Difficult to hide

illusion?

Bai Yixia pondered those two words carefully. Nie Jiayuan's words actually made sense; Zhou Qingchi was kind to everyone, and Bai Yixia was his childhood sweetheart.

It's not surprising that one might develop the illusion of liking it.

However, whether it was the first dream about Zhou Qingchi four years ago or now, Bai Yixia is very clear about it.

There was never any illusion about her; she was simply attracted to Zhou Qingchi and fell in love with him.

As best friends of over ten years, how could Nie Jiayuan not know what Bai Yixia was thinking?

-Add one more Yuan: I'm not saying that you like him because it's a misconception.

-Add one more Yuan: Although I always bicker with Zhou Qingchi, we've been good friends for so many years.

Nie Jiayuan naturally knew what kind of person Zhou Qingchi was; he was just a bit sharp-tongued and his words were rather unpleasant.

But he would still have water fights with the kids in his building and chat with the leisurely grandparents in the neighborhood.

It's gentle to everyone, just like a central air conditioner.

Nie Jiayuan gathered her thoughts and typed rapidly, "You know, back in high school, there were always people blocking Zhou Qingchi's way, confessing their feelings and stuff."

Bai Yixia thought about it and realized that people did occasionally look for Zhou Qingchi, but it wasn't a constant occurrence.

She pursed her lips and couldn't help but type out a line of text.

- Kiss: Speaking of which, Jiajia, do you have...?

The next second after those words were spoken, Nie Jiayuan replied with words full of gritted teeth.

-Add one more Yuan: Am I crazy?! Shouldn't we think about who he roasted the worst?! Am I some kind of masochist?!

Bai Yixia almost fell off her chair laughing as she read this.

She understood that Nie Jiayuan was worried about her, but since that night, she had never had such worries again. Instead, her confidence grew stronger day by day.

- Kiss: Okay, okay, I was just kidding.

-Add one more Yuan: Really...

-Add one more Yuan: Spare me.

- Kiss: Don't worry about me, Jiajia, I'm confident.

- *kiss* Anyway, some strange things happened while you were away~

Nie Jiayuan seemed completely helpless that day, and after several minutes, she reluctantly replied with two words.

Okay.

Bai Yixia leaned back in her chair, holding her phone. She felt exhausted thinking about the exam in two days, but the thought of seeing Zhou Qingchi again soon made her smile involuntarily.

Some colleges have their final exams earlier, and you can faintly hear the sound of suitcases outside the window, clicking and clacking, fast and urgent, just like the mood of their owners.

As winter approached, Bai Yixia would bundle herself up in thick clothes indoors, spending her days memorizing materials and working herself to exhaustion.

The ginkgo trees outside had long since lost all their leaves, standing bare in the cold wind.

The time for review flew by, and the pressure of exams day after day left the dormitory life listless.

Fortunately, Bai Yixia's college did not have the unethical practice of only scheduling one subject per day, and all subjects could be completed within a week.

The day of the last exam was a long-awaited sunny day. Bai Yixia's exam seat was by the window, and in the afternoon, sunlight streamed into the room through the glass.

Bai Yixia was momentarily distracted, reaching out to try and catch the ray of sunlight. Her gaze fell downstairs, where groups of students who had finished their exams early were walking between the teaching buildings. Her expression was not visible, but without exception, they all seemed to have come alive.

Just as she finished answering the questions, she stretched her stiff knuckles and glanced at the time on the podium.

It's already five o'clock. Bai Yixia wondered, what time did Zhou Qingchi's car arrive? It seems he's already here.

She flipped through the answer sheet and checked it. Except for the last few strokes which were a bit messy, the rest was filled in. Judging whether the answers were correct or not was the responsibility of the examiner, so Bai Yixia quickly packed up her things and handed in her paper.

The classroom was heated, making Bai Yixia's cheeks rosy. The sunlight outside wasn't actually very warm, but Bai Yixia suddenly felt warm all over.

Lucy finished her exams a day earlier than them and was currently sitting in her dorm watching a drama. Bai Yixia was taken aback when she saw her; this seemed to be a rare moment of relaxation for her.

"Xiaxia? You've finished your exams?" Lu Xi heard the door open and turned to look at her.

Bai Yixia smiled and nodded, "Yes. I'll hand it in early once I'm done writing it."

She took off her scarf and draped it over the back of the chair. "Great, I'm going to start packing now!"

It's always when you're tidying up that you realize how much stuff you have in your dorm room. But luckily, Bai Yixia's family lives in the city, and she goes home every weekend.

Most of my clothes are at home; I don't have many at school. I don't have much to bring home; it barely fills one suitcase.

After finally tidying up her precious camera, Bai Yixia noticed that Lu Xi was watching her, seemingly very interested in her tidying up.

However, Bai Yixia was also a little curious, as she, Bai Yi'an, and Chen Wanyi had been eagerly anticipating going home for a long time.

The other two, who were not in the city, had booked their flights home well in advance.

Only Lucy seems to be in no hurry to pack her things, even now.

