Sometimes she turns around, or stops in her tracks, her legs casually crossed, her long hair softly falling on her shoulders. Occasionally she's lost in thought, occasionally she smiles, looking languid yet pure. Before I know it, I've been staring at her for a long time. And that suppressed feeling of anxiety and unease begins to grow again.

  I picked up the water bottle and took a few big gulps. When I put down the water, I found that she in the distance was also staring at me. From such a distance, her eyes were no longer cold and guarded. They were very calm, with a hint of long-lost tenderness inside. We stared at each other for a few seconds, I knew she couldn't see my expression clearly. Then she lowered her head, and her small legs lightly kicked the sand a few times. I propped my arms behind me, raised my head to look up at the sky, thinking that I shouldn't be so impulsive.

  An umbrella blocks above my head, blocking out the blue sky and sunlight.

  I frowned.

  Chen Ruying looked obedient and well-behaved, squatting down beside me and saying: "A Yu, yesterday you said I didn't believe it, how... are you smoking?"

  I took a glance at the cigarette in my hand and took a few more puffs, saying nothing.

  She sat down beside me. I was a bit annoyed and just wanted to get up, but she suddenly spoke up: "You like girls like that? She really does look great, outgoing and beautiful, no wonder you'd like her." Chen Ruying smiled at Tan Jiao. I didn't expect her to say something like that, and my impression of her improved slightly, so I just smiled and didn't say anything.

  "As soon as you mention her, you smile." Chen Ruying suddenly said in a low voice.

  I closed my eyes: "Uh-huh."

  "So Ah Yu......are you serious about her?"

  I heard myself say: "Seriously, I really like her."

  "Chen Ruying seemed very calm and said, "Oh, but you see, you're a top student from one of the best universities in the country, with a master's degree. I just overheard her chatting with Wu Miao, and it seems like she didn't even attend a 211 university, and her grades weren't good either. If you two are together in the future, there might still be a lot of pressure, and you might need to put in more effort. Two people with such big differences can only communicate and get along better if they work harder. I... am just giving you advice as a friend. But maybe I'm thinking too much. My dad said that you have a bright future ahead of you because you always know how to weigh the pros and cons and choose the most efficient and rational path."

  I was silent for a while, opened my eyes, and didn't look at Chen Ruying. I said: "Actually, in my eyes, she is what kind of person, doesn't need others to evaluate. But Chen Ruying, the words you just said, I don't feel any blessing as a friend. So I think it's still necessary for me to tell you clearly: You don't understand her at all. She... actually is an extraordinary person, and I'm the ordinary one."

  In my mind, the scene floats back to that day when she first came to the garage. She drove in with her bright orange SUV, her long hair soft and loose, her expression carefree, her eyebrows and eyes naturally curved into a smile. She was such a dazzling woman, drawing the attention of all the mechanics. And I sat in the corner of the shop, covered in dust and grime, my hands stained with engine oil, my body reeking of sweat, my face perhaps even more gloomy, watching her walk back into my life.

  I don't know why, but I laughed and said, "She's like a little sun, the only sun I have in this world." After saying that, I ignored Chen Ruyin, lay down on my back, and closed my eyes.

  Chen Ruying's footsteps faded away.

  The surroundings have finally quieted down.

  Dazed and confused, I dozed off for a bit. I don't know how long it was, maybe several minutes or over ten minutes, when suddenly I felt someone plop down on me. That familiar scent made me subconsciously wrap my arms around her and open my eyes.