Any Closer and I'll Lose Control - Chapter 32

Wei Chuan strode over with his hands in his pockets, looking down at them from his height.

Qin Yuan swallowed back the curses on his tongue, he had never been able to beat Wei Chuan, not since they were kids.

Wei Chuan shot him a disdainful glance before turning to Meng Tang. “Why are you with this guy?”

Meng Tang’s gaze flickered between the two of them. “You two know each other?”

Wei Chuan wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Can I pretend I don’t?”

“Damn it,” Qin Yuan swore. “Am I really that embarrassing?”

Wei Chuan turned back, his eyes cold. “Why are you bothering her?”

“I’m not bothering her.”

Meng Tang quickly interjected, sensing the familiarity in their tones. “He asked me for directions to the training center and wanted me to show him the way.”

Wei Chuan’s expression darkened further at that.

Qin Yuan had played basketball at Z University countless times, he knew the training center better than his own home. There was no way he didn’t know the way.

Knowing Qin Yuan as well as he did, Wei Chuan was certain he had taken a liking to Meng Tang and was trying to flirt.

Grabbing Qin Yuan by the collar, Wei Chuan pulled him aside and growled under his breath, “Come with me.”

“Stop yanking my collar, it’s getting wrinkled.”

Wei Chuan couldn’t care less about wrinkles. He roughly let go and warned in a low voice, “I’d advise you not to mess with her.”

“Oh? You’ve got your eye on her?” Qin Yuan smirked, raising an eyebrow.

Wei Chuan clenched his jaw. “…She likes Xu Heqing. Xu Heqing is also my friend. Don’t make things difficult for me.”

Qin Yuan suddenly turned his head. “She’s the Meng Tang who made you skip my birthday party?”

“Keep your damn voice down,” Wei Chuan hissed, tugging at him. “When are you going to let that go? If you really can’t, give me back the sneakers I gave you.”

“No way.”

“Then shut up.”

The two of them muttered back and forth, their conversation lost on Meng Tang and Tan Xi.

Tan Xi nudged Meng Tang with her shoulder. “Back at the police station, I wanted to ask, are you close with Wei Chuan?”

Meng Tang hesitated. “We’re… friends, I guess.”

Tan Xi let out an intrigued “Huh.” “Because of that time he modeled for you?”

“Probably.” Meng Tang dodged the question. “Should we tell them we’re leaving?”

Tan Xi shrugged. “Up to you.”

Just then, Qin Yuan suddenly strode over.

“Let’s grab a meal together, my thanks for showing me the way.”

His tone and demeanor were much more proper now.

“No need-”

“Come on,” Wei Chuan chimed in, joining the conversation. “Unless you’ve already eaten?”

“She hasn’t,” Tan Xi answered truthfully. “But we were going to collect leaves, your friend delayed us.”

“Collect leaves?” Wei Chuan looked at Meng Tang.

Meng Tang nodded. “For an assignment.”

“We’ll help you after we eat,” Qin Yuan offered eagerly. “If we don’t go to the cafeteria now, there’ll be no food left.”

“The assignment can wait, but meals have to be eaten on time,” Wei Chuan added. “Let’s go together. I’ve been busy with training lately and haven’t had a chance to ask about your woodcarving progress.”

“Alright,” Meng Tang agreed. “I’ve taken some photos and videos on my phone.”

“What photos and videos?” Qin Yuan asked, curiosity written all over his face, only for Wei Chuan to shove him away.

There was a cafeteria near the training center. Instead of going to the first floor, they headed to the second-floor buffet, priced at 49 yuan per student.

Qin Yuan picked up a kiwi, only for Wei Chuan to block him.

“What? You don’t eat these?” Qin Yuan found him baffling.

Wei Chuan said, “Don’t take it. Meng Tang’s allergic.”

Qin Yuan: “…I can still eat it even if she’s allergic. She just won’t touch it, right?”

Wei Chuan said matter-of-factly, “It’s juicy, so it will splash anywhere and accidentally get on her. Her allergies are pretty severe.”

“You’ve seen it happen?”

“No, Xu Heqing told me. Anyway, you’re not allowed to take it.”

“…Unbelievable.”

Meng Tang was completely unaware of their conversation, leaning close to Tan Xi as they discussed what food looked tasty.

