Chapter 16: I Will Wait for You in Maple Yang

"Qiao..."
Dan Qiuqiu wanted to say more, but was interrupted.
"I told you, you can go back to Maple Sun on your own," Qiao Xi left those words behind and walked away.
Finally alone, she slowed her steps.
It wasn't until she neared her grandmother's house that she looked up and saw Gu Heng leaning against the gate, his hair tousled by the wind, half-shadowing those deep, dark eyes.
Qiao Xi didn't avoid him; she knew she couldn't.
She walked forward and stopped before him.
"Where's Xin Meng?"
"She went back."
"Why didn't you?"
"You know why," Gu Heng looked at her.
Qiao Xi said nothing more.
After a while, Gu Heng asked, "Is it because of that reason?"
"..."
"What Xin Meng said..."
"No," Qiao Xi interrupted, refusing to meet his eyes.
"Then what's the reason?"
"I'm tired. I want to focus on my studies."

"It's the same at Maple Sun," Gu Heng said.
"It's not the same, you know that," Qiao Xi looked at him.
This time, Gu Heng fell silent.
"Go back. You have classes tomorrow," Qiao Xi said, reaching for the gate. As her hand touched the railing, a hand closed gently over hers.
She didn't pull away, nor did she turn to look at him.
"Xi, is that you?" her grandmother opened the door.
"Yes, I'm back," Qiao Xi replied.
"Why aren't you coming in?" her grandmother asked, then spotted Gu Heng at her side. "Heng, you're here too. Why are you both standing outside? Come in, come in."
"He's about to leave," Qiao Xi said, not looking at Gu Heng.
Gu Heng glanced at her, but her grandmother spoke again.
"Since you're here, stay for dinner before you go. I made extra rice today."
So the two entered. The dining table was already set, dishes covered to keep them warm.
"Sit down, I'll serve the rice," her grandmother said kindly.
"I'll do it," Qiao Xi offered.
"No need, you keep Heng company," her grandmother said, heading into the kitchen herself. The living room was left to Qiao Xi and Gu Heng.
"Sit," Qiao Xi said.
Gu Heng said nothing, but sat down.
Neither spoke further. Soon, her grandmother brought out the rice, handing the first bowl to Gu Heng.

"Thank you," Gu Heng said.
"Why so polite with me? Eat plenty, there's lots more rice. You too, Xi," her grandmother said, passing the other bowl to Qiao Xi before returning for her own.
After dinner, darkness settled outside.
"Heng, stay the night," her grandmother said.
Gu Heng looked at Qiao Xi; she neither looked at him nor spoke.
"No, I have class tomorrow," he replied.
"Then stay a while, have some fruit before you leave. Qiao Xi just transferred here, doesn't have many friends yet. Come visit her often."
"I will," Gu Heng promised.
They sat for a while, then Gu Heng left.
Qiao Xi saw him to the gate. Suddenly he turned, fixing his gaze on her, "I'll wait for you at Maple Sun."
"You don't..."
"I know you'll come back," Gu Heng cut her off, embracing her.
Qiao Xi stood still, saying nothing more. "It's getting dark, you should go."
――――――
The next day, the chatter in class was much quieter. Perhaps because Qiao Xi never reacted, everyone found it dull, though some curious students from other classes still wandered over between lessons, peeking in.
Dan Qiuqiu had thought it over carefully last night. Since she had transferred with Qiao Xi, she resolved not to worry so much—after all, following Qiao Xi couldn't go wrong. So today, she endured the class gossip without complaint.