Chapter 24 – The Right Way to Fall in Love

After Yue Shu left, Ye Zhou felt a peculiar sensation he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

Before coming here, he was excited and elated, even feeling a rush of adrenaline every time he recalled last night’s kiss. But now, although his heart still raced when he saw Guan Heng, he had completely regained his composure. Before pursuing someone, he had anticipated that Guan Heng might have many admirers and had mentally prepared himself for it. However, the situation was different when an ex wanted to rekindle things. Although he acted cool and nonchalant, in reality, he felt a sense of vulnerability.

“Ye Zhou.” As if to interrupt his wild thoughts, Guan Heng suddenly took his hand, “What are you thinking about?”

Ye Zhou felt his hand gently squeezed. He looked down at where their hands touched; Guan Heng used his left hand to hold chopsticks and his right hand to clasp Ye Zhou’s, without hindering his meal at all. Not only did Guan Heng merely hold his hand, but his fingertips also brushed lightly against his palm—a very intimate gesture. Undeniably, this method of diverting attention was incredibly effective.

Ye Zhou smiled, thinking that Guan Heng was truly skilled. However, this was the first time Guan Heng had proactively asked about his thoughts, giving Ye Zhou the impression that their relationship had transformed.

In front of Guan Heng, Ye Zhou often felt as if he could be easily seen through. Nonetheless, he was genuinely curious, asking in a relatively relaxed tone, “I was thinking… aren’t you worried that calling me in here would lead to us arguing or fighting?”

“You won’t,” Guan Heng’s tone was resolute, much like the invisible confidence he exuded, effortlessly convincing others, “Neither will he.”

Guan Heng placed the emphasis on the front half of his sentence, making Ye Zhou feel valued. His mood inexplicably improved, and he even seized the rare opportunity to return the squeeze on Guan Heng’s hand. Human nerve endings were sensitive, and the touch between fingertips was subtle yet private—this was why fingers were well-suited for flirtation.

But Guan Heng grabbed his hand, stopping him from further mischief: “Is there nothing you want to ask me?”

Ye Zhou was slightly taken aback, instinctively replying, “If I ask, will you tell me?”

Guan Heng didn’t hesitate: “Yes.”

Right at that moment, Jian Huan arrived as usual during lunchtime. Guan Heng naturally released Ye Zhou’s hand and began tidying up the empty lunch boxes.

Ye Zhou retreated to sit on the sofa, vacating space for the teacher and student to discuss matters.

Taking advantage of this time, Ye Zhou organized his jumbled thoughts, calmed his slightly accelerated heartbeat, and carefully pondered what he truly wanted to know. Guan Heng’s immediate agreement was unexpected—he assumed that the appearance of an ex would sway Guan Heng to some extent. However, it seemed he had overthought it, which gave him considerable reassurance.

Jian Huan left after staying for just around fifteen minutes, leaving only Ye Zhou and Guan Heng in the office.

Ye Zhou had already decided what to ask. He may have successfully integrated into Guan Heng’s social circle, but he hadn’t truly entered his heart. He wanted to understand Guan Heng better, both past and present. He slowly posed the question, “I heard Yue Shu mention the alumni association; were you at the same school? Were you classmates?”

Guan Heng answered straightforwardly, “We attended the same university, but we weren’t classmates. I’m two years older than him, so he could be considered my junior.”

The relationship between senior and junior could be distant or close. But Ye Zhou thought they must have been the latter since Guan Heng had known Yue Shu for over a decade since his university days. This was currently the most pressing question on his mind: “Have you been together for a long time?”

“No,” Guan Heng adjusted the chair in the office toward Ye Zhou’s direction, leaning back slightly with his elbows resting on the armrests. His voice was calm and gentle, yet he adopted a dominant stance in the conversation, “We’ve merely known each other for a long time. We’ve truly been together for only the past two years.”

Guan Heng looked directly into Ye Zhou’s eyes, revealing the information he sought: “Yue Shu and I studied different majors. He majored in music. You probably heard earlier that he mentioned a concert. He’s a fairly famous violinist.”

Ye Zhou indeed heard that, and he also remembered Yue Shu mentioning going abroad when he broke up with Guan Heng: “Then the Professor Zhan he talked about is…”

Guan Heng replied unhurriedly, “That’s the head of my department and my mentor. But to Yue Shu, he can be considered his guiding teacher and benefactor.”

Yue Shu came from a musical family; his parents were renowned conductors and pianists in the country. From a young age, he displayed a talent for music and enjoyed it, following in his parents’ footsteps. However, during university, Yue Shu’s opinions diverged from those of his parents. Yue Shu possessed high musical talent, but he also had a high IQ. Instead of enrolling in the music school arranged by his parents, he resolutely chose a prestigious university to prove that he could handle both academics and music simultaneously.

