"I also like locust trees, camphor trees, pine trees, laurels, cherry trees, loquat trees..." I listed every tree I could think of. "...And Cheng Shu."
I blurted it out, then looked up nervously into Cheng Shu's eyes. His eyes were as dark as ink, so deep and black it seemed impossible to see through them. In them, I could see a tiny reflection of myself.
I waited for light to shine from his eyes, or for a radiant smile to spread across his face. I waited. One second, two seconds, three seconds passed... But nothing happened. Nothing at all.
"Mao Guo." Cheng Shu clenched his fists as he called my name. "I'm really happy that you like me. I mean it."
I've always thought that if you loved me enough, you'd tell me so I'd know. So during the years we were apart, your deep-set eyes filled my thoughts endlessly.
