15 Chapter 15
◎Am I special to you?◎
The next morning, as Sang Xinqi walked down the stairs, she bumped into Jiang Xun's eyes that were full of curiosity. She was too lazy to pay attention to him and walked straight to the back seat of the bicycle and sat down on it.
"Let's go."
Jiang Xun twisted his body and refused to give in. "Aren't you going to explain?"
"What do you want to confess?" Sang Xinqi pretended to be stupid.
"Of course it's about you and Liao Yishen going out to see a movie yesterday!" Jiang Xun's voice suddenly rose.
Sang Xinqi raised an eyebrow and deliberately changed the subject, "Didn't we agree not to contact that Han Xuexue?"
Jiang Xun was like a cat whose tail was stepped on. He scratched his head and stammered, "She...she asked me to go to the movies..."
"You're useless. You just go whenever someone invites you," Sang Xinqi rolled her eyes.
Jiang Xun immediately started howling, "I'm talking about you now!"
"Yes, I was the one who made an appointment with him," Sang Xinqi admitted generously.
Jiang Xun blurted out, "Brother Liao is also useless. He just leaves when you ask him out."
Sang Xinqi: “…”
"Good for you, Jiang Xun!"
"Besides, they are different from you. You are just an invincible bootlicker."
"Personal attack, huh?"
"Am I wrong?"
Jiang Xun: “…”
As the bicycle passed through the morning light, Jiang Xun suddenly chuckled, "Do you like him?"
This direct hit caught Sang Xinqi off guard. She was silent for a moment, then softly admitted, "It seems... a little bit."
"Tsk tsk tsk," Jiang Xun shook his head exaggeratedly, "I never thought that our Miss Sang would also fall in love prematurely."
"Who said I want to fall in love too early!" Sang Xinqi said stubbornly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corners of her clothes.
Jiang Xun curled his lips and said, "Based on my understanding of you, if you really like her, you will definitely not stop until you get her."
As he spoke, he suddenly increased his pedaling speed, frightening Sang Xinqi so much that she quickly grabbed the back seat.
Silence spread in the morning breeze.
After a while, Sang Xinqi finally dropped her disguise and asked, "So, do you think... Liao Yishen likes me?"
Jiang Xun let out a mischievous laugh, which sounded so mean. If he hadn't been riding a bike, Sang Xinqi really wanted to punch him.
"Hurry up and tell me!"
"He must have a good impression of her. Otherwise, given his personality, how could he agree to go to the movies?" Jiang Xun analyzed.
Sang Xinqi unconsciously curled up the corners of her mouth, and even the wind blowing towards her became gentle.
In the cram school, sunlight shines through the window, casting mottled shadows on the floor.
Sang Xinqi walked into the classroom and greeted Shen Yanyan first. After greeting, she walked towards her seat. When she passed Liao Yishen, her heartbeat suddenly accelerated. She pretended to be casual and greeted him, "Liao Yishen, you came so early today."
The other party just said "hmm" lightly.
Sang Xinqi suddenly felt like a deflated ball, and walked towards her seat dejectedly.
"You came quite early today."
Just when she was feeling discouraged, that cold voice suddenly rang out.
Sang Xinqi suddenly looked up and saw the boy's profile in the backlight, and her heart beat uncontrollably faster.
"Because if I come earlier, I can see you earlier!" she blurted out, then was shocked by her own bluntness and quickly covered it up with a smile, "I was just kidding."
But Liao Yishen's mouth corners slightly raised, "I take it seriously."
The moment their eyes met, Sang Xinqi clearly caught the panic that flashed across his eyes. The delicate atmosphere was not broken until Jiang Xun suddenly interrupted.
Teacher Meng came in pushing a wheelchair.
With the rustling sound of chalk scratching on the blackboard, Sang Xinqi's figure appeared before her. A month passed like sand through fingers; the more she tried to hold on, the faster it slipped away. Yet, certain inexplicable emotions quietly grew in this passing time.
