"Qiqi, did he really agree?" Huang Yu asked for the hundredth time.
Xiao Qiqi nodded vigorously, but his heart was pounding. No... could it be? "Boss Huangyu, why don't you call and confirm? Maybe... he has hearing problems, aha, he didn't hear me clearly."
Huang Yu didn't notice Xiao Qiqi's panic, nodded and walked to the phone, "Yeah, I also think we should call and ask, after all, it's the first day of the social event."
Xiao Qiqi pinched Lin Wen's thigh. Mmm, it felt so good, much softer than a blanket. Lin Wen, as usual, let her take advantage of her. Lin Wen whispered in Xiao Qiqi's ear, "Look at those men, their eyes are practically popping out of their sockets. They'd love to strip Xu Chun naked to see." Xiao Qiqi almost spat out her water. The innocent little white rabbit had turned into a big bad wolf in just a few months? But Lin Wen's words were quite realistic. Of the six boys in room 607, except for one shy little rabbit who was secretly eyeing Xu Chun, the other four were staring at her with lewd grins, constantly adding food to her plate. They were so attentive that even the usually magnanimous Huang Yu's face turned a little pale. There's another one, Xia Xuan, the idiot. He has a smug smile on his face and is polite and considerate to everyone. He even gives Xu Chun a huge, gentle smile. But when he gets to Xiao Qiqi, there's a chilling aftertaste. Xiao Qiqi shivers, but quickly regains her fighting spirit and gives him a murderous glare. "Little brat, an idiot is an idiot. He was tricked with just a few words!"
Seeing Xiao Qiqi's smug grin, Xia Xuan couldn't help but pinch his palm. He decided not to argue with a little girl! Why did he always seem to lose his mind in front of her? A few words were enough to make him baffled, and he'd agreed to the blind date without thinking! Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Xu Chun's affectionate eyes and couldn't help but look down. What a hassle! Even setting aside his lack of interest in a doll-like beauty like Xu Chun, he couldn't let them be constantly glaring at each other.
Xia Xuan politely and considerately rotated the food tray, and politely answered the pointed questions from the beautiful women.
Lin Wen smiled sweetly, her big eyes crinkling, "Xia Xuan, who did you have your first kiss with?"
Xia Xuan paused, then smiled gently, considering seriously, "On a dark and windy beach, with a dark, muddy loach." Everyone burst into laughter. Xiao Qiqi, ravenous, grabbed a piece of food and stuffed it into her mouth. Unfortunately, even drinking water caused her to choke—it was eggplant, her least favorite food.
She spat out a mouthful of poison as if it were poison, then looked up to meet Xia Xuan's smiling eyes. "Hmm, why aren't you eating eggplant?"
Xiao Qiqi held back, forcing a smile, "I don't think it tastes good."
“Things that you think taste bad aren’t necessarily bad, and people who think they’re bad aren’t necessarily bad people. How do you know they’re bad if you haven’t tried them?” Xia Xuan’s eyes were misty and dreamy, like a gentle lake with a net-like quality that made one feel suffocated. He picked up an eggplant and put it in her bowl. “It’s nutritious. Don’t be picky.”
"No!" Xiao Qiqi frowned and pouted, protesting naturally, glaring at him with disgust. Good heavens, she couldn't stand those dead fish eyes, they were so alluring! "Mind your own business, you idiot!"
Xia Xuan's expression changed drastically, and the atmosphere at the table also changed drastically. Huang Yu promptly grinned slyly, "Eat your food, eat your food, aha, Xiao Qiqi is just a stubborn kid, don't pay any attention to her."
From then on, everyone tacitly understood the cold shoulder between Xiao Qiqi and Xia Xuan. Xiao Qiqi consistently resisted Xia Xuan, and Xia Xuan consistently tolerated it, only no longer actively provoking her. Of course, most people's attention was focused on Xu Chun and Xia Xuan, and they didn't notice the subtle relationship between Xiao Qiqi and Xia Xuan.
VII. Xu Chun
Half a year of fresh university life has finally come to an end. After the initial confusion, joy, and novelty, only a routine life remains. Xiao Qiqi's days are still quite pleasant. Skipping classes, hanging out in internet cafes, reading novels, and sleeping have become her daily necessities. The only thing missing from those necessities is "studying," so Xiao Qiqi's exam results in the first semester were truly appalling. However, fortunately, she passed all but one subject with a score of over 60. Sixty points is enough! Xiao Qiqi called Jiang Yilan, carefully reporting the details of the exams, very excited because she could go home tomorrow.
