Any Closer and I'll Lose Control - Chapter 2

Xu Heqing was the official living poster boy of the Sports Institute, quite different from Wei Chuan from the sports training program. He was the gentle, aristocratic prince of the Sports Management department.

Polished and articulate, he had secured the title of campus heartthrob with his handsome face and crisp white shirts.

Meng Tang’s crush on Xu Heqing dated back to her freshman year.

Not long after military training, she had her first taste of boiled beef in the cafeteria.

Unbeknownst to her, the beef had been marinated with kiwi, to which she was allergic.

After eating, her mouth watered uncontrollably, and once outside the cafeteria, she couldn’t hold back any longer, she hugged a trash can and vomited her guts out.

It was then that Xu Heqing happened to pass by, easing the awkwardness of Meng Tang being stared at and pointed at.

Later, he escorted her to the affiliated hospital of Z University.

He stayed with her the entire time, patient as ever, even missing his meal in the process.

Meng Tang wanted to treat him to dinner, but he gently declined.

Since they were in different departments, they rarely saw each other after that. Every time they did, Xu Heqing was always on stage.

And Meng Tang? No matter how much she liked someone, she would only keep it in her heart.

Shi Lan leaned over and said, “Wei Chuan is seriously good-looking.”

Meng Tang’s attention was entirely on Xu Heqing, so she absentmindedly replied, “Hmm.”

“You think he’s handsome too?” Shi Lan seemed to have found an ally. “Yang Ke likes Xu Heqing more, but I think he seems gentle but is actually hard to approach. Wei Chuan is more down-to-earth.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the match began. The sports training team seized the ball and launched the first attack, but the physical education team defended tightly, refusing to yield an inch.

After the ball was passed twice, it landed in Wei Chuan’s hands.

With a light leap, he sank a perfect three-pointer, sending the sidelines into an uproar.

A three-point opener. Wei Chuan grinned, his expression cocky and punch-worthy.

“Ahhh, Wei Chuan!”

“So damn handsome! It’s only been ten seconds since the start!”

“The physical education team’s defense isn’t bad either, but Wei Chuan’s from the basketball specialization class. It’s normal for him to be this good.”

“Z University’s CUBAL team has been stuck in the national top eight for the past few years. Last year, Wei Chuan, as a freshman, pulled off a surprise by making it to the semifinals despite being in the ‘group of death.’ Wonder if he can reach the finals this year.”

“Still a bit risky, but last year’s match was seriously thrilling.”

“…”

The match ended close to 9 p.m., with the unsurprising result of the sports training team’s victory.

Wei Chuan, the game’s top scorer, was swarmed by the crowd. He lifted the hem of his jersey and roughly wiped the sweat from his face.

“Ahhh, abs! I’m gonna faint!”

“Haha… So many thirsty girls, and he’s really out here flaunting it.”

“So hot! When will I ever get to date someone like this?”

The girls around swooned, and through the gaps in the crowd, Meng Tang caught a glimpse of Wei Chuan’s sharply defined abs.

Just for a second, then they were covered again, eliciting a chorus of disappointed sighs.

Wei Chuan waved without a second glance and walked off with his roommate.

“I’ve got something to do. You guys go ahead,” Meng Tang said, patting Shi Lan before chasing after him.

The basketball game had just ended, and the streets were packed. Meng Tang could only follow at a distance.

Just as he was about to enter the male dormitory, she mustered her courage and called out, “Wei Chuan, wait!”

Wei Chuan and his roommate turned around. Not spotting Xu Heqing nearby, Meng Tang sighed in relief.

“You again?” Wei Chuan stepped aside. “Stay back. I’m drenched in sweat, don’t want to stink you up.”

“Oho, since when is Brother Chuan so considerate?”

Wei Chuan elbowed his teasing roommate. “Shut it and get inside.”

“Can we talk alone?” Meng Tang pleaded.

Since the professor had given her the information, it had to be Wei Chuan. Besides, with so little time left, she couldn’t afford to find someone else.

Wei Chuan sighed helplessly, “I really don’t have time.”

Steeling herself, Meng Tang blurted out, “At the start of freshman year, you broke my suitcase. Remember?”

“…” Wei Chuan’s pupils constricted. “That was you?”

“Freshman year? Brother Chuan, you two have history, huh?” A lingering roommate leaned against the doorway, eager for gossip.

“Is she the one you’re planning to confess to?”

