Holding Your Wrist

After class ended, Ding Yebai tidied up a bit and lay down on his bed to sleep.

At first, he lay flat on his back, but as time passed, he started tossing and turning.

He turned over and over, unable to fall asleep.

His mind was filled with Yang Zhi's smile and the only two times they had touched.

He always felt like Sister Yang Zhi's eyes held starlight and the ocean. When their gazes met, even the coldest heart would warm up, as if it would melt the next second. In short, just seeing her made him feel very comfortable.

As he thought, his breathing began to quicken.

"Really..."

Strange... It was raining lightly outside, so the temperature should be low, but why was he so hot?

Ding Yebai reached up to scratch his burning chest, then rolled over and hugged his pillow tightly.

Couldn't sleep.

Couldn't sleep!

COULDN'T SLEEP!!!!

He suddenly sat up, jumped off the bed, and sat down at his desk, grabbing a random practice sheet to write on.

When he focused and saw it was an English test, his first instinct was to put it aside, but after calming down for three seconds, he silently opened his pen cap and began to read seriously.

What's wrong with me?

For a period after that, Ding Yebai diligently did practice problems and attended classes at school during the day, and studied seriously with Yang Zhi at home in the evenings.

He was almost 100% invested in his senior year review.

He knew full well that his accuracy rate had been steadily increasing these past few days, showing visible progress.

Yet, he still asked Yang Zhi, as if he didn't know, whether his grades had improved at all recently.

He found it strange himself.

Why was he doing something as pointless as this?

One Saturday after school, this block of ice was still pondering his muddled behavior these past few days.

Distracted, he decided not to ride his bike and instead pushed it, walking forward with a cold expression.

The young man was lost in his dazed thoughts, unaware that it was simply to get another chance to perform, perhaps to say a few more words and receive some praise, or maybe to see more...

Bullshit!!!

No!!!

It's not like that!!!

I couldn't possibly do something so foolish.

Ding Yebai stopped abruptly, shook his head violently, and said with a troubled frown, "I would even think that? Is my brain broken?"

"Oh, isn't this Ding Yebai?"

"Huh?"

Ding Yebai turned his head in the direction of the voice and realized he had arrived at Yang Zhi's doorstep.

And Grandma was sitting at the entrance, beckoning him with a kind smile.

Ding Yebai: "..."

Grandma: "Finally, I've waited for you."

Ding Yebai: "..."

Finally... waited for me?????

What did that mean?

Grandma slowly got up from her chair, still speaking to Ding Yebai, "I made some sweet pancakes, and I was thinking you might pass by after school, so you could take some back."

Ding Yebai walked over, pushing his bike, and quietly looked at Grandma.

Grandma's eyes crinkled, and she smiled sweetly.

Ding Yebai: "For... me?"

Grandma: "Yes."

Ding Yebai: "Really?"

Grandma: "Yes."

Ding Yebai: "Why?"

Grandma smiled slightly and invited Ding Yebai into the courtyard, saying as they walked, "Because of the porridge last time."

Ding Yebai: "That's a small matter. Don't worry about it."

"No, that won't do."

The two walked to the porch. Grandma went inside and got the sugar cakes, then walked over to Ding Yebai and put them in his arms: "You're a good kid. You've helped us a lot."

Ding Yebai held the bag of sugar cakes, took a deep breath, and looked up at Grandma, smiling shyly: "Thank you."

"Oh, right. Qiqi said you know magic."

"A little."

"This old woman would like to see it, if that's okay?"

"Sure."

Afterward, Grandma sat in her rocking chair, and Ding Yebai performed a few simple magic tricks for her.

For example, making playing cards and roses appear out of thin air.

A while later, Qiqi also woke up and ran into the yard to become the second audience member.

She really liked Brother Ding Yebai. She always thought he was tall, cool, and handsome.

Of course, the main reason was his good looks.

The old woman sat in her rocking chair, the child squatted beside her, staring intently at the handsome magician's performance. The three of them looked peaceful and beautiful.

