"Ten yuan." Xiao Qiqi deftly took out her money. 520, I love you?
She bought another lighter and continued wandering aimlessly. Outside the school was a dense grove of magnolia and pine trees, a popular spot for lovers to meet and share intimate moments. Xiao Qiqi and Xia Xuan had once gone in, but the passionate embrace of the couple inside quickly frightened Xiao Qiqi away, and Xia Xuan chuckled and followed suit. At this moment, Xiao Qiqi glanced at the prominently displayed 12:07 on the school gate and knowingly slipped into the grove. Would she be able to avoid any disturbances now?
Xia Xuan followed Xiao Qiqi's unsteady steps, walking and watching her walk into the woods. Finally, she followed her and hid behind a magnolia tree at a distance, watching her sit down under a lush magnolia tree, tear open a cigarette pack, light a cigarette, and smoke.
Xiao Qiqi took a deep drag, the pungent smell assaulting her nostrils and triggering a violent cough. Xia Xuan, the taste of smoke really was unpleasant. She gradually learned her lesson, no longer inhaling deeply, but instead taking small sips and exhaling gently. The smoke slowly permeated her mind, swirling around her lips and nose, passing through her intestines, and penetrating her lungs. That indescribable, lingering sensation gradually became familiar to Xiao Qiqi.
So this is what 520 feels like.
Xia Xuan lifted her foot. Should she walk over, snatch the cigarette from her, and yell at her? Or should she kiss her hard and apologize?
32. Misguided Love (Part Four)
Chen Yuanxing emerged from the internet cafe yawning. Two days of continuous gaming had left him exhausted. Uh, and to make matters worse, he urgently needed to pee. It would take him over ten minutes to walk north from the east gate of A University back to K University. Looking at the lush forest, which A University and neighboring K University collectively called the "Forest of Desires," Chen Yuanxing chuckled mischievously. He hopped into the woods in a few steps. Sure enough, the dorms were closed, and there weren't many couples left. Chen Yuanxing carefully found a secluded corner, quickly relieved himself, and then leisurely prepared to head home, pondering how to deal with the security guard's questioning later.
The slender, warm, and intertwined 520 moonlight shone through the trees. Xiao Qiqi looked up at the sky; the layers of lush magnolia leaves obscured the stars, with only a few scattered starlight slipping through the gaps in the branches. The moonlight's shadow was like Xia Xuan's gentle smile, but now it only brought her heartache and tears. The pain that had been building up for days finally turned into a few clear tears. Tears are like a river that has been released from its dam; once opened, they are unstoppable.
"Why are you crying?" Suddenly a voice entered her sorrowful world. A tall boy in short sleeves and jeans jumped out from behind the tree. He was tall and straight, and his bangs almost covered his eyes. Xiao Qiqi looked at him with a bright smile, but then he suddenly leaned over and scrutinized her face for a long time. "No way? It's you again, senior sister. Why are you crying again?" Xiao Qiqi ignored him. It was Chen, the young master of K University, again.
Chen Yuanxing felt quite pleased to see Xiao Qiqi crying like a cat. He leaned against the magnolia tree trunk opposite Xiao Qiqi, swung his long legs, whistled, and made an exaggerated, strange noise, "Senior sister, you haven't broken up with someone again, have you?"
Upon hearing the words "heartbreak," Xiao Qiqi's tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls, but she refused to admit defeat, shouting, "Get lost! It's none of your business!"
"Oh my, you're still so fierce after being dumped. I really don't know which man can put up with you!" Young Master Chen shook his head exaggeratedly, watching Xiao Qiqi cry like a curious child. "Sure enough, even the most beautiful woman looks ugly when she cries. You're not good-looking to begin with, but you look really scary when you cry."
