[School life, urban setting / unrequited love from the guy]
[An adorably oblivious sweetheart × A cocky, cool guy in public, an affectionate puppy in private]
Ruan Xiangwan had a big brother she was forced to acknowledge: the neighbor across the hall.
Xie Zhiyou had a little sister he insisted on claiming: also the neighbor across the hall.
They first met in the summer of their second year of high school, when the cicadas were screaming wildly.
That day, Ruan Xiangwan was holding the test paper from her first exam since transferring schools. Standing outside her new home, she rummaged through her schoolbag for ages before remembering she'd left her key in the classroom.
The southern summer was humid, muggy, and stifling. Sweating profusely, Ruan Xiangwan sat on the stairs, waiting for her parents to come home.
She closed her eyes and imagined a slice of ice-cold watermelon appearing in her hands.
The next second,
Someone behind her patted her on the back. Her imaginary watermelon vanished. She turned around in annoyance and saw a mischievous, cocky grin. The boy held a bottle of fizzy soda, and, glancing past her, spotted the results sheet in her hand.
"Did you flunk math and get kicked out of the house?" Xie Zhiyou raised an eyebrow and jerked his chin toward his own door. "Neighbor girl, want to come over and enjoy the AC?"
Later, Ruan Xiangwan didn't just get to enjoy the air conditioning and eat a whole watermelon. She even started staying over at Xie Zhiyou's place every now and then.
"Xie Zhiyou, I bet I'll finish breakfast faster than you today."
"Xie Zhiyou, I bet I'll get a better score than you this time."
"Xie Zhiyou, I bet the answer to this question is C. If I'm wrong, I'll eat my pen."
"Xie Zhiyou, I bet you're one hundred percent in love with that girl from the class next door."
Xie Zhiyou let Ruan Xiangwan win every bet before that one. But for the last, he told her she couldn't win.
At the high school graduation party, everyone had a little to drink and was tipsy.
After it ended, Ruan Xiangwan followed Xie Zhiyou home in a daze.
On his bed, she covered Xie Zhiyou's mouth. "Shh, keep your voice down. Your parents are in the living room!"
"We're adults now," he said with a laugh, pulling her hand away. "What are you afraid of?"
Suddenly, Xie Zhiyou rolled over and pulled the blanket around them both.
The boy gazed at the girl beneath him, her cheeks flushed and her lashes fluttering, his eyes earnest and burning as he spoke up about their final bet: "Xiangwan, I bet I'm one hundred percent in love with you."
2024/7/24
Theme: Study hard, study hard
