She withdrew her gaze and turned to look at Xiao Yu, seated on the aisle side. He must not have slept well last night; deep fatigue showed in his eyes, but he kept them open, thinking about something.
She watched him for a while. Seeing he really wasn't going to sleep, she pulled her hand from his hold, took off her backpack, and started rummaging through it.
Feeling her hand leave, Xiao Yu perked up. He watched her fiddle: "What are you looking for?"
As he spoke, she pulled out a wooden box. He watched her open it to reveal a pair of double-fish pendants.
"You have something like this?" he asked. The jade was exquisitely carved—the craftsman was definitely skilled. But the design looked a bit outdated. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have thought it was from another era.
"Remember last time we went to help the elderly? The old lady we cleaned for gave it to me."
Ye Qingli said slowly. Xiao Yu ran his hand through his bangs and smiled wryly: "Shameful to say. I went to help but ended up causing trouble and running off. Didn't help at all; just made things worse." He turned to pinch her cheek: "The old lady gave you this nice thing. You're really likable."
Over the past few days together, Ye Qingli had noticed that Xiao Yu loved pinching her cheeks until she couldn't speak clearly. He only let go reluctantly when she was about to get mad. This time was no different. Ye Qingli slapped his hand away and said seriously: "That old lady's husband left it for her. She said, 'One person, one pendant, double fish share one heart.' She told me to give it to someone I like to wear together."
She took out one piece: "See, this pendant isn't big. Why don't you try wearing it?"
"I've never worn jade. Is it easy to break?"
"Your body isn't made of iron."
"...I see you've learned to talk back. Who taught you?" Xiao Yu shot her a sidelong glance, then took off the cross necklace from his neck and slowly put on the pendant, handling it with care as if afraid to damage it.
"Who else could it be, other than you?" Ye Qingli watched him adjust it. He touched the pendant, unsure whether to tuck it inside his clothes so others wouldn't see it or leave it out where it might get damaged. She chuckled softly: "It's okay, really. Just leave it out."
Then she put on her own.
Now they truly shared one heart.
A smile spread across Xiao Yu's lips. So this is what it felt like—truly liking someone and being in a relationship didn't bring boredom, only anticipation. Like his world—he had walked through overgrown weeds and finally found his own flower field.
He held her hand tightly. Traveling with someone you love was inherently joyful, but time really did fly. It felt like no time had passed before the overhead announcement warned passengers for Gu Cheng to get their belongings ready—they were arriving.
They couldn't deny that their hearts were full of reluctance.
Xiao Yu pulled her suitcase with one hand and held her with the other as they got off. The wheels of the suitcase screeched against the platform. Once they left the station, Ye Qingli's mood sank further. She finally realized how much she liked him—just a separation of a little over a month made her this sad.
She shook their joined hands. Xiao Yu was about to ask what was wrong when he turned and saw her reddened eyes. He slowed down, rubbed her hair, and pulled her head into his embrace: "What's wrong? You're going home soon and still unhappy."
Ye Qingli gripped the clothes at his waist, sniffing. It wasn't that. She was unhappy because he had no home.
Passersby glanced at them. Xiao Yu stroked the back of her neck—it was smooth. He bent slightly, his mouth near her ear: "Don't you hate it when people stare? Look at you now, you're making me look like a jerk."
"Aren't you?" she said weakly.
Xiao Yu chuckled: "You're riling me up again."
Ye Qingli quickly composed herself, afraid her parents might notice later. She wiped the corner of her eye and looked up at him: "Xiao Yu, would you like to spend Chinese New Year at my place?"
That was clearly unexpected. Xiao Yu paused: "Have you told them you're in a relationship?"
"...Not yet."
"Then how are you going to invite me? Say I'm your classmate? You'd bring a male classmate home for New Year? Your parents aren't fools; do you think they'd buy that?" Xiao Yu laughed at her.
"..." That made sense. Ye Qingli bit her lip, then said: "Then I'll tell them I'm in a relationship as soon as I get back."
Damn, he'd never realized how obedient this girl could be. Xiao Yu couldn't help it. Ignoring the crowd, he grabbed her neck and planted a light kiss on her lips. Startled, Ye Qingli quickly covered her mouth and pulled back, her face flushing: "What are you doing? With so many people, aren't you embarrassed?"
Xiao Yu let out a muffled laugh, looking like a proper scoundrel. He said: "What's the rush? Keep it a secret for now. We can talk later. It's not like we won't last. When your boyfriend has the ability, then you can tell them."
Ye Qingli felt happy at the words "won't last," but quickly caught herself: "Why wait until you have the ability? My parents aren't like that."
"You have to understand, our families are different. In the eyes of the world, there are many reasons for divorce, and a bad family reputation is one. You know me, but they don't. I don't want them to worry about you." Xiao Yu touched her face, wanting to kiss her again. He restrained himself, cleared his throat twice, and handed her the suitcase.
"Alright, it's been a while since we arrived. If you don't go out soon, your parents will worry."
Xiao Yu lifted his chin toward her, smiled: "Ye Qingli."
"See you next year."