"Look!" Xiao Qiqi's anger flared as she looked at the man's gleaming eyes. Every time she ran into this guy, nothing good ever came of it. The first time, she'd tripped and fallen flat on her face after kicking a ball; the morning she was heartbroken, he'd seen her in her embarrassing state; and now, she was so unlucky she'd run into him while hiding in a corner crying. Xiao Qiqi continued to cry, and Chen Yuanxing watched intently. After a long time, Chen Yuanxing finally lost his patience, walked over, and stood in front of her, saying seriously, "Senior sister, how much water did you drink? Why is it raining so much?" He even reached out to wipe her face, but she slapped his hand away with a "smack!" "Get lost!" At this moment, Xiao Qiqi was heartbroken and burning with rage, venting all her resentment from the past few days on this unlucky guy who had run into her.
"Sigh, I didn't want to bother with you, but you look so pitiful. You've been crying for so long, you must be tired. Let's go, it's late at night, people will think I'm bullying you." Chen Yuanxing took out a handkerchief from his pocket. "Uh, here you go, hurry up and wipe your face, you look like a stinky cat."
Xiao Qiqi was stubborn, but she knew he meant well. After all, it was already midnight, and it wasn't safe for her to be alone in the woods. She took the handkerchief, which smelled wonderfully of orchids, wiped her face haphazardly, and then stuffed the handkerchief back into his hand. "...Uh, thank you!"
"Ugh!" Chen Yuanxing disgustedly flung the handkerchief away. "It's filthy, Senior Sister, you're so disgusting!" Xiao Qiqi retorted angrily, kicking him. "Who's dirty?"
Chen Yuanxing dodged, angrily shaking his hand, "Senior sister, you're violent, a crybaby, have a bad temper, and even worse taste. I really don't know what kind of man dumped you and made you cry like this."
"Nonsense, it wasn't a man who dumped me," Xiao Qiqi pouted in protest.
"Ha, could it be that Senior Sister dumped her man and then happily hid in the woods crying?" Chen Yuanxing said in a strange tone.
Xiao Qiqi was speechless for a moment, "...Anyway, it's none of your business." As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again.
"Hey, hey, stop crying, your crying is driving me crazy." Chen Yuanxing grabbed his hair, making his already messy hair even messier. "Senior sister, let me ask you a question, can't you live without a man?"
Xiao Qiqi was taken aback, but her face flushed red. "Nonsense! Who can't live without a man!"
"Then what are men anyway? Ugh, pshaw, how can men be things!" Chen Yuanxing sighed. "Anyway, what I mean is, men, there are so many kinds in the world, if one is gone, there's another, aren't they all the same?"
"No, he's different, he's different!" Xiao Qiqi thought of Xia Xuan, her mind filled with sweetness, his gentleness, and his smile.
"That's right. Since you know that men are all different and have their own unique characteristics, you should experience more of them and meet more men. Perhaps losing this one is actually a blessing in disguise. Really, I'm not lying to you. There are so many good men out there. Senior sister is so young and beautiful, it's not worth crying over just one man."
"You make it sound so easy," Xiao Qiqi shook her head. "...You simply don't understand!"
"I don't understand? But I know not to cry or linger because the flowers in front of me have withered, because there will be more beautiful scenery ahead. How is he different?"
Xiao Qiqi bit her lip. She needed an outlet, she needed to vent. Thinking of Xia Xuan's tenderness and affection, her face turned as if covered by a thin layer of fabric, a blush spreading across her cheeks, and a touch of charm slowly seeped into her eyes and face.
Chen Yuanxing stood before her, gazing at her alluring lips, and suddenly felt a strange urge. He leaned down abruptly, his warm lips, like morning dew on fresh grass, covering Xiao Qiqi's upturned lips. "Mmm..." Xiao Qiqi tried to push him away, but found his tall, strong frame too mushy for her to budge. Taking advantage of her struggles, he successfully slipped his lips into hers, his kiss simple, even rough, completely different from Xia Xuan's gentle, drizzling caresses. Xiao Qiqi felt the young man firmly gripping her two flailing hands, felt his stormy kisses, her nose filled with his faint scent, and slowly, as if suffocating, let him pull her into his arms.
