three

After a while, Su Mo moved her body, and I followed her gaze out the window, only to see Zhuang Yi and Bao Kangqi. The two were walking up from below, and I felt a sharp pain in my head. Just as I was about to seek help from Su Mo, I noticed her eyes sparkling, completely focused on what was happening below.

I grew up with Su Mo since childhood, and I know her very well. I was quite surprised that she could wait at the entrance of a school for a boy at a tea restaurant. This is because she and Su Yunjin have always had excellent upbringing. Even when we spent time alone in the past, she would whisper to me and mention how she looked down on those girls who behaved improperly to attract their brothers' attention. Although her "chance encounter" with Zhuang Yi is not particularly outrageous, it has nonetheless overturned the image I previously had of Su Mo.

Thus, I could only brace myself and say that I was going to the restroom, in order to calm down a bit

Su Mo's face was flushed, and she stammered for a long time without saying much. I sensed that something was amiss, but I could roughly guess about seventy to eighty percent of it. Since she was unwilling to speak, I chose not to confront her, sitting beside her, biting on the straw of my drink and blowing bubbles.

Under the dim light, I experienced a moment of daze, as I saw him laughing from a distance. That smile was not at all different from the usual smiles he gave me, or perhaps it was not different at all. I quietly watched him, without calling out to him, yet to my surprise, he walked into the community with a beaming smile, completely unaware of my presence.

Before leaving, I greeted her, but I heard her mention to Su Mo that next time they should invite Bao Kangqi and the others to come and play. I said nothing and turned to leave the Su family.

Thus, Bao Kangqi enthusiastically engaged in conversation beside me, and I couldn't help but respond a few times.

Later, in order to avoid meeting Bao Kangqi and to see Su Yunjin more often, I frequently visited Su Mo's home every few days. Her parents had long been acquainted with me, and they were quite welcoming, happily calling for Su Mo on my behalf

Unexpectedly, I ran into Su Yunjin at the entrance of the community

This is generally how one feels when they like someone

Occasionally, I also see Su Yunjin, and he is still as kind to me as before. However, I cannot articulate why, but I always feel that this kindness is very faint, so faint that it makes me feel as if I am in a dream

I know she will not pay attention to Bao Kangqi, so she can only focus on Zhuang Yi. Although it was evident last time that Su Mo liked him, his attitude... Moreover, his fiancée does not seem to be a good character either

After finishing a meal, I found no taste of deliciousness at all; it was merely flavorless to me. Yet, my mind was in turmoil, consumed entirely by the matters concerning Su Mo and Zhuang Yi.

After dinner that day, Baokang Qi, as usual, offered to take me home, and I did not refuse. Considering that we had not seen each other for a long time, it was fine to have a chat. He eagerly inquired about my recent situation, and I answered one by one. Even if I remained indifferent, as we bid farewell, watching his tall and slender figure depart, I could still feel his joy and excitement.

Su Mo had probably never seen me this angry, so she fell silent and stopped speaking

While feeling sorrowful about why her close friend is so blind as to like a scoundrel like Zhuang Yi, she also resents this guy for clearly having a fiancée yet still flirting and being ambiguous with Su Mo

My heart feels as if it has fallen into a vacuum world, empty and desolate

At this moment, however, Bao Kangqi was beaming with a silly grin, completely unable to conceal his little thoughts. But after not seeing him for a long time, I noticed that he had actually grown a bit of stubble. Staring at him, I couldn't help but smile for no reason, and then I lowered my head to start ordering.

However, it must be said that Zhuang Yi is quite adept at winning Su Mo's favor, serving her food, helping her pick out fish bones, and occasionally complimenting her accessories for the day, all with an air of ease and familiarity

Zhuang Yi saw me and smiled, saying, "What a coincidence, I can meet you here too. Since we are gathered, let's all have a meal together"

The more I think about it, the more infuriated I feel

Mother Su smiled, and at over 30 years old, she appeared very youthful, exuding a sweet aura. This was different from Zhou Shiyun's affected demeanor; she was natural and unpretentious, as if she had been raised in a honey pot since childhood

Upon hearing "drama club," I felt a sudden jolt in my heart, sensing something amiss, yet I maintained a smile on my face and continued chatting with Su's mother.

The fact that the always proud Su Mo could reach such a state makes me begin to think that her feelings for Zhuang Yi might be even deeper than I had imagined

She smiled slightly before speaking: "He seems to have been busy with the school drama club lately... Xiaodi, have you joined any clubs? Look at Momo, she doesn't do anything and just stays at home playing every day."

I do not know how much time has passed, but I occasionally think of Bao Kangqi, feeling as if it were a dream. Since that day, he has rarely appeared before me, yet I know that he is still intermittently inquiring about me through different people.

Even if nothing is done and nothing is said, just seeing each other would be the best.

Once, while doing homework at Su Mo's house, she suddenly brought up Bao Kangqi, praising him incessantly, saying that he was academically excellent, very handsome, and quite popular at school, and that he would make a wonderful boyfriend. I was leaning on the table writing an essay, and the sharp tip of my pen accidentally pierced through the paper. I rolled my eyes but said nothing.

The more this is the case, the more I feel that he is smooth-talking and merely an old hand at playing with emotions; he is not as endearing as the silly and foolish demeanor of Bao Kangqi

When I returned, the two young gentlemen, Zhuang Yi and Bao Kangqi, had already taken their seats at our table. Although I did not wish for Zhuang Yi and Su Mo to sit together, I had no choice but to sit next to Bao Kangqi instead.

The reserved seat is on the second floor. Su Mo ordered a glass of lemonade and, while sipping it, her gaze remained fixed outside the window. Following her line of sight, I looked as well, but there was nothing particularly interesting to see, so I asked her what she was doing.

As summer was approaching, Su Mo suddenly invited me to a tea restaurant in the northern part of the city for a meal. I was filled with doubts, feeling that there were delicious options everywhere, so why must we go there? However, seeing her anxious expression, I swallowed my questions and followed her.

After a while, Aunt Su called us both to eat cake. Uncle Su was watching television, and Su Mo and I were eating the cake made by Aunt Su, spoonful by spoonful, while joking around. After observing for a moment, I cautiously and casually asked, "Auntie, why haven't I seen Yun Jin again?"

I returned home, opened the window, and faced the brilliant starry sky, letting out a long sigh

Not long after arriving at the tea restaurant, I found that the decor was ordinary, the taste of the food seemed quite average, and given its location outside a university, it is likely that the food is only seeking to be inexpensive rather than exquisite

I heard this, put down the pen in my hand, turned my head and looked at her very seriously, and then said word by word: "Su Mo, if you make such jokes again, we can end our friendship."

In fact, I know that he is unwilling to speak to me; everything is just to maintain Bao Kangqi's face. However, he again used that sarcastic tone to disgust me. I did not want to embarrass Su Mo, so I refrained from reacting. At this moment, only I am aware that I have most likely been betrayed by my good friend; she has colluded with Bao Kangqi for their own interests.

Su Mo noticed that I did not respond and continued to tease me: "Actually, I think he is quite good, Xiao Di, why don't you like him?"