Wang Yue always felt that Qiao Zixuan's words had a hidden meaning today.
Such a literary side to her was unlike her usual self.
At this moment, the dark clouds in the sky parted, revealing the bright, clear moon.
The gentle moonlight spilled onto the river, making the surface shimmer with ripples, a truly beautiful sight.
"Let's go sit by the river," Qiao Zixuan said.
"Okay," Wang Yue agreed with a nod.
The two walked down the stairs to the area below Binjiang Road.
There were many teahouses along the riverbank, and they were always bustling with business in the summer. Some people came purely to drink tea and chat, others to play cards, and some just to feel the breeze.
The riverside in summer was cool and very pleasant.
"Handsome young man, beautiful lady, would you like some tea?" A teahouse owner greeted them with a smile as soon as they came down.
"Boss, do you have any seats near the river?" Qiao Zixuan asked.
"Yes, yes," the teahouse owner replied enthusiastically, leading them to a spot by the river.
A table and two chairs were set up. The Minjiang River was not far away, and they could even feel the dampness in the air.
"How is this spot?" the teahouse owner asked with a smile.
"It's very good," Wang Yue smiled.
"What would you like to drink?" the teahouse owner asked.
"Two glasses of lemonade, please," Qiao Zixuan said.
"Certainly, please wait a moment." The teahouse owner left.
The two sat facing each other. Under the lamplight, Qiao Zixuan's eyes sparkled as if stars were twinkling, making her look exceptionally beautiful.
They gazed at each other, and suddenly Qiao Zixuan chuckled, "Da Yue Yue, did you not wash your face today? I saw some sleep in the corner of your eye."
Wang Yue quickly reached up to his eye and found nothing. He laughed, "Good for you, you're learning to lie now, aren't you?"
"Pfft," Qiao Zixuan giggled. "It must be because you usually don't wash your face that you've started doubting yourself."
This was the first time Qiao Zixuan had laughed tonight, but even so, Wang Yue could feel that she wasn't in high spirits, completely unlike her usual self.
"Did something happen to you?" Wang Yue finally couldn't help but ask.
"Ah? Nothing happened," Qiao Zixuan's gaze drifted, looking towards the distant river.
A gentle breeze stirred, lifting Qiao Zixuan's hair, her profile was also very beautiful.
Wang Yue followed Qiao Zixuan's gaze and saw the moon and stars in the sky.
The further back in time they went, the harder it would be to see such a scene. Once skyscrapers were built and urban light pollution worsened, the stars would become invisible. At that time, one would have to go to the countryside or the mountains to see a sky full of stars.
Seeing this, Wang Yue suddenly had an idea.
"Xiao Xuan Xuan, do you know the biggest difference between you and the stars?" Wang Yue asked with a smile.
"Ah?" Qiao Zixuan turned her head, looking puzzled. "What's the difference?"
"The stars are in the sky, but you are in my heart," Wang Yue said with a serious expression.
This time, however, Qiao Zixuan didn't laugh. She was stunned for a long time.
Seeing Qiao Zixuan like this, Wang Yue knew she must have something on her mind. Her behavior today was far too unusual.
"Mm," Qiao Zixuan finally hummed, turned her head, and continued to gaze at the star-filled sky. This left Wang Yue feeling a bit lost.
"Here are your lemonades," the owner arrived at this moment, breaking the awkward silence.
"Thank you," Wang Yue said with a smile.
"The night is beautiful tonight. I wish you both a wonderful evening," the owner said with a smile.
"Here, Xiao Xuan Xuan," Wang Yue inserted the straw into the cup and handed it over.
"Thank you," Qiao Zixuan took the cup and said softly.
"Don't be so polite with me," Wang Yue replied.
Qiao Zixuan remained silent, taking a sip of her lemonade.
Just as Wang Yue was wondering how to break the deadlock, Qiao Zixuan suddenly looked up and said, "Da Yue Yue, you said the biggest difference between me and the stars is that I'm in your heart. Do you truly have me in your heart?" Qiao Zixuan looked at Wang Yue, her eyes full of defiance.
Wang Yue froze for a moment. A thought flashed through his mind like lightning, and then he nodded. "Of course."
Qiao Zixuan took a large sip of her lemonade and said, "Da Yue Yue, actually, the first time I noticed you wasn't in junior year."
"What do you mean?" Wang Yue asked, surprised.
"The first time I noticed you was in sophomore year. You had a bowl cut back then, quiet, unremarkable, and your grades were always in the middle. But once, during Chinese class, when the teacher asked a question, I noticed you for the first time." Qiao Zixuan's face broke into a smile. "Teacher Yu said, 'The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves in front.' You replied, 'Each generation is more magnificent than the last.'"
"The whole class burst into laughter then. No one expected you to be so subtly cheeky." Wang Yue blushed a little. He vaguely remembered such an event. He was sitting with Hu Qianhao then, and that guy was always whispering nonsense poems in his ear, successfully corrupting him.
"Later, in junior year, you changed your hairstyle and amazed everyone in English class. It was as if you were a different person. I was very curious then. How could a person change so much? I wanted to understand you, but you rejected me. That made me even more curious."
"Gradually, I discovered you had many strengths. You played basketball well, wrote calligraphy beautifully, and were good at English. Later, I learned you weren't just good at English, but all subjects. As I got to know you more and more, I found my feelings for you deepening."
"I don't know when it started, but I began to miss you. I missed you in class, after class, at home, and even in my dreams. I wanted to share my joys and sorrows with you, and to share the bits and pieces of my life..."
Wang Yue listened quietly to the maiden's heartfelt confession. Qiao Zixuan chattered on for half an hour before finally stopping. She looked at Wang Yue and asked earnestly, "So..."
"Wait!" Just then, Wang Yue interrupted Qiao Zixuan.
Qiao Zixuan looked confused but stopped. She thought, he's going to avoid it again, isn't he?
"Close your eyes," Wang Yue said with a smile.
"Ah?" Qiao Zixuan hesitated, but closed her eyes. Her trembling eyelashes showed her inner turmoil. She heard Wang Yue's footsteps approaching.
"Open your eyes," Wang Yue said.
Qiao Zixuan opened her eyes. A star and moon necklace dangled before her.
Wang Yue smiled. "Confessing should never be left to the girls. Actually, I was planning to confess to you today too."
"Qiao Zixuan, will you be my girlfriend?" Wang Yue asked.
"I will!" Qiao Zixuan jumped up and hugged Wang Yue tightly, tears mingling with her laughter. "I've been waiting for these words for a long time."