Partie 7

"Song Qingxi, why are you daydreaming? Hurry up and come here, it's going to rain."

As I walked out of the classroom, I deliberately glanced at Zeng Ting. He was engrossed in writing something and did not notice my gaze. At that moment, Liu Ziyu was clearly sitting in the seat next to Zeng Ting, appearing to wait for him to leave together.

Compassion and love are two distinct matters; they are not closely related to happiness and cannot be interchangeably replaced. In this regard, Liu Ziyu is correct.

What next

Everything is as natural as if some events had not occurred, some thoughts had not been expressed, and some wounds are like words written in the sand, casually washed away by the waves, taking those traces with them

"Zeng Ting is my boyfriend, do you understand what a boyfriend is? Don't associate my boyfriend with a stepmother." I continued to explain patiently.

Even when we have just begun to be together, it is already like this; if we were to be together for a longer time, perhaps it would evolve into an irretrievable situation

He completely ignored my remarkable act of giving up the date: "Alright, alright, classmate Song Qingxi, you go on your date. I wouldn't dare to delay your hard-earned little happiness."

I told you, departing from one place and then returning to the starting point is called traveling. Departing from one place and continuously walking without a destination is called wandering. I casually occupied the only chair in Zhong Shenyuan's room, forcing him to leave the computer game he was engrossed in and sit on the bed. At the same time, I was earnestly lecturing him, "Zeng Ting and I are traveling. You and those bad romances are wandering. Do you understand now?"

Sitting in the old spot on the playground bleachers, the scene of Zeng Ting saying "We are together" feels just like yesterday

She is merely a symbol, reminding me to pay attention to the underlying unease, discomfort, and unhappiness that are subtly growing.

Moreover, Ke Yuchen's complaints are simply in a joking tone

Leaving someone for the sake of love is not suitable for me; it is also too clichéd. I am not such a great person.

I unconsciously sighed

Just like Zeng Ting did to me

I clearly do not like that "who" it could be Liu Ziyu, but that is not important. In any case, it will not be me

Of course, I am his legitimate girlfriend! Could it be you!

What a coincidence to meet you here

If Zeng Ting truly has not contacted me ... ? ... Who told me, and how should I face it

I understand. "Zhong Shenyan looked at me, puffing his cheeks as if he were about to burst with grievance. "I have also experienced first love!"

Time passes in an orderly manner, neither hastening nor slowing down

Everything is as usual, with people running on the orange track and a three-on-three basketball game taking place in full swing. It is no different from the scene seen after school every day

"You cannot help with my concerns," he said

The last class division in high school, after returning to school following the summer vacation, I decided to choose the humanities.

Thus, the first sentence that Liu Ziyu spoke, I directly countered it.

Forget it. I interrupted Zeng Ting, saying, "It's better not to say anything."

Although he has experienced twenty breakups in a year, he should be considered an exceptionally strong individual in terms of adaptability. However, since these are breakups, it is understandable for him to feel sad. Given that Xiao Che and I are both so happy, it would be somewhat cruel to insist that he shares in the joy of others.

But love is inherently subjective

Perhaps my voice is too soft and sweet, I always feel that Zhong Shenyin seems to have trembled a bit

I do not want anyone else to appear in his world, and I also dislike the idea of him having a place in someone else's world. Even when taking the bus, if we cannot sit together, I deliberately let him sit in the seat next to the boys, and I detest the thought of him sitting side by side with unfamiliar girls

When I think of it, a sharp pain spreads in my heart. When I get closer, I hear a loud sound coming from my chest, feeling the direction of blood flowing within my body

The unstable tone of his voice revealed the unease within his heart

Although it may seem overly sentimental, at this moment, Zeng Ting is that child, and I am his biological mother

Who will come to save me

After a few seconds of silence, Zhong Shenyan raised both hands and firmly grasped my shoulders: "Do not do yourself an injustice; you must truly be happy"

In any case, I am not like Song Qingxi, whose childish approach of breaking up whenever she feels like it and reconciling whenever she wants is entirely impulsive and reflects a loli mindset. Although the beginning of my relationship was driven by an irresistible mutual attraction and concern, the end of my relationship was very calm.

I nodded.

I... and others. Were stood up by someone. I really don't know where to begin, nor do I have the mood to elaborate in detail, lest I burst into tears on the spot, which would be quite embarrassing in a public place

Have you ever told Liu Ziyu that you think I am very pitiful

Wouldn't that be better instead?

In fact, you can tell me directly. I closed my eyes, tilted my head back, and tried to alleviate the feeling of soreness and swelling in my eyes and heart

From the overall relationship and interaction with Zeng Ting, my standpoint is very subjective

I glanced at the book, with murderous thoughts swirling in my mind. The sentence written on the cover caught my attention—"I know everything; all these lies and delusions, the despicable and the cowardly. They are like paint and materials, just right to create an entire world, along with its countless scenes and encounters. What you see is merely your own imagination; what you think is yours is just a coincidence. The tighter you hold on, the more futile it becomes. This is called my attachment." What you see is merely your own imagination; what you think is yours is just a coincidence. The tighter you hold on, the more futile it becomes. This is called my attachment.

