Bulb Joy

His face began to burn in a strange way.

Lin Yu quickly averted his gaze from Gu Yue.

He sniffled.

Then, feeling uneasy, he raised his hand and rubbed his index finger under his nose.

Finally, he lowered his hand, his fingers fidgeting restlessly on the seat.

After going through a series of small, nervous gestures,

Lin Yu felt himself calm down a little.

But his gaze had become timid,

no longer daring to be as uninhibited as before, fixed on Gu Yue's bright, delicate face.

Lin Yu's awkwardness didn't escape Gu Yue's big eyes.

She sensed something unusual about him and asked with concern,

"Brother Long, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Lin Yu replied, staring straight ahead.

Gu Yue didn't speak, just kept looking at him with those bright eyes.

When it seemed he had nothing more to say,

Gu Yue realized Lin Yu really seemed off.

Normally, following his usual speaking habits, after saying "I'm fine," he’d add a joke—

something like, "It's that time of the month for men, you know?"

Gu Yue felt something was odd about Lin Yu,

but couldn't put her finger on what it was.

After watching him for a little while,

she gave up puzzling over it,

lowered her head, and continued browsing the water park’s guide.

How could this silly girl have guessed that

Lin Yu, who hadn't been stirred by all her efforts in swimsuits, accidental exposures, and close encounters,

only finally woke up to his feelings through an unintentional adorable gesture from her?

The taxi soon reached their destination.

They entered the water park,

changed clothes, and went inside together.

Faced with the dazzling array of attractions that looked like a castle,

Lin Yu couldn't muster any enthusiasm.

His attention kept uncontrollably drifting to the person beside him.

Lin Yu felt like there was something wrong with his eyes.

He didn't know why,

but every time he glanced at Gu Yue,

he thought this girl was glowing!

The bright, golden autumn sunlight fell on her fair skin, not covered by her swimsuit,

making it look like it was gilded in a white-gold halo.

Even her slightly messy black hair, hastily tied up for the water rides,

seemed to him to have a faint halo under the sun,

making him want to stare for a long time.

It was like that line from those overdramatic CEO shows—

she was literally glowing!

Pulling his gaze away from Gu Yue,

Lin Yu felt a little dazed.

What was wrong with him?

He instinctively raised his hand to touch his forehead,

wondering if he had a fever.

Why was he acting so strangely today?

Gu Yue caught his movement from the corner of her eye.

She turned around and looked at him curiously.

Seeing him press his hand to his forehead,

a deep look of concern appeared in her clear eyes as she asked,

"Brother Long, are you feeling unwell?"

Lin Yu nodded dumbly and said honestly,

"I think I might be sick."

"Sick with what?"

Gu Yue asked nervously.

Lovesickness.

Looking at Gu Yue,

these three words suddenly popped into his heart—

like a spy who had long infiltrated enemy lines,

bursting out without warning after a long cover,

taking over a place inside him and wreaking havoc all around.

But even in his daze, Lin Yu wouldn't blurt out something like that!

Where would his dignity go?

"Um, ahem."

Lin Yu snapped out of it, coughed to mask his embarrassment, and changed the subject:

"Nothing. Just too much sun.

I'll feel better once I get in the water."

Gu Yue looked skeptical, clearly doubting his excuse.

But since he insisted on continuing, she had to go along, though she added worriedly,

"Brother Long, if you feel unwell, just tell me.

We can head back to rest."

Lin Yu nodded perfunctorily,

anxious to find some attraction to dive into,

hoping it would shift his attention away.

Throughout the whole day's fun,

Lin Yu was distracted.

But Gu Yue had a great time, laughing with glee.

It was only today that Lin Yu noticed

Gu Yue had a tiny little fang—

though it was faint, easy to overlook if you weren’t paying close attention.

After the day's fun was over,

Lin Yu and Gu Yue returned to school.

After saying goodbye,

they parted ways, walking toward their respective dorms.

Lin Yu wandered off, lost in thought.

So distracted, he accidentally bumped into someone...

...

No, not "someone."

It was a very good-looking girl.

Her refined features were full of gentleness,

yet deep in her eyes was a calm, unassuming dignity—

very much the quiet, aloof goddess type.

Usually, if someone—especially a tall guy around six feet—bumps into a slender girl,

he should apologize politely.

But faced with this beauty holding a book, with a lovely face and fair skin,

Lin Yu was too wrapped up in his thoughts to pay her any mind.

He stupidly muttered, "It doesn't matter,"

bypassed her, and continued walking lost in thought toward his dorm.

Tao Yaoyao naturally lowered the hand holding the book.

She turned to look at the silhouetted boy—hands in pockets, walking away indifferently—

and for the first time doubted her own looks and charm...

...

"Damn!"

At three in the morning,

Lin Yu lay in bed,

tossing and turning like a caterpillar bitten by ants.

The dorm bed was sturdy,

but not enough to withstand his big frame writhing endlessly.

The chubby guy in the bed next to Lin Yu noticed his restlessness.

Still awake himself, he raised his head and said with concern,

"Big bro, if you're itchy, go rub yourself against a tree downstairs, okay?"

Lin Yu didn’t respond to the joke.