Bei Yao was awakened by the bus driver: “Little miss, wake up, you’ve reached your stop.”

She opened her eyes and realized it was the bus stop closest to home, but the seat beside her was empty—no one was there.

“Uncle, where’s the boy who was sitting next to me?”

The driver glanced in the rearview mirror: “Him? He got off long ago. He asked me to wake you at this stop.”

“Thank you.” Bei Yao got off the bus. The night was hazy and dim, and she felt somewhat dejected—Pei Chuan had left again. She fumbled in her pocket for her phone and called him.

The bus passed by her side, and the young man in the last row pressed the answer button.

The driver couldn’t help mentally complaining—at his age, he was made to lie to a young girl. The boy clearly hadn’t left and was sitting in the very back row. Tsk, young people.

“Pei Chuan.”

He responded softly: “Mm.”

“Won’t you come home with me?”

Pei Chuan looked back. Her solitary figure stood cold and lonely in the night. The bus started slowly, but no matter how slow, her figure would eventually disappear from view.

He said: “I’m not going back.”

Since I’m no longer scheming against you, naturally I won’t go back anymore.

Bei Yao’s nose tingled with emotion, as if what they’d just agreed upon, he’d already gone back on.

Pei Chuan said: “Go home quickly. Stay safe.”

He hung up and told the driver to stop—he wanted to get off here.

The driver couldn’t help cursing: “Do you know where this is? Buses can’t stop here.”

Pei Chuan said: “Stop.”

The driver grew angry: “Have some sense, student!” You didn’t get off when there was a stop just now, and now after only three minutes you want me to stop!

Pei Chuan removed the emergency hammer from beside the window.

A moment later, the driver stopped the bus with an iron-dark expression. Pei Chuan handed the driver all the money from his wallet. The driver looked at it and his expression changed again—a thick stack of bills. This stop was worth it after all.

When he looked back, the young man’s figure had already vanished into the night.

~

On that bleak, cold night, Bei Yao hung up the phone. This stretch of road had broken streetlights, so she walked close to the trees lining the sidewalk.

The autumn wind carried the faint fragrance of roadside flowers. She hadn’t worn a coat when she left, and there was a pitch-black section of the road. She hugged her arms and walked toward home.

After several steps, she looked back. Behind her was emptiness—no one was there.

Finally reaching an area with streetlights, she breathed a sigh of relief and slowed her pace slightly. This road was actually quite familiar to her—she’d walked it countless times going to and from school. Later, the mountains, rocks, and trees had changed, but the direction home remained the same.

However, she could still go home, while Pei Chuan no longer had a home.

She remembered Cao Li and her daughter’s coldness today, and her heart felt stifled. Living in such a family, anyone would feel miserable, which was why Pei Chuan had left again.

Pei Chuan lit a cigarette and followed her from a distance. Before Bei Yao could turn around, he stubbed it out. Her slender figure walked into the area illuminated by streetlights. He watched from afar as she turned a corner and returned to the residential complex.

Only then did Pei Chuan leave. He walked back and leaned against the bus stop, flicking his lighter to ignite the cigarette at his lips.

He squinted at the boundless night—not a single person in sight.

Cigarette ash scattered at his feet. Fortunately, it hadn’t rained tonight.

Bei Yao knocked on the door. Zhao Zhilan opened it. The living room lights blazed brightly. Though it was nearly ten at night, neither Zhao Zhilan nor Bei Licai had gone to sleep, and even little Bei Jun, who usually went to bed early, sat on the sofa looking anxious.

As soon as Bei Yao entered, Zhao Zhilan asked nervously: “Is Pei Chuan alright?”

Bei Yao said softly: “He’s fine.”

The couple both sighed with relief. Zhao Zhilan rubbed her hands together. This usually straightforward and capable woman seemed somewhat awkward: “We were wrong. At the time, we should have…” She bit her lip. “Ah, it’s useless to say more now. I’ll go to the Pei family tomorrow to apologize.”