Chen Yuanxing finally moved his mouth away, but his hand still restrained her struggling hand. He turned his head and smiled slightly, "Senior sister, how is it? Isn't it very different?"
Xiao Qiqi glared angrily at the guy who had inexplicably kissed her, "Are you out of your mind... you bastard!"
"Yeah, I'm a jerk! But I'm doing this for your own good. Think about it carefully. Was your heart pounding just now? Did you enjoy it? Wasn't it a different experience from your ex?"
"Shameless! What do you want?" Xiao Qiqi struggled, but his hands were grabbed by one of his hands, and his waist was tightly held in his arms.
"Senior sister, don't get agitated! I'm just trying to teach you a lesson about your stubbornness. I'm telling you, there are plenty of good men in this world, and they all have different flavors, so why are you so fixated on one person?"
"Hmph! So, are you going to say next, 'If you don't want that man anymore, just be with me!'"
Chen Yuanxing released Xiao Qiqi's hand, quickly stepped back, and exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Wow, senior sister, so it turns out we're mutually attracted?"
Xiao Qiqi's flying kick was easily dodged by Chen Yuanxing. Seeing his smug and self-satisfied attitude after taking advantage of her, Xiao Qiqi forgot about being sad and just wanted to kick him to death! Xiao Qiqi chased after him, and Chen Yuanxing exaggeratedly dodged.
Exhausted from the chase, having circled several trees multiple times, he still hadn't caught up with the person and was now leaning against a tree trunk, panting heavily. "If you've got the guts, don't run away!"
"Oh my god, senior sister, you're such a violent woman! Why didn't I run away? I gave you my first kiss for your experiment, that's called self-sacrifice, don't you understand revolutionary spirit? Instead of being grateful, you hit me! I'm so unlucky!" Chen Yuanxing cautiously approached Xiao Qiqi, grinning, "Okay, senior sister, don't be angry. See, does this tantrum make you feel better?"
Xiao Qiqi was speechless for a moment, looking at the big boy making a face with a strange expression. She had indeed forgotten her sadness.
The two stopped bickering and sat side by side under the tree. Chen Yuanxing nudged Xiao Qiqi with his elbow, "Hey, senior sister, say something! It's so creepy and eerie here."
"Aren't you a man? What are you afraid of?"
"Afraid of ghosts!" Chen Yuanxing straightened up with a serious expression, grinning sinisterly, rolling his eyes, and drawing out his words, "...Give me back my life, hehe, give me back my head..." Xiao Qiqi was laughing at first, but then she saw Chen Yuanxing's eyes widen in terror, his mouth agape, staring fixedly behind her. Suddenly, he let out a strange scream, "...A ghost!" Xiao Qiqi saw his pale face flickering in the shadows of the trees, his terrified eyes blazing with exaggerated screams. She couldn't help but scream "Ah!" and hugged his waist, burying her head deeply in his chest, "...No!"
"Hahaha..." A hateful burst of laughter came from above. "Oh my, I'm dying of laughter! Is the violent, crybaby senior sister afraid of ghosts?!"
"Damn it!" Xiao Qiqi punched Chen Yuanxing in the face, which was full of pain, and was satisfied to hear Chen Yuanxing scream in pain.
Chen Yuanxing jumped far away, rubbing his cheek. "No good deed goes unpunished! You violent crybaby, may you keep company with ghosts!" With that, he turned and strode away, disappearing into the woods. Xiao Qiqi watched his retreating figure. A gust of wind rustled the branches, and Xiao Qiqi's heart tightened. She seemed to hear the exaggerated ghostly screams Chen Yuanxing had just imitated. Looking at the swaying shadows of the trees, she saw nothing but herself. Xiao Qiqi felt goosebumps rise all over her body. She had heard many ghost stories from her grandmother since childhood, and always harbored doubts about ghosts and spirits. That fear, rooted in her childhood, couldn't be erased by age.
