Side Story 25: Reading, or Looking for Me

Sunday, bookstore.

Shen Zhijin stood in front of the bookshelf and looked at the neatly arranged books on it, with his lips slightly pursed.

He had an excellent memory and never forgot what he read. This was the first time he was faced with rows of books yet he did not know where to start.

There were two girls who looked like high school students nearby who looked over from time to time, with blushing and curious faces.

It was extremely rare to see such a handsome young man, and it was also because he had been standing here for too long.

The two girls picked up their books to cover half of their faces as they moved to each other and whispered among themselves.

Shen Zhijin, of course, noticed their gazes and could vaguely hear their chatter.

He was very good-looking and had long been used to being scrutinized like this.

But today was different.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. Finally, he raised his hand and took a few books from the bookshelf.

When the book fell into his hands, he heard the two young girls exclaim in surprise at first, before then laughing softly.

He pretended not to notice and turned to the cashier.

…

The cashier’s gaze lingered on the books for a few more seconds. Then, she looked up again at Shen Zhijin with a teasing smile in her eyes.

Even though she did not say anything, Shen Zhijin felt the tips of his ears begin to burn.

“Would you like a bag?”

“Yes.”

Shen Zhijin took out his wallet, ready to pay.

The cashier pulled out a bag and put the books in it.

“Hey, Senior Brother?”

Kong Wenhan and the others had made an appointment to go to the bookstore together to buy the newly released novels and magazines. They had not expected to see Shen Zhijin as soon as they entered the door.

“Are you here to buy books too?”

Shen Zhijin nodded slightly and greeted them with his usual expression.

Kong Wenhan glanced at the cashier. The bag was transparent, but the bookstore’s name that was printed on it half-covered the contents so he could not see what they were clearly. He could only see that there were several thick books inside.

“Senior Brother, what did you buy?”

Kong Wenhan was very curious.

Shen Zhijin rarely came to the bookstore since he spent most of his time at the library.

The professional books and literature information there were more complete.

Hence, they were all quite surprised to see Shen Zhijin here today.

Shen Zhijin put his fingers together, but before he could say anything, another boy immediately said, “A book that is worthy of being chosen by Senior Brother is definitely not ordinary! Senior Brother, what are you reading? Let us take a look!”

Shen Zhijin paused.

“These are just some very ordinary books.”

“Here are your books,” said the cashier as she handed the bag over.

Shen Zhijin reached out to take it.

However, with a slip of a hand, the bag fell to the ground.

Thud!

The books that were inside also slid out.

Shen Zhijin’s eyebrows twitched. He was about to pick them up, but Kong Wenhan was faster than him.

“Senior Brother, let me help you…”

His voice stopped abruptly, and his movements froze.

“The Maidservant’s Lord Black Deacon”

When he saw these words, Kong Wenhan thought he had gone blind.

Dead silence.

And when his peripheral vision uncontrollably drifted to the other books that were scattered at the side–

“The Story of Pure Love in Xiangnan”

“Super Vigorous Girl”

“President, Don’t Even Think About Escaping”

…

He suddenly felt that he might as well have been blind.

…

“Ahem!”

A boy standing behind coughed loudly, finally recalling Kong Wenhan’s soul back to his body.

He packed the books as fast as he could and handed them to Shen Zhijin respectfully with both hands as he spoke in a soft voice.

“Senior Brother, y-your book.”

...

The air seemed to have frozen.

Finally, a long, fair hand reached out and took the bag.

“Thank you,” he said.

Kong Wenhan had never thought that Shen Zhijin’s voice could sound so distant and cold. It was so bright outside, yet he actually felt cold.

He opened his mouth and decided to turn the tide. He looked up at Shen Zhijin again and forced a relaxed smile on his face.

“It seems that Senior Brother has been under a lot of pressure from his research recently, haha!”

Shen Zhijin gave him a very indifferent look.

Kong Wenhan’s laughter was suddenly cut off.

Being blind was not enough. It looked like he might just have to die.