But it actually ... ... shut down

His shocked gaze easily tugged at my heartache. However, this is not a simple matter; it raises questions about whether I can gain admission to Zhejiang University or if he remembers to keep in touch with me.

When our eyes met, his gaze was clearly evasive. Although there was no direct confrontation or argument, there was always a subtle atmosphere and tension between him and me, which made it impossible for me to ask him casually as I usually would about what was going on

Yet, Ke Yuchen is quite magnanimous. Although it was not a particularly formal confession or rejection, he can be considered a boy who confessed to me and was subsequently rejected. When I excitedly called him to share the news that I had successfully influenced Zeng Ting in my long-distance relationship, he did express a slight complaint, saying, "I am the boy who likes you, Song Qingxi, you are too straightforward." However, apart from that, he sincerely and genuinely wished me well in my romantic endeavors.

There is no way, the heavens enjoy finding amusement at my expense I shrugged my shoulders

The storm that rolls in is fierce, yet there is a certain beauty in it; when the heart has died, there is no more pain to feel

Even I have to admit that a handsome man and a beautiful woman, when they gaze at each other and converse, create a natural feeling that makes it difficult for outsiders not to perceive them as a suitable pair—let alone Liu Ziyu, who is an insider and feels the same way, to the extent that her demeanor becomes more graceful, and upon seeing my appearance, she instantly adds a touch of vulnerability.

Some shadows still exist, yet I do not dare to touch them

Look, look, for the sake of a romance, even strangers can offer me compassion

In a fleeting moment, it seems that something has occurred, only to dissipate into nothingness. An invisible barrier keeps the heart at a distance of light-years.

Well, as expected of a high-IQ top student, she truly knows how to tantalize and create suspense, compelling others to follow her in search of an answer—even if one knows that the answer will only benefit her

I walked into the rain

Standing in place for fifteen minutes, I resentfully thought, do you think you are Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, sending each other off for the eighteenth time? It's just a ride to the station, how could it take fifteen minutes to return?

"Hey, Song Qingxi," Zhong Shenyin directly snatched the PSP from my hand, "Have you really decided to choose the liberal arts?"

In the gray space, who am I, unable to remember what happiness tastes like

Zhong Shenyan, you are really too clichéd! This is the kind of friendship scene that only appears in melodramatic comics! I brushed his hand away, saying, "You really have a bit of that healing-type boy aura in this moment!"

Such feelings, Teng Ting would not understand, right

"What location?" He looked at me in confusion, "My girlfriend."

Waiting for this matter can cause inexplicable pressure; the longer time passes, the more restless one becomes

How can it be considered a half-hearted childhood friendship? Is it really necessary to be so dramatic? It's just that I got a boyfriend and didn't inform him immediately, right at that moment. It's not the first time—last time I used a bet to get Zeng Ting to date me, and I didn't report it to Zhong Shenyan right away either. He wasn't angry that time.

Song Qingxi, you are probably going to sink, and then you will never be able to breathe again

When Ke Yuchen becomes gentle, he undoubtedly possesses the power to touch the heart and bring tears streaming down.

The silence persisted, lasting for a long time. His breathing was clearly audible beside me. If I held my breath and leaned close to his chest, I could also hear his heartbeat distinctly

"A few hundred years ago?" Xiao Che elegantly placed a straw into the cola, took a sip, and asked

The sender is not Zeng Ting, but Ke Yuchen

Just like him and me, we are two planets with different attributes in the universe, revolving around a center, not existing in the same position

She asked: "Are you really dating Zeng Ting?"

Silent and without a trace

I ruthlessly mock myself: Song Qingxi, you have truly reached a certain level of greatness

Slowly moving the phone away from my ear, I looked at Zhong Shenyin, whose expression was also serious: "Song Qingxi, all these years, I have never hung up the phone before you."

This fellow is a bit too exuberant; it seems to me that he is completely reveling in the misfortune of others

They walked up to me, and Zeng Ting glanced at me, then looked outside: "Is it raining?"

I watched as Zeng Ting slowly walked towards me, his shadow elongated in the sunlight

Hmm. Although he did not understand why I suddenly changed the topic, he still cooperated with my direction

The rain seems to carry messages from another world, with coolness and coldness occupying all the senses, creating a strange sensation. The reason for the blurred vision is truly because the rain is too heavy, too heavy.

Stand up, I have picked up the bag: "Let me speak first, Zeng Ting, this is it, you are free now"

This segment once

When you made your decision, did you ever consider, even once, whether I might be admitted to Zhejiang University? Were you even a little afraid that we might possibly part ways?

