Yes, we're so close, yet we still feel so far apart. Perhaps my love for Xia Xuan was destined to be distant and unrealistic from the very beginning.
Xiao Qiqi couldn't remember how she fell asleep, only that she talked to Xia Xuan about interesting things at school—friends, teachers, studies, graduation, internships, colleagues, and all sorts of other random things. Their fingers were intertwined, and Xia Xuan, who never spoke much, just held her hand tightly, listening attentively and occasionally responding. She spent this not-so-cold Valentine's Day lying on the same bed with Xia Xuan, feeling warm and comforted.
The next day, Xia Xuan took a plane and left. Xiao Qiqi only saw him off to the station, watching him leave with a smile, before skipping and jumping onto the bus to her company. The road ahead is long, and beyond my control, so let's just live for the present. This is the sentiment of many graduates in their final, hedonistic reverie. Xiao Qiqi comforted herself with this thought as well.
In the days that followed, their daily phone calls were like those of many lovers. Xia Xuan was always gentle and patient, quietly offering words of concern, occasionally saying, "Qiqi, I miss you." Even just a simple sentence could make Xiao Qiqi excited for a long time. Perhaps, once the window opened and a new world embraced her, there was no more hesitation.
Xiao Qiqi didn't return to school until the end of March. Holding the contract of indenture, Xiao Qiqi's lips twitched inexplicably. She remembered Xia Xuan's words, "Will you come to America with me after graduation?" Yes, no answer was needed; the answer was already clear. This wasn't the kind of love Xiao Qiqi had planned. So Xia Xuan said, "Actually, Peking University is the best in China; continuing your studies there is also a good option." Listening to this on the phone, Xiao Qiqi felt a moment of disorientation—was it a promise or good news for continuing?
20. Suspicion (Part 1)
Xiao Qiqi didn't return to school until the end of March. Xia Xuan heard that she was coming back, so he returned the next day. Xiao Qiqi sat by the lake waiting for him, watching the tender shoots of the green grass and feeling the warmth of spring.
As soon as Xia Xuan reached the lakeside, he saw Xiao Qiqi from afar, a smile playing on her lips, her eyes like spring water, her delicate face so beautiful that even the soft, fine downy hairs on her skin could be seen in the sunlight. Xiao Qiqi's eyelids fluttered, she turned around, saw Xia Xuan, and ran towards him with a smile. Standing in front of Xia Xuan, she carefully examined this person who seemed to have been gone for so long, "Xia Xuan, you seem to have lost weight."
Xia Xuan reached out and grabbed Xiao Qiqi, gently pulling her into his arms. Xia Xuan took a deep breath. "Mmm, that's the smell." Her freshly washed hair had a faint fragrance. "I've wondered so many times what shampoo Qiqi uses. She smells so good."
"It's just ordinary black sesame, it doesn't really have any flavor." Xiao Qiqi tugged at the buttons of Xia Xuan's casual suit jacket, nestled against Xia Xuan's neck, and they could clearly hear each other's heartbeats. "Then what does it taste like?" Xiao Qiqi was still a little curious.
"The taste of mom." Xia Xuan laughed mischievously, and Xiao Qiqi fell for it and pushed him away. "Ah, you mean, you're bullying me, calling me an old lady?" She looked up and saw the deep affection shining in Xia Xuan's eyes. She wrinkled her nose and said, "You're bullying me."
Xia Xuan lowered his head, watching her delicate red lips slightly upturned, as soft and beautiful as a flower. Over a month's worth of longing finally erupted. He slowly leaned down and gently kissed that soft, sweet place from his dreams. The yearning had been too long; once it burst forth, the primal emotions surged like a tidal wave. Seeing Xia Xuan's lips approach, Xiao Qiqi slowly closed her eyes, feeling his deeply affectionate kiss. Like a spring breeze nourishing all things, the world seemed to melt away the ice and snow, and spring had arrived.
