The next day.
Ying Qian had just gotten up at five o'clock and went to the balcony to study for a while until dawn.
Chen Wenzhi was pruning flowers in the small courtyard downstairs.
Every now and then, Ms. Zhao would say things like, "If you don't know how to cut flowers, then don't cut them! Don't kill my flowers!"
He gave a very soft hum, "I'll pay if you kill him."
After speaking, she took the scissors and walked to the camellia tree.
Zhao Yaya walked over angrily with her hands on her hips, pointed at the tea tree and said, "This was planted by your dad. In your dad's heart, this tree is more important than you!"
"……oh."
Chen Wenzhi, having been rebuffed, stopped.
Soon, his figure disappeared into the small garden.
Zhao Yaya stayed behind to water the flowers and plants that needed water.
The first rays of sunlight felt warm on my skin, a warmth that the underfloor heating at home could never match.
Ying Qian stretched, glanced at the time, and decided to go out to buy some food.
Downstairs, Chen Wenzhi was waiting.
How did you know I didn't eat breakfast today?
Chen Wenzhi no longer looked aggrieved like he did last night; he was now aloof and dignified, his back ramrod straight.
Hearing the voice, she tilted her head and smiled gently, "We're on the same wavelength, aren't we?"
"Nonsense." Ying Qian rolled her eyes at him.
He frowned slightly, then walked slowly to her side as if he didn't see her, until they were standing on the same line before he stopped adjusting.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Chen Wenzhi asked.
Ying Qian's expression darkened the moment she heard the question.
"Slept well."
"That's a lie."
"Guess what I'm thinking?" Ying Qian asked, but didn't wait for a reply. "I'm thinking about how to be a good girlfriend. I don't know how."
Her reason was that it was her first time being in a relationship.
Chen Wenzhi shook his head, not quite agreeing with her statement. "You're making it sound like I've been in a relationship."
His voice was steady: "There's no such thing as a girlfriend being 'good' or 'bad.' Not everything is like an exam. As far as I'm concerned, you just need to be yourself."
Own?
Was it my cowardly and timid self?
Her bewildered expression betrayed her inner thoughts.
Chen Wenzhi pursed his lips, realized what was happening, gently took her hand, and massaged her palm a few times. Her expression quickly relaxed.
This is their usual way of comforting others.
"I'm sorry, I haven't figured out how to be your girlfriend yet," she said.
"Hmm." He said calmly, "It's okay, it just means it's just me liking you."
"I don't know if I like you or not." Her eyes were unfocused as she continued, "There are many kinds of liking someone. Is my understanding of our feelings the same as yours?"
“That’s alright.” The man paused slightly. “I can feel that you love me.”
He used the word "love".
From then on, every time, I used the word "love".
"I love you, Ying Qian." Chen Wenzhi said solemnly, without hugging or kneeling on one knee. His next sentence was different from others: "I wish you good luck on your exam today."
He knew exactly what Ying Qian cared about.
"Thanks."
Her expression grew increasingly complex, with emotions seemingly surging beneath the surface of her shimmering eyes.
“I…” Chen Wenzhi’s face turned bright red.
"Fine, what's done is done. Love is love, and I love you even with that expression on your face." He scratched his head, a little shy.
The world is usually bustling with noise, but at this moment all is silent.
"Chen Wenzhi, I really don't know what to say." She lowered her eyes, hooked her little finger with his, and said, "Pinky promise, let's walk together from now on."
From now on, let's walk together.
The final exam was held in a first-year high school classroom, but the first-year students were already on vacation.
Ying Qian and Gu Xinan are in the same class.
"What did you say to Chen Wenzhi?" she asked Gu Xinan after the first exam.
Gu Xinan avoided eye contact, but upon noticing her serious expression, he nodded.
"He told you?"
"Hmm." Ying Qian stared calmly into his eyes. "Can you tell me why?"
"Because very few high school relationships last a lifetime, and you and him are no exception." He pretended to know a lot, and every word he said was for Ying Qian's good.
Ying Qian laughed in anger and questioned, "What about you and me?"
"You know?" Gu Xinan asked knowingly, his deep brown, amber eyes shining brightly in the sunlight.
"Tell me, how can a person squatting next to a brazier not feel the heat?" She stared into Gu Xinan's eyes and saw his hesitation and retreat.
Gu Xinan was stunned for a moment before finally speaking, "I understand."
Ying Qian turned and left.
Gu Xinan chased after him, "You have to tell me, what exactly is the difference between me and Chen Wenzhi!"
"There are too many to list."
"Your heart is so cold, Ying Qian," Gu Xinan scoffed. "No matter how I try to warm it, it won't get warm."
There were many people around, and some even leaned in to listen. When they heard that Gu Xinan was having a heartbreak, they would just smile and leave.
"Come on, come on! Time to go back to the exam room!" The invigilators from each class called out to the students to return to their exam rooms.
The two didn't exchange another word until school ended in the afternoon.
Gu Xinan followed behind Ying Qian.
Without saying anything, she went straight to the science exam room to wait for Chen Wenzhi.
He chuckled and patted Ying Qian's head, then turned to ask, "How did the exam go today?"
"I can be number one with you!" she said confidently.
That's great.
Gu Xinan clenched his fist, then slowly relaxed it as if he had thought of something. He opened his palm and saw a paper crane, crushed beyond recognition. He paused for a moment, then put it in his pocket.
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