Lemon Soda Candy - 39

When Zhou Anran came inside from the balcony, Bai Lingyun entered the dorm with a big smile on her face, "Comrades, I have something to tell you."

"You seem really happy—" Xie Jingyi turned her head, "Did something good happen? You too Ranran, why do you look so happy?"

Zhou Anran clutched her phone, "...Maybe because I finished my homework early?"

Xie Jingyi: “…”

"I shouldn't have asked you."

She then looked back at Bai Lingyun, "And you? Don't tell me you finished your homework early too?"

Bai Lingyun shook her head, her cheeks turning red, "No, Xie Zihan and I are dating."

Zhou Anran blinked, "Congratulations."

Xie Jingyi spun around in her chair, "Whoa, Senior Xie has kidnapped one of the prettiest girls in our dorm. He better treat us to a meal."

"That's what I want to tell you." Bai Lingyun said, "He said he wants to take you all out for dinner on Saturday night, but he'd like to invite the guys from his dorm too. Is that okay with you?”

Xie Jingyi: "Sure! It would be awkward for him to dine with just four girls anyway.”

Bai Lingyun knew Zhou Anran wasn't fond of socializing, so she asked her specifically, "What about you, Ranran? If you don't want to eat with too many strangers, I can ask him to keep it just us.”

"It's fine." Zhou Anran shook her head, "You can make the arrangements.”

"Where's Xinyue?" Bai Lingyun asked again, "Did she not come back with you?”

Zhou Anran: "She said she'd wait until closing time before returning. She should be back soon."

"Alright then." Bai Lingyun said, "I'll ask her opinion later and then decide."

Xie Jingyi's curiosity was bubbling over, she completely forgot about her homework. With a playful wink, she urged, "Come on, spill the beans! How did you and Senior Xie end up together? Who made the first move?" 

Bai Lingyun's cheeks were still flushed, replied shyly, "He suddenly confessed to me tonight and kissed me."

Xie Jingyi leaned back in her chair, exclaiming dramatically, "French kiss?"

Bai Lingyun: “……?”

She quickly pinched Xie Jingyi's face, "Your mind is full of rubbish."

***

After their last class the following afternoon, Zhou Anran and her roommates headed to the cafeteria for dinner.

Once they finished eating, Bai Lingyun went on a date with Senior Xie, Xie Jingyi had a meeting to attend, Yu Xinyue returned to the library, leaving Zhou Anran to walk back to the dorm alone. The four of them parted ways at the entrance of the cafeteria.

Yu Bingqin's rehearsal was taking place outside the school.

Zhou Anran lowered her head, walking along the campus tree-lined path. Last night Chen Luobai only mentioned he would see her tomorrow night, but didn't ask if she wanted to go together today. She was so caught up by his ‘see you tomorrow night’ and forgot to ask him.

Should she ask now?

Then again, if he didn't mention it specifically, perhaps that meant he didn't plan to go with her?

Zhou Anran felt conflicted. With her gaze down, she noticed two boys in sports uniforms approaching. She didn’t pay much attention or look closely at them and simply shifted slightly to the left to let them pass.

However, as she moved left, the guy in the black jersey also shifted to the left at the same time, his tall figure faced her again.

Thinking he was also trying to make way for her, she moved further to the left without looking up.

Yet, he also moved left again, positioning himself right in front of her once more.

As if it was intentional.

Zhou Anran snapped back from her thoughts and took a look. The first thing she saw was a hand holding a basketball. The hand had slender joints, pale skin, with prominent blue veins across the back, showing vigor and strength. A thin layer of sweat trickled down the arm, landing on a small brown mole just above the wrist.

She lifted her gaze—

Chen Luobai was standing in front of her, the corners of his lips curved up, his dark eyes filled with smiles. Seeing her looking up, he arched an eyebrow, "What are you thinking about, so seriously?"

This seems to be...

The first time they had a chance encounter at school.

