By the time they came out of the old bookstore, it was completely dark.
Nights in Jing County came earlier and were quieter than in Yancheng.
Liu Qingning specifically asked the owner for a plain kraft paper bag and carefully packed the sketchbook inside.
She held it tightly against her chest as if it were a priceless treasure.
The two wandered aimlessly for a while.
Liu Qingning seemed to have finally recovered from her emotions and could not help looking up at Tang Song beside her.
"Did you draw all of these yourself?"
"Mm." Tang Song smiled smugly. "Aren't they beautiful? Mainly because the heroine inside is pretty."
"Hmph, what a smooth talker. So when exactly did you learn how to draw?"
"Maybe I was born talented, but studying suppressed it. After I got into college, something suddenly just clicked, and all my meridians opened up.
No choice, that's what it means to be a genius. Just like how I used to envy you for getting great grades without having to study so hard."
"Tch, you narcissist." Liu Qingning pursed her lips in a smile and lightly punched him.
They chatted as they walked side by side down familiar streets, talking about the changes around No. 1 High School.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a small shop.
Each of them ordered a steaming bowl of chicken soup rice noodles.
Tang Song then ran to the shop next door, whose sign had not changed in over a decade, and bought two freshly baked Tujia crumb cakes.
In the steaming little shop, they sat in a corner eating rice noodles and flatbread.
Their gazes occasionally met, and the atmosphere was warmer than ever.
It was the evening rush hour. People constantly came and went through the shop, footsteps never ceasing, and