"Xia Xuan, the way back is so far, my legs hurt." Xiao Qiqi remembered him calling her an old lady earlier and couldn't help but want revenge. "Carry me."
"Have you lost weight yet?" Xia Xuan deliberately frowned, and seeing that Xiao Qiqi couldn't help but pout, he smiled and said, "I rode my bicycle and took you back. Does that count as carrying you?"
"Oh, is this considered carrying someone? Then I'll carry you." Xiao Qiqi jumped up, grabbed Xia Xuan, and ran towards the mountain road. "I'm the best at riding a bike, I'll give you a ride."
Xia Xuan gripped Xiao Qiqi's waist, her feet almost entirely on the ground. All her composure had been exhausted. Watching the bicycle snake down the mountain road, she was practically screaming like a girl. Finally, after a few stumbles, they reached flat ground. Xia Xuan, still on her feet, refused to let Xiao Qiqi ride anymore, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Xiao Qiqi, do you even know how to ride a bicycle?" Xiao Qiqi turned and looked at Xia Xuan disdainfully. "Of course I can! Look how scared you are! The first time I rode a bicycle, I took Lao Jiang down the winding, rocky path, and she wasn't as nervous as you." Xiao Qiqi was lying through her teeth. Jiang Yilan wasn't unnerved that time, but she was so terrified she was pale all day, avoiding bicycles like the plague—she was practically neurotic.
Xia Xuan smiled wryly, "Qiqi, I really admire you. How can you ride a bicycle like this? And even carry someone on your back. It's a miracle you didn't get hurt." Xiao Qiqi patted her chest with a grin, "Of course I didn't get hurt, but my leg was so sore I couldn't walk for three days." That time, Jiang Yilan didn't cry or scream, simply because Xiao Qiqi gloriously fell under her when she fell.
"What?" Xia Xuan gritted her teeth, snatched the bicycle, put her feet on the front seat, and said in a sullen voice, "Stop talking nonsense. You're not allowed to carry passengers on your bike anymore. You're such a grown-up, and you can't even ride a bicycle, yet you still try to show off. Qiqi, I really didn't expect someone as shrewd as you to have such a confused moment." Xiao Qiqi was dumbfounded, jumped onto the back seat, and didn't forget to ask, "Confused? How am I confused?" She didn't understand Xia Xuan's sarcastic remark at all. Xia Xuan just ignored her and slowly pedaled the bike.
"Where are we going?" Xiao Qiqi then noticed that they had ridden their bikes quite far and were not heading back to school at all.
Xia Xuan was still sulking. "Spring outing." Xiao Qiqi punched Xia Xuan's waist. "No way, a spring outing like this? We didn't bring any food."
"Go hungry." Xia Xuan was always gentle, and now that he was back to normal, even his angry words were incredibly gentle. Xiao Qiqi glared at him from behind, but unfortunately, Xia Xuan couldn't see it.
"It's a pity it's not the right season, otherwise we could steal watermelons from the field." Xiao Qiqi looked at the vegetable garden in the distance and tugged at the back of Xia Xuan's clothes. "Why don't we go steal from that greenhouse? There must be fresh cucumbers and tomatoes there!"
Xia Xuan chuckled softly. This was Xiao Qiqi, a genuine and pure girl. In her nature, she would swim in the lake at night, whistle at handsome boys, sneak into the fields to steal melons, and act like a wildcat with her claws outstretched. She would also bravely and proudly uphold her ideals. She could laugh exaggeratedly, and she could be truly heartbreaking, yet everything about her was so beautiful and warm.
Xiao Qiqi insisted on keeping her relationship with Xia Xuan a secret, and Xia Xuan had no choice but to go out alone each time. They would meet by the lake and woods where they loved each other, bickering, reading, chatting, whispering sweet nothings, watching the lake, observing the birds, and watching the clouds. They always chose places far from the school to eat together.
