I looked at Leng Yang's cast-covered arm and my heart ached. I regretted why I had to always care so much about earning credits and volunteering. If I hadn't been so obsessed, Leng Yang wouldn't have taken me into the student council, and this wouldn't have happened.

This morning, we didn't have any classes, so we planned to sleep in. The dorm was very quiet, and just like college students on a day off, we slept until the afternoon.

Suddenly, I felt someone tugging at my blanket. I lifted the curtain and saw Jiang Ci making a "shush" gesture to me, worried about waking others up. I whispered, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Ci whispered in my ear, "Let's go to your sister's school and do the enrollment procedures for them. Don't they need parents?"

I looked at him speechless, "Isn't it nine o'clock? What time is it now?"

It's seven thirty, but we still have to walk there!

"Couldn't you just take a taxi there?"

Jiang Ci gave a face full of eagerness, “Alright, that takes time too! Get up quickly! I’m going to the bathroom.” Jiang Ci turned his head back and warned, "Hurry up! If your sisters go early!”

After we stealthily got ready, we quietly closed the door. Chiang Ci suddenly raised his voice and said: "Hurry up! We'll be late!"

Upon arriving at the school gate, there were few people around, and it felt deserted.

I took out my phone to hail a cab, but Chiang immediately stopped me and said, "It's so close, don't take a taxi. What's the point of wasting that money?"

"Don't tell me you're really walking there, 4.5 kilometers!"

Jiang Ci said with confidence: "Didn't you learn to ride an electric scooter? Look at those over there." Jiang Ci pointed to the neatly lined-up electric cars on both sides of the school road and said, "We'll ride these, it's convenient and saves money."

Unable to resist the temptation of the train, I gave in.

"Do you know the way?"

"Well, come on, that's my alma mater!"

……

Approaching the school gate, past a traffic light, is the school entrance.

The school gate was closed, and I couldn't help but give him a white look: "Jiang Ci, are you alright? It's not time yet. There are over twenty minutes left."

Jiang Ci smiled foolishly and said to the door, "Brother, you definitely need to arrive at school before 9 o'clock!"

I listened and it sounded reasonable, so I said: "You're right! "

He interrupted me: "Of course, I'm the most careful person when I do things! Not one bit off."

I thought he was pretty reliable, but I couldn't help but roll my eyes when I heard what he said.

The security guard opened the door and, seeing Jiang Ci, broke into a smile. The two uncles hurriedly came out.

Jiang Ci immediately spoke up: "Aunties and uncles, good morning! It's been a long time."

Everyone shouted, "It's Jiang Ci! Come in quickly, come sit by the fire." Then the two uncles enthusiastically pulled us inside.

Two uncles and an aunt all smiled brightly, they opened the electric stove to warm us up. The aunt pulled out breakfast: “Jiang Ci, have you had breakfast? Aunt has food here.”

The food was placed in front of me, and I hurriedly pushed it away with a smile, saying, "Thank you, Auntie, but we've already eaten."

Jiang Ci said, "Auntie, don't worry about us, just eat your own. Otherwise, you won't have breakfast later."

The aunt was amused and laughed, "Really? Auntie can buy it anytime, haha."

Chiang Ci just wanted to say something.

One uncle said, "Jiang Ci, why are you guys here so early? How come you suddenly thought of coming back to see us? Didn't Leng Yang come with you?"

When I heard the name Lengyang, my heart skipped a beat.

Jiang Ci pointed at me and said, "Uncle Wang, my sister and I came to pick up his sisters. His sisters transferred schools here today." Then he looked at them happily and said, "Of course, since we're coming here anyway, we might as well come and see you guys."

Uncle and aunties were laughing so hard their mouths couldn't close. Uncle Wang looked at me with a kind face and said, "Oh, is that so!"

I nodded slightly.

Before I could even speak, Chiang Ci shouted loudly: "Ahhhh! Brother, they're here, they're here!"

I quickly got up and rushed to the front, only to find that it had started to snow. The snowflakes were falling gently, like little white dots, so light that they were tilted by the barely there wind.

"I saw Qin Ning wearing a pink and white striped plush hoodie, with a white turtleneck sweater underneath, and a pair of beige-colored slim-fitting wide-leg pants. She had a black backpack on her back, a white beanie on her head, and half of her hair was tied up in pigtails with butterfly clips. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, her round nose was flushed from the cold wind, and her small face couldn't stop smiling. After seeing us, the two of them ran towards us."

