Push Me Away When I Come, Don't Hold Me Back When I Leave - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Two People’s Time

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Xia Ruoming, who had planned to tutor Ji Chuan in the evening, was now quietly doing practice questions alone.

With He Ya there, it seemed she wasn’t needed anymore.

Besides, leaving Xu Fengwu alone here didn’t seem like a good idea either.

“Ruoming, want to study together?” Though it was a question, Xu Fengwu had already pulled a chair next to Xia Ruoming, and stood behind her gently massaging her shoulders.

All-capable and devoted, how had she never noticed before that Xia Ruoming was so wonderful.

Thinking about this, Xu Fengwu felt somewhat melancholic. She had always known that after she said she wanted to come to this high school, Xia Ruoming, who originally had no interest in studying, became more hardworking than anyone else, even giving up what she loved most.

Xia Ruoming was already tall in middle school, and had a nickname called “mid-range shooter girl,” because her two-point mid-range shots were really accurate, so accurate that even on the boys’ court, no one would be arrogant enough to not give their all against her.

But one day, she suddenly gave up basketball forever, and transformed from that sunny, lively girl into someone more quiet and refined, and whenever anyone saw her, she was always reading.

That change began after Xia Ruoming’s first failed confession to Xu Fengwu. Xia Ruoming studied desperately to get into the same high school as Xu Fengwu.

Now Xia Ruoming was still studying, but no longer for her sake, rather for herself.

Though she had promised Xu Yihan, she kept clinging to Xia Ruoming because she was afraid Xia Ruoming would leave her further and further behind. Although her grades still couldn’t match her own now, Xia Ruoming was progressing rapidly without her, and exceeding the liberal arts score line for Tsinghua University seemed just a matter of time.

As for herself, she had already given her all just to reach Zhejiang University’s admission line, still 15-20 points away from Tsinghua University.

If they couldn’t even get into the same university, how could she chase after Xia Ruoming for 5 years to win her back.

Regardless of how well or poorly Xia Ruoming did on the exam, she wanted to go to the same university as her…

After a moment of silence, Xia Ruoming didn’t respond, only pulled her chair closer, and adjusted it to a more comfortable position.

Seeing this, Xu Fengwu happily sat down beside Xia Ruoming, picked up paper and pen to study the difficult problem Xia Ruoming was looking at.

“No, Ruoming, this step is wrong, it should be solved like this…”

“This method would be better here…”

Xia Ruoming had imagined such scenes countless times in her dreams, two people harboring those bittersweet teenage feelings sitting close together, studying in her room, with Xu Fengwu’s favorite jasmine incense burning, that girl she liked always looking at her with a bright smile.

She just never imagined in her previous life that this scene would happen after being reborn.

“First draw a perpendicular line like this, then…” seeing Xu Fengwu deep in thought over a problem, Xia Ruoming gently reminded her.

“Oh, so that’s how it works, Ruoming you’re so clever.”

After saying this, Xu Fengwu directly pecked Xia Ruoming’s cheek, then playfully said oops, accidentally touched you.

Xia Ruoming’s cheeks immediately turned pink. Even after living two lives, she still couldn’t quite handle being flirted with by her beloved, because apart from unrequited love she had never truly experienced that sweet romance. Even her relationship with Jiang Ruhua had begun as a transaction.

Even after she later learned of Jiang Ruhua’s feelings, she had never truly fallen in love in that relationship.

Although Xu Fengwu appeared to make a very bold move, she was constantly afraid inside that she had crossed a line and made Xia Ruoming unhappy, ruining this hard-won opportunity.

Seeing that Xia Ruoming showed no sign of rejection, but rather a hint of shyness, Xu Fengwu couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, still cheering herself on in her heart.

“Knock knock knock!” The wooden door was knocked.

“Come in,” Xia Ruoming called out to the door, and Liu Ruoxue pushed open the door and entered.

When it came to respecting privacy, everyone in the family, whether mother and daughter or spouses, would always knock before entering others’ rooms. Without permission, even Liu Ruoxue wouldn’t forcefully enter Xia Ruoming’s room.

Seeing Xia Ruoming and Xu Fengwu studying together, Liu Ruoxue showed a motherly smile.

“Must be tired from studying, have some fruit, it’s good for you.” With that, Liu Ruoxue placed the fruit plate beside the two.

“Thank you, auntie,” Xu Fengwu said in a sweet voice.

“Child, I told you no need for thanks. Study well, auntie won’t disturb you anymore.” Saying this, Liu Ruoxue slowly walked out of Xia Ruoming’s bedroom and closed the door.

“Ruoming, look, it’s bitter candy fruit, so sweet!” Xu Fengwu ate a small fruit while whispering in Xia Ruoming’s ear.

“Fengwu likes this fruit too?” Bitter candy fruit couldn’t be transported long distances, and this fruit that tasted a bit like cherries couldn’t compare to properly cultivated cherries. Xia Ruoming had thought someone of Xu Fengwu’s status wouldn’t eat such ordinary local fruit.

“Ruoming, do you know what else bitter candy fruit is called?”

“Fork fruit?” Xia Ruoming said with a laugh, wondering why she needed to know this nickname.

“It’s called love-thinking fruit, say, if we eat it together, will our hearts be connected?” Xu Fengwu picked up several more bitter candy fruits and held them to Xia Ruoming’s lips.

Xia Ruoming took small bites of two fruits, they were indeed sweet. Somehow, even though one fruit was still a bit green, it seemed sweeter than any she had eaten before.

“Fengwu…”

Xia Ruoming wasn’t like those protagonists in romance novels who clearly had misgivings but insisted they didn’t mind, yet kept treating others with a mindset of minding. She truly minded what Xu Fengwu had done before, so she had always been consistent in her words and actions.

But now, she didn’t know why, her attitude toward Xu Fengwu had softened considerably, and she no longer used that slightly mocking “Miss Xu” title, but called her Fengwu again.

“What is it, Ruoming?” Xu Fengwu, who had been doing problems while eating fruit, turned to look at Xia Ruoming. Their eyes met inadvertently, and Xu Fengwu was somewhat happy to hear her calling her name again.

“About what you said in the car…”

“I’m sorry, I can’t give you an answer. To be honest, I don’t want to accept your request… I admit I have hesitated, but I don’t want such things to make my heart chaotic, so, Fengwu, can we talk about this after the college entrance exam?”

“Ah…? Oh…” Xu Fengwu was stunned for a moment before realizing what it was about. Though very unwilling, she still obediently nodded.

If Xia Ruoming were to respond now, there would only be one answer — rejection. But Xu Fengwu’s grades in her previous life were stable enough for Zhejiang University, and Xia Ruoming knew how big the impact of a failed confession could be. She didn’t want to string Xu Fengwu along, but she also didn’t want Xu Fengwu to be affected.

Moreover, her heart was no longer as resolute and determined as it was initially.

Reborn once, she was still so gentle.

Xia Ruoming didn’t know that it was this hesitation and gentleness that started to melt the ice.

An iceberg doesn’t fear collision, but once it starts to melt, revealing that defenseless side, it’s hard to stop…