The shelf life of yogurt is about half a month, and instant noodles are two years. I don’t know when it started, but everything in this world has its own shelf life.
Is it the same with love? When the novelty wears off, love also slowly fades away.
I didn’t know at that time that fear of losing is actually the deepest concern…

The first week of school seemed particularly long, as everyone seemed to have not yet adjusted to the lazy life during the holidays. Brother Yimo was busy every day as he said, and I hadn't seen him for several days.
Although I can't see him, the scene of our meeting that day is like a romantic movie that replays in my mind every day.
I don’t know if it’s because I miss you or because I have nothing to do, but every time I get home, I just want to lie on the bed and pretend to be a corpse. Xiao Yusen said that I should be given a new nickname - stupid pig!
If possible, there is nothing wrong with being a pig...
"Chinatsu! Chinatsu!"
The first weekend of the new semester finally arrived. Early in the morning, I was lying on the bed dating Zhou Gong, but I vaguely heard someone calling my name.
Isn't today the weekend? Why are you waking me up so early?
I rubbed my eyes and drowsily responded, "I need to sleep a little longer!"
"Chinatsu, it's daddy!"
"Dad? Which dad?" I continued to ask vaguely. At this moment my brain was completely controlled by sleepiness.
Dad! Dad is back?
Thinking of this, I immediately sat up from the bed, hurriedly put on my pajamas, opened the door, and immediately gave my father who came home a big hug.
"dad!"
"Chinatsu!"
It’s only been over a week since we last met, so why does it feel like several years have passed?
"Dad! I missed you so much!" I acted like a child.
"Chinatsu, Dad misses you too. Are you having a good time in the new semester?" Dad touched my hair lovingly.
"Hmm..." I answered perfunctorily, only then I realized my stomach was growling with hunger.
"Chinatsu, are you hungry right after waking up? Go have breakfast, Dad has prepared it! By the way, is Yusen home?" Dad took me into the kitchen with a kind smile on his face.
"Well, he's probably still sleeping in." I said unhappily with a pout.
I grew up with Xiao Yusen, and my father is very familiar with him. He is so familiar with him that every time my father goes on a business trip, he will ask Xiao Yusen to take care of me.
But I don’t want to tell my dad that I actually spend more time taking care of that guy!
The morning sun softly enveloped every corner of the kitchen, the aroma of food filled the kitchen, and my laughter and my father's laughter intertwined like a beautiful piece of music.
"Chinatsu, this time when Dad comes back he has a difficult mission to accomplish." Dad took my hand and asked me to sit next to him.
"What's up?"
"Look, Chinatsu, you are very beautiful, except...your teeth are a flaw. Daddy has decided to take you to get your teeth straightened."
This... is this a bolt from the blue?
I stared at my dad with wide eyes and shook my head: "No, no, no! Braces are so ugly! I don't want to go!"
"You won't be ugly! This is for your whole life. If you don't get your teeth straightened now, you will regret it later!"
"I don't believe it. How can I not be ugly with braces? We'll talk about the future later..." In the spirit of enjoying life in the moment, I tried to brush it off with a smile.
I don’t want to wear braces, and I don’t want to get a new nickname at school – “Braces Girl”!
"Qianxia, ​​listen to what dad said. If in a few years, everyone's teeth are straight and beautiful, but yours are crooked, then when you're applying for a job or going on a blind date..."
"Dad! What are you talking about?" My cheeks immediately became hot when I heard the word "blind date". Oh my god, how could Dad say this to me? You know, I am only a teenager now! A teenager!
"But these are all facts, Chinatsu."
"But……"
"Don't say buts. Dad took a special leave to come back and take you to get braces. This is a process that every child with crooked teeth has to go through. It's no big deal. Our Chinatsu is the best, right? After her teeth are straightened, our Chinatsu will be more beautiful..."
It only took my dad a few words to get me to go from shaking my head to nodding.
Will I become more beautiful after wearing braces?
If I were prettier, would Brother Yi Mo like me?
I muttered to myself.
But this time, it seems that what Dad said was wrong!
After returning from the hospital, the corners of my mouth remained droopy.
Whenever I look in the mirror, I can clearly see my mouth full of "big steel teeth", which even I find both ridiculous and scary.
Woohoo…
Dad is a liar!
I didn't want to speak at all, because as soon as I opened my mouth, those big silver teeth would be exposed immediately.
"Qianxia, ​​Dad is going to go next door to see Xiao Yusen. You should have a good rest at home."
"Dad, don't let Xiao Yusen come to our house. I don't want him to see my teeth!" I shouted loudly in the quilt.
