years
Qi Shuo eats very quickly, a habit he's developed over many years. He finished his bowl of noodles quietly and quickly, and when he looked up, he noticed that Ning Wan's bowl was still more than half full.
She ate very slowly, blowing on each noodle carefully, chewing each strand with her cheeks puffing out like a little hamster hoarding food.
Seeing that Qi Shuo had finished eating, Ning Wan felt a little embarrassed and sped up her pace, almost burying her face in her bowl. She mumbled, "I'm sorry, Brother Qi Shuo, I'm eating too slowly... Wait for me, I'll eat quickly!"
"It's okay, no rush." Qi Shuo's voice softened unconsciously as he looked at her flustered appearance. "Eat slowly, chewing thoroughly is good for your health. There's still some time before work, you won't be late."
Hearing him say that, Ning Wan breathed a sigh of relief and slowed down again, reverting to her usual unhurried eating style.
Qi Shuo sat opposite her, quietly watching her eat. It was the first time he had ever watched a girl eat so closely and attentively.
So this is how girls eat? So meticulous, so... beautiful? The thought made him pause for a moment.
As he watched, he suddenly thought of Qin Zhou, who always devoured his food like a whirlwind, as if someone was trying to steal it from him. He also thought of Sister Jin, who was always urging this person and calling out to that person during meals, rarely giving him a moment of peace.
But Ning Wan in front of us is in a completely different state of eating—quiet and focused, with a strange, reassuring rhythm.
Thinking of this contrast, Qi Shuo's lips involuntarily turned upwards, revealing a clear and pleasant smile that he himself did not even realize.
This smile was different from his usual restraint or polite gestures; it was a genuine, heartfelt smile, tinged with affection and amusement, truly deserving of the title "bright."
Ning Wan, who was eating noodles with her head down, happened to look up and caught his smile. She was stunned, and her chopsticks stopped in mid-air.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his profile. His smile seemed to dispel the subtle aloofness and coldness that often surrounded him, making him appear warm and vibrant. She stared, somewhat mesmerized, and blurted out unconsciously, "Brother Qi Shuo, your smile...it's absolutely gorgeous!"
"Huh?" Qi Shuo was completely taken aback by her sudden remark. His smile froze instantly, and then a surge of heat rushed uncontrollably to his ears and cheeks. He awkwardly looked away and touched his nose to cover his embarrassment. "...Really?"
Seeing his unusual shy and flustered expression, Ning Wan snapped out of her daze and couldn't help but burst out laughing, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents: "Yes, it looks especially good! You should smile more often."
Her laughter was infectious, and Qi Shuo's embarrassment instantly vanished, replaced by a soft chuckle. The small ramen shop was filled with the aroma of food and the two's relaxed, cheerful laughter.
Outside the window, traffic flows and people chatter, but around this small dining table, time seems to slow down and become gentle.
Time may have treated him unfairly, but at this moment, this ordinary encounter and companionship is so beautiful that it makes one feel nostalgic.
A steaming bowl of ramen bridged the invisible distance between them. After finishing the noodles, Ning Wan habitually took out her phone and opened the payment app. Just as she tapped the screen, Qi Shuo stood up and gently shook his head at her.
“I’ll do it.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable gentleness.
Ning Wan looked up and blinked: "Hey? You said I'd treat you!"
Seeing her somewhat anxious expression, Qi Shuo recalled what Sister Jin had said to him a long time ago, half-jokingly and half-seriously: "Xiao Shuo, if you're going to eat with a girl in the future, don't be so hesitant. Be proactive. There's no reason for a girl to pay. This isn't about male chauvinism; it's about basic politeness and consideration."
At the time, he didn't think much of it, only that it felt very distant from him. Now, however, those words echoed clearly in his ears.
“It’s alright,” he said again, his tone calm but with a hint of determination. He raised his hand and pressed it almost imperceptibly, indicating that she should just sit down, then turned and walked towards the cashier.
Ning Wan looked at his tall and somewhat silent back, then looked down at the payment code that had already appeared on her phone screen. In the end, she obediently put her phone away, sat quietly in her seat, and waited for Qi Shuo to finish paying and come back.
