Every day is more beautiful than the last.
Every day, she likes him more than she did yesterday!
In the hazy sunlight, Mei recalled her former self—scarred and battered, her heart long since broken, believing she was pitiful to the extreme, thinking no one in the whole world could be more tragic than her.
So she deliberately put on a weak facade, deceiving herself into thinking that being bullied was actually a good thing.
The fact that she was being bullied could no longer hurt her.
She had always lived like that... always...
Waiting for the day she had a chance to grab hold of one of the scumbags bullying her and perish together. Even the Grim Reaper would have to bite a piece of flesh off the other party.
Then the media would broadcast her ugly actions.
After she died, her father probably wouldn't even attend her funeral.
No, whether there was a funeral or not was another matter. Just like the homeless people seen on TV, even the Grim Reaper wouldn't pay respects; people would just think it was bad luck and hurry past.
People spat on her, loathed her, with endless filthy words. Even after her death, there would be no possibility of reversal.
She had made her plans long ago.
Die early and get it over with, even if this life was soaked in pain and tears.
But is that really the case?
A cool, refreshing breeze blew Mei's thoughts back to that bus—
Li Wu, looking anxious, faking a stomachache, taking her away from the carriage full of rumors and gossip...
Saying seriously, "You're in danger right now. Someone is targeting you. Stay here for a bit. I'll go make sure they've gone far away and then come back to take you to school."
Falling from the sky, just like the male protagonists who suddenly appear in otome manga.
But reality isn't a manga. What boy would suddenly say such things to a stranger he didn't know?
Was it narcissism, chuunibyou, or did he have an ulterior motive?
The corners of Mei's mouth slightly curled up. Her gaze drifted to a place farther than the sky, an utopia untouched by any tragedy.
No.
Perhaps he had an unknown purpose, but thinking about it now, he just simply couldn't stand watching it anymore.
Even without that purpose, he probably still wouldn't have just sat idly by!
It didn't matter if she didn't know Little Li's secrets.
It didn't matter if she didn't know Little Li's thoughts.
He was already very strange, wasn't he?
Maybe there were many stories she didn't know, but in the end, he still chose to stay by her side.
Just knowing this was enough...
"Mei, did you get sand in your eyes? The wind is a bit strong. Let me walk in front of you and block it."
Seeing Mei blinking constantly, her eyes red and swollen, Li Wu took two quick steps forward and stood in front of her to block the frantic wind sweeping across the grassland.
The next second, braving the strong wind, Mei stepped to Li Wu's side and walked against the wind with him.
"It's not sand in my eyes."
"Is it because we got caught in the rain last night?"
"No, no. How can Little Li be so dense!"
"Uh... then it's because..."
"Because I like you. Exactly the kind of 'like' you're thinking of."
As her words fell, unlike the last time they were dodging the cyborgs' pursuit and the noise was masked by thunder, this time, Mei's melodious voice was heard by Li Wu without reservation. It was incredibly clear, with no possibility of mishearing.
Seeing Li Wu standing there like a wooden chicken, Mei took a deep breath, then shouted at the top of her lungs toward the vast grassland: "Li Wu!!"
"I like you!! I like you, like you, like you, like you, like you! I like you the most!!!"
The loud, resonant confession startled all the cattle, sheep, and herdsmen, who couldn't help but look over, watching this purple-haired girl with light in her chest venting her feelings hoarsely, over and over again.
Approaching Nagazora City, the people and traffic gradually increased.
Although not as busy as the city center, there were quite a few people and cars.
This sudden confession immediately attracted the attention of everyone around.
"Oh, the girl is confessing. How brave, to dare say such cheesy things in front of so many people. What an amazing girl."
"Cheesy? Didn't you also..."
"Shut up! The past is the past, now is now, understand?"
A herdsman couple not far away joked.
"Mei, everyone is looking..."
"That's right, everyone is looking at us, so..."
Li Wu wasn't used to the gazes of so many people. He was used to being a loner; becoming the center of attention made him a bit uncomfortable.
Just as Li Wu thought Mei would dial it back, the next second, Mei raised her voice again and shouted loudly, "Li Wu, I want to marry you!!! In this life, I'll only marry you!"
Beep!
Beep!
Beep!
As soon as she finished speaking, most of the vehicles on the road started honking sharply. Some drivers even rolled down their windows, deliberately slowed down as they passed Li Wu, and shouted from their cars like gossip-loving onlookers, "Say yes! Say yes!"
A herdsman stood not far away, clapping with his whip, looking at the two with a knowing, auntie-like smile.
The driven cattle and sheep kicked at the ground, occasionally "baa-ing" a couple of times, acting as the atmosphere group.
Of course, if the herdsman hadn't cracked his whip twice, that jump would truly be an act of God.
The cattle and sheep: Feed me peanuts!
