Yu Luobai's heart trembled violently, as if he couldn't believe he would hear those words. Seeing the serious expression on the woman's face, he became composed instead.
Yu Luobai laughed out loud, shaking his head helplessly, saying, "Suddenly, I don't know how to answer you."
Ji Nian looked at him, feeling a little regretful, wondering if she had been too impulsive.
Yu Luobai unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned closer to the woman, a gentle smile on his face, "Little Nian, you're too direct."
Ji Nian scratched her head a little embarrassedly, saying, "Sorry, Teacher Yu, I can't hide what's in my heart. I just say whatever's on my mind."
Yu Luobai looked at her tenderly, smiling as he patted the woman's head, "Why would you say I like you?"
Ji Nian was taken aback, did she misjudge? She answered, "Because I feel that Teacher Yu treats me too well, not like a friend, more like a..."
Yu Luobai looked at her as she trailed off, smiling as he asked, "More like what?"
"Like a lover." Ji Nian stared into his eyes.
"Yes, I like you." Yu Luobai looked at her seriously, meeting her gaze.
Ji Nian heard the answer, although she had anticipated it, hearing it from the man's mouth still made her face instantly redden and her heart race.
Seeing him approach, Ji Nian stiffened, her heart in a panic, until her seatbelt was unbuckled, allowing her to relax. She couldn't help but grumble inwardly, "Geez, this seatbelt again!"
"What about you, do you like me?" Yu Luobai's heart raced as he looked at the woman and asked.
Ji Nian suddenly calmed down. She didn't know, as an outsider who had transmigrated into the book, she had always been free of desire.
Because she owed debts, she wanted to work hard to earn money. Because she knew the female lead had a halo, she wanted to take advantage of her luck. But suddenly one day, the paper man in the book said he liked her, and she was perplexed.
"Perhaps I can't give you an answer now." Ji Nian was dazed.
Yu Luobai's eyes darkened, his heart suddenly aching a little, but he pretended to be natural and asked, "Why?"
Why? Ji Nian couldn't explain, because she might need to think it over, and just a moment ago, she had actually wanted to run away, to escape...
"Because of Cheng Liran?" Yu Luobai asked.
Ji Nian lowered her head, suddenly feeling a little guilty, "Teacher Yu, it's because of me. My mind is a bit of a mess..."
"I know you just broke up not long ago, and perhaps you don't want to enter another relationship so soon." Yu Luobai's tone was gentle, but his heart was utterly dejected.
"I'll go back first." Ji Nian hurriedly opened the door and got out of the car. Her thoughts were in chaos, her mind blank, not knowing what she was thinking.
The two went up the elevator in silence. Yu Luobai looked at the woman who was only as tall as his shoulder, his heart complex. This was the first time in his life he had confessed his feelings, and he had failed.
When they reached the 20th floor, Ji Nian fled hastily out of the elevator, but suddenly heard the man say something.
"Little Nian, can I hug you?" Yu Luobai stood behind her, his voice hoarse.
Ji Nian paused, turning to look at him, not knowing what to say.
"A hug between friends." Yu Luobai had a smile on his face, but his pretense of nonchalance was easily seen through.
Ji Nian didn't refuse, readily reaching out to hug him, her hands on his waist, feeling the warmth of his body, which made her momentarily dazed.
Yu Luobai stiffened, thinking this unreasonable request would be rejected, but seeing her response, his eyes flickered with pleasant surprise. He forcefully hugged the woman back, his arms tight around her. In this moment, the world seemed to stand still.
Ji Nian felt the man's chin resting on her head, his embrace so tight she could hardly breathe.
"Teacher Yu." Ji Nian called out, indicating they could separate now. It was summer after all, and she was getting a bit hot...
Yu Luobai gently released the woman, noticing her hair was a little disheveled. He carefully fixed it, saying, "Good night."
Ji Nian nodded, feeling an unusual emotion in her heart. She turned in a panic, quickly entered the password, and closed the door.
Yu Luobai stood there for a long time, staring at that door, his eyes dim. Perhaps he had been too hasty, and that's why he had frightened her.
On Ji Nian's side, she had returned home. Looking at the time, it was past 11 PM. She removed her makeup, took a shower, her eyes struggling to stay open from fatigue.
Although she had experienced the confession incident today, it wouldn't affect her sleep. Ji Nian had just laid down when she quickly fell into a daze.
The next day, after the crashed Weibo was restored, a photo of a man holding a woman's hand quickly topped the hot search, with the eye-catching title: "Yu Luobai and Ji Xiaonian Suspected to be Dating."
This news spread across the internet. Netizens divided into two camps, while some of Yu Luobai's most extreme fans began posting all kinds of messages online.
Online public opinion spun out of control. Everyone was attacking the woman, even leaving comments on Cheng Liran's Weibo.
"She just broke up, and she's already with another guy?"
"Ji Xiaonian is awesome, her ex was a top star, now she's with the Celestial King Yu. What luck?"
"I used to like her, but now, pfft."
"What right does Ji Xiaonian have to date the Celestial King?"
"I believe in Baibai's choice. There's been no official statement yet, so don't get worked up."
"That woman should stay far away."
"She just broke up, and now she's in another relationship? Is this why Cheng Liran broke up with her, because he knew she was this kind of woman?"
"One word: disgraceful."
Yu Luobai, who hadn't slept all night, saw Peng He anxiously enter his home early in the morning.
"Ancestors! The internet has exploded!" Peng He came in, turning and startled to see someone sitting on the couch. "You scared me!"
Yu Luobai's mood was a little low. He had thought all night about whether Ji Nian really didn't like him.
"What's wrong with you?" Peng He, seeing the man's haggard appearance, asked with concern.
But the man didn't answer. Peng He hurriedly spoke again, "Never mind, don't talk about it. Today there are rumors about you two being in a relationship. Weibo has crashed. Think quickly about how to respond."
"Are there any haters?" Yu Luobai asked.
"Of course, and they're all attacking Ji Nian, saying really nasty things," Peng He said.
"Have the company find internet mercenaries and some marketing accounts to suppress public opinion. Pay Weibo officials to screen and block those malicious posts," Yu Luobai took out his phone, frowning as he saw the posts from the haters.
"What does that mean? Not making any statement? Just letting it blow over like that?" Peng He was puzzled. He had already prepared a response, just waiting for someone to make a statement.
"She rejected me," Yu Luobai said flatly.
Peng He heard this and was utterly shocked. After a while, he slowly said, "Expected, yet unexpected."
"I was too hasty," Yu Luobai said dejectedly.
"Ji Nian is a pretty good girl. Don't be too impatient. You're the Celestial King, believe in your own charm," Peng He thought it was inappropriate at the moment, but still wanted to laugh. The arrogant artist he managed had actually failed at confessing! Hahaha.
"Don't hold it in, I know you want to laugh," Yu Luobai gave him a cold look, finding him utterly annoying.
