This was the first time Bai Xuexiao had clearly expressed his feelings to Xi Yan verbally, letting her know he liked her.
Bai Xuexiao's affection for her was something Xi Yan was aware of, yet she had never seriously allowed herself to see it clearly, never really faced it head-on; she had always adopted an attitude of evasion and feigned ignorance. Now that Bai Xuexiao had expressed his feelings more clearly, Xi Yan found it hard to continue avoiding his emotions, and this left her quite shocked. He had finally spoken the words she had feared, yet deep down, there was a tiny bit of happiness—that belonged to another voice in her heart.
Bai Xuexiao gazed intently into her eyes, unwilling to let Xi Yan evade him any longer. And Xi Yan met his gaze, saying nothing.
"Bai Xuexiao, it's getting late. I should take my leave now," Xi Yan said after a long silence, finally uttering words that had nothing to do with love.