Any Closer and I'll Lose Control - Chapter 16

Meng Tang explained in a low voice, slightly embarrassed as she pressed against the armrest beside her.

Wei Chuan let out an “Oh” and said, “Go ahead and sit. It’s just that this seat is really uncomfortable.”

Meng Tang glanced at the empty middle section, her body sliding uncontrollably downward.

Like a stiff wooden plank, Wei Chuan turned his head and silently chuckled, his drowsiness fading instantly.

“This…” Meng Tang gripped the armrest. “Why does the middle sink like this?”

“It’s collapsed from people sitting on it,” Wei Chuan said, sliding down himself. “Plus, it’s leather, of course it’s slippery.”

Meng Tang struggled to prop herself up, prompting an irritated remark from someone in the business-class seats ahead: “Can you keep it down?”

Wei Chuan, already annoyed by the poorly designed seats, shot back:

“Hey, our voices aren’t even half as loud as your video-watching.”

The man sneered, “If you can’t afford it, stick to second-class seats next time.”

“You think a damn seat makes you superior?” Wei Chuan’s temper flared. “If you’re so rich, why are you stuck here with us? A Gulfstream isn’t that expensive, just a few small fortunes. Don’t tell me you can’t afford one?”

The man, humiliated, stood up. Wei Chuan, never one to back down, rose as well.

The man’s gaze shifted from condescending to level, then upward, his expression morphing from arrogance to fear.

“Y-You’re just a student. I won’t stoop to your level.”

Making an excuse, the man sat back down, lowering his video volume by half.

Wei Chuan snorted and sat back, turning to meet a pair of bright, admiring eyes.

“You’re amazing!” Meng Tang praised without hesitation.

Wei Chuan laughed. “Take notes. Don’t be naive. Next time you meet someone like that, shut them down with words.”

“It’s not that I don’t stand up for myself,” Meng Tang said with a faint smile. “I just don’t care. Besides, as a woman, arguing with men increases the risk of danger.”

“That’s a fair point,” Wei Chuan replied, offering his first genuine smile since boarding. “Sometimes, yielding brings peace.”

Meng Tang nodded. “My grandfather used to say that yielding brings peace, but only once. After that, you win with skill and reason.”

As they talked, the slippery seats forced them closer together.

Wei Chuan pressed curiously, “What if the other person refuses to back down and keeps pushing?”

Meng Tang met his gaze. “When carving, if the knife clashes with the wood, both suffer. But if you turn the blade and use its force, the wood shavings fall away effortlessly.”

“Deep thoughts,” Wei Chuan chuckled. “I thought you really wouldn’t fight back.”

Meng Tang’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Those who walk different paths need not travel together. Some people reveal their true nature at first glance.

She had her own way, staying true to herself was enough.

Pressed together, their thin October clothing made Meng Tang awkwardly shift toward the edge.

Wei Chuan stuffed his jacket between them. “Stop moving. Just sit like this.”

Though thin, the jacket was better than nothing.

In the chilly cabin, the warmth between their legs spread like water seeping through tissue paper.

Meng Tang sat stiffly, the scenery outside blurring past as she caught another whiff of crisp mint.

When the train jolted and their arms brushed, she quickly pulled away.

“Are you cold?” Wei Chuan whispered, leaning closer.

The carriage fell completely silent. The person in front had dozed off, and Meng Tang also lowered her voice to say, “I’m not cold.”

Her jacket was stuffed in her bag, which was placed on the luggage rack in the first-class carriage. She had forgotten to bring it when she switched seats with Xu Heqing, thinking she could retrieve it when they were about to arrive.

Wei Chuan bent down, unzipped his bag, and pulled out a white casual jacket, handing it to her.

“This one’s new. I just got it from home. You can make do with it.”

“No, no need.” Meng Tang was too embarrassed to wear his clothes and quickly declined.

