Chapter 30
To have someone you like who also likes you is one of the luckiest things in the world.
Song Qiuxuan never expected to be so lucky; she had encountered such a wonderful thing.
She read Cheng Xun's letter several times, her palms sweating, her expression complex and ever-changing, sometimes in disbelief, sometimes overjoyed, her lips almost reaching her ears in a wide smile.
Excited and flustered, Song Qiuxuan collapsed onto the bed, covering her blushing face with her arm. With her other hand still clutching the letter, she wanted to tell Cheng Xun immediately that she liked him too, and that her feelings might have started even earlier than his.
She didn't know how much time had passed before she turned off the bedroom light, leaving only the desk lamp on. She sat upright in her chair, holding her phone in both hands, her fingers trembling slightly as she typed.
"Cheng Xun, I like you too."
After sending the message, Song Qiuxuan immediately put down her phone, looking embarrassed by the result. She lay back down on the bed and covered her entire body with the blanket.
In the stillness of the night, the faint footsteps outside the door could be clearly heard. It was probably Xu Yanzhen going to the bathroom. In order not to disturb Song Qiuxuan's sleep, she walked very lightly and slowly, and the noise lasted for a long time.
Lying on the bed, Song Qiuxuan's expression slowly froze. She pursed her lips, pulled off the blanket, and listened to the faint sounds outside the door. A sense of shame and unease arose in her heart, a feeling so strong that it completely suppressed her joyful emotions.
She seemed to be caught in a dilemma, with two paths for her to choose from, and she headed towards the uncontrollable path without considering the consequences.
She was willing to comply with anything else, even if it was just about this one thing. Song Qiuxuan didn't know whether she was using this sentence to lessen her guilt or to numb herself.
She fell asleep amidst conflicting thoughts.
*
After that night, Song Qiuxuan and Cheng Xun got together.
The next morning, Song Qiuxuan put on her coat, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and went out. As she went down the stairs, she checked her phone and saw a message from Cheng Xun.
Cheng Xun: Do you want to go to school with your girlfriend?
Song Qiuxuan stared at her phone screen as she descended several steps. Finally, she couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips slightly. As she stepped out of the stairwell, her steps became lighter.
Cheng Xun told her on her phone to wait for her at the bus stop near the residential area, so Song Qiuxuan rode her bicycle there.
Two minutes later, Song Qiuxuan saw Cheng Xun waiting from a distance of several dozen meters.
Cheng Xun straddled the bicycle, one foot supporting him on the ground, his head slightly lowered, revealing a section of his fair neck. His expression was as calm as ever. One hand was in his pocket, and the other was scrolling through his phone.
Song Qiuxuan quickened her pace, and after a few steps, she said cheerfully, "Cheng Xun, let's go."
Cheng Xun looked up, her hair blowing in the wind, looking a little messy. The moment her gaze fell on her, Song Qiuxuan thought of the letter she had read last night and the message she had sent in a moment of impulse. She immediately looked away shyly. She didn't stop, and rode her bicycle in front of Cheng Xun.
Cheng Xun gripped the handlebars, watching Song Qiuxuan's retreating figure, and smiled faintly as if he knew her emotions well.
In the dim light of early morning, Cheng Xun lagged a few steps behind Song Qiuxuan. He looked very relaxed, and the slight smile on his lips never disappeared. He seemed to be in a good mood, not like he was going to school, but more like he was going on a trip.
Upon closer inspection, you can see that he actually has dark circles under his eyes.
They went to the school's bike shed together to park their bicycles. When they arrived at the classroom, there weren't many people, but they were all huddled around the teacher's desk, pushing and shoving each other, seemingly vying for a piece of paper to read.
He Zhimian walked out of the crowd and saw Song Qiuxuan, so she went to her side and told her that the results were out.
"Qiuxuan, I checked your grades for you. You're third in your class, but your ranking in the grade has improved."
Song Qiuxuan's goal is to make steady progress, and she smiles with satisfaction whenever she hears of progress.
She took off her schoolbag, turned around, and looked at him with a hint of expectation in her eyes: "Cheng Xun, go to the podium and check your grades."
Cheng Xun unzipped his backpack, took out the book, and stuffed it into his desk. He originally thought the podium was crowded and wanted to wait until it was less crowded before reading it, but after hearing what Song Qiuxuan said, he nodded slightly, then casually put his backpack on the desk and walked up to the podium.
Song Qiuxuan leaned back in her chair, looking at Cheng Xun's tall figure, and noticed that he was being very "obedient" at the moment, so she couldn't help but feel better.
During this period, he spent his weekends in the library, reviewing the questions he got wrong on the weekly tests and studying science subjects in advance. His efforts finally paid off, and Cheng Xun's grades improved by leaps and bounds, with his grade ranking rising by more than 300 places.
Song Qiuxuan was happy for him and said she would treat him to milk tea on the weekend.
However, Cheng Xun did not seem happy about his progress. His expression was even somewhat dejected and disappointed. He returned to his seat, rested his head on his backpack on the table, and lay down.
Song Qiuxuan turned around, puzzled: "What's wrong? Are you unhappy? Didn't you make progress?"
