Xue Yang arrived at the library, where many people were already seated and reading. The majority of university students are still diligent.
Xue Yang glanced around. There were quite a few empty seats occupied by books, a practice he understood; these were seats being saved for others. When other students wanted to sit and saw the books, they could only curse in frustration.
"Using books to save seats again, so rude!"
"Exactly. The school doesn’t do anything about people like that."
For some people, words were useless. They could only grumble and look for other seats.
Xue Yang could only shake his head. He recalled how, at the beginning of the school year, he had also helped Chen Ying and her friends save seats this way. He had faced many disapproving looks, but back then, he was so focused on making Chen Ying happy that he was oblivious to the stares of others. Only now did he truly feel how ridiculous his actions had been.
At the time, he was filled with joy at the prospect of reading with her. In reality, every time he saved a seat for Chen Ying, she would coldly push him away, claiming that it was inconvenient for him, the only boy, to be with their group of girls. She would always promise they could study together next time.
He glanced at the time. It was already 4:46 PM, more than half an hour later than usual. Lin Xi must be getting anxious. With that thought, Xue Yang refocused and headed straight for his destination.
The university library stocked books for high school seniors. Moreover, the textbooks from Yanbei were more complete and detailed than those from elsewhere. Some of these high school books were even available for purchase.
Regarding materials for high school seniors, Xue Yang had his own system. He began searching for books according to his plan.
"High School Chinese"
"High School Mathematics"
"Actual College Entrance Exam Papers"
"5 Years of College Entrance Exams, 3 Years of Simulated Tests"
...
These books all had one thing in common: they were compiled by Yanbei. As the top institution in Dragon Country, the quality of the exam materials it published was undeniably high.
Before long, a dozen or so books related to the college entrance exam were stacked on the floor. Seeing that he had picked out enough, Xue Yang squatted down to sort through them one more time. He put back the non-essential books and prepared to pack up the rest to take with him.
If I buy too many at once, Lin Xi might become reluctant to study. I should take this one step at a time.
Just then, a familiar voice suddenly reached his ears.
"Xue Yang, if this is your way of getting my attention, I can tell you now, you’ve succeeded."
Chen Ying felt like she was going insane. She had never felt so insecure, nor had she ever imagined she would one day be so desperate to see someone.
Originally, she believed that if she just stood her ground and resisted the urge to find Xue Yang, he would eventually come to her. But almost a month had passed with not a single message from him. It had become difficult to even catch a glimpse of him. She even tried to convince herself that if she just didn’t see him, she could forget him. But as time went on, she only found herself thinking about him more and more, almost to the point where she couldn’t eat or sleep.
She told herself to hold on. Just a little longer! Maybe he’ll come looking for me tomorrow. Or maybe, before he does, I’ll have forgotten him completely.
But seeing him in the library today, Chen Ying realized she was going crazy from wanting to see him. So she threw caution to the wind and came over to confess her feelings.
Now that I’ve taken the initiative to admit I was wrong, he should be overwhelmed with emotion. Maybe he’ll even spin me around in his arms right here in the library. But once again, she was mistaken. She couldn’t even see a trace of haggardness on him; instead, he looked more handsome and charming than ever. Just a moment ago, before approaching him, she had even seen several other girls wanting to strike up a conversation. It was only because Xue Yang was so focused that he hadn’t noticed them deliberately walking past him.
When she saw another, bolder girl about to approach Xue Yang, Chen Ying couldn’t hold back any longer and went over to him herself.
Xue Yang had just finished packing the books and was about to head to the front desk to check them out when he heard the familiar voice. He knew it all too well, and it made him freeze on the spot.
In the beginning, how he had longed for her to start a conversation with him. Yet, it was always him making the first move. If he didn’t, she would never think of him.
He had grown so tired over the years. He had once thought that hearing her voice again would make his heart race, but now that he actually heard it, he felt remarkably calm. Not a single ripple disturbed his heart. He was startled to realize that the person who had once occupied his entire being now rarely entered his thoughts.
He lowered his gaze and saw a pair of bright red high heels. Looking up from them, he saw long, straight, fair legs, so smooth one might feel an urge to reach out and touch them. Xue Yang glanced at them for a moment before withdrawing his gaze and standing up. He was very tall and easily towered over her, forcing her to look up at him.
Chen Ying wasn’t very tall, just over 160 cm. In front of Xue Yang, who was well over 185 cm, she appeared dainty and exquisite. Coupled with her deliberately mature, yet still charming, style—this was the very combination that had mesmerized him for six years.
Perhaps that’s what other guys see in her, too.
Chen Ying saw that his eyes were unusually calm as he looked at her. It was the same calm gaze he gave any other classmate, without the slightest flicker of emotion. Her heart was pierced with a sharp pain.
In the past, his eyes would always light up whenever he saw me.
"Hello, Senior," Xue Yang said politely. It was precisely this politeness that made their relationship feel so distant.
"Do you have to speak to me in that tone?"
Xue Yang remained silent. In the past, whenever he tried to talk to her, she had always acted dismissive. Looking back, the number of actual conversations they’d had was pitifully small.
It had all been his own fantasy.
Chen Ying took the initiative. "Xue Yang, isn’t there anything you want to tell me?"
She wanted to ask why he hadn’t invited her to watch the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but the words caught in her throat. She was waiting for him to bring it up first.
"Are you here to read too, Senior?"
"That’s not what I want you to ask!"
The atmosphere grew awkward. Chen Ying realized that if Xue Yang didn’t initiate conversation, they had even less of a connection than ordinary classmates.
"Xue Yang, I’m going to study in the library now. Do you want to join me?"
This was the first time since he had known her that Chen Ying had invited him to do anything.
"You’re too late, Senior. There are no seats left."
"There are plenty of empty seats right here. How can there be none left? Xue Yang, if you don’t want to sit with me, just say so."