A Young Woman's Heart

After all, that would seem too heartless; even if I were to throw it away, I should wait a few days.

Or simply stuff her into a cabinet in the band room, and wait until people naturally forget about her.

"Really... when did this start? They always like to turn every holiday into Valentine's Day." Mo Xue gazed at the twilight sky and sighed helplessly.

……

(two)

Dinner before evening self-study sessions usually takes place in the band room.

The main advantage is that it's quiet here and has air conditioning.

Although it's not as effective as the heating in a classroom when the temperature is below zero.

The sound of a group of people going upstairs came from the quiet corridor. Mo Xueyao, who was carrying her dinner box, couldn't help but look back.

The noisy laughter drowned out the footsteps. There were six or seven lower-grade students, two of whom were in the second year of high school, and the rest were all freshmen.

Actually, half a year has passed, and they probably shouldn't be called 'new students' anymore, but Mo Xueyao still can't help but describe them that way in her heart.

She glanced at Li Wanyan, then quickened her pace, as if trying to escape the commotion behind her.

The lively sounds stopped on the fourth floor and did not continue upwards.

"It looks like the school band, there are so many people..." Mo Xueyao stood by the stairwell on the fifth floor and couldn't help but glance down.

Li Wanyan's voice came calmly from the front: "The school band has more than twenty people in total."

"Wow, there are so many... and quite a few newcomers too. But I guess that's to be expected, since it's the school band!"

“A few days ago, the last senior high school student also dropped out.”

"Hey, how did Wanyan know?"

"No one was wearing their senior year uniform during last week's flag-raising ceremony."

Mo Xueyao swallowed, and suddenly felt as if something was stuck in her throat, which was uncomfortable.

—It was just a trivial matter that had nothing to do with her.

……

(three)

Dinner was oily fried dumplings.

In this cold weather, you need to eat some of this kind of food to feel warmer.

As for whether it will cause weight gain—that's probably not something I consider when I'm eating.

Li Wanyan also bought some, but she only fried vegetables.

"Did Yinyin and the others eat out today? Why haven't they arrived at the classroom yet?"

"They are queuing up to buy."

What to buy?

"do not know."

"Tsk, I wonder what new and interesting things she's buying this time." Mo Xueyao clicked her tongue. "I hope she doesn't miss dinner again."

Li Wanyan smiled, pursing her lips, neither confirming nor denying.

"Oh, right, Susu's love letter..."

"It wasn't for you, was it?" Li Wanyan said, taking a crunchy bite of a piece of fried cauliflower.

"Why do you think that, Wanyan?"

In return, Li Wanyan gave her a slightly mysterious smile and a slightly raised eyebrow.

"I guessed so... Could it really be for Li Dage? If Lele and Yinyin find out, it'll probably be all over the class by tomorrow."

Li Wanyan picked up a fried dumpling from Mo Xueyao's bowl, gave her two of her own fried cauliflower, and nodded gently.

……

(four)

To Mo Xueyao's surprise, when the origami cranes and five-pointed stars in the jar were opened, each one contained a romantic love quote.

Phrases like "You are the brightest star in the sky" or "I have walked the road where you are, where fragrant flowers bloom."

But the thought that it was a gift for Li Hongran gave her goosebumps.

This bottle full of little stars and origami cranes must have been a symbol of his longing.

This is actually a precious gift and shouldn't be thrown away carelessly.

But—should it be secretly slipped into Li Hongran's drawer, or returned to An Ruosu?

Mo Xueyao was somewhat hesitant, but her hands didn't stop moving as she quickly screwed the glass bottle cap on.

She stared at the heart-shaped gift box in her hand for a long time before finally deciding to open it.

The beautifully packaged gift box was secured with ribbons using double-sided tape; each tear produced a sharp, mournful sound from the cardboard box.

It felt like the most vulnerable part of my heart had been torn open.

It is decorated with delicate ribbons, and is as soft as cotton in a quilt.

Mo Xueyao thought of the haystacks placed next to the stove in the countryside.

There were some cute little snacks inside, which looked quite exquisite and didn't look like the kind you would normally buy in a convenience store.

The cutest part is the greeting card in the middle; when you open it, a spring will push the Santa Claus card out.

It must have been drawn by herself, because Mo Xueyao could even smell the ink that hadn't completely dried.

A letter was tucked inside the celebratory greeting card.

There were many words written on it.

Mo Xueyao's first reaction was to shove it back in, but she gritted her teeth, endured the goosebumps that rose all over her body, and continued reading.

Well, if you ignore the fact that the person who sent the letter was An Ruosu, then it would probably seem like it was written by a girl who was madly in love with Li Hongran.

The affection expressed in the letter was almost overflowing.

Mo Xueyao felt that he should switch identities with her. If he could become a girl, everything would be much smoother than it is now.

The letter was unsigned at the bottom, making it seem like an anonymous love letter.

Mo Xueyao gently folded the mushy letter she had written, and for a moment, she was at a loss for what to do.

This letter should really be delivered to Li Hongran, shouldn't it?

At least let him know that someone has been secretly liking him.

Even if he might not accept it.

Love between people of the same sex.

This is different from the playful antics of Hua Yinyin and the others.

It's obvious that An Ruosu is serious.

……

(Fives)

Unfamiliar footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Then, there was a gentle knock on the classroom door.

"Su Su?"

With Mo Xueyao's uncertain greeting, the door was opened a crack, revealing a pair of slightly surprised eyes.

So she got up and walked out. As she passed by Li Wanyan, she took the opportunity to flick Li Wanyan's long hair to cover up her embarrassment.

An Ruosu was waiting for her in the empty and quiet corridor.

He looked at her with pleading eyes, his hands seemingly unsure of what to do.

Mo Xueyao scratched her head, then her cheek, then the back of her hand—and even wanted to scratch the soles of her feet.

She felt a ticklish sensation all over her body at that moment: "Uh... what's wrong?"

"You saw...?"

He hesitated, wondering whether he should ask.

"Ah, I saw it."

Mo Xueyao's answer was without hesitation.

An Ruosu hesitated, about to speak, but Mo Xueyao interrupted her.

"Keep it a secret?"

“…Yes!” He nodded vigorously. “I’m sorry…I’ve caused you trouble.”

"Shouldn't we give it to him?"

"Give it to him?"

"That letter is anonymous anyway, it would be a shame not to give it to you, and what about the paper stars and origami cranes in the glass jar?"

"Um... give it back to me."

"Oh, okay." Mo Xueyao paused for a second, feeling that the night was incredibly dark. "Then... what about the letter?"

"You—you decide what to do?" An Ruosu's eyes darted around, and her tone was hesitant.

"Okay." Mo Xueyao already had her answer in her heart.

However, she was more curious about something else.

"Then what do we do? Are we just going to let it go like this?"

An Ruosu lowered her head and sighed softly.

Mo Xueyao seemed to hear him say that he wished he were a girl.

But when I came to my senses, I realized that what I had just imagined was just my mind wandering.