How can I determine and how can I trust

Can I just pick up a cup of water and pour it directly over her head? Although there are no suitable tools nearby, there is only a book on the counter. So can I take that book and hit her on the head?

The people around me do not have such distinct facial expressions; they are not purely good like a little white rabbit, nor are they so bad that they not only do not resemble normal human beings but have also become scum

Look, I know everything except love

Wow, wow, what does "the heart blooms like flowers" mean? Just look at me now to understand.

I put my phone back in my bag, and the rain grew heavier. The season is approaching summer, yet the rain still carries a chilling breath. However, that does not matter, as it certainly cannot be colder than the temperature in my heart

If she greets me, I will respond politely; if she intends to have a heartfelt conversation with me, I apologize, but I will absolutely accompany her to the end

Forget it. Zhong Shenyin gave up the argument

Liu Ziyu probably also noticed that my thoughts were distracted by other matters, and she straightforwardly raised her voice: "Song Qingxi, feelings are not something you queue for; if you wait too long, it will definitely be yours. Even if there were a queue, I would be in front of you, right? Moreover, if both you and I encountered danger at the same time, who do you think Zeng Ting would instinctively protect?"

I extended my hand, slowly picked up the phone, yet I did not dare to press the button to clearly see that small display screen

Just as I had not stood in this position of being allowed to stand alongside Zeng Ting before, I had been persuading myself to give up, to forget, and to leave behind my feelings for him

If it were not intentional, how could it be that just as I walked into the store and ordered a cup of lemon soda, she appeared right after

Yet when leaving, it is done in silence and ease

At that time, I... I... I am sorry...

"Do not abandon me on my birthday, our birthdays are the same," said Zeng Ting, who has disappeared.

In this world, the so-called transformation and substitution are taken for granted. There are times for gathering and times for parting. There is love at times, and there are separations at times

It may be that the journey is too arduous, too lengthy, and too fraught with anxiety, which is why, when one finally reaches that destination, it feels unreal. One might feel that the reason for spending such a long time and shedding so many tears is fundamentally because I am simply the wrong person.

Hello, what is this? What does it mean to shut down?

Although I know I should not convict him so narrowly, I am still very angry and extremely unhappy, so what

While telling myself not to pay attention to him anymore, I still couldn't help but secretly observe his expression.

I followed Xiao Che into KFC, gave a surface smile to Zhong Shenyan who was looking up at me, and sat down

Do not say anything. My mood has become much clearer after the commotion caused by Zhong Shenyan, and my thoughts have slightly shifted towards a more positive perspective—although Zeng Ting had arranged to go to the bookstore with Liu Ziyu, since he is now openly inviting me, it is evident that he does not care about Liu Ziyu.

Those who have never been in love can certainly imagine it

I want cola

In this regard, after much analysis with Xiao Che, we believe it is highly likely that Zhong Shenyan has experienced another heartbreak

I looked at Liu Ziyu and picked up the lemon soda that the staff had already placed on the counter: "I am not that bored; if he really likes you, feel free to do as you wish"

Hmm. I didn't sleep well. I experienced a breakup

The name displayed on the caller ID was not what I had expected, and thus my despondency was easily sensed by Ke Yuchen on the other end of the line: "Your voice sounds a bit off, what's wrong?"

When I reached the peak of my frustration, I naturally dialed Zeng Ting's number directly

"Go away, what I excel at is stealing hearts; healing and such have nothing to do with me." He ultimately resumed his usual indifferent demeanor

That... I... he probably doesn't know how to start a conversation with me either, hesitatingly said a few words, then stopped.

The existence of friends is meaningful, and timely companionship, advice, and support are also significant. At the moment I hung up the phone with Ke Yuchen, I decided in my heart that I would no longer wait

Although I understand what he is saying, it is just that...

Oh, I will return it to you when I get to school on Monday. I took the umbrella and opened the door to his house

If I really had privileges and could break up with Zeng Ting whenever I wanted, or be with her whenever I desired, then I would have succeeded, wouldn't I? With the kind of character that Zhong Shenyan has, taking pride in the number of relationships and treating changing girlfriends as a source of novelty, what reason does he have to criticize me? I puffed out my cheeks and rolled my eyes at him: "Even if it's a loli, I still have my own attitude as a loli."

After being with Zeng Ting, I realized that "Song Qingxi" had transformed into a strange existence, different from my usual self. I constantly struggled in a state of awkwardness and anxiety that I myself found distasteful, completely lacking the usual decisiveness and straightforwardness I exhibited when facing any situation.

Now is not the best time to discuss these details; apart from wanting to fly to the bookstore and stay by Zeng Ting's side, there is nothing else that concerns me more than separating him from Liu Ziyu.

When I arrived at the bookstore, it was just starting to rain, and I happened to encounter Zeng Ting and Liu Ziyu walking out side by side.

Perhaps the phone ran out of battery? I am very unconvincing as I openly seek reasons for Zeng Tingming's disappearance.

