No?
The days ticked by like clockwork. After the seat change, Jiang Yibai's clinginess intensified.
During class, his elbow would always "accidentally" cross the 38th parallel and bump into Lin Xiyan's. He'd drop his pen, bend down to pick it up, and his head wouldn't leave without rubbing against Lin Xiyan's leg. When the teacher asked Lin Xiyan a question, he'd be even more nervous than the teacher, scribbling instructions on his scratch paper and then pointing with his finger to signal him to read.
Lin Xiyan was initially frozen and at a loss, but gradually... he got used to it. While his heart still skipped a beat and his ears still felt warm every time he was touched, at least he didn't flinch away like a startled rabbit. He'd learned to freeze slightly when that arm nudged him, then tacitly acknowledge its presence. He'd learned to nod ever so slightly, or whisper "thank you," when Jiang Yibai handed him a note filled with reminders.
This change was so subtle that it was almost invisible, but it didn't escape Jiang Yibai's attention. He was like an explorer who had discovered a new world, and he was happy to test the boundaries of Lin Xiyan's tolerance, pushing her a little bit, and then using that wet, aggrieved look to ensure that he would not be pushed away.
In the back row, Lu Panji and He Yunling went from initially stifling laughter and making faces to gradually becoming numb, even able to calmly discuss where to play basketball that night in a pink bubble. Only occasionally would Jiang Yibai go too far, like insisting on feeding Lin Xiyan a candy (which she dodged) or playing with her fingers as if no one was around, would the two exchange looks of "I can't stand it."
After school that day, it was Lin Xiyan's group's turn to be on duty. Naturally, Jiang Yibai wouldn't leave first. He slung his bag onto the table, plopped down in the empty seat next to Lin Xiyan, and began writing a competition paper. He pretended to be "waiting for you," but in reality, he was just overseeing the group.
The setting sun cast a warm yellow hue over the classroom, and the dust from sweeping the floor swirled up and down in the beam of light.
Lin Xiyan held the broom, his movements clumsy—his right arm hadn't fully healed yet, and it still ached when he exerted force. He swept diligently, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Jiang Yibai was writing a question, but he couldn't help but glance over there. Seeing Lin Xiyan frown slightly, he subconsciously pressed his right arm, and his brows immediately knitted together.
"Hey, you," he suddenly said, his voice quiet but with his usual unpleasant tone, pointing to another boy in the group who was slacking off, "Go clean the blackboard."
The boy was stunned for a moment and was a little reluctant, but facing Jiang Yibai's expressionless face, he still left in disappointment.
Lin Xiyan was also stunned for a moment and looked at Jiang Yibai.
Jiang Yibai, however, had already lowered his head and continued working on his homework, as if the remark had just been made casually. Only the slightly reddened earlobes betrayed his thoughts.
After a while, Lin Xiyan went to wash the rag. The bucket was a bit heavy, and he had just started to lift it with his left hand when a bony hand reached out and took it without a word.
"Stupid." Jiang Yibai was holding a bucket of water, his tone was disgusted, but his eyes avoided looking at him, "I'll do it this way, you go wipe the podium." The podium was light and clean.
Lin Xiyan looked at his back as he turned and walked towards the bathroom. He opened his mouth, but finally lowered his head and said in a very low voice: "...Thank you."
The sound was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, but it made the person walking in front of him pause almost imperceptibly, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.
The duty was over and it was already dark. They were the only two left in the classroom.
Lin Xiyan put on her schoolbag and looked at Jiang Yibai who was still slowly packing his things: "...are you done?"
"Yeah," Jiang Yibai zipped up his schoolbag but didn't move. Instead, he turned around to face him, leaning back slightly on the edge of the table. He looked out the window at the darkening sky and asked casually, "Hey, what do you usually do at night?"
Lin Xiyan didn't know why he asked this, and answered honestly: "Doing homework, reading, or... working." He lowered his voice for the last two words.
"Oh." Jiang Yibai responded, his fingers unconsciously picking at the strap of his schoolbag. He was silent for a few seconds before turning back to look at him, as if he had made up his mind. His eyes were bright, with a hint of subtle nervousness and anticipation: "Then... do you want to go to the library together? Just... do some homework or something. It's more efficient than going alone."
After he finished speaking, as if afraid of being rejected, he quickly added with a soft tone: "I don't know how to answer many questions. Can you explain them to me?" This excuse was so lame that he didn't even believe it.
Lin Xiyan was stunned. Going to... the library together? Like... a date?
The very thought of this word made his heartbeat suddenly go haywire. His cheeks began to heat up uncontrollably again. He subconsciously wanted to lower his head, to refuse, to say he needed to work, or some other excuse.
But when he looked into Jiang Yibai's eyes, he could clearly see his small, flustered self, as well as the nervousness and anticipation that he tried hard to conceal. The words of refusal turned around in his throat, and he couldn't say them.
The air became quiet, with only the faint sound of the wind coming from outside the window.
Jiang Yibai waited for a few seconds, but received no response. The light in his eyes dimmed a little, and the corners of his mouth turned down slightly, as if he had suffered a great injustice. Even his voice was a little lower: "...Is it not possible?"
He uses this trick again!
Lin Xiyan's heart felt like it was being gently squeezed by an invisible hand, aching and limp. He blurted out, his voice a little more urgent than usual: "...No, it's impossible."
As soon as he said this, he realized what he had agreed to, and his cheeks turned red.
Jiang Yibai's eyes instantly lit up like a galaxy, dazzlingly bright. He suddenly smiled, took a step closer, and pressed harder, "So, what's the deal? Are we going now?"
The distance was so close that Lin Xiyan could smell the clean scent of laundry detergent on him mixed with a hint of sunshine. He nodded hurriedly, his fingers clenching the strap of his schoolbag: "...Yeah."
"Let's go!" Jiang Yibai was in a good mood. He naturally reached out his hand, not holding his hand, but putting his arm around his shoulders and leading him out. "I know a really good spot. It's quiet and no one will disturb us."
His arms were warm and strong, transmitting heat continuously through the thin fabric of the school uniform. Lin Xiyan's body stiffened slightly, but she didn't shy away. She let him half-hold her, walked out of the empty classroom, and into the dusk-shrouded campus.
The street lights lit up one after another, lengthening the distance between the two figures cuddling together.
My heart was beating in my chest, beating out a strange and throbbing rhythm.
It seems...something is really starting to become different.
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