Chapter 8 The Secret: Who Wants to See Whom
It's so difficult! But since Ning Yanzhao has decided to change herself in this reunion, which is of unknown cause, and not leave herself with any regrets, then she must bravely take one step after another.
"Hi, is this An Nianyu? What are you doing here?" Ning Yanzhao had so many thoughts in her mind, but when it came to actually doing it, she still started with a polite but slightly awkward greeting. She was amazed at herself.
Upon hearing Ning Yanzhao's voice, An Nianyu turned around. Ning Yanzhao immediately sensed that his expression was saying, "Don't you want to see what kind of nonsense you're spouting?"
Ning Yanzhao immediately understood and shut up.
If only someone could grant Ning Yanzhao a magic spell that would make people forget any bad impressions they had of the other person.
"I'm looking at the paintings on the wall."
An Nianyu didn't mention that Ning Yanzhao had stood him up. Since that's the case... she didn't bring it up herself: "Ah, so you're here looking at this. You really have good taste. Not only you, but all the kids who grew up here really love this wall. Every time we go home, even though we're very familiar with this mural, we can't help but take a few more glances at it."
The mural on the wall at the entrance of the alley where Ning Yanzhao's family lived has been there for more than ten years, according to her mother, even before she was born.
This row of murals is probably created with the theme of "small animals living and playing peacefully with children". There is a little elephant playing with children and blowing bubbles, a little squirrel feeding children pine cones, and a little dog leader wearing a red scarf like children and maintaining traffic order.
The paintings are simple, easy to understand, and vivid, representing a shared memory for the children in this alley for over a decade.
However, these murals look much better during the day than under the dim streetlights at dusk. I'm not exaggerating when I say that if any online celebrities came to M City for tourism, this place could even become a popular spot for taking photos.
However, even though the village committee sends people to make simple repairs every year, there are still some places where the fading is irreversible. For example, in some places, the "mismatched" overly dark colors are clearly visible.
Of course, people who are not familiar with this place will not be able to tell at first glance, unless they are residents like Ning Yanzhao who pass by here almost every day.
The irretrievable fading of the murals at the alley entrance is like a childhood that feels like it's been a long time since it happened. No matter how much you try to make up for it as you grow up, there will always be gaps.
Due to various practical reasons such as studies, some of Ning Yanzhao's childhood friends moved away, some started working after junior high school, and some passed away in accidents. They can no longer spend a carefree day together and play like before. It is becoming more and more difficult to get together as they grow up.
"Hmm, the drawing is indeed quite good, so can you tell me what happened today?"
Sure enough, what was bound to happen couldn't be avoided. But she didn't expect this "twist" to come so quickly. Ning Yanzhao never expected An Nianyu to appear in the alley in front of her house at this time. She was thinking of thinking carefully about what reasonable reason she could give him, and then apologize to him properly at school next Monday.
"I'm sorry, you might not believe it, but I really had a reason for standing you up today. I also sent you a friend request on QQ, I don't know if you saw it?"
"I saw it," Ning Yanzhao said, but even against the orange streetlights at the alley entrance, she couldn't really see the emotions in An Nianyu's eyes.
“Then…” Ning Yanzhao wanted to ask, then why are you here?
Is this something you don't want to talk about?
"Ah? Hmm." Xu Yongqing's matter is indeed not good, and it shouldn't be told to An Nianyu.
"I understand." Everyone has secrets they don't want to tell others, and An Nianyu could understand that. "Then let me ask you another question: how did you find out my QQ number?"
"Ah... my friend told me this."
It was indeed told to her by Ning Yanzhao's friend, or more precisely, a friend of a friend. She had suddenly dropped out of high school in An Nianyu's second year to study abroad and only regretted it afterward. Before that, she had never added any of his contact information or expressed her feelings to him.
After several twists and turns, Ning Yanzhao finally managed to get An Nianyu's QQ number through Jing Yiran's connection with a class leader. However, when she finally mustered up the courage to send a friend request, it was met with silence.
Despite the lack of any results, Ning Yanzhao had memorized those few digits of the number to this day, which is why she was able to suddenly think of using the QQ number to contact An Nianyu in a moment of desperation today.
“I have never told anyone else at this school about my QQ number. The first person also told me that he absolutely did not tell anyone, and he does not know you at all. So, through which friend did you find out?”
"What?"
This "forceful" question made Ning Yanzhao inexplicably nervous. Oh no! So this is what happened to An Nianyu's QQ account at this time? How was she supposed to explain this? Why was it all so mysterious?