She truly felt guilty, her heart pounding, terrified something had happened to Pei Chuan. She’d realized it later, but hadn’t even known which hospital he’d gone to.

After all, he’d saved Bei Jun. That was a child Zhao Zhilan had watched grow up. If something had really happened, she’d feel guilty for the rest of her life.

Bei Licai beside her also breathed a sigh of relief.

Four-year-old Bei Jun came over from the sofa. His voice was crisp but now carried the timidity of having done wrong: “Sister, I’m sorry. I’ll go apologize to Brother Pei Chuan tomorrow.”

Bei Yao crouched down and gently stroked the child’s head: “I’m sorry—it’s not your fault, it’s sister’s fault. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. Sister hit you today. Does it still hurt?”

Bei Jun hugged her neck and shook his head frantically.

Bei Yao’s heart ached. Finally, she sent him to bed. After this incident, Bei Jun became much more obedient. He didn’t take his treasured little sword tonight and went to sleep without needing Zhao Zhilan to coax him.

“That child…” Zhao Zhilan sighed. “If not for him, our Bei Jun would probably have…”

Bei Licai understood. He patted his wife’s shoulder: “Don’t think about it anymore. Tomorrow we’ll go thank him together.”

“The year Juan’er divorced and left, we knew he was having a hard time. All these years, we never showed him any care. We let him call me ‘auntie’ all those years for nothing. Oh no, I should go to Officer Pei’s house right now.”

Bei Licai tried to stop her: “It’s so late now. Tomorrow we can buy some things and…”

Bei Yao said: “He didn’t come back.”

The couple both looked at Bei Yao. She said softly: “Pei Chuan didn’t go home. He went to stay somewhere else.”

Zhao Zhilan thought, these neighbors must have hurt Pei Chuan’s feelings today too. She said: “Pei Chuan is still so young. Living on his own outside for so long, life must be difficult. Yao Yao, you know his school, right? Tomorrow take some things to him.”

This time Bei Yao didn’t refuse. She nodded: “Alright.”

In the residents’ building across the way, fourth floor.

Pei Haobin had already returned long ago. Seeing his darkened expression, Cao Li said anxiously: “I didn’t know if anything happened to him. Tongtong and I couldn’t stop him.”

Bai Yutong quickly nodded. Actually, she thought, it’s so late and he still hasn’t come back—could something really have happened and he died outside? She’d heard getting rabies was quite frightening. Good thing he ran outside on his own. That Bei Yao followed him too—she really doesn’t value her life.

However, Bai Yutong didn’t dare voice these speculations to Pei Haobin. Like her mother said, no matter what, Pei Chuan was still Uncle Pei’s biological son. If something happened, Uncle Pei wouldn’t feel good about it no matter what.

Pei Haobin said: “I’ll go out and look for him again.”

Cao Li stopped him: “Haobin, it’s so late, where would you look? The city hospital is so far from our home. And you’re alone, you don’t even know which hospital he went to. By the time you get there it’ll be midnight. How about tomorrow at work you ask your colleagues to help look, okay?”

Pei Haobin knew this made sense. He sat down on the sofa dejectedly.

Pei Haobin had nightmares all night.

In his dreams was Pei Chuan’s appearance when he was first born—delicate as carved jade. When other children at one year old were just babbling, he could already recite poetry. Back then, Pei Chuan had been the pride of Jiang Wenjuan and Pei Haobin, and the couple’s life was happy.

But in a flash, those severed legs were packed in a box, blood gradually congealing. He held that box, and it was as if a string in his mind suddenly snapped.

That year, the nation issued many condolences and medals representing honor.

He looked at those medals and condolence items through tears, waking with a start in the night.

~

Monday, Bei Yao went to school.

Sixth Middle School held a flag-raising ceremony in the morning, and students gradually went downstairs.

