"Have you been waiting long?"
Standing beside Jiang Sui, Su Qing tilted her head upwards. He was truly quite tall, even bending over, she still had to look up.
"Yes, how can you make it up to me?"
It was clearly a polite remark, but the boy shifted his gaze and went along with it. He stood straight, looking down at Su Qing, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
Su Qing was visibly stunned for a moment, then, unknowingly, pulled two lollipops from her pocket and handed them to Jiang Sui.
"Very sweet."
Su Qing rarely interacted with others.
She was known for her gentle and quiet nature. So, despite her soft voice, her eyes still held a natural indifference, hazy and indistinct.
"It's quite sweet."
Jiang Sui immediately took both lollipops, ripped open their pink outer coverings, popped one into his mouth, and then passed one to Su Qing.
His movements were slightly firm, his slender fingers gripping one end of the lollipop. The tender pink sugar contrasted beautifully against the girl's rosy cheeks and pale red lips.
"Nah."
With delicate features, deep-set pupils, thin lips slightly curved, and a prominent nose, he was a thoroughly handsome man. He even possessed a calmness and a sinister air that belied his age. His nonchalance was completely suppressed, and his voice held a hint of tenderness.
Instantly, she could clearly feel the boy's Adam's apple twitch slightly.
Su Qing turned her head away, clenching her fingers tightly together. Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly, then paused, pursing her lips. "Don't be like that."
Her voice was unnaturally soft, and she took a half step back.
She had never known how to refuse, and with all her complexities within, she could only remain stagnant, comparing herself to the young man.
Instantly.
Jiang Sui frowned, wanting to just stuff the candy between the girl's lips.
But he held back.
He felt it was too rude, too wrong.
He couldn't treat her like that. He was so cautious, as if speaking loudly would break her.
He tossed the lollipop back into his mouth, smiled, and calmed down a lot. "I won't scare you anymore. Come on, I'll take you to eat something delicious." He clutched the candy wrapper in his palm. For a moment, he wanted to grab Su Qing's hand, but he held back.
Turning and walking ahead, Su Qing followed behind, head lowered, step by step, neither hurried nor slow.
Su Qing clenched her fingers tightly, her cheeks warm, her heart aching with emptiness, then pounded rapidly, uncontrollably, like it was in her throat.
She wanted to run, or crawl into a hole, simply not wanting to face it.
In the taxi, Jiang Sui seemed to notice the girl's discomfort and didn't sit with her, but took the passenger seat. So, Su Qing was the only one in the back seat, letting out a soft sigh of relief in the cramped space.
"Are you out with your girlfriend?"
It seemed as if all taxi drivers had a knack for being sociable, even assuming they were a couple when it came to handsome men and beautiful women.
Su Qing lowered her head nervously, unsure what to do. She wanted to speak up and clarify immediately. But a voice spoke faster than hers.
"No, classmate."
Su Qing looked up at the boy's back. He had his head down, playing with his phone, as if checking some news. Sitting in the back seat, Su Qing couldn't see the boy's expression.
But, at this moment...
Her heart visibly calmed down, her uneasiness dissipating considerably, and she felt a sense of relief.
Her face relaxed, and the twisted clothes she'd been twisting with her fingers slowly smoothed out.