Floor Nurse Station.
Wang Lianhua and Zhang Sujin sat side by side, the atmosphere slightly awkward.
Just as Zhang Sujin was pondering how to smooth over the "little sister" matter, Wang Lianhua broke the silence first: "What did the doctor say?"
She didn’t mention the "little sister" at all.
Among her peers, Zhang Sujin had a strong presence, but in front of Wang Lianhua, she was still overshadowed by the latter’s age and experience.
It seemed Sheng Xia, that young girl, had quite the resilience under pressure.
Zhang Sujin: "The surgery was quite successful. He’s always had a strong constitution—loved physical exercise since childhood, played basketball, soccer, volleyball, and badminton well, took cold showers year-round, tough-skinned and resistant. This injury won’t be a problem..."
Wang Lianhua: "..."
Some parts of that answer felt a bit unnecessary?
"At this stage, will his studies be affected?" Wang Lianhua ignored the self-praising tangent and asked.
Zhang Sujin also frowned in worry: "It’s impossible to say there won’t be any impact. He’ll need at least a month in the hospital..."
Noticing Wang Lianhua’s deep frown, she quickly adjusted her tone: "But Zhang Shu is very disciplined and hardworking. He won’t stop studying just because he’s in pain. His foundation is solid, so it shouldn’t affect him too much..."
By the end, even she sounded uncertain.
Wang Lianhua: "What does this child want to do in the future?"
This... was a loaded question.
Zhang Sujin hesitated for a few seconds before answering: "He’s always had his own ideas. He’ll probably have his own plans. His brother-in-law and I will respect his choices and won’t force him into anything he doesn’t like..."
Observing Wang Lianhua’s subtle expressions, she added: "Of course, if he wants to return to Nanli, that would be ideal. His brother-in-law could help him out, though I doubt he’d care much about that..."
Sure enough, Wang Lianhua asked casually: "Where does his brother-in-law work?"
"Junlan."
Wang Lianhua nodded: "We’re familiar with Junlan. Who is his brother-in-law?"
"Lu Zheng."
Wang Lianhua raised her eyebrows, showing surprise and approval. "Young Master Lu is quite formidable. He’s achieved remarkable results in just a few years since returning to the country."
Wang Lianhua worked at the Natural Resources Bureau, and Junlan was practically a hot topic in their office—she knew it well.
For the first time, Zhang Sujin felt Lu Zheng was actually useful. She smiled: "The overall environment is favorable."
"Earlier, when Sheng Xia injured her leg, thanks to your care. I mentioned visiting during the New Year, but Sheng Xia wouldn’t let me..." Wang Lianhua changed the subject. "I didn’t expect our next meeting would be in a hospital. It feels improper to thank you here, but I truly am grateful."
Zhang Sujin: "It’s only natural."
Wang Lianhua felt this phrase carried some ambiguity—why was it "natural"?
The two chatted idly for a while until Wang Lianhua checked her watch and stood up. "It’s getting late, and the patient needs rest. I’ll call Sheng Xia, and we’ll head back. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to ask..."
Zhang Sujin quickly stood as well. "You’ve already been more than accommodating. It’s you who’s being too polite."
They reached the ward door and peeked through the small window. Wang Lianhua’s hand, raised to knock, froze.
Inside the room, her daughter—who had blushed at the mere sight of unfamiliar men since childhood—was buttoning up the clothes of a boy lying shirtless on the bed?
Zhang Sujin’s eyelids twitched in shock.
Good brother, just what have you done?The two adults exchanged a glance, both awkwardly averting their eyes.
After a while, the person inside seemed to notice the movement and looked over.
Wang Lianhua decisively opened the door a crack and whispered, "It's time to go."
Sheng Xia stiffened. "Oh, okay."
Then she turned to Zhang Shu: "I'll come see you again tomorrow."
Zhang Shu: "Then come early."
Sheng Xia: "Mm!"
Wang Lianhua: "..."