I don't want to hear Xiao Yusen's ridicule!
I lay in bed depressed, waiting for time to pass.
I was immersed in an extremely depressed mood all weekend, until my dad had to go on a business trip again, until I had to go... to school!
On Monday morning, I walked out of the house with a nervous mood, but as soon as I opened the door, I was blocked by a huge black shadow.
I raised my head and my eyes met Xiao Yusen's.
"Yin Qianxia, ​​if I don't come to play with you, will you not come to me?"
Uh, Brother Xiao, I don’t want to see you.
I kept repeating this in my mind, but I didn't want to speak. I didn't want him to see my teeth, so I just kept silent and walked straight towards the school.
"Yin Qianxia, ​​are you mute?" Xiao Yusen followed me and observed me carefully as if he was an alien.
You are the dumb one!
"Idiot, why don't you speak? Even though you're a little bit stupid, you usually talk a lot!"
You are the idiot! You are the biggest idiot in the universe!
"Hey, hey, hey!" It seemed that my attitude angered Xiao Yusen. He suddenly leaned close to my ear and roared loudly.
Ah! My eardrum! Xiao Yusen! You are the dumb one, the fool!
Are you going to burst my eardrum? It hurts!
I cursed in my heart and gave Xiao Yusen a look that I thought was very fierce. Humph! Since I can't speak, I will defeat you with my eyes.
All the way, Xiao Yusen's mouth kept opening and closing, as noisy as a sparrow.
When did he become so talkative?
finally……
"Ah! It hurts!" I screamed as the familiar pain spread through the roots of my hair, completely forgetting the belief I had always held on to - I must not let Xiao Yusen find out that I was wearing braces!
But it seems too late.
Who would have thought that Xiao Yusen, such a despicable and sinister guy, would resort to such a vicious trick! I opened my eyes wide in anger, but found that his expression was completely frozen.
"Qianxia...your teeth?" Xiao Yusen stayed where he was, with a dazed expression.
"Yes, yes, yes! Are you happy? You finally found out? I'm wearing braces!" I decided to go all out and admitted the tragic fact with regret.
"Hahaha!" Hearing what I said, Xiao Yusen's expression immediately made a 180-degree turn, and an exaggerated smile appeared on his face, "Oh my God! Yin Qianxia, ​​I haven't seen you for a few days and you have turned into 'Steel Teeth Girl'. It seems that I can't call you stupid anymore!"
What……
How could he think of that, Steel Teeth Girl?
"Xiao Yusen! I warn you, don't joke about me wearing braces! Otherwise... otherwise I will really be angry!" I changed my usual easy-going attitude and warned Xiao Yusen seriously.
"Are you angry?" Xiao Yusen suppressed his smile, but within half a second he burst out laughing again.
This damn guy!
I walked towards the school quickly with big strides, pretending not to hear him no matter how he called behind me.
Is this still my best friend? How dare you laugh at me like this? I hate it!
I walked into the classroom in a terrible mood, and Meng Meng greeted me head-on: "China, you're not late today."
Ah, I absolutely cannot open my mouth! I don’t want my classmates to find out that I have transformed from a “young girl” into a “girl with thick teeth”!
Looking at Meng Meng's neat white teeth, I walked towards my seat in a daze without answering anything.
Oh, Meng Meng, I'm sorry!
I spent a few days in anxiety. During these days, I spoke very little, and if there was anything that had to be communicated, I just nodded and shook my head to complete it.
This is all my dad's fault! It's also Xiao Yusen's fault!
If my dad hadn't taken me to get braces...
If Xiao Yusen hadn't been the first to laugh at me...
When I thought of this, I became even more depressed. You know, every time Xiao Yusen wanted to talk to me these days, I turned around and walked away.
I really don't want to pay attention to him!
As my best friend, how could he laugh at me? He should comfort me and care about me!
Thinking of this, I sighed, stood up from my seat angrily, and prepared to go to the bathroom and go home after school, but I happened to run into Xiao Yusen who walked in with his homework book.
It's really a narrow road for enemies...
"Stupid, don't be angry with me! You've ignored me for a few days. How about I make you a super delicious burger tonight?" When I passed by him, he suddenly came close to me and whispered.
At such a close distance, I could even hear his heartbeat clearly.
"Hmph!" I uttered a single syllable from my nose to show my disdain. I won't accept your kindness, you bad guy!
I strode past him with my head held high and headed towards the bathroom as if I didn't hear what he said, but I heard an unexpected conversation at the bathroom door.