Bei Yao put on her blue school uniform jacket over a simple pure cotton T-shirt inside. She tied her long hair in a ponytail, slightly curled ends draped over her shoulders, and went downstairs with her classmates.

Everywhere she looked were Sixth Middle students wearing uniforms, each with a dolphin emblem on the shoulder. At a glance it was quite pleasing to the eye, but with the sea of people, going downstairs was truly difficult.

Chen Feifei said: “The crowd squeezed all the sleepiness out of me.”

Bei Yao clutched the money Zhao Zhilan had given her in her pocket. It was wrapped in a red envelope—Bei Yao was afraid of losing it in the crowd.

Wu Mo caught up from behind the crowd and took Chen Feifei’s arm: “You didn’t tell anyone about that thing, did you?”

That thing naturally referred to her “online romance.” Chen Feifei was somewhat angry that Wu Mo was judging them with a petty person’s heart. She said huffily: “No.”

Bei Yao didn’t immediately understand which thing, but seeing Wu Mo looking at her earnestly, she shook her head.

Wu Mo breathed a sigh of relief. They went down to the assembly area on the playground together.

Wu Mo had something on her mind. She made up her mind and walked to Bei Yao’s side: “Last time you said it was Pei, Pei Chuan who told you that person was bad. Do you know Pei Chuan?”

Bei Yao nodded.

Wu Mo said casually: “Oh, that day at ‘Qingshi’ I ran into him. He helped me out of a bind. I want to thank him.”

Before Bei Yao could speak, Chen Feifei pulled her aside.

Chen Feifei said: “If you want to thank him, go ahead. What does it have to do with our Bei Yao? Bei Yao isn’t even familiar with him.”

Chen Feifei’s movement was too abrupt, and people around them looked over.

Wu Mo’s expression looked unpleasant: “Chen Feifei, what do you mean?”

Chen Feifei said: “I don’t mean anything. Pei Chuan’s reputation isn’t that great to begin with, and his notoriety is so ‘big’ that you could ask anyone at our school and find out about him. Why must you ask Bei Yao?”

Wu Mo said nothing and walked away, avoiding them.

When everyone had lined up properly, Bei Yao suddenly asked: “Feifei, do you know which class Pei Chuan is in?”

Chen Feifei almost jumped. She looked back at Bei Yao with an expression of exasperation: “No way, you’re really going to help Wu Mo ask? Let me tell you, she’s changed a lot since that ‘online romance.’ Don’t get involved in her business.” She remembered to say “online romance” in a breathy whisper.

Bei Yao smiled: “No, I’m not helping her ask. I also have something I want to thank Pei Chuan for.”

“You you you…” Chen Feifei was completely frustrated. “He doesn’t look like a good person either. Fine, fine, I heard it’s Class Nine. He advanced a grade, so that would be Second Year Class Nine, right?”

“Thank you.” Bei Yao felt somewhat guilty—she truly didn’t even know which class Pei Chuan was in.

“Don’t tell Wu Mo.”

Bei Yao’s almond eyes curved. She said softly: “I won’t.”

Sixth Middle didn’t restrict students after dismissal, so Bei Yao easily left the school gates.

Buses ran between Sixth and Third Middle every five minutes, and she caught one almost as soon as she arrived.

Soon, the bus stopped at Third Middle. Bei Yao had come here once before with Shi Tian. Third Middle was also letting out.

Bei Yao asked for directions and followed them to the entrance of Second Year Class Nine.

Third Middle’s discipline was much stricter. There were even students on duty sweeping diligently. Someone looked up and saw Bei Yao, their gaze freezing for a second.

At that moment, the sunset glowed behind her. Wearing her blue and white uniform, her eyes luminous, searching for someone with rippling light in her gaze—there was an indescribable beauty.

So, so pretty.

The girl sweeping blushed instantly. She poked the girl next to her, and then there was another person frozen in a daze.

“Excuse me, is Pei Chuan from your class here?”

The girl said: “He’s… ah, no he’s not. Are you looking for him? He’s probably at that restaurant outside school, the biggest one, with the game arcade on top.”

