Back in college, the bookshelf had already begun to lean towards Ah Yu. They had a small bookshelf in their dorm room then, used to hold photography books and magazines. Ah Yu always liked to lean against the bookshelf, sitting on the floor, flipping through the art books, searching for inspiration. After Zhong Hua noticed this, whenever he tidied the bookshelf, he would intentionally or unintentionally move the books closer to Ah Yu, making it more comfortable for him. However, at that time, neither of them fully understood this subtle intention; it remained hidden in their hearts, manifesting in some unintentional actions.

Chapter Three: Companionship Through the Years

After graduating from university, Ah Yu, Zhong Hua, and Lin Wanqing started a small photography studio together. Starting a business wasn't easy; funds were tight, and clients were scarce. They often had to travel around for a single shooting project, and staying up all night revising plans was commonplace.

On one occasion, they took on a photography assignment for a commercial event. The client had high expectations, requiring them to capture the product's unique features while creating a distinctive atmosphere. Ah Yu and Zhong Hua spent several days searching for locations and conducting test shoots, working late into the night each day.

One night, it was already two in the morning, and Ah Yu was still in front of the computer editing the photos he had taken. His eyes were bloodshot, but he was still not satisfied. Zhong Hua brought over a cup of hot coffee and placed it on Ah Yu's desk. Looking at his tired appearance, he said with concern, "Don't work too hard. Take a rest first. You can finish it tomorrow."

Ah Yu rubbed her sore eyes and shook her head: "No, I have to show the first draft to the client tomorrow, I need to get it done quickly."

Zhong Hua didn't try to persuade him anymore. Instead, he pulled up a chair and sat down next to A Yu, looking at the photos with him and pointing out areas that could be adjusted. The two of them worked on this until dawn. When they finally finished the first draft and were satisfied with it, A Yu leaned back in his chair, let out a long sigh, turned to look at Zhong Hua, and found that his eyes were also bloodshot. He was filled with emotion and guilt.

"Thank you, Zhong Hua. I really don't know what I would have done without you by my side," Ah Yu said softly.

Zhong Hua smiled and patted Ah Yu on the shoulder: "What are you saying? We've done this together, there's no need for thanks. As long as we can do this project well, that's all that matters."

In their daily lives, Zhong Hua takes meticulous care of A Yu. A Yu has a minor ailment: she easily catches a cold when the seasons change. Whenever the weather changes even slightly, Zhong Hua always reminds A Yu to add layers and prepares cold medicine in the studio.

One time, Ah Yu caught a cold by accident. He felt dizzy and unwell, lying on the sofa in the studio. Zhong Hua was extremely worried. He rushed to the pharmacy to buy fever reducers, boiled water, and used a wet towel to wipe Ah Yu's forehead to lower his temperature. He stayed by his side all night until Ah Yu's fever subsided, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Those days, though tough, were made all the more warm by each other's company. And the bookshelf, which they moved to the studio with, still leans towards Ah Yu, as if it were a silent yet steadfast guardian through the years.

Chapter Four: Feelings in My Heart

As the studio gradually developed, the relationship between Ah Yu and Zhong Hua also quietly changed. The feelings that were originally hidden beneath their friendship, like new sprouts breaking through the soil, gradually spread in their hearts.

Once, they went to a photography exhibition together. At the exhibition, Ah Yu was attracted by a photograph called "Interdependent". The picture showed two trees by the sea, their branches intertwined, and their shadows intertwined in the afterglow of the setting sun, as if they were telling a story of endless longing.

Ah Yu stood before the artwork, gazing at it for a long time, a strange emotion welling up inside him. Zhong Hua walked to his side, looking at his focused expression, and softly asked, "Do you really like this piece?"

Ah Yu nodded, then turned to look at Zhong Hua, her eyes filled with a deep affection she herself was unaware of: "Yes, I feel there's a deep bond between them, which warms my heart."

Zhong Hua looked into Ah Yu's eyes, and at that moment, it was as if everything around them disappeared, leaving only their gazes meeting. His heart suddenly raced, and his throat felt like it was choked by something. After a long while, he finally said, "Yes, it's beautiful."

From then on, the atmosphere between the two became somewhat subtle. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, but they would quickly look away, yet they couldn't help but steal glances at each other. That innocent yet sweet feeling lingered in their hearts.

The bookshelf remained a little secret between them. Every time Ah Yu leaned against the bookshelf to look at photos, Zhong Hua would feel a sense of satisfaction as he looked at the slightly tilted bookshelf, as if it were a special corner he had created for Ah Yu, and only he could understand the sentiment behind it.

Lin Wanqing had also noticed the unusual relationship between the two. She watched them sometimes deliberately avoid each other and sometimes unintentionally show their concern, and she secretly found it amusing, but she was also happy for them. She knew that the feelings between the two had been tempered by time and were sincere and pure.

On one occasion, Lin Wanqing jokingly said, "You two have been acting strangely lately. Are you hiding something from me?"

Ah Yu's face flushed red, and she stammered, "No...nothing's wrong, don't overthink it."

Zhong Hua was also a little uncomfortable, but he still pretended to be calm and said, "Wanqing, stop joking with us. What could possibly be wrong with us? We're too busy with the studio to keep track of things."

Lin Wanqing smiled and didn't press the matter further, but she thought to herself that these two were probably not far from confessing their feelings.

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