I stand on the side of Yao Xiaoche. "Zhong Shenyin, who returned with the cola, raised his tray and shouted, joining the camp, 'Song Qingxi, you immature fruit, although psychology books say that during the ages of 15 to 18, relationships often end abruptly for inexplicable reasons, it is such a pity to break up like this after you have worked so hard to gain the title of 'girlfriend'.

Not a trace of my reluctance and false smile was evident, as my boyfriend took the umbrella. In the moment our fingertips touched, there was no warmth at all

It is quite strange; my emotions have become completely flat, and there is no excitement in my tone. I simply feel tired, with fatigue constantly enveloping me, to the point where even breathing feels laborious

The small but striking mark on his forehead touched the deepest part of my heart, evoking a feeling known as heartache. However, upon seeing his avoidance, that feeling quickly faded away

The atmosphere shifted from awkwardness to coldness, circulating between us

Zeng Ting does not disregard me; rather, he perceives this concern as affection.

What? I turned around and slightly raised my head to look into his eyes

I hear the voice within my heart. Like a door, it is gently opened, then softly closed, transforming into a sealed sea

"I am very generous; you won't find anyone more generous than me in the whole world, so go ahead and go on your date." He glanced at the clock hanging on the wall of his room, "There is a show at the downtown cinema at 4 PM; if you hurry, you can still make it in time to watch it with your boyfriend."

Although Zhong Shenyan and Xiao Che instructed me to walk home together after school, my mood has plummeted to its lowest point, and I completely do not wish to engage in any emotional exchanges or fluctuations

However, I really want to leave now

Gamble? What to gamble on? Is it to find some thugs to test for whom Zeng Ting would stand up? Or is it to rush into traffic on the street to see whom Zeng Ting would protect first? How childish is that

Nonsense, deceit, rambling, absurd talk

Well, I admit that when I saw his hand resting on her, I felt an intense agitation within me. Jealousy is an inevitable aspect of emotions, and I do not intend to feel ashamed about it. I simply feel that the chilly air brought about by the rainy weather is clearly invading me

Even so, he still smiled and handed over the umbrella

Yao Xiao Che, you can now act as a love expert, can't you? I glared at her; happy people are the most annoying.

The cinema will not run away, so it is fine to go watch a movie anytime in the future. Moreover, I already went to see a film with Zeng Ting last night.

Her confident smile is infuriating

What a coincidence. She mentioned yesterday that she was just about to buy a book, so I invited her to come with me.

The male clerk, who had placed it on the counter, inevitably witnessed the entire negotiation. He lifted his head and gave me a faint smile, filled with encouraging warmth

Upon returning home and taking a shower, my entire body felt warm

Xiao Che pushed open the glass door of KFC, and then Zhong Shenyan's bright voice of "Good morning, Song Qingxi" rang out without any obstruction

However, the information he gathered was not particularly meaningful—when Zeng Ting accompanied Liu Ziyu to the station, it was likely that an umbrella accidentally scratched the face of a girl waiting for the bus. Her irritable boyfriend, without asking for the reason or listening to the apology, immediately started to fight. As a result, Zeng Ting was injured while trying to protect Liu Ziyu and had to go to the hospital for disinfection and bandaging. That troublesome Zhong Shenyan was given to me, and I returned Zeng Ting's umbrella, which ended up in a sorry state, I don't even know where it was thrown.

Who will teach me

So is it true that everything is merely an illusion of God

Since I started with Zeng Ting, Xiao Che seemed indifferent, but Zhong Shenyan, for some unknown reason, completely ignored me for an entire week. In class, he treated me as if I were invisible, as if he was determined to erase the revolutionary friendship we had built over the years.

However, if a relationship is clearly just a misunderstanding, and if love ultimately leaves only painful memories of each other, it is better to remain at the very beginning when the hurt first emerged. At least then, when he thinks of me, he can still feel a hint of beauty

In order to fight for Liu Ziyu

Zhong Shenyan was not concerned about my insincerity and patted Xiao Che, saying: "What do you all want to eat? I will go buy it."

Zeng Ting has never been a fool; in fact, he is actually smarter than most people, or rather, he possesses wisdom. The level of wisdom has always been higher than that of mere intelligence. Therefore, he should also be very clear that in my heart, after the "then," there should be no further "then".

However, regarding the matter of "waiting for Zeng Ting," I have become very skilled and accustomed to it, and it is impossible to change.

"Song Qingxi, I do not accept this." Zeng Ting stood up, blocking my entire line of sight, "Being together is a decision made by two people, and breaking up should also be a mutual decision. If you feel that you cannot forgive me for the time being, let us take some time to calm down, one month, is that alright?"

An umbrella is a wondrous entity; once opened, it forms a small world that remains undisturbed. Watching the figures of Zeng Ting and Liu Ziyu, who were once close to me under the umbrella, fade away around the corner, a faint smile appeared at the corners of my lips

I... he hesitated for a moment, looked at me sincerely, shook his head, and said, "Zhejiang University has always been my ideal, I am sorry, I truly did not consider you."

