March 2nd, the awakening of insects.

On this chilly spring day, the sky was gloomy with continuous drizzle.

Glancing at his watch, Yu Guang hurriedly ran with his umbrella and finally caught up with the school bus about to depart. He gasped for breath and thanked the driver.

His voice was sweet, full of youthful vigor.

No one noticed the fleeting shadow of gloom in his eyes.

Almost missed Ye Si’s class!

Running up to the fourth floor, he caught his breath outside the classroom, tidied up his wind-blown hair, and then stepped inside.

On this rainy day, the classroom was poorly lit, as if covered by a layer of hazy filter. Nevertheless, Yu Guang still easily spotted Ye Si’s location.

Ye Si was sitting by the window, his long legs wrapped in black suit pants. He wore a gentlemanly khaki trench coat with a black knit sweater underneath, revealing a slender and fair wrist.

He was leaning his chin on his hand, looking at Professor Ma’s outline of that day’s course on the blackboard. His narrow phoenix eyes were slightly narrowed, seeming attentive but actually indifferent.

Ye Si’s ingrained indifference was perfectly hidden, and the slight curve of his lips always gave people the illusion of being easy to get along with.

Checking the messages on the campus confession wall, all were flooded with the phrase “indifferent yet gentle.”

Yu Guang sneered, looking at the dense text and cursing, “Idiots.”

Not many people came into the classroom yet, so Yu Guang attracted attention. Sensing Ye Si’s gaze on him, Yu Guang’s breath tightened for a moment.

He didn’t know if Ye Si still remembered their encounter that night, or if Ye Si remembered him at all.

Should he go say hello? Would it be too abrupt?

Or should he forget about it?

After all, he was sneaking into the class. If the senior asked, it would be hard to answer.

Lowering his head, Yu Guang forcefully pursed his lips. His pale lips showed a touch of blood, covered with a layer of translucent pink gloss.

With a mild smile playing at the corners of his mouth and his eyelids lightly lowered, Yu Guang walked to the back row with his school bag.

He looked docile and submissive.

Passing by Ye Si’s side, the air stirred, and Yu Guang caught a whiff of a familiar low-key and retro woody fragrance.

The scent on Ye Si’s body seemed to open a long-sealed sandalwood incense burner across time and space.

Yu Guang discreetly took a deep breath, then walked in a calm and unhurried manner to the last row near the window and took his seat.

He had tried it many times. From this angle, he could clearly see Ye Si’s distinct profile, as well as the doodles or casual notes he made on the textbook.

His favorite thing was Ye Si’s hands that resembled works of art.

His protruding wrist bones were just the right amount of sexy, his finger bones long and distinct. Holding the all-black Duke pen, his skin appeared even paler, exuding a chilly and restrained aura.

Even the occasional jotting of notes hinted at an unattainable and aloof demeanor.

Yu Guang liked it very much.

After staring for a while, he suddenly frowned, his pupils shrinking for a moment.

The girl beside Ye Si was leaning slightly, whispering in his ear, her lips, painted with industrial cosmetics, coming very close to his ear.

What were they talking about?

Unfortunately, they were still too far apart, and Yu Guang could only see Ye Si’s lips curling into a smile at the girl, his thin lips moving, and a low voice coming out, but not enough to hear clearly.

It was probably a witty remark, as the girl was shaking with laughter.

Yu Guang narrowed his eyes, restraining the impending storm between his brows. His slender legs under the desk couldn’t help but tremble.

Feeling annoyed.

He really wanted to smoke.

Luckily, the bell for break time rang just in time. Yu Guang breathed a sigh of relief, skillfully took out the cigarette box from the compartment of his backpack, and headed to the restroom.

He went to the most remote restroom in the teaching building, where there was no one around.

Skillfully tearing open the cigarette paper, Yu Guang shook out the tobacco leaves wrapped inside onto his palm, tilted his head back, and took a drag.

When the tobacco leaves entered his mouth directly, they instantly spread a thick, choking smoke. However, he seemed accustomed to it, calmly using his tongue to push them around in his mouth as if nothing happened.

Saliva began to flow, mingling with the tobacco and tar smell, creating a slightly intoxicating sensation.

The suppressed irritability in his heart faded by half.

—Though he was still quite unhappy.

It was halfway through the break time when Yu Guang finally came out from the cubicle, leaning over the sink to rinse his mouth.

Cold water splashed on his cheeks, and clear water droplets dripped from the slightly damp hair on his forehead to the tip of his nose, forming tiny beads that seemed reluctant to fall.

A gust of chilly wind blew, causing this droplet to plop into the sink.

Yu Guang sniffed and shivered all over.

Washing his face with cold water in early spring was still too cold.

Looking into the mirror, he reluctantly adjusted his expression, made sure there was no smell of smoke on him, smoothed the slightly long fringe covering his eyelashes, and walked out with his head down.

Whether it was because he was walking too fast or the other person wasn’t paying attention, Yu Guang collided head-on with the stiff chest of someone, causing his nose to feel sour.

He was about to look up and scold the person—

Familiar woody fragrance dispersed, and a pair of familiar black leather boots came into view.

Exquisite, immaculate.

It was Ye Si.

^[1]Author’s Note: Chewing tobacco, directly putting tobacco into the molars to chew, has a strong taste. Only old smokers would do this. But it doesn’t produce smoke, and the smell is … Continue reading