049 A Chance Encounter

When Lin Xia finished her bath, she turned on the desk lamp and sat at her desk, an open diary spread before her. She had no recollection of how the day had passed. Only that clear, emotionless voice lingered in her memory. That single sentence, like a pristine feather, drifted slowly into the center of her lake. It tingled slightly, sending ripples across her heart.

She sat there for a long while, unable to write a single word. Staring at the empty page, Lin Xia sighed and closed the diary.

When the camphor trees on campus began to exude their fragrance, and the boys and girls shed their thick winter coats, spring had arrived.

It was a weekend afternoon, and Lin Xia invited Xie Xitong, Sun Xiaoxiao, and Zhao Qian to go to the bookstore together to buy some books. After all, magazines were updated so quickly.

The spring air was just warming, threads of pollen drifted in the breeze, and lazy sunlight bathed everything, blending with the sweet scent in the air and making everyone’s mood seem sweeter.

Zhao Qian pointed to a chestnut vendor not far away and said, “I want some chestnuts—do you guys want any?”

“Let’s go over there and see,” Lin Xia suggested. “There are plenty of snacks along the way. We can eat, play, and then head to the bookstore—it won’t be too late.”

“Good idea.” Sun Xiaoxiao nodded, and she and Zhao Qian crossed the street arm in arm, whispering to each other.

Near the chestnut stall was a cotton candy vendor. Lin Xia was intrigued; it had been more than ten years since she’d tasted cotton candy like this.

“I’m going to buy some cotton candy. Do you want any?” Lin Xia asked Xie Xitong.

“Yes, let’s go together.” The two went to the cotton candy stand. Unlike the cotton candy of their childhood, now there were many flavors and colors.

Lin Xia chose a pure white one; Xie Xitong took a pink. They picked two more pink ones for Sun Xiaoxiao and Zhao Qian. Each holding a large stick of cotton candy, they walked along, eating without care for the looks of passersby.

“Wow, cotton candy! So nostalgic!” Sun Xiaoxiao quickly took the one Lin Xia handed her.

Zhao Qian took hers from Xie Xitong, licked it, and declared, “Eating this now isn’t about the sugar—it’s about the memories.”

“Oh, just eat your candy and stop with all the nonsense,” Xie Xitong laughed.

“Miss, your chestnuts are ready.” As the four chatted and joked, the chestnut vendor interrupted.

“How much is it?”

“Ten yuan.”

“Here, take it.”

The vendor accepted the money. “Alright, take care! Come back if you like them.”

Zhao Qian cradled a paper bag of chestnuts in one arm and held a stick of cotton candy in the other, looking rather comical.

“Hey, you bought so much—can you finish it?” Lin Xia eyed the big bag, doubtful.

Sun Xiaoxiao and Zhao Qian exchanged a look and laughed, “With Tongtong here, we’ll definitely finish it.”

“Don’t let her small frame fool you, she eats a lot,” Zhao Qian grinned, revealing her secret.

Xie Xitong blushed and waved her hand, “Don’t listen to them. I’m still growing, you know?”

Lin Xia laughed, “Being able to eat is a blessing. I can’t eat much, and my mom nags me about it every day.”

“That’s right! Did you hear that? Being able to eat is a blessing. You two can just envy us, hmph!” Xie Xitong grabbed a handful of chestnuts from Zhao Qian’s bag and stuffed a few into Lin Xia’s hand. “Let’s eat, and make sure she finishes them all.”

As they joked, Zhao Qian pointed to the corner up ahead, “Hey, Tongtong—isn’t that your brother?”

“Where?” Xie Xitong’s voice was full of surprise.

“Wow, seeing Brother Zi Mo again—so lucky,” Sun Xiaoxiao said with a slightly lovestruck tone.

Lin Xia’s steps faltered for a moment; she gripped her cotton candy a little tighter.

“They’ve already turned the corner—probably heading to the bookstore,” Zhao Qian said. “Let’s hurry, we can still catch up. Looks like your brother is with Liu Ziqing.”

Hearing Liu Ziqing’s name, Xie’s face changed; she kicked a small stone on the road, grumbling, “So that’s why he didn’t come out with me today—she’s got him wrapped around her finger, hmph!”

Seeing her reaction, Zhao Qian and Sun Xiaoxiao exchanged glances. “So…should we still go after them?”

“Of course! Why not? The street doesn’t belong to them,” Xie Xitong said angrily. “Come on, let’s buy our books.”

With that, she strode ahead on her own.

Lin Xia was a bit confused. She seemed to really dislike Liu Ziqing, but why? By rights, there shouldn’t be any direct conflict between them.

Thinking this, she asked Zhao Qian directly, “What’s going on between Tongtong and Liu Ziqing? Why is Tongtong so angry?”

After spending time together these days, Lin Xia had grown quite fond of Xie Xitong. She was straightforward and sincere, rarely holding grudges over small matters or arguments—so how could Liu Ziqing have offended her?

Zhao Qian didn’t have time to explain, “I’ll tell you next time. Tongtong has a fiery temper—whenever she sees Liu Ziqing, she’s bound to lose it. Let’s go catch up.”

“Yes, we’ll explain later when we have time,” Sun Xiaoxiao agreed.

Seeing this, Lin Xia nodded, and the three hurried after Xie Xitong.

Turning the corner, Lin Xia was taken aback by the scene before her.

What was going on here?

The cotton candy Xie Xitong had been holding was now smeared all over Chen Zi Mo’s white shirt, and Liu Ziqing was dabbing at it with a handkerchief. Chen Zi Mo frowned slightly, saying something to Xie Xitong.

Xie Xitong’s face was colored with unwillingness and anger. As Lin Xia and the others approached, they caught her shouting, “You always help her—am I your sister, or is she your sister?”

The commotion naturally drew the attention of passing pedestrians, who pointed and whispered. Despite the crowd, Liu Ziqing remained calm, responding coldly to Xie Xitong, “There are so many people here, stop making a scene.”

Such dignified words only fueled Xie Xitong’s fury. She was like a bristling kitten, about to leap forward again. Zhao Qian and Sun Xiaoxiao were indignant, while Lin Xia, unfamiliar with the context, kept her composure.

Seeing this, she quickly pulled Xie Xitong back, gently persuading, “Let’s talk about this later. There are too many people—it’s not good.”

Noticing someone sensible, Liu Ziqing turned to Lin Xia and said, “I’ll take Zi Mo home; Tongtong is in your care.”

The moment Lin Xia saw Liu Ziqing, she was stunned. She had always heard of Liu Ziqing’s beauty, and every time she went out, she was surrounded by admirers, but never had Lin Xia been this close to her.

If she compared Xie Xitong to Liu Ziqing, it was like a firefly beside a bright moon; if she compared herself, she could not even match Liu Ziqing’s fingertips.

If only she could earn a smile from her, surely the lingering chill of early spring would melt away.

Looking again at Chen Zi Mo, it was no wonder he wore only a white shirt despite the lingering cold—he had such a beauty by his side.

Glancing at that breathtaking face, then at Chen Zi Mo, she realized that he, standing next to her, was not overshadowed in the least.

Truly, they were a pair made in heaven.

Lin Xia stood there, dazed, lost in these thoughts.