Qin Zhao looked at her classmate across from her with teary eyes, and she saw the most beautiful girl she had ever seen in her eleven years of life.
The girl was exquisitely delicate, resembling a doll, and even in her school uniform, she couldn't hide the air of elegance that emanated from her.
With a smile on her face, the girl said, "Please take this."
Qin Zhao slowly reached out to take it, afraid that everything before her was just an illusion.
After receiving the tissue, Qin Zhao didn't immediately wipe away her tears and runny nose. Instead, she couldn't help but keep staring at the girl.
The girl turned her head away but didn't stop Qin Zhao's actions.
Qin Zhao thought to herself that if she could be as beautiful as her, she wouldn't be afraid of other people's gazes.
From that moment on, Qin Zhao became like a little follower, always trailing behind the girl.
She never even asked for her name; she learned it from others, that her name was Sheng Xi.
Sheng Xi came from a well-off family and was the most beautiful girl in the class. Most of the boys in the class liked her, and the girls idolized her.
She was always surrounded by various people, so no one noticed Qin Zhao, the inconspicuous chubby girl.
Sheng Xi never spoke to her.
It seemed like she had forgotten about her.
But Qin Zhao continued to follow her tirelessly.
Being by her side, basking in the occasional ray of sunshine she cast, made Qin Zhao feel warm...
The results of the first monthly exam came out, and Qin Zhao ranked first in the whole grade, while everyone congratulated Sheng Xi, who came in second.
Even the class teacher only symbolically praised Qin Zhao.
However, Qin Zhao didn't care at all about other people's attitudes at that moment.
She only hoped that Sheng Xi would notice her.
And indeed, her wish came true.
After class, Sheng Xi said the second sentence she had spoken since the beginning of the school year to Qin Zhao, "Qin Zhao, congratulations on getting first place."
A smile bloomed on Qin Zhao's chubby face, "You know my name!"
Sheng Xi laughed and said, "Of course, you got first place in the entrance exam. You're so outstanding that it's hard not to notice."
Blushing, Qin Zhao gathered her courage and asked, "Can I be friends with you?"
Sheng Xi replied, "We were already friends."
From then on, their relationship became even more harmonious.
Sheng Xi would have Qin Zhao accompany her for meals and invite her to the library.
Because of Sheng Xi, gradually, some classmates were willing to talk to Qin Zhao.
When they ate together, someone would see that she only took a vegetarian dish and would give her some meat.
This made Qin Zhao feel like she was blending into the group.
Of course, later she found out that her classmates were only being nice to her because of Sheng Xi's face.
This went on for two months.
Qin Zhao realized that she seemed to be getting more and more attached to Sheng Xi.
For some reason, her heart would unconsciously beat faster when she looked at her.
In search of answers, she searched through psychology books in the library but found nothing.
However, on the way home, Qin Zhao saw a book at a roadside stall with two women on the cover.
The title of the book was "Shanghai Memories," and the tagline read: "Her and Her Story."
Qin Zhao used six months' worth of pocket money to buy the book.
She took it home and secretly read it under the covers.
When she closed the book with tear-stained cheeks, she confirmed one thing.
She had feelings for Sheng Xi that were similar to those described in the book!
Qin Zhao decided to confess her feelings to Sheng Xi.
She thought that Sheng Xi, such a gentle person, would surely not embarrass her even if he didn't want to accept her affection.
With this in mind, Qin Zhao began to delve into ancient literature.
She wanted to use the most elegant and magnificent words to write a letter full of pearls and gems, expressing her feelings!
After a week of effort, Qin Zhao was satisfied with the final product.
Gazing at the words on the love letter, she silently recited them in her heart a hundred times before solemnly placing it into an envelope.
She would always remember that day, October 25th, 3008.
During Chinese class, the homeroom teacher announced that the autumn sports meet would be held on October 30th.
