After sending that text, Evelyn realized what she had done.
She had just texted Alexander.
Could she take it back?
How could she possibly take it back?
Evelyn felt a wave of panic. Before she could figure out what to do, Alexander's reply came through. "I'll pick you up later."
She stared at the message.
She could explain it to him. She hadn't meant anything by it.
But explaining would be weird. Not explaining would be awkward too.
"Work is going well!" Evelyn finally replied with that polite sentence.
"OK."
Then she didn't know what else to say.
Maybe she should just put her phone away and get ready for bed.
The next second, her eyes landed on his earlier message again. I'll pick you up later.
What did that mean?
Did he mean he'd pick her up tomorrow after he got home?
Or did he mean he'd pick her up right now?
Evelyn shook her head. She was definitely overthinking this.
Alexander was still abroad.
How could he meet her?
The lights would turn off soon. The dormitory doors would lock. She couldn't get out.
There was no way Alexander would come pick her up this late. It didn't make sense.
After thinking it through, Evelyn calmed down. She was about to switch her phone to vibrate mode when another message came in.
"Wait for me under your dorm in fifteen minutes."
Evelyn stared at the screen for a long time. Then she typed back frantically, "You mean you're coming to pick me up now?"
"Yes."
She was stunned.
"You're back in the city?"
Otherwise, he'd have to take a spaceship to get here that fast.
"See you soon."
Now Evelyn was the one going crazy.
She had just changed into her pajamas and gotten into bed. Now she had to get up, change clothes, and get ready to go out.
"Evelyn, what are you doing?" Stella asked.
"I'm going home!" Evelyn replied quickly.
"What? It's so late! What happened?"
"Nothing. My family is coming to pick me up." Evelyn grabbed her clothes and rushed into the bathroom to change.
"Is Evelyn's family facing bankruptcy again?" Emily blurted out.
"Shh, don't say that!" Stella quickly warned her.
Emily shut up.
Evelyn came out of the bathroom, changed. She put her phone in her bag and said to Stella and Emily, "I'm leaving. One of you, come down and lock the door."
"Be careful. If anything happens, call us." Emily climbed down from the top bunk.
"Okay." Evelyn nodded.
She grabbed her bag and walked out of the dorm.
It was almost lights-out time. Many students were still out or studying in their rooms. She ran into a few classmates.
"Evelyn, you're going out this late?" Jackson King greeted her.
"I'm going home for a bit. Bye!" Evelyn answered awkwardly.
"Bye. Be careful on your way."
"Yeah, thanks."
She walked out of the dormitory building and stood under the sycamore tree. She sent Alexander a message.
"Which school gate should I wait for you at?"
Her phone rang.
She picked it up. "Just wait for me under your dorm." Alexander's slightly low voice came through.
"Okay. Drive slowly. I'll wait for you." Evelyn had no choice but to agree.
She had wanted to wait at the school gate. It would be more convenient for him.
"Okay." Alexander answered.
He didn't hang up. Instead, he asked, "Are you cold?"
"A little. But I'm wearing a lot of clothes." Evelyn laughed.
She had been in such a hurry that she hadn't noticed the cold.
"I'm wearing a little less," Alexander said.
"Huh?" Evelyn didn't understand.
"So we balance each other out."
"..." Evelyn had no idea what to say.
After a moment, she asked, "When did you get back?"
"Just arrived this evening. Didn't you ask me to come back earlier?"
"I..." Evelyn was embarrassed for a long time.
What she had said back then was just being polite.
"You look like a snail."
"What?" Evelyn asked, confused.
"That coat doesn't suit you."
Evelyn looked down at herself. She was wearing a down jacket she had bought on sale. It was a size too big because it was the last one left.
She had figured it didn't matter. She'd wear more layers in winter anyway.
The next second, she suddenly realized something. She looked up and saw a figure walking toward her dormitory.
A man in a white shirt.
He was definitely wearing too little.
That was Evelyn's first thought.
Then her feet moved before her mind could catch up. She walked toward him.
"How can you wear so little?" Evelyn blurted out when she reached him. Her tone was full of concern.
"I haven't had time to go back to the apartment to change." Alexander looked down at her and smiled.
"Then let's go back quickly," Evelyn said.
Alexander put his arm around her shoulders and walked toward the school gate.
"You should have just gone straight back to the apartment," Evelyn couldn't help saying.
"Don't you want to see me?" Alexander asked.
"No. It's just that you'll catch a cold easily." Evelyn blushed and answered quietly.
"I still have you, don't I?" Alexander pulled her into his arms.
Evelyn's face turned even redder.
She secretly reached out and wrapped her arm around his waist.
Maybe this way, she could transfer some of her body heat to him.
Leaving school this late meant they had to explain the reason. But they couldn't get permission for sure.
So Alexander and Evelyn did the same thing as before. They climbed over the wall.
Evelyn realized that since she had been with Alexander, she had climbed the wall a lot.
Well, actually, not that much. Just twice.
But the memories were so vivid that it felt like more.
When the driver got out and opened the door for them, Evelyn realized Alexander wasn't driving tonight. The driver was.
The car was warm. Evelyn felt relieved.
At least Alexander wouldn't be cold now. But she was wearing too many clothes herself. She felt hot.
So she took off her down jacket, folded it, and put it on her lap.
The next second, she regretted it.
Underneath, she was only wearing a cashmere sweater.
And it was a deep V-neck.
Without the down jacket, the curves of her body suddenly stood out.
The cleavage was visible.
She had forgotten. She had been in such a hurry that she hadn't put on a camisole today.
Usually, when she wore this sweater, she always added a white camisole underneath. It didn't look too sexy, and she wasn't afraid of showing anything when she bent over.
She adjusted her sitting position awkwardly.
She leaned back against the seat, but ended up leaning against Alexander's arm.
Evelyn sat up straight, as if shocked.
The next second, Alexander pulled her into his arms. Her back pressed against his chest.
Evelyn's body froze.
Alexander didn't move further. He just held her quietly.
They sat in silence. The car drove smoothly toward the apartment.
A quiet, faint atmosphere filled the air.