Chapter Eighty-Three: I Was the One Who Took Advantage of You

"What are you talking about? Do you really think something could happen between Xia and Chengyi? Just look at Chengyi—I’ve been friends and roommates with him for three years at university, and I’ve never seen him show any interest in any girl. As for your friend, Xia doesn’t seem to care much about Chengyi either; the two of them have barely exchanged a few words." Yu Bin argued with Gan Yanyan.

"Hopeless," Gan Yanyan shook her head, unable to listen any longer.

"I’m telling you, Chengyi isn’t just any guy. Don’t waste your time thinking about him; I mean it," Yu Bin said to those around him.

Gan Yanyan leaned against a tree, watching the pair by the river from afar, unwilling to respond to Yu Bin.

Finding himself ignored, Yu Bin walked away.

At noon, it was still Chengyi who cooked, surrounded by a crowd studying nearby.

Everyone worked hard at their lessons. When evening came, Xia and Gan Yanyan took over dinner, with Chengyi standing by to guide them.

The two girls were a bit afraid of hot oil splattering and hesitant to cook. After they managed to stir-fry one dish, Chengyi didn’t let them do any more.

The main reason was their startled reactions were simply too much to handle.

After dinner, everyone gathered as Ze Ming taught some practical theory.

Few were enthusiastic; they listened absentmindedly.

That night, Xia took the first watch.

Gan Yanyan had wanted to keep her company, but decided not to play third wheel—someone else would surely come by, so she returned to the tent, happy.

She brought out a blanket and draped it over Xia.

"Thank you," Xia looked up and smiled at Gan Yanyan.

"I’m going to bed, then," Gan Yanyan pointed to the tent.

"Go ahead," Xia nodded gently.

She glanced at the neighboring tent; voices still carried faintly from within. No one had slept yet.

Xia idly traced lines in the dirt with a stick, bored out of her mind...

Ze Ming, on duty, saw her sitting by the tree, lost in thought.

He walked over with a smile and sat beside her.

"On night watch?"

"Brother Ze Ming," Xia recognized him.

"Why isn’t Chengyi here to keep you company—" He hadn’t finished before Xia cut him off.

"Keep your voice down! No one knows about us yet, Brother Ze Ming, please don’t say anything," Xia glanced around furtively before speaking.

"Did Chengyi upset you?" Ze Ming had sensed something unusual between them before.

"No, he’s wonderful. It’s just me—he’s so outstanding. When I was younger, I didn’t understand anything and always chased after him. Now, suddenly, I feel I’m not good enough for him," Xia gazed at the fire, its glow dancing across her face.

Ze Ming fell silent, unsure how to comfort her.

"By the way, Brother Ze Ming, will you stay until our military training ends?" Xia tilted her head, breaking the awkwardness.

"Yes, two months’ holiday, then I’ll go home for a proper rest."

"We’ll have a break then too, and can go home." The thought made Xia happy.

Ze Ming wanted to ask about her and Chengyi, but decided against it. Their matters were for them to resolve, and his brother wasn’t easy to fool.

The two chatted quietly for a while before Chengyi emerged from the tent.

Both looked at him.

Chengyi walked straight over and sat beside Xia.

"Why are you out here? Is everyone asleep?" Xia asked, a little concerned.

"Asleep."

"Then you should rest, too. I’ll keep watch for a bit; it’ll soon be someone else’s turn," Xia tried to persuade him to rest more.

"Wasn’t it you who said you’d keep me company, so now I’m here to keep you company?" Chengyi retorted.

"I was joking," Xia explained, recalling that she’d said it just to avoid awkwardness, never expecting Chengyi to take it seriously.

Chengyi didn’t answer. Instead, he looked at Ze Ming, "Aren’t you going back?"

Ze Ming raised his brow, patted his legs, and stood up, "Alright, the leading man’s here. I’ll leave you two. Don’t let Xia catch a cold."

"That’s unnecessary," Chengyi replied coldly.

Ze Ming didn’t mind and left.

Xia grumbled unhappily, "Why are you so curt with Brother Ze Ming?"

"You care about him?" Chengyi asked directly.

Xia was stunned, then shook her head.

Chengyi finally relaxed slightly.

They sat together in awkward silence, with nothing to say.

Xia noticed Chengyi was only wearing a thin shirt.

After some thought, she split her blanket and draped half over Chengyi’s shoulders.

Chengyi turned, finding Xia close as she covered him. Because he was taller, Xia had to kneel to reach, and Chengyi looked up at her, her head bowed.