A bright and sunny morning, fresh grassland air, a brave and beautiful girl, a passionate and romantic heart, a loud and firm confession...
The overflowing affection seemed to make the surrounding flowers bloom in succession.
The gentle breeze brought countless pains of the past, then gently brushed them away. From now on, the world was vast and free of restraints; one only needed to follow one's heart.
Li Wu stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the seemingly very brave Mei. The sunlight fell, seemingly merging with her.
Mei pursed her lips tightly. Looking up from below, her gaze never wavered from beginning to end, staring fixedly at him.
But the heavy rhythm of her breathing exposed her current state.
She was also afraid, afraid of being rejected.
If her past fear was because he was her only lifeline, Li Wu knew this clearly, so he wouldn't casually accept Mei before.
Love born from the suspension bridge effect would eventually blur as the sensory stimulation of the crisis faded.
But now, Mei had gained complete freedom. Her confession wasn't mixed with any superfluous elements; it was the truest thought in her heart at this moment.
This is really... an unexpected development...
Li Wu had no idea what to do. A storm of thoughts raged in his head, and his breathing couldn't help but quicken several times over.
If there were ten thousand reasons to reject Mei's confession before, now there were ten thousand reasons to accept it. Unless he truly disliked her. Being afraid was true, but if he had to say he hated her, he actually didn't hate her at all...
No longer an illusory story;
No longer an awkward plot;
No longer dragging feelings;
No longer a dreamy future;
...
Reality wasn't a manga; he had to respond to a sincere heart with a sincere heart. He absolutely couldn't play dumb.
But if we really get together, how will the subsequent plot unfold? The system will probably crash... Act II...
Just as Li Wu was in a dilemma, his lips trembling slightly, a wave of warmth and softness mixed with the rich fragrance of lavender swept over him just as he opened his mouth.
Mei tried hard to stand on her tiptoes. One second, two seconds...
A drop of "rainwater" fell on Li Wu's cheek and slowly slid down, carrying a trace of sourness, and landed on his somewhat dry lips. A light kiss, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
Waiting until the herdsmen resumed their inspection and drove the cattle and sheep;
Waiting until the drivers rolled up their windows and set off again;
Waiting until the high heavens parted the clouds and the sun shone brightly;
Mei finally gently pushed Li Wu away, reluctantly withdrawing her lips.
"Hehe~ Fooled you. Didn't we have an agreement? Three years. If my feelings are still the same after three years, you have to agree to all my requests. And until then, you have to stay by my side, thousands and millions of times, and never ignore my troubles~"
Mei tilted her head, showing a cute expression.
"Mm. I won't break the promise."
"That's for sure. If you break the promise..." Mei paused, pouting her small mouth, her cheeks puffing out into perfect circles. Her aloof demeanor vanished into thin air, replaced by an adorably foolish expression. "Even if I become a ghost, I won't let you go! You just wait. Even if you change your name and surname, I will catch you!"
"Okay. If I really break the promise, then don't let me go even if you become a ghost."
Li Wu smiled, not taking it seriously.
It was just a joke in the end.
This farcical confession ended with Mei actively taking a step back.
Mei was always like this. Clumsy in some matters, yet overly smart in others. She knew what to say and what not to do at the right times.
Maintaining their relationship just right.
Without putting either side in a difficult position.
"That woman Natasha obviously isn't a good person. Little Li, you have to be careful. She definitely has ulterior motives for helping you! I don't believe anyone would be so stupid as to be kissed as a joke. And... Little Li, you can't make such frivolous jokes in the future, understand? Except with me... You can say anything to me. I'm used to filthy words anyway. If you have any special fetishes, you can play them all on me. Mei will definitely satisfy you."
"But you can't say them to anyone else."
Mei clenched her fists, full of motivation. Little Li, you have to be careful. A smile of unclear meaning hung on the corners of her mouth.
"I'll be careful. Let's go home first, I'm a bit hungry. Today... we might be very late. After eating, I still have to study this 'Flame-Chaser Feather.' The mess at home... I might have to trouble you with it, Mei."
"How can this be called trouble? Little Li's home is Mei's home. This is our home! I'll clean it up properly! Also, I want to make a good meal to reward Little Li. You've worked too hard."
Mei clenched her fists, full of motivation and eager to try.
The functions of the Herrscher of Cooking were almost out of control, ready to produce a table full of exceptionally rich dishes.
Li Wu thought of the windowpanes in his house.
The Blood Wolf Mercenary Group, Anti-Entropy cyborgs, helicopters, Anna, Arga, Raven...
The glass in the living room, bedroom, and kitchen were all shattered for various reasons, and hadn't been fixed yet.
The only windowpane that hadn't shattered yet was probably the one in the bathroom. The windows in all the other rooms were completely broken...