Quick Transmigration: The Control Group in Sweet Novels

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

The silence was so profound that Chen Zuo could hear Qi Yang's breathing. A few seconds passed, and she still hadn't spoken. Chen Zuo's tension escalated, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of his phone. Afraid that his question might have been too direct and startled her, he added, "Never mind, forget I asked. You don't need to answer me right now—"

"Chen Zuo," Qi Yang suddenly interrupted him, her voice soft and tinged with a hint of helplessness, "Can we... wait until after the college entrance exam to talk about it?"

Chen Zuo was taken aback.

He didn't answer immediately, but a smile first appeared on his lips.

"Okay." His voice was clearly tinged with laughter. "Then let's wait until after the college entrance exam."

They both knew each other's feelings, and that was enough, Chen Zuo thought.

After hanging up, Chen Zuo held his phone to his chest, leaned back in his chair, stared at the ceiling, and suddenly curled his lips into a smile. His fingertips covered the watch face, and he felt that this night was too good to be true.

He tossed and turned for a long time before finally falling asleep that night, his dreams filled with the girl's beautiful smiling face.

Life goes on as usual, and the monotonous high school life is filled with these little moments, making it seem like life isn't so boring after all.

The school officially started winter break on the day the final exams ended.

Qi Yang had quite a few books, and Chen Zuo helped her carry them to her doorstep. This was also the first time he had set foot in Qi Yang's home.

Although he knew she was alone at home, Chen Zuo still felt inexplicably reserved. The tall boy didn't know whether to stand or sit properly, and awkwardly hugged the book to his chest.

Qi Yang tried to take it, but he dodged her, saying, "Where's your room? I'll help you move in."

Qi Yang pointed to a room.

Chen Zuo looked over, and he guessed it was true.

There was a doll hanging outside the door of the room, which looked a lot like the one she had given him.

Qi Yang opened the door for him and, seeing him standing there motionless, asked in confusion, "Go in?"

Chen Zuo looked at the room in front of him, which was completely different from his own and filled with girlish charm, and felt inexplicably nervous.

He put the book on the table, and Qi Yang handed him a bottle of water. "Have some water."

Chen Zuo mechanically took it, his gaze darting around, but he dared not look Qi Yang in the eye.

The bed was not far behind them. Even though they were both standing, Chen Zuo still felt that the stuffiness in the air was almost suffocating. He could even smell the sweet fragrance that was exactly the same as Qi Yang's.

Qi Yang also felt a little uncomfortable; the once spacious space now felt cramped with Chen Zuo added to it.

The two remained silent.

Qi Yang's lips moved a few times, and she dragged a chair over. "Uh...you sit down."

"Okay."

Chen Zuo sat down.

Qi Yang walked out with her head down, saying, "Wait a moment."

After she left, Chen Zuo's tense body relaxed slightly, and he calmed down to take a look around the room. His gaze slowly wandered around the room.

Girls' rooms are just different.

The bed sheets were floral, and the bookshelf was filled with dolls whose names he couldn't recall. Even the bed was covered in dolls, and the overall color scheme was creamy.

This is Qi Yang's room.

The bed in front of her was where Qi Yang usually slept.

It felt very new to him.

On her desk were several sticky notes, each with a number written on it, and the value of the numbers kept getting smaller.

Chen Zuocai is the goal she set for herself.

He couldn't help but laugh; so this was how she made her plans in private.

Footsteps sounded at the door, and Qi Yang came in carrying a plate. She cut a plate of fruit, placed it on the desk, and explained somewhat apologetically, "This is all we have at home. My parents aren't usually home, so I don't have time to buy anything else."

Chen Zuo then asked, "So how do you eat during your holidays?"

Qi Yang: "Let's order takeout."

"How can that be healthy?"

"There's nothing I can do," Qi Yang blinked. "I don't know how to make it."

Qi Yang sat down on the edge of the bed opposite him, with a little distance between them. She placed her hands on her knees, and the room was quiet for a few seconds, with only the slight rumble of the radiator.

Chen Zuo started to feel awkward again.

Boys of this age are mostly full of vigor and passion. Even if they haven't eaten pork, they've seen pigs run. Moreover, the place he is in now is Qi Yang's most private place.

Chen Zuo didn't know where to look. He opened and screwed the bottle of water back on, the bottle slightly deformed from his grip.

I don't know if it's because the heating is too strong, but drinking water didn't cool me down at all.

Qi Yang suddenly broke the silence, "What are your plans for your vacation?"

"I do practice tests and play video games," Chen Zuo replied. "And occasionally I go out to play ball."

Qi Yang hummed in agreement.

Chen Zuo asked, "And you?"

Qi Yang paused, then said, "I'm about the same."

Both of them racked their brains trying to make conversation. Chen Zuo, clutching the plastic wrap on the bottle, asked again, "Then could you possibly set aside some time for me during the week?"

Qi Yang looked up and asked, "Where to?"

"We have to meet up eventually," Chen Zuo said matter-of-factly. "You don't mean you're planning to go almost a month without seeing me, do you? I certainly can't."

Qi Yang blushed at his bluntness, "...Mmm."

Chen Zuo raised his hand to check the time. He had been wearing the watch Qi Yang had given him recently. He stood up and said, "It's getting late, I should go."

If he stayed any longer, he feared that his Dao heart would truly be disturbed, and even more chaotic thoughts would surface in his mind.

Qi Yang also stood up, "I'll see you off."

Reaching the entrance, Chen Zuo stepped across the threshold, then turned to look at Qi Yang. A cold light streamed in as he instructed, "Keep the doors and windows closed, and lock the door at night."

Qi Yang nodded: "Mm."

"And remember to reply to my messages when you have time, and," Chen Zuo stared into her eyes, his gaze gentle, "and remember to make time for me to meet up."

Qi Yang nodded and said softly, "I understand. Then go back and send a message."

"Um."

Chen Zuo stepped out of the building. The cold wind outside stung his face. Chen Zuo was wrapped in a black coat. After a few steps, he couldn't help but look up again. The window was still lit with a warm yellow light.

Suddenly, Chen Zuo realized that this winter vacation had only just begun, yet he already felt a strong urge to end it.

Falling in love can really make you lose your mind.

Sure enough, in the following days, Chen Zuo couldn't wait any longer and sent messages to Qi Yang to ask her out. However, Qi Yang's reply came very slowly and was brief: "My parents are back recently, so it's not convenient for me to go out."

Chen Zuo stared at the line of text on the screen, his fingers hovering over the keyboard for a moment before replying: Okay, then you spend time with them.

He put down his phone, leaned back on the sofa, and stared at the ceiling, thinking that this winter break was indeed not something to look forward to.

For several days in a row, Chen Zuo deliberately controlled the frequency of his messages, sending one every now and then to ask her what she was doing and what she had eaten.

Qi Yang's replies were still slow, probably because her parents hadn't been back for a long time and she was too busy these past few days. She said she went shopping with her mother today, and the next day she said she went to visit other people's homes with her parents.

Chen Zuo still couldn't find an opportunity to meet. He simply replied that it was nothing and that Chen Zuo should go ahead with his work.