When I was in kindergarten, my teacher rewarded me with a big red flower and a certificate. Holding them in my hand, I looked at the camera, still without smiling.
The elementary school students changed into school uniforms, carried small schoolbags, wore red scarves, had long eyelashes, big and bright eyes, and red lips and white teeth.
In junior high, he was beginning to show signs of being handsome. With one hand in his pocket, he looked impatient. He had grown quite a bit taller, and the young boy looked refined and handsome.
In high school, her features became even more refined. There are four pictures of her playing basketball, capturing the moment she jumps to dunk; her body lines are smooth and beautiful. The caption is very enthusiastic.
(Ahhhhhh!!! Mr. Qiao's stunning good looks!) A cartoon emoticon was drawn after the small print.
A person was hit by a red arrow and collapsed to the ground, clutching their chest.
Upon seeing this, Qiao Anchen couldn't help but turn around, glance at Chu Yi who was still fast asleep on the bed, and shook his head with a smile.
After that came university, graduate school, and then work. He hasn't taken any photos in the last two years, and the last sketch he made was in his second year as a prosecutor.
That was the first time he had handled a high-profile case, and the suspect was ultimately convicted and sentenced.
That day, a colleague took this photo of him in front of the courthouse.
Chu Yi drew it very well, almost a one-to-one reproduction of the scene, and even enhanced the characters and scenery.
Standing ramrod straight on the imposing steps of the courthouse, dressed in a neat prosecutor's uniform, a slight smile on his face, documents in his arms, and a thumbs-up with his left hand.
The sky behind us is vast and blue, with clouds like an unfurled scroll.
Looking at his familiar yet unfamiliar self in the picture book, Qiao Anchen held the small sketchbook in his hand, his heart filled with a strange bittersweet feeling. This was the first time in his life that he had experienced such a complex and indistinguishable emotion.
When Chu Yi woke up, Qiao Anchen was no longer in the room. She sat up sleepily, then suddenly remembered something and looked at the cabinet by the door.
The place was completely empty. Chu Yi's expression froze for a moment, then he immediately got up.
The living room smelled of coffee. Qiao Anchen was looking down at the coffee machine, holding a cup and pouring himself a strong cup of freshly ground coffee.
"Why are you drinking coffee so early in the morning?" Chu Yi rubbed her hair as she walked over. Her voice, still slightly nasal from just waking up, sounded like she was being coquettish.
“I was just about to have a drink,” Qiao Anchen said, turning around and pointing to the microwave next to him.
"I heated up some milk for you."
Chu Yi took a glass, took out the milk, and poured it to about eight-tenths full.
Just like Qiao Anchen, she held the cup with both hands, leaned back against the edge of the kitchen counter, and leisurely daydreamed, trying to shake off her morning grumpiness.
On a holiday morning, the two of them sat side by side, drinking and watching the sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the dust particles in the golden beams seeming to dance up and down.
"That's so nice." Chu Yi suddenly couldn't help but sigh, and Qiao Anchen turned his head to look at her.
"What's wrong?"
"I feel that it would be nice to just stay together and do nothing."
He lowered his eyes and curved his lips slightly. "By the way, I received my birthday present."
"Hmm?" Chu Yi opened her eyes wide and looked at him, a little expectant and a little embarrassed.
“I like it very much,” Qiao Anchen said.
"That's good." Chu Yi smiled, holding her cup as well. The two looked at each other, and the air seemed to become sweet and clean.
In fact, although Qiao Anchen said he was on vacation, he was actually bringing his work home. The cases in the procuratorate are never-ending, and the processing cycle is long, usually taking several months. Moreover, new cases are received almost every week.
His office desk was piled high with case files, and even during his holidays, he would spend time in his study looking at case-related materials.
Such a life was unbelievable for Chu Yi, but Qiao Anchen seemed to have adapted to it and never complained.
For him, working on cases is probably as ordinary and casual as eating. He might prefer to stay in his study and review more cases rather than go shopping or watch a movie.
The two people's ways of thinking are so different.
Chu Yi no longer forces him to go out with her or do anything. She is like a warrior who has been defeated by a dragon countless times. After falling to the ground and getting bruised and battered, she finally learns to behave.
The two of them cooked dinner together that day. Time passed peacefully and warmly. Chu Yi felt that this simple life was quite nice.
On the third day of the National Day holiday, Cheng Li updated her WeChat Moments with a nine-grid photo collage of her trip to Europe with her boyfriend. Chu Yi liked the post, and she replied almost instantly.
Where did your prosecutor take you during the holiday?
Chu Yi lay in bed, typing on his phone.
He said there were crowds everywhere during the National Day holiday, so he didn't go anywhere. Cheng Li replied with a long string of ellipses, and then there was no follow-up.
Chu Yi stared blankly for a few seconds, then turned off his phone and couldn't help but turn over and sigh as he looked up at the sky.
This is what Qiao Anchen saw when he came out of the shower.
The girl held her phone, her hand in front of her as if clutching her chest, looking at the sky with a pitiful and somewhat desperate expression, her body lying stiffly.
The image of the little emoji he had drawn before the first year of junior high school almost immediately came to mind.
The one who collapsed after being shot in the chest while marveling at his stunning good looks.
...kind of cute.
Qiao Anchen casually dried his hair with a towel and walked over.
"You're done washing..." Chu Yi's eyes moved, slowly widening as he approached. Qiao Anchen hummed in response and looked at her.
