Jiang Jianhuan also recalled this scene, and wrinkled his nose upon hearing Su Mo's reply.
"You're so annoying."
Who could have known that the timid girl, who had finally mustered the courage to follow him for the first time, was almost brought to tears by Su Mo's questioning on the spot?
But now he's talking to her.
"I was just trying to scare you."
Su Moqing coughed twice and awkwardly looked away. He didn't really know what was wrong with him, because someone as aloof as him would never take the initiative to say a word to someone.
When the two later got together, they often went on dates by this lake, probably because it was secluded and less crowded, and it carried a special meaning for them.
When they first became a couple, they were both a little shy. Jiang Jianhuan was always the one who took the initiative. I remember the second time we kissed, she was the one who initiated it again.
After their weekend date, Su Mo escorted her to her dormitory. It was almost curfew, and the area was deserted with dim lighting. Gazing at Su Mo's aloof and reserved face, Jiang Jianhuan, emboldened by some unknown source, couldn't resist tiptoeing and bringing her lips close to his.
The two were of different heights. Jiang Jianhuan grabbed his sleeve, kissed him briefly, and then quickly let go, jumping into the dormitory building like a shy little rabbit.
Su Mo stood there for a while before touching her lips, a smile unconsciously creeping onto her face.
Not long after, the two went on a date by the lake after evening self-study.
It was late summer, and the night was cool and quiet. The streetlights cast a soft, cool glow under the lush leaves.
The two sat behind a large rock. Jiang Jianhuan vividly recounted a funny incident that had happened in their class. After she finished speaking, she laughed so hard that she almost fell over and leaned against Su Mo. But when she looked up after laughing, she found him quietly watching her, his eyes focused on her.
"Huh? Isn't it funny?" Jiang Jianhuan's smile vanished, and she asked him with wide eyes.
The two were already very close. Su Mo placed his hand on her waist and loosely embraced her, almost pulling Jiang Jianhuan into his arms.
As soon as it quieted down, she felt something strange swirling in the air, especially the way Su Mo looked at her.
Jiang Jianhuan blinked involuntarily, a slight flush rising to his face. Just as he opened his mouth to say something to break the inexplicable atmosphere, he leaned down.
That was the first time Su Mo kissed her on his own initiative.
Jiang Jianhuan felt his heart pounding in his throat, his body stiffening as he didn't know how to react. Yet, somehow, he had learned it, or perhaps he was self-taught, and his kisses were... enough to make anyone blush and their heart race.
It was the first time she had learned that kissing required sticking out your tongue.
After that, their way of getting along changed. If she used to think Su Mo was aloof and ascetic, now when they were alone together, he was neither aloof nor ascetic.
Jiang Jianhuan returned home several times after a date with a rosy complexion and watery eyes.
Upon seeing the people in the dormitory, she quickly pulled her mind back from its reverie, returned to her bed discreetly, and drew the curtains.
-
Unbeknownst to them, the two had already walked half a circle around the lake. When they saw that familiar big rock, Jiang Jianhuan couldn't help but recall some scene. His eyes darted away for a moment, and he silently increased the distance between himself and Su Mo.
He seemed to notice, yet also seemed not to, only slowing his pace slightly to match her rhythm.
"It's still the same as before," Su Mo said, looking around at the scenery. Jiang Jianhuan nodded in agreement.
"Nothing has changed at all."
Even the location of each tree, the placement of the stones, and that old bench.
Everything is exactly the same as I remember.
"That's nice." Su Mo lowered her eyes and said softly. Jiang Jianhuan suddenly thought of something.
Have you come back in the past few years?
“I come here for a walk occasionally when I have nothing to do,” Su Mo said in a low voice.
"Few come, and we dare not come more often."
There are too many memories between the two of them in this campus. Every time they pass through it, even the smallest trace can evoke endless memories.
Jiang Jianhuan remained silent after listening, until he finished walking along the lakeside path and returned to his bicycle.
"Are you hungry?" Su Mo unlocked the door and turned to ask her. Jiang Jianhuan belatedly realized that she was planning to go downstairs to the supermarket to buy groceries and cook dinner when she got back.
"A little." She glanced at the time; it was just noon.
"Shall we go to the cafeteria?"
Jiang Jianhuan pursed her lips. "Okay."
There was a distance between the lake and the cafeteria. Jiang Jianhuan gripped the edge of the back seat of the bicycle, head down, seemingly lost in thought.
From this angle, all that could be seen was Su Mo's slightly hunched back and the back of his head, allowing Jiang Jianhuan to finally scrutinize him without restraint.
Su Mo doesn't like her hair to be too long and gets it trimmed regularly. There's a thin layer of hair at the back of her neck, which gets thicker from the bottom up. The hair on top is smooth and shiny black, and she looks best when her bangs are wispy and her eyebrows are faintly visible.
His skin was very fair, the kind of natural white that was smooth and poreless, and his whole body was the same. The exposed skin on his neck and behind his ears was even more strikingly fair against the black hoodie.
Jiang Jianhuan used to like biting his neck. Su Mo's skin was very delicate, and a light touch would leave a red mark. His roommates saw this several times and always liked to tease him in strange voices. Every time they saw this, Jiang Jianhuan would blush and hide behind Su Mo.
The bicycle tires ran over a small pebble, causing a slight jolt. Jiang Jianhuan snapped back to reality, abruptly averting her gaze as if electrocuted. A familiar feeling pressed down on her chest, making her feel so distressed she could hardly breathe.
—I can't think about it anymore.
She warned herself.
I've already overdrawn my energy today.