CHAPTER 38:“Taken. And That Man is Me.”

As DK was spying on them, Nian took a step back in shock and asked, "Why did you pull me, Yichen?" in a confused tone. Yichen trembled and his voice was shaking as he said, "I... there was a cycle coming towards us quickly, so I pulled you back so you wouldn't be hurt," and he went silent.

Then Nian stood straight and talked. Meanwhile, DK couldn't see Yichen as Nian was standing in front of him. He was scratching the tree with his nails. The students passing by saw him doing this and laughed at him. DK shot an annoyed look at them and began jumping from tree to tree so he could get a better view of Nian and Yichen.

Nian asked, "Why are you following me, Yichen?" Yichen was shaking and told her in a trembling voice, "I... I just wanted to talk to you, but you're avoiding me, Nian. Did I do something wrong?"

Nian replied calmly, "Yichen, I know you are a good man, but I don't want to hurt you in any way."

Yichen was scared but gathered his courage and grabbed her hands. Nian was shocked and stunned and told him to leave her hands. DK was stunned too, his eyes burning with jealousy. He kicked his feet as he couldn't control his emotions and began walking toward them.

As Nian told Yichen to leave her hands, Yichen placed them down and said, "Nian, just let me say this. I don't want you to answer, but I'll feel relieved if I say this. I can't help it, but I want to say this—I love you, Nian."

When Nian heard this, she was frozen and couldn't open her mouth. DK, now closer, heard it too. He folded his wrists in anguish and pouted in jealousy.

Yichen continued, "Nian, when I saw you for the first time, I would be happy whenever I was around you. When I started spending time with you, I felt relieved from my problems. I know you might not love me, but I wanted to say this to you, Nian. I had sleepless nights when you left college for a month. I debated whether to say this or not, but I decided to."

Nian blinked twice in shock, then coughed and continued in a trembling voice, "Yichen, I also want to say this—thanks for loving me. But I have a boyfriend. If you feel relieved after talking to me, we can be friends like before. I won't act awkwardly, even though you proposed to me."

Yichen's face went pale when he heard she had a boyfriend. DK, sad until that point, smiled like a blooming lotus.

Nian said, "Yichen, I told you I don't want to hurt you. You'll find a girl better than me. Don't feel burdened, and you can still talk to me like before." She smiled gently.

Yichen forced a smile and nodded his head in pain. DK, now overjoyed, jumped toward Nian and placed his hand on her neck.

Yichen's eyes widened. Nian looked shocked and turned her head to see DK.

Yichen asked, "Who are you? Why are you placing your hand on her? Are you studying here?"

DK smirked and replied, "I don't study—I work, little boy. And is there any problem in placing my hand on Nian as her boyfriend?"

Nian blushed and laughed softly. Yichen's hands trembled as he said in a deep voice, "So you're her boyfriend..."

DK walked towards him and whispered in his ear, "Don't talk to her and don't try to pursue her. She's taken—and that man is me."

As he leaned back, DK and Yichen locked eyes in jealousy. Nian saw them and tried to diffuse the tension. She pulled DK and told Yichen, "This is my boyfriend, Minho."

DK was shocked and chuckled, whispering in her ear, "Oh~ Nian, you gave me another name, huh? It's better than Sunshine Loudie."

Nian gave a shy look and said to Yichen, "Yichen, we can talk another time. Bye." She gave a faint smile and left.

Yichen watched her leave. DK turned and signaled to Yichen with two fingers pointed to his eyes and then to Yichen, a gesture that said, "I'm watching you." Then he left.

Yichen, still in pain, smiled faintly at Nian and walked away slowly.

As Nian walked, DK followed behind like a sulking puppy. Nian noticed him, stopped, and looked at him. DK avoided eye contact and turned his head like a baby.

Nian chuckled, walked over, and grabbed his hand. DK pushed her hand away and sulked.

Nian couldn't resist his cuteness and looked at his cap. "Yah~ what did you do with your cap? Did you get them to stitch the name 'Loudie' on it?"

DK's eyes sparkled. "I stitched it with my own hands. I won't let anyone else do it," he said proudly.

Nian smiled and pampered his head. DK softened and said in a low voice, "Yichen proposed to you, right?"

Nian nodded.

DK sighed. Nian said, "I told him I have a boyfriend, DK."

DK's eyes sparkled even more. "I heard your conversation," he said.

Nian was impressed and shocked. She gave a light slap to his arm. "How can you come to my college? If anyone noticed you, there would be a crowd following you! And how did you get our college address?"

DK smirked. "I asked my manager to get the information. And for those crowds—I have my girlfriend to manage it. You can throw them down."

He went silent after that. Nian nodded, then it hit her. She slapped his arm playfully. DK laughed and said, "Sorry~"

Nian chuckled. "Are you free?"

DK nodded. "Just finished practice. I came to see you."

Nian was impressed. "Then let's go out. I'll be free for a few weeks, but after that, I won't be able to talk to you much."

DK tilted his head. "Why?"

Nian replied, "I told you, right? I'll have exams, so I won't be able to talk to you."

DK chuckled. "Ah~ now I recall."

Nian shook her head in disbelief and smiled. "Then can we go out?" she asked with a smirk.

DK nodded happily.