Chapter 35

Tong Yao returned to her seat, the noise in the lecture hall silencing everything that had just happened.

However, her heart was still pounding, revealing the turmoil beneath Tong Yao's calm expression.

Tong Yao took out her vocabulary book, trying to distract herself, but the letters gradually distorted into Lin Li's face approaching, his breath still warm on her lips.

"What's wrong?" Xu Feng's gentle voice rang out from the side.

He turned to look behind Tong Yao and asked, "Where's Lin Li?"

She snapped back to reality, almost instinctively shaking her head, her voice deliberately steady: "It's nothing."

"Lin Li...he must have gone off to play somewhere, right?"

_

Xu Feng remained seated, his gaze falling on the two empty seats beside him, but he found it difficult to concentrate on the noisy program on stage.

He noticed Tong Yao almost immediately when she reappeared at the door.

Tong Yao sat down, but Lin Li did not return for a long time.

The lecture hall was dimly lit, with only the stage lights occasionally sweeping across it, but he still keenly noticed that her cheeks were flushed with an unnatural blush, and her breathing seemed a little more rapid than usual.

Xu Feng's heart sank slightly; he vaguely guessed what had happened—

"What's wrong?" He couldn't help but ask, seemingly trying to hide his concern. He then asked, "Where's Lin Li?"

He watched the girl's seemingly calm reply, but her fingertips turned white from the force she was applying. He didn't point it out, but simply nodded and looked away.

_

Perhaps it was Xu Feng's interruption that brought Tong Yao's thoughts back to normal.

The name Cheng Yu popped into my mind.

This name, once so familiar, is now heavy and "unfamiliar".

She remembered that they weren't in the same class in elementary school, but Cheng Yu found her like a little sun and said that he liked her and wanted to be her friend.

She was so cute when she was little, but she looks different now that she's grown up.

As she watched Cheng Yu target Lin Li time and time again, she kept trying to justify her actions in her mind.

For example, Lin Li was indeed very mischievous, and her behavior was easy to misunderstand; Cheng Yu was just a bit stricter. Gradually, she was convinced of her own actions.

Seeing Lin Li upset because of her neutral stance, her heart was actually cold.

But Lin Li's appearance was something she couldn't ignore. Perhaps out of guilt, she thought, "Why don't I try to coax her?"

So she did it, but Lin Li kept getting stuck on it. After coaxing her twice, she gradually lost patience.

"Should we just leave it at that?" Just as Tong Yao was about to give up.

Lin Li has changed. He said he was reborn. At first, she thought it was just an excuse or a joke from Lin Li to make up. She thought it was fine, so she went along with what he said.

But she soon noticed that Lin Li had changed; he was no longer stubborn and had matured a lot, and he also showed a great deal of knowledge.

Her doubts about him eventually turned into trust.

As they spent more time together, she discovered that although Lin Li had grown a lot, she still retained her childishness and silliness.

Only then did she notice that Lin Li was actually like this—

So adorably silly...

After misunderstanding him and Shen Jiayi, she actually got stuck in her own thoughts and started to imagine that Lin Li would turn over a new leaf and work hard because of the person she liked.

She couldn't help but lose her temper with Lin Li.

Just when she was suffering in her heart.

Cheng Yu appeared, and she actually brought some thugs to bully Lin Li.

Tong Yao could defend her for everything before, saying that she couldn't tolerate any flaws, or that her classmates who were usually lazy and uneducated suddenly achieved excellent grades or even surpassed hers, which aroused her adolescent jealousy.

But there's one thing she absolutely cannot accept: school violence. That's her bottom line.

After that day, Cheng Yu seemed to understand, and the two tacitly stopped contacting each other.

It wasn't until she heard today that Cheng Yu had transferred schools that she realized that Cheng Yu had gradually been forgotten by her without her noticing.

Did you transfer schools? Cheng Yu.

The scene of that chubby girl running towards her when she was in elementary school reappeared in Tong Yao's mind.

I hope you will turn over a new leaf from now on...

Tong Yao sighed as she thought about it.

"The New Year's Eve party has now come to an end."

The host stood on the stage and announced the end of the event.

Tong Yao turned her head and saw that Lin Li's seat was empty.

It seems he hasn't come back.