Zhao Aibi is a little taller than Qin Ning. She also wears a white turtleneck sweater as a base, followed by a gray and white patchwork fleece jacket with a black backpack on her back. Her bottom is paired with a pair of coffee-colored loose wide-leg pants. She doesn't wear a hat, her hair is tied into two braids in a sweet and cool half-high ponytail. Under the French bangs are long almond-shaped eyes, a slender face, a high nose bridge, and cold eyes that become lively after seeing me. With thin eyes and eyebrows, the corners of her mouth seem to curve upwards slightly but also downwards slightly.

Two people rushed towards me, and I smiled indulgently at them. They immediately threw themselves into my arms.

"Brother, I miss you so much. ??"

"Well, Xing Yi Ge, it's been a long time."

I gently stroked their heads with both hands and softly said, "I miss you all too! That's enough now."

When we opened our arms, the three of us realized that Jiang Ci was staring blankly at Qin Ning. I nudged him hard, and he came to his senses. He smiled sheepishly and said, "You're finally here, I was worried you wouldn't come. I'm so glad you made it."

I was so embarrassed by him, Zhao Ai couldn't stop covering her mouth and laughing. Qin Ning gave a look of disgust but said with a smile, "Ah?! Oh, thank you."

Qin Ning saw this man who had been chatting with her, always online to tell her about his brother. She felt a deep gratitude in her heart. So she stepped forward wanting to give him a hug.

I saw Qin Ning step forward, and I thought she was going to give Jiang Ci a withering glare, but what she said shocked all of us.

She opened her arms and said, "Jiang Ci gege, thank you for taking care of my brother. Can I have a hug?"

We all stared in disbelief, unable to comprehend what we were seeing and hearing. Chiang Ci was so shocked that he forgot to respond, simply staring blankly at Qin Ning.

I got angry and kicked him, saying: "Jiang Ci, what's wrong with you, dare to refuse my sister."

Jiang Ci woke up, and hurried forward. Qin Ning's hands just happened to be around his waist, Jiang Ci affectionately held Qin Ning's back of the neck and nape, Jiang Ci still weakly asked: "Is this true?"

Qin Ning just smiled slightly.

For 2 seconds, time seemed to stand still as Chiang Ci was about to lay his head on Qin Ning's shoulder. I got angry and stepped forward, pulling the two apart.

"Jiang Ci, what's wrong with you!"

The uncles and aunts behind them burst into laughter, and the two of them felt embarrassed.

"Isn't that just thanking Brother Jiang Ci? What's wrong, brother? Are you jealous? Don't be silly, brother. Your position in my heart is unshakable." Qin Ning explained with a proud and slightly arrogant tone.

As we entered the school, Jiang Ci didn't circle around Qin Ning. Instead, he walked beside me with a thoughtful expression on his face.

Soon, Chiang Ci led us to the Academic Affairs Office with ease. Chiang Ci acted as if he were at his own home, gently knocking on the door. The door opened from inside, revealing a tall and thin middle-aged man wearing glasses. Chiang Ci exclaimed excitedly, "Oh, Xiaobai, it's been ages!"

When the man saw Chiang Ci, he immediately said happily, "Chiang Ci, how did you get here?" He beckoned us to go inside and sit down.

We followed Chiang Ci, who was holding this person's arm like he saw a brother and said, "Xiao Bai, we came to find the head of education, that is Sanda!"

The man in front of me smiled with a hint of white teeth and said, "He's not the head teacher anymore!"

Jiang Ci looked puzzled, released his hand and said: "Why? Then who is the head teacher now!"

Hu Shibai smiled silently and gave Jiang Ci a "you guess" expression.

Chiang immediately beamed with delight: "Oh! Xiao Bai, you got promoted! Congratulations!"

Hu Shibai beamed with delight: "So, what brings you to me? I have something important to attend to later."

"What a coincidence, we're the busy thing you need." Jiang Ci pushed us forward and said: "Xiaobai, we're here to help the sisters with their registration."

It was processed quickly.

Walking on the playground, Jiang Ci said, "Who is your class teacher!"

Ningning replied, "Duffy."

