Chapter 92 - I Can't Like You

Leaving the mall with central heating, the chilly autumn wind outside made Bai Yuerou shiver instantly.

Tang Huaijin glanced at the girl’s legs clad only in thin stockings and said with some concern, “Cold, isn’t it? Why are you wearing so little today?”

“It wasn’t this cold just now.” Bai Yuerou moved closer to Tang Huaijin, using his body to shield herself from the wind, and murmured in a tone that seemed almost like she was being coquettish.

Tang Huaijin shook his head, took off his jacket, and draped it over her shoulders. He had a habit of dressing warmly to avoid the hassle of catching a cold, so he usually wore quite thick clothing, with a sweatshirt underneath his jacket.

He didn’t feel cold at all; instead, he found the scarf around his neck somewhat bothersome, so he took it off and carefully tied it around Bai Yuerou.

With a sweet smile on her face, Bai Yuerou’s eyes seemed to sparkle as she gazed at Tang Huaijin, allowing him to earnestly tie the scarf around her neck.

Tang Huaijin tied a knot in the scarf, nodded in satisfaction, and looked up, meeting the girl’s affectionate gaze. He paused slightly, quickly regained his composure, and smiled, “Not cold now, right?”

Bai Yuerou’s cheeks were rosy as she lowered her head, hiding her chin in the scarf, and softly replied, “Mm… not cold anymore.”

“Then let’s go.” Tang Huaijin nodded.

Since it wasn’t far, they could walk to the Japanese restaurant. Tang Huaijin walked on the outside, taking slow, leisurely steps as they headed to the restaurant.

Bai Yuerou remained silent, obediently following by his side. As they passed an intersection, she instinctively reached out and hooked Tang Huaijin’s hand hanging by his side.

Feeling his hand gently pulled and held, Bai Yuerou smiled contentedly and tightened her grip.

Neither of them spoke, maintaining a tacit understanding, walking hand in hand like a normal couple on the street.

The Japanese restaurant was decorated in a Japanese style, with a pleasant environment and private rooms where customers could sit on tatami mats.

After taking off their shoes outside the room, Tang Huaijin led Bai Yuerou inside and sat down side by side.

After ordering, the waiter soon came in with trays, knelt by the table to serve the dishes, and then bowed slightly before leaving the room.

“The grilled sushi here is quite good. I wonder if you’ll like it.” Tang Huaijin smiled as he picked up a piece of sushi for Bai Yuerou.

Bai Yuerou picked it up and put it in her mouth, chewed a few times, and her face blossomed into a smile. She said softly, “It’s really delicious, thank you, Jin.”

Tang Huaijin placed a few lobsters on her plate and said, “The lobsters here are also good, quite fresh.”

Bai Yuerou’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she picked up a dish for him, saying warmly, “Jin, don’t just focus on me, you should eat too.”

Tang Huaijin responded and started eating with his chopsticks.

The food here was indeed good. Tang Huaijin often came here with his sister when he was young. After dinner, Tang Huaijin leaned back in his chair, feeling relaxed.

Bai Yuerou, with a small appetite, had already finished eating and occasionally picked up dishes for Tang Huaijin, gazing at his profile with a somewhat entranced look.

Seeing him put down his chopsticks, Bai Yuerou smiled gently and handed him a napkin.

“Thank you. Are you full?” Tang Huaijin took the napkin and wiped his mouth. Seeing Bai Yuerou nod, he smiled and said, “Then shall we go?”

Bai Yuerou bit her lip and said softly, “Can we sit for a while longer?”

Tang Huaijin, who was about to get up, paused at her words, sat back down, and smiled, “Sure.”

The atmosphere in the room became quiet. Bai Yuerou sneaked a glance at him, her small hand tentatively reaching out to hold his hand. Seeing no reaction from him, she tightly intertwined their fingers.

Tang Huaijin remained silent, allowing the girl to hold his hand. After a moment of silence, he looked into Bai Yuerou’s eyes and said softly, “Yuerou, have you fallen for me?”

Upon hearing this, Bai Yuerou’s body trembled, and the smile on her face gradually faded, falling into silence.

