Zhou Wan didn’t reply immediately, instead first changing Lu Xixiao’s contact name.
They were worlds apart; at school, probably no one would ever connect them.
On this quiet night, Lu Xixiao messaging her, the notification popping up at the top of her phone showing “Lu Xixiao” sent her a message.
The three characters “Lu Xixiao” seemed to carry some kind of taboo, cutting through the tranquility of her surroundings like a sharp wind.
Making this night saturated with his unique presence.
He had that ability, leaving deep impressions in people’s hearts with his every movement.
Zhou Wan first changed his contact name to a single character – “Lu”.
But after looking at it for a while, it still didn’t feel right, so she changed it to the number “6”.
Looking at the “6” above the chat window, she finally let out a relieved sigh and replied: [You’re hurt?]
He sent a voice message, only one second long.
Zhou Wan turned the volume to its lowest, then covered herself with the blanket, worried about anyone hearing.
“Yeah.”
The young man’s hoarse voice came through. He’d been drinking, his languid tone even stronger, managing to stamp his unique mark even on this single syllable.
Zhou Wan had heard his phone call earlier and knew he’d gone to fight.
She paused, sat up, and started typing:
Is there a pharmacy nearby? You could let the pharmacy’s doctor help you…
Before finishing, Zhou Wan thought that with Lu Xixiao’s personality, he probably wouldn’t ask others for help with his wound.
She deleted that line and started typing again:
Go to the pharmacy and buy disinfectant alcohol, cotton swabs, and large band-aids, like today I…
Again before finishing, Lu Xixiao directly called her.
This time Zhou Wan was completely stunned.
She never expected Lu Xixiao would call her.
The phone fell on the bed, buzzing desperately, and she was at a loss, not knowing whether to answer or what to say if she did.
Until she heard her grandmother coughing outside the door, worried about waking her, Zhou Wan hurriedly swiped to answer.
Still catching her breath, she put the phone to her ear, trying to steady her breathing.
Lu Xixiao didn’t speak; she could hear the whistling wind from his end, confirming the call was indeed connected.
Zhou Wan gripped her phone tightly, evening out her breath, saying softly: “Lu Xixiao.”
He laughed then, a magnetic, husky sound.
Zhou Wan didn’t understand: “What are you laughing at?”
“Were you asleep?”
Lu Xixiao was laughing at the drowsy sleepiness in her voice.
Having disturbed her sleep, not only did he not feel sorry, he seemed to take pleasure in it.
Zhou Wan pressed her lips together.
Sometimes she thought Lu Xixiao was just an immature boy who liked to tease, other times she felt he had a maturity and coldness beyond his years.
“I’m awake now,” Zhou Wan said languidly. “Did you bandage it?”
“No.”
Zhou Wan heard him lighting a cigarette, then he continued, “I don’t know how.”
Just like that afternoon.
I don’t know how.
Was he asking her to come over now to bandage it?
Zhou Wan didn’t speak.
“It hurts a bit,” his voice carried a faint smile, casually adding another weight to her heart, “If I don’t bandage it, will it get infected tomorrow?”
“…”
If it had been any other girl who admired him, hearing this they would have rushed over without hesitation in the middle of the night.
But Zhou Wan had seen all sorts of ailments with her father and grandmother, and wouldn’t make a fuss over such things.
She recalled the wound from the photo he’d sent earlier and softly replied: “It probably won’t, just don’t touch it or get it wet.”
Lu Xixiao sat on the steps of the bustling street, the wind blowing through his hair and clothes, outlining his sharp, fierce figure. The crimson between his fingers flickered as he laughed through the blue-white smoke.
As if hearing an extremely interesting response, his laugh made his chest vibrate.
“Zhou Wan,” he said, laughing.
“You’re quite heartless.”