"Chinatsu has been acting strange lately. Every time I talk to her she doesn't answer!"
"Yeah, I don't know when she became so arrogant. What's so great about it."
“That’s what I mean!”
There were several familiar voices coming from the toilet. They were girls from our class. Although we were not familiar with each other, at least we would exchange smiles when we met.
Unexpectedly...
But I also have my own reasons. I am not arrogant, nor do I think I am great.
Because of these damn braces, everyone misunderstands me.
I stood at the door of the toilet in a daze, feeling as if all the strength in my body had been drained away, until a hand was placed on my shoulder, and I suddenly came to my senses.
"Qianxia, ​​what are you doing standing here?" Su Mengmeng patted my shoulder and asked in confusion.
"I..." I turned around and ran away in panic, afraid of being discovered by the girls in the bathroom.
"Chinatsu, Chinatsu, what's wrong with you?" Su Mengmeng followed my footsteps, staring at me carefully while still looking back.
I wanted to explain, but when I thought about my ugly braces showing when I opened my mouth, I quickly stopped talking and continued walking aimlessly.
"Qianxia, ​​Qianxia, ​​what happened?" Su Mengmeng kept asking behind me. Seeing that I didn't look back, she rushed in front of me and blocked my way!
Su Mengmeng's face was full of anxiety and confusion: "Qianxia, ​​you must explain clearly today why you have become so indifferent recently?"
I took a deep breath and just wanted to explain clearly, but I felt a strong force rushing towards me from behind. I staggered and almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, I held on to the railing next to me and avoided a disaster.
But the loud “bang” that followed made me stand there in a daze.
My eyes were fixed on the floor, where the broken glass reflected countless lights and shadows. In front of me, there were several tall and thin figures standing.
The leading boy stared blankly at the debris all over the floor, while the others stared at me with suspicion.
"Hey, how are you walking?" Before I could react to what was happening, Su Mengmeng, who was standing next to me, couldn't help but yell at those boys.
Seeing Su Mengmeng's angry look, a boy with a spiky brown hair came out from the back of the team. Under the golden sunlight, his black eyes were full of cunning. He pointed at the broken glass on the ground, raised his head and said indifferently: "It was your friend who bumped into us, why did you bite him first?"
Seeing the guy's arrogant look, I really wanted to rush up and beat him up, but with my size and strength, it was like hitting a rock with an egg. I also wanted to wave my hands and curse him, but I couldn't let these guys laugh at my braces.
"You are the one who bites people!" Su Mengmeng's fair face flushed with anger.
The scene became awkward and tense, and I really regretted not pulling Su Mengmeng away earlier.
I harmed her...
These damn boys!
"Did I say something wrong?" At this point, the boy with the spiky brown hair turned his gaze to me. Seeing me remain silent, a malicious light flashed across his eyes. "Come on, ask your friend if she bumped into us. If she broke the equipment used in the lab, you have to pay for it."
What's going on? It's like he can see through my thoughts and knows that I don't want to speak, so he deliberately picks on my weak spot. Thinking of this, I couldn't help but lower my head.
"Yeah, let her speak for herself!" The other boys also echoed.
More and more students gathered around, and beads of cold sweat broke out on my forehead.
Su Mengmeng held my hand and gave me a nervous look.
"Qianxia, ​​tell them quickly that it wasn't you who hit them." Su Mengmeng leaned close to my ear and whispered through gritted teeth.
My thoughts were stuck.
I really want to tell the truth, but once I speak, everyone will see my braces and I will be laughed at...
"Chinatsu!"
Su Mengmeng's voice rang in my ears again. My nails dug into my palms and a slight pain began to spread from them.
What should I do? What should I do?
Should I tell everyone the truth, or continue to remain silent?
Why can't we always have the best of both worlds?
Why do bad things always get bigger and bigger like a snowball?
well……
"What's going on? It's so lively."
A voice that couldn't be more familiar rang out.
In the backlight, the figure approached little by little.
Su Mengmeng, as if she had found a savior, pulled him over and pointed at the boys opposite and said, "It's them. They wrongly accused Qianxia of hitting them!"
As soon as Su Mengmeng finished speaking, I felt a sharp gaze falling on my head. I lowered my head tightly, not daring to look at Xiao Yusen's expression.
This guy must be secretly looking down on me, right? He must think I'm useless...
No, I can't let this guy look down on me...
"Bang--"
I was just about to look up and give Xiao Yusen an indifferent look when Xiao Yusen punched the wall next to him.
"Wow! A fight is about to break out!"
