++++++When Zhou Yi was sixteen, she and her mother were invited to visit the Xie family in Jiangdu. As soon as they entered, she nearly got knocked over by a boy dashing around everywhere.
In the courtyard, Auntie Xie stood with a broom in hand and her other hand on her hip, scolding, "Xie Chi, you just wait! I'm cutting your allowance in half starting this semester."
In the sunlight, the cool, fair-skinned boy's peach-blossom eyes shimmered. He looked languid, his brows slightly furrowed.
Seeing the boy's helpless expression, Zhou Yi couldn't help laughing.
Auntie Xie took a liking to Zhou Yi and had her attend school with Xie Chi, telling him to look after her.
For the next year, Zhou Yi kept a secret in her heart and silently followed behind Xie Chi, like his shadow.
By chance, Zhou Yi overheard someone teasing Xie Chi. "Chi, you're so lucky to spend every day with the person you like. We're all so jealous!"
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm only looking after her because the old Buddha at home ordered me to."
Standing in an empty corner, Zhou Yi felt her heart sink little by little. She silently put away the carefully prepared gift and turned to leave.
From then on, there was no longer a little shadow trailing behind Xie Chi.
Zhou Yi stopped asking Xie Chi to eat with her. She no longer waited for him after school so they could walk home together. The two of them drifted further and further apart.
After the college entrance exams, Zhou Yi suddenly disappeared. Xie Chi would often be walking along, then turn to stare into the empty space behind him, lost in thought.
"Wherever my eyes fall, you are the most beautiful thing I long for." - Zhou Yi
"An outsider, the one in my heart." - Xie Chi
+++++ School days in the beginning, city life later. Happy ending. Saved on 2021.2.28.
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Theme: If the mountain won't come to me, I'll go to it.
