Chapter 46

“There are sixpence all over the floor, but I looked up and saw the moon.” —Liu Yu.

—Little Monster's Diary

In the first week of school, there weren't many classes, and on Fridays, most students would go out for a meal and then return to self-study or go online for a bit.

There was an internet cafe nearby where boys played a game called DOTA. Every weekend, three to five friends would gather to play together there. I heard there were even league matches participated in by teams from various universities.

Ding Xian originally planned to go to the library to study after dinner. She had just received her textbooks for linear algebra, mathematical physics, and programming, and she needed to make a decision soon.

On the dim horizon, a blood-red fiery cloud floated in the sky. The three youthful figures gradually disappeared beneath the cloud cover, and Ding Xian suddenly stopped walking.

Her roommate Xu Shasha looked back at her suspiciously, "What's wrong?"

Ding Xian regained her composure, glanced at Xu Shasha, and said, "Why don't you go eat first? I need to go out for a bit."

Xu Shasha was from a small town in the south, with an introverted personality, a soft and gentle voice, and many thoughts. Her delicate eyebrows and pleasant eyes were typical features of a southern girl. She looked at Ding Xian, said nothing, nodded, and said okay.

The other two roommates were on a diet, so only Xu Shasha went to the cafeteria alone. Ding Xian waited for her to go inside, then got up and walked out of the school.

The internet cafe was crowded on Friday. When Ding Xian entered, it was almost full, mostly with boys. It was noisy, and a strong, unpleasant smell of sweat wafted over her. Her ears were filled with the loud clatter of keyboards and mice, and people were shouting and swearing at each other. Yuan Fang and his two friends hadn't arrived early either; there was only a triple seat left by the entrance.

"Crystal Maiden, Crystal Maiden, go! Damn it, I'm dead, what are you hiding for?! Damn it."

"Damn it, Old Yuan, you noob, our base is pushed, damn it, can't you put in some effort? You can't let Siyue solo every game!!!!"

Right after he finished shouting, Yuan Fang's screen suddenly turned grey, his character lying on the ground. He threw down his mouse with a 'thud' and rubbed his face in annoyance: "I was wrong, bro, you're awesome."

The person in the middle remained silent throughout, calmly and skillfully controlling the mouse and keyboard. His slender fingers rested lightly on the keyboard, his gaze fixed on the game screen. Not long after Yuan Fang died, Cao Wenjun also heroically fell. Only Zhou Siyue and another teammate were left, fighting against time. Both waited for respawn while nervously watching Zhou Siyue's computer.

"Minions, minions, damn it."

"Just push."

It was very noisy, but Zhou Siyue had his headphones on, a furrow in his brow, not saying a word, his fingers moving deftly.

Until the second before Yuan Fang respawned, the screen suddenly lagged, then slowly zoomed in. They won. Yuan Fang admitted defeat, giving Zhou Siyue a thumbs-up: "You're amazing, another solo game."

Zhou Siyue had his back to her, so Ding Xian couldn't quite see his expression. She only saw him casually leaning back in his chair. If it were before, he would have definitely said to Yuan Fang with a mocking expression, "No problem."

Now, he probably just gave a cold smile, seemingly uninterested in anything.

Cao Wenjun put on his headphones: "Again."

Hearing this, Zhou Siyue leaned forward, his slender fingers adjusting his headphones, putting his recently exposed, resting ears back inside. He placed his hand on the keyboard, typed a few times, and waited for the screen to jump to the matching interface. Then, he grabbed the water on the table, drinking casually while waiting for the game to start.

Yuan Fang suddenly stood up, "Wait, I'll go buy a bottle of water."

Ding Xian was startled and quickly ran out the door, rushing downstairs.

Yuan Fang asked the front desk for a bottle of water. Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he glimpsed a familiar back, and couldn't help but look suspiciously at the door a few more times. There was no one at the door, only two transparent, yellowed door curtains gently swaying.

Returning to his seat, Yuan Fang put the money back in his pocket and told the other two, "I think I just saw someone."

Cao Wenjun asked, "Who?"

Yuan Fang put on his headphones and said, "Just that Junior Sister Ding."

Zhou Siyue instinctively looked back, scanned around, and seeing no one, calmly turned back.

Cao Wenjun looked bewildered, finally remembering who this Junior Sister Ding was. He laughed and said to Yuan Fang, "No way, Yuan Fang, are you really smitten? You're even hallucinating now?"

Yuan Fang also felt suspicious. 'It can't be a hallucination, can it? Could I really have fallen for that little girl?' He glanced sideways at Zhou Siyue beside him, sighing with a touch of melancholy.

It was almost eleven at night, and the game had left them mentally muddled. Yuan Fang couldn't hold it anymore and ran to the restroom. Just as he pulled up his pants and came out, a soft "Senior Brother Yuan Fang" startled him so much he almost peed his pants. He looked up and saw a girl leaning against the wall, smiling sweetly and playfully at him. He couldn't help but pat his chest to calm himself: "You scared me to death, Junior Sister Ding, what are you doing here?"

"I came to write some materials."

