“Two people?”
Something flitted through Cheng Shuoning’s mind too quickly to grasp. He chuckled softly, finding Han Tian’s contradictions amusing. “If you have something to do, go handle it. Don’t waste your time here with me.”
He couldn’t quite tell if Han Tian was genuinely concerned or just acting on a whim, which explained the sudden shift in his demeanor.
Han Tian, who had been fuming moments ago, felt a chill at Cheng Shuoning’s words and asked in a strange tone, “How did you know I had something to do?”
He was just internally grumbling, wondering why it seemed like Cheng Shuoning could read his mind. Was everything he wanted to do written all over his face?
Feeling particularly uneasy, Han Tian touched his own face.
He shoved the umbrella into Cheng Shuoning’s hand, this time playing it smart by retreating to advance. “If you don’t want to walk with me, fine. Take the umbrella, make sure you don’t get wet. As for me… getting soaked on the way back is no big deal, it’s not like anyone cares about me.”
In the past, such words would have tugged at Cheng Shuoning’s heartstrings, and he wouldn’t really let Han Tian walk back in the rain. But this time, he simply returned the umbrella and jacket, his expression distant.
Did he not care about him at all anymore? Why?
Watching Cheng Shuoning walk over to Xu Wangzhi, Han Tian felt as if he was being consumed by rage.
Cheng Shuoning, who had always hinted at liking him, was now leaving him behind to walk towards someone else?
Just like Cheng Meng had said before, Cheng Shuoning had been spoiled beyond reason, forgetting who he really was.
Look at him now, unwilling to show a friendly face even in front of so many people.
“Ning Ning,” Han Tian couldn’t hold back any longer and took a step forward, looking at Cheng Shuoning as if he were a stranger. “How did you become like this? I hardly recognize you.”
The wind and rain pounded against him, quickly soaking his hair and making him look rather disheveled.
The disappointment and even accusatory tone made Cheng Shuoning pause, his hand tightening slightly in his sleeve. He replied coldly, “I haven’t changed. It’s you who has.”
“How have I changed?” Han Tian asked, self-righteously, desperately trying to read something from Cheng Shuoning’s expressions.
But Cheng Shuoning didn’t give him another chance, reaching out to take the umbrella from Xu Wangzhi’s hand. “Let’s go.”
“Okay.” Xu Wangzhi stepped aside, speaking softly, “I’ll hold it.”
Since he was shorter than Xu Wangzhi, it made sense for Xu Wangzhi to hold the umbrella. With that thought, Cheng Shuoning didn’t argue further and nodded with a smile, “Thank you.”
As the cold seeped in from all directions, his body felt icy, but his heart was warmed by the boy’s smile.
Gripping the umbrella tightly, Xu Wangzhi averted his gaze, tilting the umbrella as he and Cheng Shuoning walked into the rain together.
Watching the two figures leave, Han Tian threw the umbrella to the ground, stomping on it several times before kicking it away.
“If I ever talk to you again, I’m an idiot,” he muttered, eyes red with a mix of jealousy and anger, squeezing out the words through gritted teeth. “You’d rather walk with a desk mate you barely know than with me. Am I that terrifying?”
His deliberately lowered voice made his words unclear, but his earlier action of kicking the umbrella startled those around him, causing them to distance themselves.
Fuming, Han Tian ran out into the rain, got into a car, and gave an address.
The driver was surprised. “Not going home?”
“No,” Han Tian replied, eyes narrowed, increasingly irritable. “Don’t ask stupid questions, just get there quickly.”
The driver dared not delay further, responding with a nod and driving off.
Water dripped from his hair, but Han Tian didn’t care. He opened a group chat and began venting endlessly.
Li Shengfei: “You’re the idiot. You must have done something to upset him. Just because he’s good-natured doesn’t mean he won’t get mad. I suggest you stop meddling and try to appease him. He’s easy to please, isn’t he?”
Han Tian: “I’ve practically peeled my face off for him to step on, and it’s still not enough? Why should I go to such lengths for him? After all these years of being good to him, look at how he treats me.”
He was about to continue ranting when he suddenly realized he had been muted, and the one who did it was the administrator with a Z avatar.
Damn.
Han Tian threw his phone aside, nearly rolling his eyes in frustration.
*
Cheng Meng was unexpectedly not in the car.
Cheng Shuoning sat in the back seat and called out to Xu Wangzhi, who was about to leave, “Let me give you a ride home. You walked me here.”
The boy paused mid-step, turning his head to look over.
Through the light rain, Cheng Shuoning felt that those usually emotionless eyes had softened considerably, leaving him momentarily stunned.
“Thank you.” Xu Wangzhi folded the umbrella and sat beside him.
The car door closed, and the driver turned the vehicle around.
With the air conditioning on, the chill quickly dissipated. Cheng Shuoning took off his jacket, folded it neatly, and placed it aside. “I’ll wash it and return it to you.”
Xu Wangzhi: “Okay.”
The overly quiet atmosphere made Cheng Shuoning sneak a glance at Xu Wangzhi. His gaze fell on the sugar figurine in Xu Wangzhi’s hand, and he instinctively said, “The sugar figurine is almost melting. Why not throw it away? I’ll buy you another one next time.”
“No.” Xu Wangzhi looked at the rabbit on the bamboo stick, turning it gently, his gaze soft.
This was the first sugar figurine Cheng Shuoning had given him, and he intended to keep it well.
Cheng Shuoning fell silent, quietly watching the scenery outside, pondering Han Tian’s earlier words.
