The voice was muffled, a little shy, "We’re outside."
Arnold Simmons hugged her, his mood delightful, "I know."
"So many people are watching."
"Are they?"
Arnold Simmons patted her back gently and coaxed her in a low voice, "Everyone’s gone inside to watch the movie; there’s no one here."
Hannah shook her head, unconvinced, her fingers clinging tightly to the fabric at his waist.
After a while, feeling slightly stifled, she finally lifted her head and rose on tiptoe to glance around.
Sure enough, there was hardly anyone left.
The people who had been watching the previous movie had already left, and as the new film began, the others had gone inside too.
Hannah exhaled in relief, the loose strands of hair on her forehead tousled and sticking to her skin.
Before she could fix it herself, Arnold Simmons reached out to tuck them behind her ear, casually giving her head a gentle rub. "Tired?"
Hannah nodded, "A little."
Arnold Simmons walked Hannah to the base of the teaching building.
On the way back, Hannah couldn’t help but close her eyes briefly in drowsiness. Now, she was still in a half-asleep state.
She yawned, a light sheen of tears forming in her eyes.
After taking a few steps, she finally rembered to call out a goodnight to Arnold Simmons behind her.
She waved, the corners of her eyes flushed with redness.
Arnold Simmons couldn’t resist. He reached out, pulled her back, and guided her to stand beneath the shadows of a nearby tree.
Hannah snapped back to attention, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest, her eyes still carrying traces of sleepiness, her voice soft, "Arnold?"
"Mm." Arnold Simmons hugged her and lowered his head, "Just one hug."
Hannah fell silent, obediently standing still to let him hold her.
The night breeze carried a faint floral fragrance, the round moon above casting a frost-white glow that blended gently with the warm yellow light from the street lamps.
Sleepiness surged over her again.
Hannah couldn’t help but yawn, her head tilting as she rested it against Arnold Simmons’ shoulder, her voice muffled, "One hug is already done."
Arnold Simmons chuckled quietly, "Not done."
"It’s done." Her voice trailed off, her protest fading away.
The night wind was exceptionally lulling.
Arnold Simmons lowered his head, seeing the girl in his arms with a serene, sleeping expression. Her breathing had slowed; her fingers were still clasping the hem of his clothing.
"Hannah?"
He called her na, his voice softer than the night wind.
Hannah stirred in a daze, her eyes fluttering open. She was about to lift her hand to rub her eyes when Arnold Simmons caught it.
He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the face, speaking to her in a low voice, "Let’s head back. Get so rest early."
...
One sumr passed, and Capital City once again welcod the season where snow blanketed the city.
With more than half a month to go before the Spring Festival, A University had already entered the holiday break. The once lively campus was now gradually quieting down, with red lanterns hanging from branches, their silhouettes swaying in the wind.
The sky had already grown dim by noon, the wind sweeping up fallen leaves.
The weather forecast predicted heavy snow tonight.
This would be the year’s first snowfall.
Hannah received a call from Arnold Simmons.
Outside, the cold wind was howling, but his voice carried a deep and steady warmth, "I’m downstairs by your dormitory."
Hannah hung up the phone and dragged her luggage downstairs.
He was still standing under the large tree, the dark-colored coat he wore suppressing the youthful innocence of his earlier days, already giving glimpses of the commanding presence he would hold in the future. His deanor restrained, his brows somber.
It wasn’t until he saw Hannah approaching with her luggage that the chill in his eyes began to lt away.
During the winter vacation of her senior year, Hannah and Arnold Simmons boarded a plane to return to Seaside City together.
Three years had passed since their last visit, and Seaside City seed to have changed and yet remained the sa—the streets beside the school were just as crowded as ever.
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