The afternoon passed by in a daze, and my academic career was facing an unprecedented crisis. Although it was only the second semester of my freshman year, I was already feeling exhausted. How should I cope with the upcoming intense study life in my sophomore year? I couldn't imagine. At the same time, I felt a wave of fatigue rising from deep within my body, making it impossible to maintain a state of vitality.

But finally, school was over, and I felt relieved. The thing that had been bothering me was now behind me, and it had left me in a sorry state. I picked up my backpack and couldn't help but yawn. Tonight, no matter what, I had to go to bed early. I made up my mind.

"Youjie, you look tired. Is it because you're sick?" Just as my vision cleared, I saw Yuan Muxi standing in front of me, with a worried expression on her face.

"No... that's not it," I hurriedly denied.

"Then is it because something unhappy happened?" There was indeed something unhappy, but it would be difficult to say it directly.

"Not really unhappy... it's just that sometimes my mood is like the weather suddenly becoming cloudy and then pouring rain, and after the rain, it clears up again. It's completely confusing," I explained.

"Is there no reason for the bad mood?" Yuan Muxi asked softly.

"More or less."

"Well, since you're in a bad mood... then..." Yuan Muxi hesitated to speak, looking a bit embarrassed. She glanced behind her at a student who hadn't left yet, and I followed her gaze and noticed that it was Su Yuqian. When my eyes met hers, she arrogantly turned her head to the side. What does this mean? I don't think I did anything to make her dislike me.

Just as I was puzzled, Yuan Muxi spoke up. "Um, if you don't have any plans on Saturday, let's go to the swimming pool together."

Although she said it all at once, after she finished speaking, Yuan Muxi's gaze didn't look at me but at the ground.

"On Saturday... no problem, should I go with you?" I asked.

"No... no no no... Yuqian will also come." When I asked her, Yuan Muxi's face quickly turned red, and she spoke in a flustered manner.

I glanced at Su Yuqian, and she still had the same expression. I sighed inwardly.

"Then let's go together. What time and where do we meet?" I asked.

"Let's meet at 9 o'clock in the morning, and the meeting place will be at XX Square. We'll contact you by phone at that time. If Youjie gets the location wrong..."

Yuan Muxi explained carefully.

"I'll be there on time," I said. Since I could go to the swimming pool, it would be a good opportunity to relax. After all, I couldn't continue studying and working towards my goals in this state of low spirits.

Yuan Muxi smiled and nodded, and unexpectedly, the three of us walked home together today. Even though I walked with Su Yuqian, she completely ignored me. Could it be because Yuan Muxi was there? Why is she acting so cold?

I felt a deep sense of disappointment, but I tried my best to hide it and started a conversation with Yuan Muxi.

"By the way, why did you suddenly invite me and Yuqian to the swimming pool?"

"Well... it's because I unexpectedly got three discount coupons for the swimming pool, and I thought it would be a waste if we didn't go. So I invited you and Yuqian," Yuan Muxi explained.

"Does Muxi not have any other friends?"

"Of course I do... why, Youjie, don't you want to go? Or do you have something to do that day?" I felt like I stepped on a landmine, and Yuan Muxi looked surprised after hearing my response.

"No, it's not that... it's actually a rare experience to be able to go to the swimming pool. I think it's my first time," I said happily.

"Really? That's good... I was worried that Youjie wouldn't like going to the swimming pool," Yuan Muxi said with a small sigh of relief and a smile.

Although I was somewhat happy to be invited to the swimming pool, I still felt a sense of unease. Why was my mood slightly better not because of Su Yuqian's idea, but because of her friend's actions? And why has Su Yuqian been acting like she's having a quarrel with me since earlier? I couldn't understand it, and I occasionally glanced at Su Yuqian, but her proud and disdainful expression remained on her face.

The feeling of loss in my heart has intensified, and for some reason, my body feels as heavy as lead. Then I started to wander aimlessly like a weirdo who can only walk and not think, while Yuan Muxi and Su Yuqian were chatting happily on the side. It seems that I am someone who can't chat, speak, or be humorous at all, and a trace of inferiority surged within me for some reason. Then, at a certain intersection, we had to say goodbye because we were going in different directions.

"Well then... see you tomorrow... Youjie," Su Yuqian said.

"Ah... see you tomorrow..." I reluctantly replied. Actually, I really wished that Su Yuqian would ask me why I was feeling down. But this desire has turned into a luxury.

After completing this step, we parted ways. Yuan Muxi and Su Yuqian unexpectedly had the same direction to go home, while I went home alone, feeling lonely.

