Pei Chuan’s birthday happened to fall on a Tuesday, and he rarely came to the classroom this early.
At that time, the sky hadn’t fully brightened yet, and only one figure was furiously writing in the classroom.
"Ji Wei."
Ji Wei, who was doing his homework, pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and turned around. "Brother Chuan? You’re so early."
"Yeah."
Ji Wei would appear in the classroom punctually at six every day to finish the previous day’s homework. After completing it, he would make three copies, thus preparing assignments for four people. But ever since Brother Chuan took first place in exams, he no longer needed Ji Wei to copy his portion. So now, Ji Wei only had to make two copies—for Jin Ziyang and Zheng Hang.
This routine had been going on for a year. At first, Pei Chuan didn’t want Ji Wei to do his homework, but Ji Wei said, "Since I’m already making two copies, one more won’t matter. Brother Chuan, if you don’t turn in homework, it’ll leave a bad impression on the teachers." Pei Chuan, of course, didn’t care and let him do as he pleased. Unexpectedly, this had persisted for nearly two years.
Ji Wei was the most hardworking student in the class, but because he sat with Pei Chuan, Jin Ziyang, and the others, he was labeled as one of the worst students in the teachers’ eyes.
Ji Wei diligently did his homework, afraid that failing to submit it would leave a poor impression. Yet, in the eyes of most teachers, his very decision to sit in that spot was a mistake from the start. No matter how hard he tried, his grades never improved, so he never gained recognition from others.
Because he struggled academically, his homework progressed slowly, and he was always catching up on the previous day’s assignments the next day. Ji Wei had been trapped in this vicious cycle for a long time.
Pei Chuan sat at his desk and glanced at Ji Wei.
Two years.
For the first time, he realized so clearly that he wasn’t like Jin Ziyang or Zheng Hang—he was like Ji Wei.
Ji Wei loved studying, which seemed laughable to outsiders. He was often mocked for rarely passing exams. In others’ eyes, Ji Wei’s love for studying tarnished the very concept of learning. Yet for over a decade, Ji Wei had never once thought of giving up.
And Pei Chuan… he loved Bei Yao.
He loved Bei Yao with a clumsiness and sincerity even greater than Ji Wei’s love for studying.
But if others were to find out, wouldn’t it be seen as tarnishing her and everything else?
"Ji Wei, which university do you want to go to?"
Ji Wei never expected Brother Chuan to ask him such a question one day. He turned, his eyes shining. "I want to go to Cambridge."
If outsiders were present, they would have laughed out loud. But Pei Chuan wouldn’t laugh at him, because what he loved… was also a girl he could hardly reach in this lifetime.
"Why Cambridge?"
"Back when I studied Xu Zhimo’s 'Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again'—'Quietly I take my leave, as quietly as I came; the summer insects are silent for me, and Cambridge is silent tonight!'—I felt that one day, I must go to Cambridge to study. I want to get there through my own efforts."
"What if you don’t get in next year?"
Ji Wei said, "If I don’t get in one year, then I’ll try for two. If not in two years, then I’ll spend ten. One day, I will stand on that land as a student of Cambridge University!"
After saying this, Ji Wei felt a bit embarrassed. After all, he knew the odds were slim, like one in ten thousand. He couldn’t help but glance at Pei Chuan’s expression.
Instead, he saw Brother Chuan fall silent for a moment before saying, "Yeah."
He would love her for one year, two years, ten years, a lifetime.
Even if she didn’t like him, it didn’t matter.Ji Wei said, "Brother Chuan, you can definitely get into Cambridge. I checked, you absolutely can!" He was enthusiastically trying to sell Pei Chuan on the advantages of Cambridge University.
Pei Chuan said, "Shut up, you're noisy."
Ji Wei: "..."
Pei Chuan wasn't going to any Cambridge; he wanted to stay with his little crescent moon.
Jin Ziyang and the others didn't arrive until the sun was high in the sky, just in time to encounter the math class representative collecting homework. Ji Wei skillfully handed over several assignments as usual, but he hadn't written Pei Chuan's. The class representative then asked Pei Chuan for his.
Pei Chuan said, "Didn't do it."
How could he have had the mind to do homework the past couple of days?
The math class representative secretly registered Pei Chuan's name on the list and scurried away.
Pei Chuan paid no attention.