Without thinking twice, Xiao Qiqi rushed out of the woods, but there was no sign of that wretched guy. Only the bright moon, the gentle breeze, and the flickering lamplight remained. Xiao Qiqi couldn't help but hug her arms tightly and stomp her feet, "Hey, where did you go?" She called several times, but the tall, slender figure didn't appear. Xiao Qiqi shuddered and squatted down. Tears streamed down her face again.
A dark figure sighed and squatted down in front of her. Xiao Qiqi looked up and saw Chen Yuanxing helplessly ruffling his hair and then casually tossing his head, "...Go away! All of you go away! I don't care about any of you!"
"Senior sister, I give up. What have I done to deserve this? I was just playing games at an internet cafe, and you had to come here and yell at me. Sigh, I'm really fed up with myself! Go ask around at K University or even your A University, where do I, Chen Yuanxing, not get all the attention and beauties' darlings? But tonight, I run into you, this violent and unreasonable senior sister, who hit me, and I'm expected to help you. Sigh!" With another long sigh, Chen Yuanxing looked up at the sky speechlessly. "Let's go, violent senior sister, we can't stay here all night, can we?"
"Where are we going?" Xiao Qiqi was so weak at this moment that she didn't even seem like herself, letting him lead her towards the road.
"Let's find a place to sleep!" Chen Yuanxing yawned rather inelegantly. "I'm so sleepy, I haven't slept for two nights." Xiao Qiqi could only see his bloodshot eyes by the light of the street lamp.
Standing in front of a small hotel, Xiao Qiqi watched Chen Yuanxing kick the broken door and felt a sense of fear. "No... I think we should just go to an internet cafe and spend the night there."
Chen Yuanxing didn't even turn his head. "Then you go by yourself. I'm going to sleep anyway."
Xiao Qiqi stepped back and turned around. Chen Yuanxing called out from behind, "Hey, senior sister, you're not afraid I'll make a move on you, are you? Aha, don't worry, I, Young Master Chen, am not so bad as to not be able to distinguish between beauty and ugliness."
Xiao Qiqi clenched her fist, rushed up behind him, and punched him. "Who are you calling ugly?"
"Ah! You violent woman!" Young Master Chen bared his teeth and raised his fist, finally saying helplessly, "Actually, I hate violent women and crybabies the most! You have both of those traits, so don't worry, I'd rather have a secret rendezvous with Fifth Sister!"
"Who is Fifth Sister?" Xiao Qiqi asked curiously.
Chen Yuanxing, feigning unconsciousness, collapsed against the hotel door. Unfortunately, the door opened at the same time, and Chen Yuanxing unceremoniously landed on the plump woman's trembling breasts. After a few awkward attempts to grab the doorframe and straighten up, the plump woman smiled and casually pinched Chen Yuanxing's muscular arm, even giving him a flirtatious wink. Xiao Qiqi couldn't hold back any longer and laughed until her stomach cramped.
"Little brother and his girlfriend checking into a hotel?" Aunt Pang's words made Xiao Qiqi blush, but then he saw the person above him make a smug face.
Thirty-three, Breakup
Xia Xuan clenched his fist, watching the light in the small hotel window turn on and then go out. He suddenly felt like smoking too, so he turned around and walked to the tree where Xiao Qiqi had been sitting. He picked up the discarded 520 cigarette and lighter, lit it slowly, and inhaled the smoke, the cool, slightly pungent cloud of smoke penetrating his internal organs, yet it felt like his intestines were being scraped, causing him heartache and pain.
So this is what 520 feels like.
The small hotel outside the school was very basic, with a broken table, a sofa, and a barely sturdy double bed covered with messy bedding.
Xiao Qiqi looked at the bed with disgust. It was messy and dirty. How many passionate entanglements had taken place here? Did Xia Xuan also lie on that hotel bed with Xu Chun in his arms that day? But for them, the earth was their bed, the sky their curtain, and the breeze their witness. All their intimacy was so real, natural, and joyful. Was this a difference or happiness?