Bai Yuerou understood that his words were not really a question.

She knew that liking someone couldn’t be hidden. With Jin’s intelligence, it wouldn’t be hard for him to realize she had fallen for him.

But this also meant that her request had been fulfilled by Tang Huaijin.

After a moment of silence, Bai Yuerou raised her head, meeting Tang Huaijin’s gaze, her face adorned with a gentle smile. She said softly, “Yes, I like you, Jin.”

Tang Huaijin’s eyes showed a complex expression. He sighed and said, “Thank you.”

Bai Yuerou shook her head, smiling lightly, “No need to thank me.”

“I don’t even know when I started liking you. Initially, I was just curious about you because of Lin Ruoxi. But later, your calligraphy, your writing, everything made me admire you.”

“Gradually, I found myself unconsciously stealing glances at your profile, looking forward to seeing you at school, enjoying being with you. Seeing you close to other girls made me feel sour and sad.”

“That’s when I realized that unknowingly, I had fallen for you. But I don’t resent this feeling; instead, knowing that the first person I liked was you made me happy and grateful.”

“So, liking you is my own choice, unrelated to anyone else.”

Tang Huaijin shook his head and said, “I’m not as great as you think…”

Bai Yuerou reached out to cover his mouth and said softly, “Jin, I’m not a silly little girl. I understand my feelings and won’t easily doubt my affection. I’m just telling you that I really like you.”

“So, do you like me?”

“…” Looking at the hope in the girl’s eyes, Tang Huaijin felt extremely conflicted. If it weren’t for his sister, he might have truly liked this serene and gentle girl, akin to moonlight.

After a long silence, Tang Huaijin sighed and said softly, “I already have someone I like.”

Bai Yuerou’s expression remained unchanged as she asked, “Is it Xi?”

“It’s not Lin Ruoxi.” Tang Huaijin shook his head and said, “I can’t tell you who she is. I like her very much, but due to certain reasons, we can’t be together for now.”

After hearing his words, Bai Yuerou calmly asked, “Is that why you need me to be your nominal girlfriend?”

“Yes, it’s related to that.” Tang Huaijin nodded, looking at Bai Yuerou apologetically, “So, I’m sorry, I can’t like you.”

“I understand, it’s okay.” Bai Yuerou nodded, and after a moment of silence, she forced a smile and said softly, “According to our agreement, from today onwards, I am your nominal girlfriend.”

“Thank you.” Tang Huaijin’s tone was sincere. Looking at Bai Yuerou, he hesitated for a moment and asked, “You… won’t regret it, will you?”

“Regret?” Bai Yuerou’s smile was somewhat bitter as she said, “I don’t regret it, just a bit of disappointment. Perhaps first loves are always disappointing, ending before they even begin.”

“Can I compensate you in any way?” After speaking, Tang Huaijin regretted it, realizing he had no right or opportunity to make amends.

Bai Yuerou smiled as if to comfort him and said softly, “It’s okay, Jin, you don’t owe me anything. I’ll cooperate with you. Can you tell me specifically what I need to do?”

“There’s nothing particularly special to pay attention to. Just make sure others believe we’re a couple.” After speaking, Tang Huaijin seemed to remember something and said, “Oh, Yuerou, could you give me a photo of yourself? That way, I can post it on social media or something.”

Bai Yuerou blinked, took out her phone, and opened the camera, saying softly, “Then let’s take a picture together, shall we?”

Seeing Tang Huaijin nod, Bai Yuerou smiled, moved closer to him, and raised her phone to find an angle. After trying several angles and feeling unsatisfied, she handed the phone to Tang Huaijin, saying softly, “Jin, you take it.”

Tang Huaijin smiled, took the phone, found a suitable angle, and gently pressed the shutter, taking a photo.

After taking the photo, Tang Huaijin looked at it and gradually became dazed.

In the photo, the young man had sharp brows and bright eyes, looking handsome and smiling at the camera.

In the photo, the girl had delicate features, her beautiful eyes gazing at him, her smile radiant like a blooming flower.