Chapter 210, ...I guessed you would do this (Part )

"It's useless even if you look at me like that. In my opinion, this is not a big deal. Besides, rumors can never be dispelled by clarification."

Ling took a sip of black tea and turned his head to speak.

"That's true," Zhuo scratched his head and lay down on the sofa, "Young people's view of love is really pure. As long as they get a little closer, they will think they are a couple."

Ling glanced over coldly: "Please don't say such filthy words."

"Hi!"

Utsunomiya Shuo saluted.

It was said to be filthy remarks, but Utsunomiya Shuo only mentioned it vaguely, and Zero guessed what he was talking about. Doesn't this mean that Zero himself also knows what it is?

For example, in the adult world, those terrible things...

Only in a school that has not yet been tainted by the social atmosphere, innocent students would instantly think in that direction. It's quite cute to think so.

But no matter what, it is still troublesome to be mistaken for Ling's boyfriend, so Zhuo hopes that the rumor will dissipate as soon as possible. If people often ask or question "Is that person your boyfriend?", Ling will get impatient after a long time.

The same is true from Zhuo's perspective.

Every time he heard a rumor, he couldn't calm down because of various emotions.

In fact, he didn't think it was a big deal that the word "couple" was spread on campus. The key point was that he and Zero were not a couple. Under this premise, being viewed in this way and having it mentioned repeatedly would be very uncomfortable.

It's a bit like when you go out with your friend and his girlfriend, and your friend goes to the bathroom, leaving you and your friend's girlfriend alone, and then you are misunderstood.

Of course, this analogy is not appropriate. Moreover, some people may even find it enjoyable...

"Anyway, just pay attention for now, and then wait for the rumors to dissipate on their own."

Rumors always come and go quickly, and they will disappear after a while.

Zhuo let out a long sigh, while Ling just lowered his eyes slightly.

“…I guessed you would do that.”

"what the hell."

"Or should we just accept this?"

Ling's sudden and inexplicable remarks, coupled with her silent gaze towards Zhuo, made Zhuo feel uneasy.

This feeling is probably a sudden joy mixed with a self-warning to "stop being so self-indulgent". The two mixed together make people feel upset.

Zhuo believed that Ling did have some feelings towards him, otherwise Ling would not be so easy-going towards him and would not trust him so much.

On the other hand, he couldn't tell what the nature of this kindness was. Was it the same as Zhuo's affection for Ling? Did it contain the same passion?

The feelings deep in my heart cannot be easily put into words.

It was not a blazing passion, nor was it a passion that made one's blood boil, but it was like a soft and calm candlelight, with real heat.

Ling is the second person that Zhuo loves after he came to this world... Although this word is a bit strange, the first one is Sa Chiko, so it's not strange to think about it this way... Someone who loves him to such an extent. It's understandable that Zhuo wants to own her, possess her, and have her all to himself.

As for liking and loving...that kind of thing is too broad and difficult to define.

Zhuo didn't know whether he could be called worthy of those words.

Such feelings cannot be expressed carelessly towards Zero, who already considers him as the second closest person of the opposite sex.

Zhuo is still not sure whether Ling's feelings towards him are the same as his feelings towards Ling, so Zhuo has been reminding himself not to do what happened last time, which would cause a direct misunderstanding and bring trouble to both parties.

"If I agree, I will definitely be killed by the boys."

Even though the central colleges and universities rarely heard of "bullying" incidents, the "needle" gaze would definitely make Zhuo's stomach ache, and even to the point of killing him with the gaze and whispers. Don't underestimate these things, verbal violence and cold violence are terrible.

Even though Zhuo basically doesn't care about other people's eyes and likes to be alone... this is different from being stared at maliciously all the time and hearing sarcastic words in your ears all the time.

It's all so obvious.

Of course Zhuo wouldn't go looking for trouble, they are not a real couple.

After he waved his hand like a lazy old man, Zero lowered his eyes again.

However, Zero’s silence did not come from anything else, but from the vague sense of dumbfoundedness and helplessness that could be seen.

"So I told you that I know you are not the kind of person who would take risks."

"The attack surface is too broad." Zhuo retorted.

This is called thinking twice before acting. A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall.

"You can also say that he retreated when he saw the difficulty," Zero added.

"I always feel like you're insulting me."

"You think too much."

Although she said that she was overthinking, Ling looked as if she had given up on some idea. However, she did not seem to intend to explain it all to Zhuo.

Ling sighed helplessly, and then walked towards the kitchen.

"……I said."

"Huh?" Zero turned around.

"Suppose I really agree, this will definitely affect you, will you agree?"

"Of course. Is there any need to ask? I won't ask you some meaningless questions without being prepared."

The understated answer left Zhuo speechless, and Ling didn't wait for Zhuo's reaction after he finished speaking. He lifted his apron and began to clean up the kitchen utensils: "Don't mention me. My position is different from yours, so the gaze and feelings towards me will naturally be different. I understand your thoughts, and I don't want your life to become chaotic. We have an agreement."

"……this."

That's true. As for Zero, she doesn't really care about what others discuss about her. And they don't look at her with malice or ridicule her. The treatment of beautiful girls is always different.

"A promise is a promise, so even if agreeing to it can save me from being harassed by many boys, I won't force you."

"Hey, I heard it. It's so vicious."

Zhuo finished his speechless complaints, and then Ling turned around and looked at him and said.

"There are only two of us here, and I'm telling you this."

"..."

Facing Ling's calm eyes which were slightly different from usual, Zhuo was speechless.

(Note: The following is for readers who failed the reading comprehension test.)
'I'm telling you this', the literal meaning of this sentence is easy to understand, it means exactly what it is.

If you think about it a little more, you will wonder if it means: this reason is deliberately told to you... something like that.

Although such thoughts made Zhuo feel uncomfortable, he gave up thinking, "It's a blessing in disguise, and pigs can't avoid it." He looked out the window a little further away without saying a word.

　Thanks to 20220703153922263 for the 100-point reward.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)