Even today, people generally harbor stereotypes about children studying music, believing it to be a highbrow hobby, reserved for the wealthy or those with connections. Furthermore, in school, these special talents often received bonus points, implying that they didn’t need to exert effort. Yue Shu, who possessed both wealth and talent, won numerous awards, likely didn’t escape hearing such gossip. Intelligent individuals often held themselves in high esteem, hence their desire to dispel such misconceptions.

After entering university, although he didn’t completely fall out with his family, Yue Shu was estranged from his parents for a period. After fulfilling his wish to enter a prestigious university, he suddenly became lost. What was he trying to prove? To whom? Did other people’s perceptions really matter that much? Was there any significance in doing this?

Many say that choosing a major in college is a life-defining decision that requires careful consideration, as if one wrong choice could ruin a person’s life, putting them at a disadvantage right from the start.

Yue Shu, who had never experienced failure before, hadn’t encountered this situation. It was Professor Zhan, whom Guan Heng referred to, who enlightened him, enabling Yue Shu to firmly complete his university education. After graduation, he pursued studies at a foreign music academy. Perhaps due to this low point, Yue Shu treasured his talent even more, walking this path with greater determination and achieving even more remarkable results.

Guan Heng said, “That’s when I met Yue Shu, as he would frequently visit my mentor. Professor Zhan was involved in education but was also an authority in psychology.”

Although Yue Shu’s troubles sounded like typical issues faced by young students, Ye Zhou could easily discern how exceptional the other party was. In the eyes of ordinary people, Yue Shu’s problems might seem like trivial complaints. Indeed, birds of a feather flock together, and Guan Heng surrounded himself with a group of geniuses.

Ye Zhou asked again, “Didn’t you have much interaction back then?”

“Not really, we were too busy,” Guan Heng pondered for a moment and added, “Perhaps we just didn’t see eye to eye.”

“So, how did it happen later…”

“It might have been fate,” Guan Heng went abroad for his studies first and coincidentally encountered Yue Shu in a foreign land. Despite not being particularly close, it was easier to become acquainted in an unfamiliar environment. However, they didn’t become a couple then; at best, they were ordinary friends. Later, when Guan Heng returned to work in China, he unexpectedly ran into Yue Shu again. They had no prior connection, and their social circles were entirely different, but this unexpected encounter easily made them believe in destiny.

However, in the end, it was Yue Shu who let go first.

After listening, Ye Zhou couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret and sympathy. If Yue Shu had returned before Ye Zhou decided to pursue Guan Heng, he might have convinced himself to give up. But now, regardless of how remorseful Yue Shu might be, Ye Zhou wasn’t planning to let go. People were selfish, including him. There was no reason for him to step back for anyone else’s sake.

Ye Zhou asked again, “Was he your first partner?”

Upon hearing this, Guan Heng actually chuckled, “Are you trying to dig up my past?”

“No,” Ye Zhou felt a bit embarrassed. He knew that past events were just that—the past. Mentioning them had no significance. He himself had been in relationships before, which was normal. He simply wanted to learn more about Guan Heng, perhaps also envying Yue Shu for seeing Guan Heng during his student days: “I just wanted to know if he was your first love. After all, first loves are different for many people… I need to know how tough a rival I’m dealing with…”

Despite feeling embarrassed, Ye Zhou didn’t mind confessing these feelings in front of Guan Heng. After all, he had already confessed, and Guan Heng expressed his fondness for his honesty. What he should do now wasn’t to be jealous or slander his opponent, but to continue improving his standing with Guan Heng, finding ways to enter his heart. This was the right way to fall in love.

After giving Ye Zhou a deep look, Guan Heng replied, “No.”

“So…”

Before Ye Zhou could continue, Guan Heng stood up and walked over to him. Leaning forward, he enveloped Ye Zhou under his body, his fingers directly touching his lips. His tone was low and soft, solemn yet consoling: “There’s no need to compare yourself with others; comparisons are meaningless. You are you, and he is he. Anyone in this world is irreplaceable.”

Ye Zhou was easily swayed by Guan Heng. At this moment, he couldn’t think of anything except the sensation of Guan Heng’s fingers on his lips. Yet, he absorbed Guan Heng’s words and nodded dumbly.

Unfortunately, Guan Heng soon released his hand: “Time to go back.”

“Huh?”

Guan Heng smiled, pointing to the clock on the wall: “Don’t you need to return to the restaurant? Or do you want to come with me to class?”

Ye Zhou checked the time and realized it was already one in the afternoon. He had stayed here longer than ever before and forgot that Guan Heng still had classes. Hurriedly getting up from the sofa, he said, “I’ll head back first then.”

“Alright.” Guan Heng reached out to pinch his shoulder, a seemingly ordinary yet affectionate gesture.

Ye Zhou discovered that he liked it when Guan Heng touched him, and he also wanted to do something for Guan Heng, preferably kissing him again like last time. However, considering they were at a school, he decided against it.