Chapter 76 - Under The Stars (2/2)

Holding the book in his hand, he looked towards her. He flashed a white smile, reaching out to ruffle her hair. ”Of course I can,” he said. Qian Meigui smiled back, continuing to work while eating the snacks he brought.

An hour passed when Qian Meigui leaned back into her chair, hanging her left arm loosely over the side of her chair, tired. Without glancing away from his book, Song Sheng grasped her hand, intertwining their fingers together. Qian Meigui glanced at him and looked around the space.

There were many people around them, groups of students collaborating over tables, others studying independently with earbuds in their ears. Most of the library were people speaking in a hush, breathes and whispers filling the space. But she looked towards her side, where the man she longed for was holding her hand under the table, reading a book, wearing sunglasses to mask his face.

By the way, the media portrayed him, he was becoming more prominent, and people could recognize him if they glimpsed at him well. Although not many did not know who she was, there was still no way of openly showing their affection for each other. It was about their family; it was about people thinking she was Song Mei when she was Qian Meigui. Therefore, their relationship was a secret.

Feeling upset, Qian Meigui moved her chair closer to him. She then leaned on his shoulder, exhaling deeply. Song Sheng did not move much, but he tightened his grip on her hand, understanding how she felt.

In the afternoon, the library closed. Qian Meigui decided to give him a tour of their school around the quad, giving him the histories behind particular buildings and statues. He listened to her diligently until they stopped for food at an on-campus restaurant filled with students. They found a spot where they ate, talking about Song Sheng's day at work. When they finished, they went back to the quad to see the vast field of grass and surrounding gardens. They found a spot to sit on, despite no one being around. They laid down next to each other on the grass, talking.

”When did you start liking me?” Qian Meigui asked him suddenly.

Silence.

Song Sheng removed his glasses since it was nearly nightfall. The sky dyed into an array of deep blues and purples, almost black. ”Do you really want to know?” he asked her gently. Qian Meigui propped herself from her elbows, ”Yes,” she responded eagerly, curiously.

Song Sheng sighed, feeling defeated. He felt like it was no use hiding it from her now that he confessed to her.

”You were eighteen years old when I came home from a night out with my campus buddies. You kept calling me persistently, sending messages, asking if I was okay. I thought it was annoying,” Song Sheng began with an irritated, yet playful tone. Qian Meigui frowned.

”But then I came home; it was nearly 5 in the morning. You were sleeping, crouched down by the stairs, waiting for me,” Song Sheng paused. ”The thing is, my parents weren't home around much, as you know, and as the oldest, I had to take care of everyone. But no one looked out for me.”

Qian Meigui listened to him attentively. Ever since she joined the family, she recalled that Song Sheng was someone they all relied on, for homework, for meals, for support. That is why he grew up so reserved, devoid of emotion. He never had anyone there for him, but he was there for everyone else.

”You were there for me, Mei, and I loved you since then, for so long,” he admitted with a soft, husky tone.

Song Sheng confessed what harboured in his heart for years. He felt better when he admitted it, but he began to feel puzzled when Qian Meigui started to cry. He reached out, tugging her in his embrace. Song Sheng then soothed her with calming words until she stopped. With her glazed, doe eyes, she glanced up at him. ”Sheng,” she called out to him.

”Hm?” he responded.

”Know that I love you too, unconditionally, ceaselessly, for who you are,” she admitted with a sad, desperate tone.

Song Sheng was surprised. He confessed to her the other day because he wanted to convey his feelings. Song Sheng did not expect her to return the same affection. He kept his distance, hoping to win her over through time. But perhaps she loved him, too, for so long that it was difficult to hold back. It was only now that they could admit it to each other when hope seemed lost.

The two then held onto each other, embracing, under the stars.