four

I really like him, but it is that kind of liking, not the kind that wants to be his girlfriend

Why

I am sorry, but when you confessed your feelings, I was always thinking about Xia Zixuan

Between men and women, liking is liking, and disliking is disliking. Where is the kind of friendship between the opposite sex that you speak of? At this moment, the usually gentle and introverted Zhou Zhiyan was somewhat aggressive, her eyes shining with an astonishing brightness, carrying a hint of hostility

"It is true," Zhou Zhiyan recalled something, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "Don’t be fooled by how gentle and refined he seems in front of others; in reality, he is quite mischievous at home. Every time he makes me cry, Aunt Xu will grab his ear and pull him back into the room for a lesson."

If I had been able to recognize my feelings earlier, then I would not have so easily hurt Xia Zixuan, and now I certainly would not hurt Xu Song either

I was momentarily taken aback, and a phrase I once read in a book floated to my mind—"If you like someone, your eyes will light up when you talk about them"

She must have followed Xu Song and me out; it is very dangerous for a girl, especially one as delicate as Zhou Zhiyan, to be out alone at this late hour

It is clear that one likes someone, for the feelings of affection towards a person cannot be concealed

To like a tree is to like, to like a cat is to like, to like a celebrity is also to like, but none of these are the kind of liking that desires to be together forever. I said slowly, before I realized that I liked someone, I never felt there was any difference among those kinds of liking.

I always thought that Xu Song was, at his core, a gentle and considerate pure-hearted boy, but I did not expect that he also has moments of being mischievous and bullying little girls

It is likely that a family is celebrating some joyous occasion, as the night sky has suddenly been filled with fireworks

I cried so much that I couldn't say a word. I know that I am being very cunning; it should be Xu Song who is truly sad, yet he is the one comforting me instead.

"Alright." I nodded appreciatively. It doesn't look good to appear in front of everyone like this, crying so much.

Hearing my words, Zhou Zhiyan opened her mouth slightly, appearing as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, she said nothing at all

"Why don't you accept him? He is clearly so good, so gentle. He is the most gentle and wonderful young man I have ever seen in this world." It was only when she spoke that I realized she had been here for quite a while.

I gently shook my head, gave a bitter smile, and said: "You must think I am very bad, right? Crying at a time like this, isn't it quite cunning?"

I am sorry

I seem to have heard something remarkable: "Xu Song can also scare girls?"

What happened? Xu Song's voice was warm and gentle, like the spring breeze of March. "Is it that you cannot accept me? It's alright, it's okay if you cannot accept me... Xiaohan, please don't cry."

Listening to Zhou Zhiyan recount the amusing stories of Xu Song's childhood, my utterly terrible mood gradually improved

Zhou Zhiyan stared at me with wide eyes: "But..."

"Well, it is probably the intuition one has when they like someone." In his gentle gaze, there was a fleeting sense of loneliness that I caught, yet he pretended as if nothing had happened. "Isn't it strange? He has always enjoyed provoking you, but you have never truly been angry with him. Therefore, liking someone is an inevitable thing, and I understand that."

The brilliance of the fireworks illuminated Xu Song's eyes. I am not sure if it is my illusion, but I seemed to see something shimmering like water glimmering in his eyes.

I am fine. I forced myself to show a faint smile, "It is a bit far from the KTV, and I am worried about you going back alone."

Even if you have been teased all along, you still like him, don't you? ... It is because of this affection that you have been unable to forget those past memories, which you have cherished all these years. ... "No, I don't," she quickly denied, yet a blush appeared on her face.

I understand, so it doesn't matter. He let out a long sigh, "Actually... you would reject me, I am not unprepared for that."

I stopped in my tracks, staring blankly at Zhou Zhiyan: "You like him, don't you?"

I walked over to Zhou Zhiyan's side, gently patted her shoulder, and said: "Let's go, I will escort you back to the private room. It is not safe for a girl like you to stand here alone"

Uh? I am somewhat surprised. I have been friends with Xu Song for many years, and he has never told me that this quiet and introverted girl from elementary school is his neighbor

Although I am somewhat dull regarding my own feelings, it is fortunate that it is not too late. If I had only understood this fact after accepting Xu Song, it would have caused even greater harm to Xu Song

"You don't need to say sorry to me." He continued to smile, as if he felt no sadness or sorrow at all, "Really, Xiaohan, you never have to say those three words to me."

