Chapter 150 Love

Chapter 150: Falling in Love

Chen Kaiyuan's fingers twitched slightly, and he looked uncomfortable as he put on a smile. "I remember quite a few people pursued you in college, but you never seemed interested... Just how special is this guy to have caught your attention?"

Shen Qingye smiled nonchalantly. "It's not about being special or not. The timing and circumstances were just right, so it just clicked."

Chen Kaiyuan tugged at the corner of his lips. "Good for you. Really."

He then asked, "Not gonna introduce him?"

Shen Qingye replied, "Next time we meet, I’ll definitely bring him to see you all."

Seeing her warm smile as she spoke of him—so unlike her usual cool and composed demeanor in school—Chen Kaiyuan felt a sharp sting. He regretted his own hesitation, his lack of courage to act, which had led to this outcome.

But since she was already taken, he couldn’t very well persist. Keeping it together, he made small talk for a bit before excusing himself.

He walked away heavily, unable to hide his dejection.

Shen Qingye watched his figure disappear around the corner of the staircase before looking away and walking out naturally.

Yue Lingchuan followed behind her, his expression blank, showing no trace of emotion. But the moment they stepped off the last stair outside the police station, Shen Qingye suddenly felt her arm tighten, and in the next instant, she was pulled into a quiet alleyway.

Her back pressed against the wall, her shoulders pinned, Shen Qingye looked up to see the man’s eyelids slightly lowered, his thick lashes trembling faintly. His dark eyes were fixed intently on her face, his breathing slightly ragged.

Shen Qingye tilted her head slightly, playing innocent. "Right out in the open—Officer Yue, as a policeman, surely you’re not trying to rob me?"

"Cut it out," Yue Lingchuan said hoarsely, his deep gaze tracing her features. His fingers on her shoulders were loose yet restrained, his tone carrying just the right amount of testing. "What did you mean by what you said earlier?"

"Hmm?" Shen Qingye raised an eyebrow, amusement in her eyes. "What do you mean, what did I mean?"

Yue Lingchuan didn’t let her pretend not to understand. "Boyfriend."

Shen Qingye let out a soft laugh, lifting her chin slightly. Though physically restrained, she somehow exuded an air of gaining the upper hand.

She asked, "Then what do *you* think I meant, Officer Yue?"

Yue Lingchuan studied her for a long moment before his hand slowly slid down from her shoulder, trailing along her arm until his fingers brushed the back of her hand.

He ran hotter than her, and the unusual warmth of his touch made her shiver. Meeting his deep, shadowed gaze, Shen Qingye caught her breath slightly.

"I think," Yue Lingchuan said, his eyes locked onto her face, capturing every flicker of emotion, "when you said that in front of him just now, you were acknowledging my status as your boyfriend."

His fingers, touching the back of her hand, slowly spread and tightened, gradually fully covering her hand in his palm. His grip was firm, yet his tone was unusually gentle:

"Comrade Shen, this is my first time being in a relationship. I won’t tolerate being played."

His knuckles were thicker and larger than hers, and now they insistently, inexorably slid between her fingers, bringing with them a strange, thrilling tension.

His warm palm completely covered the back of her hand as his deep voice sounded by her ear: "You have to take responsibility."

Shen Qingye’s heart raced, her inner turmoil far from the calm she projected.

She lifted her eyes to meet Yue Lingchuan’s intense gaze, feeling as though she might be drawn in completely in the next moment.

Her lashes fluttered, her throat bobbing slightly as she averted her gaze, not daring to look at him. She mumbled, "I never said I wouldn’t take responsibility."

Though Shen Qingye had never been in a relationship before, she wasn’t one to hesitate. Now that she understood her own feelings, she would pursue them openly.

She had seen Yue Lingchuan’s actions over this time and knew well how much he cherished and cared for her. When both parties had feelings for each other, why make it complicated?

She hadn’t seen this coming. During their school days, she’d had an inkling about Chen Kaiyuan’s feelings for her, but since he never brought it up, she pretended not to know. Now, encountering him again with that attitude, Shen Qingye wasn’t foolish—she knew exactly where he was coming from.

The words just tumbled out, not to turn Chen Kaiyuan down, but to give herself an answer—and to give Yue Lingchuan one as well.

As soon as the words left her lips, the hand enveloping hers tightened, and the next moment, she was swept into his strong arms.

The scent that greeted her was fresh and masculine, like the fragrance of hotel shower gel, yet mixed with something indescribable—something uniquely his.

It was actually nice.

Shen Qingye’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening as the thundering pulse in her ears drowned out all other sounds around her.

It was the sound of a heartbeat.

She couldn’t tell if it was hers or his.

Or perhaps… both.

Yue Lingchuan buried his face in the crook of her neck, letting out a heavy, relieved sigh.

Shen Qingye stiffened at the warm breath against her neck, taking a moment before she finally relaxed.

Her hands, hanging limply at her sides, fidgeted slightly before slowly, tentatively rising to encircle his waist.

The large hand resting on her back squeezed reflexively before loosening again.

Yue Lingchuan murmured against her ear, “I must be dreaming.”

Resting her chin on his shoulder, Shen Qingye’s eyes sparkled with laughter.

He burrowed into her neck, his voice muffled, “I really didn’t expect to get your answer today.”

He grumbled, “I hadn’t even confessed yet.”

Shen Qingye’s eyes crinkled with smile lines as she teased lightly, “In that case… maybe I should go find Chen Kaiyuan again and take back what I just said?”

The hand around her waist abruptly loosened as Yue Lingchuan pulled back, his expression stern. “Absolutely not!”

Unable to hold back, Shen Qingye broke into giggles.

Yue Lingchuan rubbed his face. “No matter what, since you’ve already agreed, you can’t just take it back.”

Gazing at her, he took her hand, saying happily, “You’re my girlfriend now.”

Shen Qingye smiled warmly, swinging their joined hands gently. Her voice was soft, carrying a barely perceptible tenderness. “No take-backs.”

The brand-new couple stood facing each other, their eyes alight with happiness. After what felt like an eternity—both feeling a little silly—they both started laughing at the same time.

Yue Lingchuan refused to let go of her hand. “It’s still early. Do you have any plans?”

Shen Qingye shook her head. “I’m fine with anything.”

He looked at her hesitantly. “Then… how about we see a movie?”

As a complete novice in romance, Yue Lingchuan had no idea how couples normally spent time together. He could only rely on what little he’d heard or seen over the years, tentatively voicing his suggestion.

Fortunately, Shen Qingye was just as inexperienced in this field. Beaming, she agreed without hesitation. “Sure.”