Chapter 25
The pressure of the college entrance exam was like a tightening rope, filling the air with a burning smell. Even Ling Yao, who always seemed carefree, was forced by his family to spend more time at his desk.
That secluded apartment naturally became the "study room" that the two of them visited most often.
Su Rui was still the one who studied harder. Not only did he do his own homework, he also took the initiative to help Ling Yao mark the key points and organize his notes. Although Ling Yao would still complain that it was "troublesome" and "unnecessary", he would always stuff those neatly organized notes into his schoolbag.
Their interactions became simple and peaceful. Often, Su Rui would furiously write at one end of the desk, while Ling Yao would sit on the other, headphones on, occasionally flipping through a book, but more often, staring out the window in a daze, or simply lying down to sleep. But whenever Su Rui encountered a problem, his brows furrowed slightly, Ling Yao, even if seemingly lost in thought, would suddenly reach out and tap the spot he was stuck on with the tip of his pen, or lazily recite a key formula.
This silent understanding made Su Rui feel warm in his heart. He felt that Ling Yao was actually very smart, but he just didn't want to waste his energy on "useless" things.
One Friday night, a sudden downpour with thunder and lightning broke out outside the window. They were the only two people left in the apartment, with the warm yellow desk lamp dispelling the small darkness.
Su Rui was stumped by a complex physics circuit problem, scribbling over and over again on his calculation paper. Ling Yao, who had been playing a game, caught a glimpse of Su Rui scratching his head, tutted, threw his phone away, and dragged his chair over.
"So stupid!" He complained, but took Su Rui's pen and began to redraw the equivalent circuit diagram on the draft paper. His fingers were long and slender, and his pen-holding posture was beautiful. His thoughts were surprisingly clear, and he sorted out the relationships in a few seconds.
"Here, we need to calculate the equivalent resistance first, and then look at the overall situation..." His voice sounded a little low in the sound of rain, with a rare patience.
Su Rui leaned in close enough to smell the delicate, pleasant scent of shower gel on him, mixed with the scent of paper and ink. He listened attentively, nodding occasionally, his heart beating a little faster, not sure if it was because he was about to solve the problem, or because of something else.
After explaining the problem, Ling Yao didn't immediately return to his seat. Another flash of lightning flashed outside the window, followed by a loud thunderclap. Su Rui subconsciously shrank her shoulders.
Ling Yao glanced at him and suddenly asked out of the blue, "Are you afraid of thunder?"
Su Rui's face flushed and she quickly shook her head: "No, no."
Ling Yao didn't ask any further questions, but just picked up the game console again, but without wearing headphones. The game sound effects mixed with the sound of rain and occasional thunder, which strangely dispelled some of the horror atmosphere.
After a while, he seemed to suddenly remember something, and took out a box of imported chocolate cookies from his schoolbag, unwrapped it, and handed it to Su Rui.
"I'm hungry. I can't finish my meal." It was concise and to the point, and it was still the familiar excuse.
Su Rui looked at the box of exquisite cookies, and his heart softened. He picked up a piece and ate it in small bites. The sweetness melted in his mouth and spread to his heart.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Ling Yao didn't respond, but stared at the game screen intently, but the corners of his mouth seemed to curl slightly.
The rain was still falling, tapping against the window. Beneath the lamp, one ate cookies while the other played a game. They didn't disturb each other, yet they felt strangely filled with a warm sense of companionship.
At that moment, Su Rui thought, if only time could stop at this moment forever. No gap, no pressure, just this small apartment, the rain outside the window, and this hard-mouthed but soft-hearted person beside her.
Ling Yao seemed to be affected by this atmosphere as well. He suddenly spoke in a very soft voice, almost drowned out by the sound of rain: "Hey, idiot." "Huh?" "Do your best on the exam." "...Huh?" "Don't let the time come when I go to B University and you can't even go to the next city." He spoke awkwardly, even with a hint of his usual sarcasm, but Su Rui could hear a subtle expectation hidden deep inside.
Su Rui's heart skipped a beat. She looked up, meeting Ling Yao's gaze. His eyes, bright under the lamplight, no longer had their usual indifference, but instead held something... serious.
"I...I will try my best!" Su Rui quickly promised, her heart pounding.
Ling Yao looked at him for a few seconds, then seemed satisfied. He withdrew his gaze and returned to the game screen. His tone returned to its lazy tone: "That's better."
After saying that, he pushed the unopened can of energy drink that was said to be refreshing to Su Rui.
Su Rui looked at the can of drink, then at Ling Yao's profile as he focused on the game, and slowly clenched her fists, her heart filled with unprecedented motivation.
He wanted to work hard. He wanted to get into a good university. He wanted to... be closer to him.
It was a quiet rainy night. Under the pressure of the college entrance examination, two young hearts approached each other and warmed each other in a clumsy and simple way.
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