Yuan Fang's nose was sharp this time. "The school has a computer lab. Why don't you go there to write? What kind of materials does a young girl come to an internet cafe to write?"

Ding Xian smiled and didn't answer. "Aren't you guys leaving yet?"

Yuan Fang lowered his head to wash his hands, not looking up: "Are you asking me or that person?"

Ding Xian suddenly remembered a sophomore senior Xu Shasha had mentioned before. So, she slowly reined in her smile, her gaze fixed on Yuan Fang, and slowly, step by step, approached him.

Yuan Fang was startled by her sudden proximity. The hairs on his back stood on end, and he instinctively retreated step by step until his hands were forced to brace against the sink behind him. He stammered, "You... don't get agitated first. This matter was just passed around among us brothers, not many people know. It's mainly about Siyue; everyone's curious. Otherwise, no one would spread it..."

Ding Xian stopped two steps away from him, her eyes glistening as she looked at him, and said in a soft voice, "Senior Brother Yuan Fang, I have a favor to ask of you."

The young girl's voice was sweet, making Yuan Fang feel a tingle down his spine. He closed his eyes: "Tell me, tell me."

Ding Xian smiled gently, then, with a serious face, began to fabricate a moving and poignant love story about two childhood sweethearts who grew up together, only to break up due to a misunderstanding. Yuan Fang listened, utterly stunned, with question marks filling his mind. But then, recalling Zhou Siyue's past behavior, he felt as if it really could be true.

'No wonder he's so cold to women; it turns out he suffered a heartbreak. He always looks so melancholic, and some girls are just drawn to that kind of act.'

Yuan Fang felt that all his doubts about Zhou Siyue over the past year were now resolved. He seemed to have uncovered some shocking secret. His previous stirrings of interest in Ding Xian were now completely gone, replaced entirely by curiosity: "So, what are you going to do?"

Ding Xian casually said, "Of course, I'll forgive him."

Yuan Fang was almost moved to tears: "You're making this senior brother want to fall in love! Alright, senior brother understands. If you need my help with anything in the future, just say so. Should I give you his number? You can text him if anything comes up."

Ding Xian shook her head. This was not part of her plan. She would make Zhou Siyue ask for her number himself.

"You give me your number instead."

Yuan Fang readily agreed and rattled off a string of numbers. Ding Xian listened once and memorized them. She handed him the McDonald's bag she was holding. "Don't play too late tonight. You guys can share this. The spicy ones are for you and Senior Brother Cao, he doesn't eat spicy food."

Ding Xian, like an old mother, again reminded him to return to the dorm early and absolutely not to tell anyone, including Zhou Siyue, about these matters. Yuan Fang foolishly nodded as if pounding garlic, and only then did she leave through the back door with peace of mind.

Yuan Fang, holding a plastic bag of McDonald's, watched from the window as the young girl's slender figure disappeared into the night. He silently sighed: 'If I had a girl who was so devoted to me, why would I even bother with internet cafes?!'

Back at his seat, Yuan Fang tossed the items onto the table. Zhou Siyue glanced at them, then his eyes returned to the game. Cao Wenjun casually said, "You went to McDonald's?"

Yuan Fang was now filled with all sorts of envy, jealousy, and resentment. He huffily said, "If you two are hungry, just pick some up and eat. Don't be shy. Siyue, help yourself."

Zhou Siyue didn't even lift an eyelid: "Thanks, I'm not hungry."

"No way, you have to eat. I specifically ordered a non-spicy one for you."

"..."

Zhou Siyue then looked at Yuan Fang suspiciously. Among boys, such details usually weren't paid attention to – who ate spicy food and who didn't. And he never specifically emphasized that he didn't eat spicy food when sharing meals with Old Cao and the others; he would just order non-spicy if he ate alone.

Just as a game ended, Cao Wenjun reached for one and took a bite, suppressing a laugh: "How come I feel... Yuan Fang, you're turning gay."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Siyue's mouth twitched. He threw down his headphones and stood up. Having been hunched over all night, his neck was stiff. He shook his arms and left.

"You're leaving?"

Yuan Fang called out from behind.

"Restroom."

His voice, which hadn't spoken many words all night, was low and hoarse.

—

When Ding Xian received Yuan Fang's text message, she had just gotten out of the shower. Her phone vibrated twice on the table.

1 unread text message.

Opened.

"Junior Sister Ding, we've returned to the dorm."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Yuan."

Just as she put down her phone, another one came in.

"Oh, and Junior Sister Ding, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly was the misunderstanding that caused you and Zhou Siyue to break up?"

Ding Xian stared at her phone, her lips slightly pressed together. Moonlight softly streamed in from the window, illuminating the top of her head. The moonlight was clear, and her wet hair was still dripping water. Without blinking, she quickly typed a reply on her phone.

She typed a bunch of characters, but then Yuan Fang sent another message: "Never mind, it's fine if you don't say. You should go to bed early, sigh."

Ding Xian deleted the pile of words she had originally typed and replied—

"Senior Brother Yuan Fang, thank you."

"I think Siyue probably hasn't forgotten you. Actually, he had applied to live outside with a friend before and hadn't been back to the dorm for a long time. After you came, he moved back in."