The clock struck twelve times .
New year fireworks shot up into the sky, igniting the whole city . They were as resplendent as falling stars and the view was spectacular .
Su Xiaomo stared blankly at the teenager in front of her . As tough as she was all the time, she somehow began to feel a burning sensation in her eyes .
Had sand gotten into her eyes? Or was it snow?
But according to the weather forecast, it was a windless day today . There was no snow or cloud . The moon was bright and there were few stars .
Nothing had gotten into her eyes . It was only her wanting to cry .
Stop putting on this affected act . It’s nothing worth crying over . So what if you love someone that doesn’t love you back?
So what?
“I see…” she replied with a smile after what seemed like an eternity . “Yes, we’re good friends! Best buddies!”
She patted He Jiayu on his shoulder in a valiant manner . He Jiayu smiled the whole time and acknowledged her reply with a quiet “hm . ”
That pat seemed to exhaust all of Su Xiaomo’s strength . She heard herself ask in a quivering voice, “What is she like, the girl you like?”
He Jiayu’s smile froze for a split second before he regained his natural pose . “She’s gentle, kind, beautiful, and considerate… She’s a girl one feels very comfortable around and wants me to protect her against all harm…”
Is that so… Is she that perfect…
She was her polar opposite .
I’m sorry I didn’t grow up to become someone you like . I’m sorry .
She thought she could be tough and masculine . She thought she could be as brisk and unhesitating with emotions as during her taekwondo practice — one kick and all her bad mood would go away .
But, she still felt sad .
So sad, so very sad…
She couldn’t remember what she said to He Jiayu after that . After some gibberish, she turned around and left .
With each step, she was pulled deeper into an abyss . The pain was killing her .
The streets were lit up brilliantly with colorful lights . Light and shadow covered everything, be it good or bad .
A new year arrived in the most vigorous yet peaceful way .
In the classroom .
He Jiayu lowered his gaze and could clearly make out a wet spot under Su Xiaomo’s seat .
He kept his gaze on her for as long as she cried .
Chi Yuanfeng was humming a tune beside him . Seeing that He Jiayu had been in a trance for such a long time, he gave him a nudge and asked, “Brother, what’re you looking at?”
He Jiayu came back to himself, blinked, and answered in a low voice, “Nothing . ”
After that, he picked that book back up and resumed his reading .
He had always been the gentlest and the most resolute one .
An Xiaxia spent the whole day in an absentminded state because of her concern for Su Xiaomo .
After school, she dragged Su Xiaomo to a grillhouse straight away .
Was there any agony that couldn’t be solved by a nice barbecue meal? If there was, try another round of barbecue!
As expected, Su Xiaomo revealed her true self at the sight of meat . One second ago, she was still brooding over her sorrow; the next second, she was fighting An Xiaxia over a piece of streaky bacon!
“WTF? I thought you brought me here for the meat . Hey, you sleazy thing! Put down that meat and we might still be friends!”
” Sob … Don’t take my meat away…” Glutton Xia pleaded in a piteous tone . Unfortunately, she was completely overpowered and Su Xiaomo robbed her of a perfect piece of meat from between her chopsticks .
She was practically wailing . “What happened to BFF… Why do you always have to take my meat…”
Su Xiaomo shook her leg, gloating . “Hoho, coz your meat is always better!”
An Xiaxia was even more aggrieved . Just then, a greasy pair of hands landed on her shoulders from behind . “Little girl, do you want to eat meat? Come to your big brother’s table!”