Redeeming Love

Chapter 7 Topic of Puppy Love

On the way back from the hot springs, Chen Qian and Wang Song asked Tang Hai for a ride. Tang Hai was a bit surprised and asked, "Didn't you drive here?" Wang Song replied, "I was going to, but Chen Qian insisted on taking a taxi over here..." Chen Qian pinched him, and he stopped talking. Then she smiled and said, "Since you're heading in the same direction, why not give us a ride back?" She opened the passenger seat door and got in, while I silently sat in the backseat.

During the ride, Chen Qian brought up several topics related to their high school days. Tang Hai seemed uninterested and didn't speak much. Wang Song, on the other hand, was talkative and tried to keep the mood from becoming too awkward. As they approached the city, Tang Hai asked, "Where do you guys live?" Wang Song gave a location, while Chen Qian said, "Same place as before, nothing's changed." Tang Hai replied, "I don't remember." The atmosphere in the car suddenly became tense, with Chen Qian staring at Tang Hai with red eyes, while Tang Hai continued to focus on the road without saying a word.

In the end, Wang Song broke the silence and gave Chen Qian's neighborhood. The car stopped, but Chen Qian didn't get out. She turned to Tang Hai and asked, "Don't you have anything to say to me?" Tang Hai replied calmly, "No." Chen Qian opened the car door and left, slamming it shut behind her. Tang Hai still didn't react, stepped on the accelerator, and drove off quickly.

Wang Song continued to talk, "Why are you so heartless? Don't you know what she meant? When she asked you to drink with her, it was because she wanted to get back together with you." Tang Hai replied shortly, "That's impossible." Wang Song continued, "You when you're cold, you're really cold." Was Tang Hai really that cold?

Wang Song turned his head and saw me. He laughed and said, "What's with that expression? You don't believe me? Your uncle, when he was in school, was so indifferent to girls. How many girls offered him water during basketball games, but he didn't even take a bottle, just walked away? If the people from our high school knew about this, they'd be scared to death."

I was puzzled, "Could someone like that fall in love so early?" Wang Song laughed, "Your uncle was very handsome, even if his temper was bad, there were always people who admired him. Hey, the sister who just got out of the car, Chen Qian, is the most indomitable one."

Uncle and sister, the family relationships seemed confusing. Actually, Tang Hai only seemed like a big brother. Wang Song didn't notice and continued to talk and laugh. "Of course, you don't think your uncle is cold, he dotes on you like a child. Just now, when you fell asleep, we asked him to drink with us, but he refused and said he wanted to watch over you. If the people from our high school knew about this, they'd be scared to death."

My heart began to race, and I couldn't help but look at Tang Hai. When I was sleeping, was he really watching over me?

It's hard to imagine what the scene was like. Tang Hai ignored it and only warned Wang Song with a glance, saying, "That's enough." Wang Song raised his hands in surrender and said, "Okay, okay, I won't say anymore." They had arrived at their destination and Wang Song grabbed his bag and jumped out of the car, bidding me farewell with a smile.

Tang Hai hadn't started the car yet. He looked at me through the rearview mirror and said, "Come sit up front."

I was caught off guard and said, "Huh?" Tang Hai said, "Don't you get car sick?" I suddenly remembered that I had mentioned to him before that I easily get car sick when we were planning to go shopping. I didn't expect him to remember. I quietly grabbed my bag and moved to the passenger seat.

The car slowly started and Tang Hai didn't say anything else. He casually switched on a radio channel, but it was playing a love topic and the female host was reading letters from listeners. "Love in our youth is always reckless, passionate, and unforgettable..." Tang Hai frowned and turned off the radio. He glanced at me and said, "What? Do you want to listen? This isn't something you should be listening to at your age."

I whispered back, "When you were my age, you already had your first love." He looked at me unexpectedly and smiled, "Well, then tell me, what is love?" Without hesitation, I said, "Love is wanting to be with that person all the time, being curious about everything about them, blushing and heart racing in their presence, easily showing your vulnerable side, and..."

My voice suddenly trailed off. The night wind flowed in through the car window and the light from the street lamps flickered. At that moment, I was horrified to realize that all my descriptions seemed to have a specific target.

And now, that target was completely unaware and even teasing me, saying, "Oh? It seems like you have someone on your mind." I just lowered my head deeply and dared not speak again.