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墨書 Inktalez
Outside the community, Lin Menghan went to buy two cups of Ao Ao Double-Skin Milk by herself.
As she entered the community, darkness enveloped her, stretching endlessly in every direction. She turned on her flashlight, trembling slightly as she moved forward slowly.
Suddenly, a light appeared ahead, growing closer and closer. Lin Menghan saw the approaching brightness but was unsure of what lay behind it; perhaps something terrifying. A wave of panic washed over her, and she hesitated to move forward.
When the light finally reached her, she could see that it was Xu Nancheng. He had been lost in thought, grappling with feelings of unease and fear.
He was afraid that Chen Yi and the other person would truly leave him, terrified that he would never be able to communicate with them again. His steps were heavy and slow, as if each footfall pressed down on his heart, laden with weight.
He feared that Lin Menghan would be disappointed in his incompetence and cowardice, worried that she would ignore him or even leave him behind. His heart was filled with dread and anxiety.
He was almost home, yet felt an emptiness beside him. He had been so lost in thought that he had forgotten about Lin Menghan.
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, a strong impulse surging within him. He realized that Lin Menghan was afraid of the dark, and at the moment she needed him most, he hadn’t waited for her.
This worry burned like a fierce fire inside him, unbearable to endure. So he turned around and headed toward Lin Menghan.
When he reached her side, he kept his head down, avoiding her gaze. His heart raced; he didn’t speak—more accurately, he was afraid to speak.
He feared that Lin Menghan might not respond to him. He tentatively extended his hand, gesturing for her to take it.
Lin Menghan certainly did not refuse; instead, warmth filled her heart as a sweet smile spread across her face. She slowly took Xu Nancheng's hand—not just his wrist but his palm—gripping it tightly.
Lin Menghan?
Yes!
Xu Nancheng's heartbeat seemed to slow down at that moment, as Lin Menghan's warm palm brushed away the gloom in his heart like a gentle spring breeze. He felt that the unease and confusion lingering within him had diminished slightly.
Her hand, though small, conveyed an unwavering strength, as if silently assuring him: No matter what happens, I will always be here for you.
Of course, Lin Menghan was still a bit shy; she lowered her head and gradually leaned closer to Xu Nancheng until her shoulder touched his. She didn’t move any closer than that.
The two of them sat there in silence, not exchanging a single word. Only their intertwined hands and the closeness of their shoulders spoke of their reliance and concern for one another.
When they returned home, the silence persisted.
Seeing the two children come back, Lin Zhen smiled and said, "Oh! You're back! Come on, sit down and take a break."
"Mm." Xu Nancheng's voice remained low. Lin Menghan simply smiled in response and didn’t say anything more.
Their hands remained linked as they sat together on the sofa, enveloped in a heavy silence that made the entire living room feel dreary, as if shrouded in a cloud of gloom.
Lin Zhen noticed that Xu Nancheng's expression was off but couldn’t quite figure out why. When they had called earlier, everything had seemed fine. How could things have changed so suddenly?
She nudged Xu Wenzhao beside her and pointed toward Xu Nancheng. "What’s up with these two? Did they have a fight?"
"Sounds like it," he replied thoughtfully.
"It shouldn’t be; look, they're still holding hands!" Xu Wenzhao and Lin Zhen whispered to each other.
What could have happened outside? They were still somewhat naive; otherwise, they wouldn’t have reached this age without learning to handle their own issues.
"They should sort it out themselves; it's time to grow up," Lin Zhen said.
"Right!" Xu Wenzhao agreed.
Just as the adults were discussing this, Lin Menghan suddenly spoke up. "Nancheng, this is for you!" She leaned forward, her gaze fixed on Xu Nancheng as she handed him a cup of Ao Ao Double-Skin Milk.
Xu Nancheng looked up slightly, surprised to see Lin Menghan before him. It seemed hard to believe that this dessert was meant specifically for him. He asked with a hint of disbelief in his voice, "Is this for me, Lin Menghan?"
Lin Menghan smiled and nodded. "Mm! Who else would I give it to?"
Gratefully accepting the cup, Xu Nancheng felt a warm surge within him, and his eyes grew slightly misty. He softly said, "Thank you, Lin Menghan," carefully taking the cup of Ao Ao Double-Skin Milk as if it were a precious gift.
Lin Menghan picked up another cup of Ao Ao Double-Skin Milk for herself and began to savor it slowly. Her movements were graceful and delicate, each sip filled with enjoyment.
After a moment of silence, Lin Menghan broke the stillness and asked, "Nancheng, do you really think that way about Chen Yi Ge and the others?" Concern flickered in her eyes.
Xu Nancheng put down the dessert in his hand and pondered for a moment before responding, "Well, what's wrong with that? I don't have any good qualities; why would they want to be friends with me?" His voice gradually grew quieter at first, just a murmur, but as his emotions heightened, the volume increased. By the end, he nearly shouted the last part, his face filled with pain and helplessness.
Lin Menghan was taken aback by Xu Nancheng's sudden outburst, momentarily stunned. But she quickly regained her composure, realizing that she needed to have a serious talk with him to help untangle the knots in his heart; this was something that couldn't be ignored.
"Nancheng, really, Chen Yi Ge and the others do consider you a brother."
Xu Nancheng kept his head down, silent.
He didn't know how to respond or if what Lin Menghan said was true.
"And you know what? You're really a good person. You have great achievements, you're kind-hearted, and you care about others—even if you're not very good at expressing it. Don't overthink it! Just communicate with them normally."
Yet Xu Nancheng still wore a troubled expression and remained unresponsive.
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