065 | (Sixty-four) Am I really that annoying?

He looked like he hadn't slept well last night, had insomnia all night, his eyelids were heavy, no wonder he was late today?

No, what does it matter to her whether Su Xingmao slept well or not? She would never care about him even a little bit! And what's with this 175-hour thing? Is Su Xingmao a human timer?

Xie Qingyan's slow-witted senses caught on, and he belatedly realized what was happening.

At the same time, he quietly took a step back.

Xie Qingyan didn't know why, but whenever Su Xingmao got close to her, her nerves would go on an alarm. The hairs behind her ears would stand on end, the muscles in her back would tense up as if facing a formidable enemy, and even the muscles in her calves would tremble and scream. An instinct to escape drove her to think that it would be best to get rid of this damn phone and get away from him as soon as possible.

Why?

Is she afraid of him?

That's impossible. Xie Qingyan believed that apart from Xie Jinyu's stern and almost murderous gaze, which could slightly frighten her, she was fearless and upright, thanks to her rebellious spirit.

What's there to be afraid of, a mere constellation like Mao?

Too many thoughts rushed into her mind at once. Just as her head was about to explode, Xie Qingyan glanced at the back door out of the corner of her eye, glared at him fiercely, and said defiantly, "It's yours. Who cares about a broken phone?"

After saying that, he turned and tried to run away.

Fortunately, Xie Qingyan ran to Lingquan Mountain every few days, so her calves were quite strong, and running was no problem for her. She used all her strength to take a step and ran wildly toward the door that was shining with light.

The dawn of victory was just around the corner, and the heavy steps became lighter. The white light was like a blazing sun, bright and moving. It was only a step away. Soon, soon. Just stepping over the threshold would allow the gloom of the room to be left behind, without having to ponder the reasons.

As she was about to rush out the door, Xie Qingyan almost shed tears of gratitude. Like someone chasing the sun, she was finally about to touch the shimmering light.

The dark clouds suddenly appeared and disappeared, and the sun went out before our eyes.

Dark, heavy clouds swept over it, and a hand, before her steps, slammed shut the escape route.

Damn it!!

Xie Qingyan bent over, supporting himself on his knees, and stopped by the door, panting heavily.

"Xie Qingyan." Su Xingmao, like a wandering ghost he couldn't shake off, chased after her without panting, calling her name calmly.

He paused, as if gathering his thoughts, and then said, "I am very—"

Wait, what is he going to say?

A tsunami of panic overwhelmed her. Xie Qingyan suddenly turned around and roared, "Shut up!"

She precisely covered Su Xingmao's mouth with one hand, stopping him from saying anything next; whatever it was, she didn't want to hear it.

It was as if nothing had happened as long as he hadn't spoken it aloud.

An indescribable sense of awkwardness overwhelmed her; she deceived herself, refusing to accept the uncontrollable emotions.

The badminton hall was dimly lit without the lights on, and fine dust particles swirled in the air.

A face-to-face stalemate.

Xie Qingyan stood on tiptoe, covering the lower half of the boy's face with her hands, and pressed her body against the door frame.

As she had said, Su Xingmao lowered his eyelashes and silently watched her. In the dimly lit room, the sun shone into his eyes, appearing and disappearing beneath his half-closed eyelids.

When Xie Qingyan met his eyes, it was as if she had been stung by fire. She immediately turned her head away and tried to withdraw her hand.

In an instant, my wrist was gripped by a warm force.

Her hand did not escape, just like hers.

Su Xingmao traced her wrist bone, caressing her slender finger bones, the calluses from holding a paintbrush, and the rugged, undulating hand bones like rolling hills, inch by inch, meticulously stroking them.

Raise it high again, so that the entire palm is pressed tightly against his cheek.

It was as if she was actively touching his face.

Body temperature is a natural lie detector; it can correct all concealed emotions. Anxiety, trepidation, tension, anger, fear—these strange feelings are all exposed under the flaring pores and burning skin.

Xie Qingyan didn't want to have any contact with him and pulled her hand back again.

He lowered his eyes, and a dark ripple stirred in his usually calm and indifferent gaze.

Am I that annoying?

He loosened his grip, but Xie Qingyan still managed to pull her hand back abruptly. Due to inertia, her hand swung backward, and just as it was about to hit the rigid iron door, Su Xingmao placed his forearm behind her neck to shield her.

The pain was slow to arrive.

"Xie Qingyan." Su Xingmao stared at her intently, his gaze almost dim, like stars without luster. He asked again, "Am I that annoying?"

His questioning wasn't aggressive; his voice was very soft, almost trembling, as it drifted lightly into her ears.

How could Su Xingmao not hate her? Her cold and taciturn nature was the complete opposite of Su Xingmao's fiery and outspoken personality. Su Xingmao always used this face as a "positive example" to win the favor of her elders, who called it "sensible and mature." In addition, Su Xingmao's outstanding academic performance far surpassed Su Xingmao's, making Su Xingmao look worthless in every aspect, from personality to studies.

That was bad enough, but who knew that after ten years of being unable to offend her or avoid her, and having been in the same school since childhood, when the report cards were handed out, it was the day Xie Qingyan was sentenced to death.

Having been compared to such a person by her mother since childhood, and now having her weakness exposed, she's unwittingly become entangled in this messy relationship. He's practically her nemesis; she truly hates him.

Xie Qingyan opened his mouth—Of course, that's right, you are really annoying, I hate you the most.

These words swirled in her mind, waiting to be uttered.

He showed no sadness, but waited quietly for her answer, just as he had gazed at her a thousand times before, with a calm and indifferent expression, the same indifferent and utterly boring person she had once despised, like a glass of plain water.

After boiling, it becomes colorless and odorless. When served in a clear glass, it allows light to pass through, making it bright and airy.

Including those hundred emotions that were left unsaid, they are laid out like this, flowing quietly in the water, and can be seen to the bottom at a glance.

If only she would take one more look.

However, Xie Qingyan awkwardly lowered her head, avoiding his eyes. In the instant their gazes met, she tasted a faint bitterness in the tasteless water.

Can water become glaring?

It felt as if a thin, gleaming blade was piercing her eyes, trying to penetrate her wooden mask. She felt a pang of fear, unable to meet its gaze.

Xie Qingyan's lips moved several times, but he remained mute.

The words that should have come out naturally stuck in my throat.

She hesitated.

The decisive answer was on the tip of her tongue, yet she hesitated.

Actions that defy common sense.