Xiao Qiqi would childishly refuse to eat eggplant no matter what, but Xia Xuan would persist, gentle yet firm, always saying, "You're young, you have to try things. How will you know if it's bad if you don't try? Not being picky about food is good for your health. Come on, eat some."
Xiao Qiqi returned to the dormitory, but Xu Chun was already back. Xiao Qiqi felt a pang of guilt, like a thief caught doing something wrong, and showered Xu Chun with extra concern. Xu Chun, however, remained indifferent, only briefly addressing Xiao Qiqi's questions about Shenzhen, saying, "Anyway, I found a pretty good company. These next few months are all that's left for the final post-graduation frenzy." Hearing Xu Chun emphasize the word "frenzy" with a hint of deeper meaning, Xiao Qiqi couldn't help but shrink back.
More than a month has passed in the blink of an eye. These past few days, Xiao Qiqi has been busy preparing for her graduation thesis, running to the library and searching for information online. She hasn't met with Xia Xuan, though she occasionally sends him a text message, but doesn't dare call. Xiao Qiqi sighed again, nestled in her blankets. She couldn't bear to look at Xu Chun's radiant smile; it always felt like the awkwardness of an affair.
Just as Xiao Qiqi came out of the library, she saw Dai Kunkun emerge from the garden path across the street with her hair all messy. Xiao Qiqi waved to Dai Kunkun, "What are you doing? Still sleepy?" Dai Kunkun sighed, holding up the documents in her hand, "Going to the library." Xiao Qiqi clicked her tongue, "Come on, what time is it? Going to the library? Besides, looking at the shoes you're wearing, it's no wonder the auntie won't let you in."
Dai Kunkun looked at her one-strap sandals and laughed exaggeratedly, "'Auntie Geng' is really creative! Aren't all menopausal women like that? Not even letting you into the library wearing sandals and tank tops, how awful!" Saying this, Dai Kunkun left the library, and the two walked along the cement path in front of it. On both sides were various calligraphy works by the school's art club. Dai Kunkun walked and looked at them, "Sigh, so low-class, and they still have the nerve to hang them up. Hmm, this one's not bad, Xia Xuan? Sigh, so handsome, how come he's smart too? Looks like genes really do matter." Xiao Qiqi also stopped. Sure enough, it was Xia Xuan's calligraphy—elegant, ancient, and unrestrained Qi style characters, with a touch of free-spiritedness. She felt a softness in her heart and pulled Dai Kunkun's hand, exclaiming, "Let's go, let's go, what's there to see?"
Dai Kunkun looked at Xiao Qiqi strangely, "Why have you been so elusive lately? Have you caught up with the trend and started a late-life romance?" Xiao Qiqi calmly glared at Dai Kunkun, "What's wrong with you? I don't know what you're thinking all day." Dai Kunkun chuckled and pinched Xiao Qiqi's thin arm, "Don't try to fool me. I've loved you for four years. I can tell what you're up to just by looking at your butt." Xiao Qiqi pouted, "Dai Kunkun, a female college student, how can you say such disgusting things?"
"Pah! They're all scattering like birds and beasts, and you won't even let me vent my anger?" Dai Kunkun's messy hair swayed back and forth as she looked at Xiao Qiqi with bright eyes. "Xiao Qiqi, let me warn you, don't take twilight romances seriously. They're just a last-ditch effort to vent."
Xiao Qiqi impatiently pushed her away, "I know, what are we going to eat?" Dai Kunkun continued, "Let me tell you..."
"Alright, I know everything you've said." Xiao Qiqi interrupted her nagging. "Want to eat some clay pot?"
Dai Kunkun sighed, her eyes dimming. Seeing Xiao Qiqi's flushed face, she couldn't help but quicken her pace to stand beside her, her expression hardening. "Xiao Qiqi, don't say I didn't tell you. Your beautiful girl has been dating Xia Xuan these past few days, did you know?" Xiao Qiqi paused, turning to look at Dai Kunkun's meaningful gaze, avoiding it with a forced, natural smile: "Yes, Xu Chun said her thesis needed some statistical data, so she asked Xia Xuan for help. What's wrong with that? They've always gotten along very well."
