On Friday night, most restaurants by the north gate were closed, with only a few snack shops open. Zhang Shu bought two braised meat rolls, handing one to Xin Xiaohe.

Xin Xiaohe sighed: “Getting treated to a meat roll by Brother Shu, what a life blessing!”

Zhang Shu laughed: “Thanks for today.”

So this was her payment? Didn’t she deserve a proper meal instead of being dismissed with just a meat roll?

Stingy Brother Shu, reinforces his character online.

Just as she was grumbling internally, she heard Zhang Shu say seriously: “There’s not much to eat right now. Tell me what you want another day, and I’ll bring it for you.”

Xin Xiaohe was pleasantly surprised, but before she could fully appreciate it, Zhang Shu said: “I’m off.”

Zhang Shu didn’t return to the classroom, heading straight home through the north gate. He walked with one hand in his pocket, head down, kicking small stones along the path.

Xin Xiaohe felt Zhang Shu’s back view carried a lonely air, like a destitute scholar who’d fallen for a wealthy family’s daughter.

With Zhang Shu’s circumstances, even Chen Mengyao wouldn’t consider him—oh, he’d denied that rumor, Chen Mengyao wasn’t his old flame, but that didn’t change the fact that—wouldn’t he have even less chance with Sheng Xia?

Sheng Xia’s family situation was no small matter.

She couldn’t help but recall the scene she’d stumbled upon today: Sheng Xia sitting on the hospital bed, face completely buried in Zhang Shu’s chest. The young man was tall and straight, his hand large enough to cover the girl’s entire head, carefully comforting her.

She had to admit, setting aside all the complicated factors, they were well-matched.

Xin Xiaohe felt that among all the people she knew currently, no one was worthy of Sheng Xia except Zhang Shu.

…

Zhou Xuanxuan had been anxiously waiting half the day for Xin Xiaohe’s return, but before she could approach, a crowd had already gathered around Xin Xiaohe asking questions.

Guilt—Zhou Xuanxuan felt it. But it couldn’t cover her jealousy.

How long had Sheng Xia been in this class? Usually so quiet, why did so many people care about her situation?

When people talked about her behind her back, it was almost zero negative reviews—no one had ever said they disliked her or had any complaints.

This kind of attraction was inexplicable, perhaps, innate.

She thought again of that formal dress Sheng Xia had stored in their dormitory. She’d examined it carefully—it was genuine, and those shoes too were quite valuable.

Xin Xiaohe said it was probably bought. That would cost several tens of thousands.

But why not take it home?

No one could figure it out; they just felt Sheng Xia was a person both simple and not simple, quite mysterious.

She hadn’t discussed these things with Chen Mengyao again.

She couldn’t explain why but suddenly felt quite bored.

Last time, Sheng Xia had deflected her so effortlessly, making her look like a clown. From time to time she still remembered that line: “Are you very curious about me?”

Today upon returning to the classroom, she saw several classmates huddled together whispering something, scattering immediately upon seeing her return. That look in their eyes, Zhou Xuanxuan couldn’t ignore.

Disgust, speechlessness, avoidance.

Did they think she did it on purpose?

…

Sheng Mingfeng was busy and was called away by phone before the IV finished, telling her to call Li Xu if anything came up.

Before leaving, he turned back at the door, secretly making a phone gesture to Sheng Xia.

Wang Lianhua had her back to the door and didn’t see. Sheng Xia pressed her lips and blinked to show she’d received the hint, only then did Sheng Mingfeng leave.

“What exactly happened? Tell Mom the truth.”

As soon as people left, Wang Lianhua sat by the bed and said seriously.

Sheng Xia made a questioning sound, confused: “What truth?”

Wang Lianhua said: “I saw the post on your school’s public account on my way back.”

Sheng Xia still didn’t understand.

Wang Lianhua pulled up the article and handed her phone to Sheng Xia, “See for yourself.”

Sheng Xia vaguely knew what it was about but still took it.

[Racing with Youth’s Spirit and Vision—The 36th Sports Meet of South University Affiliated High School Successfully Concludes]

That title…

Used content from her news article.

But that wasn’t the key point.

The key was the accompanying images. The first was a panorama of the sports field, the second showed leaders speaking at the podium, and the third included Sheng Xia—though it was a collage of several photos, she was instantly visible in the middle, taking up the largest space.

