When Xue Yang arrived at the library, Chen Ying was already waiting.
She had changed into a different coat, this one pink, with a matching pink hat. It was a departure from her usual soft, elegant style, making her look youthful, vibrant, and cute. It seed this kind of outfit was a better fit for the playful energy appropriate for her age.
However, Xue Yang only glanced at her once before looking away.
"Senior Sister Chen, I’ll summarize the key points for you. You can complete the final steps. If you have any questions, you can ask then."
He just wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. They t at the library because they had already deleted each other’s contact information, and Xue Yang had no intention of adding her back just for this. Failure to make a clean break when necessary only invites chaos.
"Okay."
With that, Xue Yang walked to a corner a fair distance away from Chen Ying, opened his laptop, and began to organize the information. The distance was neither too close nor too far; they could see each other, but it wouldn’t arouse anyone’s suspicion.
Xue Yang is intentionally keeping his distance from .
Growing up, it had always been Chen Ying who rejected others, and she never felt a thing when she did. But now, she was finally discovering just how painful it was to be rejected. It felt as if her heart was being ripped out raw, still bleeding. The pain was so intense she could hardly breathe.
She had rejected Xue Yang continuously for six years. One could only imagine the pain he must have endured during that ti. Chen Ying was filled with regret, but there was no antidote for regret in this world. People couldn’t be reborn and start over like in novels.
As ti ticked by, the library beca more crowded. Everyone saw Xue Yang and Chen Ying. They had wanted to gossip, but seeing the considerable distance between them, they figured it was unlikely.
"Did you hear? Campus belle Chen went to Xue Yang’s classroom to find him today."
"Really? What happened then?"
"You saw what happened, didn’t you?"
"..."
Looking at the two of them, separated by what seed like an impassable chasm, the onlookers realized this wasn’t the juicy follow-up they had hoped for.
Xue Yang’s slender hands flew across the keyboard. An hour passed, and he didn’t stop except for an occasional sip of water. He was so focused when he worked, entering a state of complete absorption that made him seem all the more attractive. He was like a unique sight in the library. Everyone who passed by couldn’t help but pause to look at him. So of the bolder ones even took out their phones to capture the beautiful scene as a nto.
From beginning to end, Chen Ying’s attention was fixed on him. He only paused to look up information or take a sip of water. It was then that Chen Ying suddenly understood why Xue Yang was so outstanding. It was because he had paid a greater price than ordinary people—a price most were incapable of paying.
Xue Yang’s seat was near a window. He finally stopped working as the sky outside began to darken. He gazed at the darkness slowly creeping in, his brow furrowed slightly.
Another day is about to end. That ans one less day with Lin Xi.
He picked up his phone, about to call Lin Xi, but her call ca through first. A smile touched Xue Yang’s lips as he stood up and answered, facing the window.
"Xue Yang~" Lin Xi’s soft voice ca through the phone.
"Mm, did you eat properly?"
"The food doesn’t taste as good when you’re not ho."
"Sounds like I’m quite the appetite stimulant."
"Nonsense. You’re the one who’s delicious. I just want to gobble you up."
"Well, being eaten by such a beautiful and cute girl would be a wonderful fate indeed."
Lin Xi’s laughter rang out like silver bells. Xue Yang could just imagine her, sitting on the chair in her room as she called, perhaps even fiddling with the Christmas tree on her windowsill. Given the ti, the two miniature Christmas trees were probably reaching the end of their "flowering period." After all, they were technological constructs, not real.
Sure enough, Lin Xi cried out in surprise on the other end of the line.
"What’s wrong?"
"Why are the Christmas tree’s leaves falling off by themselves?"
"Their ti was up, so they were ant to shed their leaves. If you want another one, it has to be made from scratch. When I get back, I’ll make a new one for you. You can start by cutting out any shapes you like."
"Christmas is over, so it’s okay if they’re gone. Xue Yang, next Christmas, can we plant a real tree? Please?"
Lin Xi’s voice was tinged with loss yet filled with anticipation. Perhaps even she didn’t know what fate they would be facing next Christmas.
Xue Yang said earnestly, "Okay."
"Xue Yang~ when are you coming back?"
Lin Xi’s coaxing voice ca through the phone, and Xue Yang had the sudden urge to drop everything and rush back to her. But I can’t. Auntie Shen’s arrival made truly understand the gap between Lin Xi and . If I don’t close this gap, it will only grow wider in the future. Then, no matter how much we love each other, it will be difficult for us to be together. Too many couples break up after graduation, defeated by the realities of life. I don’t want that to be our fate.
"Be good and wait for at ho. I’ll co back as soon as I finish up here."
"Mmm... so, what position would you like to wait in?"
Xue Yang drew in a sharp breath. This girl, Lin Xi, is getting bolder and bolder. She even dares to tease over the phone now.
"Can I customize the pose?"
"Yes, you can."
"You’re the best."
"Of course I am."
...
From the mont Xue Yang answered the phone, Chen Ying’s gaze never left him. At this distance, she couldn’t hear what he was saying or who he was talking to. But she could guess that the person on the other end of the line was incredibly important to him. She had never seen such a tender version of Xue Yang before, as if he were bathed in a gentle glow—a light she could never enter.
...
Lin Xi finished soaking her feet. Auntie Shen dried them for her and applied dicine.
Her freshly bathed, jade-like feet gave off a sweet, milky fragrance. After a day of pampering, they had regained their usual tender softness and looked quite delectable.
"Miss, it’s getting late. You should go to sleep."
"No, I want to wait for Xue Yang to co back."
"You could call him again and ask when he’ll be back."
"Xue Yang sent a ssage. He said he’ll be late, maybe around one or two in the morning. I’ll wait for him."
"Miss, do you know what Xue Yang is doing?"
Lin Xi replied nonchalantly, "I know. His school is working on a project for the Lin Corporation. It has to be ready by New Year’s Day, so he’ll be very busy for the next few days. Tonight, a senior sister’s data wasn’t up to par, so he’s helping her. That’s why he’ll be so late."
"Miss, aren’t you worried that sothing might happen between Xue Yang and that senior sister?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers