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To be honest, ever since separating from Lu Chenyu, Lin Xi inexplicably felt angry with him. However, as soon as he stood in front of her, looking at his face that bore more weariness and melancholy than his peers, Lin Xi felt a pang of heartache for him.
It was a short distance, but they took a long time to walk it. Although they had already agreed to meet again tomorrow, they were reluctant to part ways, wishing they could stay together forever.
From Lin Xi's home to the station was a brief journey, yet they walked back and forth several times, neither wanting to be the one to turn and leave, both unwilling to turn their backs on each other.
When they stepped out, it was just past seven. By the time Lin Xi returned, it was already past nine. Jia Zhilan and Qinglan had already washed up and were snuggled in bed. Since Lin Wenhui had not yet returned, Qinglan was nestled in Jia Zhilan's bed, chatting with her about her childhood with Lin Xi and An Shaojie, making Qinglan giggle in her arms, completely forgetting the sadness and unease that An Shaojie had brought her.
She and Jia Zhilan were like a mother and daughter, which made Lin Xi, who had just arrived home, feel a twinge of jealousy.
After finishing her evening routine, Qinglan got up to sleep in Lin Xi's room. However, she insisted, "I want to sleep for a while in my Mother En's bed."
Later on, the two squeezed in on either side of Jia Zhilan, reminiscing about their childhood in Liu Family Village until midnight. They only returned to Lin Xi's room after Lin Wenhui came back.
Once back in Lin Xi's room, they chatted quietly until they were both too tired to stay awake and fell asleep.
The next day, Lin Xi saw Qinglan off at the station.
The snow had stopped, the sky cleared up, and the snow on the ground was thick.
When Qinglan and Lin Xi arrived at the station, Xiang Yuanqiu was already waiting there.
Upon seeing Qinglan and Lin Xi, she looked surprised and asked, "Where is An Shaojie?"
Lin Xi wasn't clear about the relationship between Qinglan and Xiang Yuanqiu but remembered that Xiang Yuanqiu seemed to have picked up Qinglan many times before. She thought they must be good friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time and would have plenty of private matters to discuss. Since Lu Chenyu's call was also urging her on, she greeted Xiang Yuanqiu briefly before waving goodbye to Qinglan.
Once on the bus, Xiang Yuanqiu pursued the earlier question and asked Qinglan again, "Where is An Shaojie? Why didn't she come back with you to Lin Xi's home?"
"She didn't come back with me." For some reason, Qinglan seemed aware of certain implications in Xiang Yuanqiu's words. The more she sensed this intent—wanting to see Qinglan disappointed and downcast in love—oh no; it should be that she wanted to see Qinglan disheartened because of An Shaojie—the more Qinglan felt no need to hide anything from her. She told Xiang Yuanqiu everything about her conflicts with An Shaojie and their current situation.
Afterward, she seemed much more relaxed and smiled sadly at Xiang Yuanqiu, "Am I really that miserable?"
Her rhetorical question made Xiang Yuanqiu feel a bit embarrassed, prompting her to comfort her instead. "Not at all. Whose love story is smooth sailing? If anyone is miserable, it's me. I'm still all alone. The person I like doesn't like me back, and the person who likes me, I don't like."
Xiang Yuanqiu gazed out the car window at the rows of trees passing by, the wind tousling her hair. She squinted her eyes, a hint of loneliness in them.
Someone reminded her to close the car window tightly.
"The wind is too strong; it's really cold," the person said.
Sitting by the window, Xiang Yuanqiu rolled up the window.
"You don't like Brother Shaojie?" Qinglan asked, looking at Xiang Yuanqiu's hands resting on her lap. Her fingers were slender, long, and pale. From middle school to high school and now college, she hadn't gained any weight; in fact, she looked astonishingly thin, evoking pity even from those who didn't like her.
This was the first time Qinglan had asked her so directly. Although she had known since middle school that Xiang Yuanqiu liked An Shaojie and had always wanted to ask her about it, she had previously kept her guard up around her. Therefore, Qinglan never revealed any sensitive thoughts or emotions in front of her.
This time was different; it was clear that An Shaojie was not with her anymore, so there was no need for pretense. Moreover, Qinglan had never liked pretending; she simply hadn't wanted to bring up this topic with Xiang Yuanqiu before. Now that they were at this point, it was better to be open about it. Besides, the outcome was right in front of them—there was no hiding it.
"So what if I like him? He doesn't like me," Xiang Yuanqiu said while looking out at the retreating scenery, a cold smile tugging at her lips, perhaps carrying a sense of nostalgia for times gone by.
"Oh?" Qinglan was taken aback. She hadn't expected Xiang Yuanqiu to respond so straightforwardly; it wasn't typical of her usual style.
Usually, Xiang Yuanqiu wouldn't express herself so clearly; she would leave people pondering for a long time without knowing what she truly meant.
"I won't like someone who doesn't like me back; I'm not that foolish," she continued with a tone that carried a decisive strength.
Qinglan was stunned again.
Xiang Yuanqiu's response was somewhat unexpected for her.
Based on Qinglan's simple logic, she thought that Xiang Yuanqiu had been concerned about her and An Shaojie's relationship because she still had feelings for An Shaojie. Now that their relationship was not good, she should be happy and gloating.
With her competitive nature, she could now pursue him wholeheartedly.
Shouldn't it be like this? Otherwise, why would she keep inquiring about An Shaojie? Why would she try to get close to her? Why would they be so close?
After all, they were not really friends, right? It was an awkward kind of sentiment!
Simple-minded Qinglan had no idea that there exists a type of person who, even if they cannot obtain something or do not want it later on, do not wish to see others have it. In short, there is a group of people who cannot stand seeing others do better than them; when they see something beautiful, they want to destroy it.
Qinglan sat quietly.
"Hey, how's that guy from last time?" After a brief silence, Xiang Yuanqiu suddenly patted Qinglan's hand and leaned in close to her ear, asking mysteriously.
"Which guy?" Qinglan replied in confusion, searching her mind for anyone besides An Shaojie with whom she had any connection.
"Wang Wei," Xiang Yuanqiu said, looking at Qinglan with a strange expression, clearly dissatisfied or doubtful about her memory.
"Wang Wei?" Qinglan repeated the name and recalled after a moment, "Oh, that guy. I remember." She then turned to Xiang Yuanqiu with surprise and asked, "Wait, you don't like him, do you? Or does he like you?" Xiang Yuanqiu smiled noncommittally but did not answer Qinglan's question.
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