Chapter 7
After the midterm exams, the math teacher decided to form study groups to improve overall grades. Based on the principle of complementary strengths, Lu Baiyan and Xu Nianlei were once again grouped together.
The first group activity was held in the library. Besides them, there were two other students. Lu Baiyan explained things clearly and patiently, but when Xu Nianlei encountered a difficult problem and got stuck, he would always notice her pause immediately and use the most concise language to point out the key.
"Here, the auxiliary line should connect these two vertices." He tapped the draft paper lightly with his long fingers, his voice low so that only the two of them could hear him.
Xu Nianlei suddenly realized what he meant and quickly lowered her head to do the calculations. She could feel his gaze lingering on her pen tip for a moment before moving away. The feeling of being silently watched made her heart race, yet she also cherished this secret warmth.
When the group study session ended, it was already dark outside. Lu Baiyan packed his bag and looked at her: "Shall we walk together?"
Xu Nianlei paused for a moment, then nodded gently. The two walked side by side through the campus as the lights came on, maintaining a perfect distance, silent but not awkward. This was the first time they had walked together alone since the rainy night.
News of the math group spread quickly. Liu Yiduo approached Xu Nianlei with a seemingly friendly smile, but her tone was somewhat subtle: "Nianlei, I really envy you being in a group with Lu Boyan. He's so good at math, he must be able to help you improve a lot, right?"
Xu Nianlei sensed the probing in his voice and replied softly, "Yes, the class monitor is very patient when explaining problems."
“Yes, he’s quite patient with everyone,” Liu Yiduo said meaningfully, then added as if remembering something, “However, I heard that the class monitor’s mother has high expectations for him and especially dislikes him being distracted by trivial matters. We’d better not waste too much of his time, don’t you think?”
These words were like a thorn, piercing precisely into Xu Nianlei's most vulnerable spot. Her face paled slightly, she nodded, and said nothing more.
Wen Wanyu chimed in, "Duoduo, you're just too kind, worrying so much. Some people might actually be hoping for a little more 'delay'."
The two walked away laughing, leaving Xu Nianlei standing there, her fingers icy cold.
Lu Baiyan's birthday is coming soon. Somehow, the news spread throughout the class, and many classmates are discussing what gift to give him.
Xu Nianlei listened secretly, her heart in turmoil. She wanted to give him something, even just a small token of gratitude. But she didn't have the money for an expensive gift. In the end, she spent several nights knitting a gray scarf by hand, the stitches fine and dense—the most heartfelt thing she could offer.
She didn't dare give it to him in person. While he was playing basketball on the playground and the classroom was empty, she quickly stuffed the wrapped scarf into his desk drawer, along with an unsigned card that simply read: "Happy Birthday."
She was restless all day, both hoping he would find out and fearing his reaction.
When school was over, she saw Lu Baiyan take the bag out of his drawer. He opened it, looked at it, his fingers lingered on the soft scarf for a few seconds, and then carefully put it back in his schoolbag, his face showing no particular expression.
Xu Nianlei didn't know if he liked it, or if he would guess that it was a gift from her. But seeing that he accepted it, she finally felt relieved, and at the same time, a small, sweet and bittersweet feeling welled up inside her.
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