Page 23

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the clouds, casting patterns of light and shadow across the school playground.

As soon as the bell rang for recess, the students rushed out of the classrooms with joy, and the playground instantly became lively.

Leng Yuxuan was wearing a loose white short-sleeved shirt and school uniform pants, his hair slightly disheveled by the breeze. He stood in a corner of the playground, his eyes darting around as if searching for something.

A moment later, he saw Xu Li not far away. Her hair was down to her waist, she was wearing a pink hooded sweatshirt, and she was chatting with several classmates with a bright smile on her face.

Leng Yuxuan ran over quickly, patted Xu Li on the shoulder, and said loudly, "Hey, Xu Li, it's break time, let's go play!"

Xu Li turned around and saw Leng Yuxuan. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately nodded in agreement: "Okay, what shall we do?" Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"How about hide-and-seek?" Leng Yuxuan suggested, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Sure, I love hide-and-seek!"

Xu Li responded excitedly, and the two immediately began discussing the rules of the game. Infected by their enthusiasm, the surrounding classmates joined in, filling the playground with laughter and joy.

Leng Yuxuan and Xu Li teamed up, playing a game of chase and hide-and-seek, having a great time. Leng Yuxuan ran with light and agile movements, while Xu Li was like a lively little rabbit, always cleverly avoiding his pursuit.

The two chased each other across the playground, their laughter echoing throughout the campus. Infected by their joy, the surrounding students stopped to watch. "Xu Li, you can't escape!"

Leng Yuxuan was panting, but her tone carried a hint of ease and pleasure. Xu Li turned around and smiled, revealing her white teeth: "Then catch me first!"

Leng Yuxuan chuckled: "Just wait and see, I will definitely catch you!"

"Just as they were having a great time, Tan Yuze came out of the teaching building."

He was wearing his school uniform, his hair was a little messy, and his eyes held a hint of confusion and loss. Lately, he had been feeling empty inside, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

He wandered aimlessly across the playground, his gaze inadvertently falling on Leng Yuxuan and Xu Li. Tan Yuze saw Leng Yuxuan and Xu Li chasing and playing on the playground, their smiles bright and natural, as if the whole world belonged to them.

A strange emotion welled up inside him, and his eyes gradually became complicated. "How come they're having so much fun? Didn't Leng Yuxuan say she wouldn't look for Xu Li anymore?" Tan Yuze thought to himself, a hint of jealousy flashing in his eyes.

He thought Xu Li had feelings for Leng Yuxuan, and that Leng Yuxuan was taking the opportunity to get closer to Xu Li.

In fact, he didn't understand the relationship between Leng Yuxuan and Xu Li. He only knew that they were childhood sweethearts and simply regarded them as ordinary classmates.

However, deep down, Tan Yuze couldn't help but associate Xu Li with himself.

"Why is Xu Li having so much fun with Leng Yuxuan? Hasn't she always been very nice to me? Could it be that she's just a friend to me?" Tan Yuze was filled with questions and unease.

He quickly dismissed the idea, because they had just started dating.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms, but he didn't notice at all. Just then, Leng Yuxuan accidentally fell, scraping his knee and drawing blood.

Upon seeing this, Xu Li immediately stopped and ran over quickly. She knelt down beside Leng Yuxuan and asked with concern, "Leng Yuxuan, are you alright?"

Leng Yuxuan looked up and saw the worry on Xu Li's face, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He smiled slightly and said softly, "It's nothing, this little injury is nothing."

He tried to appear nonchalant, but the pain in his knee still made him frown slightly. Xu Li, however, made no attempt to hide her worry. She frowned and gently stroked Leng Yuxuan's knee, her voice trembling with a sob.

"How could this happen? Are you in pain?" Leng Yuxuan looked at Xu Li, a strange emotion welling up inside him. He gently held Xu Li's hand and whispered, "I'm really fine, you don't need to worry about me."

Xu Li shook her head, her eyes full of worry: "No, we have to go to the infirmary." Leng Yuxuan wanted to say something, but Xu Li interrupted her.

She helped Leng Yuxuan up and carefully supported him as they walked step by step toward the infirmary. Seeing this, the surrounding classmates cast concerned glances, and some even offered to help.

