Translator: 549690339
“Are you looking for me?” Xia Siyu asked with a tilted head and a smile.
Bo Yan simply said, “You didn’t come to class. You’ll lose points on the final exam.”
Xia Siyu responded with an “Oh” and then asked directly, “I’m hungry. Do you want to go have a meal together?”
Bo Yan should have declined, but his body reacted more quickly than his mind. He heard himself agreeing with a nod, “Sure.”
Xia Siyu had never been in a relationship, and Bo Yan had never chased after a girl. The two walked side by side comfortably, and when they ran into Bo Yan’s friend Han Yifan, he teased with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows, “Your girlfriend is very pretty.”
Just as Bo Yan was about to deny it, Xia Siyu introduced herself with a smile, “Are you Bo Yan’s friend? My name is Xia Siyu. I’m pleased to meet you.”
Bo Yan wanted to deny it but feared it would embarrass her. This silence seemed like tacit consent, silently proclaiming the nature of their relationship without a word.
At that time, they were both students. Bo Yan was always low-key, and Xia Siyu did not want her identity as the Xia family’s daughter to be known, so it was natural for them to head to the cafeteria. Fortunately, class had ended early and the cafeteria wasn’t crowded. Bo Yan ordered a table full of dishes and watched as Xia Siyu ate joyfully, his eyes softening involuntarily.
Later on, Bo Yan was busy writing his thesis, doing defenses, and helping his advisor with work, immersed in a whirlwind of tasks. Xia Siyu didn’t cling to him every day, she didn’t even call him. The two tacitly only met on the day of their mutual class, then would have a meal together before separating again.
Summer vacation had arrived.
Bo Yan had graduated, and though he felt a pinch of sorrow, there was also a sliver of relief. After all, his good buddy Han Yifan had secured a research position along with him, and he could continue to see Xia Siyu.
Unfortunately, Xia Siyu had never called him. Although they would be at the same school in the future, seeking her out would be an ordeal. How should he contact her?
But soon enough, Xia Siyu called him on her own initiative.
Students at N University had to move dorms once from freshman to sophomore year, and most students from out of town would move in September. Since she was from Yancheng and arrived early, she decided to move during the vacation.
After receiving her call, Bo Yan took a bus from home and arrived at her dormitory within an hour.
When he got there, he realized that Xia Siyu was the only one in her dormitory; she hadn’t asked anyone else for help, only him.
Knowing this, Bo Yan felt somewhat reassured. He rolled up his sleeves and helped her move her items one by one to the new dorm, then accompanied her to clean the room, choose a good bed spot, and arrange her luggage.
By the time they finished, it was already evening, and Xia Siyu insisted on treating him to a meal as a gesture of gratitude.
Bo Yan didn’t refuse. He went with her to a small restaurant near the school, where Xia Siyu, as usual, ordered a table full of dishes. They ate until they were stuffed and had no choice but to walk it off on the school campus.
Since it was the summer break, the campus was sparsely populated. They strolled beside Jade Lake, where the water was clear and the willows swayed gracefully.
As the night descended, the lakeside path lights illuminated the area. The dim path lights seemed to cast a classical filter on her, making her appear even more beautiful.
Xia Siyu remarked wistfully, “Actually, today I just turned nineteen years old.” The Xia family followed the lunar calendar, but today was her solar birthday.
Bo Yan was taken aback, then felt a bit embarrassed, “Sorry, I didn’t know. Happy Birthday.”
Xia Siyu teased with a giggly smile, “I want to ask you for a birthday present.”
Bo Yan nodded, “Tell me. As long as I can afford it, I will give it to you.”
The next second, Xia Siyu pressed her lips against his, “Bo Yan, when do you plan to tell me that you like me?”