Forced into a romantic relationship

Chapter 435 Evening Breeze

On the playground, Gu Zheng was somewhat absent-minded. After confirming that she had never seen the tall boy in front of her before, she stopped paying attention to him and lowered her head to think about other things.

"Guzheng small—chest..."

A few seconds later, she suddenly heard Wang Runxue beside her let out an anxious exclamation, but the voice quickly changed from panic to strangeness, as if she had seen something unbelievable, to the point that even the last syllable was completely changed.

"Ok?"

Gu Zheng looked up with a dark expression, only to see Wang Runxue staring wide-eyed in one direction, her expression more like bewilderment than panic.

"what happened?"

Confused, she followed the latter's gaze, but there was nothing there except a crowded mass of people.

Gu Zheng suspected that Wang Runxue was teasing her, so she pressed down on the other's shoulder, preparing to make her explain what "small breasts" meant. The next second, she saw the crowd part to make way for Han Zhou, who was in a wheelchair, standing outside the crowd, smiling and waving in their direction. Behind him were Xiao Xiaoxiao, Wang Lengqiu, and Zhong Ling, who was pushing the wheelchair.

It's clear that Han Zhou's treatment of being surrounded by several beautiful women is the envy of many, not to mention the famous 'Mute Bride' and 'Princess Who Never Smiles' among them. If it weren't for the two of them, many boys wouldn't have made way for him at all.

When some people saw that the pretty boy was greeting another beautiful woman, their eyes practically spitting fire, wishing they could burn this despicable scumbag to death.

"Han Zhou!"

Upon seeing the newcomers, Gu Zheng's eyes lit up at first, but then her gaze dimmed almost imperceptibly. Forgetting about settling scores with Wang Runxue for a moment, she smiled and walked towards the group.

She didn't notice at all that the tall boy who had been standing in front of her had disappeared.

Wang Runxue's face was blank. She really wanted to tell Gu Zheng what had just happened, but Han Zhou across from her stopped her with a look.

After being ignored by Guzheng, the tall boy seemed to be completely enraged. He raised his hand to hit Guzheng, but before he could swing his hand down, he was suddenly covered by a man and a woman who looked somewhat like Guzheng and dragged away.

That's right, it was towed away.

The two men had cold expressions, just like gangsters in a movie. The woman was incredibly strong; even such a burly man couldn't resist her. His heels dug deep drag marks into the grass, but he couldn't escape being dragged away.

The movements were clean and neat, without any drag.

Wang Runxue could vaguely guess that the two people were probably Guzheng's parents, as the strange strength they possessed was simply inherited from each other.

But whether it was just her imagination or not, recalling the dangerous look in their eyes when they turned around, Wang Runxue had a feeling that they seemed to intend to drag her away with them—

why?
Did I just do something wrong?
Gathering her jumbled thoughts, Wang Runxue swallowed hard and jogged to catch up with Guzheng.

Gu Zheng was unaware that Wang Runxue had been targeted by her parents because of a comment about "small breasts." She quickly walked up to Han Zhou and feigned displeasure, saying, "Han Zhou, where did you all go? Why didn't you watch my match?"

She spoke casually, as if she didn't care about losing the game, but was just dissatisfied with everyone's "desertion at the last minute".

"I just signed up for a fun activity for tomorrow. The registration deadline is fast approaching, or I'll be too late," Han Zhou said with a smile.

"Fun activities?" Guzheng looked doubtful. "Don't you hate sports the most? Besides, you can't participate in the competition in your current state, can you?"

She pointed to the wheelchair beneath the other person, giving them a "you're not allowed to do anything reckless" look.

Han Zhou smiled and casually brushed the question aside: "I've signed you up too."

"Did you register me too?"

Gu Zheng wasn't angry at his unauthorized decision, and asked curiously, "What project?"

You'll find out later.

"You're always keeping us in suspense..."

Gu Zheng pouted and didn't press the matter further. She looked around and asked, "Where are my parents? Why aren't Teacher Ouyang and Sister Yin here either? I think I just saw Lin Anyu and Ya Ya. Did they go back?"

Han Zhou thought for a moment: "Uncle Gu and Sister Miao said they haven't been to the school in a long time and want to relive the feeling of their student days. They are currently connecting with the young people. Teacher Ouyang is acting as their guide. Sister Yin went back to the shop. There are a lot of things to do at the shop today, so Lin Anyu and the others went to help out."

