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Upon hearing Zhuang Zi’ang’s response, Lin Mu Shi was stunned for a long time.
Hadn’t she just temporarily declined his pursuit without completely rejecting him?
Why did he have the right to shift his affections elsewhere?
“Zhuang Zi’ang, were your previous feelings for me all a lie?” Lin Mu Shi asked, her voice tinged with agitation.
“Mu Shi, I used to like you, but when that affection goes unreciprocated, I believe I have the right to take it back,” Zhuang Zi’ang replied calmly.
“Why don’t you have the patience? Why give up halfway?” Lin Mu Shi questioned.
In the past, she had not accepted Zhuang Zi’ang’s pursuit but had enjoyed the warmth he offered.
She always thought that if a boy liked her, he should wait for her indefinitely, never abandoning her.
She had never considered that a boy could also choose to walk away.
Under the neon lights, the evening breeze gently blew Zhuang Zi’ang’s bangs.
He looked at the school belle he had liked for so long and decided to lay his true feelings bare.
“Mu Shi, I’ve come to realize that my previous feelings for you were merely a shallow infatuation.”
“It was because you’re the school belle, the center of attention; winning you over would satisfy my vanity.”
“It was only after meeting that person that I understood what it truly means to like someone.”
Being with Xiao Yudie was a feeling Zhuang Zi’ang had never experienced before.
He could forget his sadness, forget about time, and forget the entire world.
It felt as if the vast universe contained only the two of them.
Tears welled up in Lin Mu Shi’s eyes. “That’s impossible! We’ve known each other for two years, and you just met her last week.”
Zhuang Zi’ang smiled gently. “True affection isn’t measured by the length of time.”
“You don’t even know which class she’s in. Aren’t you afraid she’s deceiving you?” Lin Mu Shi shouted.
“If it’s a deception, then so be it. It’s like a moth to a flame, knowing full well it will be burned but still rushing in without hesitation.”
Zhuang Zi’ang thought to himself, what’s there to be deceived about for someone whose life is nearing its end?
In these final days, he wanted nothing more than to follow his heart’s truest desires and live out his short life.
He hailed a taxi and, with a gentlemanly gesture, opened the door for Lin Mu Shi.
“Mu Shi, when you meet someone like that, maybe then you’ll understand how I feel.”
As she sat in the taxi, Lin Mu Shi was in tears.
She realized with a heavy heart that she had forever lost Zhuang Zi’ang.
Was that girl really so special?
Returning to his rental apartment, Zhuang Zi’ang changed the water in the fish tank and fed the fish.
He estimated that in two months, he would have to return the two fish to Xiao Yudie.
By then, taking care of himself might become a significant challenge.
Just then, his phone rang; it was a call from his attending physician, Doctor Chen Dexiu.
There wasn’t much to discuss, just a routine check on his health.
“Doctor Chen, is there really nothing that can be done?” Zhuang Zi’ang asked, his voice laced with desperation.
“I’m sorry, Zhuang Zi’ang,” the doctor replied.
“I understand. Thank you, Doctor.”
Doctor Chen Dexiu didn’t know how to comfort him, suggesting that he come to the hospital in a couple of days for another check-up, even though they both knew it was likely unnecessary.
After hanging up the phone, Zhuang Zi’ang opened the medicine package and popped the unpleasant pills into his mouth, washing them down with water.
The bitter taste made him gag several times.
He had begun to feel less inclined to die; even living one more day to see her again felt worthwhile.
The night passed without a word.
Morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, warming the dreaming boy.
Today was the monthly exam, allowing him to wake up a little later than usual.
Zhuang Zi’ang set his alarm back by half an hour.
Suddenly, his phone at the bedside rang loudly.
Zhuang Zi’ang reached out from under the covers, fumbling to answer it while still groggy, and pressed the speaker button.
“Hello? Who is it so early in the morning?”
