Forced into a romantic relationship

[One more chapter will be released later]

Because he was trapped in the sleeping bag, Han Zhou couldn't pull his hand out, so he couldn't make a pinky promise with the guzheng.

However, Guzheng didn't mind.

Her face still held a bright smile, but her tone had become somewhat dangerous: "Now that you've agreed to me again, you should know what the consequences will be if you dare to lie to me again, right?"

Han Zhou pondered for a moment, then asked half-jokingly, "Will there be another chance to make that promise again in the future?"

"Of course not!"

Gu Zheng glared at him, annoyed. "You didn't just promise me, and now you're already thinking about how to lie to me?"

"That's not it."

Han Zhou said frankly, "Even if I really wanted to lie to you, it would be out of necessity, not intentional."

Gu Zheng remained noncommittal, only letting out a soft "humph": "After all this build-up, you should have guessed what question I want to ask you, right?"

Han Zhou forced himself to nod.

He could guess, of course, that the problem was either related to Mo Yixia or Wang Lengqiu, and it was definitely not a trivial matter that could be easily dismissed.

During that period of time, he had been weighing the possibility of confessing to Guzheng now, but the conclusion he came to was still that it was a dead end.

It wasn't because this was a good place to kill and dispose of the body; even if Gu Zheng was angry, she wouldn't go so far as to kill him and Wang Lengqiu.

What he was really worried about was that this was, after all, a mountaintop on a winter night. If Guzheng got angry and ran into the forest and disappeared in this desolate wilderness, that would be a real problem.

Therefore, if Gu Zheng's question directly inquires about his relationship with Mo Yixia or Wang Lengqiu, he will still have no choice but to continue lying.

That's right, it's not the right time yet.

But if now is not the time, then when will it be?
Han Zhou felt heavy-hearted.

According to the initial plan, the goal was to continue to find ways to deepen the relationship between the three guzheng players and make them good friends.

But who can guarantee that when the truth is revealed, Guzheng will be happy to share it because of the friendship between the three, instead of being completely disheartened by the betrayal of everyone, including herself?

The "it's not the right time" argument is just an excuse for procrastination.

But now that things have come to this, there's no turning back.

The air seemed to have been paused, with only the wind on the mountaintop still howling tirelessly.

Han Zhou was trying his best to control his nervousness, but even so, he could still hear his own heartbeat. He felt as if the blurry lights above him were huge searchlights, and he was a shameful prisoner awaiting trial.

Even a one-second delay feels like standing on the edge of a knife for a little longer.

Fortunately, the anticipated problems did not materialize.

Gu Zheng merely turned her head slightly, her gaze lingering for a moment on the corner of the curtain lifted by the wind, before asking an unexpected yet perfectly logical question—

"I'm asking you, what's your opinion of Senior Wang Lengqiu?"

Han Zhou was stunned for a moment, then let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief.

Fortunately, although it was still a difficult question to answer, it was better than directly asking him about his relationship with Wang Lengqiu.

This also means that he may not have to lie this time.

After a moment of silence, he said solemnly, "Senior Wang Lengqiu is a good person."

Did I ask you that?

Gu Zheng was furious. If it weren't for the fact that this guy was still sick, she would have punched him on the shoulder as usual. "You know what I mean, don't try to brush me off!"

Han Zhou gave a wry smile: "Your question is too broad."

To be fair, how to view a person is indeed a very broad question, and his answer that Senior Wang Lengqiu is a good person is not just a perfunctory statement.

It's just a bit of a trick.

Perhaps realizing that the question was too broad, Gu Zheng thought carefully and rearranged her words: "Then let me ask you again, how do you plan to get along with Senior Wang Lengqiu in the future?"

"Just treat them as ordinary friends," Han Zhou said without changing his expression.

"Just ordinary friends?" Gu Zheng looked suspicious.

"Don't you want us to just be ordinary friends?" Han Zhou asked back.

"Of course... I'm asking you now!"

Gu Zheng quickly realized what he meant. She first glared at him, then hesitated, "I just feel... Senior Wang Lengqiu seems to see you as her pillar of support. If we just leave her alone..."