Tan Yuze stood still, a complex light flashing in his eyes. Seeing Xu Li's concern for Leng Yuxuan, he became even more certain of his guess.

He gritted his teeth, turned around and left the playground, secretly resolving to find an opportunity to "talk" with Xu Li.

Tan Yuze returned to the classroom, his mood growing increasingly heavy. He sat in his seat, chin in his hands, staring blankly out the window. The sunlight outside was still bright, but his heart was shrouded in gloom.

He kept replaying the scene he had just witnessed: Xu Li's concern for Leng Yuxuan, that gentle gaze, that careful movement... all of this seemed to him as a declaration.

Xu Li's heart no longer belonged to him. "It's impossible, Xu Li couldn't possibly like Leng Yuxuan." Tan Yuze repeatedly told himself, trying to convince himself that it was just his imagination.

But the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He even began to doubt whether he truly understood Xu Li. "Xiao Li, what are you thinking?"

He muttered to himself, his voice tinged with helplessness and confusion. The bell rang again, breaking the silence in the classroom. The students quickly packed their bags, preparing to go to class.

Tan Yuze remained seated, motionless. His eyes held a resolute glint, as if he had made up his mind. "Xu Li, I must get to the bottom of this," he said softly, his voice carrying an undeniable firmness.

He stood up, straightened his clothes, and strode out of the classroom. He was going to find Xu Li and ask her directly how she felt. He couldn't let his own suspicions torment him like this; he needed a clear answer.

Tan Yuze arrived at the door of the infirmary, took a deep breath, and then pushed the door open and went inside. The infirmary was filled with the smell of disinfectant. Leng Yuxuan was sitting on a hospital bed, with Xu Li standing beside her.

Both of them wore relaxed smiles, indicating that Leng Yuxuan's injuries were not serious. "Xu Li, Leng Yuxuan, you're here."

Tan Yuze's voice was somewhat stiff; he tried to appear calm, but a hint of nervousness lingered in his tone. Xu Li's eyes flashed with surprise upon seeing Tan Yuze, but she quickly regained her composure. She smiled slightly and said, "Tan Yuze, what brings you here?"

Leng Yuxuan also turned his head and saw Tan Yuze, his eyes filled with a hint of wariness. He and Tan Yuze had never gotten along well, and although he didn't know the specific reason, he could sense Tan Yuze's hostility towards him.

"I've come to check on Leng Yuxuan's injuries," Tan Yuze replied, his tone slightly unnatural. He tried his best to appear concerned for Leng Yuxuan, but Leng Yuxuan saw a complex emotion in his eyes.

"Oh, Yuxuan's injuries are all healed now. The doctor said it was just a scratch, and some ointment will do the trick," Xu Li explained, her voice gentle and calm, completely unaware of the turmoil in Tan Yuze's heart.

Tan Yuze thought to himself: She actually called him that; she's never called me that before.

Tan Yuze nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on Xu Li. He took a deep breath and mustered his courage to say, "Xu Li, there's something I want to ask you." Xu Li paused, a hint of doubt in her eyes, "What is it?"

Tan Yuze was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I saw you and Leng Yuxuan having a lot of fun on the playground, and I also saw how much you cared about him... Xu Li, do you have feelings for him?"

Xu Li's face instantly turned pale; she hadn't expected Tan Yuze to ask such a question. A sense of speechlessness welled up inside her.

She and Leng Yuxuan were just childhood sweethearts; she didn't have any special feelings for him. But Tan Yuze's words made her feel somewhat lost.

"Tan Yuze, what do you mean by this?" Leng Yuxuan frowned, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction. He could sense a questioning tone in Tan Yuze's voice, which made him very uncomfortable.

Tan Yuze ignored Leng Yuxuan completely, his gaze fixed on Xu Li, awaiting her answer. His heart was filled with anticipation and unease; he hoped Xu Li would tell him that she was just a friend to him, but he was also afraid of hearing an answer that would disappoint him.

Xu Li lowered her head, her eyes filled with a hint of speechlessness.

"We're just childhood sweethearts, and besides, we're already together. Is that how you think of me?"

Her relationship with Leng Yuxuan was truly innocent, but she knew that Tan Yuze's misunderstanding had run deep. She took a deep breath, raised her head, looked at Tan Yuze, and said softly.