She wore a strapless dress and high heels, carrying Class 6’s third-year placard as she walked past the main platform.

Caption: Student formation at the opening ceremony.

Sheng Xia slowly looked up. Wang Lianhua took back the phone, fingers pinching to zoom in on the image for another look, speaking softly: “My daughter is truly beautiful, beautiful enough to capture everyone’s gaze.”

Sheng Xia’s fingers unconsciously twisted the bed sheets.

Wang Lianhua sighed, “You’ve grown up, you have your ideas, but Mom hopes you can tell me things. Having to learn about my daughter’s every move from my phone makes Mom feel very inadequate.”

“It’s not like that, Mom.”

Sheng Xia felt something had changed about Wang Lianhua but couldn’t quite put her finger on what.

If it were before, it would probably have been a bout of crying, followed by mother and daughter embracing in tears.

“This is…” Sheng Xia hesitated for a few seconds, deciding to temporarily skip the topic of the formal dress, “Third years only participate in the opening ceremony and fun sports events, it didn’t take up much time.”

“You know that’s not what I’m talking about.” Wang Lianhua said heavily.

Sheng Xia thought of the earlier argument, surely her mother knew where the dress came from now. She tentatively answered: “The dress style was decided by the class based on the theme, Zou… Dad just paid for it.”

She chose to lie, her chest tight and bitter.

It hurt not being completely honest with her mother. She understood it wasn’t fair, but she was really tired and just wanted to maintain a peaceful facade.

Maintain a peaceful facade.

When this phrase flashed through her mind, Sheng Xia suddenly understood what had changed about Wang Lianhua.

Since she’d started her third year, her mother had rarely shown extreme emotions, everything was subdued, muted.

No longer intense, maintaining a peaceful facade.

Both sides were like this.

Wang Lianhua’s tone did not indicate whether she believed it or not: “Who knows what your school is thinking, being open-minded doesn’t mean this kind of open-mindedness.”

Sheng Xia remained silent.

Wang Lianhua sighed: “Never mind, but you can’t ride bikes now, I’ll pick you up and drop you off from now on. Though at noon and evening, I won’t have time—tell your father to arrange someone?”

“No need,” Sheng Xia had already thought ahead, “The lunch program has beds, I’ll rest there at noon from now on, and evenings aren’t a problem, I can use crutches to go eat, it’s very close.”

“Can you manage by yourself?”

“It’s fine.”

The matter seemed perfectly resolved, but Wang Lianhua still sighed.

Sheng Xia knew Wang Lianhua was still worried, feeling this accident came at the worst time and would affect her studies.

When mother and daughter returned home, they saw Li Xu waiting by the community entrance.

He carried several shopping bags. Wang Lianhua lowered the car window and asked: “Xiao Li, is something wrong?”

Though annoyed with Sheng Mingfeng, Wang Lianhua maintained her usual warmth toward Li Xu.

“The Secretary asked me to bring some clothes over. With Sheng Xia’s cast, it’ll be inconvenient to wear the school uniform…”

The school pants had elastic ankles.

Wang Lianhua was quiet for a moment but still opened the trunk.

This meant… acceptance.

Li Xu secretly sighed in relief.

Back home, Wang Lianhua helped Sheng Xia bathe. She could only sit to wash, her injured leg propped on another chair, so washing her hair meant leaning back as Wang Lianhua used the shower head.

At first, Sheng Xia felt a bit embarrassed, but Wang Lianhua tickled her waist, making both mother and daughter giggle.

“Now you know embarrassment! When you were little, you’d always knock on the door while I was showering. If it wasn’t locked, you’d peek through, watching shamelessly.” Wang Lianhua reminisced while scrubbing her head.

“No way!” Sheng Xia couldn’t remember—how could she have done that?

Wang Lianhua said: “Of course you did. You’d even ask, ‘Mama, why can’t I drink NeiNei anymore when I grow up, Mama still has NeiNei, why won’t you let Xia drink?'”

“Wuu, how old was I? Mom, why are you bringing this up!”

“Ha, you were so cute when you were little, why can’t I mention it?”

Sheng Xia covered her face.

Wang Lianhua laughed, then mused, “At least you inherited this from me.”