Not sure if it was because of the obvious familiar teasing tone in his voice, or the fact that she was just thinking about him, Zhou Anran felt her ears flush with warmth.

Luckily, her hair was down today.

Zhou Anran hurriedly shook her head, "Nothing, just pondering a question."

 

Feeling a little guilty, she quickly changed the subject, "Are you able to play basketball now?"

Chen Luobai responded with a soft ‘hm’.

The boy before her had damp black hair, sweat glistening on his forehead and neck. Even the white trim of his jersey was darkened from moisture. The striking contrast of youthful exuberance and vigor was particularly captivating.

Zhou Anran felt her face growing warmer.

The weather isn't hot today. Zhou Anran was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, she was afraid she might blush and reveal something, so she said softly, "The temperature has dropped, you should change clothes quickly. I'll head back to the dorm first.”

With that, she shifted slightly to the left, trying to slip away.

But he blocked her once more.

Their distance seemed to shrink because of this, Zhou Anran could almost feel the warmth from his body.

"Why the rush?" Chen Luobai's lips were still curved, his gaze briefly landing on her flushed cheeks, clearly happy, "I was just looking for you."

Zhou Anran was surprised and quickly looked up, "Looking for me?”

Chen Luobai casually spun the basketball in his hand, "The teacher wants to see me about something. I have to go see him after I take a shower.”

Zhou Anran felt a sudden emptiness in her chest. She quietly asked, "Are you not going to the rehearsal tonight?”

He stared at her for a moment, then replied slowly, "Go if I can make it. Do you want to go first, or wait for me?"

"I..." Zhou Anran hesitated.

If she waited for him and he ended up being busy and missed the rehearsal time, she would neither be able to hear Senior Yu singing nor see him tonight.

If she left first, she could still possibly catch both.

Perhaps she could text him later to check in.

Besides, if she says she wants to wait for him, wouldn't that give away something?

Zhou Anran: "I'll go there first?"

As soon as the words left her lips, she noticed the boy's smile seemed to dim slightly, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"You're going there by yourself?"

Zhou Anran: “……?”

Why did he seem unhappy again?

Before she could continue thinking, the boy in white who had been standing silently nearby suddenly came forward. He seemed to be the one who attended the class last Monday. He placed his hand on Chen Luobai's shoulder and said smilingly, "Let's go. I heard everything. The girl said she won't wait for you."

Zhou Anran: “…”

She almost forgot there was someone there.

But...she didn't say that, did she?

Chen Luobai shrugged his hand away, "Stay away from me, your hand is covered in dirt."

The boy didn't seem to care, he smiled as he turned to Zhou Anran, "Hello, Chen Luobai's female classmate. I'm Yuan Song."

This was the second time Zhou Anran heard him refer to her as ‘female classmate’, but this time, because an adjective was added in front, it somehow sounded more ambiguous than last time.

She brushed off this thought and nodded stiffly, "Hello.”

Chen Luobai said calmly, "Don't mind him. So you'll go there by yourself, right?”

Zhou Anran sensed that he seemed a little unhappy, but was afraid that she was just imagining things. Moreover, it would be awkward to change her words now, she simply nodded, "Yeah."

There was a brief silence.

"Alright." Chen Luobai also nodded, "I'll hurry over as soon as I can."

Does that mean she might see him again tonight?

Zhou Anran felt a surge of happiness in her heart. She pointed ahead, "Then I'll head back to the dorm first."

His dorm was some distance away from hers.

Zhou Anran continued to walk forward, while he continued to move in the opposite direction.

After they passed each other, Zhou Anran had only taken a few steps when she heard the classmate named Yuan Song shout, "Fuck, Chen Luobai you——"

Suddenly, it sounded like someone had covered his mouth, his subsequent words became muffled.

Zhou Anran couldn't resist glancing back. 

The boy seemed to have let go of Yuan Song. He had one hand hung by his side, while the other held an orange-red basketball, veins still visible on his hand.

Zhou Anran quickly turned away, not daring to look any longer.

Yuan Song's voice echoed from behind, "You just finished playing basketball, your hands are full of dust. And you put them on my mouth?!"

"You brought this on yourself,” He said in a lazy and smiling tone, as if teasing Yuan Song had made him happy again. 

Zhou Anran resumed to walk slowly, the distance between them getting farther and farther, his voice gradually fading into the distance. 

***

Yu Bingqin rehearsed in an unused Live House outside the school.

This Live House was originally owned by a rich second-generation friend of hers. Within a few months of opening, they lost interest and closed the store. They haven't figured out what to do with the space, it's been left vacant since.

Yu Bingqin's band plays rock music, and rehearsing at school would disturb other studies. This place is equipped with all the necessary lighting and stage setup, as well as good soundproofing, it has now basically become the band's base camp.

Zhou Anran knew all this from the senior who gave her black plums at the KTV last time who also came to watch the rehearsal.

However, she didn't stay for long. She received a call from her boyfriend and went back to school.

Zhou Anran sat alone in the audience watching Yu Bingqin's band rehearse.

Yu Bingqin is the lead singer and guitarist of the band. The band consists of five members, including a drummer, a keyboardist, a bassist and another guitarist.

The school will hold two major events in the next two months, they are currently rehearsing two songs.

One is ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’ by Bon Jovi.

The other is ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon.

Yu Bingqin wore a black leather jacket today. She maintained her nonchalant face on stage and looked especially cool, her voice was even more charming when she sang.

They rehearsed the two songs over and over again, but Zhou Anran never once felt bored listening to them.

When Chen Luobai arrived, he saw the girl sitting alone at the table in front of the stage. She has her usual straight posture and doesn't cross her legs, resting her hands on her lap, looking particularly well-behaved.

They were rehearsing a slow song on the stage, and although he made some noise when he entered from outside, she didn't seem to notice him.

Chen Luobai made his way over, leaning against the wall facing her side.

The girl remained focused on the stage without any distraction.

A song passed.

Two songs passed.

Chen Luobai smiled, he walked to the table and pulled a seat next to her.

Zhou Anran turned her head. For a moment, her eyes seemed to light up in this dimly lit room, "You're here."

Chen Luobai's gaze lingered for a second on the dimple on her cheek. He said ‘hmm’ and sat down beside her.

Thinking of their chance meeting in the afternoon, Zhou Anran felt her ears heat up again. Unsure of what to say, she just turned to watch the rehearsal again.

Chen Luobai didn't say anything either.

As she listened to the singing on stage, Zhou Anran's heartbeat gradually calmed down. 

The people on the stage rehearsed a few more times, Yu Bingqin was singing the last two lines of ‘Imagine’, "You may say I'm a dreamer——"

Just then, someone's phone rang, playing a prelude of a distinct rock tune.

It was quite jarring and disruptive.

The drummer, who was only singing along with Yu Bingqin and not playing the drums for this song, burst into laughter. He began tapping his drumsticks in rhythm with the ringtone. The other four members on stage quickly joined in, switching to play the ringtone in tacit understanding.

Even Yu Bingqin, who had maintained a nonchalant expression throughout, started to laugh. Standing in front of the mic, she began to sing along with them, "This ain't a song for the broken-hearted…"

Without the kind senior’s introduction, Zhou Anran had no idea what song this was, but she felt inexplicably drawn into this atmosphere.

The corners of her mouth curved up, she looked at the people on the stage with a little envy.

It must be nice to play music with a group of friends.

Once the song concluded, Cen Yu's cousin, Xu Hongliang, who was the band's other guitarist, turned around and pulled his phone from his bag, "Sorry, sorry, I forgot to silence it."

"When did you switch your ringtone back to this song?" the bassist asked.

Xu Hongliang: "Just yesterday."