“You’re fine, but I’m worried that someone might have something going on, and then you’ll start crying again,” Dai Kunkun said sarcastically.
Xiao Qiqi was actually puzzled, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Alright, I won't come to you even if I cry. Why are you worrying so much?" Dai Kunkun then said, "Oh, you don't appreciate kindness. Anyway, if you're serious, hold on tight and don't give him a chance to be fickle." Dai Kunkun pinched Xiao Qiqi's cheek. "Silly girl, it's practically written all over my face that I'm in love, but he doesn't ask you. Don't you find that strange? So, if you love Xia Xuan, keep an eye on him." Xiao Qiqi was speechless for a moment before finally saying, "Is it really that obvious?"
Dai Kunkun sighed, "Everyone's just keeping quiet out of politeness, nobody's a fool. Someone saw you shopping with Xia Xuan, looking very intimate. Xu Chun is so perceptive, she couldn't possibly not know, but she can still calmly cling to Xia Xuan. Xiao Qiqi, you really need to be careful. Don't be so naive. You can't give up on love."
Xiao Qiqi stared intently at a pomegranate tree by the roadside, its vibrant red blossoms a breathtaking sight. Dai Kunkun's words had completely ruined her appetite, and she turned to head back to her dorm. "I'm not eating, you go by yourself." Dai Kunkun grabbed her arm, chuckling, "Don't be so wishy-washy, it's not your style. Do you think skipping meals will solve anything? Look at me, I've had a crush on you for four years, and you haven't said yes, but I'm doing just fine, aren't I?" Xiao Qiqi, both amused and exasperated, slapped Dai Kunkun's hand. "Alright, enough joking. Just go eat."
21. Suspicion (Part Two)
Dai Kunkun slurred, "Xiao Qiqi, to tell you the truth, be careful of Xu Chun. Don't be so foolish as to rip your heart out. You're so stupid."
Xiao Qiqi glared at Dai Kunkun, who was drunk and bleary-eyed, "What are you saying? How can you talk like that after four years of being classmates? If you don't like her, fine, but why do this!"
Dai Kunkun chuckled and patted Xiao Qiqi's hand, "Sigh, it's only because of you that I'm saying this. I wouldn't bother with anyone else. You're always so protective of her, do you even know what she's doing outside?"
"She's just too pretty, is that a crime? Those people who bother her, is that her fault too? I know how terrible rumors are, and I only believe what I see. Xu Chun just has a slightly seductive eye and speaks and acts a little coquettish, does that mean she deserves to be treated like a monster by you all?"
"Tch!" Dai Kunkun took another sip of wine. "Then why don't you call Xia Xuan now and ask him what he's doing?"
Xiao Qiqi said she didn't care, but her heart was pounding. That hazy kiss that morning during winter break flashed before her eyes again. She knew best what Xu Chun's feelings for Xia Xuan were. Perhaps because she always felt guilty towards Xu Chun, she was more tolerant of Xu Chun's coquettishness than those around her, instead of scoffing at it like Dai Kunkun and other girls, who treated her like a vixen and slandered her behind her back. "I'm going to the restroom," Xiao Qiqi said, grabbing her phone and standing up.
Dai Kunkun smiled enigmatically and took another sip.
Xiao Qiqi stood at the entrance of the low-ceilinged shop, inhaling the aroma of the cakes baking next door. The rich, sweet scent of cream was comforting. Holding her phone, Xiao Qiqi hesitated for a moment before dialing Xia Xuan's number. The ringtone rang for a long time, each ring seeming to strike Xiao Qiqi's heart. Several times she wanted to hang up, but with each ring, her emotions calmed down. Xia Xuan's low, gentle voice finally came through, "Hello, what's up?" Her voice was still gentle, but carried its usual aloofness. Xiao Qiqi was startled, but quickly recovered and asked, "What's wrong? Where are you? Is it inconvenient to talk?"