Bai Yixia turned around and met Lu Xi's gaze, asking curiously, "Xi Xi, aren't you packing your things?"

Lucy paused for a moment, then smiled somewhat awkwardly, "Um... I don't plan to go home. I've already applied to stay on campus."

Bai Yixia: "Huh?" She was clearly a little confused. "But, but it's Chinese New Year..."

The next second, remembering Lucy's less-than-harmonious family relationship, Bai Yixia quickly shut her mouth.

Lucy seemed to have stopped caring. She lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, then looked at Bai Yixia and said gently, "Actually, I've always wanted to thank you."

Bai Yixia looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“You told me before that I should communicate more and express my thoughts.” Lucy’s voice was gentle, but tinged with sadness. “I… I initially thought it would be the same with my family. Because I don’t really like talking at home either.”

"So one day I called my mother and we talked for a while..." She suddenly fell silent.

Looking at her expression, Bai Yixia could guess what kind of response Lu Xi had received without her saying a word.

Lucy seemed unwilling to bring it up again, and suddenly raised an eyebrow in a playful way that was not typical of her, "Anyway, I've made up my mind, I won't go back to that house."

She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "I've actually been holding this in for a long time. Luckily, it's just the two of us now, so I can finally say it."

"Thank you, Bai Yixia."

Actually, at first, Bai Yixia just didn't like the stiff atmosphere in the dormitory. Her conversation with Lu Xi was just a coincidence, but she was happy to see Lu Xi's relieved expression.

“It’s okay,” Bai Yixia said.

Lucy grew more lively each day. As if remembering something, she suddenly smiled meaningfully, "Xiaxia, have you properly expressed your feelings to the person you like?"

Bai Yixia paused in packing her things.

So, while she and Zhou Qingchi seemed to be able to talk about anything, they were actually hiding a lot from each other.

Bai Yixia had always worried that once those words were spoken, their relationship would either become closer or be completely ruined. So, after hesitating for a long time, she still didn't say anything.

Bai Yixia said, "Hmm... I guess you could say no?"

Lucy was surprised: "Huh? But you've been very happy lately, and it seems like you two have been in constant contact."

After saying that, she scratched her head awkwardly, "I didn't mean to, I just accidentally saw your phone screen when I went to the balcony that day."

Bai Yixia laughed heartily, her eyes crinkling into a smile, "It's alright."

She put the last item into the suitcase, looked up at Lucy, and winked mischievously. "We have a different way."

They both seemed like cowards, hesitant and indecisive, so neither of them managed to say those words aloud. But the affection in their eyes didn't lie, and their subconscious actions in life couldn't hide it.

Lucy nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

As they were talking, Bai Yi'an and Chen Wanyi returned.

Xiao Bai looked at Bai Yixia in confusion, "Oh my god, Xiaxia, you used to always be the last one to leave, and you never packed your things until the very last minute."

During this period, Zhou Qingchi often used the excuse of end-of-term rewards to order milk tea and cakes for Bai Yixia. Bai Yixia couldn't finish them all by herself, so she shared most of them with her roommates.

Bai Yi'an, feeling indebted to the man who had fed her, thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Are you in a hurry to see someone?"

This person is incredibly cunning. Ever since Zhou Qingchi was exposed to her last time, Bai Yixia never thought she could hide anything from her again.

With a whoosh, the suitcase handle was pulled out. Bai Yixia chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Yes."

Bai Yi'an: "!"

Chen Wanyi: "Oh!"

Lucy: "!!"

The three roommates all looked surprised.

The phone on the table rang crisply, and Bai Yixia picked it up to take a look.

It is Zhou Qingchi.

- [Heart]: Arrived, please provide instructions.

Bai Yixia beamed with joy, typed a few words with one hand, then stuffed her phone into her pocket and prepared to leave.

As she hurried to the door, she suddenly stopped, turned around, waved to the three of them, and said with a smile, "Happy winter break, everyone! Wish me luck!"

The three vaguely understood what she meant and said in unison, "Xiaxia, good luck!"

Most colleges were on holiday for the next two days, and Bai Yixia joined them, dragging her suitcase.

But her steps seemed faster, and her heart seemed more anxious.

The wheels kept turning, and my heart was bubbling with excitement.

There was a slight traffic jam when leaving the school gate, and Bai Yixia kept scanning the people lingering outside the school.

Not many people stood still; most walked in groups toward the station.

Bai Yixia followed the flow of people out, and was about to take out her phone to ask Zhou Qingchi where he was when a tall figure suddenly appeared in her sight.

That gray coat looked very familiar.

Bai Yixia felt her heart start pounding uncontrollably again. She walked quickly toward Zhou Qingchi, the words "Little Brother Zhou" already on her tongue.

But for some reason, she didn't really want to call him that today.

Following her own heart, Bai Yixia broke into an undisguised smile and called out loudly:

"Zhou Qingchi!"

The man paused, then turned his head to look, his smile undiminished. "I've been waiting for you, Bai Yixia."