A Moment of Indulgence, A Moment of Emptiness

There was no evening self-study session.

After announcing the class rankings, the homeroom teacher left the remaining time for the students to themselves.

As the dismissal bell rang, Hu Yuying began packing up Long Aotian's things.

Without realizing it, Hu Yuying had already internalized Long Aotian's words: "If you're not eager to leave school, there's something wrong with your head!"

She quickly tidied up Long Aotian's desk.

As they walked out of the school, Long Aotian suddenly stopped and turned to look at Hu Yuying, who was following behind him.

Seeing Long Aotian stop, Hu Yuying also halted her steps: "What's wrong, Brother Long?"

Long Aotian didn't speak, just looked at Hu Yuying intently.

Feeling his gaze, Hu Yuying's heart skipped a beat, and her face began to feel warm.

In Long Aotian's eyes, she caught a fleeting glimpse of affection, brief but undeniable.

Her heartbeat began to quicken involuntarily, a strange sensation she had never experienced before.

She didn't know what was happening to her, why her heart was racing so fast, as if a little deer were gently leaping inside her chest.

"Silly," Long Aotian said, gently tapping Hu Yuying's head. He then took a deep breath and chuckled softly, "Brother Long has something to do today. Go home by yourself."

Hu Yuying looked at Long Aotian, instinctively wanting to ask what he had to do.

But she felt it wouldn't be appropriate to ask.

After all, Long Aotian had his own matters to attend to.

So she nodded obediently, "Okay, Brother Long."

"Take that way, it's closer to home."

"Alright."

Watching Hu Yuying's retreating figure, Long Aotian opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something more. But seeing her back, he just scratched his head helplessly and turned to walk in the opposite direction.

As she walked, Hu Yuying felt a sudden emptiness in her heart.

She couldn't help but glance back.

Watching Long Aotian's figure disappear into the crowd, she finally looked away.

Whether it was her intuition as a girl or not, Hu Yuying felt a hint of loneliness as she watched Long Aotian vanish into the sea of people.

She turned back and continued walking home.

Before she had acknowledged Long Aotian as her "big brother," she had walked this path many times, but this time, her mood felt different.

As she passed the train track unloading platform, Hu Yuying wasn't in a hurry to go home. Instead, she sat on the platform, picking up nearby pebbles and tossing them toward the train tracks.

Her mind was filled with the image of Long Aotian tapping her head, his gaze inadvertently revealing a hint of affection.

The heavy feeling in her heart seemed to lighten with each pebble she threw, as if she were tossing away her inner turmoil.

......

"Quan, how do I look?" Ye Liangchen was a bit nervous. After coming out of the restroom, he had changed out of his school uniform into a white shirt and black jeans.

This outfit made him look even more handsome.

Even so, Ye Liangchen was still excited, constantly adjusting his hair in the mirror he held.

"Brother Chen, what's gotten into you today?" Gao Quan asked, watching Ye Liangchen fuss over his hair in the mirror.

Instead of going home after school, Ye Liangchen had gone into the restroom to change clothes and check himself out in the mirror. Gao Quan couldn't understand it—he really couldn't.

"Don't worry about that. How do I look today? Handsome, right?"

Ye Liangchen didn't look up from the mirror as he spoke.

"Handsome, but why did you part your hair in the middle? It looks kind of weird."

Gao Quan's mouth twitched as he watched Ye Liangchen wet his hair and then part it down the middle. The style reminded him of characters from anti-Japanese war dramas...

Ye Liangchen chuckled, "You don't get it. This hairstyle will be all the rage in a few years. Lots of celebrities will be wearing it. Your Brother Chen here is just ahead of the curve. It's called fashion, you know? 'Fashion'!"

"Too bad I don't have a hairdryer, or I'd puff it up a bit more. Then you'd really see how 'fashion' it is."

Ye Liangchen was in a good mood today, so he decided to share a bit more with Gao Quan.

But seeing Gao Quan's clueless expression, he knew his friend still didn't get it.

But that didn't matter. As long as he looked out for Gao Quan, everything would be fine.

With that thought, Ye Liangchen took a deep breath. "Alright, you head home first. Brother Chen has something to take care of today."

"What is it?" Gao Quan couldn't help but ask.

"Don't worry about it. I'll surprise you later." Ye Liangchen glanced at the time and started walking out.

He had spent a bit too much time on his look today, but it was fine—he could still make it!

"Go home first. Wait for Brother Chen's surprise," Ye Liangchen said to Gao Quan before running downstairs.

Gao Quan watched Ye Liangchen's retreating figure, his middle-parted hair bouncing up and down as he ran, resembling the flapping wings of chickens at his grandparents' farm...

He quickly shook his head and followed downstairs.

But Ye Liangchen was fast. From a distance, Gao Quan saw him run out of the school gate and head in the opposite direction of home.

As he jogged, Ye Liangchen felt his hair flutter in the wind, and a smile slowly formed on his lips.

He hadn't forgotten today's significance. He had waited far too long for this moment.

"My treasure girl, you've suffered these past few days, but it's okay. We're finally going to meet, get to know each other, and grow closer, just as fate intended.

Even though Long Aotian has forced himself into your life, it doesn't matter. You'll always be my treasure girl."

Filled with excitement, Ye Liangchen quickened his pace, running faster and faster.

Catching his breath, he looked around and took a deep breath, steadying himself. He wanted to present his best self.

Exhaling, he stepped forward.

"Who can love a heart that's been broken? No one understands the pain!"

This line wasn't in his dreams, but the emotions welled up, and Ye Liangchen couldn't help but express it.

It perfectly captured his current state of mind.

Hands in his pockets, a smile on his lips, he walked forward slowly.

The place where fate had brought them together in his past life.

This time, he would hold on tight!

When he reached the platform, Ye Liangchen pretended not to look to the left. Instead, he tilted his head at a 45-degree angle, spread his arms, and made a gesture as if embracing the sky.

This was all to elevate his "cool factor" and catch his treasure girl's attention!

With that thought, Ye Liangchen's smile widened. He slowly lowered his arms and hugged himself instead.

Opening his eyes, he feigned surprise as he looked to the left. "What a coincidence, you like coming here too..."

Before he could finish, his feigned surprise turned into genuine shock.

He quickly looked to the right. "No one?"

"Where is she?"

Ye Liangchen could no longer maintain his composure. He frantically scanned the area, but the train tracks and their surroundings were completely empty—no one was in sight...