"Qiumo, your Haozi is here again. I won't be a third wheel, I'll go back to the dorm first..."

Xia Weiyi, Shen Qiumo's roommate, sensibly left first.

She smiled wryly at her roommate's back.

Then, with a bright smile, she turned and walked to Xu Hao, coyly saying, "Have you been waiting long?"

"Not long, just a little while."

Looking into her eyes, Xu Hao handed her a bag of snacks, along with an apple and a nourishing fish soup given to him by Huang Tao, "Qiumo, this is for you."

"Why do you keep bringing me so much food? I still have a lot left in my dorm! Don't buy more, otherwise, you won't have enough for your own expenses."

Shen Qiumo looked at him with a mix of helplessness and obvious happiness.

Happy because he's always been so good to her.

Helpless because he's always been "unofficially" good to her.

Moreover, Xu Hao's feelings for Shen Qiumo were an open secret. Yet, he never admitted it in high school and still refuses to confess.

But anyone with eyes could see that Xu Hao liked Shen Qiumo.

Back then, many high school classmates found numerous arguments to support this claim.

Shen Qiumo's desk-mate said, "Ever since the second monthly exam of sophomore year, Xu Hao came to our class every day like clockwork to ask Qiumo a Chinese question. He didn't really care about the material and even fell asleep several times with a smile on his face, drool almost reaching his ears."

The class committee member said, "Xu Hao's overall score for college entrance exams wasn't even as high as Qiumo's score in one subject. Academically, they're from different worlds. Asking her questions seemed to waste her precious study time, but Xu Hao was very meticulous about asking what a top student like Qiumo should be reviewing, so he wasn't asking for himself but to help her study."

The Chinese class representative said, "Xu Hao just wanted to give small snacks like bananas, chips, and chocolates to Qiumo after she helped him with questions as a thank-you gift. Since Qiumo got a heatstroke and took a day off, he's determined to treat her to a cold drink every day."

That was an afternoon in the scorching heat of June.

A drowsy Xu Hao perked up at the sound of the bell signaling class was over.

He walked quickly to the door, gazing up at the blazing sun and the scorching earth below.

He stretched his limbs.

Twisting open a bottle of mineral water, he poured it over his head.

Taking advantage of the cool feeling, he dashed out like an arrow to buy cold drinks.

Back then.

Students wrote essays describing the scorching sun like this: "Xu Hao went to buy a cold drink for Shen Qiumo, and in less than a minute, the water he poured over his hair was completely dried by the sun."

Though everyone knew.

Yet Xu Hao just wouldn't confess.

But she!

Confessed to close friends that she liked Xu Hao.

And told them, approaching the critical stage before the college entrance exams, every moment was precious.

It didn't matter if he didn't confess.

She wouldn't force him.

But once at university, if he continued being "unofficially" nice to her like this...

She'd have to show him something.

Her confidence was sky-high when she said this.

She didn't mind the metaphor the friends offered: Xu Hao and her academic levels were like the foot of a mountain and its peak, and the college entrance examination would separate classmates into tiers in the most simple and crude way.

Therefore.

After entering a prestigious university, Shen Qiumo blocked Xu Hao at the pre-school gathering and boldly asked, "Haozi, do you like me?"

At that moment, classmates were excited, their eyes glistening with gossip.

After all, Xu Hao's school was in the same city as Shen Qiumo's.

The fact he spent heavily to learn to be a chef was seen as a clear indication of his feelings.

But faced with Shen Qiumo's directness.

Xu Hao remained reserved, hesitantly saying, "How could I? You're my mentor!"

"Eh..."

The classmates sighed in disappointment.

She didn't expect this was the response she would get.

It was quite hurtful and sad!

Yet she still compromised, taking a middle-ground approach.

She helplessly said to Xu Hao, "Youth doesn't last; seize the moment for love. Haozi, listen well. I'll wait for you in college until two months after your internship. If you still won't express your feelings, then I will... move on to someone else."

Good friends called her an idiot: so good at academics, yet clueless in love, failing to make him confess and still losing out by confessing herself.

She didn't argue, just laughed heartily.

Liking him in every way possible.

Although Xu Hao never confessed, his kindness towards her remained unchanged, perhaps even greater than before.

When he started school here, every time he learned a new dish, he'd bring it to her.

He probably has a talent for cooking, or maybe he put special effort into it for her.

In any case, every dish he brought was exceptional!

And in front of Xu Hao, her heart was always soft.

Even when remembering him, her heart was soft and tender, filled with the beauty of youthful memories.

Now, Xu Hao said with a smile, "No worries, I can handle this little expense for snacks. I've got a part-time assistant chef job at West City Old Street Delicious Shop, and the pay is good, and the boss is really nice. These apples and fish soup were from him."

Upon hearing this, her thoughts returned, looking enlightened: "West City Old Street Delicious Shop? You're working there, that's great, it'll be easier for us to meet. Let me tell you, that shop is super popular at our school, many of our classmates have been lining up to buy from there recently! If I hadn't been busy with student council work, I'd definitely go line up too."

"The shop is indeed very busy, sometimes you might not even get anything even if you line up!"

"True!"

She remembered how many classmates had complained about not being able to buy anything from the shop, nodding in agreement.

"Tomorrow, there'll be a new dish, crab fried rice cakes. If you want it, I can get you some. If you have other cravings, I can make them for you. Whenever you have time, just come to the shop, and I'll cook for you on my break." There was love in his eyes.

She softly asked, "Haozi, aren't you afraid I'll feel burdened when you're always so nice to me?"

Xu Hao paused, then smiled, "Why would it be a burden? Isn't it just mutual care between friends!"

"But it's always you taking care of me!"

Shen Qiumo's heart grew heavier.

Receiving the things he gave was like treating him as a future husband, enjoying rights in advance.

But she couldn't indefinitely enjoy this "unofficial" treatment...

Xu Hao, oh Xu Hao!

The deadline approaches, when will you finally confess?

What are you holding back for?

Seeing his silence, she knew she wouldn't get the answer she wanted tonight.

"Thanks for bringing this, I'll head back, you should rest early too! I'll come to see you at the shop when I have time."

She walked a few steps, unable to resist turning back with a reminder, "Haozi, there's only a week left until our deadline."

Understanding what she meant, Xu Hao watched her back, feeling conflicted.

In high school, he dared not pursue her!

Because he performed poorly academically while she excelled.

And dating could affect studies.

It didn't matter if he ruined his future, but what if it impacted hers?

He was supposed to give up, pretend he never loved her.

But in the end!

He fooled himself.

Telling himself, just being near her was enough, just watching was okay!

Yet he also knew, she was destined to soar high, deserving an even better love...

This was also why he was reluctant to confess for so long!

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