"What are you thinking about?"
"…daze."
A puzzled look appeared on Qiao Anchen's face, then he nodded.
Everyone has different hobbies and habits; perhaps daydreaming can be a kind of pleasure. He thought.
After turning off the main light, Qiao Anchen got into bed. He had only turned a few pages of his book when the person next to him had already turned over five or six times. He turned his head to the side.
"Can't sleep tonight?"
"..." Chu Yi looked at him silently.
She didn't know what was wrong with her. Maybe it was because of Cheng Li's casual question that night, or maybe it was because her period was coming soon. She inexplicably became depressed and couldn't muster the energy to do anything. Even when watching her favorite anime and comics, she couldn't help but drift off.
Qiao Anchen waited for a while, and seeing that she did not answer, he looked thoughtful. Then, he closed the book in his hand, put it down, and took off his glasses.
"In that case, why not do something else?"
"Hmm?" Chu Yi was taken aback when a shadow fell over her. Soft lips mixed with a warm and familiar breath, and Qiao Anchen reached out and put his arm around her waist.
She was a little depressed.
She still let him kiss her, and after a while, the buttons of her pajamas were undone.
Qiao Anchen released her lips, and the kiss gradually moved downwards. Her hair was still a little damp, brushing against her chin and tracing her collarbone, which tickled her.
Chu Yi didn't move. He opened his eyes and stared blankly at the air in front of him. After a while, he gently exhaled.
Chapter 17 - Double Update Combined!
The room was dark. After the two finished showering, Qiao Anchen quickly fell asleep. He hugged Chu Yi from behind, feeling the warmth of her body as he was enveloped in his arms.
Chu Yi was actually very tired. She turned her face to the side and looked out the window. Her long hair was scattered on the pillow, and her hands were bent at her cheeks.
The curtains on the terrace fluttered in the night breeze, and twinkling lights shimmered in the darkness.
She blinked very slowly, then drifted off to sleep, exhausted.
On the last day of the holiday, many people had already gone back to work. Chu Yi, who had been staying at home for several days, finally couldn't stand it anymore and tentatively tried to discuss it with Qiao Anchen.
"There aren't many people today. Shall we go for a walk around Green Water Island?"
“Sure,” Qiao Anchen agreed without hesitation.
Although it has this name, Green Water Island is actually just a scenic area in Lancheng, a place where citizens often go for leisure and entertainment on weekdays, and there are fireworks displays on important holidays.
Chu Yi's expression immediately brightened, and she said happily, "Then I'll go change my clothes, and we'll go out in a bit!"
The weather in Lancheng in October is too comfortable, neither too hot nor too cold, with bright and gentle sunlight, lush green trees, and vibrant blooming flowers. Citizens riding electric bikes and fruit vendors create a chaotic yet harmonious scene.
Chu Yi wore a mint green cardigan over a beige cotton A-line skirt, which elongated her overall proportions, making her look slim-waisted and long-legged, and she also wore canvas shoes and carried a small crossbody bag.
To match her travel image, she wore a khaki bucket hat and smiled, looking like a recent college graduate—youthful and adorable.
In contrast, Qiao Anchen appeared much more composed, wearing a camel-colored thin sweater, a white t-shirt underneath, and casual trousers.
His face is so deceptive that if it weren't for his overly calm demeanor, people would probably think he had just graduated from school.
Chu Yi linked arms with him, skipping and hopping all the way, as if she had been locked up for a long time and was finally let out for a stroll.
She looked at everything with curiosity, her eyes wide open, and Qiao Anchen had to keep an eye on her as they walked to make sure she didn't accidentally bump into someone.
"Watch out, there's a wall in front of you—" Qiao Anchen quickly pulled her back and spun her around to the right, feeling both annoyed and helpless.
"Wow, the little trinkets in that shop are so pretty!" Chu Yi reluctantly looked away, muttering to herself as if she hadn't had enough.
"Shall we go shopping when we get back?" Qiao Anchen said casually, looking ahead. Chu Yi shook her head.
"Oh well, forget it. I don't wear it often anyway, so it'll just sit at home."
A look of confusion flashed across Qiao Anchen's face, but he quickly concealed it, pursed his lips, and remained silent.
Although it was the last day of the holiday, there were still quite a few people outside. Green Water Island was full of tourists. Chu Yi and Qiao Anchen strolled aimlessly, and by the time they reached the central fountain, it was already dark.
The colorful fountain rose to the music, spraying several meters high. Many people around gasped in surprise, mostly girls. Chu Yi was attracted by the noise and turned his head, just in time to see a girl rushing into her boyfriend's arms in fear.
"Ah, water splashed all over my face~" she said coquettishly, tilting her head up and acting coquettishly towards the boy who was hugging her.
"No, let me wipe it for you." The boy looked down at her and smiled, his eyes filled with sweetness, and reached out to wipe the girl's face twice.
“Here, here too—” The girl tiptoed closer, bringing her face even closer, and smiled, her lips close to the corner of the boy’s mouth.
Their eyes met, and almost without thinking, the boy lowered his head and kissed her on the lips.
Her voice was so soft it seemed to melt.
"Okay, that's all for now."
First-year student, who had been silently watching the whole thing, was speechless.
She couldn't help but touch her arm; it felt slightly cold.
"What? Are you cold?" Qiao Anchen frowned when he saw her movements.
"Let's go back since it's cold. There's nothing much to see here anyway."