[Shi Xia's Perspective]
"Let's interview Xiaoxia. Could you tell us your story with him? Everyone is eager to hear it."
— Sure, of course.
"Feel free to express yourself, say whatever you want, we don't set any limits."
—Okay, I'll begin.
——————————
I liked him the moment I saw him.
I've never liked anyone before, but that feeling in that moment...
That's probably what liking someone means.
I didn't tell anyone, and I never expected to run into him again and have any interaction with him.
Our meeting during the recording of the show wasn't our first time meeting, but it was probably our first time meeting.
I think he's probably forgotten about me.
Otherwise, they would have said "Long time no see" when they met again.
Or perhaps, look at me—
His expression was one of déjà vu, as if to say, "Have we met somewhere before?"
Then I would reply with, "Long time no see."
However, there was nothing there; it was all just my imagination.
He genuinely didn't seem to recognize me.
Okay, okay, what's wrong with getting to know each other again?
Then I'll just pretend I don't know him either.
Let's start over.
Actually, I had met him three times before recording the show.
The first time was at a dinner party at my uncle's house. I noticed him immediately when he walked in through the door.
He has an ethereal air about him, completely unlike my previous stereotypes of "capitalists".
I remembered him at first glance.
I quietly asked the aunt next to me his name.
"His name is Shen Qingyun, which means 'soaring to great heights.' Besides your brother, he's the most outstanding young man in your generation. What's wrong? Has Xiaxia taken a liking to him?"
"No, no." I waved my hand, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Would you like me to introduce you two?" the aunt asked me.
Given the aunt's past experience of always failing to find a match, I politely declined.
I'm afraid that if my aunt makes a move, I'll die before I even get started.
Fortunately, my aunt really took a liking to it and became good friends with Shen Qingyun's family, telling me a lot about him.
I've come to know him much better, and my understanding of him has gone beyond just his face.
The more you learn about him, the easier it is to be attracted to him.
An invisible magic and magnetic field.
"Xiaxia, if you like him, you'd better seize the opportunity. A boy like Qingyun has quite a few suitors," the aunt next to me reminded me.
"Did anyone catch up?" I couldn't help but ask.
"As far as I know, there isn't one yet." The aunt smiled. "In your young people's terms, well, it's a hellish level of difficulty."
I felt a little discouraged. These daughters of business tycoons and prominent families were all incredibly outstanding. What competitive edge did I have?
But then I thought, it's not like there's no chance. He hasn't even talked to anyone yet, has he?
Just as the banquet was ending, my eyes inexplicably met his. I was startled; he had seen me.
He saw me looking at him, so I hurriedly looked away, or even fled.
Did the first meeting end badly?
Looking back now, I realize I was really too timid back then.
The second meeting just happened a little too soon.
One spring afternoon, my roommate dragged me to a lecture. I don't know why my usually lazy roommate has become so fond of lectures, especially one about sharing entrepreneurial experiences.
Something unusual must be going on.
"Hehehe, of course there's something good to see, definitely your type."
Is she my type? No way!
I have no interest in business matters and have never thought about starting a business.
Does my dear roommate have some misunderstanding about me?
Although I had my doubts, I went along anyway.
I only found out when I got there.
Yes, she's right, that's definitely my type.
I was overcome by lust.
"See this? This person is Shen Qingyun, the CEO of a listed company. He's really young and promising. I just don't know why he came to our school to share his experience. I heard that many other schools invited him, but he was too busy and only chose our school."
My roommate chuckled. "Could it be that there's someone he likes at our school? Did he come here for someone?! After all, there are so many beautiful girls at our school."
"Impossible," I answered instinctively.
"Why is it impossible?"
"It's just impossible. Don't read too many novels about domineering CEOs."
"Hahaha, you're right."
Looking back, it's true he doesn't have a girlfriend, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have someone he likes.
The thought of this makes me feel a little down.
Never mind, I'll just watch the lecture first.
