Xie Shu and Ruan Nianxi passed by a pedestrian street on their way back and decided to grab dinner there.
Afterward, seeing that it was still early, Xie Shu didn't rush ho. Instead, he took Ruan Nianxi for a stroll to digest their al.
A walk after dinner is customary, and though they didn't buy more food, they still indulged in so entertainnt along the way.
The point of going out is to have fun, after all.
As dusk fell, the streetlights shone like a festive array of fireworks, bustling with activity.
There were many couples coming and going, so holding hands, so embracing, and even a simple exchange of glances seed to weave an endless thread of affection.
Xie Shu and Ruan Nianxi, however, seed out of place in such a crowd.
Though they walked together and not far apart, they always maintained a safe distance.
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Ruan Nianxi watched the couples with an indescribable longing in her eyes, wondering if she could ever share such monts with Xie Shu.
Caught up in watching others, she didn't realize when Xie Shu had left her side until she turned around in a panic, only to spot him a few ters away, talking to a vendor selling flowers. She hadn't heard their conversation, but by the ti she looked over, Xie Shu was already scanning a QR code to pay.
The vendor handed him a small bunch of white flowers, not as large as those from a florist, but more than a single bouquet.
It was similar to a bridal bouquet but smaller, fitting comfortably in hand and quite lovely to behold.
After paying, Xie Shu stood up and looked around, only then noticing that Ruan Nianxi was a few ters away.
He was montarily startled, wondering how she got there.
He walked over and presented the flowers to her.
Ruan Nianxi took them instinctively, then ca back to her senses.
"For ... did you buy these?"
Even with the flowers in hand, her first reaction was to worry they weren't for her, prompting her to ask.
After all, buying flowers...
She wasn't sure if it was common for n to buy flowers for won in a platonic relationship, as her roommates always received flowers from their boyfriends.
Boyfriends... But her relationship with Xie Shu was...
"Of course, I'm with you, aren't I? Who else would I buy them for?" Xie Shu interrupted her trailing thoughts.
Ruan Nianxi was taken aback, then her face broke into a radiant smile.
A beautiful woman's smile is even more enchanting.
Her smile could delay the blooming of flowers, captivate a city, drawing sideways glances from passersby.
She tightened her grip on the flowers as if holding onto happiness, her smile unwavering: "Thank you, they're beautiful, I love them. What kind of flowers are these?"
Ruan Nianxi wasn't familiar with flower types.
Xie Shu ca back to reality, his gaze awkwardly shifting away from her face as he cleared his throat: "Gardenias."
Ruan Nianxi buried her nose in them, taking in the fragrance.
Such a simple thing, costing only a few dozen yuan, yet it brought her imnse joy.
This reminded Xie Shu of their middle school days when his parents forbade him from eating snacks. He would buy them secretly, always getting so for Ruan Nianxi too.
Simple treats costing re cents to a few yuan made her incredibly happy.
Perhaps as happy as she was now.
She was so easily contented.
It almost gave him the illusion that no matter what he gave her, she would cherish it.
Watching Ruan Nianxi, still focused on the flowers, Xie Shu checked the ti on his phone. Though it was still early compared to yesterday, it was ti to head back, especially since they weren't near the school.
"Let's head back once we reach the end of this street," Xie Shu suggested.
"Okay."
Though reluctant to part ways, she would listen to anything he said.
They returned to where they had parked the car, Ruan Nianxi still clutching the small bunch of flowers, unsure where to place them.
Xie Shu chuckled inwardly before offering to drive back, having previously suggested it to spare her the fatigue, but she had refused. This ti, however, she agreed without hesitation.
Eventually, Xie Shu took the driver's seat, and Ruan Nianxi sat beside him, still holding the flowers, her smile never fading since she received them.
Flowers! Given by Xie Shu!!
?(ˊ?ˋ*)
***
They soon arrived near the school, and at Ruan Nianxi's request, Xie Shu drove to the gate closest to the residential area.
That gate didn't allow vehicle entry, nor could cars park there for long, but Ruan Nianxi's family was wealthy, and the driver she had sent away in the morning had been on paid standby nearby all day.
He had received a call from Ruan Nianxi early on, instructing him to wait at that gate, so they simply had to get out, and soone would take the car.
At that mont, Xie Shu couldn't help but marvel at how money could make things happen.
Upon reaching the gate, he parked, and they both got out. After the driver took the car away, they entered the school together.
Like before, Xie Shu planned to walk Ruan Nianxi back to her dormitory.
Walking side by side, they saw many couples in the school, so holding hands, so playfully interacting...
Xie Shu glanced at Ruan Nianxi, who was carefully holding the flowers to her chest with one hand, while the other dangled naturally by her side, right next to his.
He caught a glimpse of other couples nearby and felt a stir in his heart.
His hand near Ruan Nianxi twitched, then cautiously curved into a small arc, inching closer to her...
Proofreader & Editor:Peter Pan
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