During lunch break, the six of them went to a small restaurant opposite the badminton hall to eat. The sunlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the concrete floor.
"Isn't it a coincidence that the last day of tutoring is August 31st?" Tao Wen kicked the pebbles on the road, her tone full of emotion.
"It's indeed a coincidence," Sang Xinqi agreed softly, her eyes unconsciously drifting towards Liao Yishen who was walking on the outermost side.
Chen Yanyan suddenly suggested, "Have you ever climbed Qingliang Mountain? I was thinking, how about we go hiking together before school starts?"
"Sure," Jiang Xun responded immediately and threw the empty mineral water bottle into the trash can on the side of the road.
Liao Yishen frowned slightly, "Is it too hot in this season?" As he spoke, the sunlight fell on his handsome face, and his handsome eyebrows frowned slightly.
Chen Yanyan pursed her lips and said, “It’s actually quite cool on the top of the mountain.”
"Sweating to detoxify," Tao Wen said with a smile, turning to look at Sang Xinqi, "Sangsang, are you going?"
Sang Xinqi withdrew her gaze from Liao Yishen, paused, and said, "Go ahead. You'll be a senior when school starts, so this is a rare opportunity."
Meng Qixiang also nodded in agreement. He liked the time when the six of them traveled together the most.
On the way back to the classroom, the team of six unknowingly split into two groups.
Sang Xinqi deliberately slowed down her pace and walked side by side with Liao Yishen. The weather was still very hot at the end of August, and she would break out in a thin sweat after just a few steps.
"Liao Yishen," she lowered her voice, "don't you really want to go?"
The boy paused, "I'm just worried about the weather."
His voice is like a mountain spring, clean and clear.
"It's really cool on the top of the mountain," Sang Xinqi tilted her head to look at him, "We can watch the sunset together."
When she said this, her eyes sparkled, as if filled with tiny rays of sunlight.
After a brief pause, Liao Yishen said, "Okay."
During the afternoon self-study class, after finishing a set of test papers, Sang Xinqi lay on the desk bored.
Her eyes fell directly on Liao Yishen's upright back in the front row. The sunlight shining through the glass window gave his outline a golden edge.
Jiang Xun suddenly poked her arm. Sang Xinqi was startled and turned to glare at him, "What for?"
Jiang Xun wrote the word "flower maniac" on the notebook, tore it off and handed it to her.
Sang Xinqi's face flushed immediately. She glared at Jiang Xun and said, "I think you don't want to live anymore."
Jiang Xun chuckled.
Tao Wen turned her head and looked at them. "Jiang Xun, you're such a jerk! Look how angry Sangsang is."
Jiang Xun said with a playful smile, "Someone feels guilty."
Tao Wen asked curiously, "Why are you feeling guilty, Sangsang?"
Jiang Xun's eyebrows curved, "I won't tell you."
Tao Wen curled her lips, "You are indeed very irritating."
The quiet classroom became lively for a while because of this little episode, and then fell into silence again as students practiced exercises. However, she could no longer concentrate on studying, so she simply took out her sketchbook and started drawing.
After school, Sang Xinqi handed the finished sketch to Liao Yishen who was packing his schoolbag. The boy in the drawing had picturesque features, and even the curvature of his eyelashes was accurate to the last detail.
"I'm actually pretty average at painting portraits," she said casually.
Liao Yishen stared at the painting, his ears slightly reddened. "It's very well drawn, very..." He paused, "very similar."
"Maybe it's because you're pretty," Sang Xinqi said frankly.
She really liked teasing him, and then watching him pause and not know how to respond, and then answer her seriously in the end, she found it very interesting.
The other four people in the classroom left one after another, leaving only them and Jiang Xun who was pretending to pack his schoolbag.
Sang Xinqi smiled and said, "I spent money on you without your consent, don't you mind?"
For some reason, her heartbeat quickened, and she was looking forward to his answer.
"No problem."
He looked up at her and said.
