoxiao stared at Han Zhou's retreating figure with disdain and asked, "What do you think those two will talk about?"

"It must have been in the past," Zhong Yin said, also watching the two from a distance. "Didn't they know each other when they were kids?"

"But didn't Senior Wang Lengqiu say she had never seen a junior when they were young?"

Zhong Ling was a little confused, but Han Zhou wasn't around to help her relay the question, so she had to take out her phone and type it out.

Xiao Xiaoxiao turned her head to look at the message on her phone and shook her head, saying, "Sister Zhongling, you're too trusting. You can't believe everything people say. I bet that guy has definitely met Han Zhou before."

"Why do you say that?" Ouyang Lianyu asked curiously.

Although she thought the same way, she couldn't be as certain as Xiao Xiaoxiao.

Zhong Ling was a little concerned about Xiao Xiaoxiao's way of addressing her. She had heard many people call her "senior sister," but this was the first time she had heard someone call her "Sister Zhong Ling," which made her quite happy.

She was a little puzzled, though, since she and this cute junior classmate weren't actually that close. Why did the other person address her so naturally?

Xiao Xiaoxiao observed the two people in the distance, then pouted and explained, "Look at the way that guy looks at Han Zhou. It's obviously different from how he looks at others. If he didn't know Han Zhou before, why would he treat him so specially?"

"Indeed it is."

Han Zhou held a special place in Wang Lengqiu's heart, a fact that everyone present could clearly sense.

"I really want to hear what they're talking about..."

Xiao Xiaoxiao muttered again, "Why did he have to pick such a time? He had to get us out of the way to chat when Gu Zheng and Mo Yixia weren't around. What if those two were a couple before? What if they rekindled their old flame while chatting? That jerk..."

Everyone laughed awkwardly, sensing the deep resentment in Xiao Xiaoxiao's tone, especially when she uttered the word "scumbag," conveying a sense of both contempt and helpless exhaustion.

Could this child really like Han Zhou too...?

Ouyang Lianyu had mixed feelings. While worrying about Xiao Xiaoxiao's future, a thought inexplicably arose in her mind: Han Zhou's popularity with women was simply outrageous, and he was surrounded by outstanding girls. It was indeed difficult for him to choose, so it seemed somewhat understandable that he became a scumbag...

Do not!
Ouyang Lianyu, what are you thinking?!
She quickly realized that her thoughts were dangerous. Love should be unwavering and devoted to one person for life. She could understand Han Zhou, but she could never accept the boy's attitude towards love!

Taking a deep breath, Ouyang Lianyu quickly banished those chaotic thoughts and subconsciously thought of another problem—

Unwavering loyalty, a lifetime of devotion... Will I ever meet such a partner in the future?
……

Han Zhou obviously couldn't hear the conversation between Xiao Xiaoxiao and the others in the distance. Although he had enhanced hearing, he still couldn't hear clearly if the distance was too far. He chose to have a frank conversation with Wang Lengqiu under this tree because he was using his current hearing as a reference.

After all, what we're about to discuss is one of his deepest secrets that he's kept hidden for so many years.

Winter is the season when everything withers, and the tree above the two of them was no exception. Its leaves had long since fallen, leaving only bare branches that could not block even a sliver of sunlight. The sunlight, which carried little warmth, fell entirely on the two of them.

Wang Lengqiu stood quietly under the tree, seemingly not curious at all about why Han Zhou had called her over. She simply stared at him silently, as if she could keep watching him as long as he didn't speak.

Han Zhou considered himself to be thick-skinned enough to ignore most people's gazes, but ever since he learned that he might have a complicated relationship with Wang Lengqiu, he felt a strange sense of guilt and soon became uncomfortable under their gazes.

Unfortunately, Wang Lengqiu seemed to lack social skills; even after he coughed several times, the other party showed no intention of looking away.

In fact, Wang Lengqiu is not ignorant of social etiquette; otherwise, she would not have spoken up for him multiple times last night, nor would she have responded when he repeatedly called her "Senior Wang Lengqiu."

You should know that when the other person was alone before, they would tirelessly ask him to call them "Qiuqiu" or "Qiuqiu".

The reason I haven't said that these past two days is clearly because I'm worried about causing him trouble.

Thinking of this, Han Zhou's feelings became complicated. Seeing that Wang Lengqiu was still staring at him intently, he decided to let her be and called out softly.

"Senior Wang Lengqiu?"

"Mm." Wang Lengqiu nodded gently.

Han Zhou decided to get straight to the point, looking the other person in the eye and asking, "How do you know that Jiang Taigong is Jiang Ziya?"

Under his tense gaze, Wang Lengqiu tilted her head: "Is it strange that you know this?"

"You didn't understand what I meant," Han Zhou said patiently. "I meant, where did you get the idea that Jiang Taigong was Jiang Ziya?"

Wang Lengqiu thought carefully for a moment and replied, "From you."

"From me?" Han Zhou was taken aback. "What do you mean? Did I tell you about this?"

He doesn't recall ever explaining to people who Jiang Ziya was.

"No." Wang Lengqiu shook her head gently.

"Then why did you say you learned about this from me?"

Wang Lengqiu remained silent, it was unclear whether she was unsure how to respond or simply didn't want to.

Han Zhou had a bit of a headache. He knew he had already done his duty; if it were anyone else, Wang Lengqiu would probably have already said "thank you" several times.

"Okay, then I'll ask it another way."

