Back in her bedroom, Zhou Anran’s heart was still racing.
She put her backpack aside and sat down at her desk. She didn’t have the heart to work on her test papers yet, only taking out her phone to open WeChat. At the top of the main interface was a new chat window.
The WeChat name was the capital letter C.
The profile picture was the back view of an NBA player.
Zhou Anran’s fingertip tapped on this avatar, still feeling unreal.
She had added Chen Luobai on WeChat.
It seemed like tonight’s dream wasn’t over yet.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated.
Someone had sent a message.
Zhou Anran stared at his avatar and blank personal signature for a few more seconds before slowly backing out.
As soon as she returned to the main interface, her heart skipped a beat again.
The new message was from the topmost chat window.
From him.
C: [Home safe?]
Zhou Anran: [Yes]
After sending it, she felt that a single “yes” was too dry. After thinking for a moment, she sent a little bunny nodding emoji.
The message window quickly showed “The other party is typing.”
Zhou Anran pressed her lips together, unconsciously holding her breath.
A second later.
C: [Then I’m going back to have a late-night snack with Zhu Ran]
C: [See you next week]
Zhou Anran lay on her desk, the corners of her mouth slowly curling up.
Zhou Anran: [See you next week]
Because of his “See you next week,” time suddenly seemed to become unbearable, every minute and second feeling stretched out. Fortunately, there was plenty of homework this week, and the next day Zhou Anran went to her cousin’s house with her parents, which somewhat distracted her.
The following morning, Zhou Anran went to the supermarket with her cousin and Mrs. He, bringing Tuantuan along.
As soon as they entered, the little girl dragged them straight to the candy shelves.
Zhou Anran immediately spotted that brand of soda candy. She reached out and took a pack, hesitated for a moment, then put it back.
Now that she had finally gotten a little closer to him, even if he might have already forgotten what the candy looked like, she didn’t dare risk exposing herself even the tiniest bit.
When Monday came, Zhou Anran got up early and went downstairs early to wait for Yan Xingqian.
Yan Xingqian’s idol CDs and merchandise were mostly still in her mother’s possession, so she didn’t dawdle much this semester. She came down soon after, her gaze catching the slight dimple at the corner of Zhou Anran’s lips, and she curiously asked: “What’s going on? Why are you so happy today?”
Zhou Anran: “…?”
Was it that obvious?
“I had a good dream.”
Yan Xingqian linked arms with her: “What kind of good dream?”
Zhou Anran opened her mouth but still didn’t dare to tell her about Chen Luobai, only shaking her head: “I don’t remember. Let me treat you to breakfast.”
Yan Xingqian pulled her along: “Then let’s go quickly.”
At the teaching building, Yan Xingqian went upstairs to her class, while Zhou Anran returned to her classroom alone.
As soon as she entered through the front door, she habitually glanced towards the sixth row of the second group.
But Zhou Anran hadn’t expected Chen Luobai to arrive so early today.
As her gaze fell in that direction, she saw the boy wearing the summer school uniform, his cold, slender fingers idly twirling a black pen. A bottle of milk sat on the edge of his desk. He was leaning back lazily in his chair, looking up towards the door.
Her gaze met his eyes directly in mid-air.
Caught off guard by this scene, Zhou Anran was completely unprepared. Her heartbeat suddenly lost its rhythm. Afraid her eyes might reveal something, she hurriedly lowered her head and quickly returned to her seat.
Chen Luobai raised an eyebrow slightly.
He had thought that after sending her home last Friday, asking for her contact information, and being classmates for a year, they surely couldn’t still be considered “unfamiliar” anymore.
Why did she still get so flustered every time their eyes met?
Chen Luobai stared at the girl’s slender back for a few seconds. Just as he was about to look away and read his book, he saw a boy from their class named He Mingyu sit down in the empty seat in front of her with a test paper, as if he wanted to ask her a question.
From his position, he could only see half of her fair profile.
The girl seemed to smile faintly, her dimple barely visible, then lowered her head and calmly explained the question to him, her attitude completely different from when she faced Chen Luobai.
Chen Luobai elbowed Zhu Ran beside him: “Is she close with He Mingyu?”
“Who’s close with He Mingyu?” Zhu Ran was confused by this out-of-nowhere question. He looked up, following Chen Luobai’s gaze, and immediately understood. “Oh, you mean Zhou Anran? How would I know? I’m not close with either of them.”
He paused for a second, eyeing Chen Luobai, and curiously leaned in, lowering his voice: “What’s going on? You sent her home last Friday, and now you’re asking if she’s close with other guys. When have you ever cared this much about a girl?”
Chen Luobai gave him a lazy glance and pushed his head away: “You don’t know anything, yet you’re still gossiping. Get lost.”
“Fuck,” Zhu Ran dodged his hand, “You bastard.”
