Chapter 1: The Accident in the Library
September sunlight filtered through the plane tree leaves and scattered over the campus paths, the air mixed with the expectations of the new semester and a faint osmanthus fragrance. Lin Xiaoxia hugged a stack of books and walked briskly into the library. As a second-year student in the literature department, she liked the quiet corners here best, especially the row of seats by the window on the third floor.
Today she planned to review "History of Modern Chinese Literature" and, by the way, write a reading note about Shen Congwen. As soon as she sat down, she took her notebook and fountain pen out of her bag and seriously opened the pages. Sunlight fell on the side of her face as she slightly lowered her head, and her long hair hung softly over her shoulders, the whole person quiet as a painting.
“Excuse me, is someone sitting here?”
A gentle male voice interrupted her thoughts. Lin Xiaoxia raised her head and saw a boy wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, holding a thick computer science textbook, with a polite smile on his face. He looked quite a bit taller than her, his gaze clear, with a hint of embarrassment.
“No, sit down.” Lin Xiaoxia said softly, then lowered her head and went back to reading.
The boy sat down opposite her, his movements very light, as if afraid of disturbing others. After a while, he took out headphones but didn't put them on immediately. Instead, he asked softly, 'Classmate, do you know where the power outlets are in the third-floor study room? My laptop is about to run out of battery.'
Lin Xiaoxia looked up and pointed at the corner: 'There's a row over there, but you need to bring your own extension cord.'
“Thank you.” The boy smiled, revealing neat teeth. “My name is Chen Yuan, from the Computer Science Department. What about you?”
“Lin Xiaxia, Department of Literature.”
After simple self-introductions, the two of them quietly studied on their own. The afternoon sun slowly slanted westward. The library was filled only with the rustling of turning pages and occasional coughs. After finishing a section of notes, Lin Xiaoxia looked up and noticed Chen Yu'an frowning at the screen, his fingers typing rapidly on the keyboard. His focused expression made her watch him for a few more seconds.
As it was nearly closing time, Lin Xiaoxia packed up her schoolbag and stood up. Chen Yuan also closed his laptop, stood up, and said: “Thanks for today. If we run into each other again next time, can we save seats together? I usually like this spot too.”
Lin Xiaoxia hesitated for a moment, then nodded: 'Okay.'
When she walked out of the library, the evening breeze blew past, and she felt inexplicably a bit relieved. In her two years of university, she had grown accustomed to being alone, but for the first time, she felt that walking side by side with a stranger on the campus path felt quite natural.
Chapter 2: Gradually Familiar Daily Life
Since then, Lin Xiaoxia and Chen Yuan often ran into each other on the third floor of the library. Sometimes she arrived first, sometimes he had already saved a seat. They didn’t always talk, but occasionally they would trade snacks, or remind each other, “The library’s about to close.”
Once, Lin Xiaoxia's pen ran out of ink, and Chen Yu'an immediately handed over his spare pen. Another time, Chen Yu'an's computer suddenly crashed, and Lin Xiaoxia helped find the library administrator and even waited with him for half an hour.
Gradually, they began talking about topics beyond their majors. Lin Xiaoxia liked reading essays and novels, while Chen Yu'an enjoyed writing code and playing badminton. He would occasionally tell her some interesting little programming stories, and she would recommend a few good books to read.
“Have you ever felt that a library is a place where time stands still?” Lin Xiaxia suddenly asked one afternoon.
Chen Yu'an thought for a moment and said with a smile, 'Sometimes it is. Especially on rainy days, with the rain outside and only books and people inside, it feels quite reassuring.'
That afternoon, it happened to start drizzling. The two of them sat by the window together, listening to the sound of rain hitting the leaves. Lin Xiaoxia pushed her notebook over, letting him read her reading notes. Chen Yu'an read it carefully and said, 'You write very delicately. When I write code, I also pursue logical clarity, but literature seems to make people feel more peaceful.'
Lin Xiaoxia heard this and felt a warmth in her heart. She rarely showed her notes to others, but when she was with Chen Yu'an, it always felt very natural.
In mid-October, the school organized the autumn sports meet. Chen Yuan’an represented the Computer Science Department in the badminton mixed doubles, but his partner was temporarily unavailable. He found Lin Xiaoxia in the library and asked somewhat embarrassedly, “Xiaoxia, are you willing to team up with me? Just treat it as relaxing a bit; winning or losing doesn’t matter.”
