Chapter 12 Xia Beier’s Little Thoughts  

Xia Beier first met Su Shaonian outside the school.  

At the time, she had just started university. Xia Beier wasn’t very talkative and had few friends outside her dormitory. Sometimes, she preferred to keep to herself and wander the streets off-campus to unwind.  

Walking aimlessly down a bustling street, she eventually stopped at an elderly woman’s stall selling knitted goods. “Grandma, did you knit these scarves yourself? They’re really lovely.”  

About a dozen scarves were displayed on the table—some large, some small, all in vibrant colors. However, perhaps because they were handmade, the designs were a bit old-fashioned, and the craftsmanship wasn’t particularly refined. In such a lively market, they went unnoticed.  

Looking at the scarves, Xia Beier suddenly thought of her own grandmother back home and felt a pang of sadness. She picked one suitable for her age and asked the old woman, “Grandma, how much is this scarf?”  

The old woman smiled kindly. “Ah, you’ve picked a lovely one, young lady. This scarf is 30 yuan.”  

“30 yuan? Grandma, that’s too low,” Xia Beier said, surprised. She had just felt the fabric—the yarn was soft and fine, and it was handmade. How could it only be 30 yuan?  

“I never expected to make much money anyway. Life is hard these days…” The old woman sighed as if lamenting something.  

A few seconds later, a shadow fell over the knitted goods on the stall. “Grandma, I’ll take all the remaining ones.”  

The old woman seemed to recognize him, her tone familiar. “Young man, didn’t you buy a few last time? What do you need so many for?”  

The person beside her spoke, and only then did Xia Beier get a clear look at the “young man.” He had a tall, straight nose, well-defined lips, and an air of youthful vitality. His face was lit up with a dazzling smile.  

“Grandma, after I bought them last time, my family really liked them. Now that I’m going back, I can bring them something. Besides, the scarves are very comfortable to wear.”  

The old woman nodded. “If that’s the case, then take them all. There are fifteen left—are you sure you want that many?”  

The boy smiled helplessly. “My family is huge. I’m afraid a dozen might not even be enough.”  

“So many people in your family! Let me wrap these up for you so they’re easier to carry.”  

“Grandma, I’ll leave the money here!”  

While the old woman was busy wrapping the scarves, the boy placed 2,000 yuan on the table—unnoticed by her.  

Once the scarves were packed, the boy took them and turned to leave. Only then did the old woman realize what had happened. “Child, why did you give me 2,000 yuan? It should only be 450 yuan!”  

By the time she tried to call him back, he was already gone. Xia Beier, standing nearby, handed the old woman a note, urging her to read it.  

Written on the paper was:  

*Grandma, these scarves were knitted stitch by stitch with your hands, and this money was earned coin by coin with mine. I haven’t given you too much, nor have you given me too little—I’ve only balanced the effort we’ve both put in. Grandma, I’ll come see you again when I have time. Please take care of yourself.*  

—Su Shaonian

After reading it, Grandma looked somewhat relieved, murmuring as if to herself or perhaps speaking to Xia Beier, “Ah, this child has been looking after me from the very beginning. Such a kind-hearted boy!”  

With all the shopping done, the old lady began packing up her stall to head home.  

Originally, she hadn’t planned to accept payment for the scarf from Xia Beier, but Xia Beier insisted firmly, “Grandma, you’ve already given me so much just now. If you don’t take this, I’ll be upset.”  

With no choice, the old lady accepted it. “Young lady, it’s getting late. Hurry home and rest.”  

Back in the dorm, Xia Beier still remembered the task the boy had entrusted to her before leaving: “After I’m gone, show this note to Grandma right away. She’s old, and it’s not easy for her to earn money out here. Once she reads this, she’ll understand. So, I’m counting on you.”  

This incident was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, sending ripples through Xia Beier’s heart.  

Later, Xia Beier saw him again at the old lady’s stall. She learned his name and eventually discovered that he was actually outstanding—and that they attended the same school. Xia Beier quietly kept an eye on him, and this silent attention gradually became a habit.  

*  

“Wow, I’m so excited!” Peng Wenyu burst into the dorm room, waving a ticket in his hand. “Jay Chou’s concert ticket! I might even get to see my goddess! Just thinking about it makes me happy.”  

Peng Wenyu flopped onto his bed, rolling back and forth in delight. Finally, he glanced at the two who hadn’t managed to get tickets and couldn’t resist gloating. “Listen up, you two! You didn’t get tickets, and that’s not my fault. Don’t even think about trying to take mine.”  

Ding Sheng and Jiang Zhen, the ticketless duo: “…Who said anything about taking yours?”  

Nan Feng stood to the side, silently watching Peng Wenyu’s antics for a while before finally losing patience and giving him a sharp smack. Peng Wenyu immediately quieted down.  

“Is this ticket really so important that you won’t trade it?” Nan Feng’s tone was firm, his presence imposing.  

“I won’t trade it. Why should I? I get to see Jay Chou and maybe even my goddess. No way I’m giving this up.” Peng Wenyu clutched the ticket protectively.  

“What if I said I want to trade with you?”  

Peng Wenyu suddenly burst out laughing. “Feng-ge, you? Trade with me? No way! You’ve never been interested in these kinds of concerts. You’re just messing with me…” He trailed off as he sensed the atmosphere growing heavier, realizing Nan Feng might be serious. His voice weakened. “Feng-ge, what do you even need the ticket for?”  

“I’ll ask you one more time—are you trading or not?” Nan Feng applied more pressure.  

“Feng-ge, what are you offering in exchange? Let me tell you, I won’t trade for something cheap. I have principles, you know. I need credibility too, or how am I supposed to survive in this school? So—”  

Nan Feng abruptly cut him off. “I’ll help you with stock trading three times.”  

“Feng-ge, you’re offering stock trades?!” Peng Wenyu immediately turned sycophantic. “Stock trades are great! I trust you completely with that. I’ll trade, of course I’ll trade…”  

Peng Wenyu reluctantly stroked the ticket before handing it over to Nan Feng. “Feng-ge, it’s a deal—three stock trades in exchange!” Then, turning to Ding Sheng and Jiang Zhen, he added, “You two are my witnesses!”

Nan Feng took the ticket and returned to his desk, leaving Peng Wenyu alone to continue his antics.  

Ding Sheng: This is called having principles, this is called having integrity. I’ve finally seen your true colors—what a damn bootlicker.  

Jiang Zhen: This kid is practically asking for a beating, causing trouble every single day. Sooner or later, he’s going to screw himself over.  

Hope everyone will continue to support us!!  

(End of Chapter)