Winter break flew by. Gone were the days of studying by rooster's crow in high school. A group of close friends gathered to talk about school, beautiful girls, handsome boys, and teachers—it was so pleasant. Xiao Qiqi talked a lot, but the animal nicknamed "Idiot" or "Tadpole" only made up a small part of it. The innocent hearts of youth didn't understand what it meant to be moved or to fall in love; they only remembered trivial jokes.
When spring semester started, everyone seemed largely unchanged except for a lazy, cheerful demeanor and a few extra pounds. Perhaps Xiao Qiqi just hadn't noticed, but Jiang Yilan had dragged her to buy a new outfit: a light blue fitted sweater and oversized jeans, which looked incredibly chic and feminine.
So when the two dorms got together for dinner again, Xiao Qiqi attracted several admiring glances, but she was too engrossed in eating her spicy fish head to notice. Xu Chun, however, gave Xiao Qiqi a thoughtful look a few more times.
That night, Huang Yu studied diligently, carrying her books to the classroom to work hard. Lin Wen, meanwhile, was off somewhere fooling around. Xiao Qiqi was still fast asleep in bed. A soft, sobbing sound, like a ghost, lingered in her ears. Xiao Qiqi couldn't help but cover her head, but the sobbing continued. Finally, she resignedly opened her eyes. Listening carefully, crying? No, not a ghost, but a vengeful spirit? Xiao Qiqi hugged the blanket tighter. Oh, no, the crying was coming from under the bed.
Xiao Qiqi cautiously peeked down. There was a large bulge on Xu Chun's bed, jiggling incessantly. Xiao Qiqi considered the situation: Xu Chun = crying? She wasn't exactly close to Xu Chun, but she wasn't bad either. After a moment's hesitation, she jumped off the bed. "Xu Chun, are you crying?" Xiao Qiqi carefully poked at Xu Chun's blanket with a finger. "Did someone bully you?"
After a long while, Xu Chun slowly peeked out, revealing half her head. Her beautiful eyes, once charming and shy, were now filled only with fear, apprehension, and loneliness. Upon seeing Xiao Qiqi, tears streamed down Xu Chun's face again. She stood up and hugged Xiao Qiqi tightly, her soft sobs turning into loud wailing. Xiao Qiqi was stunned, only able to gently pat Xu Chun's back, "...Xu Chun, don't scare me! What happened?"
"Waaah... um, uh..." Xu Chun cried for a long time, her tears soaking Xiao Qiqi's pajamas before she finally stopped.
With her eyes lowered, her long, thick, and dark eyelashes revealed, "Qiqi, I... I'm scared."
"Oh, don't be afraid of me, I'll fight off any ghosts for you!" Xiao Qiqi assured him with great loyalty.
Xu Chun was still silently shedding tears. "Qiqi, it hurts so much inside. I really need to talk to someone, otherwise I'm really going to break down."
Xiao Qiqi inhaled and grabbed Xu Chun's hand, "Hey, beautiful lady, don't talk like that, it's creepy to me."
"Qiqi, please just listen to what's on my mind, okay?" The delicate beauty was irresistible to Xiao Qiqi, who quickly nodded. "Then you can't tell anyone."
"Don't worry, I won't tell!" Xiao Qiqi was also a curious person. Although she tried her best to tell herself that secrets were the devil, she still couldn't resist the temptation of Xu Chun, the beautiful ghost.
"Qiqi, I've always known you're a good person, I believe you." Xu Chun smiled through her tears, looking at Xiao Qiqi's stunningly beautiful face. Xiao Qiqi gasped, thankful she wasn't a man.
So Xiao Qiqi heard a tragic, terrible, and pitiful story about Xu Chun's background.
Xu Chun said, “I have four older sisters. My eldest sister is seventeen years older than me, and my youngest sister is five years older than me. My mother was pregnant eleven times in order to give the Xu family a son, but she finally succumbed to her illness and died while giving birth to me. My father had no sons, only five daughters, and the burden of supporting the family was very heavy. He could barely support the family of six with his meager salary from the steel factory. He finally died from overwork when I was in fourth grade. To ease the burden on the family, my eldest sister found a husband to live with us when I was still in kindergarten. At first, my brother-in-law was very fond of my eldest sister because she was a well-known beauty in the county. However, my eldest sister did not love him. She fell in love with a man who was an only child, but that man could not be a son-in-law in their family, so my father and the others insisted on breaking them up. Therefore, my eldest sister and brother-in-law argued every day after the marriage.”