Chen Yuanxing yawned, kicked off his shoes, and flopped onto the bed to sleep, completely unaware of the sheets that hadn't been changed in who knows how long. Suddenly, he opened his eyes with a start and met Xiao Qiqi's fierce gaze. "Senior sister, do you have a grudge against the bed or against me?" Chen Yuanxing felt as if he was being pierced all over. He scrambled up, scratching his head. Damn, he hadn't washed his hair or taken a shower for two days and was so itchy. "Fine, fine, senior sister, I give up. If you want to sleep on the bed, then sleep on the bed. I'll sleep on the sofa."
Xiao Qiqi finally noticed her own unease, looked away, and sat down on the sofa. "You sleep, I'll sit on the sofa."
Chen Yuanxing was so sleepy that he was no longer modest. He flopped back onto the bed and muttered, "Senior sister, you'd better not regret this. Please don't look at me like that anymore."
Xiao Qiqi stood up and slammed the light off. "Just shut up, stop talking so much!" She'd barely finished speaking when she heard Chen Yuanxing's even breathing. Xiao Qiqi couldn't help but chuckle. Her first time in a hotel room with a guy, and this was it!
Xiao Qiqi hadn't wanted to sleep, but the drowsiness was too much to bear in the middle of the night, and she unknowingly curled up and fell asleep on the sofa. When she woke up, it was still early; only the hazy morning light was outside, the sun hadn't risen yet, and the occasional sound of a sprinkler truck drifted by. Looking at her watch, it wasn't even six o'clock yet; the dormitory would be opening soon. Xiao Qiqi got up and looked at Chen Yuanxing, still fast asleep on the bed. The open and innocent boy, seemingly flamboyant and unrestrained, was actually considerate and kind. Xiao Qiqi felt a sense of relief and softly said, "Thank you," before leaving the small hotel.
The morning air was exceptionally refreshing, still carrying the scent of dust stirred up by the sanitation workers. The freshly watered pavement, damp with moisture, had lessened the oppressive heat of June. Cicadas were already singing diligently, and a few birds fluttered out from the magnolia bushes, startling a white magnolia petal. A delicate fragrance, full of life and vibrancy, wafted into the air. Xiao Qiqi closed her eyes, savoring the beginning of this tranquil world. After all, things weren't so bad, were they? Where there is love, there is trust; where there is hardship, there is hope. Perhaps they should have been more honest and trusting of each other.
Xiao Qiqi took out her phone and sent a text message to Xia Xuan. Then she turned onto the maple-lined path and slowly walked towards Zihu Lake.
Xia Xuan stood in the magnolia grove, watching Xiao Qiqi walk out of the small inn, watching her joyful face, her calm smile, and her swaying figure disappear among the maple trees. His clenched fist slowly loosened, leaving a deep scar—the words written on Huangshan Mountain that once clung to his palm, no matter how tightly he clenched, could not be retained. Many years later, the scar had long since faded, but the pain remained in his heart.
Kissing, booking a hotel room, and going to bed—it was all so simple for her.
Xiao Qiqi walked slowly, unhurried. Watching the wild ducks flapping their wings and flying away on the lake, she smiled again. She never regretted it. She opened her palm, looking at the empty hand, where the burning words "Xia Xuan loves Xiao Qiqi" still burned with life within her heart.
Xiao Qiqi waited by the lake with hope. She had calmed down and was ready to face Xu Chun's obsession and even deception. She was willing to listen to his explanation and hoped that she could forgive him.
Xia Xuan gazed at that familiar figure from afar for a long, long time. How many times, how many years, had he followed behind that lively, spirited woman like this, listening to her laughter and scolding, watching her radiant smile? Had everything just been lost like this?
Xiao Qiqi turned around, a smile gradually appearing on her face. Watching him slowly approach, she went to greet him. "Xia Xuan, I asked you to come here today because I wanted to tell you..." She reached out to take Xia Xuan's hand, but Xia Xuan avoided it. Xiao Qiqi looked at Xia Xuan in surprise.