Jin Ziyang said, "Brother Chuan, it's your birthday today. Why don't we skip class and go to Allure World? By the way, what gift did you want? I'll go buy it."
Pei Chuan said, "Behave."
Jin Ziyang knew then that skipping class was out of the question. He truly disliked listening to the teacher's lectures. Only Ji Wei listened with great interest, while the teacher blabbered on about who knows what incomprehensible stuff. Sitting there bored, playing with his phone—which might get confiscated—was extremely annoying.
Meanwhile, Zheng Hang observed Pei Chuan's expression. He looked pretty normal; hadn't he been provoked to the point of going crazy?
However, in the afternoon, when everyone dutifully came to class, they discovered that Pei Chuan hadn't shown up.
Jin Ziyang: "..."
~
The gossip about the school belle offering a kiss was debunked yesterday. Han Zhen's friend revealed that Bei Yao hadn't gone to see him. Everyone was somewhat disappointed not to witness the shocking drama.
Another matter made Bei Yao quite embarrassed: Han Zhen's friend, Gong Can, was seriously injured.
They went to the infirmary, but the staff there told them to take him to the hospital. The school doctor said, "I don't dare treat this injury. You youngsters fight and play around without any sense of restraint, making it look like wounds from a professional boxer. Get him out of here quickly!"
The group of youths hurriedly transferred to the hospital.
Bei Yao felt very guilty. Originally, yesterday was Han Zhen's eighteenth birthday. He was really unlucky—because of the rumors, his birthday party was ruined.
Bei Yao had already taken time off, but now she couldn't go find Pei Chuan. Instead, she had to visit the patient.
Since Pei Chuan had caused this mess, someone had to deal with it, right?
After all, she was visiting a patient, so Bei Yao bought some fruit and flowers. She contacted Han Zhen first, who told her the hospital and room number, and then she went to see Gong Can.
Han Zhen had also come to the hospital early in the morning. Although he wasn't particularly close to Gong Can, since the incident happened while they were together, he was concerned and took time off to visit Gong Can early.
When Bei Yao arrived, Han Zhen said, "Don't take it to heart. This matter... was also caused by Gong Can's foul mouth."
Seeing Bei Yao's confusion, Han Zhen realized she hadn't heard what they said yesterday.
The young girl's face was delicate and beautiful, serene and lovely under the afternoon sun in May.
Han Zhen felt somewhat bitter inside. He smiled and asked, "The one who hit people yesterday—is he someone you like?"
Bei Yao hadn't expected people to be so straightforward nowadays. She placed the fruit on the hospital bench. Her cheeks slightly flushed, she didn't speak—after all, she and Han Zhen weren't close enough for her to discuss whom she liked with him.
Bei Yao said, "Since Gong Can is this badly injured, I should apologize to him. I'll go apologize."
Han Zhen nodded; he couldn't make the decision for Gong Can.
Before Bei Yao could enter the hospital room, she saw a black-haired youth emerge from the stairwell.He wore a white shirt, buttoned all the way up to his Adam's apple.
The moment Han Zhen saw him, he instinctively recalled the ferocity with which this person had fought last night. Han Zhen frowned.
Bei Yao was still angry with Pei Chuan and didn’t really want to talk to him.
Pei Chuan had guessed she would come here. He walked over and said softly, "I’ll go apologize. Wait for me."
Bei Yao looked up at Pei Chuan.
Han Zhen couldn’t help but glance over as well—this person didn’t seem like the type to bow his head to anyone. This young man was the kind who, even if beaten half to death, would spit out a bloody tooth and curse.
Pei Chuan opened the door and went in. Gong Can was no longer napping; his face was already badly swollen. Pei Chuan took out the medical expenses he had prepared for the apology: "I’m sorry."
It grew quiet both inside and outside the ward.
This was the first time Bei Yao had seen Pei Chuan apologize to someone.
Gong Can was also startled. Just seeing this person made him instinctively feel like he was about to be hit again. Pei Chuan said, "It was wrong of me to hit you, but if… you say that kind of thing again, I’ll do it again, and it’ll be even worse."
Gong Can: "…" He didn’t even dare to take the money.
Pei Chuan placed the money by his bedside. When he came out, he said to Bei Yao, "Alright, let’s go."
