Addicted: Book One - The Inquietude of Youth (1-44)

Chapter 34: Actually, you've heard it wrong.

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A while later, when Gu Hai reckoned that Jin Lu Lu would have calmed down, he turned on his phone again. It did not ring immediately this time. There were no incoming calls even when Gu Hai had waited for some time. So, he reluctantly called her back.

"Hello..."

Heavy nasal sounds reached Gu Hai's ears and right at that moment, his heart trembled. Jin Lu Lu was a really tough girl who rarely cried. For long as Gu Hai could remember, Jin Lu Lu had never shed a tear, not even once.

"Okay okay, don't cry anymore."

Jin Lu Lu sobbed hastily, she could not even finish her sentences.

"I know I shouldn't be imagining things... But, you've changed so much... Previously, although we studied at different schools, I always feel like you're beside me... But now, I feel... I feel that you're really far away from me..."

Gu Hai went silent for a bit, "It's not that far, just half an hour journey in a high-speed train."

Jin Lu Lu's tears turned into laughter, "Why did you hang up on my call earlier?"

"I didn't hang up, the signal was bad."

Gu Hai suddenly realized that he could tell lies so easily now.

Jin Lu Lu only hummed twice, "I have a migraine for the past two days and it hurts so bad. I can't bear the pain."

Gu Hai looked at the time, five minutes had passed.

"This is because you're always before the computer and play too much with your phone. You also put your phone to your ear while answering the call. Just imagine the magnitude of radiation! Listen, sleep early okay? When you wake up tomorrow, you should be fine already."

Jin Lu Lu took a deep breath, "Can you come and see me this Saturday?"

"I have an appointment with Li Shuo and Hu Zi already this Saturday. How about Sunday? I don't have anything to do on Sunday."

"You've always think they're more important than me."

"This is not about who is more important, I have already promised someone else. I have to do what I've promised to do!"

Jin Lu Lu went quiet for a long time, then she faintly replied, "I'm going to my classmate's birthday party on Sunday, so I don't have any spare time on that day. Just come over next week then, or I would be too tired."

When she hung up the call, Gu Hai could still hear her disappointed sigh.

The lights were already turned off. Gu Hai suddenly remembered two years ago around this time, Jin Lu Lu led a group of girls to break the glass at the school director's home. Then, she had gone back to school and openly challenged the school principal. She had been wild and straightforward at that time. She was so clear as to whether she loved or hated something that she didn't pay attention to anything else. Although she's just one skinny little girl, she was extremely aggressive.

He still remembered Jin Lu Lu's hearty smile as she sat on the table. At that time, Gu Hai had found her very captivating.

Gu Hai had been fascinated by Jin Lu Lu since.

Perhaps, you should not touch the things you love. If you do not touch it, it will remain the same, pure. No matter how much you look at it, you would still think that it is good. However, if you put it in front of you to touch and familiarise yourself with, its original beauty would be eroded.

Gu Hai thought for a long time while still holding onto his phone. Then he finally decided to send a message.

I'll tell Li Shuo and Hu Zi that I won't go with them on Saturday. I'll go to see you instead.

Gu Hai put down his phone and his heart finally felt at ease.

The next morning found Gu Hai riding a bike to school with Bai Luo Yin sitting on the backseat. This time, Bai Luo Yin changed his position. Before, he always sat with his back facing Gu Hai's back. But on that day, he faced the front with both hands holding onto Gu Hai's shoulders. This way, he could see the road ahead and prevent Gu Hai from going through that bumpy road again.

However, the wind was a little bit strong that day. Furthermore, the winds in Beijing never travel alone; if it wasn't the sand, then it would be the dust. Since Bai Luo Yin stood so tall as they rode down the road, he wondered about the amount of sand he had inhaled with each deep breath.

"Why aren't you sitting? I can block the wind for you."

Bai Luo Yin simply held onto Gu Hai's shoulder firmly without speaking a word. He even managed to sneak a ruthless pinch on Gu Hai's shoulder.

Gu Hai instantly knew what Bai Luo Yin was thinking. He immediately assured him, "I won't pass through the bumpy road, so don't worry!"

"Tomorrow is Saturday, do you want to hang out together?" Bai Luo Yin suddenly spoke up.

"What?"

Because of the strong wind and the honks from the surrounding motor vehicles, Gu Hai could not make out what Bai Luo Yin was saying.

Bai Luo Yin lowered his head slightly, placing his mouth as close as he could to Gu Hai's ears.

"Let's go fishing together on Saturday?"

Gu Hai's hands were shaking. He only stared at the road ahead, as if he was in the middle of making a difficult decision.

"I'm busy. I can't go."

Bai Luo Yin's gaze dimmed, "Forget it then."

Those three words were not even spoken loudly, but Gu Hai heard them clearly.

"Okay! I'll find you on Saturday."

Bai Luo Yin bowed his head slightly, just enough to see the tip of Gu Hai's nose.

"Didn't you just say that you can't go?"

Gu Hai slightly lifted his eyelid, just in time to see Bai Luo Yin's firm and persistent chin.

"The wind is gusty today. You've heard it wrong."