Lin Xiaoxia wasn't usually good at sports, but seeing the expectant look in his eyes, she still nodded.
During those training days, they practiced at the gym every evening. Chen Yu'an taught her how to grip the racket, footwork, and basic strokes. At first, she kept missing the ball or hitting it out of bounds, but he was never impatient, always saying patiently, 'Try again, you've improved a lot already.'
On the day of the official competition, although they only made it to the quarter-finals, they enjoyed the entire process. After the match, Chen Yu'an bought two cups of milk tea and sat with her on the steps by the playground. The sunset dyed the sky orange-red, and classmates were flying kites in the distance.
“Thank you for keeping me company today.” Chen Yuan said. “Actually, when I first approached you, it was because I thought practicing with you would be very easy. You wouldn’t get nervous, and you wouldn’t rush me.”
Holding her milk tea, Lin Xiaoxia softly replied: 'I'm also very happy. I used to always watch games alone; today is the first time I feel like I'm part of it too.'
At that moment, neither of them spoke anymore. The evening breeze blew, carrying the scent of grass and dust. Lin Xiaoxia suddenly felt that her university days seemed to have become brighter because of this person.
Chapter 3: The Club and the First Misunderstanding
In November, the school literature club recruited new members. Lin Xiaoxia had originally been a longtime member and was responsible for editing the club journal. When Chen Yuan heard about it, he joked: “I want to join too. I can’t write poetry, but I can help with layout and the website.”
The president of the literature club welcomed him warmly, so Chen Yu'an became the technical support. Every Wednesday evening, they would work together in the club office. Lin Xiaoxia was responsible for editing the drafts, while Chen Yu'an handled putting the text into web templates and occasionally helped her find suitable illustrations.
Once before the club magazine's submission deadline, Lin Xiaoxia pulled two all-nighters in a row. On the third morning, she fell asleep趴在 on the desk. Chen Yu'an quietly covered her with his jacket and placed a cup of warm soy milk beside her. When she woke up, the soy milk was still warm, with a note next to it: 'Get some rest early, don't push too hard. Yu'an.'
Looking at the note, Lin Xiaoxia felt a surge of tenderness in her heart. She had never relied on others before, but this time, she truly felt someone was taking care of her.
However, the peaceful days were soon broken by a small misunderstanding.
There's a boy in the literature club named Zhou Ming, who usually takes good care of Lin Xiaoxia, often helping her with materials and treating her to coffee. Some people started whispering privately: "Zhou Ming seems to like Lin Xiaoxia." The news reached Chen Yu'an's ears while he was revising the club publication with Lin Xiaoxia.
That night, Chen Yu'an suddenly became much quieter. Lin Xiaoxia asked him what was wrong, and he only said, "It's nothing, maybe a bit tired." The next day, he didn't come to the library as usual. Nor on the third day, nor the fourth.
Lin Xiaoxia felt somewhat uneasy. She messaged him asking if he was sick, and he only replied briefly with 'I'm okay, there's a project to rush recently.'
On the weekend, Lin Xiaoxia ran into Zhou Ming in the cafeteria. Zhou Ming enthusiastically greeted her and asked her to eat with him, saying: “I heard you and Chen Yuan haven’t really been studying together lately? Did you two argue?”
Lin Xiaoxia shook her head: 'No, it's just that he's busy.'
Zhou Ming smiled and said, “That’s good. Actually, I think you’re quite suited to quiet people. Someone like Chen Yuan’an is too lively and may not be suitable.”
Lin Xiaoxia felt a bit uncomfortable upon hearing that. She returned to her dormitory, and the more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. The next day, she went directly to the computer science department's computer lab.
Chen Yu'an was debugging a program and visibly froze for a moment when he saw her appear.
“How did you get here?”
“I want to ask you, why haven’t you come to the library recently?” Lin Xiaoxia stood at the doorway, her voice soft, yet carrying a hint of determination.
Chen Yu'an was silent for a few seconds before finally sighing, 'I heard Zhou Ming treats you very well... I thought you might prefer that kind of quiet, caring approach. I was afraid I'd be too noisy and disturb you.'
After listening, Lin Xiaoxia was first surprised, then couldn't help but laugh: 'You're overthinking it. Zhou Ming is just an ordinary classmate. I enjoy studying with you, I like you teaching me how to play ball, and I especially like you leaving soy milk and notes for me. If you disappear suddenly like that again, I'm going to get angry.'
