Chapter Twenty-Six
Mu Mu has been in contact with Xu Li. Lu Yi has already told her about Zhou Chen's self-harm. Mu Mu still says the same thing: "In this moldy world, you have to be exposed to the sun."
Mu Mu didn't say anything more, only saying "Let's hang up," a phrase Xu Li was tired of hearing now.
In a senior high school classroom shaded by sycamore trees, afternoon sunlight filtered through the dappled curtains and fell on Tan Yuze's physics exam paper, but he was only staring at the bruise on the back of Xu Li's neck that was covered by her bangs.
The pen tip drew messy diagonal lines on the draft paper, much like the current relationship between the two.
Xu Li often has a candy in her mouth, and since she didn't have one today, everyone knew she was in a bad mood.
"What's wrong, Xiao Lizi? Are you in a bad mood again?" Lu Yi looked at her with a gossipy gaze.
"Um."
Xu Li pressed the red pen cap back onto the pen, the pen tip hovering over the last big question on the math exam paper for two seconds before finally putting it down.
From the front row came the sound of Tan Yuze and Zhou Chen discussing the game. His laughter was like shards of ice hitting glass, so crisp it made one's heart tighten.
"Tan Yuze, what exactly do you want to ask?" Xu Li suddenly turned her head, her ponytail sweeping across Tan Yuze's desk, where the "Five-Year College Entrance Examination and Three-Year Simulation" book that she had forgotten to take yesterday was still on it.
He remembered that page 127 of the book had a folded corner, and inside was a drawing of the two of them.
"It's nothing." He stuffed the physics test paper into the drawer, and the metal trophy behind the glass door suddenly wobbled—it was the relay trophy they had won together at last year's sports meet.
"Why didn't you answer my call last night?" Xu Li's pen suddenly stopped in the middle of a math problem, and she heard a slight kicking sound from her feet. She looked down and saw blue ink stains on her snow-white socks, which Tan Yuze had accidentally smeared on them last week when he tutored her.
She suddenly remembered Lu Yi saying, "Do you think he'll care about you? He can't even take care of his own sister, Tan Yuqi."
"The auxiliary lines for this problem should be drawn here." Tan Yuze's voice suddenly rang in my ears, carrying the warmth of his recent workout.
Xu Li subconsciously moved the stool to the side, and a crooked shadow immediately appeared on the test paper.
“I can do it myself,” she said, head bowed, her fingertips white from gripping the pen so tightly. Last week, during the class meeting when voting for the city-level outstanding students, Tan Yuze cast her vote for someone else.
Although the homeroom teacher specifically emphasized during the nomination process that she was the only candidate in the class who met all the criteria.
Tan Yuze's hand froze in mid-air, his knuckles turning white from the force: "Xiao Lizi, what exactly do you want? Tell me."
"I wasn't making a scene." Xu Li folded the test paper into a neat square. "I just thought it was better to keep our distance."
Bai Chuan, sitting in the back row, coughed lightly, his textbook nearly hitting Xu Li's back as he turned around. He quickly handed her a note, which read in black pen: "Ignore him. This guy was still talking about how your hand injury hasn't healed when we were eating yesterday."
Xu Li crumpled the note into a ball and stuffed it into her school uniform pocket. Outside the window, the sycamore trees were shedding their last leaves, like countless gray butterflies fluttering to the ground.
She remembered fighting for Tan Yuze last week. Tan Yuze was hospitalized, and Lu Yi went to buy medicine to bandage her wounds. The back of her school uniform was soaked with dark stains from cold sweat, but now all that warmth seemed to have evaporated in the early winter wind.
When the school bell rang, Tan Yuze's schoolbag slammed onto the table with a "thud," making Xu Li's thermos cup jump.
He didn't wait for her to pack her things as usual. He walked straight out of the classroom, his silhouette stretching long in the sunset. His school uniform zipper wasn't zipped up properly, revealing a black T-shirt with the school basketball team number printed on it.
"Tan Yuze, I think... we should separate for a while."
He didn't speak, but gave a soft "hmm".
In the afternoon, on my way to lunch.
"Hey, wait for me!" Zhu Yu caught up from behind, still clutching his unfinished physics workbook. "What's wrong with you two? Xu Li didn't even drink the Want Want milk you gave her today, she just dropped it."
Tan Yuze kicked a pebble at his feet, which bounced a few times on the corridor tiles before hitting Lu Yi's sneakers.
"I know," Tan Yuze said softly.
"You know? Then why don't you care?" Zhu Yu said.
He took a few steps and stopped. Zhu Yu patted him on the shoulder. "Why don't we go take a look?"
"Need not."