“Well, not really.” Xia Xuan hesitated for a moment, and Xiao Qiqi’s eardrums vibrated as if she heard a faint woman’s soft laughter, but it quickly returned to the sound of a calm breeze. “I was with a classmate, discussing some paper-related matters.”
"Oh, then you go ahead and do your thing, I'm fine," Xiao Qiqi said obediently. Xia Xuan didn't refuse, and the two said goodbye and hung up the phone.
In the octagonal pavilion by the lake, Xia Xuan, with her phone tucked in her pocket, stepped out from behind a pillar and smiled faintly at Xu Chun: "Hmm, do you understand everything? Let's go back then."
Xu Chun frowned slightly, her long, thick eyebrows resembling distant mountains shrouded in mist and smoke. "Ugh, how annoying! I still think it's too difficult. Xia Xuan, can you explain it to me again? Oh, by the way, is something wrong?"
"It's nothing." Xia Xuan concealed her impatience and smiled as always.
"Let's talk about it tomorrow. Shall we go eat?" Xu Chun was tall and curvaceous. Today, she was wearing a black, tight-fitting short dress, which accentuated her slender figure. Her alluring sexiness made Xia Xuan almost unable to look directly at her. "Shall we go? We're hungry after all this morning, aren't we?" Xu Chun naturally took Xia Xuan's hand.
Xia Xuan looked up and smoothed the wind-blown hair from her forehead, then naturally withdrew her hand. "Okay, let's go."
Xu Chun watched Xia Xuan's retreating figure, biting her lip with a somber expression, but quickly followed after her.
"Ouch!" Xu Chun screamed as her sharp high heels sank into the square floor tiles. She was walking too fast and her body lurched forward. Xia Xuan naturally reached out and caught her.
"Are you alright?" Xia Xuan quickly let go, but Xu Chun let out a soft cry and collapsed into Xia Xuan's arms, twisting her ankle and saying aggrievedly, "I think I twisted it." She grabbed Xia Xuan's arm with one hand, looked up, and her weak and delicate appearance was heartbreaking. Xia Xuan took out his phone, "I'll call Li Yue."
"No, Xia Xuan," Xu Chun called out, then, seeing Xia Xuan's slight impatience, quickly added, "Li Yue went to Nanjing these past two days, have you forgotten?"
Xia Xuan said "Oh," and realized that everyone in the dorm had scattered like birds before graduation, and she really didn't know where they had all gone. "So, can you still leave?" After thinking for a moment, she said, "I'll call myself Xiao Qiqi or Huang Yu."
"Xia Xuan, do you hate me that much?" Xu Chun lowered her head, tears dripping onto the yellow-green floor tiles. "They're here, but they can't carry me back. Besides, Huang Yu went to the job fair, and Qi Qi said she got a boyfriend and went on a date."
Xia Xuan was speechless. "Let me help you back." Xu Chun looked up, her charming eyes still glistening with tears. Xia Xuan turned her face away, watching a few wild ducks flapping their wings and swimming by the lake. She held her phone and finally put it in her pocket.
Xiao Qiqi helped Dai Kunkun back to school. Along the way, Dai Kunkun kept nagging. When they reached the barbershop where she had once been infatuated with the handsome young barber, Dai Kunkun refused to leave, insisting on getting a haircut. Xiao Qiqi's hair was already quite long, reaching her shoulders, soft yet straight. She finally helped Dai Kunkun inside, saying, "I give up. I should get a haircut too, just to keep you company."
As soon as Dai Kunkun sat down in front of the mirror, she started laughing strangely. Xiao Qiqi, who was sitting behind her, looked in the mirror and wrinkled her nose. "Dai Kunkun, be careful people will think you're crazy. What are you drinking for? You're acting like a lunatic."
Dai Kunkun winked and said, "Xiao Qiqi, actually I don't like that handsome guy at all, you didn't know that? He's treated me to meals so many times and even gave me a 30% discount on my hair, that's why I coaxed you to come to the hairdresser so often. How about that, surprised?"