…

Just as Kong Wenhan was thinking about whether he would die a quick death today or be tortured to death by a blunt knife in the future, he heard light footsteps.

...

“Shen Zhijin?!”

A sweet and soft voice of surprise sounded.

Shen Zhijin turned to look and saw Gu Tingyin walking in.

It was already late autumn, and she was wearing a caramel-colored skirt, a sweater, and a vest. Her wavy black hair hung down and swayed gently behind her slender waist.

She looked comfortable, elegant, and beautiful, and it easily captured his mind.

After taking only a few steps, she could not hold herself back and walked a little faster to his side.

Her black, bright almond eyes looked at him, and the dimples at the corners of her lips were faintly visible.

“What a coincidence!”

It was a coincidence.

She had mentioned that she liked to come to this bookstore on Sundays to read.

He gave a slight nod.

“I’m also here to buy books!”

As Gu Tingyin spoke, her eyes subconsciously glanced at the bag in his hand and she probed, “Is this yours?”

Kong Wenhan and the others looked at the two of them, feeling shocked.

Shen Zhijin raised his eyes and glanced over, with a calm expression on his face.

Kong Wenhan hurriedly said, “Junior Gu, I didn’t expect to see you here. But we still have some other matters to attend to, so we’ll be leaving first. Let’s talk another day!

Gu Tingyin turned her head when she heard the voice, surprise appearing on her little face.

“Eh? Senior Kong, you guys are here too?”

“…”

Kong Wenhan and the others gulped.

Shen Zhijin’s eyes flashed with a faint smile.

Gu Tingyin waved at them.

“Then… Goodbye!”

“…”

How could people be bullied like this? What’s more, the two of them had banded together!

Kong Wenhan and the others stood at the entrance of the bookstore for a while, before silently turning and leaving.

The view of his back inexplicably carried a hint of the bleakness of autumn.

Gu Tingyin did not pay much attention. Instead, she turned back to look at Shen Zhijin with bright eyes.

“Shen Zhijin, do you have any other plans today? Let’s read here together, okay?”

She added, “The books here are very good!”

…

Shen Zhijin followed her to the second floor.

There were fewer people here, and the air was filled with the faint smell of ink.

Gu Tingyin chose a small round table in the corner and sat next to him.

However, Shen Zhijin did not take out the books from his bag. Instead, he went to get a copy of another book, “Gravity of the Black Hole”.

“Shen Zhijin, why aren’t you reading the books you bought?”

She asked curiously, wanting to see what he had bought.

However, just as she opened the bag, Shen Zhijin grabbed her wrist.

“I’m planning to read those at home.”

After he finished speaking, he was about to let go of her.

However, Gu Tingyin suddenly leaned over.

Her rich sweet fragrance instantly overwhelmed him, making it difficult for him to break free.

The corners of her lips curled up, and her voice was soft and gentle.

“Shen Zhijin, do you know that I’ve read almost all of the books in the comics section here?”

His heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously looked over, only to see the smile in her eyes.

Even without fully opening the bag, she had already been able to tell what books they were with just a glance.

She let him hold her slender wrist, proudly and playfully.

“Those are for me, aren’t they?”

She was so certain, as if she had discovered a secret that he had been hiding for a long time.

Even the afternoon sun could not compare to her bright smile.

He could not avoid it.

Finally, he said, “No.”

Gu Tingyin was taken aback, but in the next moment, she heard him say in a soft voice, “If you find Physics too difficult to understand, you don’t have to study it again in future.

“I just came to take a look.”

He had come here to see her preferences, what she loved, and her habits.

Gu Tingyin suddenly wished that he had let go of her wrist.

This way, he might not notice her crazy heartbeat.

She stepped back a little and paused for a long time, but she could not help going closer again.

She really wanted to ask–

“Shen Zhijin.”

He tilted his head slightly, but suddenly felt something brush past his face.

It felt unbelievably soft.

He suddenly froze.

In the next moment, she leaned into his ear and he felt her breath lightly blowing in as her voice seemed to contain a smile.

“Did you want to read books or…?

“Did you want to see me?”