Lu Yi was leaning against the wall discussing the weekend's art exhibition with Leng Yuxuan when he heard this, he raised an eyebrow: "Are the young couple arguing?"
“No,” Tan Yuze pulled the scarf down to his chin. “If you think we’re the way you imagine us, then you don’t need to ask me here.”
"Have you told her any of this?" Lu Yi asked. Tan Yuze pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting the light from the corridor's overhead lamp.
Tan Yuze stopped in his tracks. He hadn't said that Lin Yue's mother had cried so hard in the office that day that she almost fainted. He watched as Lin Yue, with red eyes, stuffed her application materials into the teacher's drawer, turned around and bumped into him. She hurriedly wiped her face and said, "I just want my dad to see me getting better from heaven."
“I thought she would understand.” He looked towards the classroom. Xu Li’s seat was empty, with only her pink thermos on the windowsill, glowing softly in the twilight.
On the third day of the Cold War, Xu Li discovered that the breakfast in the desk drawer had been replaced with hot soy milk brought by Bai Chuan.
Every morning before, Tan Yuze would buy her favorite sweet soy milk from that old-fashioned breakfast shop outside the school, with just the right amount of water droplets always clinging to the cup.
"Thanks," she said to Bai Chuan beside her, the straw making a soft "pop" sound as it pierced the plastic seal.
Tan Yuze tightened his grip on the objects.
He was so jealous, so cunning, and so possessive.
Bai Chuan was busy passing notes to Lu Yi when he heard this and chuckled twice: "Leng Yuxuan said that drinking sweet things can improve one's mood."
He pointed diagonally ahead, where Leng Yuxuan was pretending to read a book, but the tips of her ears were as red as ripe cherries.
While memorizing English words during morning reading, Xu Li's throat suddenly became very itchy, and she couldn't help but cough.
Tan Yuze moved his hand inside the desk. The box of mints she often ate was next to his pencil case, but it didn't appear on her desk as usual, even after the bell rang. He gripped it even tighter.
Soon, the New Year arrived, and the night sky was beautiful.
That year, during the winter break of my senior year of high school, the atmosphere during the Spring Festival was filled with joy and warmth. Tan Yuze and Xu Li's families didn't live too far apart, and Tan Yuze often went to Xu Li's house to study together; they had a very close relationship.
On New Year's Eve, Xu Li's home was filled with the festive atmosphere of the holiday. The house was decorated with bright red lanterns and couplets, and the coffee table was piled high with various snacks and fruits.
Xu Li's mother was busy in the kitchen, preparing a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner. "Li, go and invite Yu Xuan to come and have New Year's Eve dinner with us. His parents aren't home, and you two are such good friends, so consider him another family member."
Xu Li's mother smiled and said to Xu Li. Xu Li hesitated, because Tan Yuze also held a special place in her heart. However, she still went out to find Leng Yuxuan.
Tan Yuze lived in a villa near Xu Li's house. He and Xu Li studied hard together to prepare for the exam, and their relationship grew closer.
Xu Li knocked on Leng Yuxuan's door. When Leng Yuxuan opened the door and saw Xu Li, a hint of joy flashed in her eyes: "What's wrong, A-Li?"
"My mom wants you to come to my house for New Year's Eve dinner," Xu Li said somewhat shyly. "She said it's like having another family member."
Leng Yuxuan's heart skipped a beat, but she smiled and said, "Okay, then I'll go mooch a meal." When she arrived at Xu Li's house, Leng Yuxuan saw the cozy decorations in the living room and the sumptuous dishes, and felt a little emotional.
The family sat together happily, chatting and laughing as they ate their New Year's Eve dinner. Leng Yuxuan joined in, feeling the warmth of home.
After dinner, Xu Li's family went to the yard outside the villa to set off fireworks. The colorful fireworks bloomed in the night sky, illuminating everyone's happy faces.
Leng Yuxuan stood aside, watching Xu Li's happy smile, but some strange emotions were surging in his heart. He couldn't help but take a few more glances at Xu Li and her family, and felt a little uncomfortable.
Xu Li noticed Leng Yuxuan's change in mood, quietly walked to his side, and asked softly, "Leng Yuxuan, what's wrong?"
Leng Yuxuan turned her face away, her voice muffled: "It's nothing, I'm just a little envious seeing your family so happy."
Xu Li blinked blankly, then grasped Leng Yuxuan's hand: "Leng Yuxuan, you're family too. Come and celebrate Chinese New Year with us every year from now on."
Leng Yuxuan felt a warmth in his heart. Looking into Xu Li's clear eyes, he suddenly felt a surge of impulse. He took Xu Li's hand in his, and even gripped it tighter.
Tan Yuze, who was upstairs, saw everything and clenched his fists.
