Chapter Seventy: In the Rain [Part Two]

“Thank you for today.” Zhang Ye turned his head to look at Guo Xiangqing beside him, his face full of sincerity.

“It’s nothing,” Guo Xiangqing replied, her cheeks flushing. The memory of Zhang Ye bravely saving her, and fighting in the water because of her, was still vivid in her mind.

“Brother Xiao Ye, you really have a way with things. As soon as you stepped in, everything was resolved.” Liu Wentao and the others had argued with Gao Ge for half an hour without resolving anything, but once Zhang Ye intervened, it only took a few minutes for him to relent. In Liu Guangxiang’s eyes, that was real capability.

Naturally, he had no idea about Guo Xiangqing’s true identity or her role. At most, like the renovation worker, he probably thought she was Zhang Ye’s girlfriend.

Zhang Ye simply smiled and didn’t explain. Since Guo Xiangqing didn’t intend to reveal her identity, he wouldn’t say more.

“Xiao Ye, Director Gao mentioned someone wants to cause us trouble. Is it…” Liu Wentao, who had remained quiet, seized the moment to ask.

Zhang Ye nodded silently, glanced at Guo Xiangqing, and said, “Let’s not talk about this for now. Just focus on getting the computer store ready and try to open as soon as possible, make some money.” As they walked out of the clothing market, Zhang Ye added, “I have something to take care of. You all head back first.”

Liu Wentao, Liu Guangxiang, and Wu Dongjun exchanged meaningful glances with Guo Xiangqing, smiled, and left.

Feeling inexplicably self-conscious, Guo Xiangqing asked in surprise, “Why were they looking at me?” They’d only had a brief introduction earlier, but she already knew Zhang Ye had started his own business and was making good money. The thought was still so surreal she’d barely processed it, only now snapping back to reality.

“It’s nothing, they were just saying hello,” Zhang Ye replied, fully aware what those glances meant, but only giving a wry smile before changing the subject. “It’s getting late, let me walk you home.”

On the surface, security in Lihua County was decent, but occasionally, there were always those with ill intentions. A girl alone outside—especially a pretty one—was never quite safe.

She had come to see Zhang Ye only to give him that gift. Whether it was purely out of gratitude or not, her feelings were still a little muddled. Having accomplished her goal, she had no reason to linger.

After Zhang Ye returned to the shop and called out a quick goodbye, he left with Guo Xiangqing.

Summer weather is ever-changing. It had been a clear and cloudless sky, but in just a short while, dark clouds began to drift in, thick and black as ink. A downpour was imminent.

“It’s about to rain. Wait here, I’ll go buy an umbrella.” The number of people on the street was thinning; seeing the sky’s dramatic change, even those still around were hurrying along at a run.

“Let’s go together. I don’t think there’s one nearby.” The commercial street sold a wide variety of goods, but finding an umbrella in a pinch was no easy task.

Zhang Ye could only nod, leading Guo Xiangqing as they walked and searched the area.

Rumble!

A sudden thunderclap split the sky, illuminating everything for a moment, and then the torrential rain came down in sheets, instantly drenching the dry pavement.

“The rain’s too heavy—let’s take shelter over there.” Zhang Ye grabbed Guo Xiangqing’s hand and pulled her into a phone booth.

Even though they moved quickly, the rain still soaked their shirts, and Guo Xiangqing’s beautiful hair was plastered to her face, only adding a unique charm to her beauty.

The whole world seemed to turn gray in an instant, the rain cutting off all light. Zhang Ye glanced around, managing a wry smile.

There was only this one place nearby to take shelter. Aside from the rare stubborn soul sprinting through the rain, everyone else was hiding under eaves, anxiously watching the sky.

They were clearly trapped in the phone booth.

“You’re holding my hand,” Guo Xiangqing suddenly whispered.

“What?” Zhang Ye didn’t catch it at first and looked at her.

Her fresh, delicate features, like a lotus just emerged from water, and the outline formed by her hair stuck to her forehead from the rain—though she looked a mess, her astonishing beauty remained undiminished.

She truly deserved to be that once-proud, radiant flower. The subtle fragrance from her skin made Zhang Ye slightly dizzy.

He had always thought he wasn’t interested in girls who hadn’t fully grown up, but now, standing so close in the cramped phone booth, their bodies pressed together, the rain heightening their physical awareness… he felt his heart skip a beat.

“You’re holding my hand,” Guo Xiangqing repeated, her voice even softer. Embarrassed, she lowered her head and shifted away, but made no move to break free.

Though she spoke quietly, Zhang Ye heard her clearly this time. A little embarrassed, he loosened his grip. Yet, seeing her enchanting expression, he was moved—he took her hand again, clasping it, a faint smile on his lips as he lifted his head.

He found it amusing. Guo Xiangqing was usually a bit proud and outspoken, always straightforward in conversation. Today’s behavior was very out of character for her.

“What are you doing?” Guo Xiangqing, flustered, lifted her head, her ears turning bright red.

“What am I doing?” Zhang Ye feigned innocence, inwardly almost bursting with laughter.

He felt he was being shameless, even a little despicable, teasing such a young girl and thoroughly enjoying it.

“Hmph, I’m not talking to you anymore.” Guo Xiangqing huffed and turned away, yet she still didn’t pull her hand free. The contradiction in her actions left Zhang Ye dumbfounded.

With the summer heat, people wore less, but with a rain like this, the sudden drop in temperature was hard to bear for anyone dressed lightly.

Guo Xiangqing wore only a pink princess dress. It wasn’t soaked through and risked becoming see-through, but her bare arms were exposed and she was visibly shivering.

Seeing goosebumps rise on her pale arms, Zhang Ye hesitated, then took off his own shirt and draped it over her shoulders without a word.

He was young and strong, practiced in martial arts, and could withstand this temperature. But Guo Xiangqing, physically weaker and already drenched, could easily catch a cold.

“You… I… it’s fine, really.” Guo Xiangqing clutched Zhang Ye’s shirt around her. Seeing his bare, well-defined, muscular torso, her face flushed bright red. She turned her head away, wanting to look but too shy to do so.

“It’s nothing. This temperature is nothing for me; just don’t catch a cold.” Zhang Ye wrapped the shirt around her again, buttoned it up, and even tucked her arms inside.