Stepping out of the ramen shop, the afternoon sun shone brightly. The two walked side by side back to the nearby "Encounter" restaurant. Along the way, Ning Wan continued to chatter on about interesting things she had seen and heard at school, while Qi Shuo mostly listened quietly, occasionally nodding or uttering a simple syllable or two in response.
But his expression was relaxed, and the usual frown between his brows seemed to have faded considerably.
Back at the restaurant, the afternoon opening hours had just begun, and customers were gradually arriving. Ning Wan took out her thick book on translation theory from her bag again and continued reading quietly.
She seemed determined to stay there until Qi Shuo got off work.
Qi Shuo also threw himself back into his work.
Taking orders, delivering food, clearing tables, making simple drinks... his busy figure shuttles around the restaurant.
Occasionally, when he had a moment to spare, his gaze would unconsciously drift to the seat by the window. Seeing the girl's focused profile—sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes smiling with sudden realization—a strange sense of peace would well up within him.
The feeling of having someone quietly accompany him was both unfamiliar and something he longed for.
The sunlight streaming in through the window slowly slanted westward, bathing the restaurant interior in a warm golden glow. It was almost six o'clock, time to leave work. Qi Shuo changed out of his uniform, greeted his colleagues, and walked towards Ning Wan, who was still reading.
"Off work?" Ning Wan heard footsteps, looked up, closed her book, and smiled brightly.
"Hmm." Qi Shuo nodded. "Where do you want to go?"
Ning Wan tilted her head and thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up: "I know a place! There's a fried rice stall at the entrance of the old alley, and it's said to be super delicious! My roommate talks about it every day, but we've never had a chance to go. Is it far from here?"
"It's not far." Qi Shuo was very familiar with that old town area. "It's just a few minutes' drive there."
"Great! Let's go get some fried rice!" Ning Wan excitedly packed her schoolbag.
Qi Shuo drove Sister Jin's somewhat old car, with Ning Wan in the back, through the streets that were gradually filled with the atmosphere of dusk.
Soon, the car turned into an old alley full of life. Sure enough, at the entrance of the alley, there was a simple but clean fried rice stall, and the clanging of spatulas and the tempting aroma of food wafted over.
The stall owners were a middle-aged couple who were efficient and friendly. They ordered two servings of their signature ham and egg fried rice. When the fried rice arrived, the grains were distinct, golden and tempting, garnished with diced ham and chopped scallions, and its aroma was irresistible.
Ning Wan took a bite, her eyes widening instantly, and she exclaimed indistinctly, "Mmm! So delicious! It truly lives up to its reputation!"
Qi Shuo looked at her satisfied expression, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes.
This fried rice restaurant was a place he and Qin Zhou would occasionally visit when they were children, and the taste has indeed remained unchanged.
He lowered his head and started eating, the familiar taste evoking distant memories of his impoverished yet simple childhood.
After dinner, it was still early. Ning Wan suggested taking a walk nearby to digest their food. The two strolled slowly along the old alley. On both sides of the alley were some old residential buildings, with clothes drying on the balconies. Occasionally, the sounds of cooking and television could be heard, creating a sense of comforting everyday life.
As they walked, they arrived near the library. Ning Wan pointed to the library and said, "Brother Qi Shuo, shall we go in and read for a while? Just to take a break."
Qi Shuo naturally had no objection.
As they entered the library, Qi Shuo paused for a moment and said to Ning Wan, "Wait a minute." Then he went to the milk tea shop next door, ordered and paid, and quickly ran back to hand it to Ning Wan.
It was the new flavor that Ning Wan had mentioned wanting to try on WeChat last time.
Ning Wan paused for a moment, then took the still-warm milk tea. Her fingertips touched the cup, and the warmth spread to her heart. She looked up at Qi Shuo, her eyes sparkling, and said, "Thank you, Brother Qi Shuo."
Qi Shuo shifted his gaze somewhat uncomfortably and gave a soft "hmm".
The two found a quiet corner and sat facing each other. The library was quiet, with only the sound of turning pages and the occasional cough.
They were each reading their books. Occasionally, when Ning Wan encountered something she didn't understand, she would gently tear off a piece of sticky paper, write down her question, and push it in front of Qi Shuo. Qi Shuo would look at it, pick up a pen, write down a concise annotation or thought process next to it, and then push it back.
