Yun Yi looked at Yun Que'er with a hint of disappointment. "My dear sister, how could you be so smart most of the time but so muddled now? Can't you really tell that the boy next door likes you? Or did you notice but just pretended not to?"
If a thunderbolt were to strike Yun Que'er on the head right now, she wouldn't think it could be more shocking than Yun Yi's words.
"What... did you say?"
Yun Que'er asked almost like a robot, word by word.
Yun Yi's expression grew even more shocked. "You really didn't notice!"
Yun Yi hugged her head and squatted on the ground, letting out a wail.
"Oh my God!"
Yun Que'er was completely dazed. Ji Chengxuan liked her? How could that be possible?
"You must be mistaken!" Yun Que'er quickly explained. "We're just purely friends. Besides, when a boy likes a girl, he usually wants to hold her in the palm of his hand. But Ji Chengxuan teases and bullies me every day. How could he like me?"
Yun Yi looked at her with an expression of hating iron for not turning into steel. "Are you stupid? If he didn't like you, why would he want to be with you every day? Why would he still follow you patiently even though you shout at him every day?"
Yun Que'er really couldn't understand. Had the way of liking someone become so simple and crude nowadays?
Seeing that Yun Que'er still didn't understand, Yun Yi had to use her own experience as an example.
"Before I started dating him, for a while, he also acted very strangely towards me. He either pulled my pigtails or was inexplicably cold. At that time, I really couldn't understand him."
As Yun Yi spoke, she let out a sigh.
"Later, when he finally made me really angry and I was truly mad at him, he confessed his love to me."
Yun Yi stroked Yun Que'er's head. "I think you definitely don't understand. Of course, I don't approve of boys doing this either, but you can't turn a blind eye to his sincerity. Now think carefully. Didn't you feel his concern when he teased you? Don't you have even a little bit of feelings for him?"
Yun Que'er remained silent for a long time, saying nothing.
She was in a daze all the time and didn't even know when Yun Yi left her room.
That night, Yun Que'er couldn't fall asleep again.
She thought for a long time. She had thought she would find something to prove Yun Yi's guess was wrong, but the more she thought about it, the more good things about Ji Chengxuan she discovered.
For example, he was worried that she would fall off her bike, so every day when they went to school, he either pestered her to ride on the same bike or followed her at a distance.
For example, the last time she accidentally got injured because of Zhang Hui, Ji Chengxuan seemed more anxious than she was.
For example, he peeled shrimps for her, and when it was cold, he would always bring an extra piece of clothing for her.
And there were so many more...
Yun Que'er's mind was in a mess, but what became clearer and clearer was the fluttering in her heart, and it became out of control.
The next day, Yun Que'er waited in front of Ji Chengxuan's house initiatively for the first time in a long while, but Ji Chengxuan didn't come out.
After asking Doctor Ji, she learned that Ji Chengxuan had received a phone call early in the morning and left in a hurry.
Yun Que'er had to go to school by herself. Because she was absent - minded, she almost fell off her bike.
But Ji Chengxuan didn't show up at school either. Looking at the empty seat beside her, Yun Que'er felt that her heart was also empty.
It wasn't until afternoon that Ji Chengxuan finally showed up.
"Where were you this morning?"
"Ah, I had something to do."
After Ji Chengxuan said briefly, he opened his textbook and sat there looking at it.
Yun Que'er could tell that in fact, Ji Chengxuan didn't read a single word.
But the person who usually chattered non - stop with her suddenly fell silent. Yun Que'er felt extremely complicated. She wanted to say something actively, but in the end, she just remained silent.
It wasn't until after school in the evening that Ji Chengxuan suddenly spoke.
"Let's eat out tonight."
"Ah?"
Ji Chengxuan turned his head and smiled at Yun Que'er.
"I'll treat you."
The two went to their usual small restaurant and ate in silence.
Yun Que'er always felt that something was strange. After thinking carefully, she realized that it was because Ji Chengxuan didn't joke with her anymore.
Finally, Yun Que'er couldn't stand it anymore and asked actively.
"Is something wrong?"
Ji Chengxuan's hand stopped. After a long time, he put down his chopsticks, as if he had just mustered up the courage.
"I may have to leave."
Yun Que'er's mind went blank. She stared blankly at the person opposite her and it took a long time for her to finally find her voice.
"Where are you going?"
"I really want to continue studying medicine." Ji Chengxuan took a deep breath. "I'm going to study in another province. The admission score for that medical college is lower there. A classmate of my father just happens to be a teacher there. He said that the school will recruit students from other provinces next year, but the prerequisite is that I have to transfer there in advance to take the high - school entrance examination."
Yun Que'er was completely speechless. She didn't know what she was feeling in her heart, but it just felt very sour.
"That... that's great." She said hoarsely.
"Don't you have anything else to say?"
Yun Que'er forced a smile. "It's really great. It's also a very good opportunity for you."
Ji Chengxuan looked at Yun Que'er and suddenly felt a lump in his throat.
*
It wasn't until the day Ji Chengxuan was leaving that Yun Que'er finally showed up.
Since that meal last time, they hadn't seen each other.
Ji Chengxuan was busy with transferring schools, so of course he couldn't go to school with Yun Que'er. Yun Que'er also had a new deskmate.
Actually, Yun Que'er could see Ji Chengxuan if she wanted to. After all, their houses were just separated by a wall. But Yun Que'er didn't know what to say when seeing him, so she simply didn't see him.
Now that Ji Chengxuan was leaving, Yun Que'er couldn't avoid it anymore. So she went to see Ji Chengxuan off with Yun Fujin.
She stood in the alley, watching Ji Chengxuan carry his luggage out one by one, but she didn't say a word.
Ji Chengxuan also kept his head down all the time. After loading the luggage, he got into the car.
"Is everything here?"
"All here." Ji Chengxuan closed his eyes. "Let's go."
The old van sputtered twice and slowly drove out of Yun Que'er's sight.
Yun Que'er subconsciously took a step forward, but didn't know where to go.
"Do you miss him?" Yun Fujin smiled and stroked Yun Que'er's head. "He'll come back."
"Yeah." Yun Que'er nodded blankly. "He'll come back."
Yun Fujin thought Yun Que'er needed some time to digest the fact that her friend was leaving, so he didn't disturb her and went into the house first.
Yun Que'er stood at the alley entrance for a long time. Suddenly, her eyes felt a bit sore.
A woman was pulling a big bag of luggage and walking from the alley entrance. She should be a new neighbor.
When passing by Yun Que'er, probably because the things were too heavy, she accidentally sprained her ankle.
Yun Que'er subconsciously supported her. When she looked up, she found it was an acquaintance.
"It's you?"