"Aren't you going to pour some water for your guest? Hurry up, I'm thirsty," I said, adjusting my sitting position to a comfortable one

One should enjoy life to the fullest when in a favorable situation. Having finally achieved one's wish of having Zeng Ting by one's side, one should savor the moment. If one were to be rejected again tomorrow, at least there would be some so-called 'beautiful memories' to accompany one through life

Do not wait for him; make him wait for you. This applies to everyone, you know

"Zeng Ting once told me that he feels sorry for you." Liu Ziyu gently tapped her nails on the counter, the sound faint yet unsettling to me. "He said that every time he sees the way you look at him, he wonders if he is being too cruel. That is why he is trying to gradually get closer to you, to befriend you, hoping to help you naturally lessen your entanglement with him."

Zeng Ting has genuine feelings for me

The wounds are not solely due to his unintentional actions, nor merely because of Liu Ziyu's aggressive demeanor, but also because I detest being so inept, unable to keep pace with him; if he does not wait, I cannot stand beside the self that cannot keep up with him

I glanced at the time on my phone, it was 4:42

Hmm. I have no way to respond, I can only vaguely brush it aside

"As you command." Zhong Shenyin said with a smile as he went to buy something

It is not boring, and there is also Ziyu

So, what position do I hold in your heart? Ask yourself, if there is an issue that needs to be discussed, and then determine, is the first person you think of me or Liu Ziyu

The world is so vague

Silence, at times, is the most direct answer, is it not

I took a deep breath and finally met my expectations.

The atmosphere of both complaints and struggles has always been the theme of my interactions with Xiao Che and Zhong Shenyan

Zeng Ting called her "Zi Yu," which felt natural in terms of intimacy, yet he still referred to me as "Song Qingxi," as if I were just a name among many. His simple utterance of those five words was enough to wound me deeply.

"You didn't get caught in the rain, did you?" he asked. "You brought an umbrella, right?"

What then is the deciding factor that makes it necessary to have that specific person, one who cannot be replaced? I looked at Xiao Che

Zhong Shenyan walked out of the room and, upon returning with a glass of water to hand to me, Zeng Ting happened to connect the call.

Since we are here, we should make ourselves comfortable. I glanced at her, neither greeting nor speaking.

Both peace and unease stem from him. It is only when I look at him, when I embrace him, that I wear a serene smile. When I leave, that slight sense of security in my heart is easily swept away by the wind

However, after no longer being "boyfriends," the smiles exchanged between us, devoid of any purpose, occurred naturally in our eye contact

The more beautiful love is, the more terrifying heartbreak becomes

He can still be considered a competent boyfriend, at least he remembers to care whether I get caught in the rain. I, who can be so easily made happy, am truly deeply ensnared in this virus called 'love'

He looked at me, his face filled with concern

How can I determine and how can I believe

Even if I resumed writing the character "曾" in the gaps of my textbook, it is still because the two characters "曾庭" are something I cannot avoid being concerned about.

I want to wait for you until 5 o'clock. If you do not show up before 5, I will leave, and I will no longer pay any attention to you

I fell asleep immediately while lying on the bed

Was the reason for her concern about whether I brought an umbrella because she was afraid I would get caught in the rain

"Waiting for whom?" He paused, "Oh, your boyfriend?"

I looked at her coldly and said, "What else? Am I supposed to act for you? Is it really necessary?"

I recently spoke with Zhong Shenyin, stating that departing from one place and returning to the starting point constitutes a journey. Departing from one place without a destination signifies wandering. Zeng Ting and I began here and returned here, yet it is not a journey, but rather wandering

You are overthinking it. A romantic relationship often begins simply because one suddenly feels that life is too mundane and seeks some excitement. With this mindset, it becomes easy to encounter suitable partners, and thus, a relationship begins. The notions of fate or destiny are mere nonsense; do not believe in them!

Of course, Zhong Shenyan's umbrella is not the focus; the focus is that Zeng Ting can actually fight

I bought a few books, and I also saw a very cute notebook, which I bought for you. I plan to find a few more books, so come over and meet me, and we can have dinner together

I am one hundred percent sure that Liu Ziyu's gaze towards me is completely different from before; she is now filled with hostility. This is definitely not my over-sensitivity or excessive defensiveness; I would bet on anything.

Just as he took a step forward, Zhong Shenyan spoke again: "Qingxi."

What is it?

Xiao Che's right hand smoothly rested on my shoulder: "Qing Xi, your dark circles are so deep."

I will leave first. We will talk again when we get to school on Monday I stood up

Call me when you get home

Fortunately, there is still Zhong Shenyin

I did not call Zeng Ting, nor did he contact me

Absolutely, it is so

Therefore, the happy me now should, in any case, stay by the side of my good friend who is seemingly heartbroken and in a gloomy mood, completely ungrateful for my kindness and friendship—even if he remains unappreciative, even if he, as the host, still glares at me, who has taken on the role of a goodwill ambassador.

