White Sketch

[Updated at least once a month. No reposting, printing, or reprinting without the author's permission.]

(Bright, rebellious girl / cocky math genius)

(All place names, brands, and settings in this novel are fictional. The author has only recently started writing, so please forgive any errors in common knowledge or logic. Yinyin will correct them as soon as possible.)

In the second semester of her first year of high school, Miao Xi became deskmates with Bai Yi'ang, a cool, sharp-tongued math genius.

Despite being a complete beginner at math, she unexpectedly ended up in a study group with him.

Their bond grew stronger and stronger as he tutored her...

*

At an amusement park, Miao Xi gave Bai Yi'ang a glass bead engraved with the English letters "O," "N," "L," and "Y."

She smiled at him. "I hope you can live for yourself and be the one and only you."

A smile appeared at the corner of Bai Yi'ang's mouth, then quickly disappeared. Seeing the box in Miao Xi's hand, he asked, "What about yours?"

She hid the box behind her back. "Mine... is a secret."

Bai Yi'ang only smiled and didn't press her.

The midsummer sun was blazing, and the glass beads on Bai Yi'ang's wrist shone brilliantly. But in the shadows, the bracelet hidden behind the girl's back, engraved with "MEET," became proof of Miao Xi's secret crush.

MEET: To meet.

To meet the one and only you.

*

"I'm transferring schools." Those were the first words he said after they finished arguing. There was no anger, only resignation. He had no way to change his circumstances and could only follow orders.

"Bai Yi'ang?"

"Yeah?"

"Does what you said at the amusement park still stand?"

"It does."

"All right. I'll wait for you to come back. Then we'll go to university in Yuncheng together."

She suddenly turned around, her expression softening. "You said we'd meet at the top."

*

The results came out today.

Miao Xi gazed out the window, her heart pounding with nervous excitement.

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service. Please check the number and try again..."

Everything outside seemed to stand still.

Miao Xi checked her phone again and again. After confirming that Bai Yi'ang's number was correct, she called dozens of times.

But every cold, mechanical voice felt like a blade cutting into her heart.

She hurriedly called Zhao Yi and asked why the number was out of service and whether Bai Yi'ang had changed it.

"I'm sorry, Miao Xi. I don't know why either. I can't... get in touch with him either."

That night, Miao Xi sat by her bed until morning...

Why?

She wondered if she might see him once school started. Maybe he had changed phones and that's why she couldn't reach him.

When school began, Miao Xi went to Yuncheng University of Technology whenever she had a spare moment, asking if anyone knew where he was.

But... four years passed. She became the school's most outstanding lawyer, while he... still hadn't sent a word.

*

Two years after graduation, Miao Xi became the law firm's star attorney.

One day, the firm landed a major case, and the client specifically requested her.

Miao Xi pushed open the door. In the luxurious hotel, a man stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.

"Long time no see, Attorney Miao."

Six years had passed. She thought he would never appear again...

*

The vast villa was silent, with only two faint breaths to be heard.

"Do you like him?" Bai Yi'ang asked hoarsely, his face buried in the crook of her neck.

Miao Xi closed her eyes and clenched her fist. "I do."

"Oh, so you've gotten some nerve. Remember this, Miao Xi: you're mine!"

"Enough! You left without a word and stayed gone for six years. You didn't say a thing or make a single call. After all that, you should know there's nothing between us anymore!"

"Oh, there's nothing between us? Then I'll make sure there is."

Simple, unadorned prose.

Just a few strokes, yet full of feeling.

Just like... how I feel about you.

There are no other embellishments.

Only the four words: "I like you."

Reader's Guide:

1. The leads have only ever loved each other.

2. From campus to the city.

3. Both leads are sexually inexperienced. A youthful secret crush, a reunion after years apart, getting back together, and two strong leads in a satisfying romance.

4. Plot plus steamy scenes... ahem.

Theme: Youth and love