Proofreader & Editor:Peter Pan
Half an hour ago.
Girls' dormitory.
Su Qianyi returned to her dorm with a stern face.
She sat at her desk, her complexion far from good.
The words Xie Shu had said in the classroom… she had heard them.
He had spoken those things in front of so many people; she didn't dare linger in the classroom any longer, slipping away before anyone noticed her.
Strange, she was clearly upset, clearly aggrieved, clearly she wanted to confront Xie Shu and demand clarity, so why did she end up feeling scared and running away?
What was she afraid of?
Was she afraid of facing Xie Shu's indifference if she confronted him?
But Xie Shu had always been kind and gentle to her; she shouldn't have such worries.
Although that's what she thought, upon reflection, considering how Xie Shu had ignored her these past few days, her rational mind told her that if she confronted him, she would most likely be met with his cold indifference.
The best evidence was when she took the initiative to sit with him during the first class, and he didn't even acknowledge her.
During the second class, he went as far as to change seats, putting distance between them.
So, she was afraid, afraid of losing face, afraid of being mocked. With so many people around, she couldn't afford to be embarrassed…
Su Qianyi fought back the tears welling up in her eyes; she could never have imagined that Xie Shu would say such things in public one day.
They had known each other for so many years; hadn't he always liked her?
Just a few days ago, he had accompanied her to a social event.
Why was he now saying he didn't like her?
Was he just pretending to get her attention?
But then… why did he seem so genuine about setting boundaries with her?
It was suffocating, so painful.
"Qianyi, why didn't you wait for me? I had no idea when you left," An Tian had just returned to the dorm.
In the classroom, she, like everyone else, had been curious and looked towards Xie Shu.
When she turned back, she realized Su Qianyi had already left.
She had messaged her, but got no reply. With so many people around, she couldn't find Su Qianyi, so she had to head back to the dorm to check.
An Tian, still tired from climbing the stairs and seeing Su Qianyi facing her desk, didn't notice her distress right away.
After setting down her books, she remembered the incident in the classroom and cautiously glanced at Su Qianyi.
Her seat was right beside Su Qianyi's, and a turn of her head allowed her to see Su Qianyi's profile.
Only then did she notice Su Qianyi's reddened eyes, tears held back from falling.
Startled, she quickly approached, asking softly with concern, "Qianyi, are you okay?"
Su Qianyi had been fine, holding back her tears, but An Tian's question broke her defenses, and the tears began to fall freely.
These past few days, Su Qianyi often felt aggrieved and anxious about Xie Shu, but she always found hundreds of reasons to reassure herself that he was only acting that way to get her attention.
And every time, she managed to comfort herself and act as if nothing had happened in front of others.
But this time, she hadn't managed to console herself or prepare her facade before An Tian's caring words breached her defenses.
The floodgates of her grievances opened, and she could no longer control her tears, crying heart-wrenchingly.
An Tian gently patted her back, trying to soothe her, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say, silently accompanying her.
After a good cry, worried that the other roommates would return and see her in this state, Su Qianyi quickly regained control of her emotions.
After drying her tears with a tissue, she voiced her complaint with a whimper, "How could Xie Shu say such things just now?"
An Tian sighed, realizing it was indeed about Xie Shu.
She opened her mouth to speak but swallowed her words.
As Su Qianyi's close friend and confidante, An Tian felt she should take her side.
But what could she say about Xie Shu?
Call him a jerk?
Please, Xie Shu was the most devoted person she had ever seen, steadfastly by Su Qianyi's side for years, an object of envy for many girls.
Now that he was tired of pursuing and didn't want to continue, what was wrong with that?
"What did Xie Shu mean by saying that? Was he trying to embarrass me on purpose?"
"He wasn't like that before; he used to consider my feelings."
"He's so mean…"
Su Qianyi sobbed softly, feeling immensely wronged.
After listening for a while, An Tian couldn't hold back any longer.
"Qianyi, to be honest, Xie Shu has really been good to you. It's rare to find someone who persists in love for so many years. He pursued you for three years without a response; even the warmest heart would cool down day by day."
Su Qianyi stopped sobbing, looking puzzled at An Tian, "What do you mean?"
"Have you ever thought that after persisting for three years, Xie Shu might feel exhausted?"