Zhong Shenyan, are you being too stingy?

"You are the one who should be least trusted." Xiao Che clenched his fist and waved it in front of Zhong Shenyan, "You beast!"

Zhong Shenyan looked at me with an air of entitlement, and unexpectedly jumped up: "Song Qingxi, I beg you, I implore you, please go on a date with your boyfriend and return to me a peaceful world!"

If one continues to not hear and does not choose to listen, is it his tragedy or mine

When leaving the school, I avoided Zhong Shenyin and Xiao Che, hardly employing any lightness skill

I saw the look of astonishment in Xiao Che's eyes directed at my face without any surprise: "Just a breakup? Song Qingxi, you should know that the first month of a relationship is always filled with turbulence and unease, just like the break-in period of a new car. It can easily feel unfamiliar and difficult to get along with. In fact, if both parties take it a bit more seriously, relax a little, and become more familiar with each other, it will be fine.

When I woke up, the sky was already dark. In the unlit room, only the power indicator light of the phone flickered rhythmically, casting a small glow. It created a sense of confusion regarding time and space, leaving me with a hollow feeling of not knowing in which world I found myself.

"What are you saying?" Zeng Ting suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist, "Why? Is it because I once said I felt sorry for you? But that was different from later developing feelings for you, right? Is it because I got into a conflict while sending Liu Ziyu and couldn't contact you, making you wait for me? In the chaos, I truly didn't think of it, and I can apologize. If it's about Zhejiang University, we can definitely find a way; you might not necessarily fail to get into Zhejiang University, right?" Is it because I got into a conflict while sending Liu Ziyu and couldn't contact you, making you wait for me? In the chaos, I truly didn't think of it, and I can apologize. If it's about Zhejiang University, we can definitely find a way; you might not necessarily fail to get into Zhejiang University, right?"

The bandage on his temple has been removed, but the wound has not yet healed, and the signs of redness and swelling remain. It is probably consistent with the shape of the wound in my heart

Not informing Zeng Ting is not because of the so-called "cooling-off period" between us, but rather because I feel it is unnecessary

I stood at the exit watching them approach. There were not many people, but Liu Ziyu was occasionally jostled slightly by those passing by her, and Zeng Ting naturally reached out to support her from time to time

Who will come to my rescue

The sunlight has withdrawn its last bit of brightness. The love in my heart and the notion of eternity have lost all direction.

"Jasmine green tea, iced," Liu Ziyu said to the male clerk at the counter, then turned to look at me, "It's not that I mind him acting for me; I'm just afraid he might be acting for himself."

I signaled to Zhong Shenyan with my eyes, "I am busy," and then gestured for him to place the water on the computer desk next to me. I said to Zeng Ting, who was on the phone, "Are you still at the bookstore?"

Zeng Ting walked to the outer edge of the exit, stretched out his hand to test the intensity of the rain, and turned to me: "Lend me the umbrella, I will take Zi Yu to the intersection to catch a bus. Wait for me for a moment."

This fellow does not care how much attention such a resounding noise in a public place will attract

I don't know. Perhaps it is something related to genes or the subconscious?" said Xiao Che

Oh my, why would a beverage shop have such high-level, tasteful, and feel-inducing books...! Could it be that these are trials and revelations bestowed upon me by the heavens!

The phone rang at 5:49

Who will teach me

In the chaos of dusk, staring too intently can cause the eyes to feel unusually sore

"The metaphor is really terrible, I don't even know what you are talking about." He simply stretched out his hand, leaned back, and lay flat on his bed, "I remind you to be careful of Snow White's stepmother, do you think I am talking about Cinderella? What does that have to do with anything?"

In this era, it is no longer fashionable for boyfriends to play the role of the pitiful second female lead; in anime and idol dramas, it is always the resilient girl-next-door who takes the spotlight. Moreover, even if it were in vogue, I would not allow it.

Is this the so-called cold war between couples

I just remembered the promise I made to inform him after returning home, which I have not fulfilled

"Take an umbrella, it's going to rain." He pulled me into the living room, walked to the door, and took out a light yellow and pale green umbrella from the cabinet by the door for me

There are no missed calls, only one unread text message

On Monday, upon entering the classroom, what struck me more than the inevitable feelings of grievance and anger that would arise upon seeing him was the sight of a square bandage, approximately 4 centimeters on each side, adhered to his forehead, with visible signs of redness and swelling surrounding it

Reality is indeed very bland; where are there so many ups and downs like in television dramas

I ... ...

