The girl, Qi Bing, was a second-year student at another high school and also worked part-time here, occasionally working alongside Pei Chen.
Qi Bing handed him the uniform that had been on a chair. “How late are you working tonight?”
“Until 9:30.”
“Me too. Sister Wang said the delivery truck is arriving soon, so we’ll be busy tonight.”
Pei Chen responded with a soft acknowledgment.
Qi Bing looked up at him and smiled. “Let’s get to work then.”
…
Meanwhile, in the library’s reading area, Liang Zhiyi found a seat and sat down, staring for a moment at the corner where Pei Chen had disappeared into the bookstore. After daydreaming for a bit, she pulled out her homework and began working on it.
Half an hour later, after finishing a math practice test, she didn’t feel like continuing. Bored, she put down her pen and got up, heading toward the back door of the bookstore.
At that moment, in the warehouse, Pei Chen was busy moving boxes of books. Qi Bing and a few other staff members were working alongside him.
Qi Bing struck up a conversation. “Pei Chen, do you know when the midterms are?”
He answered in a flat tone, “Around mid-November.”
“This time it’s a joint exam across five districts, right? We’re all taking the same test.”
“Seems like it.”
Qi Bing was about to say something more when a sweet, clear voice called out from nearby, “Pei Chen.”
The boy turned his gaze and saw that Liang Zhiyi had somehow found her way here and was now standing in front of him. He was slightly surprised. “How did you get here?”
“Got bored, so I came to find you. Are you moving books? I can help.”
Qi Bing noticed the unfamiliar girl and the affectionate way she spoke to Pei Chen, and her brow furrowed slightly. “Excuse me, but if you’re not staff, you can’t be in here.”
Liang Zhiyi paused, then apologized. But instead of leaving, she turned and went to speak with some of the other women working in the bookstore.
Pei Chen watched as she smiled and exchanged a few words with one of the older women, who then responded with a warm smile and a nod.
Liang Zhiyi returned to Pei Chen, her expression playful and triumphant. “They agreed! I can help.”
Qi Bing’s expression stiffened, unable to find words, and she returned to moving books. Pei Chen looked down at Liang Zhiyi, his voice low and raspy, “You don’t need to help. Moving books is tiring. You should go back.”
“It’s okay, I just finished my test paper, and I need to balance work and rest.”
Besides, if she helped, he wouldn’t have to work so hard.
Without waiting for his response, she turned and started moving books, her movements swift and efficient, with none of the delicate airs one might expect from a well-off young lady. Pei Chen watched her, his gaze growing deeper.
He continued working, but Qi Bing noticed that Pei Chen had started moving books faster. Often, before Liang Zhiyi could fully lift a box, he would take it from her.
He was clearly trying to keep her from overexerting herself.
As he worked, Pei Chen began to feel a faint pain in his knee. His pace slowed slightly, and his brow furrowed. Liang Zhiyi approached him, concerned. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
He shook his head, his expression steady. “It’s nothing.”
Not thinking much of it, Liang Zhiyi continued working alongside the staff. After some time, they finally unloaded all the books from the delivery truck.
Liang Zhiyi and Pei Chen each carried the last stack of books to place them on the shelves. As she did so, her hand accidentally brushed against a sharp wire on the shelf, causing her to wince in pain and pull her hand back quickly. Pei Chen noticed and immediately came over, “What happened?”
“My finger got scratched…”
Pei Chen saw a small cut on the pad of her index finger, with a bit of blood seeping out. His brows knitted together. “I’ll get a bandage.”
“Hey…”
Before she could stop him, Pei Chen had already turned and left, leaving Liang Zhiyi smiling in amusement.
She was only teasing him; it was just a little sting. But he seemed more worried than she was…
At that moment, Qi Bing walked over with a book inventory register. She glanced at Liang Zhiyi and realized how truly beautiful she was—stunning, even at a second glance.
Qi Bing had always thought that Pei Chen was cold and indifferent to everyone. However, during the book-moving earlier, she noticed that his gaze kept drifting towards Liang Zhiyi. It was clear that he cared about her. This was the first time Qi Bing had seen Pei Chen act this way towards a girl.
Studying the girl with a hint of scrutiny, Qi Bing couldn’t help but ask, “Are you Pei Chen’s girlfriend?”
Liang Zhiyi turned to look at her, momentarily confused. “Hmm?”
“Aren’t you two dating?”
Realizing what Qi Bing meant, Liang Zhiyi’s eyes curved into a smile. “Not yet, but I think it will happen soon.”
Qi Bing: “….”