“Hm?”

“Big chest!”

“Mom!!”

“Okay okay, I’ll stop, don’t move…”

As mother and daughter giggled, the bathroom door suddenly turned open, and Zheng Dongning leaned in the doorway, head tilted as she watched them, her round eyes rolling around before finally stopping at Sheng Xia’s chest.

Then she seriously raised her hands to cover her eyes, but spread her fingers apart, revealing mischievous eyes.

Blink blink.

This scene, wasn’t it just like little Sheng Xia…

“Ning Ning, get out!”

“Hahaha…”

…

By the time they finished getting ready, it was past eleven. Sheng Xia insisted on doing a set of math multiple choice questions and writing a cloze passage before preparing for bed.

Going to the bathroom before bed, she saw the light on in the laundry room. Wang Lianhua was transferring clothes from the washing machine to the dryer.

Sheng Xia looked closer—it was the new dress Sheng Mingfeng had bought her.

The dryer was running, but Wang Lianhua didn’t leave, standing there staring at the tumbling drum, lost in thought.

The relaxed atmosphere suddenly vanished.

Her mother still cared, still worried. The dress for her was perhaps no longer just clothing, but a symbol—a symbol of her completely different survival attitude and educational approach from Sheng Mingfeng.

For this surface harmony, she’d reconciled with Sheng Mingfeng, reconciled with her daughter. But ultimately hadn’t reconciled with herself.

Sheng Xia’s heart tightened slightly, but she still didn’t make a sound, turning to leave.

Before sleeping she checked her phone, quite a few messages.

Xin Xiaohe: [Look, Brother Shu brand meat roll, impressive right? I got wool from this iron rooster! I’ve eaten, don’t worry!]

Xin Xiaohe: [Rest well!]

Lu Youze: [Xia, I wasn’t at the sports field today, just heard the news, how are you?]

Lu Youze: [Can you come to school tomorrow?]

Wang Wei and Li Xu had also sent messages, all saying to contact them if needed.

Several classmates had sent their regards too.

Sheng Xia replied to each one, about to put down her phone when QQ popped up with a new message from: Song Jiang.

Before Sheng Xia even opened it, scenes about him filled her mind.

Him pushing through irrelevant people to carry her up in his arms…

He pulled her tear-stained face into his embrace with one large hand…

He helplessly smiled as he ruffled her hair before leaving…

Even some fragmentary moments became poster-like close-ups in her mind.

These scenes, impossible to see fully from her perspective, now played like a movie before her eyes, as if from God’s view.

This day had been too chaotic—the fear from pain, the depression from parents arguing, and the worry about missing school surrounded her, causing her to forget some subtle moments.

Like her racing heart when she heard him say “kept me clean all these years” in the stands;

Like burying herself in his chest despite worrying about others’ gazes;

And the even more overwhelming tears that quickly welled up when being comforted…

…

Love is showing beauty, love is also showing vulnerability.

She had never been as certain as now: she had fallen for him.

Perhaps even more than she’d imagined.

Sheng Xia opened the message.

Song Jiang: [Want small wontons for breakfast?]

Sheng Xia froze.

“Kept me clean,” “no old flame.”

“Why should I,” “If you’re good you’re good.”

“I don’t have tissues but go ahead and cry”…

His words played on a loop in her mind, and Sheng Xia realized how clear and deeply etched each phrase was.

The little person in her heart was doing backflips, her mind in chaos.

Two minutes later, Sheng Xia replied: [Sleeping.]

The other side replied instantly: [Then do you want them in your dreams?]

Sheng Xia’s fingers tensed slightly, typing tap-tap: [You’re so boring], then deleted it.

As if testing, she replied: [Maybe.]

The moment she sent it she wanted to recall it, but it was too late—

With a “ding,” a new message entered the chat box.

Song Jiang: [Okay, sweet dreams come true tomorrow.]

She just stared at the chat box, the phone screen went dark, she lit it up, and soon it darkened again.

The black screen reflected her face—an unconscious smile.

The corners of her mouth almost reached her cheekbones.

Startled, Sheng Xia quickly threw aside her phone, and grabbed a stuffed toy to hug, slowly closing her eyes.

A barren world, parched throughout.

Zhang Shu.

Will you be, in a timely rain?