They shared the popsicle, taking turns, and quickly finished it.
Since they had math and English exams in the afternoon, the two did not go home but found a restaurant to eat. After lunch, Mo Qishen found a guest house for them.
Ni Yang rested for over an hour at noon and then returned to the examination room.
As Ni Yang studied science, the afternoon math exam was half an hour longer than the Chinese exam.
The next morning, they had exams in physics and history, and in the afternoon, chemistry and politics.
The third day concluded with the biology exam in the morning.
After three consecutive days of exams, when Ni Yang walked out of the examination room on the afternoon of the third day, she felt much more relaxed.
Just then, a male student hurried to catch up with her.
"Excuse me, could you wait for a moment?"
Ni Yang looked back and saw a young boy around seventeen or eighteen years old, with a shy smile on his face.
"Are you calling me?" Ni Yang asked.
"Yes," the boy nodded and introduced himself, "I am Zhong Aiguo, a student from the Second City High School. We were in the same examination room; you were in the first group, I was in the second."
Throughout the three days of exams, Zhong Aiguo had noticed Ni Yang. Whenever he encountered a tough question, all he needed to do was look up to see her profile.
Her profile was as exquisite as a painting—more beautiful than the scenery outside the window—and it was comforting.
On the first day of exams, Zhong Aiguo wanted to strike up a conversation with Ni Yang but never found the courage. Today, being the last day, he knew he’d never get another chance if he didn’t act now.
Ni Yang did not reject this friendly advance. "I’m Ni Yang, from the Third City High School."
Zhong Aiguo continued, "Is it Ni as in ’individual’ and Yang as in ’fireworks’?"
"Yes," Ni Yang nodded.
Keeping pace with Ni Yang, Zhong Aiguo asked, "Ni Yang, where do you live?"
Before Ni Yang could answer, Zhong Aiguo added, "I live in the south part of the city, it’s convenient to go anywhere from there. How about we walk home together?"
Outside the school gate, Mo Qishen was eagerly waiting for Ni Yang. When he finally spotted her, his face lit up, but then darkened rapidly when he saw Zhong Aiguo with her.
Ni Yang looked up at Mo Qishen and said, "No need, my boyfriend is waiting over there for me."
Zhong Aiguo was stunned. "You, you have a boyfriend?"
Ni Yang nodded. "Yes," pointing towards Mo Qishen, "that’s him."
Following the direction of Ni Yang’s finger, Zhong Aiguo saw a distinguished figure holding a black umbrella, dressed in a crisply ironed suit, his handsome face and slightly upturned delicate eyes shining coldly. Despite the heat of summer, he gave off a chill.
Zhong Aiguo, frightened, withdrew his gaze, feeling a sudden inferiority.
Such an outstanding man, how could he compete?
His unstarted first love died in its cradle, leaving Zhong Aiguo very unreconciled. "Is he really your boyfriend?"
"Of course. I need to go now," said Ni Yang, and she jogged away.
Zhong Aiguo watched as Ni Yang ran up to Mo Qishen, who considerately covered her entirely with his umbrella and tenderly swept her bangs behind her ear.
So, they really were boyfriend and girlfriend.
Zhong Aiguo felt suffocated, a heavy, stifling feeling.
The scene looked very loving to those around.
In fact, Mo Qishen was using the opportunity to touch her hair to question Ni Yang, "Yangyang, who was that just now?"
His voice gradually filled with jealousy.
Ni Yang, with a slight dimple showing, jested, "Oh my, who’s spilled their vinegar here? It’s so sour."
"Yangyang, do you think I’m too old?" Mo Qishen continued to inquire.
There was a ten-year age difference between him and Ni Yang...
Before confirming their relationship, he had always been worried about this.
"Not at all," seeing Mo Qishen turn serious, Ni Yang took his hand, "Mo, you are great, you are outstanding, and handsome to boot. I wouldn’t dislike you."
"Really?" Mo Qishen asked.
"Really," Ni Yang nodded.
Mo Qishen followed up, "Who was that person just now?"
Ni Yang responded, "Just another student in the examination room, I don’t even know his name." Ni Yang had a good memory, and she would not forget Mo Qishen easily; she said this just to cheer her Mr. Mo up.