Qin Guanglin didn't notice his phone ringing in the corner, completely absorbed in his sketching. His focus was intense; he seldom paid attention to messages when he was painting. If it was urgent, he knew people would call instead.
On his easel, a sketch was taking shape: a young girl bending to sniff a flower, one hand gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. He stepped back, examining the details of her skirt and the flowers surrounding her, letting out a satisfied sigh. This girl was unlike anyone he had met—there was something about her that felt both lively and gentle, an intellectual depth under her cheerful demeanor that felt natural and easygoing.
It had been a month and a half since he met her, and they'd settled into a rhythm, meeting once a week. That initial nervousness had faded quickly; in no time, they were just as comfortable in person as they had been in their online chats. Qin Guanglin glanced at his finished drawing and then picked up his phone.
**Getting lost:** Want to catch a movie?
**Lin Mu Sensen:** Sure.
**Getting lost:** See you soon?
He hesitated, glancing at the sketch. It wasn't dry, and a hairdryer could smudge the details. He replied, suggesting they meet at Xicheng District Square at four. It would give him enough time to wrap up his painting and head out.
After tidying up his studio and cleaning up, Qin Guanglin passed his mother in the living room. She was busy with her antiques, preparing to browse the new arrivals on Xicheng District's old streets. She suggested he accompany her, but he politely declined, saying he was meeting a friend.
The bus ride gave Qin Guanglin time to reflect on his relationship with her. He wondered, "Are we friends, or maybe something more?" He noticed a new icon on their chat: a ship symbol, indicating they messaged each other more frequently than anyone else. It felt almost like a hint, a small confirmation of their closeness.
**Lin Mu Sensen:** Almost there.
**Getting lost:** Me too.
They discussed movie options, settling on *Terminator: Genisys*. Qin Guanglin was a bit surprised—he'd expected her to suggest something lighter. Most girls he knew weren't into action-packed sci-fi, but she was different.
When he arrived at the square, he spotted her looking around for him. Her face lit up as she saw him—a warm, genuine smile. She greeted him with an easy familiarity, accepting the gift he'd promised her: a wrapped sketch from their last meeting. Rather than expressing excitement, she simply smiled and thanked him quietly, leaning a bit closer.
Afterward, they walked to her dorm so she could store the sketch safely before heading to the theater. She seemed lost in thought, unusually quiet as they walked. Qin Guanglin, used to her chatter, let her be, half a step behind her—a habit he'd developed to keep pace and stay mindful of others.
As they waited at the crosswalk, he glanced at her. When the light turned green, she instinctively reached for his sleeve, holding on tightly as they crossed. She always did this, a small habit he'd noticed whenever they crossed the road. It was a little quirk of hers, one he found oddly endearing.
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If you see some inconsistent don't forget to remind me I'm still reading other mtl novels rn can't blame my english alright
Take note I didn't own this novel