"Later, my father passed away, and the burden of the family fell on my eldest sister and brother-in-law. The heavy burden made them quarrel more and more every day. My second and third sisters couldn't bear it, so they got married early. My fourth sister was stubborn and went to work in the south after graduating from elementary school. She has only come back twice in all these years."
"I came back once when my eldest sister committed suicide, and the other time was the year I was admitted to university."
Looking at Xu Chun's beautiful smiling face, Xiao Qiqi felt a pang of pain in her heart. She realized that this seemingly charming and lovely woman had such a heavy past. She and Lin Wen had always ridiculed her in the past, which was really too much.
"Do you know why my older sister committed suicide?" Xu Chun's smile was strange.
Xiao Qiqi shook her head, feeling that the truth must be terrifying.
"Because my brother-in-law raped me!" Xu Chun suddenly blurted out a cold, sarcastic remark. "You all don't know, but I'm actually a dirty person. Ever since that incident, I've lived at school and never gone back to that house. My living expenses every year were given to me by my fourth sister or... by that man. My brother-in-law later became very rich and started his own small steel materials factory. It's true that men with money become bad. That man was like that. Although he used to argue with my eldest sister a lot, he loved her. Later, when he became rich, he started seeing other women. By then, my eldest sister had lost her youthful ideals of love and only had eyes for this man, so the arguments escalated, and he became even more disgusted with her, so their relationship was very bad for a time. Until one period, he changed his ways and came home every day. My eldest sister was very happy, and I was very happy too, because everyone wants a harmonious family."
“He watched me grow up since I was a child, and I always thought of him as a father, so I didn’t realize anything when he suddenly started showing me kindness. Until one day, he sneaked into my room, bound my hands and feet, covered my mouth… and raped me!”
Xiao Qiqi pulled Xu Chun into her arms and wiped away her tears. "Don't cry, don't cry, it's all over now."
"Later, that's how things turned out. My older sister, for the sake of her reputation and my future, wouldn't let me report the case, but she herself felt she couldn't face me or that person, so one day after they had an argument, she committed suicide."
"Qiqi, I'm so scared. When I went back to that place during my vacation, I felt disgusted and afraid. Even though I've rented a place outside and I never want to see that man again, it's my hometown, a nightmare I can never escape. I dream every night that my older sister is crying in my ear, and I want to go with her again and again. But I can't. I can't just give up like this. I'm still so young. I need to go to school. I need a new life. So I studied hard and gritted my teeth to withstand all the rumors. And then I succeeded. I successfully escaped that filthy place. I feel like I've been resurrected. Finally, I have a clean start."
"But Qiqi, what should I do? I fell in love with Xia Xuan the moment I saw him. He is so pure, so gentle, so noble. But I'm afraid. I'm afraid I'm not good enough for him. I can't stop myself from loving him. Qiqi, what should I do? I'm so dirty. I'm not good enough for him!"
Shocked, Xiao Qiqi looked at Xu Chun's teary eyes. What a pitiful girl! Just because of her beauty, just because of her family, what a burden she carried! Xiao Qiqi felt a pang of heartache. She pulled Xu Chun into her arms, recalling a story about a girl who was raped and contemplated suicide. She finally couldn't resist sending her boyfriend a text message, thinking that if he ignored her or insulted her, she would kill herself without hesitation. The boy's text message arrived, containing only the words, "I don't care if you're a virgin, but I think you'll save your virginity for me." The girl burst into tears immediately. Xiao Qiqi slowly told Xu Chun this story, "Xu Chun, you're right. Living strong is the most correct thing to do. You're so young, you must never give up on yourself. As long as you're happy, cheerful, and true to yourself, you'll have the purest soul. So, no matter how many times you've lost your virginity, as long as you truly love and love yourself, you're the purest person. Be brave and love Xia Xuan. We all support you. No one will laugh at you or look down on you. I... I will also do my best to help you find happiness, just like Huang Yu."
With teary eyes, Xu Chun leaned on Xiao Qiqi's shoulder and cried, "Qiqi, you're such a good girl. I feel so happy."
