The Blackbird and the Egret

The year of the art-school entrance exams, Tang Nian moved in next door to Yu Che. She was afraid of the dark and kept all the lights on; he was quiet, like a blackbird. Together, they went through those long, fulfilling days of intensive training. She was like an egret that refused to return to its nest, waiting for him; he was like a blackbird that couldn't bring himself to confess, practicing the words, "I like you." Until everything fell into place, just as it should.