Hearing his words, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise, her eyes rolling around, "Would you mind if someone else drew you?"
Liao Yishen's fingers unconsciously stroked the edge of the drawing paper and looked up at her. "Maybe."
"Am I special to you?"
Liao Yishen's heart skipped a beat. He looked at her, and suddenly, he felt that what she said was no less than "I like you."
The sun was setting in the west, and the classroom was so quiet that you could hear the ticking of the clock.
Liao Yishen's eyes were deep and gentle, but he never gave the answer.
Finally, it was Jiang Xun who broke the silence, "We should go."
Sang Xinqi sighed softly and slowed down the process of packing her schoolbag. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window, stretching the shadows of the three people very long.
When I walked out of the teaching building, the setting sun had already dyed half the sky red.
The three of them took their bicycles from the carport. The evening breeze brought a little coolness, blowing away the day's heat.
The three of them chatted idly and soon arrived at the gate of Jiang Xun's residential complex. Liao Yishen waved to them and said, "See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow," Sang Xinqi's voice was brisk and somewhat deliberate.
After Liao Yishen walked away, Jiang Xun suddenly let out a long sigh, and the sigh seemed particularly heavy in the evening.
Sang Xinqi slapped him on the arm and asked, "Why are you sighing like that?"
"Hiss—" Jiang Xun rubbed his arm, "Can you be a little gentler?"
"No, I'm asking you a question," Sang Xinqi swung her legs while sitting in the back seat.
"What were you doing in the classroom just now?" He lowered his voice. "I almost thought you were going to confess right there and then."
Sang Xinqi paused her swinging legs, her cheeks unconsciously flushed, and she said thoughtfully, "What nonsense! I'm not thinking of confessing my feelings right now."
"Sister, I was sweating for you at that time," Jiang Xun wiped his forehead exaggeratedly, "You are too direct, aren't you? Asking people, 'Am I special?'..."
"It's nothing," Sang Xinqi said indifferently.
Jiang Xun looked at her and said, "Okay."
He locked his bicycle in the parking shed.
He turned around and walked towards the apartment building with her.
"I'm starving. The elevator is here, let's go upstairs quickly," said Sang Xinqi.
The two of them jogged and got on the elevator just as it was about to close.
Soon, the elevator stopped on the 13th floor with a ding. Sang Xinqi walked out quickly. The sound of the key turning in the keyhole was particularly crisp.
Jiang Xun waved at him, "I'm leaving."
"Let's go."
The door opened, and the aroma of food wafted into the room, but she suddenly remembered the unfinished conversation in the classroom and Liao Yishen's hesitant look.
Sang Xinqi pursed her lips and called towards the kitchen, "Mom, what did you cook? It smells so good."
As she said that, she changed her shoes and walked towards the kitchen.
Sang Guoyu, who was busy, said, "Hot and sour noodles."
Sang Xinqi cried out, "Mom, you know I want to eat."
Sang Guoyu said, "I don't know whether you want to eat or not, but your mother does want to eat."
Sang Xinqi smiled softly, "Okay, okay."
As dusk fell, Sang Xinqi finished washing up and lay down on the bed, the unanswered conversation resurfaced in her mind.
She tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
His thoughts were like the flickering starlight outside the window, unpredictable.
Time flies, and it’s Saturday in the blink of an eye.
After the daytime classes ended, the six-person group gathered together to discuss preparations for the next day's mountain climbing. After determining the necessary items and meeting time, everyone dispersed.
At seven o'clock in the morning, the alarm clock rang on time. Sang Xinqi jumped up and quickly packed her luggage. She carefully checked her backpack: mineral water, lunch box, sunscreen, nothing was missing.
After confirming that everything was correct, she hurried out.
At 8 o'clock sharp, she and Jiang Xun were the first to arrive at the gym. After a while, Tao Wen and Meng Qixiang also showed up.
While the four were chatting, the last two companions arrived on time.