Chiang Ci seemed to have known again, "I know."

Zhao Ai immediately asked, "Isn't it your head teacher again!"

Jiang shook his head. "No, she's really amazing. She was famous in high school. The probability of her class getting into university was over 95%, because she was always the homeroom teacher for the rocket class."

Qin Ning looked up with admiration: "That's so amazing!"

Jiang Ci looked at her with a face full of regret and said, "I feel like you two will be a little sad!"

……

When I and Jiang Ci returned to the dormitory, Leng Yang and his three friends were already awake, sitting on the bench playing games. The room suddenly became lively. As I and Jiang Ci opened the door, we happened to hear the sound of "Victory". Suddenly, I felt a surge of nostalgia.

Jiang Ci shouted, "Why are you playing black at this early hour!"

Shen Lin said, "Where did you all go so early in the morning! You're nowhere to be found! And you didn't even reply to my WeChat messages."

And I reached for my phone at the same time as Jiang Ci. We both saw a notification pop up. Jiang Ci said, "What's going on? My phone broke down, that's why it just showed me the message now."

I feel kind of awkward because I just received a message but forgot to reply.

Shilin looked skeptical: "Don't bullshit me, I think you just forgot to reply."

Jiang Ci gave a look of having been caught and then said, "So you guys haven't eaten yet and have been waiting for us."

Shen Lin acted aloof and said, "No way! We ordered takeout a while ago, it just hasn't arrived yet."

Jiang Ci sighed and started acting out a deep brotherly love: "I thought you guys were going to wait for us to join, I guess we overestimated our friendship after all."

Shen Lin gave a disdainful look: "Cut the act, drama queen."

Yu Le interrupted him, "Alright, stop acting, Jiang Ci. The delivery's here, go get it."

Jiang Ci immediately understood, "What do you mean?"

Shen Lin said: "Yes, all five of us ordered. As punishment, you go get it!"

Jimmy cried out, "I can't carry this by myself!" Then he looked at me triumphantly and said, "Brother, let's both go. It's just a punishment for us anyway."

I nod.

Leng Yang stood up and said, "Forget it, Jiang Ci, if you're not going, I'll go with Xing Yi." He walked to me with a cold face and said, "Xing Yi, let's go."

"Oh."

As soon as I responded, he walked ahead without looking back. He didn't speak to me the entire way. Thinking about how shy he was yesterday when I held his hand, now seeing him acting so distant and cold hurts me deeply.

I quickly walked up to him and asked, "Leng Yang, what's wrong with you?"

He glanced at me, lowered his head, and walked away: "It's nothing."

I can't stand this, I don't like him misunderstanding things and not being able to figure them out. I especially dislike it when he doesn't tell me when something is wrong.

I ran after him: "Leng Yang, what's wrong? Tell me, don't make me guess, I can't guess. I'm worried..." Before I could finish, I realized I was speaking in a coquettish and pleading tone.

Leng Yang seemed a bit flustered, hurriedly saying, "No, this morning you and Jiang Ci went to pick up your sister, I..."

"Yeah, you know, my sister is coming today."

"I know, but... I'm okay. I'm just a little cold."

Leng Yang oS: “Why did you ask Jiang to leave, but not me? I'm right here beside you…”

Hearing that he was cold, I quickly grabbed his hand. Sure enough, his skin was pale blue. When I touched him, it felt like his hands were going to bite mine, they were so cold. I held both of his hands in mine and even blew hot air into them. I saw a gradually doting expression appear on his face.

……

This afternoon, as humble members of the student council, we took on the duty shift in order to earn meager academic credits and volunteer hours. My colleague, Lengyang, and I shouldered this responsibility.

To welcome the leaders' inspection, we need to make our school environment tidy. So, in these days, students are not allowed to dress inappropriately and bring snacks or drinks into teaching areas and the library.

My partner Leng Yang and I were assigned to the fifth floor of the library. The fifth floor is the section for novels and comics, with the highest foot traffic and workload every day.

After several warnings, students have continued to break the rules. Therefore, stricter requirements are being implemented and violations will be carefully recorded. Students with multiple offenses will face strict criticism and education. Our responsibility is to record names, classes, and colleges.

I and Leng Yang stood at the elevator entrance, with a red sign from the Student Union standing beside us. We each held a red badge in our arms.