Chen Yu'an's eyes lit up, and then he smiled too, 'I'm sorry. I won't do that again.'
That evening, they walked out of the computer lab together. The streetlights on campus lit up one by one, and the plane tree leaves swayed gently in the wind. Lin Xiaoxia suddenly felt that some things didn't need to be said too explicitly; as long as the other person was willing to listen, it was already enough.
Chapter 4: The Warmth of Winter
The campus in December became quiet and bright. Final exams were approaching, and the library was packed every day. Lin Xiaoxia and Chen Yuan routinely occupied a spot on the third floor every day; one reviewed literary theory, the other solved algorithm problems. During breaks, they would share snacks or quiz each other.
One night, the temperature suddenly dropped below zero. Lin Xiaoxia forgot to bring a thick coat and was shivering uncontrollably when she walked out of the library. Chen Yu'an, without a word, draped his own down jacket over her.
“What about you?” she asked.
"I'm not afraid of the cold. Besides, the dorm is close by, and you still have farther to walk."
On the road, the two walked side by side. The down jacket still carried his body temperature and a faint scent of laundry detergent. Lin Xiaoxia buried her chin in the collar, and her heart suddenly felt very calm.
“Yu An,” she said softly, “thank you for this semester.”
Chen Yu'an turned his head to look at her: "I also want to thank you. Before, I thought university life was just about attending classes, writing code, and playing ball. Now there are many more interesting things."
On New Year's Eve, the school held a year-end celebration in the square. They did not join the lively party, but instead found a quiet bench and watched the fireworks in the distance together. Fireworks bloomed one by one in the night sky, brief yet bright.
“Xiaoxia,” Chen Yuan’an said suddenly, “if possible, I’d like to keep陪ing you like this forever. Not just in the library, and not just for this semester.”
Lin Xiaoxia's heart skipped a beat. She turned to look at him; the light of the fireworks reflected in his eyes, earnest and gentle.
"Okay." She only said one word, but smiled sweetly.
That night, they officially confirmed their relationship. There was no grand ceremony, only the cold wind of a winter night, distant fireworks, and two hearts slowly drawing closer.
Chapter 5: Growth in Spring
The new semester begins, and cherry blossoms bloom on campus. Lin Xiaoxia and Chen Yu'an become the campus couple in everyone's eyes. They attend classes together, eat together, and take walks by the lake together. Occasionally, they bicker over small things, like him always being five minutes late, or her always forgetting her umbrella. But after each argument, they quickly make up.
Once, Lin Xiaoxia was very down because her thesis was sent back by her advisor for revisions. Chen Yu'an didn't rush to comfort her. Instead, he sat with her by the lake, listening to her vent her grievances. Then he took out his laptop and said: 'Come on, let's sort out the logic together. You write the text, I'll help you draw a mind map.'
That night, they worked from evening until late into the night. When the paper finally passed smoothly, Lin Xiaoxia hugged him and whispered in his ear, 'With you here, it seems like I'm not afraid of anything.'
Chen Yu'an also had his own pressures. The computer science department's project competition was approaching, and he had been staying up late writing code for consecutive nights, his eyes bloodshot. Lin Xiaoxia brought him fruit and hot soup every noon and forced him to rest for half an hour every night. On the day of the competition, she sat in the audience, so nervous that her palms were sweaty. When their group was announced as the first prize winner, she was the first to rush over and gave him a big hug.
At that moment, they both understood that love is not just sweetness, but also silently becoming support when the other person needs it.
Chapter 6: Summer Promise
During the summer vacation of their third year, the school organized summer social practice. Lin Xiaoxia went to the countryside to teach, while Chen Yuanan went to an internet company for an internship. On the morning they parted, the two said goodbye at the school gate.
“Video call every night.” Chen Yuanan said.
"Okay. You should also take care of your health, and don't stay up late all the time." Lin Xiaoxia reminded her.
Over the course of two months, they kept in touch through words and video. Lin Xiaoxia told stories to the children, and Chen Yuan'an stayed late at the company writing requirements. Occasionally the signal was bad and the video would stutter, but they always managed to wait for the next sentence from each other.
When returning to school at the end of August, Chen Yuan arrived a day early and waited for her downstairs by the dormitory building. Lin Xiaoxia walked out dragging her suitcase and spotted him at once. In the sunlight, he looked a little thinner than before he left, yet smiled even brighter.
