pdf-ebookys Chapter 8 Misunderstandings of Heartbeats
Chapter 8 Misunderstandings of Heartbeats
While waiting for the teacher to pick up the books, Hong Liguo sat idly in his seat, his eyes casually scanning the classroom. Many students were whispering to their deskmates or chatting with each other.
Hong Liguo glanced back casually, but his gaze was instantly drawn to Wang Yuxin, who was sitting in the middle of the third row, as if drawn by a powerful magnet.
Wang Yuxin's deskmate was a very beautiful female classmate named Qiao Shuang (Hong Liguo didn't know her name at the time).
At that moment, Hong Liguo's gaze was drawn to the beautiful Qiao Shuang. She had a round face, arched eyebrows, and long, glossy black hair. Her beauty was natural, unadorned and unrefined. Unlike Zhang Qiaoyun, whose beauty lay in maturity, flamboyance, and artifice—an external, superficial beauty—Qiao Shuang's beauty was natural, elegant, and refined—a beauty that emanated from the depths of her heart.
Hong Liguo stared at her in disbelief, completely captivated by her beauty and charm. It wasn't until Fa Zi called him several times that Hong Liguo snapped out of his daze. A flush of heat rose to Hong Liguo's face, making it burning hot. Feeling both embarrassed and reluctant, he slowly looked away from her.
Qiao Shuang's beauty is unforgettable at first sight, as if she weren't from this world, but a fairy slowly emerging from an ancient painting, leaving a deep impression. Her eyes are like a clear spring, bright and sparkling, each blink seeming to tell a mysterious story; her fair skin is as delicate and smooth as mutton-fat jade, with a faint, warm glow, as if you could squeeze water out of it with a gentle touch, making one feel an irresistible tenderness; her cheeks have a faint pink hue, like the magnificent clouds on the horizon, shy and charming; every gesture exudes an innate gentle temperament, every movement like an elegant classical dance, light and natural, with a composed beauty. In today's popular parlance, it's definitely the kind of unique charm that you can't imitate.
Qiao Shuang and Wang Yuxin represent two completely different kinds of beauty.
Hong Liguo admitted that when he first saw her, a surge of heat inexplicably coursed through his body. It was a strange feeling he had never experienced before, like a small pebble breaking the surface of a calm lake, creating ripples that spread outwards in circles, making it impossible for Hong Liguo's heart to regain its tranquility.
This feeling was like a gentle breeze in spring, carrying wisps of floral fragrance and warmth, lightly brushing across Hong Liguo's heart, making him feel a strange flutter and panic. His heartbeat quickened involuntarily, as if a lively little deer was running wildly in his heart.
In class, Hong Liguo always tried her best to concentrate on listening to the lecture, but her eyes would always involuntarily follow Qiao Shuang's figure out of the corner of her eye. That gaze was like an invisible thread, strong and fine, tightly connecting Hong Liguo and her together. No matter how hard Hong Liguo tried to control herself, she could not completely look away.
Hong Liguo secretly watched her lowered eyes as she diligently took notes; her focused expression was like a fine sculpture, captivating Hong Liguo. Gazing at her confident demeanor when answering questions, her radiant appearance was like the brightest star in the night sky, stirring Hong Liguo's heart. Each time he stole a glance, Hong Liguo felt as if a soft feather had gently brushed against his heart, a ticklish, tingling sensation, an indescribable feeling welling up within him.
Whenever Hong Liguo stole glances at Qiao Shuang, Wang Yuxin always seemed to be able to sense it. She would smile shyly at Hong Liguo, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, and use her expressive eyes to signal him to turn his head away. At this moment, Hong Liguo's face would become even hotter, as if it were being roasted by fire. It seemed that Wang Yuxin had completely seen through Hong Liguo's thoughts, leaving him nowhere to hide, making Hong Liguo feel somewhat ashamed and embarrassed.
During a break between classes, the students in the classroom got up to move around; some chatted and played around, while others went outside to play ball. Seeing that no one was paying attention, Wang Yuxin walked briskly to Hong Liguo, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes sparkling with a hint of reproach and shyness. She lowered her head slightly and said softly, "Even though we were classmates in elementary school and have known each other longer than others, you can't keep turning around to look at me! It's embarrassing if the other students see. From now on, try not to look back at me too often, or I'll tell the teacher."
After saying this, he turned and walked away without waiting for Hong Liguo's response.
Only then did Hong Liguo realize, as if from a dream, that Wang Yuxin had mistakenly thought he was looking back at her. Hong Liguo opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but didn't know how to begin, and could only stand there blankly, a helpless bitter smile on her face.
From then on, Hong Liguo tried hard to control himself, attempting not to look back at Qiao Shuang. He clenched his teeth, gripped his pen tightly with both hands, and stared intently at the blackboard or book, forcing himself to concentrate. But his heart seemed to be tightly pulled by an invisible thread; wherever he went or what he did, he couldn't help but think of her image—her gentle smile, her bright eyes—like scenes from a movie, constantly playing in Hong Liguo's mind, impossible to shake off.
Qiao Shuang seemed completely oblivious to Hong Liguo's glances back, or rather, she ignored them. The reason was that ever since she noticed Hong Liguo frequently looking their way, she had quietly said to Wang Yuxin during a break, "Yuxin, look at that boy in the front row (at this point, she didn't know Hong Liguo's name yet), why does he keep looking this way?"
Her voice was soft and sweet, like the song of birds in the woods at dawn, melodious and lingering.
Wang Yuxin's face instantly turned slightly red, as if someone had touched a nerve, and she hurriedly replied, "Is that so? I, I didn't notice."
Her eyes darted away, avoiding Qiao Shuang's gaze. Her hands unconsciously fiddled with the hem of her clothes, and she spoke faster than usual, appearing flustered and unnatural.
Qiao Shuang didn't give up. She blinked her bright eyes and continued to ask, "Did you know each other before? I often see you talking to him."
A hint of cunning flashed in her eyes, as if she wanted to glean some secret from Wang Yuxin's answer.
Wang Yuxin became even more flustered, her face flushed with unease. She hurriedly explained, "Oh! Oh! Yes, we know each other. We've known each other for a long time. I went to their elementary school when I was in first, second, or third grade, and we were in the same class."
Her eyes darted around, avoiding eye contact with Qiao Shuang, and her voice trembled slightly as if she was trying her best to hide her nervousness and unease.
Qiao Shuang gave a sly smile, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, revealing a mysterious smile, and said, "I knew it! I don't know him, so why does he keep looking this way? Now I understand."
Her smile held a hint of mischief, and a strange light seemed to flash in her eyes, as if she knew everything.
Wang Yuxin hurriedly waved his hand and explained, "Don't make wild guesses. We've only known each other since elementary school. We're not that close. There's nothing else between us."
Her cheeks grew even redder, as if they were on fire, her eyes were filled with anxiety and helplessness, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Qiao Shuang smiled mysteriously again, raised an eyebrow slightly, and said with a hint of amusement in her eyes, "I didn't say there was anything else! Why are you in such a hurry?"
Her tone was slightly teasing, which made Wang Yuxin even more embarrassed.
Seeing that the situation was getting out of control, Wang Yuxin excused himself to go to the restroom and hurriedly escaped the awkward scene, leaving Qiao Shuang standing there with a knowing smile on her face.