The University of Los Angeles was vast, and by the time Qin Guanglin stepped out after dropping off the painting, it was already five o'clock. Retracing his steps back to the square, he felt the little hand clutching his sleeve and wondered, with a tinge of humor, where she would hold onto if he were wearing short sleeves. Would she settle for the hem of his shirt?
Lost in thought, he looked down, only to find He fang looking up at him, eyebrows raised in curiosity. "What are you thinking?" she asked.
"Nothing," he muttered, shifting his gaze back to the traffic light.
"Really?" She flashed him a mischievous grin, and her hand slid down from his sleeve to his hand, holding it softly but firmly.
A sudden warmth surged through him, and he felt his pulse quicken. Holding hands—it was such a small gesture, yet one that somehow felt monumental. Did this mean something more than friendship? Or was he reading too much into it?
"Green light," she reminded him gently.
"Oh, right." He kept his gaze fixed ahead, trying to calm his nerves. She let go of his hand as they reached the other side of the road and turned to him, "Are you hungry?"
They soon made their way to a small, unassuming restaurant tucked into a corner. The faded signboard read, "Shao Ji Home-Cooked Food," and Qin Guanglin felt a wave of nostalgia; he had dined here often during his university days. The meals were hearty and affordable, and the owner, Uncle Shao, treated students like family.
"Xiao Qin! Been a while!" Uncle Shao greeted him with a hearty laugh as they took their seats. "What'll you have today? Brought your girlfriend, I see?"
Qin Guanglin quickly waved it off, "Just a friend, Uncle Shao." As they settled in, he watched as He fang carefully rinsed the cups and poured tea, her movements calm and composed.
She smiled and whispered, "Thank you for the painting. I love it."
Uncle Shao soon arrived with a Fushou fish, crispy fried carrots, and fresh cucumber salad—familiar dishes that he'd often ordered in college. They ate quietly, exchanging small smiles and glances, settling into an easy rhythm.
After dinner, he fang reached for her purse to pay, but Uncle Shao waved her off with a grin. "Just 80 will do for you two. Special discount."
As they stepped outside, the sky was painted in soft hues of dusk, and the air was cool and refreshing. They began walking toward the movie theater, and Qin Guanglin felt a growing sense of ease and comfort being beside her.
Meanwhile, across the square, Qin Guanglin's mother, Ma Qin, was happily inspecting a snuff bottle she'd just bought. Walking with her friend Aunt Wang, she suddenly spotted her son.
"Is that Xiao Linzi?" Aunt Wang asked, nudging her.
"It is!" Ma Qin replied, eyes narrowing with intrigue as she noticed the girl beside him. They watched from afar, like undercover spies observing from the shadows.
"Why don't you go over and say hello?" Aunt Wang whispered.
"Shh!" Ma Qin shushed her quickly. "Let's watch them for a minute... see what they're up to."
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