The Tender Beauty is Sweetly Doted in the 20th Century Novel!-Chapter 151 - 150: Missing Him, Missing Her

"At worst, just bravely confess. Even if you’re rejected, it’s better than guessing and feeling sad alone. Who knows, maybe once he knows how you feel, he’ll agree? Or at least he won’t keep seeing you as a little girl."

"Anyway, our Jiang Yuan is straightforward, and since neither of you is married, it’s not something embarrassing. Brave girls are admirable. Don’t be sad, just ask him out for a talk."

Ye Manman was honestly not very good at comforting people, especially with matters of the heart. Her own experiences were a mess, and she was relying on those motivational articles she’d read to offer comfort.

But she did agree with the advice. After all, if she liked someone, not knowing whether the person liked her back might make her sulk for a while, but never for long.

She would definitely take the initiative, needing to hear the other’s exact response in person. Anyway, the chances of success or failure are fifty-fifty, so why not try?

There are too many things one might regret in life, and Ye Manman didn’t want this to become just another topic of regret in the future. A thousand "what ifs" don’t compare to one result.

At worst, it’s just failure, so what?

On the contrary, accurately knowing she failed means she can pick herself up and seek true love instead of guessing all the time and feeling so wrecked that she doesn’t even resemble herself.

"Manman, can I really talk to him?"

Jiang Yuan clutched her sleeve, tears glistening in her eyes. "I’m afraid he’ll say he only sees me as a sister, that he doesn’t like me. I’m scared..."

Jiang Yuan had never liked any boy before; this was her first crush, and it was love at first sight.

She couldn’t say how she felt about Liu Jitong, but she knew clearly that she liked him. There was no reason; she just liked him at first sight. Seeing him made her shy, unable to speak, and being touched by him made her secretly happy for a long time.

Protected by her brothers for so long, Jiang Yuan had never experienced any significant setbacks. She had grown up smoothly, and wanting to be with Liu Jitong was the biggest challenge of her life.

Ye Manman held her hand, sensing her nervousness, and softly spoke.

"Jiang Yuan, if you don’t tell him, he might never know. If you want to wait for him to express his feelings to you first, there might really be no chance. There’s no shame in pursuing your love."

"As for fear, you needn’t worry about it at all. Even if you’re rejected, no problem. Remember, you’re so excellent, already a big boss at such a young age. If he rejects you, it’s his loss. In the future, you’re going to make a lot of money; by then, there will be countless guys pursuing you."

"No matter the outcome, let’s focus on bettering ourselves. By becoming excellent, you’ll meet even more excellent people, right? Maybe after meeting more people, you’ll look back and realize Liu Jitong wasn’t all that great, right?"

"So, go ahead and ask boldly. We have nothing to lose, and while we’re young, seize the chance. At least you won’t regret leaving those words of affection unsaid."

Jiang Yuan indeed wasn’t a timid girl. She had always been carefree and fearless, but around Liu Jitong, she was hesitant and silent, which frustrated her, feeling that her behavior was unattractive.

With Ye Manman’s "soul chicken soup," Jiang Yuan suddenly felt full of forward courage.

"Yes, I’m still young, and I don’t need to fear failure. It’s no big deal if he doesn’t like me; it’s his loss, huh!"

Having figured things out, Jiang Yuan reverted from her gloom to her lively, energetic self.

Jiang Tianrui, who had been quietly holding his breath at the side, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"How about I ask him out tomorrow for you two to chat?"

He was a bit hesitant, worrying that Jiang Yuan was still mad at him; it was hard to appease an angry sister.

But luckily, Jiang Yuan wasn’t angry, and instead, she gulped and agreed. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Tomorrow, then. I’ll have a good talk with him!"

No one knew how long her courage would last, but being able to muster any courage was already quite something. Ye Manman deeply appreciated such brave girls, and especially one as adorable as Jiang Yuan. If she were Liu Jitong, she definitely wouldn’t have the heart to reject.

After their talk, Jiang Tianrui, as instructed by He Chen, tidied the kitchen and filled two bottles with hot water to take to a small room on the second floor before leaving with Jiang Yuan.

After they left, the house suddenly went quiet.

This was Ye Manman’s first time being alone in the house. Usually, He Chen would be moving around upstairs and downstairs in the evenings, occasionally chatting with her.

Now, as the only one at home, Ye Manman, a bit afraid of the dark, turned on all the lights on the second floor and drew all the curtains. Yet, instead of easing her fear, as the street outside grew quieter, her fear intensified.

In these times, there weren’t many nighttime activities, and few families even owned a television, so most people went to bed early.

Only Ye Manman, amidst the total silence outside, found it impossible to sleep.

Lying on the bed staring at the ceiling, feeling tired but with a clear mind, she couldn’t help but ponder where He Chen might be, what he was doing, whether he was asleep, or if he was thinking of her just like she was of him.

No one knew how much time passed before sleepiness finally defeated her thoughts, and Ye Manman’s mind fogged over until she, without turning off the lights, fell asleep just like that.

Elsewhere, He Chen and Jiang Yuan’s eldest brother, Jiang Tiancheng, had just gotten back to a modest hostel after a long day, both exhausted.

The two quickly bought some food, and afterward, Jiang Tiancheng was too tired to shower, lying down and pulling up the quilt, barely exchanging a few words before falling asleep.

He Chen, though tired, didn’t feel sleepy yet, unaccustomed to such an unfamiliar setting and, after living with Ye Manman for so long, not used to sleeping unbathed. So, he fetched some hot water for a quick wash.

The hostel’s bed was hard, with just one layer of mat, and the quilt thin, yet He Chen didn’t mind much as he was not one to fear the cold.

But despite feeling utterly worn out, lying in bed, he struggled to fall asleep.

During the day, he was busy with work, constantly on the move. Now, in the stillness, He Chen found himself missing Ye Manman deeply.

Ever since moving to the town, he had stopped carrying her photo around, but this time, for the trip, He Chen made sure to bring it, tucking it safely in the inner pocket of his coat, close to his heart, which had given him immense comfort all day.

Now, overwhelmed by longing, He Chen sat up to retrieve the photo from his coat, lying in bed holding it up to look at.

The more he looked, the more he missed her.

He wondered if she was finding things at home unfamiliar, whether she got cold at night without him to warm her bed, what she might have eaten for lunch and dinner, if she was missing him...

Gently caressing the photo of the smiling girl, He Chen felt his heart full, weary yet incredibly motivated.

He couldn’t sleep too late; there was much to do tomorrow, and he needed to ensure he had enough energy to wrap things up quickly and head home.

Hence, He Chen stealthily glanced at the other bed where Jiang Tiancheng was sound asleep.

After confirming he wouldn’t wake up suddenly, He Chen turned, cherished the photo, and gave it a soft kiss. Then, smiling sweetly, he placed the photo beside his pillow, letting it accompany him into sleep.