Alone

This semester, each time the seats were rearranged, Pei Huan almost always ended up sitting with Lu Yinghuai. If it had happened once or twice, she could have chalked it up to coincidence, but as the frequency increased, Pei Huan began to suspect that Lu Yinghuai was doing it on purpose.

At the beginning of June, the class underwent its final seat change for the semester. Pei Huan settled into the innermost seat by the window. When Lu Yinghuai once again sat beside her, Pei Huan regarded him with a scrutinizing gaze. Lu Yinghuai, however, wore a cold expression, as if Pei Huan’s attention was directed elsewhere.

Seeing his calm demeanor, Pei Huan wondered if she was simply overthinking things—after all, coincidences cannot easily be predicted.

Ji Qinshu sat in front of Pei Huan, and as soon as she was seated, she turned to greet Pei Huan. Ever since Pei Huan had stood up for her, Ji Qinshu had become especially fond of her, always greeting her warmly and eager to chat, a stark contrast to her previously timid and quiet presence in class. Around Pei Huan, Ji Qinshu seemed to have found the courage to be herself.

During the break, Tang Yue pulled Pei Huan downstairs to the snack shop. By chance, they ran into Kang Shi, who had performed with them at the New Year’s gala. Kang Shi was the first to notice Pei Huan, greeting her with a smile. Pei Huan responded with a laugh, “What a coincidence.”

“Indeed,” Kang Shi replied, his smile radiant and charming—a type admired by many girls at No. 5 High. His eyes crinkled as he looked at Pei Huan, “Are you here for snacks too?”

“I was starving, so I came down to find something to eat,” Pei Huan said, waving the bag of chips in her hand.

The three queued up to pay. Tang Yue, being talkative, naturally joined the conversation. When it came time to pay, Kang Shi covered the bill for both girls. Pei Huan laughed, “Thank you for this time. Next time, we’ll treat you.”

“Sure,” Kang Shi agreed readily.

Watching Pei Huan and Tang Yue leave, an amused glint rose in Kang Shi’s eyes. It seemed that the girl Lu Yinghuai fancied was indeed remarkable—perhaps even more suited to him than Yuan Tao.

Back in the classroom, Pei Huan had just opened her snacks when several classmates, drawn by the aroma, came over to ask for a bite. In the end, as she looked at her nearly empty stash, Pei Huan exclaimed in dismay, “I just bought these, and you all wiped them out in one bite!”

“Can’t deny it, Huan-jie’s snacks are always the best,” Li Xuan said, giving a thumbs-up.

“I second that,” Wang Xun agreed.

The others chimed in with praise, leaving Pei Huan speechless. She dumped the last mouthful from the bag into her mouth, cheeks bulging so full she couldn’t respond to those speaking to her.

She hadn’t bought little, but chatting and munching away, there was hardly any left. Glancing at her nearly depleted snacks, then at Lu Yinghuai reading beside her, she held out the bag and asked, “Do you want some?”

Lu Yinghuai glanced at her, “Why ask me only after you’ve finished?”

He meant that she had shared with everyone else before coming to him, her desk mate—the slighted party.

“Oh, I just forgot for a moment. So, do you want some or not?” Pei Huan persisted, holding the bag closer.

Lu Yinghuai looked at it—he wasn’t much for snacks—shook his head, and declined. Pei Huan didn’t press him further, finished the rest in a few bites, and tossed the wrapper into the bin.

The next class was geography. For Pei Huan, geography felt utterly baffling; even as she paused to drink water, the teacher had moved on to another topic. She struggled to follow along on the screen, feeling as if she were listening to an alien language.

After geography came math—the final class of the morning. Pei Huan nearly surrendered; after the mental storm of geography, math felt like torture. By the end of class, she was dazed.

At noon, walking to the canteen with Tang Yue, Pei Huan asked, “Did you understand what was taught in math just now?”

“Not really,” Tang Yue shook her head, “I just bent down to pick up my pen, and the teacher was already onto something else.”

The two exchanged a knowing look.

Lunch was particularly sumptuous, with several dishes Pei Huan loved. After getting their food, they found seats. As they ate, a commotion erupted nearby. Pei Huan, always drawn to excitement, turned to look—surprised to see Lu Yinghuai, who rarely appeared in the canteen. “Lu Yinghuai actually came to the canteen,” she remarked.

Tang Yue stretched her neck for a better look. “Lu Yinghuai has such influence—just showing up causes a stir.”

“You forget, he’s practically the campus heartthrob,” Pei Huan teased.

Having finished getting his meal, Lu Yinghuai, whether by accident or design, sat behind Pei Huan. She glanced at him discreetly, then exchanged a look with Tang Yue.

