2 Wait For the Traffic Light When You Cross the Road

"Ding dong."

His cell phone, which he had placed in a corner, rang once. As if he had not heard it, Qin Guanglin continued to sketch and make an outline on his drawing board.

He seldom looked at his notifications whenever he was drawing. If there was anything urgent, people would call him instead of sending texts or messages.

On the drawing board was a pretty girl standing in a field of flowers. She was bending over and smelling the flowers, with one hand slightly parting the hair by her ear.

One and a half months had passed since he first met He Fang. During this period, they maintained a frequency of meeting once a week. He only seemed slightly awkward and nervous during the first time. When the two of them met the second time, there was no unfamiliarity.

After outlining the young girl's dress hem, Qin Guanglin took two steps backward and assessed his work, sighing deeply.

The girl… The girl gave him a very wonderful feeling. He could neither verbalize nor explain it. There was a refined intellectuality hidden beneath her youthful and lively exterior. This intellectuality made him feel extraordinarily comfortable in his interaction with her.

Just like how they had met online, the two of them became close quickly in real life.

Qin Guanglin stepped forward again and touched up the girl's hair with his painting brush. He had nodded his head in satisfaction before he picked up his cell phone in the corner and examined it.

Gone Astray, Awaiting Return: Shall we watch a movie together?

Dense Forest: Sure.

Gone Astray, Awaiting Return: So, we'll meet in a bit?

Qin Guanglin turned his head and glanced at his drawing board. Since he just finished painting it, it would take some time to dry. If he used a hairdryer, traces of water would be less obvious and would turn the paint into a greyish hue, affecting the result.

Dense Forest: A while later. What about four in the afternoon? We can meet at the Xicheng District Square.

Gone Astray, Awaiting Return: Sure thing.

The Xicheng District Square was closer to He Fang's school. It would also be convenient for him to accompany her back after they watched a movie.

After opening the window for ventilation, Qin Guanglin left the studio, intending to wash the paint off of his body. Each time he finished painting, there were bright colors all over his body as if he was a painting contractor.

"You're done painting?" Qin Guanglin's mother was in the living room, arranging her vintage collectibles. She did not even raise her head when she heard him. "Quick, tidy yourself up. Go out with me later."

"What are we going out for?" Qin Guanglin turned his head and asked, with his hand on the door of the toilet.

"I heard that there are some new goods along the old street in Xicheng District. Come with me to see if I can get some bargains."

"You probably heard from Aunt Wang, right? I have something on. Ask her to go with you."

He closed the door after he had spoken. He would not go even if he had nothing on for he was not at all interested in those broken gizmos. Every trip made to the street stalls was torture to him.

Hm?

Qin Guanglin's mother looked at the closed toilet door. "What appointment could you have?"

"I'm meeting a friend."

"If I tell your Aunt Wang to come with me, she'll probably take all the good stuff with her." Mother Qin complained lowly to herself that this brat just did not want to go.

After he had cleaned himself up and tidied up his studio a little, Qin Guanglin sat on the couch in the living room. By this time, Mother Qin was ready to head out.

"Aren't you free right now?" She opened the door and turned to look at Qin Guanglin. "Go out and get some air. Don't get yourself sick by staying cooped up at home all day."

Qin Guanglin sighed. "I'm going out in a bit. Go ahead, quick."

"Well then, remember to bring your keys with you."

"Sure."

The door closed resoundingly, leaving the living room silent.

Qin Guanglin had opened He Fang's profile on his phone before he shut his screen again.

It was almost three in the afternoon. He stood up and glanced at the painting. After that, he briefly wrapped it up with carbon paper, put it in a box, and carried it out of the house.

As usual, Qin Guanglin took the bus. He looked out the window as his fingers gently stroked the box.

What was his relationship with He Fang right now? Were they friends? Good friends?

He took out his phone, intending to tell He Fang that he was nearly there. However, the large steamship icon above their chat log drew his attention.

The large steamship meant that both of them chatted often and it would only appear to two individuals for such a reason.

This steamship icon had been there for some time.

Dense Forest: I'm nearly there.

Gone Astray, Awaiting Return: Me too.

Dense Forest: Have you decided which movie you want to watch?

Gone Astray, Awaiting Return: Do you want to watch 'Terminator Genisys?' I heard that the 3D effects are not bad.

Dense Forest: Do you like the Terminator series too? I thought that you girls would want to watch lighthearted comedies.

Gone Astray, Awaiting Return: I like everything. I'm not picky.

Qin Guanglin was slightly surprised. He had watched every film in this franchise. He had been thinking for quite a while of watching a lighthearted comedy with He Fang and coming another day to watch this science-fiction film alone. Few to no girls enjoyed watching such noisy shooting films about time-travel. When the previous movies hit the cinemas, he only saw a few girls in the cinemas, at most two to three couples.

Now, he no longer had to overthink about it.

Each time he saw He Fang, Qin Guanglin would have the illusion that this girl liked him. She would often look left and right as if searching for something. Then, when their eyes meet, her eyes would widen slightly. Subsequently, her fair and clear face would slowly bloom like a flower, revealing a sincere smile.

It was very pure and straightforward. Qin Guanglin did not know if her smile was like this, to begin with, or whether it was because she had seen him.

"What's this?" He Fang would never stand on the spot and wait for him to move closer. Whenever she saw him, she would take the initiative to approach him, even if they had to walk back later.

"I said I would give it to you." Qin Guanglin handed the box to her. The last time they met, he had promised to give her a painting.

Her reaction was different than what he had imagined. Initially, he had thought that this girl would express her joy. But she merely smiled even more sweetly and moved half a step closer to him. Then, she pursed her lips and said, "Thank you."

She was leaning in a little too close. Qin Guanglin suddenly felt a bit nervous and turned his head away unnaturally. "Come on, let's go watch a movie."

"No. I want to put it in the dormitory first. Otherwise, it would be way too inconvenient to carry it while watching a movie." He Fang shook her head.

"It's fine. I'll help you carry it first."

"No way. There are so many people walking about. What if someone bumps into it and damages it?"

As she was too obstinate, Qin Guanglin accompanied her to Luo City University. They reached after a little over ten minutes by foot and crossed a junction.

He Fang hugged the box and did not talk to him while walking, as she usually did. She seemed to be thinking about something. He did not disturb her either and simply followed slightly behind her.

It was a subconscious habit of his. He often lagged when he was walking with his family members on the road. That way, he could always be aware of their movements and react to all possible hazards in their surroundings at any time. If he walked at the front, he would not have time to respond to things that happened behind him, especially when he would still have to turn around in moments of urgency.

Qin Guanglin looked left and right when they reached the traffic light. There were no cars at all. It would only take a few steps to cross the road, but they still had to wait a long time for the light to turn red. Nevertheless, He Fang obediently halted her footsteps.

Adhering strictly to traffic rules was another positive quality of He Fang's, which Qin Guanglin had noticed. And this positive quality was accompanied by a negative trait.

When the light turned green, her small hand noiselessly reached out to Qin Guanglin's sleeve and grasped it.

He Fang seemed anxious every time they crossed the road. She had to hold on to his sleeve and glance around to confirm that there were no cars before she would attempt to cross the road.