Out-of-Season Sour Fruit

During her most socially anxious year, the most mortifying thing Chu Liyang did was trip in the hallway in an awkward position and tumble straight into the arms of her crush.

The boy had a lean waist and firm abdomen. His touch made her fingertips tingle with heat.

Chu Liyang hurriedly apologized. "Are you okay?"

The cord was still tangled around her foot. When she abruptly pulled away, she stumbled, and a strong hand caught her by the forearm.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that, classmate?" Xie Xunzhi looked down at her coolly. "Why don't you get steady on your feet before you talk?"

Their classmates glanced over, but even so, no one suspected anything romantic.

Xie Xunzhi was handsome and talented, with no shortage of admirers. Chu Liyang was quiet and reserved, with little presence. How could the two of them possibly have anything to do with each other?

So she kept her feelings secret for a year, until they no longer shared classes day after day and their paths no longer pointed toward the same future.

Years later, a group of former classmates got together. In a game of dares, Chu Liyang drew a challenge to hug a man.

Across the bar, she met Xie Xunzhi's cool gaze. She looked away and planned to choose someone else, but before she could, someone seized her wrist. A moment later, she fell against a warm chest.

The hug was gentle, but Chu Liyang was so flustered she didn't know where to put her hands.

Her friends teased her. "It's just a hug. Why are you so worked up?"

Chu Liyang tried to pull away, but a clear, pleasant voice suddenly sounded by her ear. "It's worth getting worked up over."

Chu Liyang thought she was reading too much into it. Maybe he was only playing around, so she avoided him whenever she could. But then...

At a packed music festival, someone deliberately bumped into her. He stepped between them, stood by her side, and never left.

Caught up in the moment, she couldn't help asking, "If you keep acting like this, you'll make me think we have a chance."

Xie Xunzhi looked at her, his gaze languid yet serious. "Didn't I already give you the right answer? Try trusting your instincts."

In other words, they did have a chance.

Chu Liyang froze, remembering that years ago, he had written those same words on one of her exam papers.

*

An awkward, subtly expressive, highly sensitive girl x a cool, reserved boy with a youthful charm

1. The girl has a crush on him at first, then he takes the initiative.

2. The female lead is a little socially anxious, but not severely.

3. They grow up during high school, and neither is perfect.

4. The leads are each other's first love!

Theme: Believe in the power of belief