[Captured on 2023.12.9]
Sharp-tongued softie x scheming, cocky guy
Childhood friends | Both virgins | Secret crush becomes mutual | Healing and personal growth
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Blurb:
The coolest thing Xia Yunye ever did was get into the best high school in the city alongside Qi Shang.
After the exams, she did what she always did: grabbed her acceptance letter, rushed over to Qi Shang's house to read it to him, and confidently declared, humming with delight,
“Qi Shang, looks like our battle for first place is going to drag on for another three years. Can't be helped, when your big sister Xia is so gifted.”
But Qi Shang was sprawled bonelessly on the sofa, legs crossed, game controller in hand. He didn't even spare her a glance, merely curling his thin lips in a faint smile. “Yeah, Xia Yunye really is gifted.”
“The person who cried in front of me after we checked our answers last month must have been someone else.”
Xia Yunye bristled at once. “Qi Shang! If you can't bring that up, do you just not know how to talk?”
She couldn't cry in front of him again. If she did it once, this guy would tease her about it for the rest of her life!
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The most cowardly thing Xia Yunye ever did was secretly fall in love with Qi Shang, the childhood friend who had grown up alongside her. It was a secret she would never dare to confess.
She'd thought high school would be more of the same, with her continuing to excel and placing in the top ten of her grade every time. Instead, all she could do was watch Qi Shang rise to the top, win everyone's affection, become famous, and stand onstage receiving awards alongside other girls.
She wanted to stand beside Qi Shang, too.
Not wanting him to look down on her, and hoping to appear on the same page of the report card as him, Xia Yunye threw herself into studying. She put away her phone and tablet, studied late into the night for a month, and finally rose more than a hundred places.
Then she checked the results and found she was still more than a hundred places behind Qi Shang.
Xia Yunye stared at their names, far apart on the report card, then left school alone, downcast.
When Qi Shang found her, she was hiding behind a wall, crying.
This time, Qi Shang didn't tease her. He silently handed her a pack of tissues and a fresh, juicy peach.
“Finish that and I'll teach you how to solve the problems, so...”
“Stop crying.”
Xia Yunye wiped her tears. She didn't want him to see her in such a state, so she muttered, “What are you doing here? Come to laugh at me? I'm so stupid. There's no way I can learn.”
The next moment, Xia Yunye saw Qi Shang crouch down beside her, one knee on the ground. He touched her head, then brushed the tears from her cheek with his long, slender fingers.
His cool eyes caught the light, shimmering like glass. Her heartbeat hammered in her ears, leaving her dazed and flustered.
“You can learn.”
“Forgot? Xia Yunye is gifted. There's nothing you can't do.”
*
When they were sixteen, the boy gave her a fresh, juicy peach, and Xia Yunye's whole summer turned sweet.
Your steps are too hard to keep up with.
But still,
I want to try walking by your side.
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Reader's Guide (will be updated as needed)
1. The heroine is a slow starter after entering high school, but she'll improve over time.
2. Both leads have to work hard at their studies to earn all their achievements.
3. Both are virgins | Happy ending
Theme: I want to walk by your side