Zhang Sujin: "Uh..."
Wang Lianhua led Sheng Xia away, and Lu Zheng's call came through soon after.
"How did it go? Did she behave appropriately?"
Zhang Sujin: "Not sure."
Lu Zheng: "What do you mean?"
Zhang Sujin: "Her attitude seemed fine, but she didn't even go in to see Xiaoshu, which means..."
Lu Zheng: "She was just bringing her daughter."
Zhang Sujin: "Mm."
She was only there for Sheng Xia. Wang Lianhua herself remained an outsider. She knew her place—polite yet distant, merely accompanying her daughter to visit a classmate.
Lu Zheng: "There's plenty of time. A mother-in-law's impression of her son-in-law only improves with time."
Zhang Sujin: "...Thinking way ahead."
...
On the way back.
Sheng Xia knew it was time to have that conversation.
"Sheng Xia—"
"Mom—"
Truly mother and daughter, their timing impeccably synchronized.
Sheng Xia: "You go first, Mom."
Wang Lianhua didn't hesitate. "Do you realize what time it is now?"
Her tone wasn't exactly gentle from the start.
Sheng Xia kept her head down. "Mm."
Wang Lianhua sighed softly. "I know I sound like a broken record, and you're probably tired of hearing this, but I have to remind you—you're not studying for the present. You're fighting for the right to make your own choices in the future, for an independent personality and an upright soul."
Sheng Xia: "I haven't neglected my studies—"
"Then what's with your mock exam results? Do you know how important this test was? Fluctuating performance isn't a good sign." Wang Lianhua cut her off.
Sheng Xia's heart sank. Since starting senior year, her mother had rarely spoken to her like this.
"Mom, I've been preparing for Heqing University's independent enrollment. I was busy compiling materials for the application recently, so that's why—"
A red light ahead. Wang Lianhua braked and turned to look at Sheng Xia. "Heqing University?"
Sheng Xia saw the disbelief in her mother's eyes.
Of course. With her grades, who would associate her with Heqing University?
"Mm," she answered firmly. "It's a newly established Classical Chinese Literature program. I had some writing samples accumulated, so I applied. It's not guaranteed yet, but there's some hope—"
Wang Lianhua turned back. "We'll talk at home."
She'd never imagined Sheng Xia could be so decisive.
Now she remembered—some days ago, Sheng Xia had asked before going out: If she could get into a better university, should she still stay in Nanli?
Wang Lianhua kept glancing at her daughter in the rearview mirror, this girl she saw every day, yet suddenly feeling something unfamiliar about her.
At home, the dining table. Two glasses of water, sitting across from each other.
The standard setup for serious discussions.
Wang Lianhua carefully read through Heqing University's Strong Foundation Program admission guidelines on her computer, still astonished. "What did your teachers say? Is this really feasible?"
Getting into Heqing University just by passing the first-tier cutoff score?
It sounded like a dream.
Wang Lianhua knew many science programs had competition bonuses, but Sheng Xia struggled with regular coursework, let alone competitions. So she'd never looked into such opportunities before.Sheng Xia nodded again, "Both Teacher Wang and Teacher Fu have consulted for me. It's possible. The only thing left is publication. I've already finished writing and submitted the manuscript. It passed the first round of selection. As long as it gets approved within the review deadline and the contract is signed, it can be published before the first batch of undergraduate applications—that is, during the college preference submission period."
Wang Lianhua was actually quite confused. "When did you write this?"
Sheng Xia skipped over the complicated details and simply answered, "Just during my spare time, and... I took a few days off recently..." She lowered her head, afraid to meet her mother's reproachful gaze, her voice softening, "I finished writing during those days off..."
"I wondered why your keyboard was clattering so much for a while," Wang Lianhua mused, still puzzled and not yet processing the fact that her daughter had taken time off. "So, how confident are you about this?"
Sheng Xia shook her head. "I don't know. If the review goes quickly, the contract process will be fast, but the book registration number is unpredictable. No one can guarantee anything..."