By the time the sun had set, Ding Yebai finally shouldered his bag and headed home.

He was very happy because his magic had never been formally demonstrated to others like this before.

He had never received such warm applause and heartfelt admiration either.

With a faint smile, he said goodbye to the old woman and the child and pushed his cart out.

As soon as he stepped out, he coincidentally bumped into Yang Zhi.

It was one thing to bump into her, but he actually knocked her over.

Fortunately, Ding Yebai reacted quickly. He immediately reached out, grabbed her slender wrist, and pulled her up.

"Careful!"

Clatter--

After regaining her balance, Yang Zhi looked confused, her eyes wide as she stared at the boy in the blue and white school uniform before her. It took a second before she realized her wrist had been held!

"Ah... um, Ding Yebai... what are you doing here?" she asked, clearly a little flustered.

"..." Ding Yebai noticed her expression and quickly let go.

Qiqi ran over to them, giggling, and hugged Yang Zhi's leg, explaining the whole story.

Yang Zhi was both surprised and delighted upon hearing it.

She was surprised Ding Yebai knew magic, and happy that Grandma and Qiqi were so pleased.

After all, Grandma and Qiqi were the ones who accompanied her. And Grandma was her only relative in the world. As long as Grandma was there, she had a home.

Qiqi: "Sister Yang Zhi, why are you back?"

Yang Zhi picked her up and gently, naturally, smoothed the stray hair from her face: "I have no classes tomorrow, so I came back."

Qiqi: "Really?"

Yang Zhi: "Mm-hmm."

Ding Yebai looked at Yang Zhi's profile and thought that she was still as... gentle as water.

Grandma, watching from her rocking chair, finally couldn't help but say: "Xiao Zhi, walk Ye Bai out."

Ding Yebai: "No..."

"Let's go, Ding Yebai." Yang Zhi put Qiqi down and immediately agreed with Grandma.

Ding Yebai watched her walk ahead with her bag, and he had no choice but to push his cart and follow.

The sky darkened, and a bright moon was half-hidden by drifting clouds. The scattered, low-hanging clouds floated uncertainly, casting shifting shadows on the ground, which flickered in and out of light.

A group of children ran past them, playing. Yang Zhi watched them and naturally broke into a sweet smile.

Ding Yebai watched her and thought she would be suited to be a teacher, to teach innocent children.

Those little angels needed an archangel like her.

"Ding Yebai," Yang Zhi said suddenly.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"..."

Ding Yebai was confused.

Yang Zhi looked straight ahead and continued unhurriedly, "Thank you for being so good to Grandma and Qiqi. We're... not really close, but you're still good to them."

After speaking, she paused, then turned her head and gave Ding Yebai a gentle smile, "Thank you."

Bang--!!!

Ding Yebai's chest felt like it had been struck by something colorless and odorless.

Suddenly, the world went silent.

He had been staring into Yang Zhi's eyes at first, but as he watched, her dark pupils seemed to possess some kind of magic.

It felt like if he looked for another second, he would sink.

Drown in that cliché sea.

Conflicted!!

Conflicted!!!

He didn't want her to smile, but he also wanted to see her smile.

If angels had a form, this would probably be it.

"..." Ding Yebai quickly turned his head away, let out a dry laugh, and said, "You don't have to be like this. Grandma is very good to me too. That red bean cake last time was really delicious. Speaking of which, I'm a guy, why would a girl give me something? Sister Yang Zhi, you should go back quickly."

Yang Zhi: "Alright then."

Such a quick reply.

Ding Yebai nodded, "Okay, see you next time." With that, he hopped onto his bike and sped away.

Yang Zhi tightened her crossbody bag, standing in place, still looking graceful and serene.

She had seen all of Ding Yebai's efforts these past few days, and this boy was also very good to her Grandma and Qiqi.

She stood under the dim streetlamp, reminiscing for a little while longer, and the calm lake in her heart was stirred by the wind, rippling gently, gently.

Ding Yebai, your personality really doesn't match your looks at all.