Xiao Qiqi patted Xu Chun's back, finally letting out a sigh of relief. "Xu Chun, don't be afraid. You're not allowed to cry alone anymore. Remember I'm here for you. I'll love you like I love my wife." To lighten the mood, Xiao Qiqi playfully pinched Xu Chun's fair cheek. "Wow, it really feels great. Much more comfortable than that little girl Lin Wen."
Xu Chun burst into laughter through her tears, playfully hitting Xiao Qiqi, but then immediately cried out in a sweet, seductive voice, "Husband~~ You're so naughty!"
Xiao Qiqi shook off goosebumps all over her body.
And so, those were the strange days. Six months after Xiao Qiqi and Xu Chun met, Xiao Qiqi finally opened her heart, embracing Xu Chun, this beautiful woman she had initially disliked, and vowing in her heart to protect and support her to the best of her ability. Therefore, unknowingly, Xiao Qiqi drew a deep line between herself and Xia Xuan, much like the budding sense of boundaries between boys and girls in middle school—drawing a line on the table, neither crossing it herself nor allowing her enemy to cross it.
8. Barbecue
Xiao Qiqi can be stubbornly single-minded at times, never looking back once she's made up her mind. Like with Xia Xuan, she stubbornly drew a line between them, refusing to cross it even a fraction. She even started secretly helping Xu Chun get closer to Xia Xuan.
Xia Xuan, usually good-tempered, felt both helpless and frustrated by Xu Chun's or the obsequiousness of the students in dormitory 402. Li Yue was a Xu Chun fan, and while the others each had their own targets, it was human nature for men to be interested in beautiful women. Xia Xuan consoled himself, "Actually, I also find it quite pleasant to look at a beauty like Xu Chun, don't I?" But he seemed to prefer looking at Xiao Qiqi. She was a picky eater, especially eggplant, which she wouldn't even glance at; she had a high alcohol tolerance, and after drinking, her face would become as transparent as a porcelain doll; she loved to pout, liked to glare at people with sharp teeth, and was arrogantly defiant, ignoring everyone; she was tall and slender with a small frame, and dressed strangely, mostly in oversized men's clothes she'd picked up from who-knows-where, occasionally wearing well-fitting women's clothing, and was dazzlingly beautiful; her eyes were bright, especially when she lied or was excited, shining even brighter than the stars in the Azure Sky…
Xia Xuan changed her clothes and thought back to her freshman year. It seemed all her memories were related to room 402. Room 402 was a small dormitory, and although there were only four girls, each one was truly exceptional. Xu Chun, needless to say, caused a sensation upon entering the school. Xiao Qiqi, who was originally very dark-skinned, had transformed into a clean, pretty, and slender girl after a winter of growth. Lin Wen, having lost her baby fat, also showed a charming and alluring beauty. Only Huang Yu's figure, still at 160 pounds, needed some work. As for their personalities, they were all incredibly arrogant. Huang Yu was a busybody, Xiao Qiqi was eccentric, Xu Chun loved to act coquettish, and Lin Wen pretended to be sophisticated.
"Xia Xuan, what are you daydreaming about? Let's go." Li Yue sighed. "I really don't want to go, it's pointless. I think my year-long social event should end, what do you say, Xia Xuan?" At this point, Li Yue had become a demoralized ram, his face beaming with pride whenever he saw the people from room 402. These social events were truly torture for him. Xia Xuan smiled indifferently. He couldn't say that he didn't dislike social events because he still had some unspoken interest in a certain person. He just hadn't expected that this barbecue would be the end of his year-long social event.
That autumn, the sky was a deep, vibrant blue, the clouds dazzlingly white, and the crisp autumn air was invigorating. Xiao Qiqi was fast asleep when she was woken up, her mind still a little groggy. She got out of bed and stood in the middle of the room, watching the two women, who had never lifted a finger before, busily buying seasonings, ordering a grill, buying meat, marinating it, and scheduling a time to grill. She found it all rather dull.
"Hey, Xiao Qiqi, if you and Lin Wen aren't going to help, then get out of here. Don't get in the way." Huang Yu raised her hands, smeared with meat grease, as if to push Xiao Qiqi and Lin Wen, who were staring at each other wide-eyed. Lin Wen, quick-witted as ever, pulled Xiao Qiqi and jumped outside. Lin Wen sighed, "Sigh, she's gone crazy for a man." Xiao Qiqi nodded blankly, leaning against the doorframe and continuing to doze off.