The Zhong Ling and the others behind him looked strange. They really didn't expect that Han Zhou could call committing a crime in public "building relationships." It was far too far-fetched.

However, it's not wrong to say that Teacher Ouyang was acting as a guide. You have to understand that dragging someone away in broad daylight is no small matter. If it weren't for Teacher Ouyang, who has an excellent reputation at the school, helping to clear the way, Guzheng's parents probably wouldn't have gotten very far, and the matter would have quickly blown up.

The reason Ouyang Lianyu was willing to help was, of course, because of Han Zhou's repeated requests. Otherwise, even if she also harbored resentment towards this boy who wanted to play the guzheng, she would not have made such an absurd move.

In addition, Xia Qing, the student council president, also said she would help with the aftermath.

Of course, Han Zhou did not intend to turn a perfectly good university into a hot-blooded high school. He believed that Uncle Gu and Sister Miao would know their limits and would not do anything that would be criticized, such as hitting people on campus. At most, they would only give a verbal warning.

Therefore, this matter will not cause any trouble.

As for whether it was necessary to make such a big fuss over such a trivial matter, he thought it was. He blamed that guy for having to cause trouble for Guzheng at this critical juncture.

Gu Zheng, unaware of everyone's inner thoughts, said with a suspicious look, "They're all this age, yet they still go around trying to connect with young people. Aren't they afraid of scaring them away..."

She knew her parents too well. Although they didn't act like adults, even if they were irresponsible, they shouldn't be hanging out with young people. She felt that Han Zhou was just fooling her, so she gave a tentative look to the girls behind Han Zhou. Seeing that everyone was nodding, she finally felt relieved.

They weren't afraid of scaring people, because their initial intention was to intimidate them... the girls thought to themselves.

Standing next to Guzheng, Wang Runxue hesitated, wanting to muster the courage to tell Guzheng the truth, but quickly chickened out, afraid that she would also be dragged into the relationship.

Just then, Han Zhou suddenly laughed and said, "Let's go. The competition is over, and it's getting boring staying on the playground. Let's walk around. Come to think of it, we've been coming to Linda for so long, and we haven't really explored the school properly even once."

"What's so interesting about visiting the school...?"

Despite saying that, Guzheng took the lead and walked towards the exit of the playground, seemingly unwilling to stay there any longer.

Looking at the girl's retreating figure, Zhong Ling and the others looked worried.

Xiao Xiaoxiao looked serious and said in a low voice, "Han Zhou, according to the plan, we will all find an excuse to leave later. I'll leave the task of comforting Gu Zheng to you."

Although Guzheng appeared to be acting normally, everyone knew that she must be feeling very bad. She was just pretending not to care so as not to worry everyone.

Gu Zheng is strong-willed and rarely shows her vulnerable side to those around her, not even her parents.

Therefore, having friends and family comfort her together is not only meaningless, but may even have the opposite effect. In comparison, it is safest to choose a representative to properly comfort her.

Han Zhou is undoubtedly the best representative.

If Gu Zheng were to completely shed her mask of strength in front of anyone, it would only be Han Zhou.

"Well, leave it to me."

Han Zhou nodded. This was also a task given to him by Uncle Gu and Sister Miao, and he naturally took it on without hesitation.

In fact, he didn't tell everyone that he had discovered someone in the guzheng team had deliberately fallen and lost. Since it had already happened, there was no need to talk about it and affect everyone's mood. They couldn't possibly drag the girl who deliberately lost out out and beat her up, much less force her to admit that she deliberately lost and make the competition restart.

Regardless, the guzheng has already lost.

Although he hoped that Guzheng could continue to win, to be honest, no one in this world can win forever; defeat is inevitable, it's just a matter of time. In Han Zhou's view, this defeat was certainly a big blow to Guzheng, but from another perspective, it might not be all bad.

This is also why he's temporarily too lazy to bother that girl.

Of course, it's only temporary.

He absolutely could not tolerate the girl being hurt by something she cared about most. Even without hitting or scolding her, he would still teach her a lesson she deserved.

Han Zhou can do these things himself; there's no need to trouble others.

As for why he left with everyone earlier, it wasn't to seek justice from anyone. It was simply because he knew Guzheng hated others seeing her lose, so he disappeared for a short while.

Aside from that, he wasn't lying. He had indeed gone to ask Senior Xia Qing about the fun activities, but unexpectedly learned the whole story from her.

