Shine on Me

The next day, I followed Jiang Rui to the exam site again. As soon as we got out of the car, Jiang Rui looked around and immediately got excited. "Wow, sis, I wasn't lying to you, your romantic encounter really came true!"

He reverted to his old ways, dragging me excitedly toward someone and greeting them cheerfully: "Zhuang Fei, Brother Zhuang."

That's when I saw Zhuang Xu.

For a moment, it felt like only Jiang Rui's boisterous voice remained in my ears. Zhuang Fei was talking to him, while Zhuang Xu stood quietly beside me, his peerless elegance making him stand out in the crowd. Only then did I understand what Jiang Rui meant by "romantic encounter," and I instantly felt annoyed with him, unable to comprehend why he still had such mischievous tendencies even during the college entrance exams.

After a while, I heard Zhuang Xu say, "You should go in now."

"Let's go, let's go."

Jiang Rui winked at me and walked through the school gates with Zhuang Fei. I pretended to watch them leave, but their figures soon disappeared from sight. Unable to keep up the act, I simply greeted him: "What a coincidence."

"Not really." Zhuang Xu paused before adding, "I wasn't planning to come originally."

If someone else had said this, I might have read countless meanings into it—like how they didn’t want to come at first but changed their mind knowing I’d be here. But with Zhuang Xu… I dismissed the thought. Feeling like I’d done my part with the greeting, I prepared to leave.

Before I could speak, however, he asked, "Where did you have lunch yesterday?"

I looked at him in surprise, puzzled by his question.

"Thank you for looking after Zhuang Fei. Today, it’s my treat." As he spoke, his gaze drifted slightly away.

It finally dawned on me—this was why Zhuang Xu had come. He was still the same, unwilling to "owe" me even a penny. Since I’d treated his brother to a meal, he had made it a point to come and treat us in return, even if he had other matters to attend to.

I remembered the time I lent him money, and when he repaid me, he included a 10% interest rate, making me feel like some kind of loan shark.

Between him and me, it seemed we had to settle every debt to feel at ease.

"Nie Xiguang."

Hearing him call my name snapped me out of my daze. My eyes stung, and I didn’t want to look at him. Softly, I said, "I’ll take you there."

We arrived at the same restaurant from yesterday and found a seat. Each of us picked up a menu to order. Staring blankly at the pictures on the menu, I sensed Zhuang Xu glance at me before he finished ordering without consulting me.

The dishes he chose were far more lavish than what I’d ordered the day before.

After the server noted our order and left, he spoke after a brief silence. "Yesterday, you sent my brother back—"

Before he could finish, I cut in, "No need to thank me. You’ve already repaid the gas money by covering today’s meal."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I caught sight of his grip tightening around the menu in my peripheral vision. I lifted my gaze just in time to see a flash of embarrassment in his eyes.

I knew I’d been a bit harsh, but the words had spilled out uncontrollably. Silence fell between us. Unable to bring myself to apologize or stay any longer, I stood up abruptly and said, "I’ll go for a walk. I’ll come back later."

There wasn’t much to see in the area, but I wandered around aimlessly anyway. When enough time had passed, I bought a book and headed back. The book was an impulse purchase—I hadn’t even looked at the title properly. It was just to prove I’d actually been out with a purpose.Turning a corner, the hotel came into view. I stopped at the intersection, gazing from afar at Zhuang Xu's figure through the glass window.

He sat alone, his back proud and straight, staring absently at the road outside the window, his entire being radiating a suppressed tension.

As if infected by his mood, I suddenly felt downcast as well.

He hadn’t been like this when he appeared earlier. Had my words hurt him?

I really had lost control. It wasn’t his fault that he didn’t like me. Why did I have to be so sharp? Being thanked by him wouldn’t kill me—what was so bad about keeping things clear and settled?

My thoughts were tangled as I stood there watching him. After a while, he seemed to sense something, shifting slightly before turning his head in my direction, his gaze locking onto mine.

We stared at each other for a moment.

Then he stood and walked out, stopping in front of me. "They’ll be done soon."

I nodded silently and walked with him to pick up the others from the school.

Jiang Rui was still in high spirits, and Zhuang Fei seemed much better than yesterday—perhaps having his brother around made him more at ease. Once we sat down at the hotel and the dishes were served, Jiang Rui exclaimed, "Wow, today’s spread is way better than yesterday’s! Brother Zhuang ordered, right? Men just understand men better."