After the event ended, everyone got up and left.

Tong Yao followed the crowd out of the lecture hall, a chill running through her from the winter night wind. Just then, a few scattered words of conversation drifted into her ears:

Did you hear the flute music just now?

"It came from the playground, and it sounded a bit sad at first glance."

"Sadness? Don't you think that's a bit ridiculous?"

Her heart skipped a beat, and she turned to Xu Feng beside her, saying:

"Sorry, I have to go now."

Before Xu Feng could respond, Tong Yao hurriedly left.

_

Tong Yao followed the intermittent flute music, which sounded particularly lonely in the cold wind.

The closer you get to the playground, the clearer the sound of the flute becomes.

When she finally found him by the flowerbed in the dim corner, she saw the always energetic boy sitting alone by the flowerbed, his head slightly lowered, the sound of his flute flowing from his lips like a sob—

As Tong Yao listened to the melody, her previously heavy mood suddenly dissipated.

This idiot actually played "Erquan Yingyue" on his flute.

The melody was sad, but because it was played by Lin Li, she found it somewhat funny.

A smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.

_

After Tong Yao left, Lin Li's mind was filled with the image of the two of them in the hallway.

It was so close, so very close!!

With a heavy heart.

Lin Li returned to that sad corner.

He sat down, looking at the moonlight.

He opened his bag, took out his flute, and began to pour out his inner turmoil.

"The most poisonous hatred in the world..."

"We were destined to be together, but not to stay together!!!"

Seemingly feeling that it wasn't enough, he changed to several more lyrical pieces.

Suddenly, a famous piece of music came to mind: "Moon Reflected in the Second Spring".

Looking at the dimly lit playground, I pondered my inner turmoil.

Perfect for the occasion, so perfectly timed!

Overwhelmed with emotion, he began to sob, then heard rustling sounds around him and frowned involuntarily…

Who is this? They have no manners at all!

Turning around, she exclaimed in surprise, "Tong Yao!"

-

Tong Yao stood not far away with her arms crossed, watching Lin Li completely immersed in her flute playing.

The boy's brows were slightly furrowed, and his long eyelashes cast a faint shadow in the moonlight. His focused expression softened her heart.

Until the whispers of girls could be heard from not far away:

"That's a really good performance, but that expression...did he break up with his girlfriend?"

"Hey? Isn't that the guy by the restroom? Did he break up with his girlfriend so quickly?"

As soon as they finished speaking, their gazes met those of Tong Yao, who was standing on the other side. The girls' eyes instantly became subtle, filled with curiosity and inquiry, and their whispers became clearer.

Tong Yao immediately felt embarrassed, a sense of shame welling up inside her as she was being watched and talked about.

She took a deep breath and walked quickly to Lin Li.

Before she could even speak, she saw Lin Li turn her head away with a frown.

The moment he recognized her, his furrowed brows relaxed, and his bright eyes, like stars lit up, radiated a radiant smile.

"Tong Yao!"

With just that one call, all the embarrassment and shame vanished miraculously.

Tong Yao took the initiative to reach out and gently pull his wrist, leading him away from the place where he was being watched.

The two walked across the empty playground to the school gate. Night had fallen, and most of the students had already left, with only a few scattered figures remaining.

Lin Li felt the cold touch of Tong Yao's hand holding his, and without saying a word, he put her hand into his pocket.

"Why are your hands so cold? Let me warm them up for you."

His movements were natural and gentle. Tong Yao looked at his focused profile, and his usual aloofness disappeared without her noticing.

Lin Li noticed the change in Tong Yao's expression. Could it be—

"Aren't you angry anymore?" Lin Li asked expectantly, her voice tinged with a hint of caution.

Tong Yao paused slightly, then nodded gently: "I'm not angry anymore."

Lin Li immediately beamed and affectionately took her arm: "So you're jealous? But you were already angry before Zhou Yuan came to see me, why?"

His voice grew softer and softer as he spoke, tinged with aggrieved nasal tones.

"You can tell me next time, and I'll change. You can ignore me, but you have to let me know why. I... I don't want a cold war."

