Third side
Winter came quickly.
The clock in the classroom ticked away, as if tapping on Tan Yuze's restless heart.
The classroom seemed unbearably hot.
He sat in his seat, his eyes glancing every now and then at the drawer next to the podium, where he kept his little secret—a beautifully packaged apple for good luck.
He never imagined he would do something so daring, just to win a smile from Xu Li. Tan Yuze's feelings for Xu Li were like a sudden spring rain, silently nourishing his heart.
He seems to have really fallen for her, but he also feels there is a dangerous person by his side, none other than Xu Li's deskmate and childhood sweetheart—Leng Yuxuan.
Every smile and gesture of hers seemed so unique to him. Her voice was as melodious as a clear spring, and her eyes seemed to hold the stars and the sea.
From the first moment he saw her, Tan Yuze knew he was doomed; he was completely smitten.
Christmas Eve, a holiday full of romance and surprises, gave Tan Yuze a perfect opportunity. He carefully selected a big, red apple and bought a beautiful gift box from a jewelry store.
On his way home, he kept thinking about how to deliver this sentiment to Xu Li.
Should he give it to her in person? No, he didn't have the courage, nor was he that thick-skinned. Should he leave it on her desk? No, what if someone else took it? Should he not give it to Xu Li at all? No, it had to express his feelings.
Finally, he decided to put the peace apple in Xu Li's drawer, so that it would be both mysterious and not easily discovered.
The next day at school, Tan Yuze arrived at the classroom early. He cautiously walked to Xu Li's seat, his heart pounding with nervousness.
He was terrified that someone would discover he had secretly placed it in her drawer, and then he would be in deep trouble.
The classroom was empty, except for the early birds singing merrily outside the window. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and then slowly opened Xu Li's drawer.
His hands trembled slightly as he gently placed the wrapped apple inside. At that moment, he felt his heart pounding as if it would burst out of his chest.
The moment he closed the drawer, he looked as if he had accomplished a great mission, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
However, Tan Yuze did not expect things to develop so quickly. During morning self-study, Xu Li discovered the "peace apple."
The surrounding classmates cast surprised glances, and whispers rose and fell. Tan Yuze felt as if his little thoughts had been placed under a spotlight, leaving him nowhere to hide.
Xu Li didn't know who sent it for a moment. She looked around the classroom but didn't find anyone suspicious. Just then, Xu Li spotted the suspicious Tan Yuze.
When she thanked Tan Yuze in public, his face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple. A warm sensation spread from his cheeks to his ears, and he lowered his head, not daring to look Xu Li in the eye.
"Tan Yuze, is this the apple you gave me for good luck? Thank you." Xu Li's voice was clear and melodious, like a spring breeze caressing Tan Yuze's heart.
He nodded, stammering, "I...I want to wish you a Merry Christmas Eve." As soon as he finished speaking, he felt he had spoken clumsily, but he didn't know how to express himself better. Tan Yuze was restless throughout the entire morning self-study session.
The image of Xu Li's expression when she discovered the peace apple kept flashing through his mind—surprise, doubt, but mostly a smile.
That smile seemed to have a magical power, deeply imprinted in his heart. He couldn't help but secretly observe Xu Li, wondering if she was thinking about the same thing.
The bell rang, and the classroom instantly buzzed with excitement. Tan Yuze's heart also tightened with tension.
He didn't know what Xu Li was thinking, or what would happen next. He only felt his heart beating faster and faster, as if it were about to jump out of his chest.
Mu Mu also received a "peace apple" from Zhou Chen. They exchanged a glance and smiled. As night deepened, the two nestled on a bench in the community, doing their physics exercises.
Xu Li's eraser accidentally slipped to Tan Yuze's feet. When he bent down to pick it up, he caught a glimpse of the apple pendant pinned to the collar of her school uniform—it was a piece of packaging scrap that he had forgotten to take yesterday, which she had folded into a diamond-shaped star.
"Xu Li, can I go home with you?" Tan Yuze suddenly walked up to her, a shy smile on his face. Xu Li was stunned. She hadn't expected Tan Yuze to speak to her first, much less make such a request.
She nodded, but something seemed to be stuck in her throat, and she couldn't utter a single word.
After school, they walked home together. The afterglow of the setting sun bathed them in a golden light, gilding everything around them.
Tan Yuze walked beside Xu Li, his heart pounding even harder. He didn't know what to say, and could only steal glances at Xu Li from time to time.
“Actually, I noticed you a long time ago,” Tan Yuze suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. Xu Li was startled and turned to look at her.
"Your smile is so warm, like the winter sun."
Tan Yuze continued, his eyes full of sincerity. Xu Li was stunned; she hadn't expected Tan Yuze to speak of her like that. A warm feeling welled up inside her, making her feel incredibly happy.
He mustered his courage and said, "Actually, I really like your smile too. It makes me feel happy and at ease."
Upon hearing this, Xu Li's face lit up with an even brighter smile. She said softly, "Ah... then let's laugh together from now on."
From then on, Tan Yuze and Xu Li became even closer. They went to class together, did their homework together, and went home together. Tan Yuze discovered that every moment with Xu Li was wonderful.
He was no longer afraid to express his feelings, because he knew that Xu Li would reciprocate. And that apple, symbolizing peace, became a little secret between them, witnessing their beautiful journey from strangers to acquaintances, from friends to lovers.
In this season filled with love and warmth, the story of Tan Yuze and Xu Li has only just begun.
Tan Yuze suddenly remembered the parabola equation that his math teacher had taught him.
At this moment, his heartbeat trajectory should be that perfect curve—starting from his chest, soaring over the canyon of his throat, reaching the emotional peak at his eye sockets, and then crashing into the hot chocolate that Xu Li handed him.
As he pushed the thermos towards her, his fingertips touched her icy fingers.
The afterglow cast their shadows long and thin, like two spring willow branches being woven together.
And it all started with that opened drawer.
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