After lunch, they strolled around the school before returning to the classroom. When Pei Huan arrived, Lu Yinghuai was already napping with headphones on, sprawled across his desk. She quietly pulled out her chair and sat, casting a glance at him before withdrawing her gaze.

With the college entrance exam approaching, No. 5 High was designated as a test site, giving first- and second-year students a two-day holiday. Pei Huan was packing up her things—her desk stacked with books and papers, her drawer equally full. It was a hassle to gather everything. Lu Yinghuai had already finished moving his things and returned, while Pei Huan was still tidying up. He glanced at her just as she looked up at him, her gaze plaintive as she tentatively asked, “Can you help me? I’ll have to make several trips by myself.”

Lu Yinghuai’s eyes fell on the piles of papers and textbooks on her desk. Without hesitation, he agreed—her pleading eyes made it hard to refuse.

On the way to the other classroom with her books, Pei Huan asked, “What are you planning to do these two days? Sleep?”

“Mm,” Lu Yinghuai replied.

“That’s so boring!” Pei Huan widened her eyes.

Lu Yinghuai was unmoved, “There’s nothing much else to do.”

Pei Huan looked up at him for a few seconds, suddenly asking, “Want to go out with me?”

Lu Yinghuai paused in surprise, then asked, “Just the two of us?”

“If you think it’s too few, I can invite Kang Shi as well,” Pei Huan said breezily.

Lu Yinghuai declined this idea, and Pei Huan didn’t dwell on it, her mind already spinning with plans for where to go with him the following day.

It took two trips to move all her textbooks. Pei Huan sat down, catching her breath as she drank water—the moving had drained her energy.

Yuan Tao approached, hands clasped behind her back, looking playfully at Lu Yinghuai. “Ah Huai, can you help me move my books? I have too many, I can’t carry them alone.”

Lu Yinghuai glanced at her and, for once, replied, “I just finished moving, I’m a bit tired.”

A clear refusal. Yuan Tao’s face betrayed no embarrassment; she smiled, “Alright then.”

Pei Huan watched Yuan Tao walk away, then looked at Lu Yinghuai, somewhat bemused. Lu Yinghuai certainly had a way with turning down others.

After school, Pei Huan went home with Pei Yan, chattering endlessly about everything and nothing, hoping Pei Yan would stay relaxed and not nervous before the exam. Pei Yan understood her intentions and chatted with her naturally.

The next morning, the whole family accompanied Pei Yan to the exam. Pei Huan, rarely up so early, held Pei Yan back before he entered the exam hall. “Brother, do well—you can do it!”

Pei Yan looked at Pei Huan, sensing she was more nervous than he was. For once, he gently patted her head, still confident. “What’s wrong? Don’t you trust your brother?”

“I trust you, but I hope you’ll surpass yourself,” Pei Huan said sincerely.

Under the sunlight, her expression was earnest, softening Pei Yan’s gaze. He replied, “Thanks for your good wishes.”

Pei Huan watched Pei Yan walk into the exam center until he was out of sight before preparing to leave. She had plans with Lu Yinghuai today, so after saying goodbye to Zhong Su and Pei Dashan, she took a cab.

She got out in front of the museum, where Lu Yinghuai was already waiting. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him in his own clothes, but every time, despite his simple attire, he managed to carry it with distinctive style.

Pei Huan hurried over. “Sorry I’m late.”

“No worries, I just got here myself,” Lu Yinghuai replied.

They entered the museum together. There weren’t many visitors that day, and while viewing the exhibits, they encountered a guide. Standing on the periphery, Pei Huan and Lu Yinghuai listened, gradually becoming absorbed in the explanations.

The atmosphere in the museum was quiet, punctuated by occasional murmurs, but nothing loud; Pei Huan felt a rare sense of comfort.

Lu Yinghuai seemed quite knowledgeable. At each exhibit, he could tell Pei Huan so much—origins, stories, details. His voice was clear and deep, like a mountain stream, like wind echoing through the valley. She soon found herself captivated.

After another exhibit, Pei Huan looked at him admiringly, “You’re amazing to know so much.”

“Not really,” Lu Yinghuai replied calmly. “When I’m not sleeping, I read, and I’m interested in this sort of thing.”

“But you seem so professional,” Pei Huan praised.

“In front of real experts, I’m just an amateur,” Lu Yinghuai smiled faintly, “but with you, I can barely qualify as one.”

It was rare to hear Lu Yinghuai joke. Pei Huan feigned reproach, “Getting a bit proud, are you?”

Their day was fulfilling. After touring the museum, Pei Huan found several fun places; accidental touches and glances made both high schoolers blush.

That day became one they would often recall in the years to come.

It was a memory shared just between the two of them.