Yama Reborn
Chapter 59 - 57 [You You You You You]

Chapter 59: Chapter 57 [You You You You You]

Chapter 57 [You, you, you, you, you]

The motorcycle didn’t go straight home but took a detour and returned to Tangzi Street.

Chen Nuo parked the bike at the east end of Tangzi Street.

It was about seven or eight in the evening by now, and some street-side restaurants had already started setting out tables and chairs.

One after another, barbecue stands sprang up. The owners directed their staff to carry out boxes of beer and pile them up by the tables. Various skewers stored in freezers were also brought out.

The flames of the barbecue grills had been lit, and massive blowers were venting the smoke far away.

The scent of charcoal, the aroma of barbecue, and the smell of beer—these various odors mixed together weren’t as choking as one might imagine. Amid the smoke and flames, voices of diners yelling and laughing loudly could be heard.

All of this, mingled together, created a strong, earthy air of street life.

Chen Nuo parked the bike, then lifted Sun Keke off.

The girl had actually awakened; while on the bike, her body had been trembling continuously. Now that Chen Nuo had set her down, she stared intently at him.

Chen Nuo took off his helmet and hung it on the front of the bike, gazing into Sun Keke’s eyes.

"...Are you still Chen Nuo?" The girl’s gaze was a bit hazy, and deep in her eyes was a hint of confusion, bewilderment, and a trace of fear.

Chen Nuo reached out to touch Sun Keke’s hair. She instinctively tilted her head to dodge, but ultimately, she endured, allowing Chen Nuo’s hand to rest on her hair.

The haziness and bewilderment in the girl’s eyes became even more intense as she just quietly looked at Chen Nuo.

"You completely scared me today. The Chen Nuo I remember wasn’t like this; he didn’t have such abilities." Tears began to form in Sun Keke’s eyes, a mixture of panic and helplessness. "I’ve known you for almost three years. You didn’t like to socialize much before, and when you spoke privately, you were a bit improper. You liked to joke around and had a sharp tongue. But... the way you were tonight, I couldn’t recognize you."

"Is it bad to have changed?" Chen Nuo sighed.

The girl hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "It’s good. Your previous self was too gloomy, always making people reluctant to approach you. Now you’ve become much more cheerful. But... but you..."

"What about me?"

"You’ve become especially mysterious. I’ve known you for three years. The old you, though a bit strange, could be seen through at a glance. But now, I just can’t understand you. I always feel you have so many secrets."

Chen Nuo listened quietly, without speaking.

"Just now, tonight, what exactly happened? Why did those people capture me? Was it to get at you? How did you get involved with these people? Were those people from the underworld?" Sun Keke cried out. "And you, what happened to you just now? How did you become so powerful... When did you become so powerful? I watched you knock down a room full of people."

The girl grasped the corner of Chen Nuo’s clothes with both hands, resting her chin on his shoulder, weeping softly while murmuring, "Chen Nuo, Chen Nuo... Chen Nuo, what on earth happened to you... I feel you’re getting further and further away from me..." Her words dissolved into sobs.

In the end, all the fear, worry, confusion, and bewilderment the girl had accumulated over the evening finally erupted at once. She clutched the corner of Chen Nuo’s clothes tightly and pressed herself into his embrace, crying uncontrollably.

Chen Nuo watched the girl in front of him quietly, watched her cry out all the fear and terror in her heart.

Slowly, he reached out, embraced the girl, and then, supporting her, walked to a table at a roadside barbecue stall and sat down.

Chen Nuo helped Sun Keke get seated, then turned and took a bottle of beer from a box on the ground. With a light flick of his thumb, the bottle cap flew off.

The stall owner, quite observant, came over and placed a glass in front of Chen Nuo, then put a greasy, laminated menu on the table.

Chen Nuo poured himself a beer and drank it down in one go. Then he poured another glass and pushed it in front of Sun Keke.

"Take a sip."

"I, I don’t drink alcohol," the girl said in a choked whisper.

"Be good. Drink one glass to calm your nerves," Chen Nuo’s voice was very gentle.

