Rowen looked at the person across from him. Since sitting down to eat, Celine had hardly lifted her head, only picking food from the dish in front of her.
Rowen raised an eyebrow, reached out, and placed his hand next to her plate, tapping on the table. “Do you really dislike me?”
Celine was eating when suddenly a hand appeared in front of her. She was taken aback for a moment, then she heard Rowen's words.
Surprised, she lifted her head to look at Rowen across from her, blinking slightly. “No, not at all.”
“No?”
Rowen hummed lightly, looking at her with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. It was clear what he meant.
Celine felt her cheeks flush under the gaze, feeling quite embarrassed. She hesitated, biting her lip before finally speaking, “Rowie, don't you prefer... quietness?”
What she really wanted to say was “I thought you don't like having others talk to you,” but when the words came to her lips, she changed her phrasing.
Rowen picked up a piece of beef. “Are you saying that you're afraid to talk to me or ask me questions because I prefer silence?”
Celine didn't say a word, but her expression said it all.
Rowen looked at the person across from him, and for some reason, he felt somewhat stifled. “Wow, you really are smart.”
Celine realized she had made a faux pas, sensing the inexplicable anger from the other party. She bit her fork, not daring to speak again.
Rowen casually took more from the side dishes and finished his meal in just a few bites.
“I'm done.”
He put down his fork, then stood up and went straight upstairs.
The spacious restaurant was left with only Celine. As Celine watched Rowen's retreating figure, she couldn't help but bite her chopsticks.
Did she say something wrong?
But what did she say wrong?
She had been Rowen's deskmate for over a month. Even without Harper's words, she could tell that Rowen was indeed more aloof than other students, and he didn't seem to enjoy being asked for help.
Every time a classmate approached Rowen with a workbook, seeking his help with a problem, Rowen would either stand up and leave directly or pretend to be asleep by resting his head on the desk.
Occasionally during breaks, classmates nearby would discuss some interesting topics. When they addressed Rowen, he generally wouldn't engage in the conversation.
Only when Irving called him would Rowen reluctantly speak.
This was a fact clear for all to see. Celine was always self-aware. She didn't want to guilt-trip Rowen because of her special relationship with Katherine.
He neither liked interacting with others nor did he enjoy responding to their inquiries. So, she tried her best not to disturb him and asked other classmates about things she didn't understand. She didn't have any other intentions; she simply respected his personality.
But why did he seem angry?
After having dinner, Celine tidied up before heading upstairs.
The door to the room across was not fully closed, she could hear the sounds of a game coming out from the room.
Celine stood at the door for a while, waiting until the sounds of the game ceased before she gently knocked on Rowen's door.
Rowen thought that it was Lewinn who had returned. Since his door was slightly ajar, he didn't bother to get up and simply said, “Come in.”
Feeling a bit flustered, Celine hesitated for a second before pushing the door open. “Rowie.”
Upon hearing this voice, Rowen froze, a rare reaction. “Is there something wrong?”
It was Celine's first time entering a boy's room, and she did not dare to look around. She only looked at Rowen, who was sitting diagonally on the bay window. “Rowie, I'm sorry. I'm not very good at speaking. If what I said earlier offended you, I hope you won't mind.”
Rowen felt a rare sense of guilt. He didn't know why he was somewhat upset earlier. Now, listening to Celine's apology, his ears turned slightly red as he replied, “Did you say something that offended me?”
Celine came to apologize, and she didn't expect Rowen to toss the problem back at her. She blinked, her expression bewildered. “Not at all.”
Rowen looked at the person in front of him, finding it amusing that this was the first time he had encountered someone so slow-witted. He chuckled, glanced at his phone, and flipped the screen over. “Have you memorized The Twenty-Second of December?”
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