Desk mate, your persona has crumbled.

The young boy and girl continued walking slowly, dappled shadows of trees swaying on the asphalt road.

When they reached the foot of an old tree, Xu Mo suddenly stopped and tapped a faded paving stone next to the tree root with his toe.

"Look, from here to the entrance of our community," he turned to look at Song Shuyan beside him, "it's about four hundred meters."

Song Shuyan followed his gaze to the old tree in front of him.

(curious.)

Xu Mo sensed that emotion, and a smile appeared on his lips:

"I've run it. At a pace of 5 minutes per kilometer, it only takes me 2 minutes to get from here to my neighborhood. That's 400 meters."

Xu Mo turned to look at the old tree in front of him: "So every time I get here, I know I'm only 400 meters away from home."

Running?

Song Shuyan suddenly remembered Xu Mo running on the playground during physical education class today.

Ten laps, four kilometers.

For many high school students, this distance is already quite a long distance.

However, Xu Mo ran the 4 kilometers as if nothing had happened.

He can even continue to play around with his classmates.

He has great stamina.

Thinking of this, Song Shuyan's gaze couldn't help but fall on Xu Mo.

A thought suddenly popped into her head.

With Xu Mo's excellent physical fitness, will he have abs?

The moment the thought crossed Song Shuyan's mind, she felt a sudden heat in her ears.

Almost simultaneously, a strong emotion surged into Xu Mo's mind.

(Super shy!)

Xu Mo subconsciously turned his head to look at the girl beside him.

Song Shuyan was staring intently ahead, her cool profile taut, only the slightly reddened tips of her ears revealing the unease in the girl's heart under the sunlight.

What was this guy thinking just now?

How can someone be this shy?

Xu Mo's heart was instantly filled with curiosity.

He was all too familiar with Song Shuyan's emotions, but such pure shyness still made him want to explore it further.

However, Xu Mo knew Song Shuyan too well, and pointing it out now would only add fuel to the fire.

Sometimes, a little unspoken understanding is needed between friends.

The boy quickly reverted to his usual relaxed and casual demeanor, as if he hadn't noticed anything:

"Shall we go? It's just around the corner."

He didn't stop, and continued walking towards home.

This action was like a silent signal, releasing Song Shuyan from the invisible constraints.

Song Shuyan felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and his tense shoulders relaxed.

She gave a soft "hmm" and then started walking, following beside Xu Mo.

Xu Mo didn't try to find topics to talk about anymore, but occasionally pointed to familiar shops or scenery along the roadside.

Song Shuyan's nervousness and shyness gradually subsided as she walked forward, leaving only a warm feeling lingering behind her ears.

400 meters is indeed a very short distance.

The two quickly crossed the last intersection, and the familiar gate of the residential compound came into view.

"We're almost there, isn't that fast?"

Looking at the familiar gate in front of her, Song Shuyan softly replied, "Mm."

However, in stark contrast to this response was a subtle sense of loss.

Too fast...

I want to walk a little longer.

A thought popped into Song Shuyan's mind, and even she was slightly taken aback.

The first time I walked home from school with my friends.

It was the first time someone had walked beside her, chattering on and on about which shops were cheap, which owners were fierce, and where there were hidden food stalls.

The first time someone pointed to the old tree and told her that the distance from here to her home was four hundred meters.

The everyday details that are often overlooked along the way become vivid and interesting in Xu Mo's voice.

What was originally just a physical journey from school to home has become a journey full of novel experiences because of the person beside me.

She didn't want it to end so soon.

This desire to prolong the journey together is both so unfamiliar and so real.

She didn't even realize that her steps slowed down unconsciously after responding, as if resisting the finish line.

We seem to have traveled this road too quickly.

At this moment, Xu Mo's pace slowed down imperceptibly.

The girl's slight sense of loss lingered in his mind.

Why do I feel lost when I'm almost home?

Xu Mo wasn't stupid; he naturally guessed the reason.

But the journey is only a short distance away, and no matter how slowly we slow down, we will eventually reach the end.

Not to mention the ridiculously hot weather right now.

Nobody wants to spend more time in the blazing sun.

The two eventually entered the residential area.

Xu Mo turned to Song Shuyan beside him: "Shall I walk you to your apartment building?"

Anyway, it's already been delivered here.

The boy muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping over Song Shuyan's cheeks, which were slightly red from the sun.

The late summer heat caused beads of sweat to appear on her forehead, and a few stray hairs clung to her porcelain-white skin.

It has shed some of its aloofness and gained more vibrancy.

"Um."

Song Shuyan's voice remained very soft.

Xu Mo still remembered where the apartment building Song Shuyan had entered that day was, since Xu Fugui had located it there.

"arrive."

Xu Mo stood downstairs at the apartment building.

Song Shuyan followed his gaze to the unit door.

She turned her head, her gaze falling on Xu Mo's eyes.

(Confuse.)

Xu Mo blinked.

This feeling of doubt left him somewhat at a loss.

"Weren't you walking this way that day?"

Song Shuyan blinked.

That summer night flashed through her mind instantly.

She was just too nervous.

(shy!)

Xu Mo looked at the building in front of him and Song Shuyan's reaction, and instantly realized what was going on.

He pointed to the unit entrance.

"So... this isn't actually your home?"

Song Shuyan's fair cheeks flushed slightly, and then she nodded vigorously.

(Awkward.)

Xu Mo didn't think it was a big deal.

Given Song Shuyan's situation, it's quite normal for him to make a mistake due to being too nervous.

So that leaves the remaining questions.

"Should I come with you? Or will you go by yourself?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the girl raised her hand and pointed at Xu Mo.

Clearly, Song Shuyan wanted to go with him.

Tsk.

Why can't I suppress the urge to smile?

A smile appeared on the boy's face: "Then lead the way!"

A moment later, the two finally arrived at the apartment building where Song Shuyan lived.

"This time we didn't go the wrong way, right?"

Xu Mo took a half step back and pointed with his chin towards the stairwell: "Let's go upstairs, it's as hot as a steamer outside."

He suddenly remembered something, took his phone out of his pocket, and waved it.

"Oh, and remember to send your dad a message to let him know you're home."

Song Shuyan looked at Xu Mo and nodded slightly.

"I'll head back now!"

As the boy spoke, he turned around and waved.

"Let's go!"

Song Shuyan stood there, watching Xu Mo's figure disappear around the corner of the community's green belt.

The late summer breeze rustled through the camphor tree leaves, and the sound of the young man's clear farewell still lingered in the whisper.

She let out a soft breath and turned to walk into the apartment building.

The elevator slowly ascended.

"Ding!"

A soft sound.

Song Shuyan stepped out of the elevator.

Looking at her own front door, the girl suddenly realized something.

She didn't have the key.

Because he is often picked up and dropped off by his father, Song Shuyan usually doesn't carry keys with him.

(nervous!)