After watching the lecture, the words "calm and composed" and "spirited and vigorous" perfectly blended together in him.
There's also an inexplicable air of refined elegance.
During the speech, I felt flustered whenever our eyes met, intentionally or unintentionally.
"Xiaxia, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?"
"It's nothing. It's just a bit stuffy, but it'll be fine in a bit."
"oh."
As soon as the lecture ended, unsurprisingly, a group of girls surrounded her, pretending to ask questions but actually wanting her contact information.
But he seemed unmoved.
"Come on, let's go take a closer look." My roommate pulled me forward, and I stopped about ten meters away from him.
I saw someone walking towards him.
She's a new acting teacher; she's very beautiful and has a great presence.
They seemed to know each other very well, and were extremely comfortable with each other in their gestures and conversations.
"Thank you for gracing our school with your presence. This is the first time we've ever done this, and I really didn't expect you to agree."
"It's nothing, it's my pleasure," the man replied politely, a faint smile on his face.
"It's been a long time, shall we grab a bite to eat together later?"
I didn't hear what he said.
What I was thinking about was what my roommate had said to me earlier.
"I just don't know why he came to our school to share his experience. I heard that many other schools invited him, but he was too busy and only chose our school."
"Could it be that he has someone he likes at our school? Did he come to our school for someone else?!"
Considering his conversation with his acting teacher, I had a bad feeling.
So, he came because of the acting teacher, and that's why he likes her?
When I made this inference.
Of course, the result was that I ran away again.
Just like last time.
The third meeting was more than half a year later.
autumn.
Although my family is wealthy, it doesn't prevent me from earning money through my own abilities.
I took on some street photography modeling jobs. That day, I was shooting a series of photos on Ginkgo Avenue.
It was in a coffee shop there that I met him for the third time.
He changed his usual image, wearing only a camel-colored trench coat, which matched the autumn season perfectly.
It's truly dazzling.
I noticed that many people were watching him and whispering, seemingly considering whether or not to go up and ask for his contact information.
Of course, some people did try, and unsurprisingly, they were rejected.
I didn't look any further; time was of the essence, and we had to rush to the next filming location.
But when we got downstairs, as I looked up at the second floor of the coffee shop, his eyes met through the glass window.
I think he probably wanted to look at the view outside the window, and it was only by chance that our eyes met amidst the golden autumn scenery filled with ginkgo leaves.
I went back to school for my last acting class.
My acting teacher is really beautiful, so I'm not surprised he likes her.
Finally, I went up to the podium and handed in my assignment.
My gaze fell on the teacher's screensaver.
The photo clearly shows a family of three, one of whom is the acting teacher.
I froze for a moment, and then the teacher noticed me.
"Hey, I remember you, Shi Xia, right?"
"Yes, teacher, it's me." I really didn't expect to be remembered by the teacher.
I must have been out of my mind to ask the teacher that question.
"Is the teacher married?" I wonder if my crush is secretly in love with a married woman.
What does it mean if it tastes a little bitter?
"Yes, we've been married for several years, and our child is three years old," the acting teacher replied with a smile, looking very happy.
"But I should be considered someone who got married early. Do you know the person who came to the school to give a lecture last time?"
"Shen Qingyun?" I asked tentatively, though I was absolutely certain it was him.
"Yes, he and I were classmates. He was the only one in our class who had never been married or dated."
"Huh? Someone like him has never been in a relationship?" I asked, somewhat incredulously. "Has he never liked anyone?"
“He used to think that dating was a boring thing, so he had never been in a relationship.”
"And now?" I used to find it boring, but now?
“Now, now he feels that liking someone is about making eye contact, even if it's just a fleeting glance.” The acting teacher smiled. “It’s strange, isn’t it? He can actually say something like that.”
The acting teacher checked the time, perhaps had something to do, said goodbye to me, and left first.
I stood there, pondering what she had just said.
Liking someone is like a fleeting, almost imperceptible glance.
Why does it feel like they're targeting me?
