‘Lu Huaiyu’s here?’
Ning Li was stunned. After a moment of hesitation, she got up.
First Class’s night self-learning sessions rarely had teachers, but they were all very disciplined anyway.
Ning Li also did not attract much attention.
He Xiaochen just whispered and asked, “Ning Li, are you going out?”
Ning Li nodded. “I’ll be back soon.”
Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly remembered something. She took the movie tickets out of the book and put them in her pocket.
…
At 8:00 pm, the sky was already completely dark.
The entire school building was lit up.
From the outside, one could vaguely see the students sitting at their desks in the classrooms.
Ning Li stood in the corridor and glanced downstairs.
A tall, upright figure stood under the streetlight.
Most of the students were currently in the classrooms, so Lu Huaiyu’s arrival did not cause as much of a commotion as before.
Seeming to sense Ning Li’s gaze, Lu Huaiyu looked up.
The streetlight reflected his prominent features and deep eyes.
He looked like he had just stepped out of a deep and serene painting.
Ning Li walked towards the stairs.
…
“Second Brother, why are you here?”
Ning Li stood in front of Lu Huaiyu.
Lu Huaiyu handed over a bag. “Merry Christmas Eve.”
Ning Li took it and saw a delicate little box inside.
It was a semi-circular transparent glass box with an apple inside.
It looked so vibrant, and the light from the streetlamp lit it beautifully.
“What’s this…” Ning Li spoke hesitantly.
“Candy.” Lu Huaiyu’s thin lips moved slightly. “Molecular gastronomy.”
Ning Li understood.
‘No wonder this apple doesn’t look like a normal one… But…molecular cuisine is very time and energy-consuming. Did he come over just to deliver this to me?’
“Thanks, Second Brother, but this is really too much trouble.”
Ning Li felt a little embarrassed.
Lu Huaiyu lowered his eyes to look at her.
Her small face was fair and smooth, and her thick, curly eyelashes fluttered gently like a small fan. It made his heart tremble.
“It’s no trouble at all.”
His tone was nonchalant, and he had a flirtatious smile. “It’s better than sending a wish and recalling the message…”
Ning Li’s ears flushed red. “I…I just thought that you don’t celebrate Christmas…”
“But you do.” Lu Huaiyu lifted his hand and flicked her forehead gently.
‘This girl thinks too much.’
He already knew that this girl would have received plenty of gifts today.
Naturally, he had to be one of them.
“Go back.”
Ning Li froze.
“Second Brother, you’re leaving now?”
Lu Huaiyu laughed. “What? Did you want me to go to class with you?”
Ning Li was embarrassed.
She had not expected Lu Huaiyu to come all the way over here just to give her this gift and leave after only a few words.
Her question made it sound like she missed him…
Ning Li held the bag with one hand and placed her other hand in her school uniform pocket.
She held the two movie tickets in her pocket and her heart was pounding inexplicably.
Lu Huaiyu raised his eyebrows slightly. “Hmm?”
Ning Li asked. “Second Brother, are you free tomorrow night?”
Lu Huaiyu’s gaze swept past her pocket. “I should be available. Why?”
Ning Li took out the movie tickets and handed them over.
“HG sent me two movie tickets. It seems to be attached to your account, so would you…like to watch a movie with me?”
Lu Huaiyu took it.
“Is it only for tomorrow?”
“Mm.”
Ning Li also felt that it was a little awkward to watch a movie together on Christmas Day. When she heard Lu Huaiyu’s question, she added, “Second Brother, if it’s not convenient, then just…”
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at 7:00 pm then.”
Lu Huaiyu kept the tickets.
Ning Li raised her head to look at him.
His expression was as indifferent and relaxed as ever. It seemed as if he did not think that there was anything weird about watching a movie together on Christmas Day.
It seemed as if he had just agreed to an ordinary invitation.
Ning Li felt relieved, yet inexplicably stifled.
“What movie do you want to watch?” Lu Huaiyu asked.
Ning Li shook her head.
“Second Brother, you decide.”
It did not make much of a difference to her anyway.
Lu Huaiyu nodded his head. “It’s settled then. Go back in.”
“See you tomorrow!”
Lu Huaiyu lifted his chin. “I’ll watch you go upstairs before I leave.”
Ning Li turned around and walked back.
She could feel his eyes watching her as she walked up the stairs one step at a time.
Only when she came to the back door of her classroom did she glance downstairs again.
Lu Huaiyu tilted his head slightly and looked at her with a smile as he waved his hand.
The movie tickets swayed with the wind.
Ning Li turned around and went back into the classroom.
After she returned to her seat, she let out a soft sigh.
The wind outside was chilly, but even after standing outside for a while, her face felt a little hot.
She flipped open her book and started to read it again.
….
That night, Ning Li returned to her bedroom and took out the apple that Lu Huaiyu had given her.
She stared at it for a while before taking a picture of it with her phone.
It came with a special small spoon and fork.
She used the spoon to tap on the apple. The shell cracked open and revealed an ice cream filling.
The red crunchy shell mixed with the creamy filling smelled sweet and delicious.
She tasted it.
The ice cream had an apple flavor, which was light and refreshing.
It was indeed like candy, a very sweet candy.
…
The next day at 7:00 pm.
Lu Huaiyu went to the entrance of Second High on time.
After a few minutes, Ning Li walked out.
The streetlights began to light up.
At a glance, Ning Li saw Lu Huaiyu standing on the opposite side of the road.
He was wearing a black turtleneck, which made his jawline look even sharper. His black hair covered his brow bones slightly and his phoenix eyes were deep like the ocean.
Their surroundings were bustling. Even though he was standing amidst the crowd, his presence easily made the surroundings fade away.
Ning Li could hear her heart beat a little faster.
The way he looked seemed to be like the first time she met him.