Reconciliation

As the sun continued to radiate its heat, Xiao felt her skin burning painfully under its glare. Hearing what he said, she suddenly remembered that Yu had been living at her house for almost six years now!

During all that time, though his parents had sent gifts, they had never once come to visit him in person—not even a single time. Her own parents were always busy too, but they would return home every year for the holidays to spend time together as a family. It now struck her that whenever her family was gathered for a celebration, Yu would always hide away in his room, never joining them. So this was the reason why! Xiao suddenly felt she had been selfish, unwittingly touching a sore spot for him.

Not knowing how to comfort him, she could only follow quietly behind. After a while, unable to endure the heavy silence any longer, she coughed lightly and ventured, “Um… I’m sorry.”

Yu’s steps faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and replied with indifference, “No need to apologize. It’s just the truth.”

As he spoke, he slowed his pace a little to let Xiao catch up. She beamed with delight and scurried to his side.

As though making a momentous decision, she grasped Yu’s hand and declared resolutely, “Alright! From now on, we’ll share happiness and hardship together! It’s settled!”

Without waiting for his response, she happily dragged him forward at a run. Yu didn’t reply, but he knew better than anyone that this girl always kept her word—her reliability was beyond question. Just like when they were children and she insisted her brother design a room for Yu as splendid as hers. Even though Yu tried his best to refuse, she still went ahead with her own plans. It was exasperating, yet sweet at the same time.

Because his mood had lifted, Yu couldn’t help but let a smile tug at the corners of his mouth, making him look even more perfect than before.

Xiao stood rooted to the spot, entranced. When she finally came to her senses, she grabbed Yu with both hands, exclaiming in astonishment, “Hey! You smiled! You really smiled! You look so handsome!”

Her exuberant gestures made Yu think how truly innocent she was. He gazed at her silently until she finally calmed down.

Yu then spoke coolly, “If we don’t go now, we’ll definitely be late for class.”

But before the words had faded, she dropped a bombshell: “Ah! Oh no!” Grabbing Yu, she broke into a frantic run.

Yet Yu held her in place, refusing to budge. Xiao looked at him in confusion. “Hey! Why aren’t you moving?”

Ouyang Qianyu met her gaze with a calm, almost detached expression. “Do you even know the way?”

Xiao froze, realizing she had no idea where to go. But this guy just let her make a fool of herself! Incensed, she wanted to punch him, but as if he knew exactly what she was thinking, he dodged her playful swipe with ease and caught her hand instead.

His tone was cold, yet brimming with affection. “Don’t mess around. Let’s go.”

Without giving her a chance to protest, he pulled her along. On that bright, sunlit summer morning, their shadows stretched long behind them, bearing witness to their journey beneath the sun.

The two young souls, fingers intertwined, walked together through the man-made grove, sunlight bathing them in a golden glow as though they were God’s chosen children, basking in all the brilliance the world had to offer. A gentle breeze brushed their smiling faces. This summer was truly filled with boundless vitality.

In the end, they managed to reach school just before class began.

——Author’s Note——

Lately, I haven’t felt very motivated! No one is bookmarking my story—sob, sob.