The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

"I am no longer your classmate."

Upon seeing Xu Xi, a complex expression appeared in Song Jiayi's eyes, and she immediately straightened her posture.

Wen Yao placed the fruit basket she had brought on the bedside table and began to examine Song Jiayi's injuries.

"Song Jiayi, one exam doesn't mean anything. I hope you understand that the college entrance examination is our final battle. With your abilities, even if you take a break and return to school, you can still achieve good results."

"Teacher Yang also asked me to pass on a message: once you've sorted out some personal issues, you're welcome to return to school anytime. Class 3 of Grade 11 will always have its doors open for you."

"Thank you, and please thank Teacher Yang for me too."

......

After exchanging some pleasantries, Wen Yao answered an alarm clock, stood up, and walked towards the door.

Halfway there, she gave Xu Bowen a warning look as he fiddled with the cast on Song Jiayi's leg.

Xu Bowen felt a chill run down his spine and quickly made an excuse to go to the toilet, then slipped out of the ward.

Before leaving, he made sure to close the door to the ward.

Only Xu Xi and Song Jiayi remained in the ward.

"Um...would you like some water?"

Song Jiayi turned over with difficulty and took a bottle of mineral water from the bedside table.

"Thank you, but no need."

Xu Xi politely declined.

She took a deep breath, as if to encourage herself.

"Song Jiayi, do you...like me?"

Song Jiayi was stunned.

After a long while, he nodded, his face flushed.

Silence fell again.

"Is your declining academic performance due to your liking for me?"

Xu Xi spoke calmly, breaking the silence.

Song Jiayi turned her head away, not daring to look Xu Xi in the eye.

"From the first day of school, the first moment I saw you, I fell in love with you."

"Your every word and action fascinates me."

"Your every move captivates me."

"I will try every means to get your attention, and I will go to great lengths to keep an eye on you, just hoping that you will look at me even once."

"I can't concentrate; all I can see is the smile in your eyes."

"I can't sleep peacefully, my mind is filled with your quiet profile as you study."

After saying that, he lowered his head.

"I'm sorry, these are the words I've imagined confessing my feelings to you countless times."

"However, I can only convey my feelings to you through statements now, rather than by expressing them in a sincere way."

Xu Xi blushed slightly with embarrassment, but she quickly regained her usual aloof demeanor when facing Song Jiayi at school.

"I'm sorry, I should have realized it sooner and firmly rejected you."

"You are a very outstanding person, but I will not fall in love with you."

"I'm sorry to have wasted so much of your time, causing you to underperform on this exam."

"It's not your fault."

Song Jiayi raised her head and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"Is it because Zhao Lin is with me?"

"no."

Xu Xi shook her head.

"My heart already belongs to someone else. No one in this world can replace him in my heart."

Even if he has no other feelings for me, I will not allow any other men to get close to me.

"It seems Wen Yao wasn't lying to me..."

Song Jiayi looked at the red string on Xu Xi's wrist and smiled with relief.

"I envy him; he has your heart completely."

"Aren't there people like that around you too?"

Xu Xi recalled how Zhao Lin was extremely attentive to Song Jiayi every day, and how she only had eyes for Song Jiayi.

When you're hungry, there are homemade bento boxes; when you're thirsty, there are freshly bought, still-cold drinks; when you're tired or sleepy, you can rest your head on your knees.

Whenever Song Jiayi felt even slightly unwell, Zhao Lin would always notice and immediately help him resolve his problems.

Even Xu Xi couldn't take such thoughtful care of her brother.

Sometimes, she longed to be able to be relied upon by her brother like that.

But she wasn't capable of it yet; instead, she always had to rely on her brother in various ways.

"I've lost her..."

Song Jiayi shook her head with a wry smile.

Silence fell again.

"What are your plans for the future?"

After a long silence, Xu Xi broke the silence first.

Song Jiayi thought for a moment and then sighed.

"A lot has happened lately, so I plan to take a break for a while before transferring to another school to continue my studies."

"I'm sorry for the trouble."

Xu Xi was stunned for a moment before realizing that Song Jiayi was referring to the incident where Zhao Lin blocked her at the classroom door.

"It's okay, we might see each other again during the college entrance exam."

After waiting for a while, she stood up, intending to say goodbye to Song Jiayi.

"Wait a minute, Xu Xi."

Song Jiayi called out to Xu Xi and stammered.

"From childhood to adulthood, I have never experienced the feeling of being hugged sincerely."

"Could...could you please grant me this last wish?"

Looking at the hesitant Song Jiayi in front of her, Xu Xi shook her head seriously.

"I'm sorry, my embrace is only for the one I love."

"This is a privilege that belongs only to him, and no one can make me break this ironclad rule."

After speaking, she paused and looked out the window.

I hope you recover soon.

After saying that, Xu Xi walked straight towards the door.

The moment the door was opened, Wen Yao and Xu Bowen collapsed inside like two unsupported carrying poles.

There seemed to be two faint ear marks left on the door.

"What are you doing?"

Xu Xi asked, puzzled.

"I...I..."

Wen Yao rubbed her sore bottom and gave Xu Bowen a pleading look.

"Ah, I'm... looking for a signal."

Xu Bowen stood up, picked up his phone, and pretended to hold it above his head.

"Ha! Great signal here, five bars!"

Wen Yao rolled her eyes and put her hand on Xu Bowen's shoulder.

"I'm... I'm helping him find a signal." (Serious face)

......

"Brother~"

After returning home, Xu Xi shed her aloof facade and put on her usual soft and sweet demeanor.

"Where did you go today? You didn't explain clearly on the phone."

Xu Nian was marinating the chicken legs she had just bought, her hands constantly moving in the bowl, getting covered in various oils and sauces.

"A classmate is sick, so I'm going to the hospital to visit him."

After a pause, Xu Xi continued.

"Wen Yao was there too, along with another male classmate; the three of us were together."

"Oh, is that so? Did you buy any fruit or something?"

"Yes, they paid the majority, I paid a small portion, and then I found the fruit shop—the fruit was incredibly fresh!"

Xu Xi took off her shoes, not even having time to change into slippers, and skipped over to her brother, helping him turn around and hugging him tightly.

"What's wrong with you today? Why are you hugging me so tightly? Ouch...it hurts! Let go! Stop pinching my waist!"

"Hey, stop it! The marinated chicken leg is about to fall!"

......