Any Closer and I'll Lose Control - Chapter 27

In Meng Tang’s memory, this was the first heavy rain of the year. The raindrops pounded against the umbrella, creating a rapid, drum-like rhythm.

The umbrella was small, yet for some reason, she felt sheltered under this piece of fabric above her head, as though it enclosed her in a safe space.

Her feet and pant legs were soaked through, while Wei Chuan hadn’t escaped unscathed either.

His umbrella was tilted at an angle. Meng Tang reached up and pushed the handle toward him. “You’re getting drenched.”

“I’m already wet. What’s the point of an umbrella if you get soaked too?” Wei Chuan held the handle firmly, not budging an inch. “Stop pushing. I’m strong, I rarely get sick.”

“That’s a jinx,” Meng Tang said, tilting her head up. “You should knock on wood.”

“Knock, knock, knock.” Wei Chuan mimicked the gesture three times, his eyes gleaming as if seeking praise. “Like that?”

It was a little silly, but it made Meng Tang want to laugh. He seemed to have a knack for lifting her spirits.

She tilted her head up and hummed in agreement, her eyes brimming with amusement. But she didn’t notice the uneven brick beneath her feet.

Out of the corner of her eye, Wei Chuan saw Meng Tang wobble. Quick as lightning, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, saving her from a fall.

“You okay?”

Even through his jacket, Meng Tang could feel the warmth radiating from his grip.

She shook her head and awkwardly pushed him away. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”

The No. 19 Girls’ Dormitory wasn’t far from the training facility, but the heavy rain added an extra ten minutes to their usual walk.

By the time they reached the dorm entrance, Wei Chuan was drenched.

He pulled the hood of his windbreaker over her head and said, “I can’t go in from here. Run the last few steps yourself, be careful.”

Meng Tang raised a hand. “Thanks for today. Bye.”

Wei Chuan waited until she had dashed under the dormitory’s covered walkway before turning to leave.

Back in her room, Meng Tang took off the windbreaker at the door.

Xie Lingyin, hearing the noise, brought her slippers over.

Standing at the entrance, Meng Tang kicked off her shoes and thanked her.

“Go take a shower quickly, don’t catch a cold.”

“Okay.”

By the time she stepped out of the bathroom, Shi Lan and Yang Ke had already drawn their bed curtains.

Seeing Xie Lingyin still up, Meng Tang towel-dried her hair and asked, “Why aren’t you in bed yet?”

Xie Lingyin’s eyes flickered. “Wei Chuan walked you back?”

“Yeah. There was only one umbrella in the training hall.”

“And that windbreaker hanging by the door, is that his too?”

“No,” Meng Tang explained. “It’s their coach’s. He bought it too big and left it there for the basketball team to try. Wei Chuan just lent it to me for now. You should sleep, I still need to wash the clothes.”

Xie Lingyin hesitated. “…Let me see the jacket first.”

Though puzzled, Meng Tang handed it over.

After Xie Lingyin examined it for a long moment, Meng Tang asked curiously, “What’s wrong? Is there something off about it?”

Xie Lingyin chuckled, “Are you sure this jacket belongs to the coach? Not Wei Chuan’s?”

Meng Tang asked, “Why do you say that?”

Xie Lingyin replied, “A Balenciaga collaboration, limited edition in volcanic gray, do you really think the school team coach would splurge on that? Even if he was willing and could afford it, who buys such expensive clothes without getting the right size?”

“…” Meng Tang was left speechless.

So, this jacket was Wei Chuan’s?

“Can’t blame you, you’re not into these things,” Xie Lingyin handed the jacket back to her. “But Wei Chuan is actually a pretty decent guy.”

Huh? Meng Tang paused while drying her hair. “You think he’s decent?”

“Yeah,” Xie Lingyin nodded. “He’s alright.”

“Then…” Meng Tang studied Xie Lingyin’s expression, testing the waters. “What do you think about him as a boyfriend?”

