Chapter 1401: So That’s How It Is (4)

Zhou Qi stood to the side watching the regretful expression on Xiao Rou’s face, unable to resist asking, "Are these...very important to you?"

He could obviously tell that most of the items inside were not valuable; the hair clip in Xiao Rou’s hand was clearly a stall product.

For her to cherish such things, it was obviously not because of their intrinsic value, but perhaps because these items held some special meaning for Xiao Rou.

Just like that love letter.

Inadvertently, Zhou Qi’s gaze drifted back to the love letter, his expression becoming darker.

Xiao Rou didn’t notice his unusual behavior; she just regretfully cradled the broken hair clip in her hand, looking up at Zhou Qi. Seeing no expression on his face, and him looking at her and her box with a contemplative gaze, she was taken aback.

Xiao Rou hesitated, simply assuming that Zhou Qi had accidentally broken her things and was feeling remorseful, thinking they were important.

She quickly said, "They’re not very important, just things with some sentimental value."

Without a word, Zhou Qi listened as Xiao Rou pursed her lips and continued: "This hair clip was a birthday gift from my dad when I was twelve. It used to be a pair, but I lost one of them."

Twelve years old signifies the end of childhood; some pay no attention, while others feel it’s a significant milestone in life. Sensitive and delicate people like Xiao Rou naturally care more.

"And this."

Xiao Rou picked up a small knitted doll, "This was the first handmade craft I ever made. Although it looks a bit ugly, it’s still quite amusing to think about."

Xiao Rou initially just wanted to explain things to Zhou Qi so he wouldn’t feel guilty, but as she spoke, she truly started to reminisce about those past experiences.

Her little face lit up with excitement, and Zhou Qi watched and listened to her talk about those trivial matters, his mood getting better too.

Xiao Rou mentioned seven or eight items but never talked about that envelope.

Though aware of what the envelope contained, Zhou Qi couldn’t help but ask, "And...what about this?"

He reached out and picked up the girlish envelope, pretending to say it casually, while the other hand in his pocket tightened into a fist.

When Xiao Rou saw him pick up the envelope, she was momentarily stunned, then took it and stared at it for two seconds, laughing, "You definitely shouldn’t tell Cheng Chen about this."

Zhou Qi’s heart sank—it’s true... Can’t tell Zhou Chengchen, so then...

Before Zhou Qi could finish his thought, he heard Xiao Rou laughing as she continued, "This is Cheng Chen’s embarrassing past that she doesn’t let me mention."

"Embarrassing past?"

Zhou Qi was slightly puzzled.

Xiao Rou had already opened the envelope and took out the thin letter paper inside.

"This is the first and only love letter I ever wrote. Back when Cheng Chen wanted to pursue Xi Siyan and wanted to write a love letter but didn’t know how, she asked me to write a sample for her."

As Xiao Rou spoke, she started laughing again as if recalling something: "So I wrote it for her. After she read it, she copied it and gave it to Xi Siyan, and do you know what Xi Siyan said?"

"Mm?"

Xiao Rou cleared her throat, imitating Xi Siyan’s tone, "Classmate, you forgot your excerpt here."

After the mimicry, Xiao Rou burst into laughter again, nearly tumbling over.

Zhou Qi stood there dazed; is that how it was? So that’s how it was...

The love letter he saw wasn’t a love letter—or rather, not the type he thought. So, that’s how it was.