She answered honestly. After all, she was still a minor, and Wang Lianhua, as her guardian, would need to sign the contract if the manuscript was accepted. Everything would come to light eventually—there was no hiding it.
Wang Lianhua seemed to have pieced it together. "So, if by the time college applications start after the gaokao, the book still isn't published, all the effort up to that point would be for nothing?"
"You could say that..."
Wang Lianhua suddenly felt her palms grow cold.
Sheng Xia had quietly made such a huge decision behind her back, and now they were at the stage where they could only wait for the outcome and leave it to fate. Only then did she finally tell her. Scolding her for wasting time or anything else would be pointless now.
Wang Lianhua didn’t know how to react.
Should she be happy or worried? Angry or comforting?
She didn’t know.
Only one thought echoed in her heart—her eldest daughter had grown up.
Not everything needed to go through her anymore.
Sheng Xia watched her mother’s prolonged silence, her heart growing increasingly uneasy.
She knew what consequences her "act first, explain later" approach would bring.
But this time, she wanted to be her own general.
"Mom..." Sheng Xia called out softly.
Wang Lianhua snapped out of her thoughts, pressed her lips together, and after a few seconds, carefully chose her words. "You’re so set on going to Heqing University... is it because of that boy? He’s definitely going to Heyan, isn’t he?"
Sheng Xia’s chest tightened.
She lifted her eyes slightly. "No."
Even without him, she would still go.
Wang Lianhua knew Sheng Xia wasn’t dodging the question or lying. And the fact that she wasn’t lying meant she never intended to stay in Nanli in the first place.
This realization sent a sharp pang through Wang Lianhua’s chest. She held her forehead, feeling slightly dizzy.
She still emphasized, "If you can get into Heqing University, of course I’ll be happy. But I hope you understand—who are you studying for? Who are you improving and growing for? I want the answer to always be: yourself. You have to do this for yourself!"
Sheng Xia remained silent. Truthfully, later on, he had become part of the reason too. But obviously, saying that now would be neither wise nor meaningful. She chose to keep it to herself.
Wang Lianhua continued, "These past few days, you haven’t been in the best state, so I didn’t interfere much. I’ve looked up a bit about that boy online. He seems like a good kid, but Mom still advises you not to set limits on your life so early."
After her mother finished speaking, Sheng Xia replied gently, "Mom, his name is Zhang Shu."
Wang Lianhua froze.Sheng Xia didn’t know why, but when her mother referred to Zhang Shu as “that boy” or “that kid,” she felt an inexplicable discomfort—just like the day they walked through the Zhuangyuan Gate and overheard someone say, “that kid from Class Twelve.”
What a generic way to address someone.
Zhang Shu—he deserved to be called by his name.
“Sorry, it’s just a habit,” Wang Lianhua conceded. “Zhang Shu is outstanding. At your age, there’s no shame in liking a boy like him.”
“But.”
Sheng Xia listened. She knew a “but” was coming.
“But you’re both still too young. Everything needs careful consideration. What seems clear to you now might later reveal itself to be seen through rose-tinted glasses. The feelings you believe are the most sincere may not withstand the test of time. The class differences you think you can overcome might end up tangling your life into knots and leaving you bruised all over!”
Wang Lianhua paused. She knew she was speaking from experience.
“I’m not trying to be the villain here. I just want you to know—life is long,” Wang Lianhua softened her tone, speaking earnestly. “You’re so young. How many people have you even met? In the future, you’ll encounter all kinds of people—more outstanding, more handsome, those who meet every criterion you could imagine…”
“But Mom,” Sheng Xia rarely interrupted her mother, “every flutter of the heart is one of a kind.”
Wang Lianhua was taken aback.
Sheng Xia murmured to herself, “The Little Prince later came across thousands of roses—all perfect, obedient, passionate, and coquettish, unlike the one he raised, which was delicate and temperamental. But only that one was his rose.”