Xie Lingyin grinned knowingly, as if to say, I see where this is going. “As a boyfriend? Not bad. Being with him would probably feel really secure.”

Meng Tang fell silent for a moment. “Got it. I’m going to dry my hair.”

Xie Lingyin climbed into bed and started gossiping with Xu Heqing.

By the time Meng Tang finished washing the clothes, it was already half past ten. She turned off the lights and announced, “Lights out.”

Climbing into bed, she unlocked her phone and sent Wei Chuan a message:
[Have you gone back to the dorm yet?]

Wei Chuan had just showered in the training facility’s locker room. Pulling on his clothes, he leaned against a locker and replied:
[Not yet, still at the training center.]

Meng Tang wasn’t one to get straight to the point. She kept it polite:
[What time do you guys usually head back to sleep?]

Wei Chuan:
[Depends on training. Tonight’s an early one, we’ll be leaving soon.]

Meng Tang:
[It’s still raining outside.]

Wei Chuan:
[No worries. Xu Heqing brought a few umbrellas.]

Good. Meng Tang typed in the chat box, wanting to ask about the jacket. She wrote, deleted, rewrote, and agonized over it for a while.

“Chuan, you done yet? Let’s head back.”

Wei Chuan, still staring at his phone, didn’t even glance up. “You guys go ahead.”

After two minutes with no reply from Meng Tang, Wei Chuan couldn’t wait any longer and took the initiative:
[Did you need something?]

After all, Meng Tang never initiated conversations with him. She had already thanked him earlier for walking her back to the dorm.

Caught, Meng Tang sent him a cute nodding sticker with a soft “Mm-hmm.”

Wei Chuan automatically pictured her making that expression and let out a low chuckle that echoed in the empty locker room.

[Lingyin said the jacket didn’t seem like the coach’s. Whose is it?]

Wei Chuan raised an eyebrow. She saw through it that fast?

His fingers flew across the screen:
[What do you think?]

Meng Tang:
[…Yours?]

Wei Chuan:
[Yeah.]

Meng Tang:
[Why didn’t you say so?]

Wei Chuan:
[Last time on the train, you refused my jacket, so I came up with another excuse. Mostly, the rain was too heavy, that thin sweater of yours wouldn’t have done anything.]

Meng Tang:
[But Lingyin might misunderstand.]

Wei Chuan:
[Misunderstand what?]

Meng Tang:
[…What else could she misunderstand? Clothes are personal. If I’m wearing your jacket, what do you think she’ll assume?]

Wei Chuan finally caught on, his emotions unreadable.

Seeing his delayed response, Meng Tang realized he understood and added:
[Don’t worry, I explained it to her. She even said you’re a good guy.]

Wei Chuan:
[…What exactly did she say?]

Meng Tang:
[That if you were a boyfriend, you’d make her feel safe. I think your chances are pretty good. Go for it.]

…

His mood grew even more complicated. Wei Chuan instinctively frowned but then felt like that wasn’t the right reaction to have.

He thought for a moment, then lowered his head to type:

[Do you want me to put in a good word for you in front of Xu Heqing?]

Meng Tang really hadn’t meant it that way. It was just that she had gotten to know Wei Chuan better recently and found his character beyond reproach.

Xie Lingyin had praised him, so she had casually asked.

[That wasn’t my intention. Your clothes should be dry by tomorrow morning. What classes do you have in the morning?]

Was she planning to return them?

Wei Chuan thought for a moment and replied: [I’ll come find you. What classes are you taking?]

Meng Tang: [Four theory classes in the morning, and I’ll be at the woodcarving studio in the afternoon.]

Wei Chuan: [I’m busy in the morning. I’ll come find you in the afternoon.]

Meng Tang: [How about the evening? I can give them to you when I go for a run.]

Wei Chuan: [I won’t be on campus in the evening.]

Meng Tang: [Then afternoon it is.]

After saying goodnight, Meng Tang lay awake, unable to sleep, wondering if the investigation results would be out by tomorrow.