You Are Still Here

Chapter 14

After that day in the library, there was an unspoken understanding between Yun Jin and Shen Ju An. Although neither had confessed their feelings, both were aware of how the other felt. They spent more time together and sometimes when they walked along the school's forested pathways, Shen Ju An would smile and take her hand in his. Feeling his warm, dry palms, Yun Jin knew that her heart had found its harbour.

Although they did not display their affections publicly, their relationship was soon found out. Being such a compatible couple, the majority were envious but wished them well. Yun Jin's hostel mates even teased her for having the good fortune to date such a perfect graduating senior.

When one is basking in happiness, time always speeds by. In the blink of an eye, the semester was coming to an end. Initially, Yun Jin had planned to give her tutee thorough lessons but the latter's parents had informed her that they intended to go on a long vacation and thus tutoring was put on hold. This arrangement was also fine with Yun Jin; she was grateful for the sudden weeklong break. Besides, Shen Ju An had already graduated, now was an excellent opportunity for the two to spend quality time together.

Yun Jin and Shen Ju An made plans to visit the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees on Labour Day, which was also a National holiday. Yun Jin rose bright and early. She had just washed up and was eating takeaway breakfast when a hostel mate told her "Yun Jin, your boyfriend is waiting on the ground floor". Yun Jin turned bright beetroot. She wasn't yet accustomed to people referring to Shen Ju An in that manner.

Didn't we agree on nine-thirty? Yun Jin looked at the time. It wasn't even nine yet. He was rarely so enthusiastic. Yun Jin suppressed a grin as made her way down hurriedly. She failed to notice the quizzical expression on her hostel-mate's face.

At the ground floor, Yun Jin looked everywhere but didn't spot Shen Ju An. Just as she was feeling confused, her line of vision fell on the walkway opposite the hostel. She stared shocked and shook her head in disbelief. If she wasn't dreaming then .., was he really standing there right now? She had poor sleep the night before, was it causing her to hallucinate? The "hallucination" before her was taller than she remembered.

This guy should be in Beijing or by his parents' side or ... basically anywhere but here. But if it wasn't him, who else could it be? He was wearing a casual t-shirt paired with jeans and a duffel bag was slung across his back. His eyes were trained on her and casting aside the fatigued expression, he was exactly as she remembered him.

Seeing Yun Jin rooted to the spot, Cheng Zheng was in no hurry to go up to her. Thus, both looked at each other in this manner for a few seconds before Yun Jin broke out of her reverie and walked over.

"Um ... How ... Why are you here?" Yun Jin stood before him and forced out an opening.

Cheng Zheng raised his chin slightly "What, I'm not welcome?"

Yun Jin shook her head furiously "I didn't mean that. I ... It's just that my friend told me my boyfriend was waiting."

"Yeah I told her to pass on that message." Cheng Zheng's lips curled up. "So what? You don't know how many people I had to stop to determine which block was yours. And why do the girls here react as though they've never seen a man before?"

"It's not like that. Don't utter nonsense." Yun Jin lowered her gaze unconsciously.

Cheng Zheng folded his arms across his chest and said "Su Yun Jin. Have you noticed that you always wear this look of guilt when you see me? ..."

His words pricked Yun Jin's conscience. She was also confused, why was it that whenever she saw him, all the cowardliness, confusion, low self-esteem would come surging back? And why should she feel guilt when she didn't owe him anything?