The warm autumn sun slanted through the window, filtered by the lush branches of the camphor tree outside, casting a hazy glow on the floor. The autumn breeze, carrying a hint of chill, blew gently, causing the shadows of the trees to sway, the dots of light resembling the shimmering ripples on the surface of a lake.
A girl with delicate, youthful features lay sprawled on a dark-colored large bed, dressed in a British-style school uniform, the pleated skirt just reaching her thighs. Her delicate, fair hands cupped her face, a shojo manga spread open before her, her calves draped over the bed's edge. Against the pure dark backdrop, her skin appeared startlingly soft and white.
"Ah Che, have you finished your math homework?" The girl turned a page of the manga, tilted her head back, and let out a long yawn, her eyes misted over.
She felt a little sleepy.
The boy sitting at the desk didn't look back, his gentle tone laced with amusement, asking a question he already knew the answer to: "What do you want to do?"
The girl lazily lifted her eyes as she turned another page of the manga, gazing at his back, and said softly, coquettishly, "You know what I want."
"Handle your own matters." The boy paused his writing, his long, well-defined fingers resting on the edge of the desk. When he turned around, the sunshine from outside flecked his brows and eyes. "Last time you barely passed the math exam. Focus a bit more, my Little Nian."
The girl with tender, translucent skin scrunched up her face, highlighting a bit of baby fat, adding a touch of cuteness to her previously exquisite features. She reluctantly let out an "Oh," and continued reading the manga, her two legs unknowingly swinging up into the air.
The edge of her skirt rolled up, revealing more of her thigh skin.
With a quick glance, a faint flush crept up the boy's earlobe, and he hastily sat upright, scribbling with his pen to cover up his unease.
After a long while, he coughed softly, as if yielding, yet also helpless: "Go read for a bit, I'll tutor you in math after I finish. Copying my homework won't do."
There was no response from the person behind him.
Could she be mad?
Pei Che turned his head in a panic, only to find Shen Jianian asleep on her arms on the bed. Her beautiful oval face was shaded by her eyelashes, her cheeks rosy like a not-yet-ripe peach on a late spring branch.
The sunlight cast over her, turning her hair a warm light golden shade, the fine fuzz on her nose visible.
The whole scene was like a real-life shojo manga.
"Such a sleepyhead little lazy pig."
Pei Che murmured, gently approached the bed, pulled a thin blanket over the girl, then sat down at the edge of the bed, lightly poked her cheek with his fingertip, leaving a shallow dimple.
Though helpless about her falling asleep before finishing her homework, he was willing to let her sleep peacefully and hoped she dreams sweetly, hopefully of him.
...
The kaleidoscope of images flickered by, the next scene in an airport terminal.
The information board displayed flight details, the flight from Beicheng to New York scheduled for two in the afternoon.
Among the bustling crowd lingered the melancholy of farewells, the sound of suitcase wheels rolling akin to sobs. A boy and girl embraced each other, the girl looking up, her watery eyes filled with reluctance: "Make sure to eat on time when you get to New York, remember to dress warmly when it's cold, take care of yourself, don't make me worry back here at home. I'll wait for you!"
Pei Che caressed her face, his amber eyes filled with even more intense longing: "I really wish I could pack up Little Nian and take her to New York."
Shen Jianian chuckled at his teasing, stepping back on tiptoes, her hands behind her, looking at him unwaveringly: "Then take me away with you."
"Your parents would chase me to New York to kill me."
"No, no, they like you so much."
"Little Nian, wait for me to come back..."
When I return, we will be together, never apart.
I want to make you the happiest girl in the world, to marry you in a pure white wedding dress, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, growing old together.
*
"Shen Jianian, Shen Jianian, stop sleeping, we're almost there. Calling you this much and still no response, are you dead?"
A sharp female voice full of impatience, as if the sleeper didn't wake up soon, she'd get physical.
Shen Jianian's brow twitched slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes to see Yin Shuyao's disdainful face, her eyes ready to blaze, filled with irritation.
Rubbing her sore forehead, Shen Jianian gradually came to, realizing she fell asleep during the ride, having a long, sprawling, and chaotic dream.