The moment Yu Haitang caught sight of Chen Mo, she froze. He was so handsome—how could a man be this good-looking? His features and his poise made the actors she had seen in movies look like absolute trash in comparison.
Just as men are drawn to beautiful women, women are equally drawn to handsome men. Chen Mo’s looks were off the charts, and thanks to his practice of the Immortal Medical Canon, he possessed an ethereal quality that was lethal to any young girl, especially one as romantic and idealistic as Yu Haitang. She knew at that moment that her heart had been captured.
It took her a moment to regain her composure. She turned to He Yushui and asked, "Yushui, aren't you going to introduce us?"
He Yushui clutched Chen Mo’s waist, her gesture a clear declaration of ownership. She had seen exactly how Yu Haitang was looking at "Brother Chen Mo." Still, she kept a smile on her face and said, "Brother Chen Mo, this is my classmate, Yu Haitang. Haitang, this is Brother Chen Mo, my..."
"I am Yushui’s partner," Chen Mo said with a gentle smile.
His smile was like a warm spring breeze, causing Yu Haitang’s heart to race even faster. But upon hearing that he was He Yushui’s partner, a pang of jealousy and envy stirred within her. How could He Yushui be so lucky? At school, Yu Haitang had always considered herself prettier and more popular than He Yushui; she felt she was superior in every way. She never expected He Yushui to secretly snag such a desirable man. Many close girlfriends are like this—they fear their friends will end up with nothing, yet they also fear their friends will strike gold.
Although He Yushui had already established her relationship with Chen Mo, her face turned rosy at his words.
"When did you find a partner? You actually kept it from me! Do you even still consider me your good friend?" Yu Haitang teased, then added, "Nice to meet you, Brother Chen Mo. I’m Yu Haitang." She extended a slender hand.
Chen Mo shook it briefly before letting go and smiling. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Comrade Yu Haitang."
"You can just call me Haitang, Brother Chen Mo," Yu Haitang said, her voice softening.
He Yushui was feeling uneasy. "Haitang, we won't keep you any longer; we were just heading out to have some fun."
"Oh? Where are you going? I’m free today, why don't I join you?" Yu Haitang thought that while Chen Mo was Yushui’s partner, they weren't married yet. If she found the right opportunity, couldn't she just steal him away? Such a perfect man—like a refined young gentleman stepped right out of a storybook—if He Yushui could land him, why couldn't she?
"I'm sorry, that won't work today. Let's do it another time," Chen Mo said with a polite but firm smile, declining the offer.
He Yushui breathed a sigh of relief. "Haitang, let's get together another day. Brother Chen Mo, let's go." As she spoke, she hugged his waist even tighter, terrified he might be snatched away.
Yu Haitang watched them leave, her lips pursing into a pout. "Hmph," she muttered to herself, "I don't believe it. A man I’ve set my eyes on will never get away." She had already decided to try and sabotage the relationship; as for her friendship with He Yushui, it paled in comparison to her own desire for love.
"Brother Chen Mo, why were you staring at Yu Haitang like that just now? Did you think she was pretty?" He Yushui asked, feeling a bit unsettled.
"What? When did I stare at her? She was the one staring at me! Are you jealous?" Chen Mo replied, amused.
"I am not!" He Yushui denied.
"Hahaha," Chen Mo couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" He Yushui pinched his waist.
"I just think you’re so cute when you’re jealous," Chen Mo said. He pulled the bicycle over to the side of the road, held He Yushui, and kissed her on the cheek.
He Yushui leaned her head against his chest and murmured, "You can't fall for her. She... she doesn't have the best reputation at school."
"Alright, you little vinegar pot. That was my first time meeting her. Who knows if we’ll even see her again?"
"You never know," He Yushui whispered.
Chen Mo leaned in close to her ear and said softly, "How about this: we skip the park today. I’ll take you somewhere better."
He Yushui’s heart began to hammer against her ribs. Her face, already flushed, turned an even deeper shade of red. "Okay," she said, after a brief moment of internal struggle.
Chen Mo had her sit on the crossbar of the bike and pedaled, not toward the park, but straight to the courtyard at No. 18 Nanluoguxiang, where he stopped at the gate. He Yushui looked around, confused. "Brother Chen Mo, where is this?"
Chen Mo smiled but didn't answer. He pulled out a key, unlocked the door, and pushed the bicycle inside. He Yushui followed, and Chen Mo shut the door behind them.
As they entered the two-courtyard compound, He Yushui was stunned. Although she had grown up in a courtyard, Compound 95 was a crowded, dilapidated place housing over a hundred people. This place, however, was perfectly preserved in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties—carved beams, painted pillars, and everything looked remarkably well-maintained.
"Brother Chen Mo, is this your home?" she asked.
Chen Mo parked the bike and led her toward the main living quarters. "My parents left this to me before they passed away. But you must never tell anyone—anyone at all. If those vultures back at the courtyard find out, they’ll surely stir up all sorts of trouble."
He Yushui was shocked, then nodded firmly. "Don't worry, Brother Chen Mo, I won't say a word." She felt a swell of happiness; knowing this secret meant she held a significant place in his heart.
Chen Mo had cleaned the place recently and set up formations, so the house was spotless. He had placed brand-new bedding on the wide, red-mahogany double bed in the master bedroom, which looked incredibly inviting. When he pulled her into the room, He Yushui’s heart began to race again.
He closed the door, and they stood face-to-face. He Yushui seemed ready, though she shyly lowered her head. Chen Mo wore a mischievous smirk as he scooped her up into his arms.
"Oh!" she gasped, shrinking into his chest like a frightened quail. He walked to the bed and set her down gently.
"Brother Chen Mo..."
"Yes?"
"Will you love only me forever?" she asked softly.
"Of course," Chen Mo said.
"Then... then promise me." Seeing that he was about to move to the next step, she wanted that assurance.
"Very well. I promise: in this life, I will love only one He Yushui."
In such a moment, one could hardly dampen the mood. Chen Mo didn't put much stock in oaths, but he wasn't going to be careless with his words—the implication being that as long as there was only one He Yushui, he would never love another.
"Mmh... Brother Chen Mo, I will only ever love you, too."