Wei Chuan turned and pointed, “Not her. Stop making a fuss.”

Seeing Wei Chuan’s irritation, the group nudged each other and left.

Wei Chuan’s ears and neck flushed red with embarrassment, clearly, he hadn’t expected to be held accountable for something that happened a year ago.

He grabbed Meng Tang’s wrist roughly and muttered, “Come with me first.”

After walking a good distance, they stopped under a camphor tree as tall as the male dormitory. Wei Chuan cleared his throat awkwardly, “Didn’t I already pay you back for the suitcase?”

Meng Tang was equally flustered but didn’t know what to say, just staring at him hesitantly.

“Fine, I owe you,” Wei Chuan ran a hand through his short hair. “When?”

Meng Tang’s eyes lit up. “Monday, the day after tomorrow.”

Wei Chuan pulled out his phone. “Add me on WeChat. I’ll contact you then. What’s your name?”

“Meng Tang. ‘Meng’ as in Mencius, ‘Tang’ as in begonia.” She took out her phone and added him.

Wei Chuan muttered under his breath, “Why does that name sound so familiar?”

Meng Tang didn’t hear him, lowering her gaze to change his WeChat note: Wei Chuan.

“Thank you. Sorry for bothering you today,” Meng Tang said, surprised things had gone so smoothly, even if it cost her some dignity. “I’ll go now.”

“Wait.” Wei Chuan raised a long arm to stop her. “I think I’ve heard your name before. Are you really good at woodcarving? Like, carving portraits for people?”

Meng Tang nodded. “I’ve done that before.”

She’d used it to recruit members during club fairs.

Wei Chuan instantly turned ingratiating, his eyes crinkling. “Then how about carving one for me? I need it for a confession.”

“I don’t have time,” Meng Tang replied weakly. “Too much homework.”

“I’m not in a hurry,” Wei Chuan said. “How about this, anytime you need a model in the future, I’ll be there at your call.”

Meng Tang’s train of thought took a detour. “Even… naked?”

Wei Chuan fell silent for a few seconds. “…So you’re after my body?”

“No, no!” Meng Tang’s face burned crimson. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

“I was just testing your limits,” Meng Tang fumbled for an excuse, her words clumsy.

Wei Chuan smirked. “Half-naked is my max.”

Meng Tang pressed her lips shut, terrified she might blurt out something like, “Top or bottom half?”

Her roommates often teased her for her shocking remarks, but Meng Tang knew her problem, she just didn’t think before speaking, her mouth racing ahead while her brain lagged behind.

“Made up your mind yet?” Wei Chuan pressed.

Afraid he’d change his mind, Meng Tang nodded quickly. “I can do it, but you’ll have to supply the wood yourself.”

“I don’t know anything about that,” Wei Chuan said matter-of-factly. “Use your best material. I won’t shortchange you, just name the price.”

Meng Tang gave him a heads-up. “If I’m the one carving, it might not be cheap.”

“Sure.” Wei Chuan had the money and agreed without hesitation, though he was still curious. “Why wouldn’t the price be low if you’re the one carving it?”

Meng Tang wasn’t arrogant about her craftsmanship, but she didn’t mince words either. “It’s worth what it’s worth.”

In other words, she had full confidence in her skills. Wei Chuan nodded.

Meng Tang asked, “What do you want me to carve?”

Wei Chuan thought of Xie Lingyin’s backpack charm, the Little Prince and the Rose, and said, “A decorative piece, the Little Prince and the Rose. Would that work?”

Meng Tang was taken aback. Did the person he wanted to confess to also like The Little Prince?

“Would that work?”

Snapping out of her thoughts, Meng Tang replied, “Yes, but it can only be inspired by it. Otherwise, it would be copyright infringement.”

“Okay.”

And just like that, they settled the matter.

When she returned to the dorm, Xie Lingyin wasn’t there. Meng Tang never pried, but Shi Lan asked where she’d been.

Meng Tang said, “Class starts on Monday. I went to find a model.”

The two chatted briefly about the topic.

Meng Tang used her hands extensively for her craft and didn’t dare overexert herself daily, so she spent Sunday resting in the dorm.

After dinner that evening, she sent Wei Chuan the class schedule.

Wei Chuan sent her a red packet.

Just as Meng Tang was puzzled, his voice message came through: “Could you do me a favor and bring me breakfast tomorrow morning? I won’t be able to get up.”

“…”

What a prince. Meng Tang pocketed his breakfast money.