Burn Out - Chapter 70

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The surrounding area was quite noisy, but this corner was very quiet. Amidst the footsteps, Ji Ting instinctively grabbed his collar with her fingers and stood on tiptoe. When Yu Xi burst in with her exclamation, Ji Ting stumbled forward. Tan Yucheng quickly pulled his arm back, catching her in his embrace and holding her close.

They both turned to look.

At the entrance of the corner, Yu Xi was next to Long Kong, with Shu Xiao a step behind Long Kong, and Meng Jia trailing a step behind Yu Xi. The four of them stood there, their expressions varied. The distant noise was still heard, but this corner remained extremely quiet.

After a few seconds,

Yu Xi exclaimed in disbelief, slapping her forehead and spinning around, “Is this for real? Huh? Ahhhhhh….”

Shu Xiao’s face turned pale, and she seemed on the verge of collapsing.

Tan Yucheng relaxed his stance and said, “It’s true.”

He confirmed Yu Xi’s question.

Long Kong also reacted, exclaiming in disbelief, unable to believe what he was seeing.

Ji Ting’s heart was racing. This sudden turn of events was completely unexpected. The blush from the kiss still lingered, and she was at a loss for words. Meng Jia, feeling a sense of foreboding, became increasingly agitated. She crossed her arms and clicked her tongue.

“Wait, hold on…” Long Kong, after regaining his composure, fell into self-doubt.

Yu Xi, still shocked and not knowing what to say, ignored everything else and pulled Ji Ting’s arm. “No, I need to talk to you alone.”

Ji Ting, understanding her shock, looked towards Tan Yucheng.

Tan Yucheng lowered his gaze at her. Ji Ting smiled slightly, and Tan Yucheng’s eyebrows raised slightly as he released her. Yu Xi dragged Ji Ting’s arm and led her out of the entrance, brushing past Shu Xiao. Shu Xiao looked at Ji Ting with tearful eyes, her gaze dark and forlorn. Ji Ting met her eyes and felt a moment of confusion, as Shu Xiao appeared so vulnerable at that moment.

But soon, Ji Ting’s expression and gaze became resolute. After locking eyes with her for a moment, she averted her gaze and allowed Yu Xi to link arms with her and lead her away.

Long Kong looked at Tan Yucheng in that instant. “A chat?”

Tan Yucheng nodded, his hands in his pockets as he walked towards him. They were heading in the direction of the exit, completely ignoring Shu Xiao. Long Kong, also unconcerned with Shu Xiao, quickly followed Tan Yucheng.

Shu Xiao remained where she stood, watching his retreating figure. In a daze, she quickly crossed the corner and walked out.

Meng Jia watched her slender figure, smirking as she caught up with her in her high heels. “Surprised?”

“Actually, not at all. Maybe you’re not aware, but over the past four years, he has been extremely good to Ji Ting.”

Shu Xiao stopped in her tracks and looked at Meng Jia.

Surrounded by dispersing concert-goers, it was as if they had created a small space for their conversation. Meng Jia, arms crossed, circled around her, scrutinizing her. “You come back wearing that bracelet, but did you know he never wore one?”

Shu Xiao trembled.

Meng Jia fixed her gaze on her. “Only you are still dreaming, hoping to reconcile with him.”

“If he truly wanted to get back together with you, he would have done what his friend Fu Yan did—wear that bracelet on his wrist until you returned. But he didn’t.”

Shu Xiao was unaware of these details. She knew the story of Fu Yan and Wen Nanxi but did not know that Fu Yan had tattooed himself and worn Buddhist beads to cover up his inner feelings while waiting for Wen Nanxi.

Shu Xiao shook even more, her face as pale as snow.

Meng Jia tilted her head with a cold smile. “I used to think he might still care about you a little, but he doesn’t. Before you even returned to the country, he was already entangled with Ji Ting.”

Shu Xiao shook her head in disbelief.

“Don’t doubt it. Over the years, I’ve seen it clearly. I can’t remember which year it was in college, but I flew to Beijing to find them. Ji Ting was resting in the dorm because of her period. He went straight to the girls’ dorm to find her, made her brown sugar water, and stayed with her until she fell asleep. I was right there at the door.”

