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Reborn as the Harem King-Chapter 126 Breaching the Heart’s Barrier
Chapter 126 - 126 Breaching the Heart's Barrier
"Get on," Zhou Yi said, tilting his head slightly with a calm demeanor.
Su Ning stole a quick, nervous glance at him before tightening her grip on her backpack strap and climbing onto the bike. As Zhou Yi began to pedal, Su Ning found herself too shy to speak, her gaze fixed absently on the back of his head.
This young man—why did he have to be so difficult to understand?
Having never been in a relationship before, Su Ning was completely oblivious to Zhou Yi's tactics. All he wanted was to break her pride and bring her under his control.
After a long stretch of silence from the back seat, Zhou Yi spoke softly, "Hold on tight."
This time, Su Ning hesitated. "I... I'm not sure I should."
"I'm about to speed up. You'll fall if you don't hold on."
"Even if I fall, you wouldn't care," Su Ning murmured, her lips pressed together in quiet disappointment.
From ahead, Su Ning heard a deep sigh carried by the wind, tinged with an unexpected softness. A flicker of hope reignited in her heart.
Perhaps Zhou Yi wasn't as cold-hearted as he seemed?
With one hand on the handlebars, Zhou Yi reached back with the other, gently guiding Su Ning's hand to rest on his waist.
Sometimes, actions speak louder than words.
Girls often put up a front of reluctance, but when someone takes the initiative, they rarely refuse.
Su Ning bit her lip, her cheeks flushing slightly. The earlier sadness weighing on her heart began to lift a little.
Zhou Yi's push-and-pull approach left Su Ning's emotions in constant flux, but it only drew her closer to him. There's something about a mysterious, enigmatic man that makes a woman want to unravel his secrets.
She wanted to peer into his soul, to step into his world piece by piece. For many women, this is far more captivating than a man who wears his heart on his sleeve.
Would you rather explore a shallow stream or dive into the depths of an enigmatic ocean?
Some women might prefer men with simple personalities because they're easier to manage, but that simplicity also leads to boredom. Once the initial excitement fades, so does their interest.
If a couple can navigate through that phase of monotony, their relationship enters a stable period where both partners grow together. But some women grow restless and choose to walk away.
Whether it's dating or flirting, it's all about exploring each other—like playing a game. Where's the fun if you beat it in one go?
For Su Ning, she was undoubtedly drawn to the latter. She was captivated by Zhou Yi's brilliance and the elusive aura surrounding him, like the wind—impossible to grasp yet always swirling around her heart.
There's a popular topic among women: What kind of guy is most popular at parties, KTV nights, or gatherings?
The answers usually fall into three categories:
First, the handsome ones.
Second, the funny ones.
Third, the quiet ones.
Oh, and there's a fourth type—the wealthy ones—but that only appeals to gold-diggers.
Let's talk about the first category. Some handsome men become insufferable the moment they open their mouths. Being overly aware of one's own attractiveness is dangerous. Every gesture and expression screams, Look at me, I'm gorgeous. This leaves women with a greasy, shallow impression. Even if they're good-looking, they're not appealing, attracting only superficial admirers. They start with high charm but quickly plummet to rock bottom.
Funny men, on the other hand, are welcome everywhere. They don't need to be handsome. At gatherings, they're often the life of the party, and women love chatting with them.
However, funny men tend to face two outcomes:
Either they end up with stunning girlfriends, or they become "one of the girls," lacking romantic appeal.
Of course, if you're both handsome and funny, then disregard everything I just said.
The third type—the quiet ones—is the most discussed among women and the group most frequently asked for contact information. Quiet, handsome men at parties naturally draw more attention because they exude mystery, leaving room for imagination. The less you know, the more curious you become. That's the instinctive desire women have to explore men, allowing their imaginations to run wild.
Before you even speak, she might already have played out an entire drama in her mind (a slight exaggeration).
In recent years, women have gravitated toward either "puppy-like" boys or aloof male gods. The latter aligns perfectly with the stoic, reserved male leads in romance novels. Many women project filters onto such men, guessing their personalities and fantasizing about them.
Maybe the colder you are, the more she likes you. Just as "cuteness pales in the face of sexiness," puppy-like boys are nothing compared to the aloof, mysterious type.
Su Ning was utterly ensnared by Zhou Yi.
She had grown up surrounded by admiration, never experiencing hardship. Too many people pursued her, so being a little distant with her wasn't necessarily wrong.
Zhou Yi took her to a milk tea shop.
"Let me carry that for you," he offered, taking Su Ning's backpack as they dismounted. Su Ning was momentarily taken aback.
He had rejected her, yet here he was, being so gentle. Her heart was in turmoil again.
The milk tea shop didn't resemble a typical milk tea shop—it felt more like a café, with a tastefully designed interior.
"What would you like to drink?"
"Anything. I don't drink milk tea much."
Zhou Yi nodded and ordered two coffees.
"I thought all girls liked milk tea."
"That's your misconception. I thought guys didn't tear up love letters," Su Ning replied, still nursing a bruised ego from that incident.
Zhou Yi chuckled.
"I thought girls didn't hit people, but you punched me at the beginning, didn't you?"
Su Ning opened her mouth but knew she was in the wrong.
"I know I was wrong. I've already repented. If you're still upset, you can hit me back."
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"I don't hit women. If I did, what kind of person would that make me?"
Su Ning blinked, resting her chin on her hand as she tilted her head. "Aren't you curious about what I wrote in that love letter?"
Zhou Yi shook his head. "Knowing might not be good for me. I don't want you messing with my heart again."
Su Ning smiled faintly. "You're scared."
"You're scared you might like me. That means you can't even be sure if you really don't like me anymore."
Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow but didn't deny it.
When playing with ambiguity, unsaid words don't count. What you think is your business. Whatever you feel, it's your feeling—what does it have to do with me?
Silence can be a powerful tool, offering both offense and defense.
Zhou Yi's silence made Su Ning happy.
She saw him as someone with a sharp tongue but a soft heart.
[Su Ning Affection Level +5]
Su Ning continued, "So, do you have someone you like now?"
Zhou Yi nodded. "Yes."
Su Ning's expression visibly fell.
"Do I know her?"
"No, you don't."
"What's she like? I want to know what kind of person you like."
"She... she's very gentle."
Zhou Yi didn't elaborate further, and the fragile hope that had sparked in Su Ning's heart was crushed once again.
Today had been an emotional rollercoaster, but by now, her mindset had calmed. At least she could accept that Zhou Yi no longer liked her.
As for the person Zhou Yi claimed to like, that might not even be true. What if he was lying to her?
Sometimes, women deceive themselves just as much as men.
Just then, Zhou Yi's phone rang.
"Hey, Ruolan."
"Mr. Zhou, do you have time now? I'd like to discuss some recent project investments with you."
"Why don't we meet for coffee? It's hard to explain over the phone."
"Mr. Zhou, are you done with classes for today?"
"Yes, I'm having coffee with a friend. I'll send you the location."
"Alright, I'll bring the documents over. Give me ten minutes."