“Welcome back.” he said.
Lin Xiaoxia put down the box and threw herself directly into his arms. Some classmates around them started teasing, but they didn't care at all.
That autumn, they signed up together for the school's couple photography event. In the photo, they sat under a cherry blossom tree; he helped pin her hair, and she looked at him and smiled. The photo was posted on the school bulletin board, and many classmates would stop and say, 'What a perfect match.'
Chapter 7: Gentleness Before Graduation
The days of fourth year passed quickly. Internships, the graduation thesis, and job hunting—all of it was accelerating. Lin Xiaoxia received an offer from a local publishing house, while Chen Yuanan received an admission notice from a major company in another city.
The possibility of separation was placed before us for the first time in a real way.
One night, they sat on an old bench on campus, silent for a long time.
"If I go to another city, would you think it’s too far?" Chen Yuanan asked.
Lin Xiaoxia shook her head: 'Distance isn't the problem. What I'm more afraid of is that we slowly become people who only like each other's posts on social media.'
Chen Yu'an held her hand, 'No, it won't. I can come back every weekend, or you can visit me during your holidays. Let's make every day count.'
On graduation day, the campus was filled with graduation gowns and flowers. Lin Xiaoxia and Chen Yu'an took many photos together. The last one was at the entrance of the library where they first met.
“Do you remember?” Chen Yuan asked, “Three years ago, I asked you whether this seat was taken.”
Lin Xiaoxia smiled and nodded: 'I remember. Now, this spot will always have someone.'
After the ceremony ended, they walked to the cherry blossom grove on the back hill of the school. Although the blooming season had passed, the leaves were still lush green. Chen Yuan took a small box from his pocket, and inside were a pair of simple silver rings.
“It’s not a proposal,” he said seriously, “I just want to give you a promise. No matter where we go in the future, we’ll remember today, remember the library, remember milk tea, remember fireworks, remember all the roads we walked together.”
Lin Xiaoxia extended her hand, letting him gently put the ring on her finger. Then she also took out a small notebook, inside of which were all the words she had written about him over these three years—from notes after their first meeting, to diaries from the sports meet, to reflections after every argument, and finally to blessings before graduation.
“This is my promise.” She said, “From now on, every year on this day, we’ll turn it over together once.”
As the sun set, the campus broadcast was still playing the graduation song. They stood under the tree, their foreheads gently touching, no longer saying anything more.
Everything was just right.
Epilogue
Five years later.
Lin Xiaoxia became a young editor. After working in another city for two years, Chen Yu'an applied for a transfer back to this city. They rented a small apartment near their former university and often went back to their alma mater for walks on weekends.
One day, they walked into the library's third floor again. That window-side spot was still there, just with new tables and chairs. Lin Xiaoxia sat down, Chen Yu'an sat opposite her, just like many years ago.
"Still need to save a seat?" he asked with a smile.
“Of course.” She answered.
The leaves of the phoenix tree outside the window turned green again. Sunlight streamed in, falling on their clasped hands.
Youth may fade away, but the gentleness that slowly grew on campus will remain in the heart forever, becoming the brightest part of one's life.
After the Epilogue
That autumn five years later, they stood again on the third floor of their alma mater's library. The plane tree leaves were green again, and the sunlight was still gentle. Chen Yuanan sat across from her, just like many years ago, yet more composed than he had been then. Lin Xiaoxia looked at him and suddenly felt that time was moving both fast and slow—fast in the days, slow in the softness in her heart that had never faded.
That night, they weren't in a hurry to go home.
After returning to the small apartment near the campus, as soon as the light came on, the air seemed to grow into a kind of indescribable quiet. Lin Xiaxia hung up her coat, and when she turned around she saw Chen Yuan'an leaning on the sofa looking at her, his gaze deeper than it had been in the daytime.
“Do you remember the New Year’s Eve when we first officially confirmed our relationship?” he suddenly asked.
Lin Xiaoxia nodded, a slight smile curling at the corner of her mouth: 'I remember. The fireworks were loud, but your hands were very warm.'
Chen Yu'an reached out and pulled her to his side, making her sit on his lap. His palm slowly slid down her back; the pressure wasn't heavy, but it carried obvious intimacy. Lin Xiaoxia's breathing hitched slightly. Five years of being together had made them too familiar with each other—familiar to the point where a single glance or touch could suddenly make a calm night turn scorching.
