14
Ji Shengsheng pretended to look at the car outside the window.
She felt a bit conflicted.
We clearly agreed yesterday to let bygones be bygones and start anew like friends, as if nothing had happened.
She did it again today, making it seem like she was playing hard to get.
"Cough, let me make this clear first, I really didn't mean anything by it." Ji Shengsheng raised three fingers to swear.
"Maybe it's because you're exactly my type. When you appear in my sight, I can't help but stare at you."
Ji Shengsheng, unaware that he was making things worse by trying to explain, continued to add: "It's purely physiological, not something intentional."
"I was also afraid that you'd know I was watching you, and that it might cause some misunderstanding... but I probably couldn't control my instincts. I'll be more careful in the future." She became increasingly unsure of herself as she spoke...
As she finished speaking, she inexplicably saw the first smile on Xu Yu's face in recent days.
"What are your plans for today?" Xu Yu handed her phone to Ji Shengsheng. "After you're done, we'll find a quiet place to continue our conversation."
"..." Ji Shengsheng looked at the memo on her phone screen, hesitated for a few seconds, and then entered the schedule.
Xu Yu dropped her off at the entrance of the milk tea shop where Xiao Qi, the person he was sponsoring, worked, and then went to the hotel to check in.
To avoid disturbing Xiao Qi's work, Ji Shengsheng waited quietly outside the door for her to get off work.
From her own perspective, she didn't really approve of Xiao Qi working during her year of retaking the college entrance exam.
Although it's a repeat year and you already have a relatively good foundation of high school knowledge, the time spent repeating a year is precious, so you should spend even more time studying.
However, she hasn't had the time or opportunity to understand Xiao Qi's thoughts yet. She plans to give Xiao Qi some suggestions that Xiao Qi can accept after this face-to-face communication.
If Xiao Qi's concerns are simply because she wants to save money or is embarrassed to ask her for more financial assistance, then she can try her best to dispel Xiao Qi's doubts and anxieties.
She has a source of income that is more than enough to cover Xiao Qi's tuition and basic living expenses from her senior year of high school to university.
If it's for other reasons, she will try her best to listen and understand.
"Sister!" Xiao Qi suddenly appeared from behind her.
As soon as Ji Shengsheng turned around, Xiao Qi jumped up and hugged her tightly, then stuffed the freshly made hot milk tea into her hands.
"It must be cold." Ji Shengsheng rubbed Xiao Qi's icy hands and took out all the gloves, hats and scarves he had brought for her from his bag.
In no time, Xiao Qi had been surrounded by her like a warm little bear, and Ji Shengsheng was very satisfied: "Let's go eat, we can talk while we eat."
When Xu Yu went to pick up Ji Shengsheng, he saw her from afar pulling the girl aside and giving her instructions, as if she was afraid that something was not fully considered.
Her mouth opened and closed, and she spoke very seriously.
After waiting for a while, he saw Ji Shengsheng escort the other person upstairs and then skip and hop across the street.
The moment their eyes met, she suppressed her lively demeanor and began to cross the street steadily.
Have you eaten?
They lived not far from here, so Xu Yu didn't drive.
"I didn't eat dinner." Ji Shengsheng patted her empty stomach and looked at Xu Yu. "Have you eaten anything?"
"No." Xu Yu handed the phone to Ji Shengsheng. "It's late. Order some of your favorite food and have it delivered to the hotel."
"Okay." Ji Shengsheng nodded.
She didn't think much of it, so she didn't realize that she was using Xu Yu's phone to order takeout, nor did she realize that they were going to stay at the same hotel.
"How is the situation?"
Ji Shengsheng stood by the roadside, head down, focused on ordering food. Xu Yu watched the stray hairs on her head being blown by the wind.
The situation is more optimistic than expected.
Xiao Qi's decision to work wasn't solely for earning money, nor did she intend to give up her studies.
The fact that she had to repeat a grade and her grandmother's serious illness were both blows to her. Going out to do things, staying in touch with people, and doing some physical labor helped to cheer her up.
Ji Shengsheng could sense that Xiao Qi's emotions were very positive.
However, she wouldn't go through Xiao Qi to discuss these details with someone she didn't know.
After making the order, Ji Shengsheng handed the phone back to Xu Yu: "It's good. She's a very energetic girl, and I believe she will forge her own path."
Xu Yu nodded.
There are many cars on this road, and Ji Shengsheng likes to walk on the outside of the road. As she walks, she unconsciously moves further and further out.
Xu Yu looked down at her walking route.
This scene seems familiar.
Three years ago, he would always remind Ji Shengsheng to come closer and move further in.
It can sometimes be effective, but it doesn't happen very often.
Therefore, he needed to constantly monitor Ji Shengsheng's movements and the surrounding vehicles.
It takes too much effort; it's better to just hold her hand.
Ji Shengsheng was having a frantic brainstorming session, thinking about how he could better help Xiao Qi.
It was the warmth between her palms and fingers that disrupted her train of thought.
Xu Yu took her hand.
Ji Shengsheng stopped involuntarily.
"how?"
"……fine."
As soon as she finished speaking, she felt Xu Yu open his fingers, then clench them even tighter.
After walking for a while, Ji Shengsheng recalled that time again.
