Chapter 76: Chen Li, Will You Stay? (First Update)

Ming Han wondered, what is going on with you two? One of you is insulting my noble character, and the other is over there grinning like an idiot.
"Ming Han, now that you're happy, what about my Jing Jing?" Deng Qingqing seemed to be talking to herself.
Ming Han protested, "You people watch too many romance dramas. I'm just a middle schooler, I don't have the energy for all these emotional matters."
Deng Qingqing fell silent. Pairing up Ming Han with Lin Jingjing, or with Chen Li, was just wishful thinking by others. At the very least, Ming Han had never brought it up himself.
"I have a lot to do. I won't spend too much time thinking about this." Ming Han's tone was cold, as if he were a different person.
Seeing that Ming Han was genuinely angry, Deng Qingqing felt embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Ming Han. I know you have many ambitions. It's childish to always talk about relationships at this age."
This side of Ming Han made Deng Qingqing hold him in higher regard. Handsome boys always attract the admiration of girls. But if a boy only cares about immediate praise and glory, he is short-sighted. Life is long, and each step should be taken with an understanding of its true value.
Ming Han waved it off, showing he didn't mind.
After Deng Qingqing left, Ming Han loaded Chen Li's luggage onto his electric scooter. "I'll take you home."
Chen Li said softly, "Maybe I should just take a cab."
"Get on," Ming Han's voice was strong, carrying a tone that brooked no refusal.
Half a year ago, the two of them often rode together, weaving through the streets and alleys. They watched the scenery at the roadside, the starry sky above, the silhouette of a boy ahead...
"Ming Han, why did you stop talking to me after I went to America?" Chen Li asked.
She had tried many times to add Ming Han on QQ, but his profile picture always remained dark.
Your gray avatar will never light up again, not even for a simple greeting.
"Chen Li, I thought you'd never come back." Ming Han kept his eyes on the road, his reply soft.
Because I thought you'd never return, I didn't dare reach out to you. Not that I didn't want to, but I feared it would only make things harder.
Time flies so quickly! Three years have nearly passed. Back in seventh grade, Ming Han would tease Chen Li, "Wow, you're so pretty but so clueless—it makes me sad."
In eighth grade, Ming Han would say, "Chen Li, you're so clumsy, you need to work hard to catch up with me."
By ninth grade, Ming Han said nothing at all. He simply sat quietly next to the girl in the car, his voice pained as he finally said, "Chen Li, I thought you'd never come back."
What the boy meant was: Chen Li, I was truly afraid you'd be gone forever.
Ming Han's words shattered all of Chen Li's defenses, her pride evaporating in an instant. She hugged Ming Han from behind, tears streaming down her face. "Ming Han, please forgive me just this once."

Because it's you, I'm willing to let go of all my pride.
Ming Han stopped the scooter and gently released Chen Li's embrace. He looked at her seriously and said, "Chen Li, I don't know how to be in a relationship. I don't want to be distracted by such things right now. I don't ever want to reach a point where, if you left, I'd end up like a broken man. I want to live a brilliant life. I want to get into a good university. I want to play great basketball, stand on the highest stages. That's all..."
I like you, but you shouldn't be my entire world.
Chen Li let go of Ming Han's sleeve, her heart sinking. "Ming Han, let me ask you something. If I go to America tomorrow, will you ask me to stay?"
She had asked this question half a year ago, clinging to her greatest hope, "Ming Han, if I go far away, will you want me to stay?"
Back then, Ming Han was reluctant, but he forced a smile and said, "Chen Li! Of course you should go, for your future."
He wanted to summon the courage to shout, "No!"
But in the end, he gave in. "I don't know."
"Oh," Chen Li quietly picked up her luggage from Ming Han's scooter and turned to leave.
Ming Han didn't call her back, since her house was close by.
Suddenly, a terrifying thought crept into Ming Han's mind: Maybe after this winter break, he'll truly never see her again.
That would be fine, he told himself. Then he could focus on his studies and basketball without distraction.
Just then, Yuhang sent a message.
"Ming Han, Chen Li is sick. Depression!"
In bustling Los Angeles, surrounded by all the modern conveniences the world could offer. Life was easy and affluent; everyone welcomed her with open arms. But without you in that city, I can never be happy again.
Ming Han slapped himself. "Ming Han, you idiot."
He dashed after Chen Li with all his strength, running like a madman.
Chen Li walked slowly...
Ming Han spotted her solitary, slender figure and felt a sudden ache in his heart.
"Chen Li, please stay!" Ming Han almost shouted. Many passersby turned to stare.
"Chen Li, please stay. I want to teach you math and physics. You're so hopeless, you'll never manage in America. I want to ask you about so many English questions, because no one explains them like you do. Damn those object clauses and sequence of tenses—I'm still confused. Chen Li, I want you to stay."
Tears streamed down Chen Li's face. She turned slowly, her beautiful eyes meeting Ming Han's.

"Then promise me you'll never call me stupid again."
Ming Han nodded vigorously, "Alright!"
...
After returning home and putting away her luggage, Chen Li's grandmother hadn't had a good look at her yet. Chen Li cheerfully said, "Grandma, a classmate invited me for a late-night snack. I'll be back soon."
Her grandmother nodded happily, thinking her granddaughter had become lively again the moment she returned home—no sign of that so-called depression. Clearly, the homeland suits her.
Ming Han waited for Chen Li at the entrance to her community.
"Where are we going, Ming Han?" Chen Li asked.
Ming Han pointed to his stomach. "I'm hungry."
Chen Li led him to a beef noodle shop. "Two bowls of beef noodles, one large, one small," she told the owner.
When the giant bowl of noodles arrived, Ming Han said modestly, "There’s no way I can finish all this!"
Then he proceeded to eat both his and Chen Li's portions.
Chen Li gave him a thumbs up. "Ming Han, you really are amazing. Even our old family dog couldn't eat as much as you."
Ming Han laughed awkwardly. "Chen Li, are you looking for trouble?"
When it was time to pay, Ming Han pulled twelve yuan from his pocket and froze. He was out of cash!
That hotel meal earlier had bankrupted him.
"Chen Li, I'm broke," Ming Han said pitifully...
Chen Li laughed. "If you want me to pay, you’ll have to promise me something."
"What is it?"
"If a girl ever confesses to you, you have to say you already have a girlfriend."
Ming Han was stunned. "Chen Li, aren't you embarrassed?"