Chapter 401: Day 6 into the Mary Sue Story

Chapter 401: Day Six Inside a Mary Sue Story

"An Yi!"

A loud, cheerful voice cut through the peaceful scene, totally unapologetic about it.

An Yi turned his head at the sound and saw Lu Lu striding over from the other end of the corridor.

He'd clearly just worked out. His black hair was damp with sweat, falling messily across his forehead, and he had broad shoulders and long legs.

His trademark droopy puppy-dog eyes lit up the second they landed on An Yi, like they were full of little pieces of sunlight, and his steps sped up without him even realizing, turning into a jog.

"It really is you!" Lu Lu screeched to a halt about a step away from An Yi, grinning so wide you could see a perfect row of white teeth, a little out of breath from the jog. "I just came from the gym and spotted you from way across—thought it was you!"

He was staring straight at An Yi's face, not even trying to hide how happy he was.

"No class this morning, huh?" An Yi asked with a smile, his tone casual.

He was gazing at the garden, totally relaxed, not a care in the world.

"Yeah, just got out—PE, played some ball." Lu Lu reached up and ran a hand through his damp hair. The rough, careless gesture, combined with his tall build and that goofy, genuine smile, made him look clumsy but sweet.

"I'm beat." He grumbled casually, but his eyes never left An Yi, and the next words just slipped out: "But I'm not tired anymore now that I've seen you!"

The second the words came out, he froze, like he'd just realized how forward and intimate that sounded. His ears turned visibly red, his eyes darting away, not daring to look at An Yi's amused expression anymore.

He quickly added, trying to cover his tracks: "I mean... you know, seeing a friend puts me in a good mood, so I don't feel tired."

His voice trailed off, the last few words basically swallowed.

An Yi acted like he hadn't noticed Lu Lu's awkwardness at all, keeping that gentle, easygoing smile on his face, and even played along, answering in a calm, teasing voice: "So being your friend is like a mental pick-me-up, huh?"

"More than just a pick-me-up..." Lu Lu muttered under his breath, so quiet it was probably only audible to himself.

The second he said it, he shut his mouth tight, his Adam's apple bobbing as he coughed to clear his throat, trying hard to look normal—but his eyes kept drifting back to the side of An Yi's face, which seemed to glow in the sunlight.

"What about you? You got class next?" He changed the subject stiffly.

"Yeah, art history." An Yi lifted his hand, tapping his bare wrist with his pale, slender fingers like he was checking a watch: "In like five minutes."

"Oh, okay..." Lu Lu's eyes slid away from An Yi's fingers, a clear flash of disappointment crossing his face, his droopy puppy-dog eyes dimming for a second. But he perked right back up, like he was scared the conversation would end, stepping closer and scrambling for something to say:

"Hey, An Yi, a few of the usual crew are getting together this weekend at that new horse ranch out west of the city. I hear it's a nice place, and the riding track is legit. You wanna come? Just to chill, get some exercise."

When he finished, his big, dark, watery eyes locked onto An Yi, full of hope.

An Yi squinted, like a little animal.

He thought for a second. Horseback riding? That actually sounded pretty fun—he liked riding.

So he nodded and replied, "Sure."

Lu Lu's eyes went wide, his pupils practically sparkling with surprise, like he hadn't expected it to be that easy.

"Really? It's a deal then!" His voice went up a few notches without him meaning to, and two students walking by looked over.

Realizing he was being way too extra, he scratched the back of his head hard, a little embarrassed, but he couldn't stop the grin spreading across his face—he was practically buzzing with excitement.

"I'll come pick you up then! I know you live near campus—just send me the address!" He spoke rapidly, as if afraid An Yi would change his mind.

An Yi glanced at the clock at the end of the corridor—it was indeed time to head to class.

"I need to go in now," he said softly.

"Yeah, yeah, go on in, don't be late!" Lu Lu nodded hurriedly, but his feet seemed rooted to the spot, standing there, gazing at An Yi with that focused, slightly reluctant look—as if An Yi weren't about to attend a fifty-minute class but were departing on a long, drawn-out farewell.

An Yi found his demeanor utterly amusing, so he gave Lu Lu a small wave as a goodbye before turning and walking unhurriedly toward the classroom.

Even after An Yi's figure disappeared behind the door of the art history classroom, Lu Lu remained standing there, grinning foolishly at the closed door for several seconds before seeming to snap back to reality and turning to leave with light, buoyant steps.

After a few paces, he couldn't help glancing back at the shut classroom door. That swelling, sweetly expectant feeling in his chest—strange yet wonderful—made his steps feel like he was walking on clouds.

He couldn't figure out what was wrong with him.

Wasn't it just An Yi agreeing to go horseback riding?

They'd hung out before—playing ball, grabbing meals, hiking—so why did this time feel so different, so exhilarating that his heart trembled at the tip?

And earlier, when he'd been chatting side by side with An Yi, catching that faint, pleasant scent—like sunlight mixed with cold spring water—watching his nearly translucent skin in the sunlight and the long, thick lashes casting shadows on his face, hearing his calm, even voice that seemed to soothe the soul...

Lu Lu felt his heartbeat spiral out of control, thumping hard against his chest, his palms slightly sweaty, his mind buzzing like a swarm of excited bees—chaotic yet sweet, churning his thoughts into a mess.

He'd even secretly measured—An Yi seemed to come up to just past his lips. If he were to reach out and hug him...

"!" Lu Lu was startled by his own sudden thought, stopping dead in his tracks and slapping his flushed cheeks hard, trying to cool down his overactive blood and thoughts.

"Lu Lu, calm down! That's An Yi! A friend you've known since childhood! You're just... just been caring about a friend lately! Yeah, that's it!"

He gave himself this utterly unconvincing pep talk, taking a few deep breaths.

But it barely worked.

And besides... An Yi smelled so good.

Had An Yi always smelled this good?

He had no memory of it—he'd never noticed or smelled it before!

It really was so good!

Thinking of An Yi, his steps grew unconsciously lighter and lighter, until he was nearly skipping, the grin on his face like he'd stolen honey, impossible to contain.