"Exhausted?"
"Yes, feeling tired and wanting to give up."
"You mean, Xie Shu really…"
"Really doesn't plan to pursue you anymore. He was just speaking the truth back then, nothing more," An Tian finished the sentence for her.
After a long silence, Su Qianyi trembled, "No, Xie Shu wouldn't…"
"Qianyi, three years is not a short time; anyone would feel tired."
"No, he wouldn't, we've known each other for six years, always together, in the same school, same class, same major…"
"Six years!?"
An Tian caught the key point.
College is only three years; how did Su Qianyi say six years?
Su Qianyi sniffled, stopping the tears that threatened to come, and nodded.
"I've known Xie Shu since high school; we've been together often since then, and later we applied to the same college, same major."
An Tian was shocked, "Why haven't you mentioned this before?"
"You never asked."
"Okay, let's not talk about that for now."
An Tian quickly calmed down, admiring Xie Shu even more while feeling more puzzled, and began to question Su Qianyi one by one:
"Qianyi, from high school to college, it's been six years. Honestly, after such a long pursuit, even the coldest heart would be moved, right?"
"I'm curious, why didn't you accept him?"
"I don't know about your high school days, but in college, Xie Shu has confessed to you many times, and you've rejected him every time."
"Do you not like him? Then why allow him to stay by your side? Why not keep him at a distance like you do with other guys?"
"If you do like him, then why reject his confessions over and over?"
A series of "whys" left Su Qianyi speechless.
Why?
Because… it's always been this way?
He confesses, she rejects, then they continue as if nothing happened.
From freshman year to junior year, that's how it's been… just a habit?
She was used to Xie Shu being by her side.
Used to his kindness.
Used to the feeling of his constant care.
Used to…
Over time, it seemed these things had become a given.
And because they had been together for so long, she never really thought that Xie Shu would leave her one day.
She felt Xie Shu would always be with her, always be kind to her, always…
Su Qianyi was silent for a long time.
An Tian didn't know what she was thinking and continued, "Qianyi, you can't always take someone's sincere efforts for granted. Love is a matter for two people. If you like Xie Shu, you can't keep silent; you need to respond."
"I don't like him!"
"Then why cry when he says he won't pursue you anymore?"
"I… I just think it's a bit too much for him to say that in front of so many people!"
An Tian looked at the stubborn Su Qianyi and sighed again.
After a pause, she added, "I saw Xie Shu escorting another girl back to the dorm last night."
Su Qianyi's pupils contracted sharply, turning to An Tian, "Who?"
"I don't know; I didn't see the girl's face clearly."
Su Qianyi's hands on her thighs tightened, unaware of her nails digging into her flesh.
Was Xie Shu ignoring her because he liked another girl?
No, impossible!
How could he like someone else?
Shouldn't he always be by her side?
How could he like someone else?
Seeing Su Qianyi's agonized yet enduring expression, An Tian's eyes flashed with helplessness.
Now she truly understood the saying: the observer is clear-headed, but the involved are lost.
Clearly caring, yet refusing to show it.
And for what?
Pride?
Although she didn't understand Su Qianyi's thoughts, as a good friend, An Tian still tried to help as much as possible.
"Qianyi, if you can't bear to lose Xie Shu, it's best to take the initiative."
"Who can't bear to lose him?"
Ignoring her denial, An Tian continued, "There's nothing wrong with being proactive for someone you like. Think about how Xie Shu never cared about what others said for your sake."
After speaking, she got up to change her shoes, then climbed into bed and started playing games on her phone.
She knew Su Qianyi needed time to think.
Whether to hold on or let go was up to her.
All she could do was offer advice.
After An Tian climbed into bed, Su Qianyi also quieted down for several minutes.
A bit calmer, she went out to wash her face, erasing the tear stains.
Back in the dorm, she climbed into bed as well.
Hiding behind the bed curtain, she opened her phone, clicked into WeChat, and lingered on Xie Shu's name for a long time before finally tapping it.
Su Qianyi: [Xie Shu, what are you doing?]
No reply.
Su Qianyi: [Are you busy?]
Still no reply.
Su Qianyi: [Shall we play a game?]
No response yet again.
Su Qianyi: [It's still early, want to go out for a walk? I want to watch a movie.]