The meal ended awkwardly.
Han Yuqi was the first to stand up.
He put down his chopsticks, didn't look at me, and didn't say anything more.
"I'm finished eating."
His voice was still as cold as ever.
Before I could say anything, he turned and walked away. I quickly put down my chopsticks and followed, saying,
"Yuqi, wait..."
Before I could finish, he pushed my hand away and said, "Teacher, don't touch me." After saying that, he turned his back and slammed the door shut. I stood there, looking at the back of my hand, and sighed softly, feeling disappointed, thinking to myself, "Aqi is really too heartless..."
I stood there for a while longer before going back inside, and was slightly surprised to see Chu Xichen bending down to clear the dishes.
His movements were very careful.
Seeing this, I quickly said,
"Xichen, let me do it." I thought to myself, "Why would I let a guest clean up?"
He shook his head.
"It's okay... I can do it..."
I looked at him for a moment, then said nothing more.
I just stepped forward to help.
The two of us stood side by side, silently cleaning up.
The atmosphere was quiet, but not as uncomfortable as before.
On the contrary... it felt a little peaceful.
After finishing the work, I took Chu Xichen back to school.
On the way, he hardly said anything.
He just walked beside me, his footsteps very light.
At the school gate, he stopped.
"Thank you, teacher..."
I nodded.
"Okay, go to class."
He looked at me one more time before turning and leaving.
Afternoon.
After school, as I was preparing to leave, I accidentally saw a familiar figure in the library.
In the far corner, by the window.
Chu Xichen was sitting there.
Alone.
A book was open in front of him, but his eyes weren't on the pages.
He was just silently looking out the window.
The afternoon sun shone on his face, making his loneliness even more apparent.
I stood watching him for a moment.
Then I walked over.
"Tich Than."
He startled and turned around.
"Teacher..."
"Not going home yet?"
He lowered his head.
"...Yes, I'll sit for a while before going home."
I looked at him.
I didn't ask any more questions immediately.
I just pulled up a chair and sat down opposite him.
After a while, I slowly asked:
"Is anyone home today...?"
The question was almost the same as at lunchtime.
But this time,
He was silent for longer.
His hands tightened around the edge of the book.
"...No."
His voice was so low it was almost inaudible.
I frowned slightly.
"Where are your parents?"
He paused.
His lips moved a few times before he finally said,
"...They...they went to work..."
I looked at him, his face unchanged, but inwardly I thought, "Lying would get me kicked out of the house...this kid still intends to deny it?"
But I didn't expose his lie, I just sighed softly and looked at him.
In that moment, I didn't know what to say.
I just looked at him.
A child... talking about this as if it were normal.
As if he were used to it.
A sudden feeling of unease arose in my heart.
I was silent for a while.
Then I slowly extended my hand.
My voice softened.
"So..."
"Do you want to come to the teacher's place?"
Chu Xichen looked up.
His eyes widened.
As if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
I looked straight at him, without avoiding his gaze.
"At least...don't be out alone."
Then I looked at him and added, "Come with me, teacher!" I said, smiling a strangely gentle smile...
He looked at me for a long time, his eyes welling up with tears...
Then he slowly reached out his hand.
He took my hand.
"...Yes, sir."
From that moment on, everything seemed to take a different turn.