He sighed and asked patiently, "When you heard me talk about Jiang Taigong fishing, didn't you find it strange?" If you were also a transmigrator, you should have been just as shocked as he was when you suddenly heard information from your past life from someone in another world.

Unless the time traveler was uncultured or came from abroad and didn't even know the story of Jiang Taigong fishing.

Wang Lengqiu clearly does not fit either of the above two scenarios, since she knows that Jiang Taigong is Jiang Ziya.

Wang Lengqiu was silent for a moment, then asked with some confusion, "Should I find this strange?"

"It's not a question of whether it's strange or not. What I mean is... yes, what I mean is, aren't you curious about my identity?"

"Not curious."

"why?"

"Because I know who you are."

Han Zhou's heart skipped a beat. Just as he was about to press for more information, he heard the other person say in a rather certain tone, "You are a stick figure."

Han Zhou: "..."

Okay, I almost forgot about that. I also have the title of "stick figure".

His lips twitched, and he wished he could just shout out, "Let me tell you the truth, I'm actually a time traveler. If you're from the same hometown, type 'one'!" But he was worried that if he guessed wrong, he would expose his identity. So he could only suppress his impulse and ask the question in a different way, or rather, make contact.

That's right. If we are all time travelers, then we will definitely be able to connect using common sense that all time travelers know!
Han Zhou pondered for a moment, "Odd changes, even remains unchanged" is no longer an option, since this rule also exists in this world. However, he could try using well-known ancient poems.

Thinking of this, a thought struck him, and he tentatively asked, "The bright moonlight before my bed?"

Wang Lengqiu glanced at him, then looked up at the sky and tilted her head.

Although she didn't say anything, her meaning was already very clear—what moonlight?
Undeterred, Han Zhou continued to ask, "Does one not notice the dawn while sleeping in spring?"

Wang Lengqiu hesitated for a moment, looked down at her rather well-proportioned chest, and said seriously, "I don't think it's small."

Han Zhou: "..."

"Um... Senior Wang Lengqiu, are you sure you're not joking?"

"determine."

"But what I just said was actually a line of poetry..."

"Me too."

"What are you?" Han Zhou was stunned.

"I was talking about poetry too."

As if worried that he wouldn't understand, Wang Lengqiu patiently added, "Lengqiu doesn't feel small."

The air immediately became quiet.

Han Zhou remained silent for a long time before saying, "Senior, you really are a genius at writing poetry."

Following this sentence structure, a series of classic poems could be derived, such as "Summer is not small", "The bell is not small", and "The zither is not small".

No, the phrase "the guzheng doesn't feel small" is unacceptable...

Wang Lengqiu seemed oblivious to the complex emotions in Han Zhou's tone and nodded slightly.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Over the next period of time, Han Zhou used many methods to test whether Zhong Ling was indeed a time traveler, including but not limited to Tang and Song dynasty poetry, classic allusions, famous quotes, and even popular memes about basketball and chickens. Ultimately, he confirmed one thing—

Wang Lengqiu is probably not a time traveler.

If he really was a time traveler, after such a long period of testing, even if he wanted to pretend to be stupid, it would be difficult to completely conceal his identity. Moreover, he was just short of saying "I am a time traveler" outright, so Wang Lengqiu had no reason to hide it from him.

But here's the question: if Wang Lengqiu isn't a time traveler, how does she know about Jiang Ziya?

It couldn't possibly have really come from something I heard from myself, could it?

Han Zhou had thought that this "open and frank" talk would answer many of his questions, but to his surprise, it only made him more confused.

However, he was not discouraged. Since he could not confirm this matter for the time being, he could start by confirming other things. He had to make some progress.

So he turned and asked, "Senior, I heard we seemed to know each other when we were little?"

Teacher Ouyang asked Wang Lengqiu this question last night, but received a negative answer. He wanted to see if he would get a different answer if he asked in person.

Wang Lengqiu shook her head: "I don't know him."

Han Zhou frowned slightly, then realized what he meant and reminded her, "Senior, don't worry, there's no one else here. You can tell me the truth."

Unexpectedly, Wang Lengqiu replied very seriously, "I am telling the truth."

The truth? Is this really the truth?!

Han Zhou was stunned for a moment, then asked blankly, "So you really didn't see me when you were a child?"

"I've met you before, but I didn't know you when we were kids."

"I've seen him before, but I don't know him..."

Han Zhou found it hard to understand. Although Wang Lengqiu didn't seem to be lying, this answer didn't match his memory. Although he only had a vague memory, he didn't think that his relationship with Wang Lengqiu was that shallow.

Besides, if they had only met a few times, would Wang Lengqiu still remember this incident to this day?
This is not reasonable.

It's so unreasonable.

"Senior, are you sure what you just said is true?" he asked again to confirm.

Wang Lengqiu nodded: "I would never lie to you."

Her voice was very soft, but it inexplicably gave people a very solemn feeling.

Han Zhou took a deep breath: "Then tell me, what exactly is our relationship in the past and in the present?"

Wang Lengqiu fell silent and did not answer for a long time.

The sun gradually shifted across the sky, its rays slanting across the girl's face. It was a face that evoked pity, devoid of any superfluous expression, making it impossible to discern her thoughts.

"You won't lie to me, but you can choose to remain silent, right?"

Han Zhou had anticipated Wang Lengqiu's reaction, smiled nonchalantly, and was about to speak when he suddenly heard Xiao Xiaoxiao's anxious voice behind him.

"Oh no, Han Zhou! Gu Zheng and Mo Yixia have fallen into the water!"

(End of this chapter)