*
Because of the eye contact in the morning, Zhou Anran didn’t dare look in his direction all morning, afraid of revealing any more traces.
The second period in the afternoon was PE class.
Zhang Shuxian had her period, so after the free activity, Zhou Anran went to the small supermarket to buy her a soda.
After entering, Zhou Anran walked to the refrigerator. Before she could open it, a group of boys from their class suddenly swarmed over, crowding in front of the fridge. Tang Jianrui, who was at the front, pulled open the fridge door, and seven or eight hands reached in almost simultaneously.
Zhou Anran was pushed to the side by them.
In the end, she simply walked to the side of the freezer, leaving the space in front of the fridge for them to choose first.
Suddenly, a low, familiar voice sounded in her ear.
“What do you want to drink?”
Zhou Anran abruptly raised her head, her gaze once again colliding with those smiling black eyes.
The boy had just been playing ball during class, and the weather was hot. There was fine sweat on his forehead and neck, yet his blue and white school uniform and smile were refreshing. The youthful air and pheromones created an extremely attractive sense of contradiction.
Her heart involuntarily quickened, but she forced herself not to appear too nervous: “What do you mean, what do I want to drink?”
“They’re making me treat them,” Chen Luobai raised his hand to point at the group of boys who had finished getting drinks and were now fighting over snacks. “You helped me last Friday, right? Whatever you want to drink, I’ll pay for it together.”
Zhou Anran hadn’t expected that after refusing his invitation for a late-night snack last Friday, she would have a second chance to be treated by him.
But…
“But I didn’t help you with anything on Friday.”
Chen Luobai: “Then consider it a bribe.”
Zhou Anran blinked in confusion: “What kind of bribe?”
Chen Luobai nodded toward the refrigerator. “Let’s go over there first.”
Zhou Anran didn’t know what he wanted to do, but she obediently replied “Oh” and followed him to the fridge.
The young man opened the refrigerator, and a burst of cold air hit their faces.
Chen Luobai reached in and took out a bottle of cola, holding it out to her. “Is this okay?”
Zhou Anran glanced up at him, then lowered her head and softly reminded him, “You haven’t said what the bribe is for yet.”
Chen Luobai had seen her standing in front of the fridge from outside, looking like she wanted to reach in and grab something. But she had been pushed back repeatedly by the group of boys who suddenly rushed in until she ended up in the corner between the fridge and the wall.
She didn’t seem to say anything, just standing there quietly. Her slender figure looked even more delicate in the oversized school uniform, especially next to the boys. She still had that obedient look that made people want to bully her.
Chen Luobai placed the cola in her hand.
Zhou Anran hurriedly took it.
But Chen Luobai didn’t let go immediately. His fingers gripped the bottle as he lowered his head slightly, moving closer to her.
Zhou Anran could see her reflection in the young man’s dark eyes.
As her heart raced, she saw Chen Luobai suddenly smile at her. The young man’s clear voice lowered slightly, almost like a whisper.
“Don’t tell the teacher about me teaching you to skip class.”
Zhou Anran’s breath caught for a moment.
He still maintained some distance, about the same as when she had helped him apply medicine last Friday night.
But last Friday, she had been looking down at his hand. Now he was the one leaning in, and that face she’d been thinking about day and night was suddenly so close. His voice seemed to sound right next to her ear, and for a second or two, her mind went completely blank.
Chen Luobai looked down and saw the girl’s fair face turn bright red in an instant, her lowered eyelashes trembling violently.
“You don’t want to?”
Zhou Anran came back to her senses and quickly shook her head. “No, I won’t tell the teacher.”
Chen Luobai: “…”
How could she seem to have no temper at all?
The distance also seemed to be truly close. He could see the fine hair on her small face, and even her tiny earlobe had turned crimson. Chen Luobai’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. He finally let go of the bottle and stepped back. “Is there anything else you want to drink?”
Zhou Anran let out a small sigh of relief internally, her brain finally starting to function again. “I need to buy an orange soda too, but that’s for my friend. I’ll pay for it myself later.”
As she reached out to grab the soda, the young man beat her to it and closed the refrigerator door.
?
Zhou Anran had to look up at him again.
“Zhou Anran.”
Zhou Anran replied softly, “What is it?”
Chen Luobai suddenly leaned towards her again, seemingly even closer than before. His voice sounded a bit annoyed.
“Look carefully.”
“Look at what?”
Chen Luobai enunciated each word: “Does my face say ‘stingy’ on it?”
Zhou Anran: “…?”
Zhou Anran quickly shook her head.
Only then did Chen Luobai slowly pull back, leaning against the fridge again. His tone still carried a hint of displeasure: “Then do you think I can’t afford one bottle of soda?”
Zhou Anran: “…”
Sensing his unhappiness, she didn’t refuse again and said softly, “Thank you then.”
Chen Luobai looked at her for a second without responding.
