Font Size:
The afternoon’s classes passed quickly. Except for the little episode in Liu Xin’an’s class, the day went smoothly.
Zou Xinyao and several other girls who had lunch with her were all boarding students; only Wen Tang was a day student.
After saying goodbye to a few people, she put on her backpack and walked towards the stairwell.
It was the peak time for high school freshmen and sophomores to leave school. The stairs were crowded with people, and a few occasional figures were rushing around.
“Are you leaving or not? You’re ambling.”
“Move aside, move aside.”
It’s summer, and everyone is young and energetic, so they are all very hot-tempered and may start arguing with each other at the slightest disagreement.
The person being pushed also cursed: “Why the hell are you pushing me? Are you in a hurry to reincarnate?”
“How could you talk like that?”
The two groups were about to fight and started grabbing each other’s clothes.
Not sure whose foot tripped her, Wen Tang staggered and was about to fall forward.
A figure behind her arrived in time.
He grabbed Wen Tang’s schoolbag strap with one hand and, with some strength, pulled her into his arms.
Wen Tang grabbed the corner of the man’s clothes and stood firm under the force. Just as she was about to thank him, she smelled a familiar woody cologne.
The man put his hands on her shoulders, and a little breath from his nose sprayed on her neck, making her feel a little ticklish. “If you don’t get up, I will sue you for molestation, my little deskmate.”
With that teasing tone, Wen Tang confirmed for sure that it was Shen Yanchuan.
She silently glanced at the large and defined hand on her shoulder without saying a word.
But Shen Yanchuan inexplicably understood the meaning in her eyes: Who is taking advantage of whom?
Shen Yanchuan coughed lightly and looked her up and down to make sure she was not injured.
Then he pushed her behind him and said to the arguing people with a half-smile: “What’s the matter, brothers, are you guys performing here? Do you want us to set up a stage for you?”
As soon as he appeared, the surroundings became quiet, and both the pushers and the pushed shut their mouths.
It’s Shen Yanchuan-ah, who doesn’t know him?
The school bully of No. 5 Middle School.
You go, you go first.
The crowd instantly opened up a path.
Wen Tang felt like a palace maid who accompanied the emperor on a secret visit, taking advantage of the power of others.
Shen Yanchuan held her wrist loosely and walked forward. He let go of her hand when they reached the bottom of the stairs and asked, “Going home?”
Wen Tang nodded.
“How are you getting back?”
“Taking the bus.”
“Do you know the way?”
Wen Tang didn’t want to answer.
He was like a parent picking up his child from kindergarten, and she was the child waiting to be picked up.
“I can look at the map.” She felt a little tired.
Shen Yanchuan gave a thumbs up: “Awesome!”
If it weren’t for the playful smile on his lips, one could barely believe that he was really praising her.
“I’m leaving now. Thank you for what happened just now.” She was referring to what happened in the stairwell.
Shen Yanchuan put two fingers together loosely, touched his temple, and curled his lips slightly:1 “Protecting a deskmate is everyone’s responsibility!”
This person doesn’t speak properly. Even though she thought this to be so, a smile appeared on the corner of her lip involuntarily.
The person behind her suddenly called her: “Little deskmate.”
Wen Tang turned around and looked.
Golden light scattered over his head and body.
His whole portrait seemed to be enveloped in light and an incredible warmth. “See you tomorrow.”
Wen Tang seemed to be tempted and softly replied, “See you tomorrow.”
Someone once said that of all the farewells, my favorite is ‘see you tomorrow’.
Because tomorrow represents hope and expectation.
Wen Tang didn’t think so before, but now she kind of likes this sentence.
The sunshine, the young boy, everything within this scene. She thought to herself that she would remember it for a long time.
The boys behind him followed from a distance until they saw Wen Tang walking away, then they came forward to make a fuss.
“Protecting your deskmate is everyone’s responsibility~~~~” Jiang Shuyi winked, “Alas, Brother Chuan, I really feel disappointed for all your previous deskmates.”
Shen Yanchuan was in a good mood and didn’t bother with him. He kicked him on the butt and cursed with a smile: “Get lost.”