"Xiao Yusen is so cool! He looks so handsome when he's angry!"
The crazy girl next to me was actually in the mood to gossip...
A few black lines slid down my forehead, and the next second I grabbed Xiao Yusen's arm.
This guy was punished to stand a few days ago. If he fights again today and the teacher finds out, he will definitely suffer a lot...
Xiao Yusen glanced at my hand that was tightly holding his, and the anger on his lips gradually subsided, but the boy opposite seemed to be furious.
"What do you want, kid?"
"Yeah, you wanna fight? Why are you so rude when you see a senior student?"
Faced with the accusations and provocations, Xiao Yusen did not speak. He tilted one corner of his mouth, exuding a faint aloofness, and his eyes revealed a look of disdain.
Just as a war was about to break out, a serious and calm voice came from the back of the crowd.
"What are you doing?!"
Everyone was attracted by the sudden sound and turned around, only to find that at the end of the corridor, the bald director of the academic department was walking towards the crowd with a gloomy face.
"The Director of the Training Department is here! Let's go!"
"Yes, let's go quickly."
When the director was still a few meters away from us, the crowd who had just been watching the excitement suddenly dispersed.
Su Mengmeng and I stood there in amazement, watching the disappearing crowd.
"What's going on?" the director asked with full dignity.
The boys were about to say something, but Su Mengmeng spoke first.
"Director, these seniors are bullying us! We were standing here discussing study problems, but they walked without looking at the road and bumped into us, then said we bumped into them. Xiao Yusen was so angry that he stood up for us." Su Mengmeng pointed at those boys, her eyes filled with tears and her pitiful appearance made me put a few more beads of sweat on my forehead which was already covered with cold sweat.
When did we stand in the corridor to discuss and study?
"Zhao Yingcheng, you guys are really lawless!" After hearing Su Mengmeng's words, the director shouted at those boys.
"Hey, Director, this is unfair! How can you only listen to the one-sided words of that little girl?"
"Then tell me what the situation is." The director glanced at the boy with brown hedgehog hair and said unhappily.
"The truth is—" The brown hedgehog-haired boy walked up to me with an arrogant expression, pointed at me and said, "This girl was so careless that she bumped into the lab equipment we had carefully prepared and broke it! And because she didn't want to pay for it, she even said it was us who broke it."
"You're talking nonsense! It was obviously you who bumped into Qianxia! And now you're slandering her!" As soon as the brown hedgehog-haired boy finished speaking, Su Mengmeng retorted angrily.
The director stroked his chin, looked at Su Mengmeng, then looked at the brown-haired boy, and finally set his eyes on me: "Student, you are the protagonist of this matter, how about you tell me what happened?"
Afterwards, Su Mengmeng's eyes, Xiao Yusen's eyes, and the eyes of those boys were all focused on me.
Faced with such a scene, I immediately lowered my head.
"Director, look at her, she has already admitted that she was the one who did something wrong! Don't wrongly accuse a good person." The boy with brown hedgehog hair said in a slightly proud tone.
"Yes, Director, we don't always do bad things."
I felt the gaze above me getting more and more intense. I wanted to explain myself, but as soon as I opened my lips, I subconsciously pursed them tightly. No! I would be laughed at...
"Director, I will take responsibility for any mistakes! She refused to speak because she had her own concerns. You can ask her in private." At this moment, Xiao Yusen's voice sounded again.
I looked up in surprise.
"Oh? Any concerns?" The director looked at me carefully with an inquiring look on his face.
I nodded slightly and looked at Xiao Yusen in gratitude for standing up for me, but that guy turned his head away and ignored me.
"Okay, that's it. Zhao Yingcheng, you guys go sweep up the broken glass. And this student who helped out, you will be responsible for the sanitation of your classroom today. And this student -" the director pointed at me and walked forward, "Just follow me to the office."
"Director, what about me, what about me?" Seeing that the director was going to take me to the office, Su Mengmeng asked worriedly.
"It's none of your business. Everyone go home, go home after school?" After saying that, the director waved his hand and strode forward.
Giving Su Mengmeng a helpless look, I followed her.
"Student, can you please tell me what happened just now?" The director began to ask as soon as he closed the office door.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on the palms of my hands, and my lips trembled as I tried to explain, but my dry throat couldn't make any sound.
"Student, do you have any concerns?" The director lowered his head, looked straight into my eyes, and asked with concern.
Thinking about everything that just happened - Su Mengmeng who helped me, and Xiao Yusen... I seemed to have regained a little courage.