“In the library today,” he said in a low voice, his lips almost touching her ear, “I kept thinking, if I’d been a little braver back then, would I have been able to hold you tighter sooner?”
Lin Xiaoxia chuckled lightly, her fingers playing with the button on his collar: 'Aren't you already holding me tight now?'
Before the words faded, Chen Yu'an had already turned his head to kiss her. This kiss wasn't rushed, but carried the steadiness and desire unique to adulthood. His tongue slowly probed in, intertwining with hers, their breaths gradually blending. Lin Xiaoxia's hands slid from his shoulders to his back, fingertips feeling the warmth of his muscles through the thin shirt.
The kiss gradually deepened. Chen Yuan’s hand reached into the hem of her clothes from her waist, his palm pressing against her warm skin and moving upward, stopping at the edge of her ribs and gently rubbing. Lin Xiaxia’s body trembled slightly, and a very faint sound slipped from her throat. He knew her too well—he knew where she was sensitive, and he knew how to make her slowly soften up.
“Go to the bedroom.” she whispered, her lips against his.
Chen Yu'an picked her up, walked a few steps to the bedside, and gently laid her down. The lights were dimmed, leaving only a warm yellow bedside lamp. He leaned over and unbuttoned her shirt, one by one, unhurriedly, as if unwrapping a precious gift. As the fabric slipped away, Lin Xiaoxia instinctively raised her hand to cover herself, but he caught her wrist and kissed her palm.
“Don’t hide.” His voice was hoarse, “I want to see you.”
Her face was slightly flushed, but she didn't refuse again. Chen Yu'an's gaze slowly fell upon her, carrying appreciation and restrained desire. He leaned down, his lips traveling from her collarbone downwards, lingering on her chest, his tongue lightly circling. Lin Xiaoxia's fingers threaded through his hair, her breathing growing increasingly ragged.
When his hand slipped under her skirt, his fingertips gently pressing through the last layer of fabric, she finally couldn't help but softly call out his name. Chen Yu'an looked up at her flushed cheeks, his eyes darkening a few shades.
“Want to go slower today, or……”
"Slow down." She interrupted him, her voice a little hoarse, "I want to feel you properly."
So he really slowed down every movement. Kissing, touching, entering—all of it was like getting reacquainted with her body. Lin Xiaoxia’s legs hooked around his waist, and with every slow deepening she could not help but shiver. He lowered his head and kissed the corners of her eyes, the tip of her nose, and her lips, whispering the words he had accumulated over the years, but rarely said face to face—liking her quietness, liking her occasional willfulness, liking the way she completely relaxed under him.
The night was long.
They changed positions several times. Sometimes he wrapped around her from behind, sometimes she straddled him and controlled the rhythm herself. Sweat darkened a small patch of the bedsheet, and the air was full of lingering intimacy. During climax, Lin Xiaoxia buried her face in the hollow of his shoulder, her voice breaking into scattered whimpers; Chen Yu'an, at the final moment, held her tightly, as if he wanted to knead her into his own bones.
Afterward, they lay side by side, the curtains not fully drawn, and the lights of the distant campus could faintly be seen outside. Lin Xiaoxia’s fingers traced meaningless circles on his chest as she suddenly said softly, “Sometimes I think, if we hadn’t met in the library, would we have missed each other for this whole lifetime?”
Chen Yu'an held her hand and placed it over his heart, 'No. Even if we hadn't met that day, I would have found you somewhere else. It just might have taken a little more time.'
She smiled, turned over and lay on top of him, chin resting on his chest: "And now? Found it, still want to keep searching?"
“Want.” He answered honestly, his palm sliding along her smooth back all the way to the hollow of her waist, gently pinching it, “And I want to look for you every day.”
Lin Xiaoxia was tickled by him, laughing as she tried to dodge, but he pulled her back. The second time was more urgent than the first. The lights were completely off now, only their breaths and occasional soft moans overlapping in the darkness. He entered deeply, and she responded actively. Their two bodies reignited in a familiar rhythm, as if wanting to transform all the nostalgia accumulated during the day in the library into this moment's scorching intimacy.
The next morning, sunlight crept in through the gaps in the curtains. When Lin Xiaoxia woke up, she found herself still completely encircled in his arms. Chen Yu'an was already awake, looking at her, his eyes gentle with post-satisfaction.
