The next day Xie Xiao indeed was woken up by the alarm, which wasn't just the alarm, but also accompanied by knocking at the door as soon as it went off.
Yang Lan's voice sounded outside the door, "Xiao Xiao, the alarm is ringing. Weren't you meeting with classmates at the bookstore?"
Xie Xiao, who was still a bit groggy, suddenly sat up, "I'm up, Mom!"
By the time he finished washing up and changed his clothes, he saw steaming little wontons on the dining table. Old Xie wasn't there; Yang Lan looked at him and said with a smile, "Ah, my son is really handsome!"
Xie Xiao walked over and affectionately put his arm around her shoulders, "Of course, I get it from you~ Did Old Xie go out to play chess?"
"You know him, just that hobby of his. He even made sure to remind me to wake you, said you had planned to meet classmates at the bookstore," Yang Lan said with a smile.
"How come our Dr. Yang is up so early on her rare day off?" Xie Xiao teased, pulling out a chair to sit down. Looking at the bowl of plump, thinly wrapped, generously filled little wontons, it was obviously Dr. Yang's handiwork.
"Ah, it's just a habit, I can't sleep in. Didn't you say last week you wanted to eat them? So I got up and made some. Your dad got jealous again, I even put some in the fridge for you. If you're hungry after evening study, just cook some," Yang Lan sat beside him and watched him eat, her face all smiles, "Don't worry about your exam results; one or two mistakes are perfectly normal..."
Seeing his gentle mother talk, Xie Xiao felt a warm glow in his heart and didn't interrupt her. He just kept eating while listening to her, even offering her a wonton.
Yang Lan shook her head, "I've already eaten."
Xie Xiao finished eating and started to clean up the dishes, but Yang Lan stretched out her hand to stop him.
However, Xie Xiao dodged her, "Old Xie is right, our Dr. Yang's hands are the most important."
Yang Lan's eyes were full of laughter as she watched him clean and then put everything away before asking, "You're leaving now, so I guess you won't be back for lunch, right?"
"Yes, sorry, Mom, especially since you're off today," Xie Xiao said apologetically, also a bit annoyed at himself for not paying attention to the time.
Who knew Yang Lan would just wave her hand, "Even if you came home, there's nothing to eat. At noon the grandson of one of our department's doctors has his one-month celebration, and your dad and I are going to that, so I don't have to worry about you."
Xie Xiao, who was initially feeling very guilty: ...Okay then.
Eventually, Xie Xiao saw it was about time to leave, so he hugged Yang Lan and then headed out the door.
Yang Lan still chased after him a few steps, "Xiao Xiao, do you have money?"
"Yes!" Xie Xiao called back as he waved his hand and then ran off.
Yang Lan shook her head, still such an impetuous disposition.
As soon as Xie Xiao got on the bus, he messaged Luo Yanran, "I am on my way, wait for me. I'll tell you when I'm almost there."
Luo Yanran, who was about to leave, stopped in her tracks, and the driver at the door glanced at her.
Then she looked up and said, "Uncle Wang, no need to drive me, I'll take the bus with a classmate in a bit."
Uncle Wang somewhat disapproved, "I could take you both."
Luo Yanran remained silent for a moment, then looked at her phone and said, "But we find it more convenient to take the bus."
Uncle Wang: ...I don't understand the thinking of young people today.
But seeing her insistence, he didn't say more, just nodded, "Well, Miss, if you need anything, just call me."
Luo Yanran hummed in acknowledgement, took her phone, and walked out. Although it might still take him some time to arrive, she figured walking out slowly would time it about right...
Didn't she say there was no need to pick her up? Why is he still coming...
Her lips curved upward, her eyes shining, but inside she was really happy.
Xie Xiao had just gotten off and sent a message to Luo Yanran, then patiently waited at the entrance.
Spring was almost here, and today the weather was nice, the sunlight was warmly shining, just like his mood.
It had been no more than three minutes since he sent the message, Xie Xiao was sure, and it took him five minutes to walk to Luo Yanran's house even at a normal pace.
Seeing the girl standing calmly before him, Xie Xiao was certain, either she had run out, or she had already been waiting there.
But her breathing was steady, so it was probably the latter.
Xie Xiao slightly curled his lips but didn't expose her little trick, instead he asked, "Shall we take a taxi?"
Luo Yanran, puzzled, responded, "We can get there directly by bus or subway, why take a taxi?"
She wanted to take the bus or subway with him.
Xie Xiao was somewhat surprised, but honestly said, "If we take the bus or subway, it might be a bit crowded, the weekends on this line especially, too many people."
Luo Yanran nodded, "No problem, it's convenient."
Thus, Xie Xiao considered it for a moment, and still chose the subway, as it was comparatively more stable than the bus.
The two walked side by side in the direction of the subway station, neither speaking.
Xie Xiao glanced at the girl beside him, she showed no particular expression, hard to tell what she was thinking.
Today, neither of them wore their school uniforms. She was in a pair of denim jeans, the tight kind that accentuated the legs.
Unfortunately for Xie Xiao, he was somewhat of a leg man. He glanced at Luo Yanran's legs, which looked long and straight under the denim, and her upper body was clad in a simple and fresh doll sleeve shirt, which also flattered her figure. Her long curly hair was not completely tied up today, Xie Xiao saw it seemed braided, then it looked quite a complex hairstyle.
He didn't understand women's hairstyles, but at this moment he knew the person before him seemed more dazzling, very beautiful.
Perhaps his gaze was a bit too overt, Luo Yanran turned her face towards him, "What are you looking at?"
In fact, she was somewhat nervous, Xie Xiao's gaze was too intense, even though she tried to pretend it didn't bother her at first, gradually she found herself becoming clumsy from nervousness, thus she had to turn and break his silent stare.
Xie Xiao smiled at her, "Looking at you, you look very beautiful today."
Luo Yanran pursed her lips, her expression not changing much, but her eyes involuntarily curved, "Hmm, thank you."
After that, they were out of topics again.
Luo Yanran internally scolded herself, feeling like she truly couldn't make conversation, but even though she wanted to come up with a topic, her nervousness consumed her, making it difficult to think of anything to talk about...
Just then, as they were about to enter the station, two little kids also not queuing were chasing and shoving each other forward.
Seeing they were about to bump into Luo Yanran, Xie Xiao quickly reached out, grabbing Luo Yanran, and placed his hand on the chubby child's head, "Hey, what are you kids running for?"
A woman chased after them, grabbing one in each hand, "What are you running for?"
After speaking, she gave an embarrassed smile to both, "I'm so sorry, the kids just run around, did they bump into you?"
Xie Xiao shook his head, "No, but you should keep an eye on them, it wouldn't be good if they bumped into someone."
The woman quickly nodded, apologized, and then took the two kids into the station.
Xie Xiao turned around, only to meet Luo Yanran's flushed face.
He was stunned.