Despite the turmoil in my heart, I had the sudden urge to smack him.

"Heh, and my favorite spare ribs too! Sis, here’s your sweet and sour pork—eat up." He piled a chopstick-full onto my plate, winking at me.

Zhuang Fei smiled shyly. "Yesterday, my brother asked what we had eaten."

Jiang Rui grinned teasingly. "Brother Zhuang’s so thoughtful"

After the meal, Jiang Rui and Zhuang Fei went to rest again. Once they had gone upstairs, I was about to find some excuse to kill time outside when Zhuang Xu spoke first. "I have something to take care of. I’ll be back later."

I nodded. "Okay."

"Remember to—"

He suddenly stopped. I looked at him questioningly.

"Never mind." Then he turned and left the hotel.

The book I had randomly bought turned out to be quite good, but I just couldn’t focus. Eventually, I gave up reading altogether, not wanting to waste the author’s effort.

After spacing out for a while, I checked the time and went to wake Jiang Rui and Zhuang Fei. Just as I stood up, my phone rang.

It was Zhuang Xu. Maybe he had something to relay to Zhuang Fei? I answered, but it was just a reminder. "It’s about time. Remember to wake them up."

"Mm, I was just about to."

"I probably won’t be back until after their exam."

"Okay, I’ll let Zhuang Fei know."

There was silence on the other end, but the call didn’t end. Maybe he was politely waiting for me to hang up first? After a brief hesitation, I lightly pressed the red button.

After seeing Jiang Rui and Zhuang Fei into the exam hall, I didn’t return to the hotel. Instead, I found a random spot outside the exam site to sit. Though the sun was blazing, listening to the idle chatter of the adults around me felt better than being alone. After a while, an auntie next to me struck up a conversation.

"Here to send your younger siblings for the exam?"

"Mm, my brother."

"Is he a good student?"

"Pretty good. He ranked first in the school in the last mock exam..."

We chatted aimlessly, and before I knew it, nearly two hours had passed. Then I heard someone call my name.

"Nie Xiguang."

The auntie beamed. "Oh, your boyfriend’s here to pick you up."He must have heard it too, stopping in his tracks without coming closer. I glanced at him; his expression seemed unusually serene, looking at me but not offering any explanation, probably leaving it to me to clarify to avoid awkwardness?

Understanding the cue, I politely smiled at the aunt and said, "No, he's also a younger brother here for the exam."

We walked toward the school gate together.

"Nie Xiguang, you sent my brother back yesterday..."

I smiled bitterly. Did he really have to thank me? Even though I had already sorted out my thoughts, my heart still ached slightly.

"Does that mean you're no longer angry with me?"

I froze. The afternoon sun was blazing, and against the light, I couldn’t make out the expression on his face.

"I sent your brother back—it had nothing to do with you," I said slowly. "But I’m not angry anymore."

Also.

"Thank you for the paper."

Even though it was for Rong Rong.

He paused, averting his gaze. "It’s nothing."

Jiang Rui and Zhuang Fei came out, both looking relieved. Jiang Rui invited Zhuang Fei and Zhuang Xu to leave with us.

But Zhuang Fei shook his head. "No, we’re going to Xinjiekou today. It’s not on the way."

Zhuang Xu frowned. "What are you going there for?"

Zhuang Fei looked puzzled. "Didn’t Rong Rong-jie tell you? She said she’s treating us to dinner tonight to celebrate my exam being over. Mom’s going too."

Zhuang Xu was taken aback and immediately turned to look at me.

I didn’t know why he was looking at me. I nodded and said, "Then we’ll go ahead."

He seemed genuinely surprised. Maybe Rong Rong wanted to give them a surprise?

I turned and got into the car. After driving a distance, I happened to glance back—Zhuang Xu was still standing there.

Waiting for a cab, perhaps... It wasn’t easy to hail one at this hour.

I withdrew my gaze, silently watching the traffic outside the window. Jiang Rui suddenly called out, "Sis."

I turned to him.

He said, "If it’s not on the way, forget it."

"We’ll find someone better who is. With my sister around, hmph—"

I couldn’t help but laugh, finally acting on my earlier impulse—giving him a couple of light smacks.