At that moment, it felt as if a dull knife had slashed his heart, causing excruciating pain. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his eyes gradually dimmed.
Fireworks burst brilliantly behind them, as if celebrating this beautiful moment. Xu Li was stunned for a moment, then returned Leng Yuxuan's embrace.
Fireworks burst into a final, brilliant display in the night sky before fading into silence. Xu Li and Tan Yuze stood there, their breathing slightly rapid, their cheeks flushed.
Everything around them seemed to quiet down, leaving only the sound of their heartbeats. Xu Li's mother, watching this scene from inside the house, couldn't help but smile.
She gently nudged Xu Li's father and whispered, "Look at these two children." Xu Li's father smiled slightly, his eyes filled with tenderness and understanding.
After Xu Li and Leng Yuxuan parted ways, they exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shyness and unease. Leng Yuxuan broke the silence first, her voice slightly hoarse: "Ah Li, I...I'm sorry."
"It's nothing," Xu Li quickly replied, a smile appearing on her face. She knew that their relationship was no longer just that of friends.
Leng Yuxuan gently held Xu Li's hand, as if afraid she would suddenly disappear. He placed her hand in his own, feeling its warmth.
At that moment, their hearts seemed to be tightly connected.
Tan Yuze's veins bulged suddenly, and his brows furrowed.
"Let's go inside," Xu Li said softly, glancing up at the house. Leng Yuxuan nodded, and they walked hand in hand into the house.
"Xu Li." Tan Yuze called her from not far away. She turned around and saw Tan Yuze. She ran over excitedly and hugged him. Xu Li was shorter than him, and her head was just at his chin.
"You're not angry with me anymore?" Tan Yuze asked softly. "I'm not angry with you, I'm just reflecting on my actions."
As Leng Yuxuan entered the house, he saw Xu Li running towards Tan Yuze. He said to Xu Li's mother, "Auntie, let's play a little longer. You go inside first."
Xu Li's mother smiled as she watched them turn to leave. She said gently, "Okay, don't stay out too late. Get a good night's sleep tonight; you still have to work hard tomorrow."
Leng Yuxuan nodded, looking gratefully at Xu Li's mother. He knew he had received a special warmth and acceptance in Xu Li's home, which filled him with anticipation for the future.
"Trying to strangle me?" his voice came.
"Why are you here? Why don't you stay at home?"
He leaned close to her ear and said, "You're not home, so how can I stay at home?"
Xu Li smiled faintly, "Tan Yuze, you can't take her away." Suddenly, Leng Yuxuan's voice came.
He clicked his tongue slightly. "Why are you everywhere? Even when couples are on a date, do you have to come along and be a third wheel?"
"Who the hell said they wanted to go with you, you lunatic," Leng Yuxuan cursed.
He's so damn narcissistic.
"Then get out of here! What are you doing standing here?" After saying that, he pulled Xu Li toward his house.
"Hey, Leng Yuxuan, you should go back first," she said, turning to him. Tan Yuze ignored him completely, simply pulling Xu Li along in one direction.
In the entryway of his house, Xu Li stood behind him. "Should I change my shoes?"
"Need not."
He lived alone in the huge, luxurious house, and it was Xu Li's first time visiting their home.
He pulled her close, pressed her against the wall, and kissed her, saying, "Seeing you hugging someone else, I'm going crazy with jealousy."
“... ..."
He placed one hand on the back of her neck and the other around her waist.
The kiss lasted a long time.
"Little Li, come here."
Tan Yuze made a small space for Xu Li at home, a little haven that many girls dream of. "Wow, you can even make this?"
"Hmm." Although he appeared quite indifferent, he was secretly wondering what to do if she didn't like it.
She crouched down to look, and he stood behind her, smiling when she smiled.
"This is your little world."
Xu Li said softly, "It's a bit messy, but it's very comfortable."
Tan Yuze smiled, walked to her side, and gently hugged her: "Little Lizi, wherever you are, that's my little world."
Xu Li's cheeks flushed again as she nestled in Tan Yuze's arms, feeling his warmth and care. At that moment, she felt like the happiest person in the world.
He took her hand and kissed it again.
Night had fallen, and the fireworks outside had long since died down, but new sparks were burning in the hearts of Tan Yuze and Xu Li.
They knew that this New Year's Eve would not only make them remember the beauty of the fireworks, but also the heartbeats and unspoken understanding between them. On this special night, their feelings quietly deepened, embarking on an even more beautiful journey.
On this New Year's Eve, their feelings deepened under the fireworks, and their final kiss ushered in the spring.
She left after he fell asleep, only sending a message: "Tan Yuze, I'm leaving. I had a great day. Thank you."
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