"Tan Yuze, okay, I won't look for him anymore, don't misunderstand." Tan Yuze breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing Xu Li's reply, but a trace of doubt still lingered in his eyes.

He looked at Xu Li, his voice low and deep: "Xu Li, I hope what you're saying is true." Xu Li nodded, her eyes filled with determination: "What I said is true, don't overthink it."

Tan Yuze remained silent for a moment, then nodded. He looked at Xu Li, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He knew he shouldn't misunderstand Xu Li, but the unease in his heart hadn't completely disappeared.

"Okay, I believe you," Tan Yuze said softly, then turned and left the infirmary. Xu Li watched Tan Yuze's retreating figure, a hint of worry in her eyes.

She knew Tan Yuze's misunderstanding hadn't been completely dispelled, but she didn't know how to put him completely at ease. She sighed, turned to look at Leng Yuxuan, and whispered, "Yuxuan, are you alright?"

Leng Yuxuan shook her head and smiled slightly: "I'm fine, I was just scared by Tan Yuze." Xu Li also smiled and said: "That's just how he is, don't take it to heart."

The two looked at each other and smiled, and the gloom in their hearts seemed to dissipate a little with their smiles.

But they didn't know that the seed in Tan Yuze's heart had already taken root and sprouted without him realizing it... Tan Yuze walked out of the infirmary, his steps somewhat heavy.

His feelings were indescribably complicated. Although Xu Li said that she and Leng Yuxuan were just friends, his doubts had not been completely dispelled. He always felt that things were not so simple, and that feeling of unease lingered in his heart, refusing to go away.

He wandered aimlessly through the campus, the sunlight shining on him, but unable to dispel the gloom in his heart.

The scenes from just moments ago kept replaying in his mind: Xu Li's concerned gaze, Leng Yuxuan's gentle smile, and their interactions. All of this seemed to be reminding him that he might truly have lost something.

"Tan Yuze, what are you thinking about?" A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked up and saw his friend Lu Yi standing in front of him, his eyes filled with concern.

"Oh, it's nothing." Tan Yuze forced a smile, trying to hide his unease.

But Lu Yi clearly noticed something was wrong with him. "Don't hide it from me, you must have something on your mind." Lu Yi patted his shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"We're friends, can't you talk to me about anything?" Tan Yuze was silent for a while, then finally sighed and poured out all his troubles.

He told Lu Yi about seeing Xu Li and Leng Yuxuan together, as well as his own suspicions and unease.

After listening, Lu Yi remained silent for a while before saying, "Tan Yuze, I know you have feelings for Xu Li, but is it really okay for you to make such wild guesses? Xu Li is a kind girl; she wouldn't easily hurt others. Maybe you've really misunderstood her. Besides, aren't you already together?"

Tan Yuze shook his head, a hint of stubbornness in his eyes: "I know she's kind, but I just feel something's not right. I always feel like Leng Yuxuan has ulterior motives."

Lu Yi sighed and said, "You're just too stubborn. Xu Li already said that she and Leng Yuxuan are just friends, what more do you want? Besides, Leng Yuxuan isn't a bad person, there's just a misunderstanding between you two."

Tan Yuze fell silent. He knew Lin Hao was right, but the unease in his heart wouldn't subside. He looked up at the sky; the sunlight had softened considerably, but his mood remained gloomy.

"Never mind, I'll go back to the classroom first," Tan Yuze said softly, then turned and left. Lu Yi watched his retreating figure, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

After leaving the infirmary, Xu Li and Leng Yuxuan returned to the classroom. Xu Li felt conflicted; she could sense that Tan Yuze's misunderstanding hadn't been completely dispelled, but she didn't know how to make amends.

She sat in her seat, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Xu Li, are you alright?" Leng Yuxuan sat next to her and asked with some concern when she saw her absent-minded look.

Xu Li shook her head and forced a smile: "I'm fine, just a little tired." Leng Yuxuan knew she was lying, but he didn't call her out on it.

He simply patted her shoulder gently and said, "Don't think too much, things will always be resolved." Xu Li nodded, but a trace of melancholy remained in her eyes.

She knew Leng Yuxuan was right, but she still couldn't calm down. "By the way, Xu Li, let's go to the library after school today."