"Xiao Qiqi, has this basin never been used before?" Huang Yu took a blue basin out of the toilet and asked Xiao Qiqi. Xiao Qiqi closed her eyes and answered seriously, "It hasn't been used before."
That day was truly beautiful; the sky was cloudless, a clear, azure blue, as clean and pure as Xu Chun's shy smile. Six boys and four girls—a little lacking in variety, but enough. Because all four boys' gazes were fixed on one girl. One was looking up, admiring the clear sky—that was Xia Xuan. Another's gaze was fixed blankly ahead—that was Li Yue, the injured Li Yue.
The group marched along the maple-shaded path towards the lake, attracting many glances along the way. Xiao Qiqi paid no attention to the expressions on others' faces; instead, she watched several boys in blue tracksuits riding their bikes wildly, speeding away like clouds. The boy in the lead had wet hair draped over his forehead, his bright eyes slightly closed in the wind, radiating youthful energy. She couldn't help but whistle. The boy tossed his hair, didn't turn around, but waved his long arm and shook a finger, then the group laughed and sped off.
Huang Yu, embarrassed and indignant, pulled Xiao Qiqi behind her and gave her a good scolding. She nonchalantly put her hands in her pockets, looking up at a few crimson maple leaves. Looking forward again, Xia Xuan turned around, his clear, gentle eyes holding a hint of inquiry beneath the warmth. She had never been able to resist good looks; such a handsome and clean-cut boy was indeed pleasing to the eye. No wonder Xu Chun was so desperate. Xiao Qiqi, being cheeky, couldn't help but whistle again, raising an eyebrow. Xia Xuan was clearly startled, but quickly responded with a gentle smile. Huang Yu nearly snapped her arm behind her back.
Xiao Qiqi watched as Yang Guangping struggled to carry a blue basin full of marinated meat, and suddenly her eyes twitched – the basin looked so familiar! Xiao Qiqi stared at that basin until the beautiful Xu Chun, beaming, stood in front of another red basin busily grilling meat. Only then did Xiao Qiqi breathe a sigh of relief and pull Lin Wen to squeeze in front of Xu Chun. So the two of them sat next to Xu Chun, grilling and eating piece by piece. Although she saw Xu Chun's pained expression, the hints in her eyes, and even the threatening gesture of Huang Yu slitting his throat, she just… there was something she really didn't want to say, and she really didn't want to move over to Huang Yu's side. Lin Wen, who always enjoyed seeing Xu Chun's pained expression, did her best to block Xu Chun's gaze from reaching for someone behind her.
After eating and drinking their fill, the group sat together in the pavilion, chatting idly. Xiao Qiqi, yawning, heard Huang Yu talk about her high school sweetheart for the hundredth time. Suddenly, it started to rain. Dark clouds painted the entire sky like ink, and the bright white rain poured down without warning. Xu Chun, wearing a flowing pink dress, felt the chill of the autumn rain and wind, and she began to shiver like a little bird. Xiao Qiqi looked at Xu Chun's expectant eyes looking at the indifferent Xia Xuan, sighed, pulled off her oversized shirt with the sleeves rolled up, threw it into Xu Chun's hands, grabbed the now bloodied and mangled blue basin, and ran towards the beach at the foot of the mountain by the lake.
Xiao Qiqi's heart pounded as she stepped onto the soft sand. Memories of the night flashed before her eyes like a movie. She couldn't help but curse; her undershirt was soaked, but she loved the cool, refreshing rain. It felt so good, much better than Xu Chun's pitiful act. She heard Huang Yu's cries behind her, but ignored them. The rain had subsided by now.
Seeing that the rain had lessened, Huang Yu gritted his teeth and ran down as well. Xia Xuan watched as the sky turned a clear blue again, and saw Xiao Qiqi squatting on the beach washing a basin while muttering to himself. He found it amusing and ran down as well.
Huang Yu kept nagging behind Xiao Qiqi, "Xiao Qiqi, you wicked woman, you did it on purpose, didn't you? You knew that Xu Chun's grilled meat was for Xia Xuan, why did you insist on eating it all?" Xiao Qiqi was focused on washing the basin and ignored her, automatically shutting out the unpleasant noise.
