Give Me a Hug

Chapter 14: Taking a Walk

At nine forty.

Xie Jiaran put down his phone and started packing up.

He had spent the whole night brainstorming ideas for his online drafts, without using any paint, saving himself the hassle of washing the paint palette every day.

After packing up his brushes and drafts, he picked up the art appreciation textbook he rarely used in afternoon classes, still thinking about the inspiration for the last line drawing.

Turning around, he saw Liang Sunian, who had arrived at some point and was now leisurely leaning against the classroom door, waiting for him.

His thoughts stuttered, his expression somewhat puzzled. "Why are you here?"

Liang Sunian said, "I ate too much for dinner and came out for a walk. Unconsciously, I wandered down to the art building and just happened to come up to pick you up."

Xie Jiaran quickened his pace to walk over. "Did you wait long? Why didn't you call me?"

"Disturbing an artist's contemplation and creation is a big sin." Liang Sunian said seriously. "I'm a good student; I can't commit crimes."

For a moment, Xie Jiaran didn't know what to say.

Liang Sunian was amused by his "speechless" expression. "I'm just kidding. I only just arrived, didn't wait long."

After saying that, he put away his phone and stood up straight. "Let's go, let's head back."

Xie Jiaran nodded obediently, agreeing, and prepared to turn off the lights, holding the book in his other hand. Liang Sunian, who hadn't walked a few steps, suddenly remembered something, turned around, and his gaze wandered around Xie Jiaran's face a few times.

Xie Jiaran felt inexplicably puzzled. "What's wrong?" He rubbed his nose with the back of his finger. "Did I get paint on it?"

Liang Sunian pointed to a clean spot on his nose. "Hmm, there's a bit here."

Xie Jiaran blindly wiped it a few times, then looked at Liang Sunian, who shook his head regretfully. "Didn't get it. Forget it, don't move, let me help you."

Suppressing a smile, Liang Sunian curved his right index finger and gently rubbed it on Xie Jiaran's nose a few times.

The honest Xie Jiaran trusted him completely, allowing him to do as he pleased. Even though his nose hadn't been touched by anyone, he couldn't help but squint his eyes when he got close.

Too similar.

Liang Sunian lowered his eyelids and smiled faintly.

"Your complexion doesn't seem too good." He adjusted his expression before Xie Jiaran opened his eyes, spreading his hands in a "kind" and serious manner. "Do you want me to hold your hand on the way back?"

Sometimes, some actions really aren't controlled by the brain.

Just like now, Xie Jiaran didn't feel uncomfortable at all, but when he saw Liang Sunian's outstretched palm, before his brain could react, his hand had already subconsciously reached out to meet it.

After a few gentle squeezes, he looked up blankly, seeing the overflowing smile in Liang Sunian's eyes, until he couldn't help but laugh softly.

His hand was released, and the familiar warmth shifted to the top of his head as Liang Sunian began to pat his head.

"Xie Jiaran, can I praise you?" Liang Sunian asked with a smile.

"... What?" Xie Jiaran's hand, which had been pinched, fell to his side unconsciously, and the warm touch seemed to linger.