After a full day of classes, Luo Chen packed up his books at his desk.

There were still ten minutes until school let out.

The sunlight outside was swallowed by dark clouds. Wind rustled through the leaves, and then thunder rumbled overhead.

Luo Chen glanced out the window. Raindrops had started falling from the sky. He remembered noticing last night that the forecast called for rain today.

Unfortunately, he still hadn’t remembered to bring an umbrella.

Luo Chen glanced at An Jinchu. She was watching the rain too, but didn’t seem particularly bothered by it…

“Did you bring an umbrella?” An Jinchu asked casually.

“No.”

“I did.” An Jinchu sounded a little smug. After a moment, she casually added, as if it had just occurred to her, “Want me to walk you home? I live near your place now.”

She watched Luo Chen carefully for a reaction. But he simply shook his head, resting one hand against his forehead with exaggerated flair.

“Real men don’t need umbrellas for a little rain.”

“…” An Jinchu glared at him and said nothing more.

……

School was out.

Luo Chen tidied up his books, though he didn’t take a single one with him. By the time he finished clearing his desk, more than half the class had already left.

An Jinchu stood up and stretched, her graceful figure on full display. She gave him one last glance. “You’re sure you don’t need one?”

“Thanks, but I’m good.” Luo Chen shook his head and kept tidying his books until An Jinchu left the classroom.

Luo Chen got up too and walked down from the second floor of the school building to the steps below.

A girl stood there quietly, holding a clear umbrella. Luo Chen could easily recognize her from behind.

Her long, jet-black hair fell halfway down her back. The style gave her a gentle, obedient air. When the girl turned around, her bright eyes were like crystal—clear and sparkling.

“You forgot your umbrella again, didn’t you?” Lin Yuqi said softly. Luo Chen scratched his head. “Yeah.”

“I brought one, so let’s walk together?” Lin Yuqi’s eyes darted away a little; she didn’t quite dare meet his gaze.

“Sure.” Luo Chen smiled, then naturally took the umbrella from Lin Yuqi and opened it, sheltering them both beneath it.

The umbrella was a little small, so Lin Yuqi huddled close to him like a well-behaved kitten and smiled softly.

…………

After leaving the classroom, An Jinchu went to the restroom. When she came back, she picked up the umbrella by the window and was just about to head downstairs when she froze.

She saw Luo Chen downstairs, holding an umbrella over Lin Yuqi.

She stared blankly at their retreating figures, a sharp pain suddenly piercing her heart.

Her eyes reddened.

She was smart… She knew that Luo Chen barely knew her now, so it made sense for him to turn her down.

But he lied to me… He still chose her.

Again… Again… Did I… come too late again?

…No.

…I don’t believe it.

An Jinchu rubbed her eyes and walked downstairs. The rain wasn’t very heavy, but she stepped out into it without opening her umbrella.

She was just taking her anger out on herself.

……………………

Lin Yuqi’s home wasn’t particularly close to his, but it wasn’t far either. Their routes overlapped, though he still had some distance left to walk on his own.

He could hear raindrops tapping against the umbrella and see the scattered pedestrians along the roadside. Some were parents walking with their children, some were alone, and some were couples huddled beneath the same umbrella.

Luo Chen suddenly lowered his head and glanced at Lin Yuqi. She was very quiet, but her cheeks were bright red.

Even though neither of them had said a word along the way, the atmosphere felt nice—quiet and warm.

Luo Chen thought for a moment, then spoke first.

Lin Yuqi watched his lips part, her eyes widening slightly as she waited to hear what he’d say.

“Um… what’s the homework for tonight?”

“Huh?” Lin Yuqi froze for a moment. Her eyes flickered, and she pursed her lips. “There are two worksheets, one for math and one for English.”

Luo Chen scratched his head.

Seeing that he still seemed unconcerned, Lin Yuqi added, “We have to turn them in.”

Luo Chen spread his hands, looking a little desperate. “I didn’t bring them… I didn’t take my bag because I was afraid it’d get wet in the rain…”

“But we have to turn them in.” Lin Yuqi looked at him, worry creeping into her eyes.

“So… could I borrow yours to copy tomorrow morning?” Luo Chen asked, winking at her.

“Huh? How could you…” Lin Yuqi looked at him, then nodded after a moment. “All right… But you can’t do this next time, okay? If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me.” She said it earnestly.

Luo Chen nodded. “Thanks.”

Holding the umbrella, he suddenly stopped walking.

“This is your place, right? I can walk the rest of the way by myself. Bye.” As he spoke, he held the umbrella out to Lin Yuqi.

Lin Yuqi didn’t take it. “You keep it. I have another one at home. Just give it back to me tomorrow.”

Luo Chen thought it over, then accepted.

Instead of saying thanks, he reached out with an easy familiarity and ruffled her hair. “Good girl.”

Her hair felt soft and fine beneath his hand.

The next second, he froze… This was something he often did with Lin Yuqi in the future, after they got together.

But now… it was clearly out of place. Something about the mood felt a little off.

Lin Yuqi was still frozen there, cheeks puffed out. “You’re not allowed to ruffle my hair!”

There was still a hint of anger in her eyes. She looked like a kitten with its fur standing on end.

Luo Chen had already turned around. “All right, then. Bye, Class Monitor. Thanks… I’ll treat you to milk tea sometime!”

Right there in Lin Yuqi’s sight,

…Luo Chen ran off into the distance.

…He ran off.

Lin Yuqi watched him go with a resentful look, huffed, then turned and walked back into her house.

As she walked, she found herself smiling softly again.

“Idiot,” she murmured, unable to tell whether she was annoyed or exasperated.