Leng Yuxuan suddenly spoke, a hint of expectation in her eyes. Xu Li paused for a moment, then nodded: "No, I want to talk to Tan Yuze."

Leng Yuxuan agreed, a slight smile appearing on his face. He knew Xu Li was in a bad mood, and he hoped that doing something together could cheer her up.

After school, Leng Yuxuan went to the library near the school. The library was quiet and peaceful, with sunlight streaming through the windows and casting patterns of light and shadow on the bookshelves.

Leng Yuxuan found a book and sat down in a corner to read quietly. Xu Li went to find Tan Yuze.

Tan Yuze's questioning kept replaying in her mind, along with her own inner unease. She knew Tan Yuze's feelings for her, but she didn't know how to respond.

She didn't have any special feelings for Tan Yuze; she just considered him a friend. But she also knew that Tan Yuze's misunderstanding might make their relationship awkward.

Leng Yuxuan noticed Xu Li's absent-mindedness and knew she was preoccupied, but also knew she didn't want to talk about it. He simply offered her gentle comfort.

Meanwhile, Tan Yuze walked home alone. His mood remained heavy, and his doubts had not been completely dispelled.

He gazed at the scenery along the roadside, yet his heart remained restless. "Xu Li, did I really misunderstand you?" he murmured to himself, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

He didn't know how to face Xu Li, nor how to face his own feelings. All he knew was that he had a strong sense of unease, an unease that prevented him from finding peace of mind.

"Tan Yuze, slow down. What are you thinking about?" A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked up and saw Xu Li standing in front of him, her eyes filled with concern.

"Xiao Li, what are you doing here?" Tan Yuze was taken aback for a moment, then asked. Xu Li smiled slightly and said, "I just came out of the classroom and saw you walking on the road. You were walking too fast."

Hearing this, Tan Yuze felt a warmth in his heart. He looked at Xu Li, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He didn't know how to begin, but he knew he had to make things clear.

“Xu Li, I…” He was about to speak when Xu Li interrupted him. “Tan Yuze, I know what you’re thinking,” Xu Li said, her eyes filled with determination.

“Leng Yuxuan and I are really just friends. If you don’t like it, I won’t associate with him anymore,” she said, tugging at Tan Yuze’s clothes.

Hearing this, Tan Yuze breathed a slight sigh of relief. He looked at Xu Li with a hint of gratitude in his eyes: "Xu Li, thank you. I know I misunderstood you, but I really couldn't control my emotions."

Xu Li nodded and said, "I know that matters of the heart are hard to explain. But I hope you can believe me, Leng Yuxuan and I are really just friends."

Tan Yuze didn't say anything, but she stepped forward and kissed him on the lips.

"So now do you believe me?"

Tan Yuze nodded, a smile appearing on his face: "Of course, we'll always be friends." The two smiled at each other, and the gloom in their hearts seemed to dissipate with their smiles.

They both knew that although the misunderstanding had been cleared up, their feelings for each other remained complex. But they also knew that as long as they were honest with each other, there was nothing that couldn't be resolved.

As the sun gradually set, the sky was dyed orange-red. Xu Li and Tan Yuze walked home together, their shadows stretching long and thin.

They didn't speak, but their hearts were intertwined. They both knew the road ahead was long, but they also knew that as long as they trusted each other, nothing was insurmountable.

Meanwhile, Leng Yuxuan sat quietly in a corner of the library, looking at the book in his hands. His eyes held a hint of tenderness as he silently prayed for Xu Li's happiness.

He knew that Xu Li's heart belonged to Tan Yuze, but he also knew that he would always protect her, no matter what. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on him.

He smiled slightly and silently said in his heart, "Xu Li, no matter where you are, I will always be by your side."

The story doesn't end here; it's just beginning. The relationship between Xu Li, Tan Yuze, and Leng Yuxuan continues to develop, and their story continues.

And we can only watch quietly, waiting for their fate.

“You are my fourth leaf, because meeting you is my greatest fortune,” Xu Li said.

"So, Tan Yuze, can you stop being angry now?"

He thought she looked incredibly cute right now, and he smiled, "Okay, don't be angry anymore."

"You're really not angry anymore?"

"Don't be angry anymore!"