crack

Rumors are like vines, spreading quietly in unnoticed corners.

At first, it was just the occasional whisper that drifted into his ears, but later it gradually turned into blatant criticism. Walking in the corridor, Shen Yu could always feel those vague gazes, like tiny needles, making him feel uncomfortable all over.

He began to subconsciously avoid Jiang Yizhou. He no longer responded to his gaze during morning reading, stood further away during break exercises, and made excuses to leave after school to avoid the familiar motorcycle.

Jiang Yizhou obviously noticed his estrangement.

After evening study that day, Shen Yu had just packed his schoolbag when Jiang Yizhou blocked him at the classroom door. The young man leaned against the door frame, his brow furrowed, his eyes filled with obvious displeasure and hurt.

"Have you been avoiding me lately?" Jiang Yizhou's voice was very low, like thunder suppressed in his chest.

Chen Yu paused, her fingertips clenched the strap of her schoolbag, and she didn't dare to look up at him. "No."

"No?" Jiang Yizhou took a step forward and approached him, "Then why didn't you agree when I called you? Why did you leave when you saw me? Chen Yu, look at me."

Shen Yu was forced to retreat and could only raise his head. His eyes met Jiang Yizhou's bloodshot eyes, which were filled with disappointment and confusion, like a blunt knife, cutting his heart and causing pain.

"They're all saying..." Chen Yu's voice was very soft, with a barely perceptible tremor, "that we're abnormal."

Jiang Yizhou's face darkened instantly: "Didn't I tell you not to bother with them?"

"But I can't do it!" Chen Yu's voice suddenly rose, with a long-suppressed grievance, "You are Jiang Yizhou, you don't care what others think, but I can't! My parents are gone, I'm all alone, I can't let others point fingers at me anymore..."

He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, his eyes reddened, and he turned his head away. These words were like sharp fragments, not only piercing Jiang Yizhou, but also making him bleed.

Jiang Yizhou was stunned. The anger on his face gradually faded, replaced by a deep sense of heartache. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that his throat was tight and he couldn't say a word.

He always thought that he was strong enough to shield Shen Yu from all the storms, but he forgot that the wound in Shen Yu's heart left by his parents' departure was far more fragile than he thought, and he was more afraid of being touched.

The classroom was eerily quiet, with only the occasional chirping of insects outside the window.

After a long time, Jiang Yizhou spoke softly, his voice much softer: "I'm sorry."

Chen Yu's shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly.

"I didn't consider your feelings." Jiang Yizhou walked up to him and stretched out his hand cautiously, wanting to touch him, but afraid that he would move away, so he just stopped in mid-air. "I shouldn't be so selfish, only thinking about my own happiness and not considering whether you would feel uncomfortable."

Chen Yu turned her head and looked at the apology in his eyes. The grievance in her heart suddenly surged up, and she couldn't hold back her tears, which slid down her cheeks.

"It's not that I don't want to be with you," he choked, "I just... I'm just afraid..."

He was afraid that the rumors would drown him like a tide, that the light he had grasped with great difficulty would be extinguished by these gossips, and that the fragile warmth between them would ultimately not be able to withstand the gaze of the world.

Jiang Yizhou watched him cry, and his heart felt like it was being tugged at by something, causing him great pain. He finally couldn't help himself and reached out to pull Chen Yu into his arms, gently patting his back, his movements clumsy but gentle.

"Don't be afraid." His voice was trembling. "I'm sorry for making you feel wronged. From now on... let's be more careful, okay? Meet in a place where there's no one around, don't get so close in front of people, wait... wait until they slowly forget, then we can be like before."

When he said this, there was a hint of loss in his tone that he himself didn't even notice, but he still tried to make his voice sound relaxed, just wanting to reassure the person in his arms.

Shen Yu leaned on his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, and tears flowed even more fiercely, but not because of sadness, but because of being moved. He knew how proud Jiang Yizhou was, and how much courage it took for him to say such words.

"Yeah." Shen Yu nodded in his arms, his voice muffled, "I'm sorry."

"Silly boy, why are you saying sorry to me?" Jiang Yizhou ruffled his hair and hugged him tighter. "I should thank you for being willing... willing to be with me."

The moonlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the two young men embracing each other. The uneasiness and fear hidden deep in their hearts were dispelled at this moment by honesty and understanding.

They all know that this road may be more difficult and they need to guard this relationship more carefully, but as long as they are still together and as long as the love is still there, there will always be a day when they can get through it.

Just as dead trees can always wait until spring, they can always wait until the day when they can stand in the sun with confidence.

Jiang Yizhou gently pushed him away and reached out to wipe the tears from his face. The warmth of his fingertips brought a reassuring power. "Okay, stop crying. It won't look good if you keep crying."

Shen Yu couldn't help but smile because of his amusement, sniffed, and nodded.

"I'll take you home." Jiang Yizhou picked up his schoolbag. "This time... I'll follow you and keep some distance."

Shen Yu looked at the seriousness in his eyes, her heart warmed, and she said "hmm" softly.

The two walked out of the teaching building one after the other. The moonlight stretched their shadows very long. Although they were a few steps apart, their hearts were closely connected, like two trees snuggling together in the dark night, silently accumulating strength and waiting for the next dawn.