Sun Keke hesitated for a moment but still obediently picked up the glass and drank half. Then, under Chen Nuo’s tender gaze, she held her breath and downed the remaining contents in one gulp.

"...So bitter," Sun Keke frowned.

"That’s how it should be," Chen Nuo smiled faintly. "What alcohol isn’t bitter and strong? Alright, one glass is enough."

He moved the glass away from Sun Keke.

Sun Keke felt that Chen Nuo’s gaze on her at that moment was completely different from usual, containing a complex scrutiny that seemed to hesitate over something.

After looking for a while, Chen Nuo seemed to give a soft, bitter smile.

In the end, he still... fell for her, huh.

Actually, a girl like Sun Keke was the simplest kind.

From childhood to adulthood, the most extreme and dangerous thing she had ever experienced was getting whistled at from afar by a few hoodlums at the school gate.

Beyond that, her parents at home and teachers at school had always protected her well. Old Sun had provided her with a beautiful, yet very simple life.

Her biggest worries were nothing more than exams and studies. Her biggest pain was nothing more than an occasional disagreement with classmates. Her biggest dilemmas were nothing more than those budding feelings of young love.

Beyond that, she was just a plain and simple pretty girl from an ordinary family.

Tonight, all of a sudden, she was kidnapped on the street, had a knife held to her, and then watched as the boy she had known for three years, the one she secretly admired, transformed as if he had become Superman...

The girl’s world was somewhat collapsing.

In a word, she panicked. She truly panicked.

She panicked because this Chen Nuo before her wasn’t the person she thought she knew. She panicked because this Chen Nuo had too many secrets and seemed so distant. She panicked because this Chen Nuo seemed to faintly radiate an aura entirely different from her own simple world.

All along, as Sun Keke’s feelings for Chen Nuo deepened, the dreams born from her young love were actually very simple, very pure.

Occasionally, in the middle of the night, she had fantasized about what the future with this young man might look like, what kind of life they would have.

The best, most beautiful, and happiest future she could imagine was one just like the ordinary families around her—like her own parents, or the couples among her relatives and friends.

Going to work, coming home, buying groceries and cooking meals, slicing some fruit after dinner, sitting on the sofa watching TV for a while, sharing homey yet warm conversations, and then, when tired and sleepy, leaning in her man’s arms and dozing off...

In Sun Keke’s imagination, the happiest state of life was just like that.

The girl wasn’t materialistic, nor did she crave vanity or wealth.

She sometimes even naively thought about what she would do after graduation, given how much she liked this boy.

Given Chen Nuo’s situation, he definitely wouldn’t be able to get into college... From the way he expressed himself, he didn’t even seem to consider going to college.

Then she would simply apply to a local institution close to home, even if it was a vocational college or a community college—after all, her grades were just so-so.

Before graduating high school, her father would definitely not allow her to date. But once she was in college, it should be no problem.

Moreover, Keke had her own little schemes. She had occasionally tested Old Sun’s attitude with her words and confirmed that her father didn’t dislike this boy, even holding a hint of fondness for him.

Yes, after graduation, Chen Nuo could work hard in Brother Lei’s shop, which seemed to be doing quite well. As for herself, she would attend college. Even if it meant working a bit harder on weekdays and commuting more—it was all to stay by this boy’s side.

If he had free time, he would ride his bike to her school after work to pick her up for a stroll. If he was busy, she could go to Brother Lei’s shop after her classes.

In the evening, they would share a meal together, even if it was just a plate of fried rice from a roadside stall or a bowl of wontons with pan-fried buns. In any case, there was no need to dine at fancy restaurants.

If they had a little spare cash, they could go shopping, watch a movie, or even take a walk in the civic square, hand in hand. Just like that, strolling along the streets.

In Sun Keke’s imagination, all these things were sure to be very sweet.

She would always be good, not quarrel with him or make trouble, not be capricious or fussy, not burden him, and certainly not spend money lavishly like other girls.

Sun Keke understood that Chen Nuo’s family was not well-off. He had no parents and no elder relatives around, and he also had a younger sister to look after.

The girl had thought far, far ahead.

