Xu Huai’an tucked the drawer back into place, signaling that he was keeping it.
Zhou Yuan was beyond shocked. This was the first time he had ever seen Xu Huai’an accept a gift from anyone.
Luo Yinyin had arrived early that day and happened to catch Xie Wenxing sneaking away from Xu Huai’an’s seat.
A few days earlier, Xie Wenxing had vomited on Xu Huai’an’s foot and then been scared off by him. Now, with his furtive behavior, Xie Wenxing looked exactly like someone with a guilty conscience.
For all she knew, he was up to no good.
It had taken Luo Yinyin months to earn a sliver of goodwill from Xu Huai’an. But after she confessed her feelings, all her progress was undone, back to square one, with her standing at the same level as any random passerby.
Now that Xie Wenxing seemed to be seeking revenge against Xu Huai’an, Luo Yinyin felt this was her chance.
She didn’t immediately warn Xu Huai’an. Instead, she planned to wait until he discovered, or even fell victim to—Xie Wenxing’s retaliation. Then, at the height of his anger, she would step forward and accuse Xie Wenxing of causing trouble.
At that point, even if Xu Huai’an didn’t feel particularly grateful to her, his opinion of her would surely improve, wouldn’t it?
Even if it wasn’t by much, it would still count for something.
Luo Yinyin’s plan seemed perfect in her mind, but reality dealt her a harsh slap.
Xie Wenxing was giving Xu Huai’an a gift? Was he a masochist or something?!!
Her scheme instantly evaporated, and her mood soured.
What infuriated her even more was that Xu Huai’an had actually accepted it!
Luo Yinyin’s face twitched uncontrollably. She couldn’t help but recall how, when she had tried to give Xu Huai’an a gift, he had been completely unyielding, utterly indifferent to her presence, as if she were no more significant than a speck of dust on the roadside.
So why had he accepted this one?
Zhou Yuan was equally baffled. His patience had never been great; he had turned his head to look at Xu Huai’an countless times over the past minute, but Xu Huai’an remained unfazed.
Finally, Zhou Yuan couldn’t hold back any longer. “Brother Huai, do you know who sent this?”
Xie Wenxing, who had been eavesdropping with his ears perked up, felt a jolt of alarm.
Oh no—I forgot to leave a note.
A faint trace of a smile tugged at the corner of Xu Huai’an’s lips. “No idea.”
Zhou Yuan muttered quietly, “Whoever it is must be pretty careless, not even leaving a note.”
Xu Huai’an narrowed his eyes. Without even looking, he could imagine the expression on Xie Wenxing’s face right now. His double eyelids made his eyes look especially large, at this moment, they were probably filled with regret, while his soft, pale pink lips were likely being pressed between his white teeth, leaving faint indentations that would turn a deep, vivid red once released.
That sight must be beautiful.
As Xu Huai’an imagined, Xie Wenxing was indeed full of regret.
He had been so caught up in fantasizing about how Xu Huai’an would feel upon receiving the gift that he had forgotten to leave a note saying who it was from.
Xie Wenxing couldn’t help holding on to a sliver of hope: Will he figure out it was me?
But more than that, Xie Wenxing wanted to know, would Xu Huai’an be happy when he saw the sneakers inside?
However, Xu Huai’an didn’t seem the least bit curious about what was inside the box. He simply tucked the gift into his desk drawer and turned his attention to the English textbook laid open before him, silently reading in earnest.
Huh? Why isn’t he opening it?
Xie Wenxing twisted his neck in disappointment, wondering.
Suddenly, his head was tapped with a book, followed by the homeroom teacher Chen Yan’s booming voice: “Xie Wenxing, I told you to read, so why are you staring at the back of the classroom? Face forward!”
Xie Wenxing’s face flushed bright red. He forcefully pressed down on his textbook and began reading in a low voice, not daring to look back until Chen Yan had walked away.
The entire day passed without Xu Huai’an opening the gift. Every time Xu Huai’an reached into his drawer, Xie Wenxing couldn’t help but widen his eyes in anticipation.
But each time, he would see Xu Huai’an simply pulling out a textbook or some stationery, not the gift. Xie Wenxing’s eyes would then droop in disappointment.
His round, cat-like eyes would instantly turn into those of a dejected puppy.
Xu Huai’an found this endlessly amusing. He played this little game many times throughout the day and never grew tired of it.
By the time evening self-study ended, Xie Wenxing was the first to leave the classroom. But instead of heading straight back to the dorm, he crouched in an inconspicuous spot at the end of the hallway, cautiously peeking out just half his face.
Song Yuan happened to notice him and walked over. “Xingxing, what are you doing squatting here?”
Xie Wenxing was about to answer when he caught a glimpse of Xu Huai’an about to exit the classroom. There was no time to shoo Song Yuan away, so he quickly waved for him to come over.
But just as Song Yuan took two steps closer, Xie Wenxing saw Xu Huai’an seem to glance in their direction.
He immediately ducked his head back.
Xu Huai’an glanced toward the corner at the end of the hallway and caught sight of Xie Wenxing’s friend standing there blankly.
He paid it no mind, his gaze focusing on the corner itself.
A certain little rabbit hadn’t hidden well enough and had accidentally left its tail exposed.
A flicker crossed Xu Huai’an’s eyes. Suddenly, he spoke. “Zhou Yuan.”
Zhou Yuan: “Huh?”
Xu Huai’an held the gift in one hand. “You know who sent this thing?”
Zhou Yuan was puzzled. “How would I know?”
“Maybe it’s someone’s idea of a prank. Let’s go, find a trash can and toss it.”
They continued talking as they headed downstairs. By the time Xie Wenxing came out, their voices had already faded into the distance.
Oh no, he’s going to throw it away.
Without a second thought for Song Yuan, Xie Wenxing quickly and quietly followed them.
It was nearly ten o’clock, and there weren’t many students on the path.
Xie Wenxing stealthily trailed behind, while Song Yuan watched him crouch behind a tree, then a lamppost, and felt a twinge of secondhand embarrassment.
Xie Wenxing, however, was completely oblivious. He craned his neck anxiously, his heart leaping into his throat every time Xu Huai’an passed a trash can and paused for even a moment.
Only when he walked past did Xie Wenxing exhale heavily in relief.
Finally, they reached the dormitory.
Xie Wenxing saw Xu Huai’an take the gift inside, and the worry that had been gnawing at him, that Xu Huai’an might throw it away, finally vanished.
That night, after showering, Xie Wenxing lay happily in bed, twisting around under his blanket like a wriggling worm.
Hehehe, he didn’t throw it away. He kept it, ahhh!!!
Having once witnessed how Xu Huai’an handled gifts from others, seeing him accept this one made Xie Wenxing so happy his smile wouldn’t fade.
He rolled around in bed for half an hour, his heart still fluttering even as he drifted off to sleep. His cheeks were so lifted from grinning that they simply wouldn’t come down.
The next day, Xie Wenxing arrived early to the classroom, staring excitedly at the door.
The moment Xu Huai’an walked in, he immediately glanced eagerly at his feet.
But he wasn’t wearing the sneakers Xie Wenxing had given him.
Xie Wenxing felt as if cold water had been dumped over him, his spirits instantly deflated.