Chapter 691 - 306: Want to Take a Stroll in the Woods With Me?

’They’ve only met once and chatted for a bit, and they’re already good friends?’

’Women make friends ridiculously fast!’

After dinner, Jian Shiwai made an excuse about having something to do and drove off, leaving Xu Yun and Ou Jingya by themselves.

The two of them took a post-dinner stroll around campus to help digest their food.

In winter, the days are short.

Although it was just past six in the evening, the sky was already growing dark, and the streetlights on both sides of the road had flickered on.

As Ou Jingya walked, she occasionally ran into colleagues and superiors, all of whom would smile and tease her when they saw her.

"Teacher Ou, out for a stroll around campus with your boyfriend?"

Each time, Ou Jingya had to reply, "No, we’re just ordinary friends."

But it seemed no one believed her, simply thinking she was being shy.

Xu Yun, on the other hand, looked unconcerned, with a ’whatever you say’ attitude, neither confirming nor denying it.

This only served to further cement the rumors about him and Ou Jingya.

Seeing his reaction, Ou Jingya couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re not even going to explain? At this rate, everyone will really think you’re my boyfriend."

"So what if they do? What’s there to be afraid of?"

Xu Yun chuckled. "The innocent have nothing to hide. Why should we care what other people think?"

"I don’t care, I’m single after all."

Ou Jingya said, "But you have a girlfriend. It would be bad if she misunderstood."

"Why are you being so coy?"

Xu Yun laughed. "Don’t worry, my girlfriend isn’t that petty. She wouldn’t mind."

Ou Jingya was speechless.

As they walked, they arrived at the campus’s sacred spot: Lovers’ Knoll.

It was a large, grassy expanse with thick, soft turf dotted with all sorts of trees. At night, it was the most popular dating spot for the university’s student couples.

"Want to go for a stroll with me through the grove?"

Xu Yun said, his voice full of meaning, "Who knows, there might be an unexpected surprise."

As someone who had been a student at Jiang University and was now a teacher there, Ou Jingya naturally knew a few things about this place. She couldn’t speak for everything, but couples kissing and the like were a dime a dozen.

But that was in the past.

This semester, after a major crackdown by the university and the installation of several cameras, it had become a place for purely innocent dates.

But Xu Yun didn’t know about this.

"Alright."

Ou Jingya said shyly, "But let’s make a bet. If there’s a ’surprise,’ you win. If there isn’t, I win."

"Alright, you’re on."

And so, the two of them walked toward the grove together.

Along the way, they spotted two or three couples, but they were all behaving normally, with no "unexpected surprises" or anything crossing the line.

By the time they had walked a full loop, there had indeed been no surprises.

"Why does it feel so dead here now?"

Xu Yun was puzzled. "This grove used to be packed with couples."

"You said it yourself, that was in the past. How many years has it been since you graduated?"

Ou Jingya couldn’t help but laugh as she explained, "They cleaned this place up a long time ago. They added several new cameras, and I doubt anyone wants to get lovey-dovey on camera."

"So that’s what happened."

Xu Yun shook his head in resignation. "A bet’s a bet, and I lost. So, tell me, how do you want to punish me?"

"Let me think."

The secluded grove was quiet, with only the occasional bit of light filtering in from a distant streetlight.

Ou Jingya looked at Xu Yun, her heart inexplicably starting to beat faster as uncontrollable emotions began to surge within her.

In the end, she couldn’t hold back. She stepped forward and kissed him.

Xu Yun was completely taken aback by Ou Jingya’s sudden move.

’No way, have I really gotten that charming?’

’But...’

’Didn’t she just say this place is full of cameras?’

’I have no desire to be filmed and end up on the news.’

So, Xu Yun reached out and decisively pushed her away.

Seeing this, Ou Jingya thought he was unwilling and had gotten angry.

Blushing, she said apologetically, "Xu Yun, I’m sorry. I know this isn’t right... I don’t know why I kissed you. I just couldn’t help myself.

Can you just pretend that nothing happened, please?"

"Teacher Ou, that’s not what I meant."

Xu Yun said with a smile, "I was just thinking that with all the cameras around here, we should be a little more careful. We don’t want to end up on the news tomorrow."

"Huh?"

Realization dawned on Ou Jingya. She said shyly, "It’s fine. The cameras can’t see this spot. It’s a blind spot."

Xu Yun was speechless.

’Damn it, why didn’t you say so earlier?’

Ou Jingya looked at Xu Yun, whom she had just kissed so forcefully, and asked doubtfully, "Xu Yun, aren’t you angry with me?"

"Why would I be angry with you?"

"Don’t you think I’m shameless?"

Ou Jingya said, losing her confidence, "I know you have a girlfriend, yet I still did that just now..."

"No. Liking someone is something you can’t control."

Xu Yun comforted her, "I understand, and I wouldn’t look down on you for it."

"Thank you, Xu Yun."

"So, uh..."

Xu Yun said with a grin, "How about we... pick up where we left off? It’s still early."

Ou Jingya: "???"

Xu Yun sighed. "I never got to experience kissing a girl on Lovers’ Knoll. It’s always been one of my college regrets."

"But... is this really okay?"

"It’s fine. We’re just kissing, not doing anything else."

Xu Yun replied, "I think my girlfriend would understand."

Ou Jingya was speechless.

A moment ago, it was an impulse on her part. But now, hearing Xu Yun say that, her rational mind returned, and she began to feel conflicted.

’Should I refuse him? Or not?’

Just as she was hesitating, unable to make up her mind, Xu Yun made the decision for her.