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墨書 Inktalez
Shaw Min listened quietly as Qinglan recounted a humorous incident from their childhood.
"In the end, everyone managed to escape except for that Companion, because his basket was filled with stones. He couldn't carry it and got caught. It was his Grandma who came from the neighboring village to bring him back. When she returned and saw her grandson's basket filled with big stones, she scolded everyone who had gathered to pick wheat straw and steal peaches. Almost everyone received her scolding, except for Brother Shaojie and you, because although she didn't know who had put the stones in, she was sure it wasn't Brother Shaojie or you."
Qinglan turned her face towards Shaw Min and smiled.
"Yeah, at that time we had no idea who put those stones there. It was only after a long time of speculation that we found out it was An Shaojie." Shaw Min couldn't help but laugh heartily along with Qinglan.
"Exactly." Influenced by Shaw Min's laughter, Qinglan also burst into laughter, "Back then, no one would have guessed that Brother Shaojie was behind such mischief. He always kept to himself, never bothered with others' affairs, and didn't do bad things. But that time was unexpected; it truly shocked all the Companions."
As they got into the mood of reminiscing, Qinglan and Shaw Min almost forgot their earlier serious topic. The two girls returned to their wild childhood selves, dancing and shouting at the distant mountains and nearby waters.
"Hey! I'm Lanlan, I'm back!" Qinglan cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted towards the fields ahead.
"Hey! I'm An Shaomin, An Shaojie's Sister, I'm back too!" Shaw Min mimicked Qinglan's actions, perhaps for the first time in her life realizing that even a lady could be a little crazy at the right moment.
The echoes from the distant mountains made them laugh even harder.
"Lanlan, do you know? Actually, we all understood at that time that An Shaojie did that to punish that kid a bit. Although back then An Shaojie acted coldly towards you just like he does now, never paying you any attention."
"Yeah." Just those words brought tears to Qinglan's eyes. "And that branch from the Plum Tree fell down."
"Yes, Lanlan, so you mustn't give up." An Shaomin made a cheering gesture.
"I've never thought about giving up, Sister Shaomin." Qinglan's eyes were slightly moist. "It's just that sometimes I feel like my efforts lack direction; I can't grasp anything and feel powerless. Especially this time."
Qinglan suddenly paused.
"This time?" Shaw Min asked in return. "Has An Shaojie fallen for another girl?"
"I don't know," Qinglan shook her head. "But this time feels different from any other. It's as if someone has already taken him away." Qinglan's helpless voice had a light, airy quality.
"What's going on? Tell me about it," Shaw Min said. Qinglan was usually a very confident girl, and it was rare to see such a helpless look in her eyes, which startled Shaw Min.
"Actually, I don't know anything; it's just a feeling. This feeling makes me so discouraged," Qinglan said, almost on the verge of tears.
"Do you need my help?" Shaw Min asked.
Qinglan shook her head and fell silent. She couldn't express the feelings in her heart. Besides, love is something that exists between two people; no one else can help with it.
Moreover, many things can be sought for assistance, but love is unique; it comes without anyone's consent and leaves without anyone's approval. Throughout the entire process, one cannot seek help from anyone.
When Qinglan returned home, she discovered an unexpected guest!
This unexpected guest was Xiang Yuanqiu! Someone Qinglan never anticipated.
As Qinglan walked to the entrance of the courtyard, she saw Xiang Yuanqiu sitting upright in Qinglan's living room, holding a steaming cup of tea.
Seeing Qinglan return, Xiang Yuanqiu stood up first and smiled, "Qinglan, you're back!"
Qinglan stood at the door, staring blankly at this surprising visitor.
"What's wrong? Didn't you expect me to come?" Xiang Yuanqiu set down her teacup and walked over to Qinglan.
"When did you arrive?" Qinglan didn't answer her question but instead asked back. She still couldn't believe her eyes.
Due to An Shaojie's incident and that meal ticket event, she had hardly interacted with Qinglan throughout high school. Moreover, she studied liberal arts and carried an air of self-proclaimed superiority. Even when they occasionally crossed paths on campus, the most polite greeting she offered was merely a slight smile.
After entering university, the two of them lost all contact.
Yet it was she who became the first among her classmates, Qinglan, to come to her house to see her.
How could Xiang Yuanqiu suddenly think of Qinglan? And even come to her house?
One of Qinglan's feet remained outside the door, as if this place was no longer her home because of Xiang Yuanqiu's arrival. She didn't dare step into the territory where Xiang Yuanqiu existed.
"Come in! Why aren't you welcoming me?" Xiang Yuanqiu still had a smiling gaze.
At that moment, Grandma walked out from the kitchen, looking delighted, squinting at Qinglan and saying, "Lanlan, are you surprised? She was just sitting here chatting with me. She's your best classmate and friend. Aren't you happy that your best classmate and friend is here?"
"Oh." Qinglan forced a smile at Xiang Yuanqiu and said, "It is indeed a surprise."
Xiang Yuanqiu warmly took Qinglan's hand and pulled her into the room, moving a stool for Qinglan to sit on, as if she were the owner of the house while Qinglan felt like an awkward guest, becoming uneasy.
Xiang Yuanqiu kept smiling at Qinglan, but Qinglan seemed to be in a state of tension, her mind going blank and unable to think of anything to say to Xiang Yuanqiu.
After a moment of awkwardness, Qinglan finally managed to squeeze out a bland remark, "Are you doing well?"
"Yeah, pretty good." She nodded in response. "Which university are you at? I... seem to have forgotten." This question had been stuck in Qinglan's mind for a long time; she didn't even know where her best classmate and friend was studying. It truly required courage to ask. Xiang Yuanqiu didn't seem to mind and continued to smile as she said, "I'm at Provincial City A University." Provincial City A University is also a prestigious university; although it's not in Beijing, mentioning its name definitely carries weight. So this time she didn't appear lacking in confidence in front of Qinglan. "Oh." Qinglan seemed somewhat distracted.
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