Chapter 925: UTTERLY DEFEATED

LUO YAN had to go to school ahead of Luo Jin. It's because he was meeting someone and the time was a bit earlier compared to the usual time when he and Luo Jin arrived at school.

And yes, the one he's meeting with was Huang Wen.

After that incident yesterday, he decided to talk to the other. But since he didn't have Huang Wen's number or even his WeChat ID, he had to ask their classmates first. It's a good thing that the first person he asked managed to give him what he's looking for.

After getting Huang Wen's WeChat ID, he quickly messaged the other. Asking to meet today before their homeroom started. The other didn't reply, but he had obviously read the message as there was a 'seen' caption under it.

Since Huang Wen read it, Luo Yan just assumed that the other agreed. It's better that way than assuming that he didn't. What if the other went there and he didn't? Then, they would have missed each other. So, to be sure, it's better to just go.

Arriving at school, he quickly went to his classroom. After putting down his bag on his seat, he went straight to the rooftop. It was the meeting place that he chose.

Opening the door to the rooftop, he was immediately greeted by the cold winter wind. He tightened his coat around him. He scanned the roof and found that it was empty. He walked forward and stopped near the railing. He decided to wait since there's still a lot of time before class started.

Minutes started to pass by and he still couldn't see the shadow of Huang Wen. He told himself that he should be patient. But when cold wind was constantly blowing on your direction, one couldn't help but forget that. But even though the string of his patience was about to snap, he still remained on the rooftop.

It was then that he heard the door to the rooftop opening.

Luo Yan quickly turned around and then saw Huang Wen walking in with downcast eyes.

Freaking finally!

"What do you want?" the other asked, with a stubborn expression on his face. Before Luo Yan could answer, Huang Wen had already added, "If this is about yesterday, then forget it. I won't tattle to everyone about your... preference."

"I know."

That simple respond made the other lift his head and looked at him in surprise. It was only then that Luo Yan noticed how there were dark circles under his eyes. A sign that he hadn't properly slept.

After the surprise, Huang Wen's expression changed to that of sarcasm. "Why? You must think I'm a coward who couldn't tell others about you because I'm afraid of what your family would do."

Luo Yan couldn't help but scratch his head in annoyance because of how the other was forming his own conclusion before he could even say anything.

"Hey, would you mind letting me finish my words?" he couldn't help but say. "I said that because I know that you're not that kind of person. Yes, you were a big pain in the ass at the start. And maybe you still are from time to time. Just like right now, by the way. But you're not a bad kid. Just a little rough around the edges, but still not bad."

Huang Wen seemed to be even more surprised by that. He probably didn't expect that he would hear those words from Luo Yan.

"That's why I know that you won't just tell people about me just for the heck of it," Luo Yan continued. "This is not me putting my trust in you, but me trusting your character."

After the initial surprise and bewilderment, Huang Wen felt flattered that Luo Yan actually had a high opinion of him. But then he quickly felt ridiculous. Why the heck was he feeling flattered after all the storm of emotions the other had put him through?

Last night, after all those things happened, he didn't get a wink of sleep. That image of Luo Yan kissing another guy kept playing inside his mind over and over again. And over and over again, it felt like he was being stabbed continuously.

He hated it. He wanted it to stop. But it didn't. It was not only that scene, but also the things Luo Yan said that was basically just him confessing just how he liked that YUN guy. Hearing him say those things actually hurt more.

Questions like why and how kept on circling inside his head. But really, if one thought about it, the real question here was why was he so affected by it? The long night he spent thinking that gave him the answer.

He liked Luo Yan.

Simple as that.

But realizing that now was already a little bit too late. Luo Yan was already in a relationship with another person. But now that he heard the other's opinion of him, another question emerged.

Did he really have to just give up like this? Even if Luo Yan had already chosen that guy, was it possible for him to look his way if he honestly confessed his feelings? He wouldn't really know the answer to that if he didn't even try.

Huang Wen took a deep breath and gathered all the willpower and determination he could muster. He raised his head and stared straight at Luo Yan.

"I like you."

Luo Yan blinked. He didn't expect that the other would be so straightforward like this. Especially since he looked like he wasn't aware of his own feelings. Could what happen last night made him realize something?

He felt a bit troubled. The reason why he wanted to talk to the other today was to make him realize that it would be no use even he liked him. Because his heart was already set on one person. Nothing would probably ever change that. Unless Shen Ji Yun cheated or hurt him in any way, of course. But something like that was almost impossible to happen, so having that stipulation hardly ever mattered.

Luo Yan wanted to make that clear while the other seemed to be still unaware of his feelings for him. But now, it seemed that that wouldn't work.

Since Huang Wen had been honest with him, he should also do the same. He should cut off whatever hope he might have. The worst thing he could do in this situation was to give the other false hope.

"I'm sorry, but I can't return your feelings."

Although Huang Wen had somehow already expected such an answer, it still f*cking hurt. He tried to appear calm, but his voice shook the moment he spoke.

"W-was there really no chance?"

"None."

Huang Wen wanted to laugh with bitterness because of that brutal honesty. But somehow, he still couldn't seem to give up.

"If- if I confessed to you first instead of that guy, could we have had a chance?"

"No," Luo Yan answered without hesitation. "I fell in love with him not because he's the first guy who showed interest in me. I fell in love with him because it's him."

At those words, Huang Wen finally felt utterly defeated.