The classmates cheered with excitement, and Qin Zhao took advantage of the joyful atmosphere to slip the letter into Sheng Xi's hand, who was sitting across the aisle.
Sheng Xi looked at Qin Zhao with surprise and asked, "What's this?"
Qin Zhao replied, "You'll know when you read it."
She added, "Take it home and read it."
Sheng Xi smiled and agreed, saying, "Alright."
The next day, Qin Zhao observed Sheng Xi's reaction in secret during class and after class.
She saw that Sheng Xi behaved as usual, greeting her and asking her to do various things, but never mentioned the love letter.
This made Qin Zhao feel anxious and uneasy.
After three days of anxious waiting, Qin Zhao could no longer bear the torment in her heart.
She pulled Sheng Xi aside in the corridor and asked, "Sheng Xi, did you read the letter I wrote for you?"
Sheng Xi turned away and looked at the building of the second-year students across the way.
After a long while, he finally spoke, "I read it."
Qin Zhao pressed on, "Then why didn't you reply to me?"
Sheng Xi calmly said, "If you want to know the answer, meet me in the sports equipment room tomorrow afternoon."
Qin Zhao immediately agreed, saying, "Okay!"
On the appointed day, Qin Zhao deliberately dressed in her most beautiful clothes and wore the only pair of shoes she had without any holes. They were white sneakers that her grandmother had bought for her to use in the sports meet.
Sheng Xi's seat was empty, and she didn't know where he had gone.
Counting the seconds and minutes, Qin Zhao finally made it to the end of the school day.
As soon as the bell rang, Qin Zhao hurriedly left the classroom and ran to the playground.
In the afternoon, many boys would be playing soccer on the playground, so the equipment room wouldn't be locked until later.
Qin Zhao opened the door to the equipment room and walked in.
The light inside was broken, and it was a bit dim.
She whispered, "Sheng Xi, are you here?"
No one responded. Qin Zhao was about to wait a little longer when suddenly, with a loud bang, the door was forcefully shut, and she heard the sound of it being locked!
In shock, Qin Zhao turned around and saw Sheng Xi's face through the crack in the door!
Qin Zhao rushed to the door and pounded on it, shouting, "Let me out! Sheng Xi, open the door!!"
Sheng Xi looked at her expressionlessly, and her female classmates beside her asked, "Sheng Xi, does Qin Zhao really like you?"
Another female classmate said, "I can't tell. Not only is she fat and ugly, but she's also a weirdo!"
To make matters worse, one of them held what appeared to be the love letter Qin Zhao wrote to Sheng Xi and read it out loud, saying, "Sheng Xi, I like you. You're like the sun in the sky, shining on everyone around you.
Because of your existence, I look forward to coming to school every day.
Thank you..."
Unable to bear it any longer, Qin Zhao covered her ears and shouted, "Stop! Please stop reading it!!"
That person didn't listen and kept reciting.
The laughter of the classmates drowned out Qin Zhao's voice.
Sheng Xi turned around and walked away.
In Qin Zhao's memory, the last scene she saw of Sheng Xi was her indifferent figure.
·
"After that day, you never came to school again.
The teacher said you went abroad.
And I was mocked by classmates for half a year.
Fortunately, my grandmother helped me transfer to another school."
Qin Zhao's tone was indifferent, as if she was talking about someone else's story.
Indeed, that was the original owner's experience.
But as someone with complete memories, she could feel the genuine anger.
She continued, "After you left, for a long time, I tried hard to forget you.
To walk away from that unbearable memory.
And I actually succeeded.
At least when I saw you appearing on the show 'Survival in the Ancient Wilderness,' it took me a while to remember that we had crossed paths."
Sheng Xi said, "So that's why you don't talk to me and always avoid me?
It makes me very sad."
Seeing Sheng Xi's seemingly unconcerned appearance, Qin Zhao couldn't help but frown and said, "You should answer my question now.
Why did you do that back then?
And why are you pretending to be close to me now?"