He will definitely be able to get into Zhejiang University, what about you? I don't know what method you ultimately used to make him willing to be with you, but Song Qingxi, I really want to remind you that confusing gratitude with affection will cause you to miss out on a more suitable partner for Zeng Tingyu. Confusing sympathy with affection will ultimately hurt only yourself

It is truly strange. Usually, when someone says "let's calm down," isn't it just a prelude to a breakup? Therefore, Zeng Ting is indeed a gentle person. Even though I was the one who initiated the breakup, he probably thought it considerate to allow for a buffer period, making it easier for me to accept it

However, I cannot hear his true voice

Even if her statement aligns with Zeng Ting's interpretation of my behavioral patterns, I will absolutely not admit it, under no circumstances.

The distance in the classroom is not wide, yet it seems difficult and distant, as if it were a faraway place.

Oh, very well. However..." I replied, my words left unfinished, only to hear the sound of the call being disconnected from the phone.

Then it will be cold, and then let us be completely silent. The discarded me nodded slightly: "The summer vacation is about to begin, let us study it again after the summer vacation"

Am I wholeheartedly and repeatedly practicing love, or is it loneliness?

Hello, water

The outer edge of the lemon cup is covered with fine droplets of water due to prolonged placement, resembling hidden tears

In fact, you ask, why do people desire love, why do they want to be with someone forever? What causes love to begin? I looked at the ceiling adorned with colorful balloons and said softly

As for Liu Ziyu, I do not believe she is the Snow White who deserves Zeng Ting, but she is also not the evil stepmother of Snow White

As usual, there were many people during the quiet study period, but I did not engage with the textbook at all

Zhong Shenyan's emotions are actually quite polarized; he either speaks from the self-proclaimed perspective of an experienced person, preaching, or he engages in energetic yet directionless nonsense. Moreover, I temporarily do not wish to hear Xiao Che's conversations with Lu Wen when he is with me, where his tone is particularly endearing and slightly spoiled. Listening to Xiao Che express dialogues that are actually quite unnutritious makes me feel a mix of envy and melancholy in my heart

When tears unknowingly fall at an emotional moment, having a boyfriend by your side who tightly embraces you, gently rubs your head, and wipes away your tears, how blissful that is; everyone who has been in love can surely sense this

Don't even start. Even if we broke up, Zeng Ting is not some inferior product, alright? I have no intention of hiding my disdain, and I looked at Zhong Shenyan with a sideways glance and said: "The reason first love is irreplaceable is because it is only one. Just like the Golden Melody Awards, you can compete for Best Male and Female Singer countless times, but the Best New Artist award is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This pure feeling, Zhong Shenyan, you will never have the chance to understand in your lifetime."

I do not believe it. I bit my lower lip, absolutely unwilling to show weakness to her. First, why should I believe you? Second, on what basis do you say that I am not the most suitable person for him?

No matter what, the melancholy of not being able to be together, and the gradual weariness and mutual hurt that follows being together, frightens me even more. Therefore, I plan to let it go like this, to clearly express everything, bid farewell, and have no further entanglements.

Gazing steadily at him, he has always been the most wonderful boy I have ever seen, known, and felt.

"Don't wait any longer, dear, it's time to go home now." He softened his voice, very gently, "It's raining, did you bring an umbrella? Where are you?"

Then you can browse for a while, I will come over later I smiled and said You can spend so much time in the bookstore, it's not boring to be alone

A sarcastic smile is still a smile. Even more ironic is that once Sheng Ting left, he never returned

I will return immediately. I cleared my throat, trying to infuse my words with determination and resolve

Is it that when the divine awakens, everything ceases to exist

You know again. I rejected his protest

Then? I looked at him, my gaze filled with a clear defiance.

Zeng Ting once told me, "If you truly want to find someone, you can find them no matter what." But now, who can tell me how to find him

The appearance of seriously reading a book. The hair on the forehead falls down and then floats up, brushing past the gauze. When smiling, the curvature of the eyes. All of these are incredibly familiar from the past

What causes the heartache is his silence

I am too. I followed Xiao Che to place an order, naturally enjoying the privileges of being a girl

"No need, Young Master Zhong, I have set aside this afternoon to accompany you in sharing your innermost thoughts." I waved my hand generously, indicating that he should not mind my schedule.

It turns out that it is either white or black, merely a naive belief.

"What water?" Zhong Shenyan looked at me with confusion

I regretfully recall a folk tale I heard in my childhood: two women both claimed a child as their own. In ancient times, there was no DNA testing. The wise Bao Gong suggested that they engage in a tug-of-war with the child's two hands; the winner would be the child's mother. The child, in pain, cried loudly, and one of the women let go of the child's hand. Bao Gong then astutely declared, "The one who let go is the child's mother; it is the one who cannot bear to see the child suffer who is the true mother"

It turns out that sometimes distance is what is truly needed. It turns out that I never understood what it truly means to be "together." It turns out that I have always stood far away, not appearing, not disturbing, and that is actually better.

