18.2 - The Eighteenth Flavor Part 2

Translator: tarararawr

Her footsteps were slow and heavy, like she was walking through a swamp.

Xian Bei couldn’t figure it out. In the past, she wanted to hide when she saw him and run as far away as possible. But now, she was reluctant to give up and hide. It was like she had a big box in her heart that was full of gifts that she wanted to repay him with. There were things that she wanted to reveal that might not be valuable or exquisite, but she wanted him to see them.

They had been accumulating for a long time and there were a lot of heavy things pressing on her chest. She could barely carry them.

When Xian Bei reached the door, she raised her eyes cautiously.

Unexpectedly, Chen Zhuo was still standing in the same place. It was like he was going to watch her enter the room and close the door before leaving.

Xian Bei quickly looked away and grabbed the door knob with her small hand. She raised her other hand to the air and waved goodbye for a while.

Chen Zhuo no longer stayed in the same spot. In an amused voice, he said, “Good night.” He turned around and left.

Xian Bei became brave enough to look at the figure of the man this time.

The familiar sharp pain appeared again. It accused her of being a coward and that she should be trying her best to dump out those feelings of torture and execution.

Her hand tightened on the doorknob and her knuckles became white. She did not close the door.

Her eyebrows tightly furrowed and her eyes were fixed on the direction of the man walking away. She inhaled deeply and her lips opened. Only air came out and her throat seemed to be blocked.

It’s hard.

Xian Bei inhaled again. It was like an underwater breathing challenge. When humans are about to die, they should be able to break through their limits and surpass themselves. Were all humans capable of doing it?

Xian Bei’s face was so red that she felt powerless and dizzy.

She breathed out——in a moment of relaxation, she closed her eyes and shouted, “Chen Zhuo——!”

It’s coming out!

Oh my God!

It’s coming out!

The voice of the young girl was clear and touching. It was also a unique voice that belonged to her.

She did it??

Really did it???!!!!!!

She really did it?! Right????

When the man turned around, the surprise on his face was the best answer.

Xian Bei was taking big gasps of air like an exhausted man who was trying his best to kick his legs to carry himself to the beach after almost drowning.

Chen Zhuo was immobilized on the spot and also could not react. It took a long time before he asked, “What’s the matter?”

That spurt of energy faded away as soon as she made eye contact with him.

Xian Bei’s hands and feet did not know where to go. She was at a loss.

What do you want to say to him? Why on earth did you shout at him like you weren’t afraid of dying? Xian Bei’s heart was like a mirror providing clarity and insight.

But what was she going to do?

When he didn’t take his eyes off of her, her heart was pounding so uncontrollably fast that she couldn’t speak at all.

In just a few seconds, Xian Bei’s face was scorched by the man’s calm eyes.

She suddenly yelled at him like a psychopath and that she must have looked stupid scratching her head without knowing what to do.

Was she going to go back?

She couldn’t!

She wanted to speak.

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She was afraid that this would never happen again and that she must be brave and powerful without turning back.

She was worried that this night would never happen again and that she must express her resolve even if she swears on her life.

When the sun rose tomorrow, she would definitely change back to the loser and coward that had withdrawn into her shell.

In the next second, Xian Bei turned around. She exhaled and swallowed.

I like you, I like you, I like you……

After she practiced several times, Xian Bei kept her uncontrollable heart down and tried to speak again. Her nose wrinkled and her shoulders rose. She pretended to be very strong and bold.

And then……

“I……”

Breathing sound.

Why did it change back? Xian Bei wanted to cry, but had no tears. Should I try to be a little louder?

“I……”

Does it seem louder? Can he hear me? He’s standing a little far away.

……

……

Chen Zhuo didn’t move as he stared at the girl who was trying to raise her voice.

She was stammering and just said the word “I” several times. He could hear her, and he could hear her very clearly.

Every time the word was finally spoken, her shoulders would immediately loosen like all the energy in her body had been depleted.

When it came to the “li” sound, Xian Bei’s face flushed. Her forehead and back were sweaty.

But she was still trying very hard. She was trying very hard to put together what she wanted to say. It might look simple and easy, but these few words were actually killing her.

“I-I……li……”

“I……li-li-li……”

“Ah.”

“I-I-I……li……ah……”

“I li……”

Xian Bei was no longer stuttering and her eyes lit up. She was just about to connect the “ke” sound——

Her right shoulder was suddenly grasped and moved backwards!

Before she collected her thoughts, she had fallen into an embrace and there were arms wrapped around her body.

Is it him?

Xian Bei opened her eyes wider and a thought flashed through her mind.

Who else can it be besides him?

The strength of the upper body that belonged to that man instantly came pouring out.

It was so heavy. It might be heavier than the big box in her heart. Could it be that he also had a big box in his heart?

It was so close and so real. Oh, it seemed to be squeezing her tears out.

Something laid on top of her head and let out a very light sigh. Immediately after, the voice said two words without hesitation.

“Me too.”

Xian Bei’s body froze and then tears gushed out.

Me too.

I like you, Xiao Shanbei 1 . I like you too.

People in the world can have a lotus flower’s tongue 2 and people in the world can easily say what is on their mind.

You are different. To my little girl who lets me love so deeply, thank you for being willing to hold your pearl out and let me see its light.

The author has something to say:

Isn’t it nice to end up here?

Footnotes

小扇贝(xiǎoshànbèi) – Little scallop 舌灿莲花 (shécànliánhuā) – used to describe eloquent and beautiful speech