If he hadn't heard it with his own ears, he would never have imagined that this was actually a revenge attack from three years ago.

As one of the masterminds, he has already taught that guy named Chen Fei a profound lesson. As for the other mastermind, He Ling, he hasn't yet figured out how to deal with him.

In fact, Han Zhou had been hesitant about whether or not to tell Gu Zheng about this.

From any perspective, letting Guzheng know about this matter seems to have little meaning and would only cause more trouble. After thinking it over, he decided to wait until he had talked to Guzheng before making any plans.

He respects Guzheng's decision, whether in the past, present, or future.

Of course, there is one exception.

"What are you all standing there for? Weren't you going to wander around?"

Guzheng, who had already reached the gate of the sports field, shouted loudly, seemingly dissatisfied with the slow movements of the others.

"right away!"

Han Zhou responded loudly and left the playground with Zhong Ling and the others, arriving at Gu Zheng's side.

"You're dawdling around, are you hiding something from me?"

Gu Zheng turned around and looked at everyone suspiciously, her fair cheeks glowing slightly in the sunlight.

Perhaps because summer has passed and she hasn't been sunbathing much lately, the girl's skin appeared much fairer, like faded wheat.

"No." Han Zhou shook his head honestly.

Wang Runxue opened her mouth, but the next moment she felt threatened—Xiao Xiaoxiao pinched the soft flesh around her waist tightly, causing her to gasp and abandon the idea of ​​telling on her.

In fact, she knew that Han Zhou and the others were right. Gu Zheng did need someone to comfort her, but the one who should be comforting her was not this scumbag.

Even though she knew perfectly well that Han Zhou was the best choice.

"Are you sure?" Gu Zheng asked, looking incredulous.

"Really, no, you can ask Wang Runxue if you don't believe me."

"Huh? I don't know, I don't think so..."

The group walked away chatting and laughing, leaving long shadows on the ground until they disappeared from He Ling's sight.

"very nice."

She gazed longingly at Guzheng's retreating figure. "It seems Guzheng has many good friends now. Is that the boy in the wheelchair the one Guzheng likes?"

"Ah."

Mo Yixia raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "But he's mine."

"You're really quite frank," He Ling said with a wry smile. "I might not be as good as you at playing the guzheng."

Mo Yixia didn't respond to that question, but casually asked, "Aren't you going to apologize? Or at least say goodbye?"

"No need. Guzheng is doing very well now, so there's no need for me to bother her anymore. To be honest, I don't even know how to start a conversation with her."

He Ling remained silent for a long time, seemingly imagining a conversation with Guzheng in her mind, before suddenly revealing a bitter smile.

"Besides... she probably wouldn't want to see me again, after all, I just ruined her long-held wish."

“You’re right. Guzheng’s obsession with first place must have a very important reason. Compared to that, my motivation at the time was just child’s play. I have no right to make her give up her dreams to make way for me. It was only right that she didn’t give up the competition back then.”

He Ling bent down and bowed sincerely to Mo Yixia, saying softly, "Thank you. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have been able to figure out the problem that has been bothering me for so many years."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Just as she was about to walk down the stairs, a girl's languid voice suddenly sounded behind her.

Are you sure you've really figured out all the issues?

He Ling's body trembled, but she did not turn around.

"Why keep things bottled up inside when you could just ask a question and get the answer?"

These words seemed to pierce He Ling's heart, and a look of struggle appeared on her face: "But..."

"Are you worried that she doesn't want to see you? Or even afraid that she'll start to hate you after finding out what happened today?"

"Um……"

"You still don't really understand."

The air was silent for a long time. Just as He Ling was wondering whether she should turn around, the girl's voice rang out behind her again, her tone revealing neither regret nor any other emotion.

"Didn't you already remember what kind of person that guy was?"

"..."

When He Ling left the stadium in a daze, it was windy outside.

She was very afraid of the cold and had always made it a habit to wrap herself up tightly since autumn. But perhaps because she was too lost in thought when she left the gymnasium, she forgot to put on her scarf and was shivering as soon as she stepped outside in the biting cold wind.

It wasn't until I hurriedly wrapped a scarf around my body that the chill felt less intense.

For some unknown reason, half a minute after putting on the scarf, when no one was around, she suddenly took off her right glove and, mimicking how she remembered Guzheng not long ago, carefully raised her arm, held up her index finger, and made the gesture of "first".

This was the first gust of wind she felt in this early winter.

(End of this chapter)