Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

In the distance, Yan Xi was squatting in front of the third row of bookshelves, her fingers tracing the spines of the books one by one.

She pulled out a book.

Le Corbusier's Manuscripts.

The cover is slightly yellowed. The corners are worn.

She turned to the title page.

Li Chen noticed that her finger stopped on a certain page.

She stared at that page for a long time.

He walked over.

I squatted down next to her.

On the page was an architectural sketch. It was drawn in pencil. The lines were very light.

"Is it pretty?"

"Um."

Yan Xi closed the book.

She glanced at the price on the back cover.

One hundred and twenty.

Then I put the book back on the shelf.

Li Chen memorized the location of the bookshelf. Third row, seventh book from the left.

"Not buying?"

"We have a copy at home," Yan Xi said, standing up. "But that's a reprint. This is the first edition."

Is there a difference between the first edition and the reprint?

"Color difference in printing. The colors of the initial manuscript were closer to the original."

"How much difference?"

"The degree to which it can be distinguished by the naked eye. Approximately three to five color levels."

Li Chen memorized the number.

He didn't ask any further questions.

The two people came out of the bookstore.

It's started raining outside.

The raindrops were very fine. The sound of them falling on the stone pavement was almost inaudible.

Li Chen opened the side pocket of his backpack and pulled out a folding umbrella.

A handful.

He opened it. The umbrella was dark gray, and its diameter was just enough for two people.

Yan Xi walked naturally under the umbrella.

Her shoulder was pressed against his arm.

"The umbrella isn't big enough."

That's enough.

"Your right shoulder is showing."

Li Chen tilted the umbrella slightly to the right.

Yan Xi's gaze swept to his left shoulder.

"Now the left side is exposed."

"Waterproof jacket."

"Your hair isn't waterproof."

Yan Xi reached out and took the umbrella handle from his hand.

She adjusted the angle. The umbrella completely covered both of them.

The price was that she had to raise her arm holding the umbrella even higher.

"Your hands will get tired doing that."

"Then you should be shorter."

"I can't be shorter."

"Then let's leave it at that. Let's go."

The two walked back along the stone path in the drizzle.

The space under the umbrella was very small. Shoulder to shoulder, our paces were forced to synchronize.

Li Chen's left hand was empty.

Hanging down at the side.

Yan Xi held the umbrella in her right hand, while her left hand hung down at the other side.

Two hands, three centimeters apart, in the shadow of the umbrella.

I walked twenty steps.

Li Chen's little finger touched her little finger.

Yan Xi did not move.

His ring finger pressed against it.

Yan Xi's fingers tightened slightly.

Then loosen it.

Spread your five fingers.

Li Chen slipped his hand inside. Their fingers intertwined.

The rain intensified. The sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella became more frequent.

The stone-paved road ends at a parking lot.

Fine water droplets clung to the Porsche's dark gray body.

Yan Xi closed her umbrella.

Two people rushed out of the rain and into the car within ten seconds.

The car door closed.

The sound of the rain outside was blocked out.

The car was very quiet.

A few strands of Yan Xi's hair were wet from the rain and stuck to her temples.

Li Chen pulled a pack of tissues out of his backpack.

He took out a card and handed it over.

"Wipe it."

Yan Xi didn't answer.

"You wipe it first."

"I'm wearing a windbreaker."

Your hair is wet.

Li Chen touched the top of his head.

It is indeed a bit damp.

He wiped his face casually with a tissue.

Then another card was drawn.

"come over."

Yan Xi turned her head away.

Li Chen pinched the edge of the tissue with his fingers and, starting from her forehead, went down her hairline, absorbing the water droplets clinging to her temples little by little.

The movements are clumsy.

The edge of the tissue brushed against her cheekbone.

Yan Xi blinked.

"alright."

Li Chen withdrew his hand.

Fold the used tissues neatly and stuff them into the storage compartment in front of the passenger seat.

"go back?"

"No rush," Yan Xi said, leaning back in her seat. "Let's wait until the rain subsides a bit."

She turned her head to look out the car window.

Water droplets slid irregularly across the glass.

Thank you for today.

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Bring me here."

"You've written articles about this place."

"That was my sophomore year." Yan Xi's voice softened slightly. "Almost two years. I never thought I'd come back."

"You can come often in the future."

"Um."

She was still clutching the bag of seaweed and almonds in her hand.

She glanced down.

Pour out the last two.

He offered one to Li Chen's lips.

I put one in my mouth.

"Li Chen".

"Um."

"How long did you prepare today?"

"What?"

"This place, seaweed almonds, route, weather, umbrella."

She rubbed her thumb on the almond packaging.

"When did you start preparing?"

Li Chen tapped his fingers twice on his knee.

"The day you put down that bag of almonds."

The car was silent for five seconds.

Raindrops pattered against the skylight. A dense, persistent patter.

Yan Xi's left hand left the central armrest.

He touched Li Chen's right hand, which was placed next to the gear shift.

Her fingers slipped between his.

Palm to palm.

"Li Chen".

"Um."

"Next weekend."

"Um."

"Let me show you around."

She didn't say where she was going.

The phone vibrated three times in Li Chen's pocket.

Group 302.

He didn't take it out.

Yan Xi drew a circle in his palm with her thumb.

The sound of rain gradually subsided.

Water droplets condense on the glass, slide off, disappear, and then condense again.

Li Chen's fingers tightened.

Her hands were warmer than before.