Is that so? ... Liking someone is something beyond one's control. ... "So don't cry, Xiao Han," he said, reaching out to ruffle my hair

Ah? I looked at him in astonishment, not understanding why he said that

I am sorry, at such a time, I only know of one person who is crying

I am sorry. Apart from saying sorry, I do not know what to say to such a gentle Xu Song, "I cannot be with you, but in truth, I really like you."

Bang—beautiful fireworks rose into the sky by the river

When Zhou Zhiyan mentioned Xu Song, her entire demeanor became radiant.

Although I was not familiar with Zhou Zhiyan before, at this moment, I did not hide my feelings from her: "I have always been closer to Xu Song, and I like to confide in him or share things with him. Many times, I also rely on him. I like his gentleness, I like his quiet listening, I like his seemingly pure and untainted appearance, but I know that is just the affection between friends. I like him this way, so I will maintain a good friendship with him. I like his gentleness, I like his quiet listening, I like his seemingly pure and untainted appearance, but I know that is just the affection between friends. I like him this way, so I will maintain a good friendship with him. This kind of affection is not the kind that makes one restless and causes one's heart to flutter at midnight when thought of."

"I apologize, I did not mean to eavesdrop on your conversation," Zhou Zhiyan said, feeling somewhat awkward and at a loss. "I just thought it was a bit stuffy in the private room, so I came out for a walk. When I saw you here, I wanted to come over and say hello. However, it seems that the timing is not quite right, so I have just been standing by the side..."

Xu Song is the gentlest boy I have ever met. Since we got to know each other, every time I was teased by Xia Zixuan, it was Xu Song who stood by my side, softly comforting me, handing me a handkerchief, and making me laugh. How is it that in the words of Zhou Zhiyan, Xu Song has become like Xia Zixuan, enjoying teasing others?

Is it Zixuan? His expression became softer. Is it Zixuan? The person Xiaohan likes is Zixuan, right? So when he said sorry to me, it was unavoidable, wasn't it?

Why does even he know that I like Xia Zixuan, yet I myself do not know?

Why would he know

The more gentle he is, the more I feel utterly ashamed.

Walking alongside me, Zhou Zhiyan said softly, "Xu Song and I are neighbors"

The splendid fireworks are so lively, yet the spectators have no mood to appreciate their beauty

I am truly a fool, an irredeemable fool. I covered my face with my hands, seemingly trying to hide the shame of my utter embarrassment

Zhou Zhiyan fell silent. After a while, she asked me again: "Why can't it be him? Xia Zixuan... Is he so good that you would refuse Xu Song?"

"Let's go, I will take you home." After a while, Xu Song spoke up, "I will go get your bag, you wait for me here for a moment."

How could I have fallen to such a low point

"Did you hear everything?" I didn't know how to respond to her directly, so I could only ask her back in a low voice.

He slowly wiped away my tears with his hand, but no matter how he wiped, the tears could not be cleaned away.

"I have always been quite timid. Xu Song probably finds it amusing to scare me, which is why he often makes me cry out of fright," Zhou Zhiyan said with a smile, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

I bit my lip, unable to speak

This is probably why, when Xia Zixuan asked me what Xu Song meant to me, I could answer so directly and without hesitation that he is a "friend"

"Xiao Han, you are not a fool, so why do you say you are?" Xu Song gently pulled my hand down, then slightly crouched to meet my gaze, his eyes warm and sincere, reflecting my tear-streaked face.

"Hmm, don't cry." I raised my arm and vigorously wiped away my tears

As I watched Xu Song leave, before I could retract my gaze, I saw a girl slowly walking towards me; it was Zhou Zhiyan. For some reason, her expression at this moment was very complex, and I found it somewhat difficult to understand.

Fireworks, very beautiful. He tilted his head back, gazing at the night sky

Indeed, I cannot continue to cry like this; it is too excessive. ... Relying on Xu Song's tenderness, I ended up crying like this when he confessed to me, it is truly ...! ... too much!

It is only at this moment that I understand why Xu Song could see that I liked Xia Zixuan. If one continuously gazes at a person, then all of that person's emotions and secrets can be seen through at a glance

I am sorry," I said in a choked voice, "Xu Song, I am sorry..."