"Just now, Su Mengmeng and I were passing by the corridor. I was chatting with her when I was suddenly bumped into, and then...then I heard the sound of glassware breaking. It really wasn't me who bumped into them. I was standing there without moving. I didn't dare to say it just now because..." At this point, I grinned and revealed my ugly braces, "It's because I wear braces, and I was afraid of being laughed at by my classmates, so..."
Seeing that I was hesitant to speak, the director's frown relaxed: "Haha, I thought it was a big deal, it's just a brace! Everyone goes through times when they don't look good. Didn't Cinderella need crystal shoes to become a princess? You should treat your braces as the crystal shoes to become a princess..."
I lowered my head, listening to the director's earnest teachings, and the confusion in my heart seemed to be slowly unravelling.
"Okay, remember what the director said, don't be afraid, girls with braces are also very cute!" Finally, after a long list of teachings, the director gave the closing remarks.
"Okay, thank you, Director. I'll remember it." I nodded repeatedly.
"Let's go. That guy is very protective of you. You should cherish friends like him." When I turned around and prepared to leave, the director's sudden words made my cheeks burn.
The way Xiao Yusen defended me just now appeared in front of my eyes again.
I don't know how that guy is doing now...
It was already late when I walked out of the teaching office, and the whole campus was in silence. The sky was like a canvas splashed with colorful paint, interweaving warm colors, and the setting sun cast a charming halo among the clouds.
I walked slowly to the classroom and saw Xiao Yusen wiping the blackboard.
Should I apologize to him and then make peace?
Just when I was hesitating, Xiao Yusen turned his head and noticed me, then walked towards me step by step with a sly smile.
Looking at Xiao Yusen approaching slowly, I was a little at a loss. Although he had laughed at my braces before, it was me who caused him to be punished today, and the director also said...
That guy is very protective of you. You should cherish such a friend...
A trace of heat crept up my cheeks, and I quickly lowered my head to hide it, while the emotion in my heart was also secretly spreading.
But after a while...that familiar pain in the back of my head came again.
"Xiao Yusen!"
Suddenly, the feeling of being touched was driven away by anger, and I turned around and yelled at him in frustration.
"What are you yelling about? You caused me to get punished, and you don't come to help?" The guy said this and swaggered towards the utility room.
This guy! Why does it make me want to beat him up!
I stamped my feet and reluctantly followed his pace.
After a lot of joking, I finally finished cleaning the classroom with Xiao Yusen. We both sat on the clean floor, looking at the results of our labor with gratified smiles.
"Hey, thank you today." I glanced at Xiao Yusen and a smile appeared on the corner of my mouth.
"No thanks. Bye. I have something to do and I'll leave first." After saying that, Xiao Yusen suddenly stood up and walked out of the classroom.
Before I could say a word, he left me alone.
I stood there in a daze until his back shrank into a black dot in my sight, and then I came to my senses.
This guy didn't even wait for me?!
The evening breeze was blowing, and the night frost wet the stone platform beside the path. The cherry trees planted on both sides had passed their flowering period, but the dense branches and leaves were still shining in the moonlight.
When can I take off these damn braces?
Why did Xiao Yusen leave me alone to go first?
Suddenly, a cool touch hit my forehead, and then a cherry blossom-like fragrance drifted into my nose with the wind.
"What is our Chinatsu worried about?"
It’s Brother Yi Mo!
It's his voice!
I raised my head and saw Brother Yi Mo standing quietly under the dim light with a warm smile on his face. His handsome eyes were slightly narrowed, like a noble and elegant cat.
Why is Brother Yi Mo here?
“Boom—boom—”
My heart started beating rapidly again.
No, no, I can’t speak. I can’t let Brother Yi Mo see my ugly appearance.
Thinking of this, I lowered my head and stared at my toes.
"Chinatsu? Chinatsu? I haven't seen you for a few days. I came here today specifically to wait for you."
It turned out that he was waiting for me specially, Brother Yimo...
But my braces...
I clasped my hands together and shook my head helplessly.
"Is Chinatsu unhappy?"
It was that gentle voice that seemed to drip water...
How can I get rid of it? How can I reject such tenderness?
It seems like no matter how hard I try, I just can't do it...
I clenched my hands tightly and slowly raised my head: "I, I..."
The hesitant voice echoed in the quiet alley.
The street lights cast a layer of yellow halo on Brother Yi Mo, making him look even more dreamy and charming.
"Hmm...it turns out that Chinatsu is afraid to speak because she's wearing braces." Feeling the cool touch on his forehead, a hint of tenderness appeared at the corner of Yi Mo's brother's mouth.