Hearing this, Tong Yao stopped in her tracks. Looking at his cautious and aggrieved expression, a wave of guilt washed over her. Remembering his red eyes because of Cheng Yu, and recalling the misunderstanding she had caused him that morning, she spoke softly:

"sorry."

Lin Li was stunned: "What?"

Tong Yao turned around and looked earnestly into his eyes: "You did nothing wrong, it was my fault. Can you forgive me?"

Forgive me for ignoring you, for my indifference towards you...

Although Lin Li didn't understand what had happened, she still smiled and nodded, "Although I don't know what happened, I forgive you. I won't be angry with you."

He turned his head away shyly, unconsciously picking his nose with his fingers. "At most, I just feel a little wronged."

Seeing his coquettish expression, Tong Yao couldn't help but laugh: "Silly boy!"

"Where am I stupid?" Lin Li turned her head, unconvinced.

Tong Yao didn't answer, but gently tiptoed, placed her hands lightly against his warm chest, and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.

"Boom—" Lin Li's world fell silent instantly.

The moonlight seemed to freeze at that moment, Lin Li's pupils dilated slightly, and she froze on the spot, only the soft touch between her lips amplified infinitely.

Tong Yao's eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings, casting delicate shadows on her cheeks.

After the kiss, she quickly lowered her head, her gaze resting uncomfortably on Lin Li's chest.

That usually aloof and composed face was now flushed with a blush like the sunset, even her fair neck was tinged with a faint pink.

Lin Li raised his hand in a daze, his fingertips lightly touching the lips that had just been kissed, where the soft, moist touch still lingered. He stood there blankly, as if he had even forgotten to breathe.

He was only brought back to his senses by a passing evening breeze.

His gaze fell on the girl's shy profile, and a surge of heat rushed up his neck and cheeks, until even the tips of her ears turned bright red, like ripe cherries.

Tong Yao felt even more flustered under his burning gaze, and subconsciously reached out to gently push him away, her voice barely audible:

"I...I'm home!"

After saying that, he turned and walked away quickly, his steps light and flustered.

Lin Li unconsciously pursed his lips, the sweet touch still lingering in his mind. Only after seeing Tong Yao walk away did he realize what was happening and quickly followed.

The bus stop was empty and quiet late at night, with only the streetlights casting a warm glow.

The two "red apples" stood one in front of the other, neither daring to look at the other, yet secretly catching glimpses of each other out of the corner of their eyes.

Bus No. 42 slowly pulled into the station and the doors opened.

Two "apples" boarded the train one after the other. Lin Li habitually followed behind Tong Yao, watching her walk to a seat in the corner of the carriage, and naturally sat down next to her.

Tong Yao immediately turned to look out the window, watching the street scene recede into the night, but she couldn't focus on anything.

The shadowy figure of the boy beside me was faintly reflected in the car window.

Lin Li quietly turned her head to look at Tong Yao, tracing the outline of her profile.

He moved a little closer without making a sound, the fabric of his school uniform making a slight rustling noise.

Gazing at her flushed earlobes, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up. He watched her tirelessly, watching her trembling eyelashes and slightly pursed lips.

"hey-hey!"

A silly laugh escaped from his lips uncontrollably.

The laughter seemed to startle Tong Yao awake.

She turned her head abruptly, only to be caught off guard by his burning gaze, which was inches away from hers. Their noses almost touched, and their breaths mingled.

"Get out of the car!" she said hastily, pushing him away, her voice trembling with embarrassment and anger.

Lin Li then came to her senses and looked out the window at the familiar street scene. She realized that she had arrived at her stop without even noticing.

"Then I'll be going..." He stood up reluctantly, his steps hesitant. When he reached the car door, he couldn't help but turn back to look at her.

Tong Yao had turned back to the car window, leaving him only a reddened earlobe and a tense profile. But the fingers tightly gripping the hem of her clothes betrayed her turbulent emotions.

The car door slowly closed behind him.

On her way home, Lin Li's steps were so light that she seemed to be flying, and her face was beaming with an uncontrollable smile.

He felt like the happiest person in the world right now!

_

On the bus.

After confirming that he had gotten out of the car, Tong Yao finally relaxed her tense shoulders.

She pressed her burning cheek against the cool car window, watching the bouncy figure gradually disappear into the distance.

what to do?

I think I've really fallen for him...