I rejected your confession, but you took my best friend home?

Chapter 178 Because I want you to have me in your life for a lifetime...

"Ah...wow..."

Are you a kangaroo?

"That's really creative..."

The three looked bewildered, then shook their heads and smiled. This way of appearing was both unexpected and yet perfectly logical to them...

Yin Mengran emerged from Zhou Heng's coat, and only then did they realize... Zhou Heng had been carrying Yin Mengran...

No wonder I didn't see Yin Mengran's feet; she was carried the whole time...

That level of arm strength and endurance is probably only something Zhou Heng could achieve...

After Yin Mengran stepped forward, she immediately reached out and swept the snow off Zhou Heng's head and shoulders.

Then he looked at everyone, scratched his head sheepishly, and said, "I told you we didn't need to do that... but Zhou Heng..."

"Alright, alright, we all understand, stop showing off."

Tang Zhi waved her hand, knowing full well that this must have been Zhou Heng's idea; how could Yin Mengran possibly ask to do this on her own initiative...

Zhou Heng and Yin Mengran sat down, and the group was finally all together, ready to order food and eat.

Liao Haomiao looked at Zhou Heng and asked, "How did you do on your final exams this time, Zhou Heng?"

Because he, Yin Mengran, and Tang Zhi were almost always in the top three. Last time he was first, but this time Yin Mengran came in first again at the final exam.

Zhou Heng shook his head and said:

"Still the same...around 80th or 90th place, stuck neither up nor down..."

Zhou Heng wore a clearly helpless expression. He had already studied very hard, but he found it incredibly difficult to reach the middle to upper ranks...

The reason I improved so quickly before was simply because... I was so bad before...

In that situation, you'll improve no matter how you study.

Not to mention the immense effort he put in, coupled with Yin Mengran's one-on-one tutoring, which is why he progressed so quickly.

He clearly feels that progress is difficult now; he can only try to maintain his current level and make slow, steady progress...

With his current grades, it's a pipe dream for him to get into the same university as Yin Mengran and Tang Zhi.

Liao Haomiao nodded; he felt things were quite normal now.

"It's okay, take your time, don't rush."

Yin Mengran also reached out and gently touched Zhou Heng's cheek, saying softly, "You're the best! Let's take it slow, and you'll definitely surpass yourself during the winter break!"

"Excluding the Chinese New Year holidays, winter break is only about a week long, right? It seems like it's only a little over two weeks in total..."

Zhou Heng muttered something in frustration.

They are about to begin their final semester of senior year, and the college entrance examination is drawing ever closer.

This school's winter break of more than half a month is already considered a lot. I heard that some schools only give a few days off during the Lunar New Year, which is at most about a week.

Compared to others, they are doing relatively well, mainly because the overall academic performance of their graduating class is quite good, so the school gives them more holidays.

"That's already quite good. With plenty of time these days, if you study hard, you'll definitely make great progress..."

Zhou Heng sighed and said, "I even thought I'd get into the top twenty in the exam next holiday... Now it seems I was so naive..."

Liao Haomiao pursed his lips and said, "Why did you set your goal so high? There are still six months left. It would be great if you could improve by 10 places."

"I thought I was improving so fast that I'd get into the top 20 quickly too, but who knew that was just a beginner's bonus period..."

"Hahaha..."

It was snowing outside, but inside there was a steaming hot pot, and a few friends gathered there, enjoying the warmth that comes with winter.

"The Lunar New Year is the day after tomorrow, right? What time are you planning to come?"

Tang Zhi looked at Zhou Heng and Yin Mengran.

She was asking when the two of them would come to her house on New Year's Day. Although they hadn't made an appointment, it was as if they had tacitly agreed.

Zhou Heng and Yin Mengran went to their home for the New Year, so everyone could have a lively time together.

Zhou Heng looked at Yin Mengran, wanting to ask her opinion.

"Let's go earlier so we can help out more. We can't wait until everyone else has finished before we go, can we?"

"Yes, you're right. Let's go there as soon as possible and help my aunt."

Zhou Heng nodded, agreeing with Yin Mengran's statement.

The group looked out the window at the bustling street scene. These last few days before the Lunar New Year were the most lively, as people working away from home were all returning to celebrate.

These past few days have probably been the most relaxing for Zhou Heng; he can finally relax without having to think about anything...

At this moment, Yin Mengran leaned on Zhou Heng's shoulder and met his gaze...

"This is the first time we've spent Chinese New Year together..."

"Yes, but there will be many, many more times in the future, and every single time, we'll spend them together..."

"Um..."

Around 10 p.m., the group prepared to go home. They said goodbye at the door and went their separate ways home.

Zhou Heng held Yin Mengran's hand, and in the quiet night, only the crunching sound of their footsteps on the snow could be heard...

"call--"

Zhou Heng raised his head, exhaled, looked at the night sky, and muttered:

"In this weather, staying at home is the most comfortable. In the past, during winter, I would stand on the balcony by myself and drink a little bit of baijiu (Chinese liquor). It would warm my body and feel especially comfortable."

Yin Mengran glanced at Zhou Heng's profile, then smiled.

"Then...would you like to come with me tomorrow?"

"Together?"

"Yes...didn't we agree before that I'd drink with you and cook when we have a holiday?"

"You still remember? I thought... you must have forgotten."

Zhou Heng's eyes shone with even greater joy. He hadn't expected that Yin Mengran would still remember a casual remark she'd made just a few months ago.

However, he did remember it; after all, he was quite looking forward to that day.

What a blissful thing it is to have a drink with someone you like, and chat together in the gentle winter.

"How could I forget? I've been really looking forward to this day!"

"Really? Me too..."

"Okay, then! I'll cook tomorrow, we'll stay home, and I'll drink with you, but my alcohol tolerance is probably really, really low..."

Zhou Heng held Yin Mengran's hand tightly, feeling the warmth of her palm in the cold winter.

A faint smile played on his lips as he stared intently at her.

"It's okay, I'm already so happy that you're here with me. I'm so grateful that our lives have intertwined this past year..."

Yin Mengran raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with a warm, ambiguous smile, and chuckled a few times:

"I hope you won't blame me, because I want you to have me in your life forever..."