Chapter 2 | An Umbrella on a Rainy Night

October weather is unpredictable.When evening self-study began, the night outside was still muggy.By the time the bell rang, the rain was pouring down."Splash—"The rain pounded against the roof of the school building, the sound dense and resonant.Students lined the corridor, looking out."How are we going to get home in this rain?""I didn't bring an umbrella.""Oh no."Lin Nian packed her bag.She didn't bring an umbrella either.The weather had been fine that morning.She walked to the school building entrance and stood under the eaves.The rain was thick.The streetlights at the school gate were blurred by the mist.Lin Nian sighed softly.Her home wasn't actually far from school.A twenty-minute walk.If it were a lighter rain, she would have run home.But with this kind of rain, she'd probably be soaked halfway there.As she hesitated,someone suddenly said beside her:"Didn't bring an umbrella?"Lin Nian turned her head.Zhou Yu was standing next to her.He was carrying a backpack and holding a black umbrella in one hand.Lin Nian was a little surprised."Yeah."Zhou Yu glanced at the rain outside."It's pretty heavy."Lin Nian nodded.For a moment, neither of them spoke.One by one, the surrounding students rushed into the rain.Someone shouted:"Charge!"Then they ran wildly in the rain.Zhou Yu suddenly smiled."Want to walk together?"Lin Nian hesitated."Wouldn't that be inconvenient?"Zhou Yu opened his umbrella."No, it's not."He said it casually."It's on the way anyway."Lin Nian wasn't sure if it was really on the way.But she nodded anyway."Then... thank you."The two walked into the rain together.The umbrella wasn't very big.They stood a little close.Raindrops fell on the umbrella, making a continuous sound.The streets were washed clean and shiny by the rain.The streetlights reflected on the ground,like shattered stars.They walked for a while.Zhou Yu suddenly asked:"Do you go to the library every day?"Lin Nian nodded."I'm used to it.""It's quieter there."Zhou Yu smiled."No wonder I see you so often."Lin Nian was a little surprised."You go often?"Zhou Yu coughed a little guiltily."I only started going recently."Actually, he rarely went to the library before.Ever since that day when he saw her.He started going.Lin Nian didn't think much of it.She simply said softly:"It's good.""The learning efficiency is high there."The rain grew heavier.The wind also picked up.The umbrella was blown slightly askew.Zhou Yu leaned a little closer to Lin Nian."Which side do you live on?"Lin Nian pointed ahead."Two intersections away."Zhou Yu nodded."That's really on the way."Actually, not entirely.But he didn't say.They reached an intersection.The red light was on.They stopped.Rain dripped down the edge of the umbrella.It was quiet around them.Only the sound of rain.Zhou Yu suddenly said:"Lin Nian."Lin Nian looked at him."What's wrong?"Zhou Yu smiled."Have you been working this hard all this time?"Lin Nian was taken aback.She hadn't expected him to ask that.She thought for a moment."Maybe.""My grades aren't particularly good.""So you have to work harder."Zhou Yu looked at her.Suddenly, he realized this girl was different from many others.She spoke softly.But earnestly.The green light came on.They continued walking.A while later.Lin Nian suddenly stopped.“I’m here.”It was a quiet alley.The streetlights were old.Rain dripped from the eaves.Zhou Yu glanced over.“Here?”Lin Nian nodded.“Yes.”She stepped back a little from under the umbrella.“Thank you for bringing me back.”Zhou Yu suddenly felt time had passed quickly.He scratched his head.“It’s nothing.”Lin Nian smiled.“Then I’ll go first.”She turned and walked into the alley.After a few steps, she turned back.Zhou Yu was still standing in the rain.The umbrella was tilted slightly.She suddenly said,"Zhou Yu."Zhou Yu looked up."Hmm?"Lin Nian smiled softly."Be careful on the road."After saying that, she ran into the alley.Zhou Yu stood there.The rain was still falling.He looked at the quiet alley.Suddenly, he felt that tonight's rain didn't seem so bad.The next evening.Zhou Yu went to the library again.He walked in.He looked around.Soon he saw Lin Nian in a corner.She was sitting in her usual spot.Head down, writing problems.Zhou Yu suddenly smiled.He walked over and sat down opposite her.Lin Nian looked up.She was a little surprised to see him."You're here too?"Zhou Yu nodded."Yes."He said,"To study."Lin Nian smiled softly.The evening breeze blew in through the window.The pages of the book turned softly.At that moment, neither of them knew.Many years later.They would remember that rainy night.Because it was the first time.The first night they truly walked home together.