The bell marking the end of evening study slowly faded through the classroom building.
Chen Shi'an waited in the first-floor corridor, still eating half a piece of Coconut Candy, his gaze resting on the crowd streaming down the stairs.
Before long, he spotted that familiar, pretty figure coming down the stairs.
Wen Zhixia always had a strange magic about her. Whenever Chen Shi'an saw her, a faint smile would somehow rise to his lips.
The girl looked exhausted. Every couple of steps, she reached behind her to rub her lower back, her delicate brows slightly furrowed and her lips turned down in a wronged pout, like a worn-out kitten.
Fortunately, seeing him seemed to give her some energy at last. Her steps grew lighter, and she practically hopped down two steps before jogging up to him, her backpack swaying.
"Taoist..." Listen-even when she called him, she drew out the sound like a little old lady.
"What's wrong? Why was Little Cicada so slow today?"
"Oww-my back aches, my legs ache, my arms ache. I can't even walk anymore."
"From playing basketball?"
"-From studying!"
Chen Shi'an couldn't help snickering at the girl's stubborn insistence.
Annoyed, Wen Zhixia raised her little hand and smacked him twice.
"Give me your backpack."
"No need. You're already so tired. I'll carry it."
"Give it to me!"
Unable to win against her, and seeing that she was about to take it herself, Chen Shi'an could only remove his backpack and hand it over.
Wen Zhixia hugged his backpack to her chest, chattering to him as they walked.
"Taoist, what are you eating?"
"Coconut Candy. Want some?"
"Yes!"
Chen Shi'an reached into the backpack in her arms, fished out a piece of Coconut Candy, and held it out to her.
"Here." "I don't have hands!"
The girl