Zhou Anran’s heart started racing again.
Is he still upset?
Why isn’t he saying anything?
Chen Luobai opened the fridge again and first handed her a bottle of orange soda.
Zhou Anran saw that he no longer seemed angry with her and quickly took it. Then she watched as he took out another bottle of cola.
The young man’s pale, slender index finger hooked the pull tab, while his other four fingers gripped the can. As he applied force, the veins on the back of his hand became faintly visible, and the small bump on his wrist bone caught the light.
The tab popped open. Bubbles fizzed out from inside.
Chen Luobai tilted his head back and took a sip. His sharp Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed, then he spoke again slowly: “Anything to eat?”
Zhou Anran’s mind was still full of his incredibly attractive one-handed can-opening move. She was stunned for a moment before realizing he was asking if she wanted any snacks. She shook her head again: “No need.”
Worried he might think she found him stingy again, she quickly added, “It’s so hot, I don’t feel like eating.”
The girl’s voice was no longer hoarse like last Friday, having returned to its pleasant state with just a slight hint of gravel. It softly entered his ears, and Chen Luobai’s hand gripping the cola can tighten.
“Then want to head back with us?”
Zhou Anran: “?!”
Go back where?
To the playground?
Going back to the playground with him would draw so much attention.
Plus, for some reason, maybe because he had leaned close to her twice earlier, her heart was now inexplicably racing as if it might explode. If she stayed with him any longer, she might be overloaded at any moment.
Most importantly, Zhang Shuxian was still waiting for her.
Zhou Anran waved the orange soda he had just given her: “My friend is waiting for me.”
Chen Luobai’s gaze lingered on her slender white hand for a second: “Alright.”
He leaned against the fridge and called out to the cashier, “Uncle Zhang, I’ll drink this cola first. I’ll pay for the two bottles she’s holding later too.”
Zhou Anran saw the young man smile and point at her, seeming quite familiar with the store owner.
The store owner responded with an “Okay.”
But the group of boys inside suddenly started to make a commotion.
“Wait, what’s going on?”
“What did I just hear? Is Luo-ge paying for someone?”
Chen Luobai looked back, the corner of his mouth still curved in a slight smile: “What’s all the fuss about? Keep dawdling, and you’ll have to pay for yourselves.”
Zhou Anran’s ears, which had just cooled down, started heating up again.
Chen Luobai turned back to her, holding the cola can, his gaze falling on her reddened ears. He raised an eyebrow slightly: “Not leaving? Changed your mind about coming with us?”
Zhou Anran: “?”
He was being teased, so why was he still joking with her?
Shouldn’t he be distancing himself from her?
But her mind was in such a mess now that she couldn’t think it through. She just glanced at him, then lowered her head again: “No, I’m leaving now.”
Chen Luobai leaned against the fridge, watching as the girl placed her items on the counter to be scanned, then hurriedly left. Her slender figure disappeared through the doorway.
Somehow, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
If he hadn’t caught her in time last Friday, would it have been like this too? Would he have only seen a hastily disappearing figure?
He might not have even known it was her who had brought him medicine that day.
“Still looking?” Zhu Ran’s voice suddenly sounded beside his ear. “She left ages ago.”
Chen Luobai gave him a lazy glance: “Even food can’t shut you up, huh?”
“What’s the use of shutting me up?” Zhu Ran gestured with his eyes for him to look behind. “You were so obvious just now, leaning in to talk to her, buying her drinks. They all saw it. You can explain it yourself.”
Sure enough.
Once they had settled the bill and gotten their snacks and drinks, the “pay for yourself” warning no longer had any effect. As they left the small supermarket, Tang Jianrui and the other boys gathered around Chen Luobai again, gossiping enthusiastically.
“Luo-ge, do you have something going on? Why did you suddenly buy drinks for that girl?” Tang Jianrui put his arm around Chen Luobai’s shoulder, his tone full of curiosity.
The others chimed in too.
“Did you guys see who it was? Luo-ge was blocking the view, I didn’t see her face.”
“It was Zhou Anran, right? The girl from our class. She’s pretty cute.”
“Is she? I don’t have much impression of her.”
“She’s too low-key usually. I just remember her grades are pretty good.”
“Come on, don’t you guys have any sense? Talking about whether Luo-ge’s girl is pretty or not right in front of him? She might be your sister-in-law soon.”
“He likes her?”
Chen Luobai knew these guys would react like this. He shrugged off Tang Jianrui’s arm, his tone inexplicably amused: “How is this any of your business?”
Tang Jianrui let out a knowing “Oh” in a drawn-out tone: “Alright, alright, it’s none of our business. Then I guess it’s fine if we all go talk to Zhou Anran later?”
Chen Luobai casually tossed his empty cola can into a nearby trash bin, then suddenly put Tang Jianrui in a headlock: “You guys have too much free time on your hands, don’t you?”