I dared not think too much, for fear that I might overthink things and misunderstand what others meant.
However, one thing is certain: he and his acting teacher were just classmates.
At that time, I didn't know that after saying goodbye to me, the acting teacher immediately sent a message to Shen Qingyun.
[Hey, I've done everything I could. She really is a lovely girl. It's rare to see you finally find love, so you'd better catch her.]
Later on, I became a trainee and participated in a talent show. During my time in the training camp, I would occasionally think of him, but I never saw him again.
On the night of the talent show's debut, I think I saw him, but it was just a vague feeling. I think someone like him probably wouldn't be interested in this kind of talent show.
They might just glance at it on TV and change the channel, let alone come to watch it live.
However, I received a special bouquet of flowers backstage, with colors and arrangements that I absolutely loved.
There was also a greeting card on it.
[Successful debut, happy and lucky!]
The calligraphy is vigorous and possesses a strong character, but after asking everyone, no one could find out who gave it to him.
If it were him, that would be wonderful.
Later on, at every concert, I seemed to feel someone looking at me.
Restrained yet passionate.
But how can I possibly catch that gaze among thousands upon thousands of people?
I secretly hoped it was him, but then I felt like I was just being delusional.
They finally met again during the later stages of filming for the show.
I didn't expect him to come and record.
He's still as handsome as ever.
But to him, I should be a stranger.
So, let's just pretend we don't know each other.
So, let's get to know each other again.
So I naturally called him Brother Shen.
He didn't refuse; after all, he's older than me.
Close the distance, got it!
I initially thought he would be distant and indifferent, but I later found out that wasn't the case.
At least he wasn't like that with me.
He seems to treat me differently.
He will teach me to drive, but it's a tractor that's super difficult for me.
Others might laugh at me, but he won't; he'll even take the initiative to teach me.
Oh, and he also said I was cute and funny. Well, actually he also said I was silly, but I'm so generous, I definitely forgave him.
He even bought me a watermelon!!
He looks so handsome picking out watermelons!!! [Fangirl face]
He even went running with me!!!
We even held hands back then!!!
He even drove me home afterwards!
Although he said he didn't know how to draw a circle around a chicken, it didn't matter.
Knowing that Shen Qingyun was Sister Shi's brother, I felt I had a better chance of winning.
Although I had the idea of having my brother marry into the Shen family so that I could see Shen Qingyun more often.
It's not very kind of the brother to sacrifice himself for his sister's happiness, but it's not impossible.
Of course, the older brother didn't sacrifice anything; he just really wanted to be with Sister Shi.
We've also added them on WeChat!!!
He even knows my home address!!!
Of course, it wasn't long before I discovered that he had moved in next door to me.
This can't be a coincidence, can it?
I don't want to beat around the bush with him anymore.
This must be the bravest thing I've ever done in my life.
Perhaps the initiative is in my hands?
I finally asked the question I'd always wanted to ask.
Do you... like me?
What if I said yes?
"Then, I'll be hard to pursue."
"Yes, I know."
"Then you need to take the initiative."
"good."
"What if you have to chase after him for a very, very long time?"
"Then we'll chase after them."
[Shen Qingyun's Perspective]
"We interviewed Shi Xia. Have you seen her interview about your story with her?"
—I've seen it.
"So, do you agree with everything Shi Xia said?"
—Can I say that I don't completely agree?
"Do you have anything to add?"
—Well, I want to clarify that I've met her more than three times before.
"May I interview you to provide your perspective? We believe Shi Xia would also like to know."
--sure.
"Then our interview will begin now. You can speak freely."
--good.
"What do you have to say about your statement that you've never been in a relationship and don't want to be?"
—What I want to say about this is that I don't think I ever had any thoughts related to love or romance, at least not before she came into my life.
"Wow, it seems you fell in love with Shi Xia at first sight. When exactly did that happen?"
—Just like Shi Xia said. It was at that banquet that I saw her at first glance.