Xiao Qiqi turned her head sharply, but could only look at Dai Kunkun's extremely arrogant and charming slender eyes in the mirror, with a provocative smile, "Anyway, you've sold your soul to the crazy Satan of graduation, so I'm not afraid you'll get angry if I say it."
Xiao Qiqi turned around and smiled faintly in the mirror, "Dai Kunkun, you're just a madman, you're just sour grapes."
"It's better to have no grapes than to get a stomachache from eating them." Dai Kunkun glanced sideways. "Xiao Qiqi, you're getting your comeuppance." Xiao Qiqi followed her gaze and looked outside. Two familiar figures, one tall and one short, were walking intimately together from under the maple trees by Zihu Lake. The man was handsome and refined, the woman charming and stunning—a perfectly matched couple.
Xiao Qiqi quickly turned her head to look in the mirror and saw Dai Kunkun's mocking eyes. She lowered her gaze and said to the hairdresser behind her, "Why aren't you cutting it yet? What are you dawdling about?"
"Miss, you actually look very good with long hair. Your hair is very nice, straight and black, and it looks quite pretty against your fair skin. I think you should get it trimmed."
“No, cut it all off,” Xiao Qiqi said sullenly. “Ideally, it should be similar to his hair.” She pointed to another barber with a buzz cut.
"What?" The hairdresser's eyes widened. "Miss, you're not kidding?"
"She cut her hair to show her resolve, so just do it for her." Dai Kunkun chuckled strangely from behind, while Xiao Qiqi just sulked with a sullen face.
The haircut wasn't as dramatic as Xiao Qiqi had wanted. The top was shorter, casually tousled with gel, while the back was longer, thinned out, and loosely draped over her neck. Her bangs were also casually messy in front of her eyes. Looking at herself in the mirror, Xiao Qiqi saw a more charming look than with long, flowing hair. She had slender, slightly straight eyebrows, dark eyes, a small nose, and slightly pale lips. Her features weren't stunningly beautiful, but they were still quite delicate.
The hairdresser, with his hand on Xiao Qiqi's shoulder, smiled gently behind her: "Miss, how do you feel?"
Xiao Qiqi nodded, "That's fine, thank you." Still feeling lazy, she dragged Dai Kunkun to pay the bill, feeling sullen and not wanting to go to the library anymore, and headed back to the dormitory.
Along the way, Dai Kunkun had sobered up a bit and was still smiling as she tugged at Xiao Qiqi's arm, "How about that? I told you not to take it seriously. Everyone does this, taking advantage of graduation to go crazy one last time."
Xiao Qiqi shook off Dai Kunkun, "Stop corrupting me with those negative thoughts, okay? Others might, but Xia Xuan and I won't. He's not that kind of person. If he liked Xu Chun, he would have started three years ago. Why wait until today?"
"Then why did Xia Xuan wait until today to be with you?" Dai Kunkun's tone was sharp, piercing Xiao Qiqi's most vulnerable spot. "You are determined to go to Beijing, while he is definitely going to study abroad or return to Hong Kong. Do you think he's stupid enough not to think about the future distance between you two? He's showing you kindness at this time, are you really going to take it all for granted?"
Xiao Qiqi quickened her pace. "Stop talking. He said he wouldn't study abroad, he'd come with me to Beijing to continue his postgraduate studies. Is that not right?"
“Yes, absolutely right!” Dai Kunkun emphasized. “However, perhaps he said the same thing to others. Who can guarantee that? After all, everyone knows about his ambiguous relationship with Xu Chun over the past few years.”
"What do you mean by 'unclear'? I know what's going on!" Xiao Qiqi said angrily, standing still and glaring at Dai Kunkun. "Kunkun, why are you so afraid of making me happy?"