I covered my mouth in fear when he saw through me.
The next second, a soft touch gently covered my hand.
I opened my eyes wide, and my heartbeat was completely out of my control.
Brother Yimo gently took my hands and gently moved them away from my lips: "Don't be afraid, Chinatsu is also cute with braces."
“Boom—boom—”
There was no sign of my heart beating slowing down.
"Shall I take you home?" Brother Yi Mo asked tentatively when he saw that I didn't say anything.
I nodded gently.
"Brother Yimo, have you finished your work recently?" Looking at the street lights stretching our shadows very long, I finally mustered up the courage to speak after calming down a little.
"Well, I'm done. Our new home is in the community in front, you can come and visit anytime." Brother Yi Mo turned around and smiled at me.
Looking at him like this, I couldn't help but grin.
"That's right! Chinatsu always looks beautiful when she smiles, whether she wears braces or not."
I am really grateful for the dim light at this moment, so that Brother Yi Mo cannot notice my blushing face.
It seems that no one has ever told me that I am beautiful except my dad!
That annoying Xiao Yusen, except for insulting me, basically never praises me!
It seems that there are still people who can discover my beauty!
Thinking of this, the corners of my mouth widened even more...
"Chinatsu, there's nothing to feel inferior about wearing braces. A pretty girl like Chinatsu will still be cute even with braces!" Brother Yi Mo's praise was like the fresh air at night, instantly waking up every cell in my body.
"Thank you, Brother Yimo. I will be brave!"
"Yeah, I believe in Chinatsu!"
"ah--"
Just as I was immersed in this wonderful atmosphere, my foot suddenly stepped on something like a banana peel. My foot slipped and I fell forward without warning.
I closed my eyes tightly, but unlike what I imagined, my body actually fell into a warm embrace.
I held my breath and opened my eyes, only to be surprised to find that Brother Yi Mo was holding me firmly. His embrace seemed like a cradle woven with feathers, and at this moment, I was like a lost fledgling, resting safely in the safe harbor.
His slightly wrinkled eyebrows, clear eyes, high nose, and thin lips were all covered with silver starlight.
Mmm... so beautiful, so gentle... makes me want to reach out and touch it...
I slowly raised my hand, and a voice that couldn't be more familiar came to my ears.
"What are you doing?"
This was followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.
I hurriedly broke free from Brother Yi Mo's embrace, and the moment I turned around I saw -
Xiao Yusen rushed towards the two of us like an angry little lion, his face full of aggressive expression, and his clenched fist hit Brother Yi Mo's shoulder with lightning speed.
Brother Yi Mo took a few steps back in pain, his brows instantly twisted together.
The path that was very quiet just now has become dusty, and a restless atmosphere permeates the air.
Xiao Yusen stood in front of me arrogantly, glaring at Brother Yi Mo fiercely, his hands clenched into fists, as if ready to attack at any time!
"Stop! Xiao Yusen!" After seeing this situation, I came to my senses and immediately rushed forward, trying to stop Xiao Yusen's crazy behavior.
However, Xiao Yusen rushed towards Brother Yi Mo again.
This guy is crazy! Crazy!
I pulled Xiao Yusen, but he showed no sign of stopping. He threw a left hook towards Brother Yi Mo's face.
I made up my mind and stood between Brother Yi Mo and Xiao Yusen, watching the fist about to land on my face!
It happened in a flash. Just when I was ready to be punched away, the fist with wind did not hit my face as expected.
I opened my eyes and met Xiao Yusen's angry eyes.
"Xiao Yusen! Are you crazy?" I asked through gritted teeth.
This guy is really crazy! What happened to make him do such an irrational thing?
"This guy is taking advantage of you! Get out of the way!" Xiao Yusen's voice was extremely cold, and he looked like he would pounce on Brother Yi Mo and tear him into pieces at any time.
I swear, I have never seen Xiao Yusen like this. He looked like a devil from hell.
"This is a misunderstanding..." After hearing Xiao Yusen's words, I tried to pull his arm over.
"Qianxia almost fell just now, and I just helped her up. You seem to have misunderstood." Brother Yi Mo did not fight back, but continued to explain what I said.
I turned my head and saw a glaring scar on Brother Yi Mo's fair face . His expression was gentle and calm, without a trace of ripples.
I felt a trace of anger in my heart: "Xiao Yusen! When did you become so violent? Are you crazy? Why do you hit people?!"