"Could you describe to us what it was like when we first met?"
—She was wearing a pink dress that day, chatting and laughing with someone, her face flushed and she looked very cute.
"Wow, we can really feel how cute Shi Xia is from her description. So, you met her for the second time at school, right?"
—To be honest, no. The second time we met was when she was feeding stray kittens. I happened to be passing by that day.
"Was it really just a coincidence?"
—Hmm. Okay, I deliberately walked by.
"Was it also something you deliberately arranged to give a lecture at Shi Xia's school?"
There are several reasons for this. On one hand, the school did invite me, and on the other hand, I hadn't seen my old classmate for many years. But the main reason, of course, is that she works at this school.
"Regarding our old classmates, Shi Xia seems to have had many misunderstandings back then. Did you notice that?"
—Of course, so didn't my old classmate clarify things later?
"Wow, so what my old classmate said about you is true? Is liking someone just a subtle, unspoken glance?"
—Yes. That was true for me at the time, because our eyes kept meeting.
"So now, what does 'liking' mean to you?"
—Now? For me, the object of my affection is her.
"Wow, everyone's heart is fluttering hearing that. So, what are your thoughts on this eye contact?"
—There's a lot to say, where should I begin?
"Do whatever you like."
--good.
—Actually, their first eye contact was when they first met, but she seemed a little shy that time and ran away.
—Our second eye contact actually occurred during a lecture. We stared at each other for a long time, and of course, she was still very flustered.
—The third time our eyes met was actually at the coffee shop on Ginkgo Avenue. I was looking down from upstairs, and he was looking up from downstairs, so naturally, our gazes collided again. However, she had to leave at that time.
"Wow, it seems you remember very well. But that time on Ginkgo Avenue, were you specifically upstairs?"
—To be honest, it really is. Looking down through the glass window, I can see her laughing freely while taking pictures. I really enjoy watching her laugh.
"That sounds so sweet. Was that unique bouquet that Shi Xia mentioned receiving backstage on her debut night from you?"
—To be honest, it really was me who sent it. But unlike the flowers sold outside, the flowers I sent her were ones I grew myself.
"So, can we interpret this as you planting flowers for her while she's in closed training preparing for her debut?"
—Well, you could say that.
"That's so romantic. Were you in the audience on your debut night?"
—Yes, it is.
"A woman's intuition is indeed very accurate. Did you attend every concert after that? Did Shi Xia feel any special attention?"
—Yes, I went, but I'm good at hiding, so she didn't see me.
"Is it true that you had your company employees vote for Shi Xia during the talent show voting period, as some people online have said?"
—Does everyone know about this now? Yes, they do.
"When you participated in the show, we could see that you took great care of Shi Xia. Was there any element of premeditation involved?"
—Hahaha. Aren't all my questions and answers enough to prove it?
"According to sources, you bought a large number of albums. Is this true?"
—It wasn't much, just a small gesture of support for my girlfriend's career. I also hope everyone will listen to Shi Xia's new album; she puts a lot of effort into it and will surprise everyone.
"Do you know how to sing Shi Xia's new song? Could you sing a couple of lines for us?"
—Well, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't. I can only sing it to her, that's what she said. If everyone really wants to hear it, I think you'll hear it at our wedding.
—We're getting married.
end.
[A short skit – a bonus episode]
On a day without work, the best thing to do is stay at home and do nothing.
Just like us now.
I always feel satisfied when I cook a meal for her and watch her finish it all.
We reminisced about the little things that had happened before.
"So, you really had a crush on me before?" I asked her, even though I already knew the answer, but I just wanted to ask.
"Otherwise what? Is it that hard to tell?" She nuzzled my neck, looking up at me to ask. "And what about you?"
"Me too."
"No, with a face like that, why would you have a crush on someone?"
Aren't you the same?
We looked at each other and smiled.
The warm room echoed with laughter.
Nestled on the sofa, watching the snow fall outside the window, we welcomed our first winter.
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