"I...I was afraid you'd cry!" Dai Kunkun reached out and pulled Xiao Qiqi's arm. "I really can't be bothered with other people. Don't be silly, let me ask you, when you called Xia Xuan just now, did he say who he was with or what they were doing?"
"How did you know I made a phone call?" Xiao Qiqi couldn't help but ask.
Dai Kunkun looked at the evasive look in her eyes and sneered, "I knew it, he wouldn't dare to say it."
Xiao Qiqi wanted to speak, but didn't know how to defend herself. She just turned around angrily and strode towards the dormitory. Dai Kunkun followed closely behind. Without turning her head, Xiao Qiqi said sternly, "Kunkun, if you say another word, I'll break off our friendship." Dai Kunkun rolled her eyes in disdain, but didn't say anything more.
Back in the dormitory, Xu Chun was already back, her face unusually rosy, even her usually melancholic and charming phoenix eyes had a touch of spring. Seeing Xiao Qiqi return, she got up and turned around, "Qiqi, this is a new dress I bought in Shenzhen, is it pretty?" Xiao Qiqi looked at Xu Chun's shapely figure, nodded, and forced a smile, saying, "It's pretty, if I were a man, my eyes would pop out."
Xu Chun blushed and pounced on Xiao Qiqi, pinching her arm. Xiao Qiqi couldn't dodge. Smelling the faint fragrance emanating from Xu Chun, she felt a momentary daze. Xu Chun seemed to carry a subtle hint of men's cologne, a scent Xiao Qiqi could smell on Xia Xuan every day. Her heart felt like a turbulent lake, its gentle ripples concealing an unfathomable depths.
The phone rang, and Xiao Qiqi took it out to look. Xia Xuan said, "What are you doing? I'll wait for you at the usual place." Xiao Qiqi turned off the phone, casually put it on the table, and went to the bathroom.
When she came out, she saw Xu Chun putting her phone back on the table. Xu Chun smiled and said, "Qiqi, I really can't tell that this is a second-hand phone. It's very new and pretty." Xiao Qiqi didn't think much of it, "Hehe, cheap, right? I actually feel like I got a good deal too."
"Qiqi, look how big and ugly my phone is. I'm going to get a new one. Why don't you come with me?"
Xiao Qiqi was having a disagreement with Xia Xuan. Thinking about his behavior today, she felt a mix of emotions and really didn't want to see him right now. So she nodded and said, "Okay, let's stroll around all afternoon and go to the snack street for spicy hot pot tonight."
Accompanying Xu Chun to pick out things was the most difficult part. Xu Chun was extremely picky, and after looking at phones all afternoon, she still couldn't find one she liked. She either thought it was ugly or too expensive. Xiao Qiqi, on the other hand, bought a pair of shoes. Xu Chun asked curiously, "Why did you buy hiking boots? Are you going on another solo trip?" Xiao Qiqi nodded, "I want to go to Huangshan before graduation. It's such a waste not to go now; when will I have time after I start working?"
"So, one person is going?" Xu Chun affectionately took Xiao Qiqi's hand. Xiao Qiqi hesitated, "...Xu Chun, actually, I want to tell you something." Xu Chun turned her head to look at her and smiled charmingly, "Oh, really, I also have something to tell you."
Feeling guilty, Xiao Qiqi quickly said, "Then you go first." Xu Chun pushed her away, "I'm a little embarrassed."
"Tell me, what can't I say to your husband?" Xiao Qiqi laughed exaggeratedly, trying to avoid the question. Several times the words were on the tip of her tongue, but she didn't dare to say them. Did she really have to tell Xu Chun herself, "Xu Chun, Xia Xuan and I are dating, you can go cool off somewhere else!" That kind of talk was too difficult and too hurtful. Perhaps that was why Xiao Qiqi was determined not to let anyone know about her relationship with Xia Xuan.
"Then I'll tell you, you're not allowed to laugh." Xu Chun playfully shook Xiao Qiqi's arm, and Xiao Qiqi nodded. "I'm dating Xia Xuan."