Chapter Five: Confession

“Sister Leng Zheng, are you awake? I heard from Old Cheng that you have exams today. Old Cheng and I will drive you there,” Shen Dongling said as he knocked on Leng Zheng’s door.

Leng Zheng paused for a moment before replying, “Yes, I’m awake. Let me wash up, I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Alright,” Shen Dongling nodded, then turned and went downstairs to report to Cheng Yunting.

Leng Zheng’s mind was consumed by Qin Cheng’s words—“You and Cheng Yunting can never be together, never ever.” She couldn’t forget them.

She got up quickly, splashed her face with cold water, put on her school uniform, and went downstairs.

…

At school.

“Candidates, you may begin.”

Today was the mock exam for the senior class placement. Leng Zheng’s heart was in turmoil, those words—“You and Cheng Yunting can never be together, never ever”—echoing endlessly in her mind.

She couldn’t focus on the test at all, and as if the weather reflected her mood, a heavy rain began to fall, making her feel even more unsettled.

She scribbled her answers carelessly, handed in her paper early, and left without a thought for the rain pouring outside, letting herself get soaked.

Braving the rain, she made her way to the entrance of Disneyland. Even though it was raining, the place was crowded. Everyone had umbrellas—everyone except her, walking alone through the downpour.

“Miss, do you need an umbrella? You’ll catch a cold like this,” a security guard, noticing she was drenched, approached her kindly.

Leng Zheng shook her head and walked away, slowly making her way into a small alley, where she crouched down.

…

Meanwhile, with Cheng Yunting—

“How do you think Sister Leng Zheng did on her exam, Old Cheng?” Shen Dongling lounged on the sofa in the head teacher’s office, asking lazily.

Cheng Yunting ignored him, answering a call instead. “Hello, what’s the matter?”

“Yes, alright. I’ll have someone look into it. Thank you, Teacher Wang.” Nodding, Cheng Yunting quickly started working on his computer.

“What’s up, Old Cheng? Why the rush?” Shen Dongling asked, surprised—he hadn’t seen Cheng Yunting this anxious in a long time.

“Teacher Wang just called. Xiao Zheng handed in her paper early and didn’t show up for the next exam. Now, no one knows where she is.” Cheng Yunting’s voice was tight with worry. He tracked Leng Zheng’s location, grabbed his coat and umbrella, and hurried out.

“Wait for me, Old Cheng!” Shen Dongling grabbed his own coat and umbrella and ran after him.

…

Leng Zheng stayed crouched in that alley, letting the rain soak her. Suddenly, the rain stopped falling on her—someone had lifted her up.

Cheng Yunting didn’t say a word on the way. He simply held Leng Zheng quietly, shielding her with the umbrella, not caring that his own clothes were getting wet.

…

In the car.

“Xiao Zheng, are you alright?” Cheng Yunting handed her a bath towel and gently dried her dripping hair. “What’s wrong? Did something happen? Why did you suddenly run out into the rain?”

Leng Zheng just shook her head and sat in silence.

“Xiao Zheng, what is it? Can’t you tell me?” Cheng Yunting looked at her with patience.

“If… if I said I liked you…” Leng Zheng whispered uncertainly, “Never mind, it’s nothing. I’ve just been feeling troubled lately.”

“Xiao Zheng, I like you too.” Cheng Yunting stroked her hair gently as he spoke.

Leng Zheng stared at him, astonished. “You…what did you say?”

“Xiao Zheng, I like you.” By now, they had arrived at the school gates. Cheng Yunting repeated himself, “Even if you don’t like me, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just keep pursuing you.”

Seeing that Leng Zheng wasn’t responding, he was about to get out of the car when she grabbed the corner of his jacket. “Cheng Yunting, I like you too.”

“Come on, have some hot water to warm up. I’ll ask Shen Dongling to buy you a change of clothes.” Cheng Yunting carried her to his office and set her gently on the sofa, speaking to her with tenderness.

“Alright.” Leng Zheng nodded, curling up instinctively on the sofa like a child seeking comfort.

“Old Cheng, I’ve brought the clothes for Sister Leng Zheng.” Shen Dongling burst into the office, breathless. “I’ll be off now—don’t want to get in the way of your time together.”

He had already had enough of their public displays of affection in the car; he really didn’t want any more.

“He…” Leng Zheng blushed, embarrassed despite being soaked to the skin.

“It’s fine. Ignore him,” Cheng Yunting smiled, noticing her discomfort.

Leng Zheng nodded, then took the clothes and went to the bathroom to change.

Shen Dongling had good taste, she had to admit. The outfit was a white short-sleeved blouse and a blue pleated skirt. Unfortunately, the skirt was a bit short, only reaching her knees.

When Leng Zheng emerged, Cheng Yunting handed her a thermometer. “Here, check your temperature. Don’t catch a cold.”

“It’s nothing,” Leng Zheng shook her head. “I won’t get sick from a little rain.”

“Even so, check, just in case.” Cheng Yunting was adamant when it came to her health.

“By the way, Master Cheng, I’m curious—why do you like me? Have we met before?” Leng Zheng tilted her head, looking at him with curiosity.

Even if he remembered that incident, she doubted he could recognize her—unless they had met somewhere else.

Cheng Yunting smiled. “If I said it was love at first sight, would you believe me?”

Leng Zheng considered for a moment and shook her head. “No. You must have met countless women; so many socialites dream of marrying you, but I’ve never heard of you liking anyone.”

“Exactly.” Cheng Yunting patted her head indulgently. “If you remember that incident, fine. If not, it doesn’t matter—as long as I remember.”

“Besides that time, did we ever meet somewhere else?” Leng Zheng asked.

“Yes, we did. But I doubt you noticed me,” he replied after thinking for a moment.

Leng Zheng nodded, and suddenly recalled the banquet she’d attended… Ordinary students couldn’t possibly get an invitation… What now? Her little secret identity had slipped out without her noticing!

“I am rather curious, though—how did you get into those banquets?” Cheng Yunting looked at her with genuine curiosity.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the question. “Oh, my godmother brought me in.”

“I see, understood.” Cheng Yunting nodded and asked no further, and Leng Zheng secretly let out a breath of relief.