Having chosen the humanities, my rightful position beside Zeng Ting has also vanished, and the frequency of his presence in my daily life has diminished to the lowest point. One day, he too will disappear from the edge of my vision, perhaps someday he will hold someone else's hand with a tenderness I have never witnessed before

How could someone like Zhong Shenyin, who is not petty, act like a star who would die over such matters? He actually ignored me just because I didn't inform him of my relationship progress at that moment

I specifically came to find you

Well

Standing for a long time truly makes one feel exhausted. I leaned wearily against the glass door at the exit, watching the increasingly heavy rain and the sky growing darker as it approached dusk, my mood inevitably sinking, perfectly blending with the environment.

As I reached the door, Zhong Shenyan suddenly grabbed my arm

I thought I was in a state of despair, but today I realized that I had already been discarded long ago. I was actually rejected by the same boy twice.

Her infuriating smile showed no signs of diminishing: "Shall we place a bet?"

Thus, this weekend, I rarely did not accompany Zeng Ting to the bookstore, but instead rushed to Zhong Shenyan's home, intending to mend our bilateral relationship and comfort his wounded spirit

"Have you really lost it?" Zhong Shenyin earnestly handed me a tissue, "I truly thought you had endured hardships and were now enjoying the fruits of your labor."

Those not-so-distant pasts. The strength of the clasped hands, the breath buried in his shoulder during the embrace, the gentle kisses, the sensation of intertwined fingers, have never transformed into a vague shape in the heart

None other than this

Liu Ziyu's mouth corners curved downwards with a slight arc

Am I wholeheartedly and repeatedly practicing love, or is it loneliness?

However, there is no love

I am so tired. Is it not acceptable for me to give up? If you are a friend, please do not force me to fight anymore, thank you. I took the cola from the plate that Zhong Shenyin had set down, removed the plastic lid, and drank it in large gulps to extinguish the raging flames in my heart

Was Zeng Ting's closeness due to love or sympathy

The bright side of my mood did not last very long

You see, this is how people are; they are cruel and unreasonable to those who truly care for them.

However, I suspect that there is a particular talent of Zhong Shenyin that I have long overlooked. That is—being ungrateful

Zeng Ting, who glanced at me and then turned his gaze away, seemed overly evasive no matter how I looked at him. The fragmented light flowed like water across my pupils, reflecting his awkwardness as he hesitated to speak.

As for dating and such, I really have no budget today. However, making a call to my boyfriend, or perhaps my girlfriend, is something I am very willing to do.

Well ... ...

If there were not an interjection of myself among the parties involved, it would indeed be a perfect scene filled with genuine emotion and sincerity

Some things are harder to see when they are too close, and some matters can only be understood with the passage of time

Perhaps it is the heavens' way of offering you another new encounter. Zhong Shenyan blinked and took on a romantic tone, saying, "Only after experiencing loss do we learn to cherish; only after encountering inferior goods do we recognize what quality truly is"

Well

The room was very quiet, and Zeng Ting's voice clearly resonated in the air. Zhong Shenyan, who overheard our conversation, gave me a malicious look that seemed to say, "Don't get too carried away with yourself".

After five o'clock arrived, I thought, well, I will wait for you for another five minutes. Five minutes after that, I was still thinking, let me give you another five minutes

Moreover, in doing so, it is likely that Zeng Ting will end up getting hurt in the end. I do not want him to be hurt. Whether for me or for Liu Ziyu, I do not wish for that to happen

This is sufficient

Therefore, when I meet Liu Ziyu in the "subway" afterwards, no matter how low my intelligence may be, I will not consider it a coincidence

"Have you decided to take the entrance exam for Zhejiang University?" I said

But Zeng Ting asked, and then?

I have always been waiting for him. Quietly, silently, as if nothing were happening. Perhaps it is precisely because I am too quiet, too silent, and too indifferent that I have become so insignificant, so lacking in presence, that I cannot become the only flower in his life, nor can I become a thorn in his heart

I finally spoke up: "Zeng Ting, what position do I hold in your heart?"

Zeng Ting's voice was steady and natural, yet I experienced a noticeable pause in that instant. Zeng Ting on the other end of the phone probably did not sense it, but Zhong Shenyan, who was standing beside me and idly flipping through a magazine while leaning against the computer desk, noticed it.

The conversation naturally shifted to the itinerary for later. Zhong Shenyan wanted to go watch a movie, while Xiao Che preferred to go singing. I always go with the flow anyway, wearing the shiny badge of "Best Sidekick," so there was no need for me to express an opinion. Therefore, I opened Zhong Shenyan's bag, took out his PSP, found my save file, and got to work

Such a Song Qingxi makes me feel extremely disgusted

I always keep telling myself to wait for another three days, and after three days, I will completely give him up. But after three days, it turns into another three days, many sets of three days, three weeks, three months, and I still helplessly stand at the safe distance he has set. Even though I repeatedly tell myself, "Song Qingxi, are you being too excessive in your attachment?" Even though I repeatedly get angry at my own lack of ambition, I still clumsily cannot let go.