Crossing the Clouds and Sky to Fall in Love with You - Chapter 46

The new semester began, and most courses were similar to last semester, except for the introductory photography course that Yiting had talked me into adding.

Before the first class, Yiting specifically reminded everyone to bring their own digital camera.

I didn’t have one.

But my girlfriend is Chu!

When I told Siqi, “I don’t have a suitable digital camera,” she glanced aside in thought, and finally handed me a camera.

A Nikon D90! “This, this, this…” Isn’t this too valuable?

“Just take it and use it! This is considered an older model. Although the image quality isn’t as good as the later full-frame models, it’s more than enough for a beginner!”

“Is that so?”

“Mhm! Even though this was my first camera after graduation, and it’s full of memories for me.” As if seeing through my concerns, she placed a finger on my lips and said, “However, it’s now being handed over to my precious girlfriend; you’ll take great care of it, right?”

She was totally doing this on purpose! The pressure on me was immense.

Although the camera wasn’t really needed for the first class, the teacher mainly just told those who brought one to try adjusting the camera functions and familiarize themselves with the operation; it was truly basic of the basics.

Even though it was an old model, it was clearly superior to the other digital point-and-shoot cameras. When Yiting saw me bring out such a large camera, she really wanted to take it and touch it.

“Stingy! I finally get to see Chu’s camera!”

“It’s precisely because it’s hers that I can’t just let people touch it.”

“I just want to see what photos are inside! Or can you show me?”

I really wanted to, but Siqi had given me a new memory card, telling me to shoot freely and have fun, so there were none of her photos inside.

We chatted occasionally, and Tao Yi’an was still sitting beside me.

I was surprised that he still attended this course as he had promised, even after knowing that Siqi and I were dating. His attitude in class was as serious as ever. If I hadn’t known he chose this course just to have regular contact with us, I would have truly mistaken him for being very interested in photography.

“Ah, I should have known you knew Chu, then I wouldn’t have dragged you to this course! Whatever you learn from her will be better than the teacher’s…” Hey! You’re speaking too loudly! The teacher looked over at us, and his gaze was fierce!

I pinched Yiting, while also smiling apologetically at the teacher. I finally managed to escape a crisis!

As soon as class ended, I expected her to keep nagging me about the camera, but her eyes were locked on another guy. “I… I need to go to the restroom.” I nodded, and she immediately ran out to chase after that boy. Strange? Was this why she insisted on taking this course?

Tao Yi’an finally stopped writing and suddenly met my gaze. The awkwardness only lasted for a moment before he spoke: “She chose the course for that senior.”

Huh? “You knew?”

He smiled, “It looks like Yiting didn’t tell you; now this is a mess—you came to accompany her, and I came for you. All three of us have impure motives!” His shrug and humorous attitude made me laugh!

“Impure motives, huh… It doesn’t matter! I’m treating it as learning a new skill anyway.” I stroked the camera, inadvertently recalling Siqi’s focused expression when she was photographing the married trees.

“Not going to learn from your other half?” he asked, raising an eyebrow… His tone was too relaxed, wasn’t it?

“Agh! You, why are you saying the same thing as Yiting?”

“She would definitely be happy to teach you.” His tone was flat. I fell silent, suddenly unsure what he meant by bringing up this topic. “I heard! You have a new hobby recently.”

“New… Oh! It’s nothing, just playing and learning a bit.”

“It’s good to be passionate about something; Xiaoning , I always thought your voice was lovely. I’d really like to hear you sing live.”

Faced with such a candid and direct request, I didn’t know how to respond. “Oh! If… if there’s a chance!” He smiled, and so did I. The moment I saw his smile, a heavy burden in my heart quietly lifted.

After that class, Yiting ran off again to chase after the senior she liked. Tao Yi’an and I ate together and talked a lot about Mermale (Ren Mian Yu). I found out his source of information was Saya-xuejie (senior sister)! “When did the two of you get so close?”

“I wouldn’t say very close, right? Maybe because you introduced me, their attitude toward me isn’t quite the same as toward a regular fan. Plus, I go to the pub to hear them perform whenever I have time, so we gradually became closer.”

Tao Yi’an and Saya-xuejie… these two? I faintly sensed something unusual. Women are gossipy creatures, especially since the first day of their performance, when it rained, and the xuejie immediately rushed through the crowd to find him. From the beginning, the xuejie had made no secret of her admiration for Tao Yi’an; and Jack-xuezhang’s (senior brother) gaze toward Tao Yi’an was indeed strange.

I decided to probe a little.

“Tao Yi’an, who do you like the most in Mermale?”

His eyes showed a hint of confusion. “I like their music; it’s not like I’m following an idol.”

“Isn’t there a part you especially like? Like the arrangement or the singing?”

His face became even more contorted. “Saya’s singing is quite good, but sometimes I think she sings too forcefully; it would be better if she relaxed a bit.”

Wow! He has an opinion! “Have you told the xuejie this?”

He smiled and shook his head, “I said we aren’t that close yet; however, she and I occasionally talk about you.”

I pursed my lips. Knowing that the xuejie would reveal things about me to him, I’d have to be careful what I say to her in the future!

