Summing Up

Entering her final year of high school, the days became even harder to endure. Time sometimes dragged agonizingly, sometimes flew by in a blink. Whenever Pei Huan found herself dizzy from studying, she would glance at the clock hanging on the wall and nearly collapse face-first onto her desk.

The countdown to the college entrance exam had at some point been hung at the front of the classroom. Those glaring red numbers served as a constant reminder to every student just how much time remained for them to give their all.

Occasionally, Pei Huan couldn't suppress her urge to chat during class; she would pull her desk mate in front or Lu Yinghuai into a conversation, and once they started talking, it was hard to stop. Sometimes she got so engrossed that she simply couldn't pull herself away. When there was no one to talk to, she would sneak a novel from her drawer. Lu Yinghuai had warned her many times, but Pei Huan had never once listened.

During math class, Pei Huan was absorbed in her novel when suddenly someone knocked on her desk. Her heart skipped a beat. She looked up and, as expected, met the stern, imposing gaze of the math teacher. A chill ran down her spine.

She was doomed.

The math teacher held out his hand. "Hand it over."

This teacher was notorious for being strict at No. 5 High School. With no other choice, Pei Huan obediently handed over the half-finished novel. Before leaving, the teacher added, "Come to my office after class."

He returned to the podium, placing the confiscated novel beneath his stack of materials. The boy sitting behind Pei Huan poked her and made a few teasing remarks. Annoyed, Pei Huan shot him a glare before turning back around, her mind no longer on the lesson.

She glanced at Lu Yinghuai, who sat beside her as calm as ever, and sneered inwardly.

The teacher had come by, and yet he hadn't so much as given her a warning. What use was all their time as desk mates?

After class, Pei Huan followed dutifully behind the math teacher to his office. Li Xuan and Wang Xun couldn't resist heckling her from the classroom as she left; she shot them a fierce look before going to receive her lecture.

Standing before the teacher, Pei Huan bowed her head in silence, accepting the reproach.

Halfway through, Lu Yinghuai appeared to deliver homework to the math teacher. Pei Huan caught sight of him and, head bowed, tried desperately to signal for help. But Lu Yinghuai only glanced at her—whether he saw her or not, it was impossible to tell—and turned to leave without a word.

Pei Huan was left dumbfounded.

Back in the classroom, Pei Huan glared at Lu Yinghuai, who was quietly working through problems. The memory of what had just happened filled her with indignation. "Why did you ignore me when I tried to signal you in the office?"

"I didn't see," Lu Yinghuai said placidly.

Pei Huan huffed. "Sure you didn't. I was blinking so hard my eyelids nearly cramped up! You looked right at me and then just left! Do you know what a blow that was to me?"

Her tone was exaggerated, but Lu Yinghuai ignored her. Pei Huan pressed on, "Fine, nothing more to say. We're officially not speaking for one minute."

At the word "not speaking," Lu Yinghuai paused, a flicker of hurt crossing his eyes. He glanced at Pei Huan, the emotion in his gaze difficult to decipher.

Pei Huan had only meant to tease him; she wasn't truly upset.

Some time passed. As Pei Huan was about to busy herself with something else, a hand suddenly appeared in front of her, palm up, holding a strawberry-flavored candy. Pei Huan glanced at it, ready to quip, "What, you want to make up? Let me tell you, this won't—"

Before she could finish, Lu Yinghuai interrupted, "Yes."

"Yes what?" Pei Huan was briefly confused.

Lu Yinghuai fixed his gaze on her. "I want to make up."

Before Pei Huan could reply, he continued, "I'm asking for a truce. Please don't stop talking to me."

His voice was as indifferent as ever, but somehow Pei Huan detected a trace of grievance. She looked at him, her own feelings growing complicated, then took the candy from his hand and agreed cheerfully, "Alright, I won't stop talking to you."

"Really?" Lu Yinghuai sounded skeptical.

"Really," Pei Huan nodded vigorously. "Our esteemed campus heartthrob offers me a strawberry candy as a peace offering—how could I possibly refuse?"

But Lu Yinghuai didn't look relieved in the slightest. Only then did Pei Huan realize that her joke had gone too far. She stood there awkwardly, rambling nonsense in an attempt to comfort him, not even sure what she was saying.

Lu Yinghuai listened quietly, patient despite her lack of logic. When she finished, he spoke in a husky voice, "Don't stop talking to me."

"I won't, really," Pei Huan replied, sincere enough to swear an oath.

Lu Yinghuai simply murmured his acknowledgment, turning back to his work, though his mood remained unchanged. Pei Huan felt a headache coming on.

That afternoon after school, it was Pei Huan's group's turn to clean the classroom. She made quick work of sweeping the floor, then handed the mop to Lu Yinghuai before slinging her backpack over her shoulder and leaving the classroom.