Now, whenever Bei Yao saw him, she remembered that lingering kiss from last night. Clearly, it was him… Well, she had forgotten.
She still left the fruit behind and quickly walked out of the hospital.
The air outside the hospital was much fresher, and the streets were bustling. The early summer sunlight wasn’t scorching, just warm and comfortable, making one feel lazy.
She still remembered Pei Chuan telling her to forget—it was infuriating. Even if it was his birthday today, it couldn’t erase the frustration in her heart.
That was her… first kiss.
Bei Yao gritted her teeth and ran toward the bus stop. She still had the rest of the afternoon off; it was better to go home than to stew in anger.
Pei Chuan didn’t like running—his prosthetic leg hurt when he ran, and his gait wasn’t exactly natural. Yet, he had run twice: once during a marathon, and once when she was angry.
He caught up to her, his hand gently resting on her shoulder.
"Bei Yao."
She looked up—still young, full of youthful spirit—and reached out to push his hand away.
Pei Chuan obediently let go.
"Listen to me," the young man said gently, "It’s my fault for making you angry."
Her grievances seemed to spread with that apology, yet also quietly faded away.
Pei Chuan lowered his gaze, his eyes reflecting only her: "The average human lifespan in the 21st century is about 70 years. You’re only seventeen—you haven’t even lived a quarter of your life. You’ll go to college, meet many fascinating people. And also… many good members of the opposite sex. Your horizons will broaden, your world will expand, and your preferences will change."
The bus stop was just ahead, the roadside trees casting summer-scented shadows under the sunlight.
He smiled, looking at her tenderly: "Yao Yao, you’re still very young. You don’t know just how bad my situation really is."
Bei Yao had been very angry with him, but he had never… spoken so gently and openly about his own shortcomings—the very things he cared about most. Her eyes suddenly reddened.
He said, you don’t know just how bad he really is.
In life, you’ll meet countless people. Perhaps in the next moment, you’ll realize that many of them are better than him.
Her eyes reddened, and Pei Chuan sighed softly, his thumb gently brushing the corner of her eye.
"Don’t cry." If you cry, my heart will break.Bei Yao let out a soft sob, choking back tears as she said, "No, I won't meet anyone better than you. I just know it."
What a foolish thing to say.
What could he possibly offer her?
Yet Pei Chuan, afraid of her sadness and tears, coaxed her gently: "Alright, whatever Yao Yao says is right."
He asked in a low voice, "Did you regret last night?"
If she regretted it, he would go confess to Aunt Zhao and accept whatever punishment without complaint, forcing himself to forget what happened.
Bei Yao glared at him, on the verge of tears. She still felt wronged about that kiss, but her voice came out soft as a kitten's: "I don't regret it."
He couldn't help but smile.
It was a genuine smile, as if after all these years he had finally shed all pretentious and cold masks, his eyes filled with gentle, fragmented warmth.
He said, "If you don't regret it, then agree to two conditions from me. After that, I'll agree to anything you want."
This was the first time Bei Yao had seen such an authentic smile from him. She blinked: "Tell me first."
Pei Chuan said: "First, if you're curious about dating, I'll be your boyfriend. But don't let anyone know."
"Second, we won't have any intimate physical contact. Beyond these two conditions... I'll do anything for you."
She was stunned for a moment.
What kind of ridiculous demands were these?
Her face flushed crimson as she glared at him angrily. Forget dating! Who wants to date you anyway? Number Six High School doesn't even allow early relationships!
She said, "I won't agree! I'm going home!"
Pei Chuan watched the girl's angry retreating figure.
She was still angry, but at least she wasn't as sad anymore. Stepping through the shadows of trees, she became her own beautiful scenery under the gentle early summer sunlight.
Pei Chuan simply watched, his heart overflowing with affection and tenderness, yet feeling utterly helpless.
He couldn't chase after her - this was the only shackle he had to wear to stay close to her.
No one could know. If someday everyone discovered he was disabled, she would at least remain the campus belle who once dazzled everyone, free from criticism.
The second condition - no physical contact. This way, when she met someone better in the future, she wouldn't remember him with disgust or regret too deeply.
These were the chains he placed on himself, and the armor that would allow her to change her mind or regret freely whenever she wanted.
When she was no longer naive and fell in love with someone else, she would at least have the freedom to easily change her mind and leave without worries.
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