The girl was very cute, and Bei Yao couldn’t help giving her a gentle smile.

After Bei Yao walked away, the girl grabbed her companion excitedly: “It’s her, the girl who danced last time. The acknowledged joint-school flower of First, Third, and Sixth Middle!”

Her companion was nearly strangled: “Let go, let go! What joint-school flower?”

“The prettiest person from First, Third, and Sixth Middle is the joint-school flower! She’s so beautiful, oh my god, and she’s not even wearing makeup. She’s so much prettier than Wei Wan from our class.”

“Watch out or Wei Wan will beat you to death!”

~

At the biggest restaurant outside Third Middle, Pei Chuan sat with his legs crossed, smoking.

Jin Ziyang was treating, and Ji Wei was crying by the window.

Jin Ziyang laughed heartily: “Brother Wei, hey, Brother Wei, stop crying. Real men shed blood, not tears.”

Ji Wei cried while wiping his glasses: “I don’t want to talk to you.”

Jin Ziyang was dying of laughter, and even Pei Chuan’s lips showed a hint of a smile.

Ji Wei was truly pathetic. Third Middle had issued grades this afternoon. Jin Ziyang guessed blindly on the English test and got 38 points, while Ji Wei took it seriously and scored 37. Ji Wei nearly fainted when he saw.

What’s worse, that scoundrel Jin Ziyang brought out three test papers.

Pei Chuan 53, Zheng Hang 46, Jin Ziyang 38. He deliberately waved them in front of Ji Wei, making him cry again.

Jin Ziyang: “Hahahahaha!” His new girlfriend also covered her mouth laughing beside him.

Considering Brother Wei did homework for four people each time, Zheng Hang still felt sorry for him. He picked up his own test paper and folded it into a paper airplane.

“Brother Wei, grades are just a paper airplane’s worth of trouble.” Zheng Hang finished folding and flew it out the window.

The airplane lifted in the autumn wind and slowly fell into a young girl’s arms. She was slightly startled.

Zheng Hang looked down as the girl looked up.

A porcelain-white, delicate little face entered his vision—eight points more charming than Wei Wan, a pair of clear eyes like a lake rippling with autumn’s fallen leaves. Zheng Hang’s heart skipped a beat. He turned back: “Brother Chuan, that…” He thought for a long time and realized he didn’t know the Sixth Middle school flower’s name.

During the summer camp, Zheng Hang only had eyes for Wei Wan, and there had been no interaction after entering the forest.

He stammered for a long time, his face actually reddening.

The young girl had already come upstairs.

The wooden floorboards creaked, and the second floor surprisingly carried a bamboo fragrance. Pei Chuan was caught off guard and met her almond eyes directly. His right hand dropped down and he discarded his cigarette under the table.

Those two failing test papers were piled on the table. She leaned against the doorway and called softly: “Pei Chuan.”

Her voice was sweet and gentle, like the wind of March. Even Jin Ziyang, who understood nothing of romance, couldn’t help turning around.

A whole room of them, who feared nothing in heaven or earth, couldn’t speak under her clear, soft gaze.

“Is this yours?” She picked up the paper airplane. On the airplane’s wing was a bright red 46.

Pei Chuan pressed his lips together. He took a ceramic cup and covered the score on his spread-out test paper.

On this paper, he’d only completed a small portion. He wouldn’t do this next time.

He stood up and took the paper airplane from her small hand: “Let’s go.”

She followed behind him as Pei Chuan led her upstairs.

Jin Ziyang’s girlfriend asked: “Who is she?”

Jin Ziyang lifted her chin: “Sixth Middle’s school flower. Pretty, isn’t she?”

“Does Young Master Pei like her?”

Jin Ziyang was extremely interested, and even Zheng Hang raised his eyes: “What makes you say that?”

The girl smiled and moved the cup from the test paper, revealing a casually written bright red 53.