Chapter 19: How Have You Been?

“Haha~”

With a big bite, the chocolate shell, soft bread, and thick cream filled my mouth.

As I slowly chewed, the rich sweetness hit my taste buds.

Mmm! So good.

This was actually the first time I’d properly eaten a donut.

I’d only had cookies pretending to be donuts before.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

Gu Fan, after biting into his matcha nut donut, asked vaguely with his mouth still full.

“I like it.”

I took another bite and nodded with my eyes squinted in contentment.

“The cream is sweet, and the chocolate’s crunchy. Feels like I could eat a few more.”

“Mm-mm, that won’t do~ You have to save room for dinner.”

If I were the one buying, I probably would’ve just gotten a few more donuts and called it dinner.

Auntie Gu probably cooks dinner for Gu Fan every day, right?

Wait, no—that’s not it.

From what she said, it’s usually Gu Fan who makes dinner most of the time.

Mmm… Now I’m oddly curious about what that would taste like.

The donut I’m chewing suddenly doesn’t seem quite so delicious anymore.

“Ah, Zhi Nian, can I try that one?”

Gu Fan pointed at the paper bag in my hand, and I blinked in panic.

“Wha—Gu Fan, y-you want to eat this? Are you sure?”

“Mm… not like I have to, I’m just curious about the flavor.”

“O-oh, I see.”

I looked at the donut I’d bitten into, now looking like it’d been gnawed by a dog.

The cream had leaked out and was running over the chocolate coating.

“But… it has my saliva on it, you know?”

If he bit right where I bit, wouldn’t that be like an indirect kiss?

No, no way.

We’re not that close. I can’t do something like that.

Just as I was about to steel myself and refuse, Gu Fan, still pointing at my donut with a half-smile, added:

“I was worried you’d be the one who’d mind, actually. So how about you just tear off a piece from the bottom for me? And in return, I’ll tear off part of mine for you to try.”

What the heck… so that’s what he meant?

Although I didn’t quite understand why I felt a little disappointed, I still did as Gu Fan said—tearing off a piece from the unbitten bottom part of my donut and handing it to him.

“Ah ~”

To my surprise, Gu Fan didn’t seem to have any intention of taking it with his hands.

He simply leaned in and lightly bit the edge of that small piece straight from my fingers.

Mmnh—he almost licked my fingers.

A wave of embarrassment spread through me, followed by a hint of frustrated indignation.

So, when it was Gu Fan’s turn to offer me a small piece of his matcha donut, I returned the favor in the same way.

“Haha ~”

Although I didn’t get licked, his fingertips did brush against my lips—soft and tingly.

It made me completely forget to focus on the taste of the matcha donut.

I was too busy pursing my lips, trying to erase that teasing, ticklish sensation.

“Hm-mm, Zhi Nian, check the corner of your mouth.”

Gu Fan had been staring at me for a while before suddenly speaking.

“Huh? What is it?”

Startled by his reminder, I quickly pulled out my phone to check my reflection.

I wasn’t wearing lipstick or foundation, so the only possibility was that something had stuck to the corner of my mouth.

“Hmm…”

It was matcha powder…

I stuck out my tongue—with a tiny bump of flesh showing—and licked the corner clean.

Then, I noticed Gu Fan’s unreadable gaze and shyly lowered my head.

Crap… I forgot I’m a girl now. I should’ve acted more ladylike.

Would Gu Fan think I’m unhygienic?

I looked over at Gu Fan, trying to see his expression.

And found that there was a bit of cream at the corner of his mouth, too.

“Mm, Gu Fan, you’ve got something on your mouth too.”

“Huh? Really?”

Just then, we passed by a grocery store.

Gu Fan used the reflection in the display window to check and saw the spot clearly.

“Ho, looks like I’m a dummy too.”

Unlike my flustered reaction, Gu Fan casually wiped his mouth with a tissue and then handed me a fresh one.

“Sorry, I was too busy pointing it out and forgot to give you a tissue.”

“Mm, it’s okay. Actually, I should be the one thanking you, Gu Fan.”

The donuts were expensive but not very satisfying—gone in just a few bites.

Gu Fan and I wandered aimlessly down the street.

Since I had told him beforehand to plan the afternoon, I felt relaxed following him without a care, just walking alongside him.

Gu Fan was fiddling with the zipper on his jacket—probably thinking about what to do next.

Tap, tap.

Whether intentional or not, we ended up walking toward the outskirts of the city.

Farmland and grassy fields surrounded the road.

Cars rarely passed by, so it was quiet enough to hear the sound of our own footsteps.

Come to think of it… since we broke off our friendship, Gu Fan and I hadn’t come to the outskirts anymore.

When we were kids, we didn’t come here to play.

We just found a place to sit, occasionally chatting, but mostly leaning on each other, watching the scenery.

Hmm, not much different from now, is it?

I glanced at Gu Fan leading the way and suddenly realized he had been heading here all along.

If Gu Fan wants to go back to what we used to do as kids, then I have to be more proactive and talk with him.

“Um… Gu Fan.”

“Hmm, I’m here.”

My call was met with a serious reply. With calm, clear eyes, Gu Fan encouraged me to say the words I had carefully prepared.

“Gu Fan, how do you think today went?”

I said nervously, then immediately shut my mouth.

The whole point of skipping class today was to make him a little happier.

If I failed, then everything I did would be meaningless.

Although Gu Fan always seemed to be smiling, I wasn’t sure if he was genuinely happy because he was good at hiding his feelings behind a mask of smiles.

Hmm, for me, Gu Fan’s only flaw is this.

I wish he could be a bit more honest.

“How did it go? Hmm…”

Gu Fan stroked his chin, thinking seriously.

His expression made my heart skip a beat.

Breathing in the scent of grass and trees drifting from both sides of the road, I took a deep breath to calm my anxious heart.

It’s okay, it’s okay. I have to trust Gu Fan—even if he’s truly tired of me, he’d probably still force a smile and lie that he had a good time.

Just as I expected, Gu Fan said exactly what I thought he would say.

“I had a great time. Thanks to you today.”

“Hmm… is that so…”

I hung my head low, feeling dejected, my fingertips nervously playing with the hem of my clothes.

I didn’t dare look at Gu Fan’s face, afraid I’d see a flawless, perfect smile pretending to brush me off.

While I was lost in my worries, Gu Fan suddenly turned around and blocked my way.

Caught off guard, I bumped right into his chest.

“Ugh!”

So solid… my nose even felt a little red from the impact.

Has Gu Fan been working out that much?

I rubbed my nose, blinking back tears caused by the sting, silently asking Gu Fan what he was trying to do.

He bent down with interest, staring at the redness at the corner of my eye.

“Did it hurt?”

“Mm, a little.”

I nodded honestly. Gu Fan chuckled, reached out toward the top of my head, then froze halfway before pulling his hand back.

“Zhi Nian, I really had fun today. I’ve never skipped class before. It feels a bit like being a bad student, but trying it once in a while is kind of exciting.”

“Is—is that so? Th-then, that’s good.”

I stammered out my reply and nodded repeatedly, trying to affirm his words.

Even if it was just Gu Fan’s way of making me feel better, I willingly accepted it for now.

One step at a time…

If Gu Fan really doesn’t need me to bring him happiness, then I’ll stay far away.