Henry Webb nodded, not answering her “what about you.” He adjusted his bag strap and quietly waited for the library to open.

The boy’s hair was very shiny, glimmering in the autumn light.

Brian Clark only glanced at him quickly. Although she felt a bit awkward, the sky above was so blue, the wind was strong, the world didn’t seem any different from before, yet everything had changed. Brian Clark felt she simply didn’t know how to love this world anymore.

To be alive as a human—how wonderful it is. The girl’s lips finally curved into a faint smile.

She actually wanted to apologize again for vomiting on him last time, but some words, after being mulled over and over, were about to lose their chance to be spoken.

“Henry Webb.” Brian Clark suddenly called out to him just as he was about to enter, as if his name alone could form a mysterious and wondrous world.

The boy heard her, turned around, let the people behind go in first, and stepped aside, looking at her inquiringly: “What is it?”

Brian Clark suppressed her nervous excitement, trying her best to appear calm: “About last time, I’m really sorry for throwing up on you.”

Henry Webb didn’t take it seriously at all, but recalling something, he smiled and couldn’t help teasing her: “Did you pour a whole bag of laundry detergent in?”

Brian Clark looked at him in confusion: “What?”

“I should’ve known not to let you wash it. I had to rinse it over a dozen times,” Henry Webb said.

Brian Clark finally understood what he meant, her face full of guilt. She nervously twisted the hem of her clothes: “I’m not very good at washing things. By the end, I really had no strength left. I’m so sorry.”

Henry Webb shook his head with a smile: “Let’s go in.”

“Are you mad at me?” Brian Clark asked in a low voice.

Henry Webb looked at her as if he couldn’t understand her train of thought and said, “It’s not a big deal.”

“But you seemed really angry at the time.”

“I was just in a bad mood,” Henry Webb said lightly.

Brian Clark was taken aback.

As for why he was in a bad mood, Henry Webb clearly had no desire to explain. The two of them entered the library.

The afternoon passed quickly. Brian Clark finished her test papers, smoothed her skirt, and ran to the bookshelves to read magazines. Through the gaps, she could see Henry Webb sitting there studying. Just catching a glimpse of him when he occasionally looked up made her very happy.

Until closing time, as people gradually left, Brian Clark and Henry Webb stayed until the very last moment. She didn’t know why he stayed so long, but she knew she did because of him—she was too reluctant to leave. Such opportunities were so precious, and she didn’t know when they would meet again.

She had already used her old little cell phone to text her aunt, saying she’d be late.

Just as she stuffed the magazine back, Henry Webb came over to return his periodical as well. He asked naturally, “Not going home yet?”

Brian Clark mumbled a reply, then asked, “Are you going home?”

Henry Webb gave a short laugh: “No, I’m going to the internet café.”

As expected, Brian Clark’s eyes widened. The scene she’d witnessed during summer vacation flashed through her mind. The two exchanged a glance, and Henry Webb seemed to read her mind, wearing an expression that said he completely understood what she was thinking.

But the next second, the girl lowered her eyes and softly told him, “Actually, I’m not going home either.”

Chapter 8

After speaking, Brian Clark looked up and pressed her lips together...

After speaking, Brian Clark looked up and pressed her lips together.

It was strange—at that moment when their eyes met, it was as if they had magically sensed the presence of a kindred spirit. At least, that’s how it felt to Henry Webb. He became keenly aware of something, but didn’t ask further, only giving a faint smile:

“There’s no one in the library at night. Do you have somewhere to go?”

Brian Clark nodded: “I’m going to my aunt’s place.” Her heart was pounding, and she didn’t know why. She knew it was impolite, but still couldn’t help asking him, “Why aren’t you going home?”

Henry Webb looked at her meaningfully for a few seconds. The longer he looked, the more it made Brian Clark feel uneasy. The corners of the boy’s mouth slowly curled up—it was hard to tell if it was a sneer or a bitter smile.

“Haven’t you seen it yourself?” He deftly deflected, returning the awkwardness to Brian Clark. Brian Clark bit her lip, feeling as if witnessing someone else’s embarrassment made her even more embarrassed than the person involved.

As they walked out of the library together, the timing was perfect. The early autumn evening breeze was cool, and between the tall buildings, a blood-red sunset was slowly sinking, like a round, orange-red rose.

Everyone had somewhere to go, like birds splitting off in different directions.

Brian Clark gripped her bag strap tightly. She had to do something—this day was coming to an end. This unexpected encounter felt like a gift from life. Whenever she got nervous, she wanted to tie her shoelaces, but she forced herself not to. Almost trembling, she said to Henry Webb:

“Henry Webb, can I ask you a question? I couldn’t solve the last big problem on the test.”

After speaking, she quickly looked away. She knew this request was abrupt and unreasonable—what were you doing earlier? Now that he’s about to leave, you bring it up.

Sure enough, Henry Webb hesitated for a moment, but still agreed.

The crowd dispersed quickly; no one lingered. The boy was very casual—he tossed his backpack aside and sat down on the steps. Seeing this, Brian Clark hurriedly took out her test paper and pen, her hands trembling uncontrollably. The pen rolled far away, and it was Henry Webb who picked it up for her.

She thought the ground was quite dirty, but she couldn’t care about that now. She sat down beside him—not too close, not too far. Brian Clark felt that even breathing had become a luxury.