The communication was silent, yet perfectly in sync, as if they had rehearsed it countless times.
However, in this peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, a pair of eyes hidden behind the shadow of the bookshelf were staring intently at them.
In those amber eyes, there surged pain, jealousy, and a frantic possessiveness that seemed about to overflow.
Tan Huaiyu didn't know why he had followed her here so inexplicably. From seeing Qi Shuo and that girl walk out of the restaurant together, get into the car together, and then walk into the library together, every scene was like a red-hot iron, burning his heart.
He saw the subtle thoughtfulness in Qi Shuo when he bought her milk tea, the unspoken understanding between them as they sat facing each other, and the natural and relaxed expression on Qi Shuo's face that he had never seen before...
The tendrils of jealousy grew wildly, tightly binding his heart and suffocating him.
He bit his lower lip hard until the familiar taste of blood filled his mouth, barely managing to pull himself back to his senses with the pain.
Don't act impulsively... Don't hurt Qi Shuo...
We mustn't hurt that girl...
Qi Shuo will hate me to death...
But... but...
Brother Qi Shuo, you're mine.
We are a match made in heaven.
We share a bloody past, and no one can separate us.
Don't look at other people... okay?
Please... look at me...
He roared silently in his heart, his nails digging deep into his palms.
Finally, as if he had exhausted all his strength, he slowly closed his eyes, forcing back the tears that were about to spill from his eyes.
When he opened his eyes again, all that remained was a cold despair and obsession.
He gave Qi Shuo one last, deep, greedy look, as if trying to etch his image into the depths of his soul, then turned and disappeared silently behind the layers of bookshelves.
He needs to figure something out; he has to do something.
He couldn't just stand by and watch Qi Shuo walk away to someone else.
Around 7:30, Qi Shuo checked the time and felt it wasn't safe to leave a girl out too late. He gently tapped the table, signaling Ning Wan that it was time to leave.
Although Ning Wan was still somewhat reluctant to leave, she obediently began packing her things.
Qi Shuo drove her back to Beicheng University. The city lights were just coming on at night, and the traffic was heavy.
Perhaps she was tired from reading all day, because after driving for a short while, Ning Wan leaned back in the comfortable passenger seat, tilted her head slightly to the side of the window, and her breathing became even and long; she had fallen asleep.
Qi Shuo slowed down and turned off the music in the car. He stopped at a red light, turned his head, and quietly looked at the sleeping girl beside him in the light and shadows flowing through the window.
Seeing her so unguarded, Qi Shuo sighed almost imperceptibly, then a helpless, gentle smile appeared on his lips, one that he himself didn't even notice.
He recalled Sister Jin's teachings from childhood: to respect others, especially women; to be well-mannered, and to know how to be considerate and tactful. These ingrained values manifested in his actions at that moment—quietly watching over her peaceful sleep and safely escorting her home.
The car came to a smooth stop at the imposing gate of Beicheng University. Qi Shuo didn't wake her immediately, but waited quietly. After about seven or eight minutes, Ning Wan's eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly woke up.
She groggily opened her eyes, saw the familiar school gate outside the car window, and then saw Qi Shuo sitting quietly beside her. She instantly woke up and said apologetically in a low voice, "I'm so sorry! I actually fell asleep. Have I been waiting for a long time?"
"No, I just arrived." Qi Shuo's voice sounded particularly deep and gentle in the quiet carriage.
Ning Wan smiled sheepishly and unbuckled her seatbelt: "Then... I'll go back now? Thank you for today, Brother Qi Shuo."
"Okay, be careful on the road."
Ning Wan opened the car door, stood outside the car, waved vigorously at him, and smiled brightly: "Bye-bye, drive carefully, goodnight."
"Goodnight." Qi Shuo looked at her.
Only after watching the figure with the schoolbag safely walk into the school gate and disappear from sight did Qi Shuo slowly start the car, turn around, and drive home.
The girl's faint, fresh scent seemed to linger in the carriage.
The day's experience was like a warm and peaceful dream, dispelling the gloom that had been building up in his heart for many days.
As he drove away from the campus and merged into the city night, in that dark corner of the library, a heart gnawed by jealousy and despair was quietly brewing an unknown storm in the darkness.
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