After we finished eating, I didn’t have class until the afternoon, so he offered to walk back with me. “I haven’t seen where Tao Siqi and you live yet; consider it sightseeing.”

“It’s a shame there’s no elevator, or I’d invite you up for a cup of tea.”

His smile held a mix of disappointment, yet he said with resignation, “It’s fine! Anyway, she will find another chance to come to my house to drink with you, so we won’t lack opportunities!”

We walked for a while without speaking until we turned onto our alley, and I heard him say, “I’ve thought about it for a long time… perhaps you and she are a match made in heaven.”

His words truly surprised me. “Not because he’s your sister… because she’s a girl?”

“Of course, being preempted by my sister still makes me angry.” He pouted, admitting his true feelings just as candidly. “But, I don’t doubt that with her ability, she can definitely take good care of you.” He paused, then immediately added, “And I’ve clearly noticed that you’ve grown being by her side; you’ve become more confident.”

I nudged my lips, “That’s the second person to say I’ve grown this week.”

“Oh? Who was the first?”

“Saya-xuejie!”

He looked up, a bit proud, “Great minds think alike.”

“She’s a girl!” I corrected.

“What does that matter? In my eyes, Saya certainly has a masculine boldness in some ways.”

“Including her eating habits!” I said with a quiet smile.

“What was that?”

“Ah! Nothing! The xuejie’s personality is indeed very Man!”

The apartment gate was right in front of us. “This is it, where Siqi and I live.”

“Oh… it looks quite old!” He glanced up. I couldn’t help but find his comment amusing. “Xiaoning …”

“Ha! All student rentals are like this! What is it?” His expression suddenly became strange…

I looked back and instantly saw the reason.

Lu Hanjun, he was standing right at the apartment entrance, waiting for me.

He was wearing sunglasses and stood there with a tight expression. His appearance made me momentarily stunned.

“Xiao Xiao, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

“What are you doing here?” I frowned. Tao Yi’an pushed his wheelchair, risking a collision with Lu Hanjun, and blocked him from me! “Tao Yi’an…”

“Who are you?”

“Xiaoning ‘s friend.” Tao Yi’an’s voice sounded very calm. “Mr. Lu, I believe you two broke up before the new year, didn’t you?”

I never expected him to stand in front of me like this…

Lu Hanjun’s expression was awkward. He took off his sunglasses. “That’s true, but I came to talk to Xiao Xiao alone for a few words.”

“That depends on whether she welcomes you?” He didn’t turn back. “Xiaoning , what do you say?”

I met Lu Hanjun’s eyes. For a moment, I saw many things, including the man who was passionate about music, the man who constantly worked hard to gain fans… and the man who, after becoming famous, abandoned the revolutionary camaraderie of his bandmates for profit and became greedy.

All of these things converged right then. I initially thought my feelings would be complicated, but in the end, they just turned into a sigh.

“Thank you, Tao Yi’an, I can handle this.” I patted his shoulder and walked past his protection.

“Xiao Xiao…” A slight smile instantly appeared on his face.

I pursed my lips, “I have nothing to say to you. Please move.” Then I directly slipped past him.

He put a hand right on my shoulder! “Xiao Xiao! Don’t go!”

“Xiaoning !”

Lu Hanjun caught up, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry to you, I was wrong!”

I stopped. He gasped for breath and continued, “Xiao Xiao, I was wrong. I broke up with Ivy!”

I widened my eyes. He nodded, looking distressed and pained.

“Since I called you on the first day of the semester, I’ve been dealing with my situation with her for the past few days. I wasn’t happy with her. In fact, I kept remembering my past with you…”

“Enough. I don’t want to know. I don’t want to know anything about you and her.” Somehow, I only felt absurd and wanted to laugh.

“Your apology came too late, far too late. The damage has already been done; including the child you gave up! If you hadn’t treated me so heartlessly, perhaps we would have had a very different future.” I heard Tao Yi’an gasp. Lu Hanjun’s head was bowed. I had never seen him so humble, especially after gaining fame.

Speaking of the “child,” a sudden pain tore at my chest. I took a deep breath, fighting back tears that were either sad or angry. “I told you, we owe each other nothing anymore! Even if you want to find a girl who looks like me to have an affair with, go ahead; you abandoned me to climb the ladder that brought you instant success. I was sad once, but now I have to turn around and thank you! You led me to meet a better person…” Thinking of Siqi, my heart warmed.

“Now that you’ve found that ladder isn’t comfortable for you, you don’t actually have the nerve to come back and ask to reconcile, do you? You can’t be that naive, Lu Hanjun.” By the end, I was actually laughing!

“I, I… Xiao Xiao…”

“I once thought you were my sun, air, and water, but now, I can live perfectly well without you, even better than when I was with you!” I shook my head and forced a smile. “Go, I don’t want to see you again.”

I had said my piece, and I left Lu Hanjun without hesitation. I went upstairs alone and unlocked Siqi’s door. The moment the lock clicked, my tears finally broke through.

I wasn’t sad.

These were tears of relief, symbolizing the final and complete emergence from the shadow.

I wiped them away, put down Siqi’s camera, and picked up the ukulele instead.

Siqi wasn’t home, but I could almost see her smiling proudly at me.