Jian Song, Jiang Qi, and Lu Yingchi ran all the way, finally reaching the bus stop just before the bus arrived. As soon as they stood still, the bus pulled up.
Jian Song and Jiang Qi boarded the bus, familiar with the routine. Lu Yingchi had not taken the bus many times, but he knew what to do. After dropping his fare into the box, he began looking for where Jian Song and Jiang Qi had gone. Since Jian Song and Jiang Qi were used to traveling together, they had immediately found two seats side-by-side. It was only when Jian Song saw Lu Yingchi walking toward them that he remembered. Oh, there are three of us now, not two! They had forgotten about Lu Yingchi.
When Lu Yingchi saw that Jian Song and Jiang Qi were already seated together, he paused for a moment and walked to the row behind them, taking a seat. Fortunately, the seats behind Jian Song and Jiang Qi were empty.
Jian Song and Jiang Qi exchanged a look, both reading the same thought in each other’s eyes. Jian Song had just mentioned wanting to take Lu Yingchi under his wing, and now he had completely ignored him; it would be terrible if Lu Yingchi misunderstood and thought they were isolating him. Jiang Qi secretly nudged Jian Song’s knee with his own. With a look, he signaled to Jian Song: Brother Jian, go on, go appease him.
Jian Song pulled back his feet and turned around to look at Lu Yingchi. Lu Yingchi was not looking ahead but was instead watching the window. Looking at Lu Yingchi’s sharp jawline, Jian Song swallowed hard. For some reason, whenever Lu Yingchi kept a cold face, Jian Song felt an inexplicable sense of trepidation.
Jian Song stood up, signaling for Jiang Qi to let him out. Lu Yingchi, still staring out the window, did not notice Jian Song’s movement. It was only when he smelled the sweet scent of chocolate coming from Jian Song that he turned his head. As he did, he locked eyes with Jian Song.
Jian Song scratched his cheek and asked, “Lu Yingchi, are you angry?”
Lu Yingchi tilted his head. “No, why would you say that?”
Jian Song glanced at Jiang Qi, who was craning his neck to listen from the seat ahead, and said awkwardly, “Jiang Qi and I are just used to being a duo. We did not adapt to you joining us quickly enough; we did not intentionally mean to isolate you.”
Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to come sit with him because of such a thing. He was stunned for a moment before laughing. “Brother Jian, you are overthinking it.”
Jian Song stared into Lu Yingchi’s eyes and face, trying to find evidence that Lu Yingchi was just putting on a brave face, but Lu Yingchi looked completely calm and unbothered. Jian Song persisted. “Really? You are not thinking too much into it?”
Lu Yingchi laughed softly. “Of course not. Brother Jian, I am not that petty. I know you and Jiang Qi are close.”
After carefully studying Lu Yingchi’s expression and finding nothing abnormal, Jian Song said, “As long as you are not overthinking it, that is good. I will go back and sit with Little Qi then.”
Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to still want to go back and sit with Jiang Qi. He was stunned, and as he watched Jian Song move to return to his seat, he reached out, wanting to grab Jian Song’s arm. However, he was a step too slow, and his fingers merely brushed past Jian Song’s arm. Lu Yingchi’s fingers curled, and he slowly pulled his hand back.
Jian Song had returned to his seat because he had something important to do with Jiang Qi. As soon as he sat down, Jiang Qi urged him, “Brother Jian, take it out quickly! We are going to run out of time!”
Jian Song rummaged through his school bag with a rustling sound. “I know, I know. Wait, just wait.”
But Jian Song had forgotten that, because of what happened last night, his bag contained not just books, but also a large pile of clothes. Hearing their conversation, Lu Yingchi became curious about what they were doing and leaned his head forward to look.