A pleasant female voice came through the speaker, “Lazy pig, the sun’s already high, and you’re still sleeping in!”
Zhuang Zi’ang’s eyes shot wide open, and he sat up in bed.
This was the first time Su Yudie had called him.
“Xiao Yudie, where are you?”
“I’m out getting breakfast. I’ll come find you shortly. What do you want to eat?”
Whatever Xiao Yudie brought for breakfast would be perfect.
He quickly hung up the phone, jumped out of bed, tidied up his messy room, and hurried into the bathroom for a shower.
Warm droplets of water cascaded over his skin, washing away the fatigue of the night.
In last night’s dream, he had once again shared intimate moments with Little Yudie.
After getting dressed, there was a timely knock at the door.
Opening it, he was greeted by the smile of the girl he longed for.
“Xiao Yudie, good morning!”
“Big dummy, it’s already past morning! The sun is so high!”
Su Yudie had brought two bowls of congee and some tea eggs.
As Zhuang Zi’ang lowered his head to drink his congee, she began peeling the shell off a boiled egg.
Once she finished, she placed it into Zhuang Zi’ang’s bowl and picked up another one.
Zhuang Zi’ang felt a bit embarrassed. “I can manage just fine.”
Su Yudie smiled, “This is to help you boost your brainpower. Make sure to do well on the exam today and crush those guys from yesterday. Don’t let them brag about it without backing it up.”
“Don’t worry; to me, they’re like chickens and dogs!” Zhuang Zi’ang declared boldly.
“Stop boasting; aren’t you ashamed?” Su Yudie shot him a look.
“I’ve ranked first in the grade for two consecutive years; haven’t you heard?” Zhuang Zi’ang replied, surprised.
“Oh, is that so? I think I’ve heard a bit about that,” Su Yudie replied casually.
Zhuang Zi’ang, dissatisfied, took a bite of the egg. “You clearly don’t care about exam rankings; you must be a slacker.”
He suddenly recalled the matter of checking the exam rooms yesterday afternoon.
Among the students with the surname Su, there was no name for Su Yudie.
After hesitating several times, he ultimately didn’t bring it up.
If she had something difficult to say, pressing her would only make her uncomfortable.
After finishing breakfast, Su Yudie took a red string from her pocket and tied it around Zhuang Zi’ang’s wrist.
Zhuang Zi’ang frowned. “What is this? Isn’t it a bit feminine for a guy to wear?”
Su Yudie explained, “I’ve heard that wearing this during exams brings good luck.”
“That’s superstitious; I’ve never worn it and still ranked first,” Zhuang Zi’ang muttered.
“If you don’t like it, just take it off and throw it away.”
“Well… I guess I’ll keep it on!”
Zhuang Zi’ang looked at the bright red string on his wrist, which emitted a faint scent of peach blossoms.
Alright, let’s hope the exam god blesses me.
The two walked to school together, and the campus sidewalk was covered in flower petals.
The peach blossoms were nearing their end.
When they arrived outside the exam room, Zhuang Zi’ang asked, “Xiao Yudie, which classroom are you in for the exam?”
Su Yudie replied with a smile, “I’m not taking the exam.”
“Not taking the exam?” Zhuang Zi’ang was a bit taken aback.
Su Yudie pulled out a leave request from her bag and waved it in front of Zhuang Zi’ang.
The signature from the homeroom teacher looked like a scribble; he couldn’t read a single character.
Zhuang Zi’ang wanted to ask her more, but the bell signaling the start of the exam rang.
“Do well on the exam, and I’ll buy you a Coke afterward,” Su Yudie said as she gently pushed Zhuang Zi’ang into the classroom.
As he sat at his desk, the faint scent of peach blossoms from the red string on his wrist lingered, leaving him perplexed.
What kind of homeroom teacher would sign so many leave requests for a student and allow her to skip the monthly exam?
Xiao Yudie, could it be that you’re like me…?