Wei Chuan thought she was being picky and explained, “I really haven’t worn it, it’s fresh out of the box.”

“It’s not that… I’m not cold.”

“Really not cold?”

Meng Tang shook her head. Of course, she was cold, but Wei Chuan liked Xie Lingyin, and she needed to maintain proper boundaries.

Something like a jacket was personal, it wasn’t appropriate unless they were dating.

Rejected, Wei Chuan felt awkward. He stuffed the jacket back into his bag haphazardly and zipped it up.

The two fell into silence. Wei Chuan belatedly realized that Meng Tang wearing his clothes really wasn’t appropriate.

He pulled out his phone and typed a message:

[You done yet?]

Xu Heqing replied:

[What’s wrong? You two not getting along?]

Wei Chuan:

[No, the seat’s uncomfortable. Wanna switch back.]

Xu Heqing:

[Not done yet. Xie Lingyin’s tough to crack. Less than forty minutes left, just tough it out.]

Wei Chuan:

[…]

Tall and long-legged, he couldn’t get comfortable no matter how he sat.

Meng Tang, being petite, tried her best to give him more space.

By the time they finally arrived at the station, Wei Chuan’s legs had gone numb.

Xie Lingyin brought Meng Tang’s bag over, and Meng Tang took it. The group exited the station to hail a cab.

Wei Chuan and Xu Heqing had booked the best hotel in Yanqing City, which was quite far from Meng Tang’s home.

Now on her home turf, Meng Tang couldn’t just leave with Xie Lingyin without some courtesy. She paused outside the exit and offered politely:

“It’s still early. I told my grandpa you were coming. Why not come to my place for dinner?”

Wei Chuan shook his head. “It’s already dark. Wouldn’t be convenient to visit now. We’ll take you two home first and figure things out tomorrow.”

“Alright.” Meng Tang nodded. “But no need to escort us. Lingyin and I can take a cab.”

Seeing Xu Heqing frown, Xie Lingyin made the decision outright: “That’s settled. We’re leaving, you two head back to the hotel.”

Meng Tang checked her phone, their ride had arrived. She turned and waved at Wei Chuan and Xu Heqing.

Once in the car, Meng Tang asked, “You don’t seem happy. Did things not go well with Xu Heqing?”

Xie Lingyin: “No. The carriage was quiet, and my family called. I didn’t answer, so now they’re tearing into me in the family group chat.”

“The group chat?” Meng Tang frowned.

Was it really necessary to air such a small matter in front of so many relatives?

Xie Lingyin leaned against Meng Tang, her tone sarcastic. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m even their biological child. They treat my cousins better than me just because I’m a girl.”

Meng Tang patted her shoulder. “Look at yourself, are you a boy or a girl?”

Xie Lingyin sat up and stared at Meng Tang. “Can’t change my gender, can’t change my personality. They see me as a girl, I see myself as me.”

Meng Tang smiled. “Then there you go.”

Xie Lingyin let out a long sigh, feeling much lighter. Now in better spirits, she was ready for some gossip.

Remembering what Xu Heqing had told her, she turned to Meng Tang. “Let me ask you something.”

Her mysterious tone piqued Meng Tang’s curiosity. “Go ahead.”

“Did you and Wei Chuan know each other before?”

Meng Tang was puzzled: “No, I haven’t.”

Xie Lingyin pressed on: “But I heard you met him during your freshman year?”

“When did I ever-” Meng Tang’s words caught in her throat. Could Xie Lingyin be referring to the box incident?

How did that even reach her ears?

That night when she went to find Wei Chuan, only his roommate had overheard bits of their conversation. How on earth did it spread?

“Why are you blushing?” Xie Lingyin found it astonishing. “So, you and Wei Chuan really knew each other before?”

Meng Tang: “…It’s not what you think. We just met once.”

Xie Lingyin: “…”

So, Xu Heqing was telling the truth, Wei Chuan’s crush was actually Meng Tang?