Qin Yuchuan watched Feng Qingyi's innocent expression, but the words he wanted to say remained stuck in his heart.
If he expressed his feelings to her now, she would most likely reject him, or even become distant from him.
For prudence, he needed to be patient.
Seeing Qin Yuchuan hesitating, Feng Qingyi asked, "You wanted to tell me something earlier?"
"Nothing, do you have anything else planned for the afternoon?" Qin Yuchuan changed the subject.
Feng Qingyi pondered, "Not at the moment, but I have credits now, and I plan to buy a new course, though I haven't decided what to get."
"Do you have enough time?" Qin Yuchuan knew Feng Qingyi was always busy, and was a little worried.
Feng Qingyi smiled brightly, "I can wake up earlier in the future, there will always be time if I squeeze it in."
"Why would you want to learn these things?" Qin Yuchuan asked.
Feng Qingyi considered, "How do I put it? I don't have to pay money and can still learn things, it's like getting a free lunch."
"Since I have this opportunity, I must seize the time!"
"Perhaps some things may not be useful in the future, but the knowledge you gain will become your confidence."
"I hope I can become better and better, and that I won't have any regrets when I look back in the future."
Qin Yuchuan had always known that the girl he liked was outstanding.
But he could only glimpse a bit of how much she had put into her excellence through her daily words.
All the glamour and brilliance was built upon her sweat and effort, which he could relate to.
But when she spoke to him about these things so casually, he still felt moved.
He felt that this must have been arranged by heaven, for him to meet such an exceptional girl.
He, too, did not want to have any regrets when looking back, so he wanted to seize this opportunity.
"You're a little different from what I imagined," Qin Yuchuan said slowly.
Feng Qingyi looked at him, "What did you imagine me to be like?"
In his imagination, she was lively yet gentle, delicate yet resilient, not like a dainty flower but more beautiful than one.
"A graceful breeze in the woods, with an elegant charm."
Feng Qingyi's face flushed slightly, the ancients certainly had a way with compliments.
"Then how is the me you see now different from your imagination?"
"Surpassing all the scenery in this world."
Feng Qingyi and Qin Yuchuan gazed at each other. Did she feel like he was flirting with her?
Was it just her imagination?
But why did his gaze at her seem so gentle?
"You... you're joking with me, aren't you?"
Qin Yuchuan was a little helpless, not rushing things.
"You mentioned wanting to learn a new course earlier, have you decided what to choose?"
Seeing Qin Yuchuan change the subject, Feng Qingyi didn't probe further.
"Not yet, but I'm considering painting since I've studied it before."
"And the painting course is directly at an advanced level, so I should improve a lot after finishing it!"
Qin Yuchuan: "Then buy it."
Qin Yuchuan's words made Feng Qingyi determined, "Okay!"
Feng Qingyi took out her phone, opened the mysterious store, and bought the advanced painting course.
"Now I only have 500 credits left."
Qin Yuchuan: "Isn't there still me? There will be plenty of opportunities to earn credits."
"Qin Yuchuan, you're so kind!"
These days, he had been helping her selflessly, and she wanted to do something for him too.
"Is there anything special you'd like to do? I can accompany you."
Something he wanted to do?
Qin Yuchuan pondered for a long time, "If possible, how about playing a tune for me?"
"...But I haven't learned for very long." Why did he suddenly want to hear her play? His own musical skills should be far superior to hers.
He suddenly recalled the video she had sent him that day, and how he had wanted to witness it in person.
"Qingyi, don't be so modest. Your performance that day was already excellent."
Feng Qingyi remembered what she had just said, that she would accompany him in whatever he wanted to do. Now, she couldn't refuse.
As long as he didn't mind, she didn't mind performing for him.
"Then wait for me a moment, I'll go get my instrument."
Feng Qingyi went back to her bedroom and brought her instrument to the study.
Qin Yuchuan proactively offered her a seat, and Feng Qingyi placed her instrument on the desk, as the height was quite suitable.
"Don't stand there, take a seat on that sofa. I won't play well, so don't be too critical."
These days, Feng Qingyi had learned a new beginner-level piece called 'Moon over the Mountain Pass', as her current level only allowed her to learn simple pieces.
Qin Yuchuan sat on the sofa by the window, quietly listening to the melody.
She played with great focus, and had improved compared to a few days ago.
With such perseverance, mastering it was only a matter of time.
When the piece ended, Feng Qingyi looked at Qin Yuchuan, "How was it? Was it passable?"
"You've improved a lot!" Qin Yuchuan stood up and walked towards Feng Qingyi, "But there are a few areas that need attention."
Qin Yuchuan placed his hand over Feng Qingyi's, slowly guiding her.
"You're too good. Even when I was playing, I felt something was off at that part, but didn't know how to handle it."
"Just keep practicing." His deep voice resonated in her ear.
Feng Qingyi turned her head and realized how close they were, able to see his eyelashes clearly.
Feng Qingyi's face flushed, and she quickly sat upright, pretending nothing had happened.
But her quickened heartbeat betrayed her current emotions.
Qin Yuchuan also noticed her shyness and reluctantly released her hand.
"Well, I'll practice another time. I'm going to read a book now."
Feng Qingyi put away her instrument and took a book from the shelf to read.
Qin Yuchuan also picked a random book from the ones Feng Qingyi had selected for him, "Okay."
However, Feng Qingyi found herself unable to focus today.
She couldn't even read a few lines before her gaze wandered towards Qin Yuchuan.
His posture while reading seemed quite handsome, and his physique seemed quite good too.
His hair was dark and long, appearing to be of better quality than hers. She wondered what shampoo he used.
What was she even thinking?
No, no, she needed to focus on reading.
Finally finishing one page, Feng Qingyi couldn't resist and snuck another glance.
The afternoon sunlight complemented him beautifully, like a painting.
Feng Qingyi quietly took out her phone, deciding to take a photo of him.
However, Feng Qingyi didn't expect that she had forgotten to turn off the camera shutter sound on her phone.
As soon as she took the picture, Qin Yuchuan looked up and said, "What are you doing?"
"...Nothing, nothing at all." Feng Qingyi hurriedly put her phone down on the table.
Qin Yuchuan said, "I think I've told you before that you're not very good at lying."
"I just took a picture, you don't mind, do you?" Feng Qingyi felt a little anxious.
Qin Yuchuan waved at Feng Qingyi, "Let me see it."