People come and go, we not only have to match their attire but also persuade them to stay for snacks and drinks.

At this time, Yu Le and Shen Lin arrived.

Shen Lin's voice was full of displeasure: "No, what is going on with you guys? You didn't even say a word when you were doing volunteer work, not even a bit of chivalry!" He then chuckled and said, "Well, now we're here, hehehe."

I questioned them, "How did you get here?"

"Seeing you guys here, we know you're on duty, so we signed up too."

I looked at them in bewilderment: "There are so few jobs left, and you still have vacancies?"

"No, there wasn't. When we went to grab them, they were already full. Later we asked the seniors about it! And the seniors said that they happened to need help because they realized later that there weren't enough people."

I didn't suspect anything, I just watched Leng Yang. Leng Yang opened his mouth and said: "When I went to grab a spot yesterday, it was also full. When I happened to back out, a senior sister added me on QQ because we were both from the same department, so I agreed. Then I told her about this, and she directly said that I should just come here with Xing Yi today to work."

We are carefully checking.

At this moment, a girl in tights and a very short skirt walked in. We all looked at each other tacitly but didn't say anything. Then Shen Lin asked in a low voice with some doubt, "Does this count as improper attire? After all, it's not that short skirts aren't allowed to be worn, right?"

Yu Le said: "Silly, there's no need to be so serious. The rule is too rigid to begin with. Rules are meant to be followed, but people are alive. As long as the girls aren't cold, we don't need to worry about it so much."

We all nod together.

Shen Lin looked at the man in front of her, oS: "Wow, this is what a warm man looks like? So caring!"

Most students carried backpacks, and it was unclear whether they contained contraband. So, Cold Yang and I went to their rooms to investigate.

Soon, Leng Yang and I saw the same scene: two boys were sprawled on the sofas in the library, ignoring the pointing and whispering around them. They were using the library's hot water to cook instant noodles right there in the library.

I and Leng Yang walked over, flashing the badge in our hands. The people around were condemning their bad habits, but they didn't care at all. When they saw us arrive, they didn't show any restraint whatsoever.

I quietly approached and said, "Students, snacks are not allowed in the library. I hope you can take them outside."

They glanced at me, with a look of indifference, then took out a can of Coca-Cola from their bag and took a swig.

Just as I was about to speak, Leng Yang spoke up: "Students, we are from the Student Union, please cooperate with our work. If you don't listen to our advice, you only need to provide your college, class, and name."

One person's provocative eyes were full of disdain: "Oh, you mean the farm kid from Class 222?"

Another person said, "I'm Qin Xingyi from Class 222 of She Nong Ben. Remember, remember? That's funny." He also couldn't help but taunt: "Remember, it's from the College of Agriculture and Food Engineering."

We were stunned by their response. I quickly asked, "Are you mistaken? It's against the law to falsely accuse others."

Their voices were cold as they said, "Punishment? Don't we already feel punished? Being replaced by the two of you."

Leng Yang's face was grim, his brows furrowed: "What do you mean!"

Both of them looked aggressive, stood up, and said fiercely: "What do you mean? We should be the ones asking you guys."

Leng Yang shielded me behind him, stepping forward fearlessly and saying in a cold voice, "Make it clear what's going on."

“Just because you two are good-looking, do you think you can just replace us who have worked so hard to get our positions in the Student Council?”

Although I don't understand, I said: "Don't get excited, this is a library, noise is prohibited."

"I can't stand seeing you like this. You do everything so effortlessly and pretend to be serious." One of them said, their voice clearly agitated.

When Chiang saw the crowd gathering, he immediately stepped forward and stood beside us. Seeing what was happening before his eyes, he stepped forward and said: "Please don't make a loud noise here."

They saw more and more people gathering around, so out of embarrassment they left, throwing the instant noodles they hadn't even touched into the trash can, and then strutted away.

Jiang Ci whispered, "I'm speechless."

Two hours passed quickly, and we got off work.

In a moment of need, in the elevator, I couldn't hold it any longer and needed to use the restroom. Earlier, I had planned to go after work, but now I couldn't wait any longer. I quietly asked, "Leng Yang, is there a restroom in the library?"

Leng Yang looked at the elevator numbers reaching the first floor and said, "Except for the first floor, the others are all there."

