Chapter 562

She could even clearly hear his steady breathing and see his chest rising and falling slightly with each breath.

A blush spread across her fair cheeks.

For the longest time, she had barely been able to feel her own heartbeat, but at this moment, a clear and rapid "thump-thump" sound echoed within her chest.

As expected... feelings of love cannot be faked.

A heartbeat is the most honest evidence.

At this moment.

The train doors finally closed.

The train slowly started and pulled away from the platform.

Most of the surrounding passengers were looking down at their phones or talking in low voices.

Only the corner where Natsume Chikage and Yue Dao Lin were sitting remained silent.

Neither of them spoke, nor did they even look each other in the eye, but a subtle, heart-racing, ambiguous atmosphere quietly lingered between them.

Yue Dao Lin felt her heartbeat getting faster and faster, but this accelerating rhythm did not make her uncomfortable; instead, an indescribable sweetness and excitement filled her heart.

She secretly gazed at Natsume Chikage's profile, still feeling unsatisfied.

Thus, she gently leaned her forehead against Natsume Chikage's chest, as if listening to his heartbeat.

"I... I suddenly feel a bit unwell, my heart rhythm is irregular... Natsume-kun, could I borrow your chest to lean on and rest for a while?"

Aren't you already leaning on me?

Natsume Chikage thought to himself, but recalling that Yue Dao Lin had indeed experienced heart discomfort and even fainting spells before, he remained silent for a moment and asked with concern:

"Are you okay? Do you need medicine?"

Realizing he hadn't pushed her away, Yue Dao Lin didn't dare to look up, fearing he would see the corners of her mouth that she couldn't stop from curling upward.

She pursed her lips, suppressing the joy in her heart, and whispered softly:

"Not for now... I should be fine after resting a bit."

As she spoke, she even adjusted her posture slightly, leaning her head more securely against his chest, and even squinted her eyes in comfort.

She only felt that he had a fresh, pleasant scent that made her feel incredibly at ease.

Natsume Chikage's expression was somewhat subtle, but considering she might really be unwell, he ultimately didn't say much more.

Time flowed quietly in the silent embrace.

Before they knew it, the train announcement sounded, indicating that the next stop was Shibuya.

"Senior Yue Dao, we're almost at the station."

Yue Dao Lin, who had been squinting and nearly falling asleep, woke up with a start, feeling as though she had only been leaning there for a short while.

How could it be here so soon?

She lifted her head, confirmed the station sign flashing past the window, and upon realizing they were truly almost at Shibuya Station, she was instantly stunned.

Eh?

Are we really almost there?

How did time pass so quickly?

She hadn't enjoyed this closeness enough, and it was already ending?

Despite her deep reluctance, Yue Dao Lin quietly moved her head away, leaving that warm, yearning embrace.

Natsume Chikage saw her movement and, thinking she was still unwell, asked again:

"How about now? Is your heart rhythm any better?"

Yue Dao Lin's face was filled with a satisfied smile as she shook her head:

"Yes, after resting, it's much better."

Natsume Chikage finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, he had seen with his own eyes Yue Dao Lin's pale face and labored breathing.

It was good that she was fine now.

Soon.

The two walked off the train with the crowd.

Huang Mu Jie and An Jing Youcai also emerged from another carriage, and the four reunited.

As soon as An Jing Youcai saw Yue Dao Lin, his eyes lit up:

"Classmate Yue Dao, there were so many people just now, you weren't squeezed, were you?"

Yue Dao Lin subconsciously glanced at Natsume Chikage, her cheeks slightly flushed:

"No."

"What about you guys?"

An Jing Youcai laughed excitedly:

"Is Classmate Yue Dao concerned about me? Haha, I'm fine, thanks for asking!"

Huang Mu Jie rolled her eyes at the side, really wanting to give this dense guy an elbow.

But considering the "progress" on the train just now, she was in a good mood and decided to let him off for now, settling the score later.

The group of four walked toward the arcade.

Huang Mu Jie deliberately slowed her pace, falling behind with Yue Dao Lin.

She secretly gave her a look and whispered in a breathy voice:

"How about you, how did it go?"

Yue Dao Lin nodded shyly, also lowering her voice to briefly describe the situation on the train.

After hearing it, Huang Mu Jie secretly gave her a thumbs-up, smiling brightly.

Yue Dao Lin also whispered back:

"What about you?"

Huang Mu Jie chuckled and briefly described her experience with a hint of triumph.

Upon hearing this, Yue Dao Lin was genuinely happy for her good friend's progress, and they smiled at each other.

Shibuya, inside a large arcade.

Jiu Jing Ziyuan, Qiu Tian Shana, and the accompanying boys, Shankou Bo Tai and Chao Wu He Ye, were playing there.

The two boys were playing heatedly at the basketball shooting machine in front.

The two girls stood behind watching.

Jiu Jing Ziyuan noticed that her friend Qiu Tian Shana had been giggling at her phone all day, and finally couldn't help but ask:

"Shana, what's up with you today? You've been giggling at your phone all day, what good thing happened?"

A proud smile immediately appeared on Qiu Tian Shana's face as she showed her phone screen to Jiu Jing Ziyuan, which displayed Natsume Chikage's contact information:

"Hee hee, since you asked so sincerely, I'll be merciful and tell you—I finally got Natsume-kun's contact info this morning!"

"How about it, am I amazing?"

Jiu Jing Ziyuan stared at that familiar profile picture, unable to help but freeze, then her brows furrowed slightly.

"You... how did you get it?"

Qiu Tian Shana giggled and vividly recounted the story of using a "magazine" as an excuse that morning.

"That's how it happened! So I plan to use Natsume-kun owing me 100,000 yen as a springboard to start my grand strategy!"

Jiu Jing Ziyuan "tsk-ed" in her heart, a wave of inexplicable displeasure rising.

This Natsume Chikage, he had clearly rejected so many friend requests from girls at school, so why did he happen to add her best friend?

Is he that stupid?

Can't he see this is a trap at all?

So, these boys who only have games on their minds are truly simple-minded!

However, after calming down and thinking about it, she didn't think her best friend would succeed.

Natsume Chikage agreeing to add her was likely just to pay back the money.

He had said himself before that he was strapped for cash, and had neither the heart nor the extra time and energy to date.

Currently, he could only work part-time at a coffee shop, so where would he find an opportunity to make money quickly?

Not to mention that he still owed Shana 100,000 yen.

In this situation, it would be good enough just to maintain his life, and he probably wouldn't have time to date in the future either.

Thinking of this, Jiu Jing Ziyuan's mood calmed down a little, and she couldn't be bothered to dampen her best friend's spirits anymore.