As they dined, the conversations flowed, moving from family stories to the latest business ventures and eventually to Ji Yang's studies. Her brother, Chen Yi Jie, teased her occasionally, making her laugh and easing the weight of the day from her shoulders.
Chen Yi Jie: "So, any more surprise outings planned?"
Ji Yang smiled, shaking her head.
Ji Yang: "None that I know of. Today was enough of an adventure."
Her grandfather chuckled, raising his glass in a toast.
Mr. Chen: "To adventures and the unexpected paths they take us on."
They clinked glasses, the sound resonating with warmth and promise. Ji Yang felt a sense of contentment settling over her, knowing that whatever challenges lay ahead, she wouldn't be facing them alone.
Li Yi Ming returned from his unexpected outing with Chen Ji Yang. His thoughts were a tangled mess, a mix of curiosity and an unsettling feeling he couldn't quite place.
He made his way to the campus , where he ran into his friends who just came out of the canteen. The room buzzed with a casual atmosphere as they lounged around, sharing snacks and stories from the day.
Xu Ming looked up as Yi Ming entered, a curious glint in her eyes.
Xu Ming: "Hey, Yi Ming! Where's Ji Yang? Didn't you guys go out together?"
Yi Ming paused for a moment, leaning against the door frame with a thoughtful look.
Yi Ming: "Yeah, she was with me, but she had some other things to do."
Xu Ming nodded, a slight frown of confusion creasing her forehead.
Xu Ming: "Okay, I see."
Just then, Zhou Linlin, who had been scrolling through her phone, let out an amused chuckle.
Zhou Linlin: "Hey, look at this! Ji Yang just posted a WeChat moment. She's having dinner with someone. Look, two glasses of wine!"
The room's atmosphere shifted as the attention turned to Zhou Linlin's phone, curiosity piquing the air. Lai Jia Xin leaned over, squinting at the screen.
Lai Jia Xin: "Let me see. Right, this wine looks expensive. Who's she with?"
Yi Ming's jaw tightened slightly at the mention of Ji Yang having dinner with someone else. The curious whispers around him seemed to amplify his unsettled emotions. He tried to brush it off, but a pang of jealousy gnawed at him.
Yi Ming: "Okay, stop it now. Let's head back to our dorm."
Gu Ran noticed the change in Yi Ming's demeanor and shot him a concerned glance.
Gu Ran: "Oh, right. Yi Ming, have you had your dinner yet?"
Yi Ming shrugged, a cold tone edging his voice.
Yi Ming: "I'm not hungry. I'll head back to the room."
With that, he turned and left the common area, the echo of his footsteps fading down the corridor. His roommates exchanged glances, sensing that something was off.
A Stirring Unease
As Yi Ming walked back to his room, his mind was awash with questions. Who was Ji Yang having dinner with? Why had she left so abruptly? The image of the wine glasses lingered in his mind, a symbol of the unknown.
He tried to shake off the feeling, telling himself it didn't matter. But deep down, he knew it did. It bothered him more than he cared to admit. Despite himself, he was curious about Ji Yang and her life outside their school circle.
Inside his dorm room, the soft glow of his desk lamp cast a warm light over the scattered textbooks and sketches. Yi Ming sat at his desk, absentmindedly tapping his pencil against a sketchbook. His thoughts drifted back to the day's events, from their impromptu adventure to the hospital, to the dinner Ji Yang was having now.
The room was silent except for the faint hum of traffic outside and the occasional distant laughter from the courtyard below. Yi Ming's gaze fell on a blank page before him. He picked up the pencil and began to sketch, letting his thoughts pour out in lines and shades.
As he drew, he recalled Ji Yang's laughter, her earnest concern for Zhang Jun's sister, and the way she had insisted on helping despite not knowing him well. There was something about her spirit that intrigued him—a mixture of determination and kindness.
Yi Ming's Thoughts: She's not like anyone else I've met. Always so full of surprises.
He sighed, setting the pencil down as he pushed the sketchbook aside. The questions still lingered, like unfinished sketches in his mind. Maybe he was overthinking it. Maybe not. Either way, he couldn't deny that Ji Yang had made an impression on him, and it was one he couldn't easily forget.
