What is love? What is liking?
Since understanding this concept, Xia Lian has often thought about this question.
In her still-developing little mind, these two words were often put together, until she met Wenmo and realized that there was a big difference between liking and loving.
Love is a feeling that is really hard to describe. Xia Lian clutched her chest, her heart pounding as if telling herself that none of this was a lie.
"What's wrong, Xiao Lian? Why does your face suddenly look so pale?" Yin Tao leaned closer, and the girl's expression changed immediately after she said those words.
Xia Lian didn't reply; she was still immersed in the conversation they had just had.
This girl doesn't understand love and romance; she simply wants to be with Wen Mo forever. Even now, when she truly notices her own feelings, all she can feel is endless gloom.
Cousins can only ever be cousins.
She could imagine the consequences if their relationship truly became different. How would she explain it to her aunt and uncle? What would her classmates do if they found out...?
Xia Lian didn't understand any of it; her simple mind couldn't handle so many questions.
All I know is that she is very, very sad right now.
When Mingming first met Wenmo, she was overjoyed because they were cousins.
Such a gentle and kind person is actually his cousin.
Xia Lian was very happy.
Even now, she feels inexplicably sad because their relationship can only be that of cousins.
"I'm... fine..."
Xia Lian shook her head, but her pale face completely betrayed her mood, and the gloom and unease in her eyes were almost tangible.
She pursed her lips slightly, her white teeth biting down on her lower lip.
Yin Tao could tell that Xia Lian was in a bad mood, and was about to go up and comfort her when Ye Qingzhou grabbed her and took her away.
"What are you doing? Can't you see that Xiaolian is upset? I need to go over and comfort her!" Yin Tao struggled, but the man behind her held her firmly in his arms.
Ye Qingzhou didn't say anything, but just shook his head slightly. He seemed to understand what had just happened, especially after the two of them finished their private conversation.
Since we haven't heard the whole story, we can only guess at the details. But for now, it's better to let Xia Lian be alone and quiet.
"Let her be alone for a while. Don't bother her. Also, what were you two talking about just now?"
"Is it really okay to leave Xiaolian alone for a while...? I'll listen to you for now, and then I'll go and comfort her later." Yin Tao stopped struggling and let Ye Qingzhou drag her back to her seat.
On the other side of the classroom.
Xia Lian's breathing was a little rapid, and her throat felt dry, as if something was blocking it. She only felt better after drinking some water to moisten her throat.
"Cough cough cough..." She covered her mouth and coughed softly.
It's like eating a black coffee-flavored candy; once the outer coating peels away, the real candy inside is as bitter as gall.
They get along so well, she's clearly become dependent on him, the feelings between them... I should have guessed it already.
I guessed it a long time ago.
Why couldn't I understand it back then?
Is it that you don't want to understand? Are you immersed in the cousins' play-house game? Or do you still understand that the flutter in your heart when you see Wenmo has nothing to do with family affection?
Xia Lian knew nothing. She was learning about interpersonal relationships from scratch, and all she knew was to explore little by little. Wen Mo taught her the process of exploration.
However, before she had even completed her apprenticeship, she had already fallen in love with her "teacher".
This feeling is awful. If I just kept pretending to be clueless, I wouldn't have to know what the line between us meant.
"I hate...this..."
Xia Lian buried her head in her arms, lowered her head, and the emotions in her eyes flickered.
The moment I realized my feelings, I understood that the distance between us had never seemed to close. Three months of getting along were suddenly condensed into two simple words.
"like……"
The girl murmured softly, her words sounding like she was about to cry, but not a single tear fell on her face, because she had promised Wen Mo a long time ago that she would never cry again.
Even though I didn't shed any tears, the feeling of separation in my heart didn't disappear.
At this moment, however, I don't want to see Wenmo's face again.
She wanted to escape, but her heart was already filled with Wen Mo. No matter what she thought about, her thoughts would always return to Wen Mo's face.
Why were they cousins? It wasn't until the moment I realized I had fallen for them that I understood how serious things had gotten.
What would happen if I really told Winmer that I had fallen in love with you?
Things will get chaotic... It shouldn't be like this. I should just treat him like usual... Occasionally patting his head and hugging him is enough to make me happy. I don't need to expect anything more.
That's exactly what I thought...
"Boom..."
As the dark clouds rolled and thunder roared, Xia Lian slowly raised her head and slightly lifted her eyes. Her vision was blurry, and she could only hear the sound of rain outside, which calmed her gloomy mood a little.
Every now and then a few raindrops hit the glass and dripped down the window.
Xia Lian subconsciously reached out and gently touched the window, her eyes filled with inexplicable emotions.
What is that?
I didn't cry.
It's just raining.
...
"You guys go back first, I'll go pick her up after class."
Wen Mo waved to Xiang Xiaonan and the others, picked up his schoolbag and quickly went downstairs. Today's class went overtime a little longer, and he wondered if Xia Lian would be getting impatient.
When they arrived on the first floor, they happened to see Yin Tao and Ye Qingzhou holding umbrellas together.
"Oh, the two of them are even using matching umbrellas," Wen Mo remarked jokingly as he walked over.
Ye Qingzhou turned her face away and reached out to tap Yin Tao on the head.
"Ouch……"
"I just gave this idiot a ride home because she didn't have an umbrella."
"I see, I understand."
Wen Mo smiled and nodded. How could he not understand what these two little ones were thinking? But since they wouldn't admit it, there was no need to expose them.
Yin Tao's gaze was still a little strange. She peeked out and looked around at Wen Mo, then remained silent for a moment.
"President, haven't you seen Xiaolian?"
"Huh? I just came to pick her up after class."
Yin Tao hesitated for a moment, but still told Wen Mo the truth, "But... a few minutes ago, she left alone without saying a word. We thought she went to find you..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Mo's smile vanished.
He didn't see Xia Lian on the road, let alone see that the girl had come looking for him.
Looking back at the rain curtain outside, the water mist seemed to drape the school in a thin fog.
Before Yin Tao could speak, Wen Mo rushed into the rain.
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