Xia Xuan jumped down the waist-high stone steps, took off his shoes, and stepped onto the soft sand. A few drops of rainwater slid down his black hair, creating a graceful arc. His rolled-up trousers, though not as clean as usual, carried a hint of leisure. Seeing Xia Xuan approach, Xiao Qiqi, haunted by unpleasant memories, forgot her promise not to speak to him alone! She glanced sideways and beckoned to Xia Xuan. Looking into her bright eyes, Xia Xuan smiled and moved closer. Xiao Qiqi held up a blue basin, her back to Huang Yu, and looked into Xia Xuan's smiling eyes. "This is my foot basin. I'll wash my feet clean and continue washing them when I get back." Xiao Qiqi remained impassive, watching Xia Xuan's eyes widen and then narrow. Before she could continue admiring him, the sound of Huang Yu vomiting came from behind her.
The basin next to Xu Chun, used for holding meat, was one Xiao Qiqi had just bought at the market. As for the other one, Huang Yu asked Xiao Qiqi if it was unused. Xiao Qiqi was currently fast asleep and her mind wasn't quite clear, so she casually answered yes. It was already quite late when she discovered they were proudly marinating and seasoning the meat in the basin she had used to wash her feet once. Xiao Qiqi was always casual; she had only washed her feet once, so they were perfectly clean.
She really didn't want to tell the truth, but seeing Xia Xuan, looking at the beach, looking at the lake, she felt incredibly suffocated. She passed by Xia Xuan like a victorious general, "Tadpole!" The two soft words were only audible to Xia Xuan, and only he could understand them.
What was supposed to be a barbecue to strengthen relationships ended abruptly and dramatically in the rain. After vomiting up his own flesh and bile, Huang Yu vomited at the sight of food or the mere mention of it for several days. In two weeks, he lost over twenty pounds, his once round face becoming elongated. Xiao Qiqi patted Huang Yu on the back with immense pride, "Huang Yu, you should treat me to a meal. It's all thanks to me that you're so slim now." Upon hearing the word "eat," Huang Yu immediately rushed to the toilet again.
The other most important protagonist, Xia Xuan, wasn't much better off. A few weeks later, Xiao Qiqi happened to see him playing football on the field, and his oversized jersey had a somewhat ethereal quality. From then on, Xia Xuan's charm gained another element: "elegance."
Regardless, everyone has experienced such confused days. Since the "foot basin" incident, Xia Xuan avoided Xiao Qiqi, and Xiao Qiqi ignored him. The two coexisted peacefully. Xu Chun, tired of chasing, wasn't as enthusiastic as before, only occasionally making excuses to hang around Xia Xuan. Xia Xuan joined the student council, and Xu Chun joined too; Xia Xuan joined the calligraphy club, and Xu Chun followed; Xia Xuan practiced judo, and Xu Chun gritted his teeth, Xiao Qiqi shoved him and yelled "Follow!"; Xia Xuan went to the library, and Xiao Qiqi followed him for Xu Chun… In short, Xu Chun became Xia Xuan's shadow. Although they didn't acknowledge their romantic relationship, the drooling girls around Xia Xuan and the starry-eyed boys around Xu Chun gradually disappeared. With the arrival of new students, the campus gradually stabilized. Xiao Qiqi also felt unusually at ease.
IX. Tracking
"Why me again?" Xiao Qiqi exclaimed. She really didn't want to see Xia Xuan. Seeing him made her feel uncomfortable all over!
Huang Yu pushed Xiao Qiqi, "Xu Chun and I need to wash our hair, take a shower, and clean. You hurry up and find out where Xia Xuan is sitting in the library or classroom, then tell Xu Chun that she'll be on her turn later." Two years have passed, and Huang Yu is still incredibly enthusiastic.
Xiao Qiqi looked miserable and resignedly picked up a stack of books. Since it was final exams anyway, she figured she might as well find a place to study.
"Qi Qi!" Xu Chun suddenly called out to her.
Xiao Qiqi stopped and took a step back. Xu Chun's gaze was too strange. "Beautiful lady, don't you see how handsome your husband is? Why are you looking at him like that? He's still a virgin!" Xiao Qiqi smirked.
"No, Qiqi, I just think you look especially beautiful today, you're even wearing a dress!" Xu Chun's eyes sparkled, making Xiao Qiqi shake her head proudly. "By the way, how long has it been since you saw Xia Xuan?"
"How long?" Xiao Qiqi scratched her short, ear-length hair and asked Huang Yu, "Huang Yu, how long has it been?"
Xu Chun laughed and slapped Xiao Qiqi, "I was just asking casually, and I'm afraid you don't even know him. Hurry up and go!"