Shu Xiao looked at Meng Jia, her face pale, without speaking.

Meng Jia continued, “There are many such details. I could pick out one or two at random. I realized later that, in those years, he only had eyes for Ji Ting!”

Shu Xiao gritted her teeth and said, “But didn’t you pursue him too? Didn’t you like him? Don’t you dislike Ji Ting?”

Meng Jia raised an eyebrow and sneered. “Compared to her, I dislike you even more. I’m helpless with her, but not with you. Seeing you so distressed makes me very happy.”

“I can’t stand people like you who think of themselves as the perfect white moonlight. How big do you think your face is?”

Meng Jia straightened up, glaring at her.

Shu Xiao pressed her lips together and looked back at Meng Jia. “I find you very disgusting too.”

Meng Jia shrugged. “It’s mutual.”

Whenever they were about to argue in high school, they would always back down. After so many years, they finally tore off that bit of pretense as adults. Meng Jia no longer held back, and Shu Xiao finally expressed her true feelings, breaking the pretense of kindness she had hidden deep inside.

Shu Xiao gritted her teeth and quickly walked forward.

Meng Jia didn’t follow her, she crossed her arms and walked away.

Yu Xi pulled Ji Ting to a pillar and stopped. She then realized how stunning Ji Ting looked tonight—her hair was slightly curled, and the dress was beautiful, accentuating her great figure with a perfect curve.

Yu Xi exclaimed, “This dress is so pretty, you look amazing.”

Ji Ting leaned against the pillar and smiled. “And?”

Yu Xi snapped back to reality and looked at Ji Ting again. “I just noticed, you and Tan Yucheng are dressed like a couple tonight.”

Ji Ting was momentarily surprised, then realized Tan Yucheng was wearing a white shirt and black pants, and so was she. She paused for a moment and said, “It seems like it.”

Yu Xi fell silent for a few seconds.

Looking at how beautiful Ji Ting was, Yu Xi suddenly felt it made sense for Tan Yucheng to like her. The scene of Ji Ting and Tan Yucheng kissing earlier seemed unexpectedly harmonious.

She came back to her senses and blurted out, “When did you two get together? Who confessed first? Who pursued whom? Be honest.”

Ji Ting smiled and said, “He pursued me and confessed first. We haven’t been together for long.”

Yu Xi responded with another exclamation of surprise.

She spun around again, saying, “I didn’t expect it, I didn’t expect it. He kept it so hidden, and his taste is so good. He likes Ji Ting. He’s really a big bad wolf. How did I not notice? Help!”

Yu Xi scratched her head.

Ji Ting laughed and pulled her hand down.

Yu Xi’s attitude warmed Ji Ting’s heart.

Yu Xi, holding Ji Ting’s hand, looked at her and said, “I have to say, you two are a great match. I never thought about it before. Mainly because he didn’t seem like it, and you didn’t seem like it either, but now that I think about it, he’s always been good to you, so it seems quite normal for you to be together.”

Ji Ting looked at Yu Xi. “Don’t you think about Shu Xiao?”

Yu Xi paused, thought for a moment, and replied, “I don’t really have any feelings about her, it was just a thought. But after Shu Xiao returned to the country, Tan Yucheng didn’t show any interest in her at all. I didn’t bother thinking about it, mainly because I was busy. Ji Ting, you know, I’ve only focused on you. Now that you’re with him and he confessed, that makes Shu Xiao my enemy.”

“If she makes any rash moves, I’ll go after her.”

Ji Ting smiled helplessly. “No, no, no, she hasn’t done anything. I’m just really happy.”

She looked at Yu Xi with tenderness.

Yu Xi smiled back at her and said, “No wonder Tan Yucheng invited us for drinks tonight. It turns out it’s here.”

“But what about Long Kong…” Yu Xi blinked.

Realizing there was also a muscular class monitor involved.

Tan Yucheng and Long Kong found some seats left by the staff in the stadium. Tan Yucheng leaned back in his seat, and Long Kong sat down opposite him.

They exchanged glances.

Long Kong touched the back of his head and asked, “Was that bouquet you sent?”

Tan Yucheng nodded.

Long Kong cursed lightly and, understanding the situation, gritted his teeth, “So you didn’t just happen to show up at Sunset, you were there to check on things?”

Tan Yucheng was calm and affirmed with a “mm-hmm.”

Long Kong was exasperated. “No wonder! I wondered why you drove up to the Zuoyue Plaza. Did you ruin the undercarriage?”

Tan Yucheng nodded. “Yes, it’s damaged.”

“Damn…” Long Kong cursed again, realizing how nonchalant Tan Yucheng was. He clenched his teeth, but then remembered he hadn’t told Tan Yucheng about his pursuit of Ji Ting either.

It was awkward to bring it up, considering they had been friends for so many years.

He also vaguely felt that if he spoke to Tan Yucheng, he might provoke Tan Yucheng’s sarcasm, making the situation even more awkward. Clearly, among the group, Tan Yucheng and Ji Ting had the closest relationship. It was like a piece of cake, he feared that if he reached out, Tan Yucheng would hit him with a ruler, so he could only reach out secretly.

It turned out his sixth sense was accurate—the boundaries that couldn’t be crossed were indeed real.

Long Kong leaned back in frustration.

He looked at Tan Yucheng and asked, “When did you start liking Ji Ting?”

Tan Yucheng paused for a few seconds before replying, “I can’t pinpoint the exact time.”

“What do you mean?”

Tan Yucheng leaned back in his chair, folded his arms, and said, “It’s been quite a while. I’m not sure when I started having feelings. Maybe since college.”

Long Kong was shocked.

How was it the same as him?

Tan Yucheng looked at Long Kong and said, “So I can’t pinpoint the time.”

Long Kong muttered something under his breath, leaning back in his chair and remaining silent. After a few seconds, he looked up at Tan Yucheng and asked, “Isn’t your pursuit of Ji Ting a bit underhanded?”

“What’s wrong with being underhanded? Can’t I pursue her?” Tan Yucheng raised an eyebrow.

Long Kong clenched his teeth.

“…..”

He could.

They were silent for a while.

Tan Yucheng looked at Long Kong and said, “Still friends?”

Long Kong remained in his seat, muttering something meaningless.

If this person were Tan Yucheng, he could accept it more.

Tan Yucheng’s voice was low and lazy: “Thanks.”

Long Kong waved his hand, sat for a couple more minutes, and then stood up. “Let’s skip the drinks tonight. We’ll do it next time. You treat.”

Tan Yucheng nodded.

He also stood up, his long legs touching the ground, slightly taller than Long Kong. After so many years as brothers, their bond was natural, especially since Long Kong wished well for Ji Ting.

Tan Yucheng had always treated Ji Ting very well.

After Long Kong left.

Tan Yucheng went to find Ji Ting. Ji Ting, having finished talking with Yu Xi, was waiting by the pillar. When Yu Xi saw Tan Yucheng approaching, she covered her mouth and smiled, saying, “I’ll take Long Kong’s car. It seems I might not be drinking tonight.”

Ji Ting saw Tan Yucheng coming alone.

She understood the situation.

She responded with an “mm.”

Yu Xi let go of Ji Ting’s arm, smiled at Tan Yucheng, and said, “Treat us next time.”

Tan Yucheng nodded.

Yu Xi then turned and left.

Just as Long Kong had arrived with the car and was waiting outside, Yu Xi walked towards it. Tan Yucheng approached Ji Ting, took her hand, and they exchanged a glance before looking outside.

Long Kong rolled down his car window.

Yu Xi waved to them from the passenger seat.

Long Kong glanced over and couldn’t help but snort before starting the car and driving away.

The night breeze was quite cool.

There were still some idle staff at the sports arena. Tan Yucheng held Ji Ting’s hand as they walked outside. The sudden public display was unexpected but not too bad.

They only needed to explain to Long Kong, Yu Xi, and a bit to Meng Jia.

