I turned my head and met Xie Junxing's gaze.
He stood there, tall and slender, his face cold. The setting sun cast a gentle light on his shoulders, making him seem somewhat serene. He didn't smile, nor did he speak first, just silently looked at me.
Yet my heart involuntarily beat faster. I blushed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed, and softly began:
"You… did you want to see me about something?"
My voice softened without me realizing it. The corners of my lips unconsciously curved upwards, as if just seeing Xie Junxing had naturally lifted my spirits.
Xie Junxing paused slightly, his eyes wavering subtly. After a moment, he spoke, his voice deep and low but carrying a gentle warmth that made me involuntarily tremble:
"…Ah, I just wanted to invite you to come home with me."
I was slightly taken aback by this. A mix of joy and surprise filled my heart as I thought, "Is he actually inviting me?" Before I could even reply, Yuan Han leaned closer, gently tugging at my sleeve.
"Little cotton ball, why are you ignoring me?"
His familiar tone, half-joking, half-serious.
Xie Junxing looked at Yuan Han, his brows slightly furrowed at the question, and unconsciously repeated,
"Little cotton ball?"
Yuan Han immediately smiled, his face clearly showing his smugness:
"That's the nickname I gave him."
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
I felt Xie Junxing's gaze fall on me. Not harsh, just quiet, as if waiting for me to speak.
"Ah… no, it's not like that."
I quickly explained, gently nudging Yuan Han, then turned to Xie Junxing, my voice slightly hurried:
"Don't misunderstand, Yuan Han was just joking."
Hearing this, Xie Junxing said,
"Oh… really?"
I nodded, my voice still gentle but tinged with embarrassment, and replied,
"Yes."
Xie Junxing didn't ask any further questions, only saying in a warm, deep voice,
"So… will you come home with me?"
Hearing him say that, I happily intended to agree. After all, this was the first time he had taken the initiative to ask. But at that moment, I suddenly remembered Yuan Han.
I turned to look, and happened to meet his downcast eyes and slightly sad expression.
I froze, a strange, familiar feeling rising in my heart. Looking at Yuan Han, I hesitated… about Xie Junxing's words.
Finally, I swallowed my words and turned to Xie Junxing:
"I'm sorry… but I have to tutor Yuan Han today, so I probably can't go."
As soon as I finished speaking, Yuan Han looked up in surprise. His eyes betrayed disbelief as he looked at me.
Xie Junxing didn't show much emotion upon hearing this, but quickly replied,
"It's alright. If you have something to do, go ahead."
I only had time to say goodbye. Watching his back as he turned and walked away, a hint of regret welled up in my heart. But I quickly averted my gaze and turned to walk forward.
Not seeing Yuan Han catch up, I became slightly impatient and turned back to ask,
"Aren't you going?"
Yuan Han was initially stunned, but quickly happily ran to me, chattering incessantly. I just sighed softly, saying nothing, letting him babble in my ear.
Yuan Han looked at me; my face showed no expression, just the usual indifferent look, completely different from when I was talking to Xie Junxing. He secretly thought, "So, in the little cotton ball's heart, he did that... was he also concerned about me?"