Yi Ming: "I'll figure it out tomorrow," he muttered to himself, pushing away the nagging curiosity for the night.
The room was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight streaming through the window, casting faint shadows on the walls. Li Yi Ming lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, his mind a whirl of thoughts that refused to let him rest. The events of the day replayed in his head, each moment vivid and charged with emotions he couldn't quite decipher.
He turned onto his side, the cool sheets offering little comfort as he tried to push the thoughts away. But they lingered, persistent as ever. The image of Ji Yang, her laughter, her earnest determination to help Zhang Jun's sister, and the mystery surrounding her evening lingered in his mind like an unfinished melody.
Yi Ming's Thoughts: Why am I thinking so much about her?
He sighed, reaching for his phone on the bedside table. The screen lit up, displaying the time. It was late, and the campus had long since fallen into a peaceful silence. But for Yi Ming, sleep was elusive, his mind restless with questions and curiosity.
Without fully realizing it, he opened WeChat, his fingers hovering over Ji Yang's contact. He hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to text her. A part of him felt it was intrusive, and yet, another part simply wanted to know if she was alright.
Yi Ming's Thoughts: It's just a simple question. Nothing more.
He began typing, each word appearing on the screen with a strange sense of anticipation.
Yi Ming: "Are you back?"
He stared at the message, his thumb hovering over the send button. It felt trivial, yet it carried the weight of his unspoken worries. He took a deep breath and tapped 'send,' watching as the message disappeared into the digital ether.
The waiting began—a silence punctuated only by the rhythmic ticking of the clock on his desk. Yi Ming set his phone aside, trying to quell the nervous anticipation that bubbled up inside him.
Meanwhile, Across Town
Ji Yang sat in the backseat of her brother's car, her thoughts a complex web of emotions. The day had been a whirlwind, and the unexpected encounter with her family had added layers of intrigue to her life. As the city lights flashed by outside the window, she couldn't help but replay the events with Yi Ming at the hospital.
Ji Yang's Thoughts: Who knew he could be so worried? The cold, poker-faced Yi Ming actually cares.
A soft smile played on her lips at the thought. She had always seen Yi Ming as reserved, maybe even a bit distant. But today had shown her a different side of him—a side that was considerate, even concerned.
Her phone buzzed in her hand, pulling her from her reverie. She glanced at the screen to find a message from Yi Ming. It was simple, direct.
Yi Ming: "Are you back?"
For a moment, she hesitated, surprised by the warmth she felt from such a brief message. She typed a quick reply, letting her genuine appreciation show.
Ji Yang: "Yeah, I just got back. Sorry for leaving so suddenly."
She sent the message, wondering if he had been waiting for a response, and why it mattered to her.
A Subtle Exchange
Back in his room, Yi Ming's phone pinged softly, breaking the silence. He reached for it, anticipation mingled with relief as he read Ji Yang's response.
Yi Ming's Thoughts: She's back. That's good.
He quickly replied, keeping his tone light but genuine.
Yi Ming: "No worries. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
The response was immediate, as though she had been waiting to continue the conversation.
Ji Yang: "Thanks, Yi Ming. I appreciate it. Today was...unexpected, but it turned out okay."
Yi Ming smiled faintly at her words, a sense of camaraderie warming the late-night chill. He typed back, feeling a bit more at ease.
Yi Ming: "Good to hear. Let's plan another outing soon—one without surprises."
Ji Yang: "Agreed! Looking forward to it. Goodnight!"
Yi Ming: "Goodnight."
As he set his phone down once more, a sense of calm settled over him. The day had been full of surprises, but it had also opened doors to new friendships and deeper understanding.
The sun rose over the Guangzhou campus, casting its gentle light across the buildings and filling the classrooms with a warm, golden glow. Inside one of the spacious art rooms, students were absorbed in their work, the air filled with the subtle scent of paint and the soft sound of pencil on paper.
Ji Yang sat at her desk, surrounded by her classmates, all of whom were engrossed in their sketches and paintings. The class was buzzing with quiet energy as they translated their thoughts and ideas onto canvas.
She tilted her head slightly, examining her sketch of a landscape that she had been working on for the past few days. The strokes were bold and expressive, a reflection of her mood. Next to her, Yi Ming was equally focused, his attention locked on a portrait he was crafting with meticulous care.