"I also have something to say to you." Xia Xuan smiled faintly, but the distance in her smile made Xiao Qiqi inexplicably afraid. Xiao Qiqi nodded, "Then you go first."
"I'm here to tell you that I'm officially dating Xu Chun, so I want to apologize to you." Xia Xuan's lips curled into a faint sneer. "After all, we had a brief affair. You might not care, but I feel bad about it, so I'm sorry."
Xiao Qiqi shook her head, "Xia Xuan, you..."
"Isn't this the result you wanted?" Xia Xuan's smile widened. "If I have delayed you or caused you any misunderstanding, I still apologize."
"No, that's not it, Xia Xuan." Xiao Qiqi felt as if a deep, deep crack had opened in her heart, a crack that could never be mended. The pain had left her unable to bear it any longer. It turned out that everything had been wishful thinking on her part. She had thought they could reconcile, that they could clear up the misunderstanding, but it was all a joke and a lie. Her pride made her straighten her back. She controlled her intense pain and looked into his deep eyes. "...Don't say sorry."
Xia Xuan gazed intently at that delicate yet slightly pale face one last time. His elfin eyes momentarily lost their color, then quickly regained their star-like brilliance. What kind of resolute determination and pain was hidden in those familiar, stubborn pupils? He wanted to rush over, but he restrained himself. He lowered his head, slightly bowed, and struggled to steady his trembling voice, "Goodbye."
"Goodbye." Xiao Qiqi watched his tall figure slowly disappear among the trees and greenery, mechanically repeating those last two words. Goodbye meant never seeing each other again.
Xiao Qiqi had forgotten how she got back to school. The campus was surrounded by all sorts of hotels, internet cafes, convenience stores, supermarkets, barbershops, and pharmacies—a dazzling array, teeming with people every day. Xiao Qiqi felt as if she were floating lightly past the crowd, her eyes glazed over, unable to even hear the screeching of brakes as she crossed the street. She walked mechanically, walking, unaware of the road's end.
Xia Xuan watched as a bus screeched to a halt in front of Xiao Qiqi from afar. Her heart leaped into her throat, and she pulled back the step she was about to take. So, she could feel sadness too.
This time, Xiao Qiqi didn't curl up in anguish like she had in the previous days. Instead, she regained her composure overnight. She calmly chatted and laughed with everyone, even listening attentively to Xu Chun's long talk about love. She happily took photos and videos with her classmates, ate, drank, laughed, cursed, and even cried. No one said, "Xiao Qiqi, you've changed," because from beginning to end, Xiao Qiqi had always been like this—the eccentric genius in everyone's eyes, laughing inexplicably, crying wildly, cursing madly, her laughter, anger, and scolding all happening freely and spontaneously.
I just fell in love with 520 from then on.
Dai Kunkun watched as Xiao Qiqi gracefully and seductively held a slender cigarette between her fingers, and couldn't help but scold, "Xiao Qiqi, are you trying to be a vixen?"
Xiao Qiqi nonchalantly blew smoke rings. She was clever; in just half a month, she had learned to blow smoke rings of all sizes, wink seductively, and chuckle alluringly: "How about I become a hostess?"
Dai Kunkun gave a bitter smile, "...Are you really giving up like this?"
"Give up what?" Xiao Qiqi took a big gulp of her drink. Graduation was exhilarating, and June was a crazy month. That was all she could think about right now.
“Xu Chun and Xia Xuan are inseparable now. Everyone knows they are a loving couple. Xia Xuan takes her with him wherever he goes.”
"What's it to me?" Xiao Qiqi finished his drink, smoked a cigarette, and blew smoke rings.
Dai Kunkun snatched the cigarette from her, took a deep drag, and said, "Xiao Qiqi, I think you've really gone mad. You're so cowardly and weak! You can't even keep your own man, and you still have the nerve to smoke and drink to numb yourself."