Xiao Qiqi left the dormitory with a grin. Ugh, the sun is so strong, it's scorching! I should have brought an umbrella. Holding a book to shield herself from the sun, Xiao Qiqi hopped around like a kangaroo, making sure to walk in the shade.
Xia Xuan followed behind Xiao Qiqi, watching her in a floral plaid knee-length skirt and canvas sneakers. Her smooth, slender legs shimmered like white jade in the sunlight, and her movements were still as flamboyant as ever, with a bouncy gait. How long had it been since she'd seen that strange smile? Two months, three months? Xia Xuan sighed. It had been almost three months since she'd left school, and now it was already the height of summer.
Xiao Qiqi muttered to himself as he jumped up and down, "Damn idiot, I have to help you pick up girls? Can't you just call and say, 'Hey, I'm studying in classroom X, beautiful XX, come visit!'" He couldn't help but laugh at himself. Sigh, did he think he was a panda? Visit? Wait, where did he go? He'd been away from school for months. No wonder Xu Chun was so concerned this time, even launching a tracking operation for Xia Xuan. Looks like months apart feels like ages! "Damn idiot, which building is he in?" Xiao Qiqi held up his book, looking around. There were teaching buildings to the east, west, and north. Did he have to climb every single floor?
"Yes, it's in Building 2, Room 803," someone whispered from behind.
"Huh? Really? Thank you!" Xiao Qiqi's brain short-circuited from the sun, and she jumped up only to realize something was wrong. "Wait, who are you? How did you know who I was looking for?" Turning around, she saw a figure that seemed to have grown taller, standing behind her. His face still had a gentle smile, but it seemed to have a hint of melancholy. His originally gentle face now had a more resolute look, and his complexion was even paler. Xiao Qiqi looked up, squinting at the smiling man in front of her, swallowing hard. Damn it, why is he so handsome? And why does he have to smile like that? Laugh yourself to death! "Idiot smile!" Xiao Qiqi said rudely, then felt a little embarrassed. Looking at his toes, she noticed he was wearing white sneakers, and there seemed to be a white thread hanging from the laces. Xiao Qiqi's heart skipped a beat. She remembered that when her grandfather passed away, her mother had tied a thick white thread to her sneakers like that. "You..." Xiao Qiqi looked up and secretly observed Xia Xuan's expression. "How have you been lately?"
Xia Xuan saw the guilt flash in Xiao Qiqi's eyes and couldn't help but smile, saying softly, "It's okay. Let's go, you're afraid of the sun, you'll start complaining about your skin hurting again soon."
Xiao Qiqi was the most obedient this time. After all, people say the heartbroken are the most vulnerable, and she could sense the bitterness and sadness in Xia Xuan's smile. She quickly agreed and followed Xia Xuan's tall, slender figure towards Building No. 2, the closest building, which offered some shade. Xiao Qiqi breathed a sigh of relief as she approached the shade. But she discovered that Xia Xuan wasn't heading towards Building No. 2 at all, but instead was walking along the shaded path towards the school gate. "Hey, where are you going?"
Xia Xuan turned around. "Didn't you come looking for me? So, wherever I go, shouldn't you go too?"
Xiao Qiqi was speechless. She had indeed been given a mission: to follow Xia Xuan.
Once outside the school gate, the shade was gone, and the only way to reach the maple trees was to cross the road. Xiao Qiqi muttered, "It's so hot, I'm not going any further."
Xia Xuan turned around and took a few steps back, then used all the books in her hands to shield Xiao Qiqi's head. "Be good, don't make a fuss, come for a walk with me."
Xiao Qiqi was stunned. He was calling her that so intimately again. She hadn't felt well that time, so it was negligible, but now? Looking at the pain in his eyes, Xiao Qiqi obediently shut her mouth. She took long strides and ran, crossing the road to escape the sun. But then her hand warmed, and she involuntarily stumbled backward into a broad embrace. A motorcycle sped past her.
"Don't run, watch where you're going." Xia Xuan's slightly deep voice rang out above Xiao Qiqi's head. Xiao Qiqi could clearly hear something hidden there, something that seemed to be called... worry.
Xia Xuan led Xiao Qiqi across the road and walked under the maple trees leading to Zihu Lake. He didn't let go of her warm, soft hand, feeling safe and secure just holding it. Xiao Qiqi's face flushed, but she didn't seem to dislike the feeling; it felt warm and reassuring.