"Why hasn't the bus arrived yet? It's already ten minutes late," Tao Wen kept looking at the end of the road, her fingers unconsciously curling the ends of her hair.
Meng Qixiang looked at his watch and consoled him, "Maybe there's a traffic jam during the morning rush hour. Let's wait a little longer."
Ten minutes later, a bus with the words "Qingliangshan Special Line" printed on it finally drove slowly over. After everyone got on the bus, it headed towards its destination.
On the way, the tour guide enthusiastically explained the stories and legends of Qingliang Mountain, from the poems written by Tang Dynasty poets to folk myths.
Several rounds of fun questions and answers were then organized, and there was constant laughter in the carriage. Before we knew it, the green mountains came into view.
"During free time, please return to the parking lot promptly at 4:00 PM," the tour guide reminded. "Everyone, please be sure to pay attention to safety during your visit."
The six-member group smiled at each other and couldn't wait to start their mountain climbing journey.
When everyone started climbing, they were all in high spirits and walked briskly.
As the altitude increases, the stone steps become steeper.
Tao Wen's fear of heights gradually emerged. She followed Jiang Xun closely throughout the whole process, grabbing the corner of his clothes from time to time.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here," Jiang Xun comforted her gently.
Tao Wen responded with a reproachful roll of the eyes.
"It's so hot," Sang Xinqi wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. "Are we halfway there yet?"
Chen Yanyan looked up at the winding mountain road and said, "I'm afraid it's not there yet."
Tao Wen suddenly let out a wail.
At this time, Jiang Xun noticed the roadside stall and said, "Let's go buy some cucumbers."
Meng Qixiang scratched his ears and asked, "What did you say you wanted to buy?"
Sang Xinqi couldn't help laughing and answered for him, "He said he wanted to buy cucumbers," and pointed to the fruit and vegetable stall not far away.
Meng Qixiang let out a sudden "Ah" as he suddenly understood, then scratched his head innocently, "I thought I heard it wrong."
Jiang Xun suppressed a smile and confirmed, "You certainly heard it right."
Liao Yishen made the decision without hesitation, "Then buy a few."
"I can be fully revived after eating cucumbers," Sang Xinqi winked playfully.
Everyone shared the crisp cucumbers. Whether it was a psychological effect or a true replenishment of physical strength, their steps were indeed much lighter.
After crossing the breathtaking glass plank bridge, a steep staircase, almost vertical, suddenly appeared before our eyes.
Tao Wen covered her pounding chest. She was already scared when she crossed the glass bridge just now. She thought the most difficult level had passed, but she didn't expect that a bigger challenge was still ahead.
She lamented with a sad face, "Oh my God, are these stairs going up to heaven?"
Meng Xiangqi asked with concern, "Are you okay?"
Tao Wen nodded weakly. "My legs are a little weak. But I think I can hold on."
Unexpectedly, the seemingly weak Chen Yanyan was actually the calmest one in the team, and she remained calm even in the face of the steep mountain road.
Liao Yishen looked at Tao Wen, whose face had turned pale, and said firmly, "If you're really scared, don't force yourself. The higher you go, the more uncomfortable you'll probably feel."
Tao Wen bit her lip and hesitated for a while, then finally sighed softly, "I can't see it anymore, you guys watch it for me, I'll wait for you downstairs."
She didn't want to drag everyone down because of her fear. If she really got stuck at a high place, it would distract her companions from taking care of her.
"I'll stay with you," Chen Yanyan suddenly said.
Tao Wen quickly shook her head, "No, no, you guys keep climbing."
"It's okay, I've been to this mountain before," Chen Yanyan smiled lightly, her tone calm but unyielding.
Tao Wen looked around. The empty viewing platform really made her feel uneasy. She finally relented, "Well... okay."
"We'll wait here for you to come back," Tao Wen found a stone bench to sit on and waved to the people who continued to climb.
Jiang Xun turned around and winked at her, then said in a deliberately exaggerated tone, "Don't worry, we'll make it quick and easy!"
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