Evanescent Dreams

2. That charm...

Xuan Miaomiao was not a very popular student in X High, she was usually just known as one of Liu Gujing's friends. However, everyone who knew her all say that she was the most positive and kind girl they have ever met. The "bad boy nice girl" love story between her and Xie Xubo was also a half made up story known by everyone.

During middle school, Xie Xubo was the exemplar delinquent. After his innocent friends were bullied by a few seniors, he tied up his long, yellow-dyed hair, skipped his classes, and fought with senior delinquents every day. Students who walk by never dare to stare into his cynic eyes. Because of his long term disobeying of school rules, he was suspended three times in middle school. 

Then, just like in cringey fairytales, Xuan Miaomiao came into Xie Xubo's life after she transferred to X High in the first year of high school. When she met him, she didn't evade him. Instead, she loved him at first sight. It was her who found the melancholy within his eyes. It was her who healed him, moved him, and let him take off his "devil's mask" and the hatred that caused him to become a delinquent. 

After Xuan Miaomiao healed Xie Xubo's inner scars, they immediately fell in love, and unofficially became X High's most cute and lovey-dovey campus couple in the last three years.

Just yesterday both of them were still smitten, happy, and in love with each other. Hence, no one could believe that Xuan Miaomiao would have chosen to suicide.

"Ye Zhen, and everyone, please sit down," Ms. Mei responded to Ye Zhen's remarks.

He gritted his teeth but sank back down into the corner. 

"Like everyone else, I feel very unfortunate about Xuan Miaomiao's death. But let's leave the duty of figuring out her cause of death to the police. The police states that as of now there is no evidence pointed towards causes other than suicide, so they will not be needing students to cooperate with their investigation. I cannot give you more specific information other than that, sorry. Now, let's start class. "

---

"Xingren, wait for me!"

"Oh!"

The bell just rang, and Chen Siyun is hastily putting her glasses back into its case. She called back the Lin Xingren who was already half a foot outside of the classroom. Most of their classmates were still vigorously chatting about what happened to Xuan Miaomiao.

Lin Xingren came back next to Chen Siyun's desk.

"Every day, why do you never wait for me?"

"Sorry, I was feeling confused the whole day, couldn't even understand what the teacher taught about. I need to go back and review."

Lin Xingren started to leave again, but Chen Siyun grabbed onto her backpack charm, causing her to turn around again.

"Don't leave. Ms. Mei and most of the students felt the same, I bet. I guess Ms. Mei will review what we learned today during class tomorrow."

"Fine. Where do you want to go?"

While Lin Xingren talked, her gaze turned to the back of the classroom and noticed that Ye Zhen was staring at her. But it also seemed that he wasn't staring at her...

"Coffee?"

"Sure," Lin Xingren lowered her voice, "let's go right now."

I'd prefer a bubble tea, though. 

---

Lin Xingren and Chen Siyun were friends, but more like business partners. They stuck to each other everywhere they went at school in return for not being completely alone. It's not like the two disliked loneliness. But it's hard to describe the subtle connection between being lonely and being awkward. One could sit alone on an empty field and not feel uncomfortable. But one can never feel comfortable sitting by oneself in a field when there are groups of people around.