She and Tan Xi finished choosing first and picked a seat by the window.

The cafeteria at Z University had always been known for its good food, even Qin Yuan, who grew up in luxury, enjoyed eating there.

Wei Chuan, having grown up alongside him, was also a pampered young master who never had to lift a finger, yet he never complained about the food.

Meng Tang nibbled on a row of corn kernels one by one. The corn was fresh and fragrant, and she savored every bite.

When she got tired of chewing, she puffed out her cheeks to take a little break.

Wei Chuan watched it all, lowering his head with a quiet chuckle.

Qin Yuan kicked him under the table. “What’s so funny?”

“None of your business,” Wei Chuan shot back, rolling his eyes. “Just eat.”

Meng Tang glanced over, catching the tail end of Wei Chuan’s smile. She was a little curious, what had made him laugh while eating?

Noticing her gaze, Wei Chuan cleared his throat. “Is the corn good?”

Meng Tang nodded. “Not bad.”

Wei Chuan couldn’t suppress another laugh. “Then keep nibbling.”

Meng Tang tilted her head toward Tan Xi and whispered, “Is there something on my face?”

Tan Xi studied her for a moment before teasing, “Beauty.”

Wei Chuan suddenly coughed, as if choking.

Tan Xi looked at him. “Did I say something wrong?”

Wei Chuan quickly waved his hand. “No, you didn’t.”

Meng Tang nudged Tan Xi. “Stop talking nonsense.”

“She’s not wrong,” Qin Yuan chimed in. “You are quite pretty. That’s why I asked you for directions.”

Meng Tang instinctively turned to Wei Chuan, who blinked slowly before adding, “Yeah… pretty.”

“L-Let’s just eat,” Meng Tang mumbled, lowering her head to continue nibbling on the corn, her ears burning.

Even as a child, when neighbors and relatives praised her, she had never blushed like this.

Seeing her flushed cheeks, Wei Chuan smiled and went back to his meal.

After eating, Qin Yuan asked Meng Tang, “Where are you planning to collect leaves?”

“We’re thinking of going to the botanical garden,” Meng Tang said. “There are a lot of rare plants there, and plenty of trees by the lake.”

Wei Chuan frowned. “You can’t just pick leaves from rare plants, can you?”

Meng Tang shook her head. “No, the leaves from nationally protected or endangered plants are collected by the garden staff for scientific research and propagation.”

“Let’s go then,” Wei Chuan said, tugging Qin Yuan’s collar before walking over to Meng Tang’s side to ask about the wood carving.

Meng Tang handed him her phone. “Take a look first and see if you’re satisfied.”

Wei Chuan scrolled through the photos one by one. The facial features of the figure grew more defined, the shadows natural, and the rose was already taking on a lifelike, slightly curled form.

He turned to Meng Tang. “I’m no expert, so I don’t know how to properly praise it, but even unfinished, this rose already looks incredibly real.”

Meng Tang smiled modestly. “As long as you’re happy with it.”

Qin Yuan tried to take a look, but Wei Chuan, using his height advantage, blocked him and returned the phone to Meng Tang.

The four of them entered the botanical garden. Along the gravel path, autumn winds swept fallen leaves across the grass on either side.

Meng Tang picked up two sycamore leaves, twirling them between her fingers.

She turned to give one to Tan Xi, only to find her and Qin Yuan crouched by the path, collecting leaves into a plastic bag.

Amused, Meng Tang called out from a distance, “Tan Xi, where’d you get that bag?”

Tan Xi replied, “Took it from the cafeteria.”

Meng Tang turned and walked ahead without waiting for Tan Xi.

She wasn’t the type who had to do everything with her friends.

In the Z University Botanical Garden, there stood a stunning Chinese Pistache tree that seemed utterly indifferent to human suffering, displaying three colors at once, green at the base, fading upward into yellow and red.

Its vibrant hues resembled a rainbow, making it a popular spot for couples to take photos and check in.

Fallen leaves already dotted the grass. Wei Chuan crouched down, picked one up, and examined it carefully between his fingers.

The leaf was delicate, its veins crisscrossing like an art student’s palette.

Truly beautiful.

Meng Tang crouched beside him, about to pick one up herself, when Wei Chuan brushed the leaf against the tip of her nose.

“Here,” he said. “This is the prettiest one.”