She didn't know how Xu Yu viewed what had happened.
It's somewhat like a cycle of fate now; once again, without having established any relationship, they've done something that only lovers do.
Thinking it over, Ji Shengsheng stopped in place: "Xu Yu."
"Um?"
Sensing that she wanted to break free, Xu Yu did not force her.
Why are you holding my hand?
Xu Yu's expression was much more frank than hers: "I'm afraid you'll skip and jump into the middle of the road."
Ji Shengsheng: "..."
...How could she be jumping around like that?
"When you're around me, aren't you always gesturing wildly?"
"...Like this?" Ji Shengsheng asked guiltily. "Could others tell the difference?"
"I don't know." Xu Yu stared intently at her. "I can tell."
Ji Shengsheng pulled his arm back slightly and changed the subject: "...Then I'll walk behind you, I promise I won't walk into the middle of the road."
They should spend this "business trip" like old classmates reuniting.
After returning home, she paid Xu Yu's fare, treated him to a meal to express her gratitude, and then they each returned to their normal lives.
As Ji Shengsheng was thinking, he suddenly felt his palm was empty.
"good."
Xu Yu released her hand and took a few steps towards the outside, letting her walk through the inner path.
Ji Shengsheng: "...Thank you."
They remained silent the entire way.
They had walked together like this at night before, along the tree-lined path behind the school.
That day, her work represented the school at an exhibition, and she received many positive reviews and photos on social media.
It wasn't her first time exhibiting, nor was it the first time she'd been "seen" and praised by so many people. But on that day, she couldn't wait to share it with Xu Yu.
She impulsively texted Xu Yu, saying she wanted to see him and wanted to go see him immediately.
Without waiting for a reply, and without even changing out of her pajamas after sending the message, she quickly went downstairs, left the dormitory, and headed towards the back gate of the school.
She hadn't thought about whether she would be able to see Xu Yu; she just wanted to see him.
Then, she didn't expect that they would meet at the back gate of the school.
Xu Yu received her message and actually came to see her.
Even though my brain was so active beforehand and I had prepared so many things to say to the other person, I couldn't think of a single word when I saw them.
Xu Yu saw that she was wearing pajamas, so he took off his coat and put it on her.
Ji Shengsheng only remembers her face turning bright red, and somewhat at a loss, she began to tell Xu Yu everything about her creative process, how those comments resonated with her, and so on.
Xu Yu simply listened quietly.
She was gesturing wildly, and Xu Yu, watching the passing vehicles, would occasionally remind her to move to the inside.
Finally, seemingly sensing her barely suppressed excitement, Xu Yu took her hand.
The world seemed to fall silent for a moment. Ji Shengsheng forgot what she was saying or where she was going with her conversation.
Her mind went blank, and a tingling, electric-like sensation quickly traveled from her fingertips to every nerve ending.
"continue."
Xu Yu's reminder had no effect; all she could think about was that Xu Yu had held her hand.
She was afraid that if she moved even slightly, Xu Yu would let go of her.
...
Ji Shengsheng had walked in front of him without him noticing.
Xu Yu looked up at Ji Shengsheng's back.
He remembered that day; he had just dried his hair when he saw Ji Shengsheng's message.
She said she wanted to see him, wanted to see him right away.
If Ji Shengsheng wants to meet, he will keep the appointment.
He walked faster, and they met sooner than he had expected.
Xu Yu couldn't fully recall the specifics of Ji Shengsheng's description that day, but he remembered someone playing guitar on a bench by the tree-lined road, and he remembered those chords flowing through Ji Shengsheng's voice.
Their steps were light, and the familiar scenery along the way became strange and moving.
They held hands, and Ji Shengsheng was very close to him.
Then, Xu Yu saw Xing Xing. Almost simultaneously, Ji Shengsheng quickly withdrew her hand, as if afraid of being discovered and exposed.
"Wait a minute, I saw someone I know, I'm going to say hello."
Leaving behind those words, Ji Shengsheng fled from his sight, growing ever more distant.
When she reappeared beside him, she was carrying walnuts and red dates, muttering that an aunt had asked a friend to bring them to her.
That day, Xu Yu didn't say anything more.
He has a bottom line, and no one can allow him to cross it.
Ji Shengsheng was unaware that she was walking faster and faster. She suddenly remembered that she had originally planned to confess to Xu Yu that day, but Xing Xing had suddenly come over without informing her in advance, bringing her nuts and snacks that his mother had asked him to bring.
After she returned, the atmosphere became tense. Xu Yu inexplicably became very distant, and she couldn't bring herself to speak.
In fact, it was always like this between them. Every time she thought they were truly getting closer to each other, she would feel that it was all an illusion. Xu Yu's gaze towards her was cold and indifferent.
Just then, a bicycle going the wrong way stopped right in front of her, but luckily Xu Yu pulled her back from behind.
The momentum of her body caused her to fall backward uncontrollably. She felt the warmth of Yu's body on her back and quickly moved aside, saying, "Excuse me."
"fine."
To make sure she wouldn't fall, Xu Yu stepped back first, maintaining a suitable distance from her.
This time it was her turn to look at Xu Yu's back.
Ji Shengsheng could sense that if she didn't do something soon, they would really have to "bury the hatchet".
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