Tan Yucheng had nothing to explain to Meng Jia.

Ji Ting had thought Meng Jia might look for her, but she did not. Unsure of what had happened, Ji Ting fastened her seatbelt once in the car, feeling a bit tired after the whole evening.

Tan Yucheng started the car and stopped at a mobile coffee stall, buying a cup of warm coffee.

He then removed the lid and handed it to Ji Ting.

Ji Ting took a sip to soothe her dry throat and placed the cup on the center console. Tan Yucheng drove, stopping at the traffic lights, and took a sip from her cup.

Ji Ting watched him drink.

Her cheeks felt slightly flushed as she focused on the road ahead.

In a relationship, this is the kind of intimacy where sharing a drink together feels natural.

The drive home was a bit congested.

Yu Xi sent a message to Meng Jia asking: Where are you?

Meng Jia replied: Home.

Yu Xi was surprised: So fast, did you fly home?

Meng Jia: Heh, left earlier than you.

Yu Xi: Oh.

Yu Xi: By the way, what about Shu Xiao?

She had seen Meng Jia leave with Shu Xiao earlier.

Meng Jia: Left.

Yu Xi: …Alright.

She wanted to bring up Ji Ting and Tan Yucheng’s situation and see Meng Jia’s thoughts on it, but given Meng Jia’s past pursuit of Tan Yucheng, she wasn’t sure how to start.

She hoped Meng Jia would come to terms with things soon.

She put down her phone.

Back at Ji Ting’s apartment, it was late, and traffic had been so heavy that Ji Ting was drowsy in the car. Tan Yucheng gave her his jacket to use as a cover. When she woke up, the car was entering the underground garage.

She put on Tan Yucheng’s jacket as she got out of the car.

Tan Yucheng held her hand as they went upstairs. They had pre-ordered a late-night snack, which was now waiting in a delivery box at the door. Tan Yucheng carried it in with Ji Ting.

Ji Ting hung up his jacket.

Then she sat beside him. Tan Yucheng opened the box to reveal steaming boat porridge. Ji Ting ladled some into a bowl and enjoyed it immensely.

Tan Yucheng glanced at her, loosened his collar, and smiled, also taking his portion of the porridge.

He looked good even while eating.

His arm muscles were subtly defined under the white shirt, which didn’t fully conceal the lines of his physique.

After finishing the late-night snack, they both went to take a shower. Ji Ting, having had coffee and not feeling sleepy, wore her pajamas and sat on the armrest, drying her hair with her feet bare on the carpet. Tan Yucheng came out of the bathroom, wrapped in steam, took her slow towel, and began drying her hair. Ji Ting, propping up her chin, was editing some photos from tonight. Once Tan Yucheng finished drying her hair, he draped the towel over the back of the sofa and sat beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist.

Ji Ting adjusted the colors and applied filters to the photos.

Tan Yucheng casually browsed his phone.

Accidentally clicking on his Moments, Long Kong, who seemed a bit disgruntled after getting home, decided to post something:

Long Kong: I really… Tan Yucheng has been secretly in love with Ji Ting for many years.

This instantly stirred up a lot of late-night people.

Asan: ???

Asan: What?

Jiang Li: Shocked. Long Kong, are you drunk?

Yu Xi: So true.

Feng Yingying: What?

XX Classmate: Ah? What the hell.

Zhong Yu: What?

There were so many questions and comments quickly overwhelmed the comments section. In the group chat, some people were still awake late at night, sending messages in the dark.

Tan Yucheng glanced at his Moments, then looked back at Ji Ting, holding her tighter. “Long Kong said I’ve been secretly in love with you.”

Ji Ting froze for a moment. She looked at his phone screen, which was already blowing up with comments, and her heart skipped a beat. What are they saying? She looked up at him. Tan Yucheng gazed down at her, his voice low and lazy. “It’s not wrong.”

He leaned down and kissed her lips, saying, “Indeed.”

“My secret crush has become real.”

Ji Ting lifted her chin, her heart racing.

‘I’m the one—’

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