Proud senior schoolgirl was tender and sweet, we fell in love

```

Over these three years, Xie Xiao and Luo Yanran's relationship could actually be considered rather harmonious.

They both clearly understood that there was a certain something between them.

But nobody took the initiative to address it.

Xie Xiao didn't because of his own inferiority complex, he truly felt he was unworthy.

Sometimes Xie Xiao thought fate was truly ironic, that he had given his all, his very best, to someone who didn't deserve it.
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But at his lowest and most wretched moment, he encountered that dazzling, alluring light.

She was the rose that bloomed in his heart.

So beautiful that he wanted to keep her all to himself, yet he dared not touch her.

At that time, Xie Xiao was still a young man, an insecure young man, who didn't dare to touch that delicate rose.

Afraid that his own rough and shattered hands would hurt her.

Yet the rose always seemed to touch him unintentionally, every time making Xie Xiao think, it was her initiative.

If this continued...

If it continued, he truly wouldn't be able to hold back.

Tonight, seeing that lock screen by chance, he had never seen that photo before.

It was a picture of him sitting by the window, reading a book, just a side view.

Xie Xiao also saw the handle of the wheelchair, which must have been taken recently by her.

Because it was only recently that she started to put stickers on his wheelchair.

And not a lot at once, just like she was casually sticking one or two.

All very cute and soft.

Xie Xiao noticed every time she succeeded, she'd look pleased but pretended not to care.

But her eyes clearly brimmed with the playful smile of a child.

Very adorable, and very lively.

Xie Xiao liked her like this.

Luo Yanran was the most vivid splash of color in his otherwise gloomy life.

She, along with his parents, and Lin Yu, propped up a sky for him.

Xie Xiao knew.

When his sky had fallen,

They tried hard to prop it back up, decorating it with other colors of the world, smiling at him and saying, "It's alright, we are here."

So it was because of this, that over these years Xie Xiao had been very hesitant.

His parents had asked for his thoughts on it.

He remembered that day when Xie Qingxiao was off, and Luo Yanran hadn't come due to something at school.

Father and son were taking a walk in the neighborhood downstairs, when they ran into a neighbor.

She cheerfully asked, "Hey, Mr. Xie, how come you're free today? Luoluo's not here?"

See, everyone knew about Luoluo, the one by Xie Xiao's side.

This recognition made Xie Xiao happy.

His heart secretly rejoiced.

After Xie Qingxiao finished greeting the neighbor cheerfully and was pushing him forward, he suddenly asked, "Son, can we talk for a minute?"

Xie Xiao felt helpless but also found it amusing, "Talk, I'm not going anywhere anyway."

His tone was self-deprecating but relaxed.

Over the years, he had started trying to make peace with himself, to the point where he could joke about his own legs.

This made Xie Qingxiao and the others feel even more pity for him.

Xie Qingxiao sat down on a nearby stone bench, "Then let's talk about Luoluo."

Xie Xiao looked at him.

Xie Qingxiao looked back at him, "You know, the girl has been with you for so many years, it's clear to anyone with a brain what that's about, what do you think?"

Xie Xiao was silent for a moment, his heart sinking with each beat, what do I think?

Look with my eyes, feel with my heart.

But what does it matter what I see?

```

Xie Qingxiao seemed to know what was on his mind and sighed, "I've talked to your mother. Actually, Luoluo is a really good girl, and you're a good kid too. If it had been before, we would have thought how perfect and well-matched you two would have been..."

Thinking of how spirited his son used to be, Xie Qingxiao's eyes still reddened.

Xie Xiao silently reached out and patted his hand, "So, how bad am I now?"

His voice deliberately carried a teasing tone, hoping he could lighten up a bit.

Sure enough, Xie Qingxiao waved his hand, "Not bad, my son is always outstanding."

But Luo Yanran was too good.

This wonderful girl had been by Xie Xiao's side for three years now.

"Actually, people are selfish. We know Luoluo is great, and if she had other choices, she would have too many, but oh, we hope she will always be here, we're family..."

Xie Qingxiao looked at Xie Xiao, "What do you think? She's a girl, and if you really like her, you should take the initiative."

He hadn't expected his father to switch topics so quickly.

Xie Xiao was taken aback and didn't respond right away.

Lin Yu had said something similar to him, actually.

Lin Yu's temperament had always been straightforward, speaking his mind to familiar people.

At the time, Xie Xiao had helplessly said, "Don't talk about it anymore, what if someone overhears?"

Lin Yu rolled his eyes and called him a coward.

Xie Xiao didn't deny it; he was indeed afraid.

He feared rejection, even though countless small details hinted that Luo Yanran probably liked him.

Yet, feelings of inferiority always surged when he faced Luo Yanran.

On what basis?

Such a Xie Xiao, on what basis could he be liked by the outstanding Luo Yanran?

He just wasn't worthy...

But now, it was Xie Qingxiao asking him.

Xie Xiao couldn't simply say not to talk nonsense.

Actually, you see, everyone can tell she likes you.

They can also tell you like her.

But it's just the two of you who are too scared to make the first move.

Because you like her so much, you become overly cautious in everything you do.

At that moment, Xie Xiao's eyes fell, "I don't know..."

"You do know," Xie Qingxiao was clearly not going to let him evade the issue, "Son, you're aware, you can't use 'I don't know' to dodge this. Luoluo is a junior now; she stayed by your side after her college entrance exams finished. You can't keep dragging this out with her."

If you like her, pursue her; if you don't, let her go.

Dragging it out with her for so many years is already selfish of us.

One can't always be like this in life.

So Xie Qingxiao spoke to Yang Lan and then came to talk to Xie Xiao about it alone.

After all, compared to a mother, a boy might find it easier to talk about this with his father, right?

Xie Xiao was at a loss for words by the assertive tone in Xie Qingxiao's voice.

In a low voice, he asked, "Dad, am I really… worthy?"

Xie Qingxiao looked at him seriously, "Worthiness isn't for me to decide. Deep down, you know as well that in matters of the heart, in Luoluo's eyes, you two have always been equals. It's a fact that Xie Xiao, you're not standing tall, but you can't keep bending over, evading. You're a man."

Luoluo has already come so far for so many things, there's just this half-step remaining. Even though you might not take that step, if you want, a small move forward will bring you into contact with her.

Xie Xiao understood his father's point, and finally nodded, "I got it, I'll think about it."

Afterwards, Xie Qingxiao didn't say anything more.

That thought lasted three days.

Xie Xiao looked up at the outline of the girl on the balcony, noticing the stiffness.

All right, now he had made up his mind.

For the remaining half-step, even if he had to crawl, he wanted to be by her side.

To personally pluck that delicate rose.

It was one he had nurtured.