Never mind, I'll just say whatever comes to mind. Whether it's about An Nianyu now or something that will happen in the future, what am I supposed to say? That Ning Yanzhao knows everything from the future? It would be strange if he thought she was crazy.
Anyway, An Nianyu couldn't do anything to Ning Yanzhao, so she said, "It's true that it wasn't the person you know who told me, but I can't tell you exactly who told me. It's my secret. I also want to ask you a question. Since you saw my friend request, why didn't you accept it? Do you look down on me?" Ning Yanzhao actually started to ask questions back.
An Nianyu: "..."
During their standoff, Ning Yanzhao noticed An Nianyu's silence.
"Fine, if you don't want to add it, then don't. It's all my fault from the beginning..."
Just then, before An Nianyu could answer, Ning Yanzhao, with her keen ears, vaguely heard the sound of a familiar motorcycle. Oh no, it's Dad coming home.
Feeling guilty for some reason, Ning Yanzhao quickly grabbed a skewer of barbecue with one hand and pulled on An Nianyu's sleeve with the other, starting to run while whispering, "Something's wrong, run!"
Ning Yanzhao only realized she was shy after she started running. This was her first time having "physical contact" with An Nianyu. Although it was just holding onto his school uniform sleeve, perhaps because of the heat from her blushing, she didn't feel cold at all despite the winter wind blowing on her face. Instead, she felt like she was getting close to him. Oh well, she couldn't care less about that now.
Ning Yanzhao completely disregarded An Nianyu's wishes and ran with An Nianyu all the way. Fortunately, he didn't say anything.
The two ran for a while before finally arriving at a place where their father's motorcycle would never go. Ning Yanzhao was so tired that she leaned against the wall and sat down on the ground. Luckily, she hadn't had time to wash her pants today, or she would have been in big trouble.
"I'm sorry, I heard my dad's motorcycle coming, so..."
"fine."
Ning Yanzhao noticed that An Nianyu's breathing was more rapid than usual, perhaps because she had been suddenly and forcibly pulled to run, but it was still much better than Ning Yanzhao's, at least in her opinion.
Perhaps Ning Yanzhao had held the kebab too tightly when she carried it, because it was now struggling to break free and burrowing towards An Nianyu.
Ning Yanzhao: "...", I really don't know what to say. This fickle little thing, how annoying! I've always treated it so well and spoiled it so much.
"I'm sorry, I not only broke my promise to invite you to see the barbecue, but I also made you run all the way here."
"It's okay, no matter what, we've seen it now, the skewers are almost ready, right?"
"Yes, thank you very much."
At the same time, An Nianyu knelt down and touched the head of the kebab that had crawled to his feet. The kebab squinted its eyes and looked like it was enjoying being touched.
As An Nianyu knelt down, the distance between the two instantly closed, and the skewers looked particularly obedient between them.
This was the first time Ning Yanzhao had seen An Nianyu up close under such a twilight. His eyes were not pure black to begin with, but now, illuminated by the streetlights, they were as clear as amber. She couldn't understand the meaning of his expression, but when their eyes met unintentionally, her heart was pounding wildly.
Thump, thump.
Ning Yanzhao's face and ears must be bright red by now.
"you……"
Under the now relatively bright streetlights, Ning Yanzhao felt that her face and ears would no longer be able to be concealed if things continued like this, compared to before. She didn't know how to respond if An Nianyu said anything, so she interrupted first:
"That's all for today. You've seen the kebabs, and my dad should be home by now. I'll head home first. My parents will worry if I stay out too long. We can walk the dog together another time. I'm off now."
Before Ning Yanzhao could finish speaking, she picked up the skewers again and ran away as fast as she could.
Countless preparations can always fall apart at some point. Today, Ning Yanzhao was defeated once again in a competition called "Who Falls in Love First," and fled in disarray.
After Ning Yanzhao left, a faint smile appeared on An Nianyu's lips, one that he himself did not even realize. He thought to himself that his decision to visit this alley again today was indeed the right one.
Follow your heart's decision, at least you won't regret it.
As for what An Nianyu wanted to say, it was, "I brought the essay you said you wanted to see. I wanted to ask if you still need it?" But before he could say it, Ning Yanzhao left in a hurry, along with her dog.
An Nianyu watched Ning Yanzhao's departing figure, and couldn't help but take out his phone to take a picture of her running in the twilight. Only after her figure had disappeared did he leave the alley with a light heart.
My heart is pounding and hasn't calmed down yet; who I want to see whom is a secret I can't tell anyone.
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