By the time she graduated from college, Chen Nuo would have worked in Brother Lei’s shop for a few years. Then, if they could save some money, they could start their own small auto shop. If their capital was too small to sell cars, they could start with repairs.

Meanwhile, she would work hard to find a job—perhaps in accounting or computers. Even being an ordinary clerk would do, as long as the job wasn’t too far from home.

Then, the two of them could be together openly and start their life.

As for money, naturally, there wouldn’t be much. But Sun Keke believed she could save up.

Save for a few years... Hmm, and she had to make sure Chen Nuo quit smoking. She would cut down on snacks and buy fewer clothes. New clothes were nice to look at, but that was all. She was naturally pretty and wouldn’t look bad in anything she wore, plus...

...as long as he didn’t look down on her, that would be good enough!

The two of them could work hard together, save some money, and in a few years, buy the old house that Chen Nuo’s grandmother’s workplace had provided. Or, if that wasn’t possible, they could buy a small one near the school, with just two rooms—one for them and one for Xiao Yezi.

Then, in their twenties, they would get married and start their small life. A couple of years later, they could have a cute baby just like Xiao Yezi...

These were the dreams a girl had in the middle of the night about her future love, her life, everything. It was the best life she sincerely desired in her heart.

Deep down, she felt this kind of life was particularly, particularly wonderful.

Yes, it was particularly wonderful.

The girl would often sit by herself, lost in thought, and then, bashful and delighted, she would let out a secret giggle.

In her view, that was happiness.

But...

But the incident tonight... Being kidnapped on the street was scary and terrifying, sure. Once the shock had passed, she was okay.

But what struck Sun Keke the most was not that.

It was... the events of tonight, including the completely different side of Chen Nuo that was revealed!

All this seemed to abruptly, with a single blow, shatter the beautiful yet incredibly simple and modest dreams the girl had woven in her heart about her future with this boy.

Shattered!

The dream she had woven, the fantasy of the future so ordinary, so common, so inconspicuous, and so very simple.

And tonight, this boy who revealed such sharp edges... would he still fit into those simple pictures she had painted of their future?

Sun Keke’s heart trembled with fear.

"Keke," Chen Nuo finished a bottle of beer and called out softly.

He gently took hold of the girl’s hands, both of them, then he gazed into her eyes.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t want to frighten you. So... what I’m about to do... um... forget it. No explanation is needed. In fact, there’s no need to hide it or make excuses; I truly want to do this. So..."

Chen Nuo gently put down the beer glass, staring into the girl’s eyes, where faint flames seemed to flicker.

Sun Keke’s almond eyes suddenly widened as she saw the boy’s face drawing closer and closer. Her body instinctively tried to pull back, but her hands were held. The boy then pressed his hand on her waist, effortlessly holding her firmly so she couldn’t move away.

"What did you say... MMPH..."

The boy’s actions were gentle but very resolute, with an undeniable intent.

Sun Keke felt his scorching breath on her face. Her lips were sealed, and her body went soft.

Her teeth were gently pried apart, followed by his reckless invasion.

She didn’t struggle. She forgot to struggle. Deep down, she didn’t want to struggle at all.

She didn’t even realize when the boy had let go of her hands, yet she instinctively, actively grabbed the corners of the boy’s clothes, clutching them very tightly.

The girl’s mind buzzed, a total blur. She thought of nothing, unable to contemplate anything, only feeling the boy’s tender yet undeniable movements.

A moment later, Chen Nuo pulled back. The girl’s face was flushed from holding her breath, and she panted softly, staring straight at Chen Nuo. Her eyes, almost brimming with tears, looked stupefied. She could only manage to say in a low voice, "You, you, you, you... what you just... you..."

"Yes. I did it. I kissed you, just now," Chen Nuo said calmly. "I don’t care who knows; I kissed you!"

"You, you, you, you..." the girl stammered incomprehensibly.

Chen Nuo looked at the girl’s flushed little face, her clueless appearance, smiled gently, and suddenly leaned in again.

"MMPH..."

This time, Keke didn’t dodge or move. Her almond eyes first opened wide, then slowly closed again...