At the time, he thought Han Tian was going to see Cheng Meng and feared being overshadowed by the other two, which sounded like he was pursuing Cheng Meng.
The car was silent except for the chaotic sound of rain outside, which was somewhat irritating.
Xu Wangzhi turned slightly, looking at the person beside him.
The boy rested his face on his hand, gazing out the window without a word, his long lashes fluttering up and down, his expression seemingly indifferent.
The lights outside cast shadows on his features, making them indistinct, stirring a desire to lean in and see more clearly.
Xu Wangzhi spoke up, “Does your foot still hurt?”
His voice was low, devoid of any discernible emotion, as if it were a casual question.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Cheng Shuoning snapped back to reality, smiling with his eyes. “It’s still a bit swollen, and walking is uncomfortable, but it’ll probably be fine in a few days.”
Xu Wangzhi acknowledged with a hum.
Ten minutes later, the car stopped at the entrance of the residential area. Xu Wangzhi opened the umbrella and stepped out of the car. As he closed the door, he looked at the person inside. “Thank you.”
Cheng Shuoning waved and smiled, “No need to thank me. See you tomorrow.”
Xu Wangzhi closed the car door and entered the residential area.
The car started again, and Cheng Shuoning withdrew his gaze, asking the driver, “Where’s Cheng Meng?”
Driver: “I don’t know. I didn’t see the young master today. He might have left with someone else.”
Cheng Meng, like him, didn’t have many friends, so it was unlikely he left with someone else.
Cheng Shuoning sent a message to Li Shengfei on his phone, “Where are you?”
Li Shengfei replied instantly, “Just got home. My phone was off on the way, so I just saw you called me, Ning Ning. Is something up? Are you home?”
He attached a mirror selfie.
Cheng Shuoning: “Nothing, I’m home. I have a question I can’t solve. Can I video call you for an explanation?”
Li Shengfei: “I’m already in the bathroom about to shower. Ning Ning, you can send a photo. If you don’t mind, a video is fine too, shy.jpg.”
Cheng Shuoning stared at the phone screen for a while before typing again, “Never mind, go shower. I just figured it out.”
Li Shengfei: “Pat on the head.jpg.”
Li Shengfei: “Ning Ning, you’re amazing.”
Cheng Shuoning pressed his lips together slightly, not replying further.
……
Since that day, Han Tian hadn’t sought out Cheng Shuoning, and they had entered a cold war.
Even when they crossed paths, Han Tian only glanced at him, expressionless.
They brushed past each other, one indifferent, the other slightly annoyed.
Han Tian thought he could handle it coldly, letting Cheng Shuoning experience life without his pampering, hoping he’d come to reconcile. But he didn’t expect Cheng Shuoning to be so resolute in ignoring him.
He found Cheng Shuoning heartless and difficult, spending days pondering what had upset him.
Did Cheng Shuoning catch him secretly meeting Cheng Meng at the cinema? If he had, he wouldn’t be acting like this.
Or had his ambiguous relationship with Cheng Meng been exposed?
After much thought, Han Tian couldn’t find an answer. Frustrated, he ruffled his hair and suddenly noticed the date.
Tomorrow was Cheng Shuoning’s eighteenth birthday.
He opened Cheng Shuoning’s chat window and tried sending a message. It went through; he hadn’t been blocked.
Knowing Cheng Shuoning’s nature, he wouldn’t cut ties completely, even if he disliked someone.
Feeling he understood Cheng Shuoning well, Han Tian couldn’t help but smile.
Yes, he still had a chance. He could use this birthday to win Cheng Shuoning over, as he wasn’t ready to sever ties completely.
And didn’t Cheng Shuoning like his hints? He could reluctantly accept them.
“Ning Ning, can I come to your birthday party?”
“I know you hate me, but I just want to give you a gift and see you.”
“I don’t want to miss your eighteenth birthday.”
“We promised I’d be there for your birthday.”
“I’ve had your gift ready for a long time.”
“…”
Having just finished his homework, Cheng Shuoning picked up his phone and looked at the seemingly heartfelt messages, replying with a blank expression, “Suit yourself.”
Even if he disagreed, Han Tian would still show up.
Cheng Shuoning opened the class group chat, glanced at the notifications, and then returned to see Xu Wangzhi’s avatar.
After a moment of hesitation, he added Xu Wangzhi, surprised when the request was immediately accepted.
Cheng Shuoning sent over a rabbit greeting GIF.
Xu Wangzhi: “.”
What does a period mean? An automated response?
Cheng Shuoning tilted his head, thought for a moment, and sent a text emoji, “Good evening, qwq.”
There was silence on the other end, with no reply for a long time.
It wasn’t until Cheng Shuoning was about to sleep that he received a message.
Xu Wangzhi: “Good night.”
Cheng Shuoning woke up slightly, squinting at the phone screen. After seeing what Xu Wangzhi had said, he smiled and replied, “Good night. Sweet dreams.jpg.”
*
The other party went offline.
Looking at the emojis and stickers on the screen, Xu Wangzhi’s lips curved slightly, his dark eyes filled with gentle laughter.
Cute.
So cute that he wanted to see him right away.
His fingers hovered over the settings, typing “Little Rabbit” without hesitation, and clicked confirm.
The note, once “Why is the homework never-ending,” had become “Little Rabbit.”
Xu Wangzhi glanced at the sugar figurine protected in the bottle, the yogurt bottle, and the green umbrella in the box. His gaze darkened, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
He wondered when he could get closer to his beloved Little Rabbit.