Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 47：I Agree

After Jiang Fan and Chu Ruoxi left the residential area, they arrived at a nearby riverbank.

On both sides of the river grew willow trees that had been there for over a decade. The weeping branches drooped gracefully, their slender tendrils dipping into the water, with a few tender green leaves faintly visible. The bright surface of the river reflected the willows' shadows, resembling a delicate young maiden quietly combing her long, flowing hair.

The riverbank was lush with greenery, and on the grass, the soft blades swayed gently in the breeze, releasing a faint, refreshing fragrance that made one squint in pleasure, savoring the peaceful atmosphere.

Chu Ruoxi took a deep breath of the fresh air, feeling her entire body relax with the tranquility of the moment. She and Jiang Fan sat side by side on a bench beneath the willows.

"Jiang Fan, have you chosen a school yet?" she asked.

"I've decided," he replied.

Upon hearing his answer, Chu Ruoxi immediately perked up, her face filled with anticipation as she looked at him eagerly.

"Hee-hee... which school did you choose?" she asked.

"Dragon Science University," he said.

"Dragon Science University?" Chu Ruoxi's face fell, her excitement quickly replaced by disappointment. She had hoped to attend the same school as Jiang Fan, but now he had chosen Dragon Science University.

However, after a moment of reflection, she understood. After all, Dragon Science University was a renowned technical institution, and if Jiang Fan was pursuing a career in research, it was indeed the best choice for him.

Noticing her disappointment, Jiang Fan quickly added, "Chu Ruoxi, Dragon Science University and Huqing University are only 1.6 kilometers apart. I've tested it, and it only takes 15 minutes—2856 steps to walk there!"

Chu Ruoxi, intrigued by the precise number, raised an eyebrow. "Jiang Fan, why did you test the distance between Dragon Science University and Huqing University?"

Jiang Fan hesitated, unsure of how to explain. The truth was, when he had gone to Kyoto, he had already made up his mind to attend Dragon Science University, while Chu Ruoxi was set to attend Huqing University. When Qiao Shan had invited him to visit Huqing University, he had purposefully gone to Dragon Science University first, then walked to Huqing University to measure the time, distance, and number of steps.

Seeing Jiang Fan's awkwardness, Chu Ruoxi teased, "Are you planning to visit me at Huqing in the future?"

Jiang Fan's face turned slightly red at her words, feeling embarrassed. It was true that he had thought about visiting her, but now that Chu Ruoxi had pointed it out, it felt as though his secret had been exposed.

He awkwardly defended himself, "I... I was just bored and decided to measure it."

"Really?" Chu Ruoxi asked mischievously.

From Jiang Fan's reaction, it was clear that he was interested in her.

"Jiang Fan, who is Qiao Yifei?" she asked.

Qiao Yifei? At the mention of her name, Jiang Fan immediately recalled the image of the sexy, fiery girl. If it hadn't been for the system's task, he would never have spent eight hours with her. Later, she added him on WeChat, but they didn't talk for long before he deleted her.

He was surprised that Chu Ruoxi knew Qiao Yifei. "How... how do you know Qiao Yifei?" he asked.

Chu Ruoxi stood up cutely from the bench and slowly approached him, pressing him until she could hear his breath quickening. She then stopped, pretending to be angry. "Well, you have to tell me—what is your relationship with Qiao Yifei?"

"I..." Jiang Fan inhaled sharply, feeling flustered as the faint scent of Chu Ruoxi's perfume made his heart race. His words faltered under the pressure.

It wasn't until Chu Ruoxi grinned mischievously and stepped back a little that Jiang Fan managed to regain his composure. "Chu Ruoxi, Qiao Yifei is the niece of Academician Qiao. When I went to Kyoto..."

Jiang Fan explained the whole situation with Qiao Yifei, but he purposely left out any mention of the system.

After listening to his explanation, Chu Ruoxi smiled, satisfied with his answer.

"But, Chu Ruoxi, how do you know Qiao Yifei?" Jiang Fan asked again, curious.

"Guess?" Chu Ruoxi smiled playfully.

"I can't guess," Jiang Fan answered truthfully. He never imagined that the "little wildcat" who had added him on WeChat was not Qiao Yifei, but Chu Ruoxi herself.

"Hee-hee... if you catch me, I'll tell you!" Chu Ruoxi teased, and with a light, bouncing step, she ran ahead like a little rabbit. After running a short distance, she turned back and stuck her tongue out at Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan stood up and immediately chased after her, his heart racing as he saw her playful, bright smile. Her laughter, like the sound of bells, floated on the wind, drawing the attention of several sparrows perched on the nearby trees. They chirped together, as if commenting on the melody.

In the river, the fish swam with purpose, seemingly racing against the two running figures on the shore.

Soon, Chu Ruoxi, breathless, stopped, her hands pressed against her chest. "I can't go on. I'm out of energy!" she said.

"Chu Ruoxi, there's a bench over there. Let's rest for a while," Jiang Fan suggested.

"Okay," she replied.

They sat down on the bench, and Chu Ruoxi, with a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead and a rosy flush from the exertion, looked even more captivating. Jiang Fan found himself staring at her, mesmerized.

When Chu Ruoxi fixed her hair and caught him staring, she blushed and said, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Ah!" Jiang Fan snapped back to reality, quickly looking away.

There was a brief silence between them, but Jiang Fan couldn't shake his curiosity about how Chu Ruoxi knew Qiao Yifei. Finally, he asked, "Chu Ruoxi, now that I've caught up with you, can you tell me the answer?"

"Hee-hee!" Chu Ruoxi laughed, and then leaned in close to Jiang Fan's ear, whispering, "I am the little wildcat!"

The "little wildcat"? Jiang Fan was stunned, unable to comprehend.

It took him a few moments before realization dawned on him. The "little wildcat" who had added him on WeChat was actually Chu Ruoxi! But how could that be? Wasn't the "little wildcat" Qiao Yifei?

He remembered telling "little wildcat" that he already had a girlfriend and had even mentioned Chu Ruoxi's name. And now, Chu Ruoxi was telling him that she was the "little wildcat." That meant... when he told "little wildcat" that Chu Ruoxi was his girlfriend, he had unwittingly confessed to her!

Panic surged through Jiang Fan. What if Chu Ruoxi didn't feel the same way? Would they never be able to see each other again?

Flustered, Jiang Fan stammered, "I... I didn't know the little wildcat was you, Chu Ruoxi. I... I..."

"I agree," Chu Ruoxi said, her words deliberate and clear.

"Ah?" Jiang Fan's mind went blank.

Chu Ruoxi smiled and repeated, "I—agree."

4o