For some reason, the road she took home was unusually deserted that day. Pei Huan, in high spirits, began to hum a song. Suddenly, three young men appeared ahead. Spotting her, they whistled lewdly, but Pei Huan merely glanced at them, expressionless, and tried to walk around them. To her dismay, the trio blocked her path, looming over her.

The leader openly eyed her up and down. "From No. 5 High? You look pretty fresh."

Pei Huan frowned at them. "If you want money, I'll give it to you—but you have to let me go."

The man laughed, as if she'd said something hilarious. "Money? I want more than that..." His gaze was obscene as he looked her over.

Pei Huan felt a wave of nausea. Taking on three guys was clearly not realistic, especially for a girl.

She tried to reason with them, but they only pressed closer. Pei Huan retreated until her back hit the wall; there was nowhere left to go.

Their crude remarks continued as one reached out to touch her. Suddenly, a leg shot out of nowhere, kicking one of the men with full force and sending him flying several meters. The other two rushed to help him up.

Pei Huan stared in shock. "Lu Yinghuai?"

Before she could say more, Lu Yinghuai tossed his backpack into her arms. "Hold this."

With that, he strode toward the trio. Before they could threaten him, Lu Yinghuai landed a solid punch. The remaining two hesitated only a moment before joining the fray.

The scene was intense and brutal. Lu Yinghuai's blows were swift, precise, and vicious, each one finding its mark. Though his face remained expressionless, Pei Huan could sense his deep displeasure.

Eventually, all three lay unconscious on the ground, yet Lu Yinghuai showed no sign of stopping. He continued to rain down punches, as if blinded by rage.

Pei Huan snapped out of her daze and called anxiously, "Lu Yinghuai!"

Her voice brought him back to himself. He looked up, the fierceness in his eyes fading. "Are you hurt?"

"No," Pei Huan said quickly, crouching in front of him. "Please, stop—it'll be serious if you keep going."

At her words, Lu Yinghuai released his grip on the thug's collar, gazing at him with utter contempt.

The three thugs had fought dirty, and as Pei Huan saw the injuries on Lu Yinghuai's arms, an inexplicable ache filled her chest. She took his hand and led him forward. They stopped in front of a pharmacy. Her voice muffled, she said, "Wait here," then went inside.

After buying the medicine, they found a park and sat on a bench. Pei Huan silently tended to the wounds on his arm, while Lu Yinghuai, sensing her bad mood, struggled to find words of comfort.

When she finished with his arm, Pei Huan crouched down and rolled up his black pant leg, revealing more injuries. She quietly applied medicine, only realizing how upset she was when a hot tear finally fell.

"Pei Huan," Lu Yinghuai called her name.

She didn't respond. He gently cupped her face, forcing her to look up. Her reddened eyes met his, and for a moment, Pei Huan felt utterly exposed. She tried to turn away, but he held her fast.

Lu Yinghuai's heart clenched. With a finger, he wiped away her tears. "It doesn't hurt."

"You didn't have to help me," Pei Huan began to ramble, her words tumbling out.

Lu Yinghuai listened patiently, his gaze gentle. When she finished, he finally spoke. "But if I stood by and did nothing, wouldn't you hate me forever?"

"I would," Pei Huan replied without hesitation. "But if helping me brought harm to you, I’d rather you didn’t."

Lu Yinghuai sighed. "Pei Huan, I can't just watch you in danger and do nothing."

Hearing this, Pei Huan stared at him, momentarily forgetting even to cry.

"So don't blame yourself," Lu Yinghuai coaxed softly. "Even if I had to do it all over again, I’d still choose to help you."

His grip on her face loosened, and Pei Huan quickly ducked her head, pretending to focus on treating his wounds, though her heart pounded so fiercely she could hardly breathe.

Lu Yinghuai noticed that she kept tending the same spot over and over without realizing. The corners of his mouth lifted in a small, involuntary smile, but he didn't say a word.

Moments like these, with Pei Huan flustered, were rare—and Lu Yinghuai found them endlessly amusing.

After tending to his wounds, Lu Yinghuai walked Pei Huan home. Unlike before, she didn't say goodbye with her usual warmth. She dared not meet his gaze, muttered a quick farewell, and hurriedly closed the door behind her.

Staring at the tightly shut door, Lu Yinghuai let out a quiet laugh. The street was deserted at this hour, and his laughter rang out even clearer.

Lu Yinghuai didn't take a cab home that night. As he walked, he gazed up at the moon above, noting how the stars shone exceptionally bright, like Pei Huan's eyes gleaming with starlight. The thought left a lingering smile on his lips.

Perhaps tomorrow would be a fine day.

So thought Lu Yinghuai.