A look of shock appeared on Xiao Yusen's face, but soon he struggled to hide it, and a cold smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"Qianxia, ​​I'm fine, don't worry." Brother Yi Mo put his hand gently on my shoulder, as if trying to calm me down.
But when I saw Xiao Yusen's face without any guilt, my body couldn't help but tremble slightly. Now I am really angry! Very, very angry!
I looked at Brother Yi Mo with guilt in my eyes, then turned around and looked at Xiao Yusen standing beside me.
"Xiao Yusen, since you were little, whenever you encounter problems, you always use force to solve them! Do you know that this is very childish?"
"When did I start to like using force to solve problems? Why don't you tell me?!" Hearing what I said, Xiao Yusen frowned and his voice became louder.
Looking at Xiao Yusen who showed no intention of repentance, the images of him getting bruised and battered every time he got into a fight over the years flashed through my mind one by one: "You're still saying no! In junior high school, who got into a fight with the fat kid in the class and injured his eyes? Also, who got angry and punched Su Chen's nose crooked at that time?"
"Why don't you ask me why I fought with them? If they hadn't bullied you, would I have been so angry that I hit them?"
"They bully me, so you have to use force to solve the problem? You are childish! Extremely childish! I hate your childishness the most!" My head was filled with anger, and I had no way of listening to any explanation from Xiao Yusen.
These words were like a sharp blade, cutting Xiao Yusen's heart again and again. The anger that had originally flashed in his eyes was slowly replaced by a strange emotion.
I kept quiet and stared at Xiao Yusen quietly.
At this time, if he quarreled with me or scolded me, I would know what to do. But when he remained silent, and even... even had a look of hurt in his eyes, I didn't know what to do.
Xiao Yusen took one last look at me, turned around and left without a word of rebuttal, his back looking a little lonely.
I turned my head to look at Brother Yi Mo. The glaring scar did not match his handsome face at all, making me want to reach out and wipe it away.
"I'm sorry... This is all because of me." I lowered my head and apologized, not knowing whether I was apologizing for myself or for Xiao Yusen.
"It's okay. The boy is so angry because he cares about you." Brother Yi Mo's voice was still so gentle, like a sweet and cool mint candy.
"Is Brother Yi Mo very angry with me? Will he... ignore me when he sees me from now on?"
"Of course not, how is that possible?"
"Really?"
"Of course it's true!"
After getting brother Yi Mo's assurance, I returned home under his escort. When I passed by Xiao Yusen's house, my steps slowed down. Should I go find Xiao Yusen?
If I think about it carefully, even though Xiao Yusen's actions just now were so violent and impolite, he did those things because he was worried about me. Were my words a bit too harsh?
I grumbled to myself but still didn't have the courage to open his door. I wasn't prepared to apologize to him or to ask for clarification.
That night, he didn't come to see me, and I didn't go to see him. It was as if we had agreed that neither of us would go to see the other.
Holding the small mirror, I stared out the window in a daze.
Tonight, the moonlight is as gentle as a veil, reflecting my little sadness and making it seem light and airy.
Xiao Yusen's expression at that time replayed in my mind again and again until I slowly fell asleep.
"Ding-ling-ling--ding-ling--"
"Ah! I'm going to be late!"
Early in the morning of a new day, I dazedly picked up the alarm clock, and the first words I said were such a scream.
I finished cleaning up in a hurry and looked at myself in the mirror. The dark circles under my eyes were as big as a panda's, my face was slightly yellow, and my lips were dry and peeling.
Forget it, never mind! I don't want to be late, and I don't want to be punished to clean the toilet!
When I arrived at the classroom, the first thing I looked at was Xiao Yusen's seat. There was only dancing sunlight on the empty seat.
Why hasn't he come yet?
I looked outside the classroom, and in the early morning sunlight, several dark shadows came into my sight.
It's the boys who always laugh at me...
I lowered my head slightly, ready to face their ridicule, but strangely, they walked past me quietly without saying a word of ridicule. When I looked up, I saw that one of them had a bruise on his face, looking so embarrassed.
Then something even more surprising happened. Those girls who had said I was cold actually smiled at me.
"Morning, Chinatsu!" A girl greeted me with a smile.
"Yeah, good morning." I didn't care about the obstruction of my braces and uttered a single syllable in panic, feeling a little flattered.
Oh my god, did something happen that I don't know about? Why does it feel like everyone's attitude has changed 180 degrees in just one night?
"Mengmeng, what happened? Why... are those boys who called me 'arrogant ghost' so quiet today?" I pulled Su Mengmeng to hide in the corner of the classroom and asked in a low voice.