Ji Yang's Thoughts: This is the kind of peace I love—the kind that lets me lose myself in creativity.
The room was a symphony of creativity, each student lost in their world of colors and shapes.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Gu Ran, the class monitor, strode in with an air of authority and a mischievous grin on his face. The chatter in the room died down as the students turned their attention to him.
"Hey, everyone!" Gu Ran called out, raising his voice to ensure he had the entire class's attention. "I've got some news for you all."
There was a collective groan from the students, many of whom were still in the midst of their artistic flow. Ji Yang exchanged a glance with Yi Ming, who merely shrugged, seemingly unconcerned.
Gu Ran cleared his throat, enjoying the attention. "From tomorrow, we'll be having P.E. classes early in the morning, twice a week."
The room erupted into a chorus of complaints and protests.
Classmates:
"Ahh, no! I can't! It's too tiring!"
"Why so early in the morning?"
"I was hoping to catch up on sleep!"
Ji Yang couldn't help but chuckle at the wave of dismay that swept through the room. Even Yi Ming raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Gu Ran held up his hands, attempting to pacify the crowd. "Alright, alright, keep it down! I know it's not what we were expecting, but let's try to keep a positive attitude. It'll be good for us to get some exercise and start the day off right."
The students continued to murmur amongst themselves, some clearly more enthusiastic than others.
Suddenly, the door at the front of the room swung open, and the sound of footsteps drew the attention of Liang Wei, who sat near the entrance. She looked up to see Senior Zhang Jun standing there, holding a cup of milk tea in one hand and scanning the room with a polite smile.
"Senior, who are you looking for?" Liang Wei called out, her curiosity piqued.
Zhang Jun smiled sheepishly, his eyes settling on Ji Yang. "I'm looking for Ji Yang."
Liang Wei nodded in understanding, then gestured for him to come inside. "Oh, Ji Yang? Don't just stand there, come on in!"
As Zhang Jun made his way through the classroom, the whispers among the students grew louder. It wasn't every day that a senior from another department visited, and certainly not one who seemed to have a particular interest in Ji Yang.
Zhang Jun approached Ji Yang's desk, offering her the milk tea with a friendly grin. "Here, this is for you."
Ji Yang looked up, surprised and a little flustered. "For me? Ah, thanks, Senior Zhang. What brings you here?"
Zhang Jun took a seat across from her, still holding his easy-going smile. "Nothing much, just missed seeing you around, so I thought I'd stop by."
His words seemed casual, but they had an undercurrent of warmth that made Ji Yang blush slightly. Meanwhile, Yi Ming, who was seated nearby, caught Zhang Jun's statement and shot him a quick, sharp look that could only be described as a death stare. His usual calm demeanor had vanished, replaced by an intense gaze that didn't go unnoticed by those around them.
Ji Yang cleared her throat, trying to steer the conversation away from any awkward tension. "I see. How is Jingjing doing?"
Zhang Jun's expression turned serious as he replied, "The hospital has given us the date for her surgery. It's the day after tomorrow. We're still not sure if Dr. Xie will be available for it."
Ji Yang nodded, her face showing genuine concern. "Don't worry about Dr. Xie. I'll take care of that. I'm free tomorrow, so I'll pay Jingjing a visit."
Zhang Jun visibly relaxed, a look of relief washing over his features. "Thank you, Ji Yang. I'm sorry to trouble you with this."
She waved off his concern with a gentle smile. "Aya, don't mention it. It's no trouble at all."
As their conversation continued, Yi Ming abruptly stood up, slinging his bag over his shoulder with more force than necessary. His expression was cold, his eyes fixed straight ahead. "I think you're so free, you have no other things to do. Make a way," he muttered curtly, brushing past them.
Ji Yang watched Yi Ming leave the room, confusion etched on her face. "What's wrong with this guy?" she mumbled to herself, shaking her head slightly.
Zhang Jun, sensing the tension, stood up as well, ready to take his leave. "I guess I should get going too. Thanks again, Ji Yang."
Ji Yang nodded, watching him walk away. Despite the lively atmosphere of the art class, she felt a slight unease lingering in the air, the unexpected friction between Yi Ming and Zhang Jun still echoing in her mind.