Jiang Shuyi, the man addicted to performing, covered his butt and acted out loud: “Brother Chuan, am I not your little precious?”
Qi Yuan, who was standing next to him, rushed forward to support him, shaking his upper body: “Don’t be sad, Little Yi2, it’s your fault that you are not his deskmate~~~”
Shen Yanchuan rewarded each of them with a kick.
There were two footprints on Jiang Shuyi’s buttocks, and one footprint on Qi Yuan’s buttocks. Only then did the two of them stop…
…And whispered to Zou Kai, who was covering his mouth to suppress his laughter, “Didn’t you see how coquettish he was today? In language class, he just…”
He chattered away, blurting out everything, and even added some oil and vinegar to it3.
“Yo yo yo.” Several of them squealed and screamed strangely, and from time to time, they would even laugh slyly.
Shen Yanchuan was too lazy to pay attention to them and walked in front with Zhou Ziyu.
Zhou Ziyu looked at Shen Yanchuan teasingly: “Little Chuan, this doesn’t seem like your style. Are you really attracted to her? Then what about your little fairy?”
Shen Yanchuan put his hands in his pockets, looking ahead, his eyes filled with tenderness: “It’s her.”
Zhou Ziyu suddenly realized that if it was that girl, then it would make sense. No wonder, it was just the first day of transfer, and someone was already so protective.
You should know, his previous deskmates didn’t have this treatment. It was good enough that they were not asked to move out directly.
He reached out and patted Shen Yanchuan on the shoulder: “You have it good. It took no effort for you to be close to her, and the person came to you on her own. Seize the opportunity!” He smiled at him meaningfully.
Shen Yanchuan slapped the hand off his shoulder and said, “What are you talking about? High school students are not allowed to have premature love. My feelings for her are not what you think. We have a pure deskmate relationship.”
Zhou Ziyu rolled his eyes: “Okay, pure classmate Shen, let’s go eat.”
He turned around and greeted the few people behind him who were still immersed in the atmosphere of gossip, and walked towards the snack street together.
The afterglow of the setting sun fell on the backs of several people. Some of them were fighting and arguing, while others were holding hands and indulging each other harmoniously.
Regardless of the posture, it is all the unrestrained and flamboyant essence of youth.
—
Wen Tang walked into the compound, and the guard standing at the gate greeted her warmly: “Tangtang is back.”
She nodded: “Hello, Uncle Li.” She had been dealing with the soldiers here since she was a child.
Soldiers are straightforward and speak directly, which makes them easier to get along with than some people with a few twists in their stomachs.
Just as she was squatting at the entrance to change her shoes, Aunt Wang4 came over and took her schoolbag: “You’re finally back. Laoye5 has been out and about four or five times, muttering that it’s time for you to return from school.”
Speaking of grandpa, Wen Tang was a little helpless: “Auntie Wang, didn’t I tell you to eat first and not worry about me. Just leave some food for me.”
Aunt Wang looked at her with a frown, “You know that laoyezi6 has a bad temper, how can I persuade him? Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner. I’ll go call laoyezi.”
Indeed, grandfather’s temper, no one could advise on.
Wen Tang washed her hands and took a tissue to wipe them. Grandpa had just come downstairs.
Grandpa Jiang Baimao worked in the army before retiring. He led soldiers his entire lifetime and developed a character of being a man of his word, firm and unwavering.
His beloved wife died early, leaving behind a son and a daughter.
After graduating from college, his daughter got married and gave birth to Wen Tang.
The son had not yet started a family. Because he didn’t like politics and insisted on doing business, he disagreed with his grandfather on his career choice and rarely came home. When he did, they found each other to be an eyesore.
Wen Tang silently sighed in her heart. Grandpa is now in his sixties; he should be enjoying a family surrounded by his children and grandchildren, enjoying happiness at home, but…
Yingly[Translator]
Hellohello~ Nice to meet you! Sometimes when I like a novel so much, I can't stop myself from translating it so others can read more wonderful writings. If you enjoy my translations, feel free to check out some of my originals~