Lin Zhexia followed this sentence pattern and thought of many “only” scenarios.
Only she could send him any message at any time.
Only she had the key to his home.
Only…
It seemed that only she was so close to him.
“I asked you to look at the problem,” Chi Yao paused his hand that was writing with a pen, interrupting her thoughts, “where are you looking?”
Lin Zhexia was caught off guard, momentarily freezing.
She averted her eyes and, after a while, said: “I was admiring the earrings I picked out.”
“And then thinking about whose taste is so extraordinary, oh, it turns out to be mine.”
Chi Yao tossed his pen aside and sat back: “Solve the rest of the problems yourself, I don’t want to teach anymore.”
“?”
Chi Yao: “There’s no particular reason, just that you don’t seem to be thinking straight today. Come back when you’re better.”
After that day, Lin Zhexia could see Chi Yao wearing earrings every weekend.
Whether she went to his home, or when they went out to buy groceries at the supermarket, or even when taking out the trash, he always wore them.
…
She got used to seeing them after a while.
Her previous thoughts of “that’s a bit of a shame” vanished like smoke.
And she gradually began to feel that this person had a bit of a show-off attitude.
On this day, they had just returned from the supermarket.
Chi Yao walked in front, the bag in his hand filled with ice cream.
Lin Zhexia finally couldn’t help it and suddenly said: “Chi Yao, I’ve realized you’re quite calculating.”
Chi Yao glanced at her.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Are you deliberately trying to look cool?” Lin Zhexia said. “Is that why you wear earrings in private every day?”
Chi Yao had a ‘mind your own business’ look: “Then go report me to the police.”
…
It was exactly as she thought.
It was the height of summer, and the bluestone path was scorching hot.
Lin Zhexia was dressed very casually, wearing a pair of slippers that had followed her for several years, and knee-length casual shorts. She asked: “Your refrigerator should have enough space, right?”
She was asking about the bag of ice cream in Chi Yao’s hand.
Lin He was very strict with her. Ever since she had a stomachache from eating cold food as a child, Lin He wouldn’t let her eat anything too cold. Every summer, it was almost impossible to have cold treats every day; Lin He only allowed her to have them once or twice a week.
But fortunately, she had access to more than just the refrigerator at home.
Chi Yao also had a refrigerator.
Chi Yao: “No room. I suggest throwing it away.”
Lin Zhexia: “…”
After a while, Chi Yao reminded her: “Two sticks a week, be self-disciplined.”
Lin Zhexia was dissatisfied: “You’re just like my mom. I’ve grown up now, my digestive system is very healthy, and eating a bit more won’t cause any problems.”
Chi Yao smirked: “Who cares how much you eat? I just don’t want to accompany you to buy more.”
“…”
Halfway home, they encountered He Yang sitting at his doorstep.
He Yang’s eyes brightened: “Give me an ice pop, I’m about to die from the heat. I’m like a person who’s been walking in the desert for ten years. I thought my heart had long since dried up, until I met you two, this sweet spring.”
Lin Zhexia and Chi Yao spoke almost simultaneously—
Lin Zhexia: “Don’t use metaphors if you can’t do it properly.”
Chi Yao: “Shut up if you can’t talk properly.”
He Yang: “…”
These two always had unexpected chemistry in some strange areas.
Lin Zhexia picked out a cold treat for him from Chi Yao’s bag, asking while selecting: “Why are you sitting outside?”
He Yang: “Don’t mention it, my parents, same old problem.”
He Yang’s parents loved to argue. They had been bickering their way through all these years. When things were good, they were really good, but when they fought, the damage was not to be underestimated.
He Yang’s father was quiet by nature, not talkative, and disliked explaining himself, while his mother had a fiery temper.