Chapter 93: Don’t Apologize (5/9)

“No, no, no, President, calm down first. This isn’t a small matter. You just drank some alcohol, so it’s natural to be a bit impulsive. Maybe you should think it over again?”

Xiao Yi’an waved his hand, as if afraid of something.

He now completely regarded Ye Qingchang as his friend, but at the same time, he couldn’t just handle this complicated situation all at once.

“I’m very calm right now.” Ye Qingchang hiccupped and said so.

It didn’t sound very convincing.

Then, she added, “I’ve thought about it for a long time, Xiao, I like you.”

“President, how can it be like this?” Xiao Yi’an was at a loss, the lingering taste of wheat beer still on his lips.

In his arms was his Literature Club president, the second-ranked school beauty, Ye Qingchang.

Ye Qingchang used to be a boy, and he remembered that clearly.

But he wasn’t that bad a person.

As a friend, no matter the gender, he wouldn’t mind, as long as there was enough affection.

As a lover, if it was genuine love, then he definitely wouldn’t care about the fact that she used to be a boy.

Ye Qingchang had thrown herself into his arms, yet Xiao Yi’an’s hands were still raised, not daring to touch her at all.

He seemed to have a clear boundary: a friend is a friend.

Even if Ye Qingchang was like that person, even if he could never wait for that person.

But now that Ye Qingchang had really thrown herself into his arms, he began to hesitate.

His Literature Club president was right here, tangible and real.

That soft body curled up in his arms, the warm breath she exhaled through her clothes tickled his skin—actually stirred a little itch in his heart.

He knew that all it would take was one sentence, just one simple “Okay,” and he could have a girlfriend every guy would envy.

Ye Qingchang, Literature Club president.

She understood his awkwardness, his literary affliction, and all his interests—whether sudden bursts of passion or moments of sorrow, she would accompany him through it all.

Ye Qingchang was beautiful, cute, and being with her made him feel relaxed and happy.

She was kind, brave, considerate of his mood, and would take the initiative to help with his troubles.

It would definitely be wonderful to spend a long time with Ye Qingchang.

“President, are you sure?”

When he said this, Xiao Yi’an felt like he was dragging it out to the point of being annoying.

It was just one sentence, he only needed to speak up and respond easily—but he just couldn’t say it, as if that sentence carried the weight of a thousand pounds, too heavy for him alone to bear.

Did he really deserve Ye Qingchang?

But Ye Qingchang didn’t seem to think so much.

She wasn’t annoyed by Xiao Yi’an’s hesitation or self-doubt; instead, she tightened her arms around his waist even more.

She simply accepted all of him.

“I’m sure. I like you—that kind of like, in the romantic sense. I want to date you, to be with you.” Ye Qingchang continued.

“I thought you and I were just friends…” Xiao Yi’an felt like his brain was crashing from Ye Qingchang’s sudden confession.

Even his lips, just recently dampened, felt dry now.

“I don’t want to be just your friend,” Ye Qingchang murmured. “I want to touch the words you write, feel your frustrations and joys, know your past and future.”

Clearly, it was now Xiao Yi’an’s turn to speak.

But he couldn’t say anything.

If he refused, Ye Qingchang would be hurt, wouldn’t she?

He didn’t know how much courage it took for her to tiptoe up and plant that kiss, to hold him and confess so romantically.

All he needed to do was say yes, just move his lips and say those two words.

It’s that simple.

“Xiao, say something. Please.”

Xiao Yi’an felt the hands embracing him clench the fabric at his back.

If he agreed, he could have a kind, endlessly patient, adorable girl who cared only about him—someone almost perfect from his perspective—as his partner.

There was no reason to refuse, all he needed was to say those two words.

That’s all. Then he could date someone as perfect as Ye Qingchang.

And this was almost certainly a once-in-a-lifetime chance; it would never come again.

Just say those two words.

Xiao Yi’an slightly parted his lips, and a vague, formless figure flickered in his mind.

His impression of that figure was nothing but cold text messages.

But those messages overwhelmed every corner of his mind.

Just say those two words.

“Sorry…”

Xiao Yi’an lowered his head and said.

He looked at Ye Qingchang, who still buried her head in his chest.

“Half a minute,” Ye Qingchang said, “I’ve held on inside your heart for half a minute. You don’t have to apologize. Just having this half minute makes me very happy.”

Xiao Yi’an didn’t know how to reply; his hands still hovered in the air, not daring to touch Ye Qingchang.

“Can we…?”

At last, the boy saw the girl lift her head—a smile, as if forced.

“Can we not rush so much?” Ye Qingchang said. “Can you give me a chance?”

“President…” Xiao Yi’an was stunned.

He hadn’t expected Ye Qingchang to say something so humble.

He felt like the most unforgivable sinner, and yet Ye Qingchang was still so forgiving.

“I know, I’m nowhere near her now, but can you give me a chance to like you?”

Xiao Yi’an couldn’t refuse. He simply couldn’t.

Seeing that the boy didn’t refuse, the smile on the girl’s face grew a little more genuine.

“I just want you to know, even if you never get the love you want, I will still like you. I will always like you.”

The sea breeze continued, as if waiting for someone to speak the next line.

Empty, with only the waves whispering noisily.

“Mm.”

“And…” Ye Qingchang reached into her pocket, took out another glasses case, pulled out a pair of glasses, and placed them on Xiao Yi’an’s face. “Don’t ever forget me. Don’t forget that I still like you.”

“Mm.”

Ye Qingchang stepped back two paces, hands folded behind her waist. “Finally, Xiao, please fall for me quickly.”

She turned around, her expression instantly cold again.

Perhaps later Xiao Yi’an might notice this, which would only mean harsher punishment for her.

But she was like a gambler who had decided to double down on a losing bet.

If she could avoid being discovered, she would keep making mistakes, keep dodging all the punishments that were supposed to fall on her.

Her expression remained indifferent, as if she had just done something trivial.

Unfortunately, Xiao Yi’an couldn’t see that.

The girl stepped away, following the rise and fall of the waves.

Xiao Yi’an watched her leave but couldn’t catch up.

He was wearing glasses, yet he couldn’t see clearly.

Only now did he realize that the glasses Ye Qingchang gave him weren’t his own but hers.

They should have been clearer to his eyes since their prescriptions weren’t very different.

“Ah.”

The beach was still quiet, the waves continuing their whispered gossip behind people’s backs.

He couldn’t find that sliver of moonlight here, nor could he ever.

Yet again, he saw that girl’s lonely, wavering silhouette leaving under the moonlight.

So soft, it drew all his attention.

All the waters of the world will reunite—Arctic Ocean and Nile River will blend in the poetry’s clouds.