Chapter 5: Holding Hands—He Had Thought About It Countless Times

The stairwell light was on.

The white light fell down, stretching their shadows close together.

Gu Nian was still in Lu Chen’s arms.

His embrace was steady, just like when they were children—yet somehow different now.

“Lu Chen.”
She murmured from his chest, “You’re holding me too tight.”

He didn’t loosen.

“Afraid you’ll run,” he said.

Gu Nian’s chest softened.

“I’m not running.”

Lu Chen lowered his head to look at her.

Her eyes were a little red, yet shining brilliantly.

“Then I’ll ask you.”
His tone was serious. “Do you like me?”

Gu Nian felt her face heat up instantly.

“Why are you being so direct now?”

“Because I’m afraid of missing my chance again,” he said.

She was silent for two seconds, then nodded lightly.

“I like you.”

The words were soft, but firm.

Lu Chen’s breath caught.

He raised his hand, hesitated for a moment, then gently held hers.

The moment their palms touched, Gu Nian’s heart raced uncontrollably.

“Gu Nian,” he said, “from now on, you’re my girlfriend.”

She laughed.

“Does this count as… announcing it after the fact?”

“Yeah.”
He smiled too. “But I’ll take responsibility.”

During evening self-study, the whole class noticed something was different.

Lu Chen sat beside Gu Nian.

Not the casual closeness of before, but officially side by side.

He would help her twist open her water bottle, hand her pens when she needed them.

Most importantly—
He held her hand.

Under the desk.

At first, Gu Nian was so nervous she didn’t dare move.

But soon she realized he was only holding it gently, nothing else.

Still, his presence was overwhelming.

Her deskmate hid behind a book and whispered, “You guys are…”

Before she could answer, Lu Chen said lightly:

“Together.”

One word. Clear. Definitive.

Gu Nian’s face turned bright red.

After school, the alley lights came on.

They walked slowly.

Gu Nian kicked small stones along the path.

“Did you like me all along?”

Lu Chen hummed in confirmation.

“Then why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

“Afraid of scaring you,” he said. “And afraid you wouldn’t like me.”

Gu Nian stopped walking and looked at him.

“Are you dumb or what?”

Lu Chen lowered his head, gently touching his forehead to hers.

“Dumb,” he admitted.
“But only for you.”

Gu Nian laughed uncontrollably.

She suddenly realized—
Childhood-friend love isn’t necessarily bland.

It’s just that all the intensity had been hidden by time.

That night, Gu Nian lay in bed. Her phone vibrated.

[Lu Chen]: Home yet?

[Gu Nian]: Yeah.

[Lu Chen]: From now on, walk on the inside.

[Gu Nian]: Why?

[Lu Chen]: Because I’m on the outside.

Gu Nian stared at the message, smiling for a long time.