Chapter 496

As she said this, Mao Li Lan suddenly lowered her head, her eyes reflecting Chuankenan.

So much happened in just one month.

More than all the years of her life before combined.

Precisely because she encountered so many things, her emotions became tangled and unmanageable.

She then lifted her head and glanced at Ren Amamiya, leaning in actively.

"I wasn't sure about things before, but now I'm certain."

"Perhaps my fate with Shinichi ended the moment he chose to let the identity of Kudo Shinichi die."

Ren Amamiya reached out at the right moment and embraced Mao Li Lan.

Mao Li Lan's cheeks flushed slightly; at this moment, her heart raced wildly, and she could now confirm—whenever she was beside Lianlian, she could never control her emotions.

If before, she called this feeling fluttering, the expression of emotion, now she truly was in love.

But the object was no longer her deceased childhood friend Kudo Shinichi, but a boy she'd only known for a month—Ren Amamiya.

"Now, I vaguely sense some things—when I'm with you, I don't have to constantly listen to topics I dislike; when I'm with you, my heart races, and sometimes I can't help but think about you."

Mao Li Lan couldn't help but recall the events of this past month.

The initial shock of Kudo Shinichi becoming a elementary student seemed swept away, swallowed by the emotions of the Diary.

After Kudo Shinichi's identity was confirmed dead, Lianlian entered her life.

As their interactions at school increased, their connections outside class gradually deepened, filling the void left by Kudo Shinichi.

A boy with a somewhat insecure personality, always keeping a safe distance from her.

Yet this very boy slowly entered her life, bringing an explosion of color around her.

Habit is truly a terrible thing.

When Mao Li Lan realized she had begun to grow accustomed to Lianlian's presence, she started noticing she had developed greater awareness of this boy.

Perhaps she still couldn't be certain it was love.

But she truly wanted to share everything with Lianlian, to let her emotions color his world, so he could feel them too.

"Last Monday evening, on my way home, I ran into Aunt Yumi, and as soon as she told me about the hot spring trip this weekend, I immediately thought of you."

Mao Li Lan couldn't help but sigh.

"I think it was influenced by Aunt Yumi. She said I could bring a boyfriend on the hot spring trip to surprise Dad. At that moment, the first person who came to mind wasn't anyone else—it was you."

"This… is truly my honor."

This outcome was something Ren Amamiya had never anticipated.

"Again, because of the story?"

Mao Li Lan raised an eyebrow.

Ren Amamiya nodded, looking troubled.

"There's definitely influence from the story. In it, your feelings for Kudo Shinichi were utterly unwavering—even amid changes and conflicts, you never showed any sign of change."

"So I always assumed you… were still as devoted as in the story."

Hearing Lianlian's understanding, Mao Li Lan angrily pinched this big fool.

"I can be devoted, but he never gave me the chance."

"Devotion requires at least that I can communicate normally with him—he's already killed off his own identity. We're not married. Even if I know the truth behind his situation, why should I refuse to interact with other boys for his sake?"

"That's not devotion—it's just plain stupid!"

Devotion in marriage is understandable, but what devotion is there for someone you've never even dated?

Devotion should only come after feelings are clearly established.

"The me in the story was a total idiot—who would be so devoted to a boy they've never even dated?"

"And besides, didn't the me in the story feel any disappointment being treated this way? No matter how patient you are, being treated like this will eventually wear you down, make you lose heart."

Mao Li Lan never believed her affection or feelings for someone could last endlessly—no matter how strong the emotion, it needs to be returned.

Besides, she'd watched her father and mother, who clearly loved each other, still end up living apart due to some issues—how much more so for her and Kudo Shinichi, who were only childhood friends?

"Ouch!"

The pinch made Ren Amamiya feel intense pain—so intense he couldn't control his facial expression even with his clown's composure.

"Lan, control yourself… my physical condition isn't that strong."

Mao Li Lan's fingers paused, ceasing to press harder. She glanced at the spot she'd pinched—Lianlian's waist flesh—and abandoned the idea of rubbing it to dispel the bruise.

It wasn't appropriate to stick her hand inside his clothes in broad daylight.

Outside, it was improper.

Avoiding the spot she'd pinched, Mao Li Lan tapped him lightly with controlled force.

"So, the character traits in the story are too perfect—but in reality, there are no such perfect people."

"No one can sustain long-term one-sided giving. Especially in emotions—if you don't respond, it dies out quickly."

"Even my father and mother, with their strong feelings, ended up living apart due to some conflicts. If I didn't know their bond still existed, and even knew they occasionally met up, I'd have thought their relationship was broken."

"Huh?"

Hearing this unusual news, Ren Amamiya was momentarily stunned. "Your parents still meet up often?"

Mao Li Lan pouted, sighing with exasperation.

"Otherwise, why do you think they've lived apart so long without divorcing? Surely not just because of me?"

"They're just having a tantrum—they're not truly incompatible. I've been watching them the whole time—how could I not know?"

"Both my father and mother are stubborn. If either one would just apologize, they could return to how things were before. But neither will turn back. Every time I deliberately bring them together, I'm giving them chances, pretending they don't know I'm watching."

"Yet my father and mother still act out in front of me."

"Pfft!"

Mao Li Lan sometimes felt it was quite painful to be someone who knew the hidden truth behind her parents' backs, especially having to act alongside these two; to be honest, sometimes she even felt weary of it.

PS: New book launched, requesting data.