Cheng Xun was silent for a few seconds, his eyes slowly turning. He didn't understand why he felt so disappointed when he had made progress. It was probably because, judging from his grades this time, he was still a long way from being in the top class.
Song Qiuxuan's grades will definitely get her into the honors class next semester, which is why Cheng Xun is so obsessed with it now. In the past, he would never have had the idea that he absolutely had to get into the honors class.
Cheng Xun propped himself up on the table with his elbows, not wanting his emotions to affect her, so he pretended to be nonchalant and said, "It's nothing, it's just that I'm too greedy, I want too much progress."
Song Qiuxuan said, "It's a good thing to have this kind of thinking. It will motivate you to work harder and improve next time."
Cheng Xun smiled, a look of relief on her face: "Yeah, I'll improve next time." (To get a little closer to you.)
*
After they got together, it seemed that apart from having an extra layer of relationship, Song Qiuxuan and Cheng Xun's way of getting along did not change. Whether on or off campus, they did not engage in any intimate behaviors such as holding hands, touching heads, or kissing.
Therefore, none of their friends noticed that they were together. They shared the same idea: not to actively publicize it, but to admit it if someone noticed.
The day of Lidong (the Beginning of Winter) was a Friday, and Cheng Xun suggested going to the mall for hot pot after school.
Friday was a chilly day, perfect for a steaming hot pot.
The bell rang for the end of the last class. It turned out that Song Qiuxuan was always a step behind Cheng Xun in packing her schoolbag. This time, she had already put her schoolbag on, while Cheng Xun seemed to still be stuffing workbooks into it.
Song Qiuxuan stood by the aisle, watching Cheng Xun lift his bulging schoolbag with one hand, which was almost twice the size of his usual bag. Song Qiuxuan said with a smile, "Cheng Xun, you have plenty of plans for the weekend."
Normally, Cheng Xun would have readily agreed, but today he remained silent, pursing his lips as if something was difficult for him to say.
Cheng Xun took a taxi to the mall, and on the way, he reserved a table using his mobile phone.
Looking at the skyscrapers rushing past the car window, Song Qiuxuan couldn't help but sigh, "Cheng Xun, it's so nice to come out with you. I don't have to prepare or think about anything."
Cheng Xun sensed a sense of dependence in those words, so he restrained himself and raised his lips.
At the hot pot restaurant, Song Qiuxuan ate her fill, feeling warm all over.
At this moment, Song Qiuxuan remembered that Cheng Xun had once said that if he came in first place in his group in the 3,000-meter event at the sports meet, he would treat her to a big meal.
Song Qiuxuan asked him if he still remembered this incident.
Cheng Xun wiped his mouth with a tissue, smiled gently, and then said confidently, "Don't worry, I won't forget anything related to you."
Song Qiuxuan's gaze froze for a moment, and her heart involuntarily quickened. Cheng Xun spoke these words so casually, as if a promise had been uttered so easily.
After looking at Cheng Xun for a few seconds, Song Qiuxuan suddenly smiled, with a hint of mockery. Cheng Xun always spoke frankly and without restraint, but he dared not do anything bold. For example, since they got together, he had never taken the initiative to hold her hand.
On the way back, Cheng Xun was about to hail a taxi when Song Qiuxuan stopped him and said, "Take the bus."
Song Qiuxuan liked the seats in the back of the bus that were close together; the closest she and Cheng Xun were when they were on the bus.
"Okay." Cheng Xun exited the ride-hailing app and put away his phone.
The dazzling neon lights shone into the bus, causing it to sway and rock, making our bodies sway along with it, and sometimes our shoulders would bump into each other for a fleeting moment.
With only one stop left before reaching Song Qiuxuan's house, Cheng Xun unzipped his backpack.
Then Song Qiuxuan heard a rustling sound beside her. She turned her head and her eyes widened slightly.
Cheng Xun took a paper bag out of his schoolbag, which was printed with a store's logo. After taking it out, his schoolbag was instantly half empty. He handed the paper bag to Song Qiuxuan, his expression revealing a bit of unnaturalness.
"Today is the Beginning of Winter, I have a gift for you." Cheng Xun's voice was clear and crisp.
Song Qiuxuan was stunned. She lowered her eyes and stared silently at the paper bag. She slowly moved her lips, as if she couldn't believe it: "Can I receive a gift on the day of Lidong?"
“No one says it’s not allowed.” Cheng Xun stared intently at Song Qiuxuan’s face, then suddenly chuckled softly.
Cheng Xun saw Song Qiuxuan staring motionless at the paper bag, seemingly at a loss, so Cheng Xun took out the contents of the paper bag.
It's a wool scarf, light blue as the main color, interwoven with beige and brown to form a plaid pattern, and it looks very warm and soft.
Cheng Xun immediately put his hands around Song Qiuxuan's neck. Seeing her stunned and helpless, Cheng Xun tied the knot and stepped back a little. He couldn't help but curl his lips. He wanted to pinch her cheek, but he stopped himself halfway through raising his hand.
Song Qiuxuan looked down at the scarf, then looked up at Cheng Xun, seemingly complaining about his behavior: "It's not cold enough to need a scarf today."
“I know.” Cheng Xun’s dark, deep eyes curved into a smile, and his voice suddenly became sincere: “I hope it can bring you warmth this winter.”
This will be our first winter together.
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