“Morning.” He lowered his head and kissed her forehead.
“Morning.” She buried her face in the crook of his neck, her voice still a little hoarse, “Last night... was a bit too much.”
Chen Yu'an chuckled softly: "You were clearly very cooperative too."
She gently bit his shoulder as revenge. But he took the chance to flip her beneath him, starting a new round of kisses. This time, it was more like morning tenderness—unhurried yet equally heartwarming. Until the alarm rang, they had to part to face the new day.
On the weekend they went back to their alma mater again. This time they didn’t go to the library, but went straight to the apricot grove on the back hill that had once been a cherry blossom forest. The leaves had already changed color, and when the wind blew, one or two would occasionally land on their shoulders. Chen Yuan’an took out from his pocket the silver ring he had put on her back then—they later made up a proper pair of wedding rings, but he had always carried this old one with him.
“Do you remember what I said then?” he asked.
Lin Xiaoxia nodded: 'I remember. You said it wasn't a proposal, just a promise.'
“You can change your answer now.” He knelt on one knee, holding the ring out to her again. “Lin Xiaoxia, marry me. The official, legal, for-life kind.”
She was stunned for a second, then laughed, though her eyes grew a bit warm: 'You... we've already been living together for five years, and you're still pulling off this kind of ceremonial gesture.'
“Because I want you to remember this day.” he said seriously.
Lin Xiaoxia extended her hand, letting him put the ring back on her finger. Then she also knelt down, meeting his eyes at the same level, and gently kissed him.
“Good.”
That night after returning to the apartment, they thoroughly put the word “formal” into practice.
Before the steam in the bathroom had fully dissipated, Lin Xiaoxia was pressed against the sink by him. Their bodies were reflected in the mirror as he entered her from behind, one hand supporting her waist while the other reached around to gently caress her front. Water droplets trickled down her spine, and his breath warmed her damp shoulder hollow. Lin Xiaoxia held onto the countertop, her reflection in the mirror already showing a dazed look in her eyes.
“Look at me.” he said softly.
She looked up, meeting his gaze through the mirror. In that moment, shame and pleasure surged through her simultaneously, making her almost unsteady. Chen Yu'an, however, thrust in even harder, each stroke deep and steady. She couldn't help but cry out. The sound echoed in the small bathroom, mingling with the steam, making it exceptionally clear.
Later they returned to the bed and changed positions again. Lin Xiaoxia sat astride him, rising and falling on her own, her long hair hanging down and brushing his chest. He held her waist, helping her control the rhythm, occasionally thrusting upward and making her let out little gasps. The night wind outside moved the curtains, and now and then the remnants of the distant campus broadcast drifted in, like an echo of time.
When climax arrived, Lin Xiaoxia went completely limp on him, her fingers clutching the sheets tightly. Chen Yu'an held her even tighter, whispering a string of sweet nothings in her ear that he rarely said out loud—loving her, missing her, wanting to stay like this with her forever.
Afterward, the two lazily lay together. Lin Xiaoxia’s fingers lightly slid over his arm as she suddenly asked, “If time could flow backward, what day would you most want to return to?”
Chen Yu'an thought for a moment, 'The day we first met at the library. I wanted to speak up early, to keep you by my side sooner.'
She smiled: "Then I most want to go back to New Year's Eve. The fireworks were beautiful, you were even more beautiful."
He turned his head and kissed her: “Every year on New Year's Eve from now on, let's watch the fireworks again. And then... like tonight.”
Lin Xiaoxia didn't answer, just wrapped her legs around his waist, her eyes carrying a hint of lingering desire. Chen Yu'an immediately understood, chuckled softly, and turned over, pressing her beneath him.
The night is still long.
Again and again, they reconfirmed with their bodies that the tenderness slowly growing on campus had never disappeared. It had only changed into a hotter, more intimate form, continuing to stay in each other’s hearts, becoming the brightest and most scorching part of their lives.
Many years later, whenever someone asks how they got together, Lin Xiaoxia always smiles and says, 'The window seat on the third floor of the library. One day, he asked me if the seat was taken.'
Chen Yu'an would then add: "From that day on, that seat has always been occupied. And it will always be occupied."
And only they themselves knew that what was contained in that position wasn't just youth, but also all the later nights of intimacy, all the sweat and panting, all the moments of completely possessing each other.
That tenderness never left.
They just grew into deeper forms.
Comments