As he spoke, he answered the call, once he hung up, he whispered something to the others, and everyone set down their guitars and drumsticks.

Soon after, everyone stepped off the stage. 

Zhou Anran saw Yu Bingqin walk up to her.

She greeted her politely, "Senior."

Yu Bingqin reached out to pinch her cheek, "Not bored, I hope?"

"Not at all." Zhou Anran paused, feeling a little embarrassed, but couldn't resist speaking out what was in her mind, "Senior sings really well."

Yu Bingqin actually smiled, "We have something to take care of and need to head out first. We won't have time to teach you today.”

Zhou Anran: "It's fine, go ahead.”

Yu Bingqin continued, "There's a courier coming over soon. Can you two stay here and help us with it?"

Zhou Anran was about to agree, but Yu Bingqin said ‘you two’, she turned her head to look at the boy next to her who hadn't spoken since.

Chen Luobai met her gaze with a casual expression, as if he would go along with whatever she decided.

Zhou Anran nodded, "Okay."

Yu Bingqin took out a key from her pocket and tossed it to Chen Luobai's arms, gesturing towards Zhou Anran, "After you get the package, make sure to send her back to the dorm safely.”

Chen Luobai caught the key and replied with a smile, "Do I need you to remind me this?”

Zhou Anran felt that somewhere in her heart was slightly touched by this sentence.

Was he saying that...

He would still send her back to the dorm even without Senior Sister Yu telling him to?

After Yu Bingqin and others left, the stage that had been bustling just a moment ago, instantly turned quiet.

In the huge Live House, she and the boy she liked were the only ones left.

Zhou Anran still felt a little awkward being alone with him and didn't know what to say. She looked down at her toes.

One second.

Two seconds.

Then, Zhou Anran heard him speak.

"Why did you keep staring at my sister like that?"

"Huh?" Zhou Anran was confused, she lifted her eyes to look at him. 

Chen Luobai pointed with his chin, "I stood there for ten minutes before I sat next to you."

"Did you really?" Zhou Anran's eyes widened, "I didn't notice."

She wanted to ask why he didn't call her.

But if he only came to watch the rehearsal, that didn't seem necessary. 

"You were staring at my sister the whole time, of course you didn't notice." The boy paused, his eyes seemed to narrow slightly, "Is she really that pretty?"

Zhou Anran felt that his tone was a little strange, she blinked and said, "Senior is very pretty, sings well, and is very kind."

Chen Luobai chuckled, "That's the first time I've heard someone praise her for being kind."

"Why not?" Zhou Anran was slightly taken aback. "Senior is a really nice person. She helped me a lot on the day I registered for school."

"That's because..." Chen Luobai suddenly stopped speaking.

Zhou Anran couldn't help but ask, "Because?"

Chen Luobai stared at her for a few seconds, "Well, because she really likes you. You'll understand as you get along with her more in the future. She usually can be quite aloof and doesn't like to talk to people."

Although he was talking about Senior Yu, Zhou Anran still felt her heart flutter when she heard the words ‘like you’ from his mouth.

But when she heard what he said next, she felt the urge to refute him for the first time in her life, "We've already got along, and I think senior is genuinely nice. She's cool and likable— the kind of personality I envy."

Chen Luobai: "Envy?"

Zhou Anran nodded slowly.

That small incident from Monday still stuck in her heart like a stubborn fishbone.

She knew she was probably overthinking it, and he had likely forgotten all about it, but she still wanted to explain it to him.

"Because I'm a bit introverted and timid, I'm not very good at dealing with people—" She paused, lowered her head, her voice softening, "This is what I didn't finish to say to He Mingyu that day.”

The Live House fell into another silence.

Then Zhou Anran heard him say.

"Zhou Anran."

Chen Luobai called her, but said nothing more. 

After waiting for a moment without hearing anything else, Zhou Anran looked up again, her eyes instantly met the boy's smiling eyes.

"Are you explaining to me?"

---

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