They gazed at each other. Just as Xia was about to sit back, Chengyi reached out, pressing her neck and drawing her towards him.

Caught off guard, Xia fell into Chengyi’s arms, her lips meeting his.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

After a few seconds, Chengyi released her, and Xia remained dazed.

It was a long while before she settled back, covering her lips and repeatedly glancing at Chengyi, as if confirming what had happened.

"Aren’t you tired?" Chengyi suddenly spoke, as if he couldn’t hold back any longer.

"I feel as if I’ve just dreamed," Xia murmured in wonder.

Chengyi sighed, helpless, gently wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into his embrace, his voice low and magnetic, "You didn’t dream."

Xia nestled against him, close to his heartbeat.

"Did I take advantage of you again?" Xia looked up at him.

Her doe-like eyes made Chengyi’s heart flutter once more.

He reached out and ruffled her hair, "This time, I took advantage of you."

Xia bit her lip and smiled.

"You look like a fool," Chengyi couldn’t help but tease, though his lips curled into a smile as well.

"Chengyi, you’re so good," Xia wrapped her arms around his slender waist.

"Weren’t you secretly cursing me before?" Chengyi teased.

"No, I wasn’t," Xia denied, laughing softly in his arms.

They chatted quietly, and soon Xia fell asleep in his embrace.

Once she was deeply asleep, Chengyi, as usual, carried her back to the tent. This time, Gan Yanyan didn’t wake.

He tucked her in and left the tent.

At that moment, Chen Nan stepped out of his tent.

"You’re still up? What are you doing here? Where did you come from?" Chen Nan eyed the neighboring tent with suspicion.

"I went to the bathroom," Chengyi replied, then headed back to his tent.

Chen Nan didn’t think much of it, still half asleep, "Alright, I’ll take over the night watch."

He looked around but couldn’t find Xia. He figured she must have gone back to sleep early.

Chen Nan sat by the fire, half-awake, starting his watch.

Early the next morning, Chen Nan was found asleep against a tree by Yu Bin, who’d gotten up to use the bathroom.

"Morning’s come, go back and sleep inside; it’s easy to catch cold out here."

Chen Nan glanced at the extinguished fire, nodded, walked into the tent, and went back to sleep.

Gradually, everyone else woke up.

Xia woke with confusion still on her face.

She muttered, "How did I get back to the tent?"

"How should I know?" a voice beside her startled Xia.

"You... Why are you here?" Xia stammered.

"Hey, this is the girls’ tent. If I’m not here, should I be in the next tent?" Gan Yanyan yawned.

Xia probed, "Do you remember what time I came back last night?"

Gan Yanyan guessed what she was asking, and feigned ignorance, "No idea, I slept like a log—why?"

"Nothing," Xia shook her head.

Gan Yanyan truly didn’t know when Xia returned last night, but judging by her demeanor, she probably fell asleep and Chengyi carried her back.

Having a boyfriend was great—someone to keep you company at night, and carry you back when you fell asleep.

Both got up soon after.

Morning brought birdsong and thick mist in the woods. The firewood they’d gathered was damp with dew, and Chengyi was struggling to light a fire.

Xia, after washing up, saw him.

She hesitated, then walked over, "Need any help?"

"No need, I’ll have it soon," Chengyi replied without looking up; he knew it was her.

Xia pursed her lips and headed to the river to wash up.

When she returned, Chengyi had managed to light the fire. Xia took the initiative to wash the rice for Chengyi to cook porridge.

At breakfast, Chen Nan asked, "Xia, were you already asleep when I came out last night?"

Xia was embarrassed; she had no clue, so she forced a smile, "I was pretty groggy last night, probably wandered back to the tent out of habit in the middle of the night, haha, sorry!"

"No big deal," Chen Nan scratched his head.

"Chengyi, you’re not human—up so early making porridge for us. If I were a girl, I’d definitely fall for you," Yu Bin shamelessly sidled up to Chengyi.

Chengyi remained expressionless, pushing Yu Bin’s face away with one hand, keeping him at a distance.

Everyone laughed at Yu Bin’s antics.

After breakfast, everyone pitched in to wash the bowls, then waited to be called together.

Chengyi’s group was always the fastest, while the others had just started eating.

"In a few days, we’ll head back to base and finally get a proper shower," Ah Feng stretched lazily.

"I just want to go home, lie in front of the air conditioner, and eat watermelon," Yu Bin sighed.

"I heard there’s a long-distance hike coming up; who knows how long we’ll have to run?" With that, everyone sighed as well.