My desperate expression must have told him everything, because he said, "Then let's go to the basement!"

I nodded sharply, stepped out of the elevator, and rushed toward the stairs. Leng Yang said, "Jiang Ci, you guys go submit your forms. We're going to the restroom. We'll find you later."

"Well, alright!"

I walked quickly, Leng Yang caught up with me soon. I was stuck at the stairs landing, and Leng Yang immediately said: “The restroom is on the right.”

I followed the faint green glow of the safety exit signs, walking down a simple, narrow corridor. Finally, I saw the restroom. Luckily, the lights in the restroom were bright, so I didn't go into the wrong one.

But in such a dark place, girls wouldn't come either. I'm afraid something might happen.

As I stepped out of the restroom, I was surprised to find that the corridor wasn't just dark; there were faint glimmers of white light peeking through at intervals, but everything else was pitch black.

Lèng Yáng shone his flashlight on me, laughing and saying, "It's so dark out here, how did you run so fast?"

I awkwardly said, "I don't know either! It was too sudden."

I switched on my flashlight and looked up. The corridor was pitch black, with wooden planks leaning against the walls from time to time. I asked, "Leng Yang, why is this place so different from upstairs? Upstairs is so bustling, but here it's desolate, messy, and dark."

Leng Yang pulled my hand and said, "The wiring here isn't very good! And the school has renovated several times, but because the area is too small, they haven't paid attention to it."

"Is that it? Just give up?"

"I guess so! Otherwise, this wouldn't be happening! The elevator isn't even coming down."

Suddenly, we heard a strange noise, like someone rummaging through the woodpile beside us. We rushed to check but saw nothing.

We continued walking, the lights illuminating the ground. I unintentionally swept the light upwards, and in a corner of the wall where old bookcases were piled, we suddenly saw someone who hurled a wooden stick at us.

For a fleeting moment, I stood by the wall, too caught up in the situation to think.

I "No, don't hurt Leng Yang."

I closed my eyes, in a flash, the cold noodles face showed a trace of panic. He raised his left hand and tightly blocked the stick with it. Perhaps it was because he was old, the stick broke in half instantly. With his right hand, he pulled me forward and leaned on his right arm.

The left hand's phone and the broken wooden stick fell to the ground together, making a heart-wrenching sound. The phone's flashlight flickered because of the impact.

I opened my eyes and stared at everything before me. I went crazy and hurriedly checked Leng Yang's arm.

Leng Yang ate the pain slowly squatted down, I hurriedly hugged him, I didn't think about anything, just leaned in his arms and cried softly, I couldn't control it, tears welled up.

"How are you, Leng Yang? Does it hurt, ahhhh... Don't scare me, talk to me, woooo..." I became incoherent.

Leng Yang gently stroked my head and comforted me, saying: "I'm fine, there's no bleeding."

I looked again, “Ahhhh, you lied to me, it’s all swollen. Wahhhhh…”

I took Leng Yang to the infirmary by school bus.

They learned we were in the infirmary and rushed over quickly. As soon as they came in, they looked serious, "What happened? We just left for a short while and this is what's going on." He turned to me, "Brother, are you okay!"

I shake my head.

He continued, "So how do you feel after crying?"

I did not speak.

Yu Le asked, "What's wrong?"

I whispered, my voice trembling with a hint of crying, "We were attacked on the lower ground floor of the library just now."

"Chen Lin was clearly surprised, "Attacked? Did you see who it was?"

I sadly shake my head.

Leng Yang said: "The negative first floor is too dark, I can't see anything! They are hiding in the shadows."

Shen Lin was distressed: "What should we do then?!"

Leng Yang said coldly, "Forget it!"

Not just me, everyone was surprised to see him. "That's it?"

Leng Yang nodded.

I can't take it, I oS: "Why? You can hurt me, why do you have to hurt him, Leng Yang, don't agree, punish them properly."

I looked at Leng Yang sadly, "You're so foolish, why did you block with your hand!"

Leng Yang's face softened and she said gently, "You scared me to death. Don't stand in front of me next time..."

"I wanted to kick him, but when you suddenly ran in front of me, I panicked. The only thing I could think about was protecting you."

Cast him up, bandages wrapped around him. His left hand rested across his chest, a touch of sadness in his otherwise cold demeanor.