After returning home, I took a shower to relieve fatigue. When I was about to go back to my room, I noticed a notification on my phone that someone had sent me an email. I opened it and found that it was from Su Yuqian, which made me somewhat happy. But when I read the content, I felt a bit disappointed.

"On Saturday, you must not be late. Based on your laziness, you will definitely oversleep past ten o'clock. So, before Saturday comes, practice waking up on time," the email read.

I looked at the email speechless. Was it necessary to be so strict? I just wanted to rest a bit longer.

I simply replied, "Don't worry... I won't be late," and threw my phone aside. Then, I immediately collapsed onto the bed, feeling drowsy for some reason, and fell asleep in a daze.

In the days leading up to Saturday, although I managed to fulfill my basic sleep needs, I still felt a lack of energy and a sense of powerlessness. It seemed like my time was slower than anyone else's, and I didn't know why I lacked motivation. Despite all this, I finally made it to Saturday.

On Saturday morning, around eight o'clock, I was almost ready. After all, I needed to bring some equipment to the swimming pool.

Just as I was about to leave, Feya lay on the sofa and looked at me, asking, "Where is Youjie going, big brother?"

"Ah... to the swimming pool," I casually replied.

"The swimming pool..." Feya showed a look of wanting to go.

"Do you want to go, Feya? Although we don't have any coupons, we can still buy a ticket," I suggested.

"Feya..." Feya looked at the TV screen. "Although Feya really wants to go, the TV drama I like is ending today, so I can't miss it..."

It seems that Feya still loves watching TV dramas as always, even though they are basically devoid of any nutritional value.

"Well, alright. Just try not to stare at the TV screen for too long. It's not good for your eyes," I said, and Feya nodded in agreement. Speaking of her birthday and comparing it to now, was she just my imagination back then? Now, she seems like a little girl who only knows how to enjoy shallow happiness. But there's nothing wrong with her being like this.

"Then, I'm leaving," I said as I put on my shoes.

"Be careful on the way, Youjie," Feya said, but her eyes didn't move an inch away from the TV screen. I felt helpless and then left.

I took out my phone and checked the time. It was ten past eight, so I still had plenty of time. The square wasn't too far away, so I decided to walk.

Unconsciously, it was already mid-May, and summer was coming soon. Thinking about summer always made me feel a sticky and uncomfortable sensation.

So, going swimming was indeed a good choice. I agreed with that in my heart.

After about twenty minutes, I arrived at the square Yuan Muxi mentioned. It was Saturday, so there were indeed quite a few people, just like the time when I went out with Feya. The streets were crowded as well.

I really don't like crowded places. On the other hand, the swimming pool might also be crowded. Just thinking about it, the excitement of going to the swimming pool diminished by half. To ease my mood, I put on my earphones and listened to some songs. Then, I heard the ringtone indicating an incoming call on my phone. I unplugged the earphone and answered the call.

"Hello..."

"Is this Youjie?" the voice on the other end asked.

"Yes... it's me," I replied to Yuan Muxi.

"There are a lot of people at the square, but I didn't see you. So, I called you using Yuqian's phone. Um, Youjie, where are you?"

I was a bit confused as to why Su Yuqian didn't speak to me directly, but I didn't ask and instead replied, "I'm standing at the entrance of the department store."

"Ah~~~ I see."

Yuan Muxi said this as I looked up and saw both Yuan Muxi and Su Yuqian walking towards me.

"It's great that we were able to find each other successfully," Yuan Muxi breathed a sigh of relief. Both she and Su Yuqian were dressed in casual clothes, and it was rare to see them not wearing school uniforms. It was just a pity that I couldn't take a photo with my phone.

"Did Youjie arrive here early?"

"More or less, I arrived here around 8:30."

"You came a bit early. It seems that Yuqian and I are a bit late," Yuan Muxi said nervously.

"Not really... We still have ten minutes until the agreed time, so we're not late."

"But I still made Youjie wait for a while. I'm sorry about that," Yuan Muxi apologized.

"It's not a problem. I was actually worried about keeping you waiting, so I purposely came a bit early. After all, someone kindly reminded me not to be late," I smiled and looked at Su Yuqian.

"Don't look at me... I wouldn't say something like that."

"Did Yuqian really say that?" Yuan Muxi also looked at Su Yuqian with a puzzled expression. Su Yuqian blushed and quickly covered up, "No, I didn't say that at all. He's just lazy. Even if I said something like that, he wouldn't listen."

Yuan Muxi was still confused, while I sighed heavily in my heart.