Love Me in Another Universe

Chapter 51. Guilt of Puppy Love (Part 2)

December 25, 1996, Wednesday. Gao Xinglang and Guan Xuchen were walking on their way to school. Gao Xinglang glanced at the box in Guan Xuchen's hand and asked with a smile, "Soupy, is this another gift for me?"

Guan Xuchen gave a bitter smile, opened the box to show it to Gao Xinglang, and said, "Lang, you already have one. Even if I give you this one, you wouldn't want it, right?"

Gao Xinglang peeked inside the box and asked in confusion, "Isn't this the ceramic kitten you gave me yesterday? Did you buy another one, Soupy? Who are you going to give it to?"

Guan Xuchen shook his head, closed the box, and replied with a worried look on his face, "I'm not giving it to anyone. Cai Yunfei gave it to me yesterday."

Upon hearing this, Gao Xinglang first teased, "Wow, Soupy! A girl gave you a gift! That's something!"

But when he saw Guan Xuchen's dejected expression and noticed there was no wrapping outside the kraft paper box, he asked, "But why are you taking it back to school?"

Guan Xuchen let out a soft sigh and explained, "My mom said I'm in puppy love, and she wanted me to return this gift to Cai Yunfei."

Then, as they walked, he recounted to Gao Xinglang what had happened the previous evening.

"Ah, seriously?" Gao Xinglang was quite taken aback. "Just because the two you exchanged gifts, that counts as puppy love?"

"Exactly," Guan Xuchen said helplessly. "Cai Yunfei and I are just good friends. She gave me this ceramic kitten to thank me for helping her with her English."

"But I think Cai Yunfei may have a bit of a crush on you," Gao Xinglang said earnestly.

"I don't think so," Guan Xuchen said, sounding uncertain. "I'm not as handsome as you, Lang, and I'm not as good at playing basketball as you. Why would she like me?"

"Don't sell yourself short, Soupy," Gao Xinglang burst out laughing. "You're quite good-looking too. You might not be as good at basketball as me, but you're way better at English than I am."

He then added, "What's more, this kitten has a heart-shaped pattern and the words 'I love you' on it. When a girl gives you a gift like this, it probably means she likes you..."

Suddenly, he seemed to think of something and asked tentatively, "Oh, by the way, Soupy, why did you give me a gift like this..."

When Guan Xuchen heard Gao Xinglang's question, he panicked. The box slipped from his hand. Fortunately, Gao Xinglang caught it in time, saving the ceramic kitten from breaking.

"Soupy, are you alright?" Gao Xinglang asked with concern.

Guan Xuchen smiled awkwardly and said, "I'm... I'm fine. Actually, I gave it to you only because I thought the ceramic kitten was cute."

Then, as if struck by a thought, he asked hesitantly, "So... Your parents didn't say anything when they saw the ceramic kitten, did they?"

"What would they say?" Gao Xinglang replied with a laugh. "It's just a ceramic kitten after all."

"Oh." Guan Xuchen fell silent.

After they returned to the classroom, Guan Xuchen noticed that several of his classmates were eyeing him, whispering to each other or snickering. Just as Guan Xuchen was feeling puzzled, Ao Feifan sauntered over and said with a sly grin, "Guan Xuchen, when did you start dating Cai Yunfei?"

Guan Xuchen quickly denied it, "Bro Feifan, what nonsense are you talking about? Cai Yunfei and I are not... "

Gao Xinglang shot Ao Feifan a glare and said irritably, "Bro Feifan, didn't you brush your teeth this morning? Why do you have such bad breath?"