"I will not abandon her," Han Zhou interrupted her.

Gu Zheng was taken aback.

"I will not abandon Senior Wang Lengqiu." Meeting Gu Zheng's complicated gaze, Han Zhou, despite his pounding heart, repeated himself earnestly, his tone even more solemn than before, "This is my opinion of Senior Wang Lengqiu."

After saying that, Han Zhou shut his mouth.

The words fell into the tent, as if even the fierce winds on the mountaintop were shut out in that instant.

He remained lying on his back, even unconsciously slowing his breathing, only daring to catch glimpses of Guzheng's expression out of the corner of his eye, his heart pounding in his chest.

However, after waiting for a long time, he did not receive the anger or dissatisfaction he expected, but only heard a lukewarm "Oh".

“What does ‘Oh’ mean?” he asked cautiously after a moment’s hesitation.

"It means I understand."

Gu Zheng breathed warm air onto her cold hands, then looked at him strangely, "What else could it mean?"

"and then?"

"And then what?"

"that is……"

Han Zhou opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything more.

But is there really no "then"?

He really wanted to ask, "Aren't you angry?" But once he asked that question, it meant he would face the other person's counter-question, "Why should I be angry?", thus shooting himself in the foot.

"So... is this the end of the matter?" he asked tentatively.

"ended."

Gu Zheng's face showed no emotion; she simply nodded slightly and was about to put her warm hands back into her pockets.

"Why don't you put it here to warm up?" Han Zhou suddenly said.

Gu Zheng was taken aback, a thin blush quickly spreading across her cheeks, but she immediately forced it back down, glancing sideways as if to feign indifference. She wanted to retort defiantly, "I'm not cold," but the words faltered at the last second, turning into another reluctant statement:

"How...how can it be warm?"

She even blushed, so she really wasn't angry...

Han Zhou secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "I'm all warm now, just unzip your zipper a little and put your hand in."

Gu Zheng completely lost her composure. Her previously taut, cold expression suddenly crumbled. She hurriedly tried to calm herself down and put on an even more enigmatic expression, which only made her face look even more unnatural.

She quickly turned her head away, but the blush that quickly spread across her cheeks and ears couldn't be hidden at all.

"You...you're kidding me!"

Her voice suddenly rose, but it carried a hint of panicked bravado. Her eyes darted around, avoiding his gaze, and finally she could only awkwardly squeeze out a sentence:
"I'm not cold! Besides, you're already sick... what if you catch a cold from the cold!"

Han Zhou laughed: "You're not an ice sculpture, how could you possibly make me catch a cold?"

This guy is so cunning. He clearly wants to know if I'm angry, so he's using these kinds of words to tease me...

Seeing the ambiguous smile on Han Zhou's face, Gu Zheng belatedly realized what was going on, feeling both embarrassed and resentful—why was it always her who was the one who was shy, and not this guy?

Hmph, let me touch you then, it's not like I'm the one who'll suffer!

With that thought in mind, she gritted her teeth, grabbed the zipper of the sleeping bag, and pulled it down a little.

"Where do I put it!" she asked fiercely.

Han Zhou was taken aback, not understanding what was wrong with her all of a sudden, but he didn't care and smiled, saying, "Put it wherever you want."

"I……"

Gu Zheng's momentum instantly deflated by half. She subconsciously wanted to pull the zipper back up, but seeing Han Zhou's smug look, the nameless fire in her heart burned even brighter.

So she stiffened her neck, as if she were sulking with someone, glared at him fiercely, and after holding it in for a long time, she finally gritted her teeth.

"Then... then put it on your chest!"

The moment she finished speaking, she seemed to be burned by her own words, shrinking back slightly, her neck flushed red, leaving only her wide, round eyes staring at him fiercely and panickedly.

Touching your chest...

Han Zhou sighed softly to himself.

As expected, compared to Yi Xia and senior Wang Lengqiu, Gu Zheng is still too naive...

"Then let's go."

He said. (End of Chapter)