"Huh? Chinatsu, you have braces, no wonder you don't talk. Oh, by the way, didn't you know?" Seeing my braces, Su Mengmeng seemed to understand something. Surprisingly, she didn't feel strange, but opened her eyes wide and continued to gossip with me seriously, "I heard that those boys who liked to laugh at you yesterday were severely beaten up!"
I was wondering why one of the guys had a bruise on his face, and it turns out he looked so miserable!
"Who hit me?" I continued to ask who was the "great benefactor" who helped me.
"I don't know about that. They didn't say anything. It's just that those girls who always talk about you have become a lot more obedient." Su Mengmeng pinched her chin with one hand and analyzed like a little detective.
"Forget it, no matter what, as long as they don't target me anymore!"
Thinking of this, my mood suddenly became as bright as the sunshine outside the window. Thinking of Brother Yimo's encouragement and the laughter fading away, my fear of being seen by others also dissipated a little bit...
But what was strange was that Xiao Yusen did not show up for the entire morning.
Whenever there was the slightest movement at the classroom door, I would prick up my ears and open my eyes wide, imagining that the person pushing the door in the next second would be Xiao Yusen, but I always ended up disappointed.
Is he still angry about what happened yesterday and that’s why he skipped class?
If I see him later, should I apologize?
No! Don't! It's obviously not my fault.
“Ding Ling Ling——”
The bell rang at noon, the classroom door was pushed open, and a familiar figure stood at the door - Xiao Yusen!
He briefly glanced around the classroom, his eyes stayed on my face for half a second, then he walked to his seat with his schoolbag.
"Brother Xiao, are you skipping class again?" Seeing that he ignored me, I walked straight to him and patted his head gently with my hand, but was surprised to find that he also had a bruise on his face!
Brother Yi Mo didn't fight back at all yesterday! Where did his injury come from?
"I'm not your brother. How many times do I have to tell you before you understand?" Xiao Yusen retorted unhappily, turned his head away and ignored me.
"You...how did you get hurt?" I reached out and tried to touch Xiao Yusen's wound, but he pushed me away.
"Don't bother me! You're finally willing to speak!"
"Hmph, I'm not bothered by my braces at all anymore! Xiao Yusen, you're too petty. Are you still angry about what happened yesterday? Actually, I should be the angry one, right? And you even skipped class today!" I pouted in dissatisfaction. You know, since this morning, these ugly braces are no longer a bother to me.
Speaking of which, Xiao Yusen loves skipping classes the most, and he tries every possible way to do so. But the strangest, most unfair, and most incomprehensible thing is that his transcripts are always surprisingly good.
"No, I'm not angry. Why didn't you go to see your big brother today?" Xiao Yusen returned to his true self and retorted without showing any weakness, emphasizing the three words "big brother".
Big Brother...
I am confused.
Oh! Are you talking about Brother Yi Mo?
"Huh? Who said I won't go find him? I'll go find him as soon as I get out of school!" I smiled proudly.
"you……"
Xiao Yusen stood up suddenly, the smirk that had just appeared on the corner of his mouth disappeared instantly, his eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and he looked very angry.
What's wrong with him lately? He's always like a gasoline barrel that can explode at any time!
"What's wrong? Are you angry?" I moved closer to him with a smile.
"ah--"
I didn't expect Xiao Yusen to be so quick to reach behind me and pull my braid hard. The worst thing was that before I could say anything else, he actually spoke first: "I hate you the most, Yin Qianxia."
Wha…what?
I was stunned, looking at Xiao Yusen's face, trying hard to find any trace of mischief on his face, but... no!
His brows were slightly furrowed, his eyes were cold and distant, and even his mouth, which usually loved to joke, was raised in a cold arc.
This kind of Xiao Yusen makes me feel a little strange.
"Are you kidding me!" I said awkwardly.
"I'm not kidding, I really hate you!"
He said very seriously, very seriously -
He hates me?
Snap——
My heart seemed to have a crack suddenly appearing. I lowered my head helplessly, and a sour feeling rose in my chest, rushing straight to my eyes. There was wet liquid swirling in my eye sockets. I ordered myself to take a deep breath and tried hard to control the moisture in my eyes.
Xiao Yusen turned his head, his lemon-colored hair fluttering in the wind, and his clean profile was shrouded in an imperceptible loneliness.
I turned around quickly and walked out of the classroom.
I never thought that one day, that familiar little brat, that little brother Xiao who always sticks to me, would say something like this.
The feeling of frustration flooded over my heart like a tide, and the expression on my face remained frozen at that moment.