Mr. Anderson regained his focus, cleared his throat, and said, "Let's go." He glanced at William and added, "Helping girls is what male students should do."
William gave him a puzzled look. Just a moment ago, he was calling it an excuse, and now he was saying this.
Mr. Anderson was still contemplating that matter, considering asking Mr. Johnson to inquire whether the young girl would like to switch to a better class.
Since Ellie usually goes to the bookstore to read on Fridays, Susan doesn't pick her up on Fridays.
The path outside the school is lined with sycamore trees, which had already lost all their leaves in the autumn, leaving only bare trunks that look somewhat lonely in the sharp wind.
The birds that nested in the trees during the spring and summer seasons had long migrated to warmer places in the south.
Ellie is a bit sensitive to the cold, she wrapped her new scarf tightly around her neck.
Looking at William's hands exposed to the cold, she asked, "Are you cold, William?"
William shook his head, looking at her small face buried in the scarf, and said, "Shall I call a cab?"
He didn't mind waiting for the bus, but it was indeed a bit cold, and he didn't want Ellie to wait.
Just as he finished speaking, Ellie said to him, "No need to call a cab, William, lower your head a bit."
William obediently lowered his head, and Ellie put the scarf around his neck and wrapped it around once. She said, "It's too cold, just make do with my scarf."
William chuckled, "As long as the little teacher doesn't mind me wearing your scarf."
Ellie shook her head, "I don't mind."
After she finished speaking, she saw the green bus and said to William, "The bus is here."
"Okay."
Ellie put in money for both of them and got on the bus.
There were no empty seats left on the bus.
As more and more people got on, Ellie was jostled and almost fell to the ground, but fortunately, William caught her.
William grabbed the pole and enclosed Ellie in his arms, saying, "If you can't stand steady, hold on to me."
"Okay." Ellie looked up and could see William's smooth and handsome jawline. She whispered, "William."
William looked down at her: "What's wrong? Is it too crowded?"
"No, is the bag on your arm heavy?"
William chuckled, "The little teacher is underestimating me, it's not heavy."
The bus suddenly braked sharply, and Ellie, who was holding onto William's arm, was caught off guard and collided into William's arms.
She grabbed William's clothes before she could steady herself.
It seemed that choosing the bus today was not a good choice.
William glanced at her in his arms, small and well-behaved, which made his heart soften.
William saw her rubbing her nose tip, freed one hand to pinch her nose tip, and asked, "Did it hurt when you hit it?"
Ellie shook her head, "No."
William, looking at her obedient appearance, really wanted to reach out and pinch her face.
After the bus had been driving for a while, many passengers got off, and the space finally became more spacious.
William looked at the empty seat next to him and said, "Little teacher, quickly take that empty seat."
Ellie sat in that empty seat and then said to William, "Give me the bag in your hand, I'll put it on the ground first."
"Okay."
The air conditioning was on in the car, and Ellie pulled her scarf down a bit, then said, "William, are you hot? Shall I help you take off the scarf first?"
"No need." William looked down at her, his eyes filled with laughter, as he said, "After dropping off the things and going home, where are you going? Are you still going to the bookstore?"
Ellie thought for a moment and said, "Yes."
"If there are no classes today, I'll go with you."
"Sure." Ellie smiled at him.
...
After getting off the bus, they arrived at the community where Ellie lives.
William escorted her to the downstairs and said, "I'll wait for you downstairs."
"Okay."
William watched her small hands carrying those things and said, "Can you carry all of them? Do you need me to see you off?"
"No need, I'm already downstairs."
Although Ellie said she didn't need help, William still escorted her to the elevator, and he said, "I'll wait for you downstairs."
Ellie obediently replied, "Okay."
He waited outside and opened Happy Puzzle again.
In just a few minutes, Ellie came out of the elevator.
William looked up from his phone and said, "You're quite fast."
Ellie smiled, "I just went up to drop off something."
...
In the bookstore.
Ellie took off her scarf to save a spot and quietly asked William, "What type of books do you usually like to read?"
William looked at her approaching head and whispered, "I don't often read books, what type do you usually like?"
Ellie thought for a moment and said, "Mystery and Reasoning, and I love to read many other types of books."
"Then I'll take a look with you."
"Okay."
Ellie led William to a bookshelf where she often read.
There were many books on the shelf, and after looking up and down for a while, Ellie pointed to the top shelf and said, "William, help me get 'The Disappearing Staircase' from the top shelf."
William took down that book and handed it to Ellie, saying, "Are there any recommendations? Help me choose one, little teacher."
Ellie looked around, thought for a moment, pulled out the book "Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse," and whispered to William, "I read this book in the bookstore last time, it was quite good, I just don't know if you like this type."
William chuckled, "It's okay, we'll see after reading."
The two sat face to face.
William flipped through the book, and it was very quiet around, only the sound of paper turning.
He looked up at Ellie, who was sitting very straight, her apricot eyes slightly lowered, her curly eyelashes casting a shadow. Her posture was similar to when she was in class, and she was engrossed in the content of the book.
Perhaps sensing William's gaze, Ellie looked up, leaned closer, and whispered to him, "Do you still like this type of book? If not, let's change to another one."
William shook his head gently and said to her, "I like it, no need to change."
Ellie smiled at him and said, "That's good."
Her smile was very sweet, her apricot eyes curved like crescent moons, and William also started to smile along with her.
William was reading intently when he noticed a pair of small hands tugging at his sleeve.
Ellie whispered, "This book is missing pages. I'll tell the manager and then get another one."
William stood up and said, "I'll go with you."
"Okay."
Ellie took the book to the desk where the staff were.
"Is there a problem?"
"This book is missing pages, two are missing, take a look."
The girl in the red uniform took the book from Ellie and said, "It is indeed missing pages, thank you."
"You're welcome."
She logged the book's number and left the book there, then said to Ellie, "There are other unsealed books on the shelf, you can switch to one of those."
Ellie said, "I know, thank you."
She whispered to William, "Let's go."
She hadn't taken a few steps when she heard a voice behind her: "Ellie."