Just as Liang Zhiyi finished speaking, Pei Chen returned, and Qi Bing quickly walked away, feeling awkward.
Pei Chen approached Liang Zhiyi, recalling what she had just said to Qi Bing, and said in a hoarse voice, “Don’t say things like that.”
Liang Zhiyi huffed lightly. “Maybe I’m just predicting the future.”
Pei Chen lowered his eyes, ignoring her comment, and handed her the bandage. “Put this on.”
She took it, tore open the packaging, and grumbled casually, “This is so ugly.”
“Aren’t all bandages the same?”
“No way, there are lots of cartoon ones now.”
He thought to himself, How old is she to still care about cartoons?
After applying the bandage, she waved her hand in front of him. Pei Chen asked, “Does it still hurt?”
A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes, and she leaned towards him with a playful smile. “With someone’s concern, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Pei Chen took a step back, his voice low. “You should go back. I still have other work to do.”
“Alright.”
Not wanting to trouble him further, Liang Zhiyi nodded and decided to leave.
Pei Chen walked back into the store and started organizing and sorting the books on the shelves. After a while, he glanced over and saw Liang Zhiyi leaning over the table by the window, her thumb resting against her chin as she stared down at her homework, gently poking her cheek with her pen.
It was obvious that she had encountered a difficult problem.
Whenever she faced a tough question, this was her habitual action.
When she finally figured out the solution, she would straighten up excitedly, her eyebrows arching with joy.
Sure enough, a few seconds later, her eyes lit up, and she sat up straight, smiling as she picked up her pen to start writing.
Pei Chen quickly looked away, suddenly feeling his ears grow warm.
…Why did he remember such details so clearly?
As time passed and nine o’clock approached, most of the people in the bookstore had left, and it was nearly closing time.
After finishing his work, Pei Chen headed to the workroom to change out of his uniform. Just as he was about to leave, Qi Bing walked in.
Seeing him, Qi Bing asked, “Are you leaving?”
“Yeah.”
“Sister Wang and the others are going out for a late-night snack. Want to join us?”
“No, thanks.”
“You’re going to leave with that girl, aren’t you?”
Pei Chen paused, then watched as Qi Bing stepped closer. “Pei Chen, after working part-time with you for a while, I’ve come to think you’re an exceptional guy. I’ll be direct—I like you.”
Pei Chen was silent for a few seconds. “I’m sorry.”
Qi Bing looked at him, disappointment in her eyes. She asked, unwilling to accept it, “I guessed this would be your answer, but I don’t understand why. I think I’m pretty good too.”
Pei Chen continued packing his bag, his expression indifferent. “There’s no reason.”
Not liking someone is just that—no reason.
Qi Bing, feeling annoyed, pressed, “You like that girl who was helping you move books earlier, don’t you?”
Pei Chen’s movements stilled for a moment before he replied after a few seconds, “No.”
Qi Bing let out a mocking laugh. “You’re not very convincing.”
“…”
“Anyone can see you like her, even a fool could tell.”
Hearing this, Pei Chen’s dark lashes trembled slightly.
In the end, Qi Bing, frustrated, said, “I didn’t expect this from you, Pei Chen. You’re just another guy who judges based on looks.”
“…?”
After Qi Bing left, Pei Chen stood still for a few moments, silent, before finishing packing his bag and heading out.
As he approached the cashier’s counter, he returned his work badge to the store manager, Sister Wang, who took it with a smile. “Xiao Pei, are you coming with us for a late-night snack?”
Pei Chen politely declined, saying he had something to do. Sister Wang patted his arm and smiled. “Alright, you go ahead. The girl over there has been waiting for you so long she might fall asleep.”
Noticing Pei Chen’s puzzled expression, she explained, “I went to remind the customers that it’s almost closing time, but one girl refused to leave. She said she’s waiting for you.”
Pei Chen walked to the reading area and saw Liang Zhiyi still sitting there, asleep with her head resting on the table, the soft light from above casting a gentle glow on her pale, delicate face.
He silently watched her for a few seconds.
As he approached the table, the sound woke Liang Zhiyi, and she blinked sleepily up at him. “Pei Chen, are you done?”
Pei Chen looked at her drowsy expression, his voice hoarse. “You were so tired. Why didn’t you go home first?”
She rubbed her eyes, her voice soft and still tinged with sleepiness, a faint dimple appearing as she smiled at him.
“Because I was waiting for you. I didn’t want you to go home all alone.”
Pei Chen stared at her, his eyes darkening like ink, and he felt his heart melt under the weight of her simple, caring words.