“I might not understand many things about emotions yet, but I believe good feelings make people better. Even now, I still think…” She hesitated, finding the topic too intimate, profound, and sentimental to voice aloud. “I like the version of myself who likes him.”
“Only after knowing him did I realize someone could live like this—cherishing the equality of all beings while acknowledging their differences; standing atop mountains yet humbly toiling below; facing the worst outcomes while striving for the best.”
“Only then did I understand that a person of true worth isn’t defined by proving their excellence, but by walking steadfastly toward their goal, regardless of the path’s twists or others’ judgments…”
“I’ve never met anyone like him before, and I doubt I ever will again. Even if I do, they won’t be my rose.”
“I want to become him. That’s the most honest praise I can give.”
Silence fell between them.
Sheng Xia hadn’t expected to pour out so much at once.
Wang Lianhua hadn’t expected… too many things, leaving her at a loss for words.
The middle-aged woman had been rendered speechless by the teenager’s words.
The room was quiet.
“Let’s sleep for now…” Wang Lianhua finally said.
Sheng Xia glanced at her mother, unable to decipher her expression.
“Okay. Goodnight, Mom…”
“Goodnight.”
Lying stiffly in bed, staring at the ceiling, Sheng Xia’s heart still raced.
She’d said it.
Just like that?
It had all spilled out too fast for her to process or reflect—those words tumbling out before she could even grasp their meaning.
So this was it.
She wanted to become him.
Her own words had struck her with revelation.The emotions hidden deep in her heart had never been brought to light, not even in solitude, never aired out to dry.
Perhaps the surface-level part of her thought it was too absurd.
A warm current surged in Sheng Xia's heart, and inexplicably, she smiled in the dark bedroom late at night.
So this was it?
She reached for her phone on the bedside table again and opened Weibo.
Her Weibo was mostly for browsing news; she rarely posted anything.
Scrolling to the post Zhang Shu had made on her birthday, she clicked to comment but hesitated, not daring to be too bold in front of so many netizens. Instead, she quietly reposted it.
Feeling it still wasn’t sincere enough, she changed her nickname. Finally, satisfied with the neatly formatted post, she turned off her phone and went to sleep.
The next morning, the atmosphere at the breakfast table was inevitably a little awkward. Sheng Xia gulped down her milk and stood up to leave but was stopped by Wang Lianhua.
Her mother didn’t look well, probably from lack of sleep.
“I thought carefully about what you said last night, and I still feel it’s too early.”
Sheng Xia’s grip on her backpack tightened.
After a long pause, Wang Lianhua added, “Work hard. The first-tier university cutoff is just your safety net, not your goal. As for Heqing… we’ll talk about it after you get in. That’s the prerequisite for everything else. We’ll take it step by step later. Listen to me—no matter what, you’re a girl. You can’t rush.”
Sheng Xia didn’t hesitate. “Okay.”
She understood.
She wasn’t in a hurry either.
Wang Lianhua continued, “Find time to visit him today… Zhang Shu. A promise is a promise, but after this, don’t… or at least go less often.”
Sheng Xia didn’t respond, lowering her head as she left the house, feeling a little dejected.
When she arrived at the classroom, her first thought was to message Zhang Shu to tell him she could visit him that evening.
As soon as she opened her phone, a Weibo notification popped up on the home screen.
Her heart raced. Had he seen it so quickly? She was nervous.
She tapped to open it.
Under the post she had reposted last night, there was a comment, posted that morning.
But it wasn’t from Zhang Shu.
Huh? How did a random netizen find her?
[XIA_abcdef: First wish: peace and prosperity. Second wish: parents’ health. Third wish: may we both get what we wish for, and meet again in September. //@SHU_abcdef: What did she wish for? Out of three, I should at least get one, right?]
[Super Strict Teacher Sprite: Your wishes are so sincere, the evening breeze will remember, and so will the moonlight.]
Sheng Xia: ?
Who is this?
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