Ling Zixuan stood at the back of the crowd, looking at Qi Huan with a hint of surprise in his eyes. Perhaps because he had just showered, Ling Zixuan's hair wasn't completely dry. In the summer night, Ling Zixuan wore a black and white striped T-shirt, dark shorts, and casual slippers. He looked like a protagonist straight out of a story, standing there as if he were there specifically to greet Qi Huan. Everyone's gaze fell on Ling Zixuan, and then they all smiled slightly.
Han Lin's face finally darkened. Judging from everyone's reactions, they were far more accepting of Ling Zixuan than of him. Such an insult was unacceptable to Han Lin.
Just as everyone was cheering with envy, and a few were surprised and gloomy, a loud explosion rang out behind the crowd, drawing everyone's attention once again. Everyone turned to look at the sky behind them, and saw fireworks exploding in the air, falling as dazzling, colorful sparks hanging in the night sky. The fireworks were truly mesmerizing, but Han Lin felt no joy at all.
While everyone was still enjoying the romance of the fireworks, one of Han Lin's roommates ran up to him and asked, "My fireworks were on time, right? How was it? Did it win over any girls?" The roommate looked at Han Lin with smug satisfaction. At that moment, Han Lin's other two roommates standing next to him kept giving him meaningful glances, signaling him to shut up.
"Your fireworks came just in time." Han Lin glanced at his roommate standing in front of him and gave him a cold look.
As the fireworks faded, everything returned to the tranquility of summer. Ling Zixuan glanced at Qi Huan standing not far away, then walked past Han Lin to Qi Huan's side. Qi Huan's face flushed slightly as she looked at Ling Zixuan. Qi Huan couldn't fathom Ling Zixuan's thoughts. Because they weren't boyfriend and girlfriend at all. Qi Huan had simply happened to see Ling Zixuan standing there and hastily came up with this excuse.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the usually composed Ling Zixuan bent down slightly, then slowly brought his lips to Qi Huan's and kissed her. Gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd. For Qi Huan and Ling Zixuan, it was incredibly romantic; for Han Lin, it was utterly humiliating.
The screams from the crowd hadn't subsided when a bold, rough voice came from not far behind them.
"What are you doing! Which department are you from? What's your major?!" Everyone turned around and saw two security guards rushing towards them. One of them was carrying a fire extinguisher. The lively atmosphere in the crowd wasn't disturbed at all by the two guards, who started jeering again.
At that moment, a bright flash of lightning suddenly streaked across the night sky. The noise in the crowd abruptly fell silent. A moment later, several claps of thunder exploded in everyone's ears. One drop, two drops, then three drops, four drops, and finally, a torrential downpour arrived as expected.
The security guard had just rushed to the front of the crowd, and before he could even use his fire extinguisher, the heavy rain had completely extinguished all the candle flames on the ground. People shielded themselves from the rain and slowly dispersed. Some, as they left, glanced at Qi Huan and offered their blessings.
Ling Zixuan and Qi Huan exchanged a glance and then smiled at each other. Suddenly, Ling Zixuan grabbed Qi Huan's hand and rushed out with the crowd. Perhaps they were running too fast, because they bumped into Han Lin as they passed by.
Han Lin swayed slightly in the downpour, his hand loosened, and the entire bunch of roses scattered on the ground. The rain pounded on the fallen roses, scattering petals across the ground.
Ling Zixuan led Qi Huan into the nearest milk tea shop. Ling Zixuan bought two cups of hot milk tea and placed one in front of Qi Huan. Qi Huan picked up the hot milk tea, took a sip, and then her gaze fell on Ling Zixuan's face.
"I'm sorry, just now..." Qi Huan apologized to Ling Zixuan for her behavior.
"To be honest, this is the first time I've been used as a shield," Ling Zixuan replied gently.
Hearing Ling Zixuan say that, Qi Huan became even more embarrassed and gave a shy smile.
“But I didn’t suffer any losses either,” Ling Zixuan added.
"Huh?" Upon hearing Ling Zixuan's words, Qi Huan looked at Ling Zixuan in surprise.
"What I mean is, your actions were unintentional, while mine were serious. Whether you understand me or not, I never do anything impulsive." Ling Zixuan observed Qi Huan's expression, while his hand kept shaking the milk tea in his hand.
"What happened today might be the craziest thing I've ever done." Qi Huan's face flushed slightly. "However, whether you understand me or not, I never do anything impulsive."
After Qi Huan finished speaking, Ling Zixuan reached out and took her hand, and the two smiled at each other. In this farcical love story, Han Lin seemed to be a tragic figure from beginning to end.
"There's something I don't understand." Ling Zixuan and Qi Huan were still holding hands tightly when Ling Zixuan looked at Qi Huan and asked this question.
"Go ahead and ask." Qi Huan nodded at Ling Zixuan.
"Based on my observations over the past two years, you've always been a moderate person when it comes to interpersonal relationships. Even if someone is wrong, you won't directly embarrass them. Why did you reject Han Lin in front of everyone this time? And why were you so decisive and thorough in your rejection?" In Ling Zixuan's memory, this way of handling things was really not in line with her principles. To be honest, Ling Zixuan was also surprised when she heard Qi Huan's answer.
Qi Huan pursed her lips slightly, released Ling Zixuan's hand, picked up the milk tea on the table, and took another sip. "Do you remember the money theft incident that happened in our class before?"
When Ling Zixuan heard Qi Huan suddenly bring up the old matter again, he thought for a moment, then nodded and asked, "Are you referring to Sima Chu's matter?"
After hearing Ling Zixuan's words, Qi Huan looked at him in surprise. "You also think she stole the money?"
"I can't say I'm completely sure, but..." Ling Zixuan hesitated, then continued, "But I'm certain you didn't take the money. Where can't you pay by card these days? Even if the system's broken, surely various payment codes work, right? You came in here to help someone out, didn't you?"
"You're so smart it scares me." Qi Huan nodded with a smile. "Sima Chu did take the money, but I won't go into the reasons. I hope you'll keep this to yourself."
Hearing Qi Huan's words, Ling Zixuan didn't show much surprise on his face, he just nodded.
“But…” Qi Huan put down her milk tea and looked at Ling Zixuan. “Sima Chu only took five hundred yuan, not a thousand yuan.”
"Huh?" At this moment, Ling Zixuan's expression changed drastically. "What about the remaining five hundred yuan?"
"Han Lin took it," Qi Huan replied, frowning slightly.
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