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Chapter 9: Fortunate to Be Illuminated

The police car attracted even more attention, and before long, several school leaders arrived.

“Nothing to see here, move along and get back to what you were doing.” The dean and the security guards dispersed the curious students. The dean glanced at Jian Li, saying, “You too, young lady, don’t stand here getting in the police’s way.”

Jian Li was ushered out. Once the door was shut, she couldn’t hear anything from inside.

“We received a report—someone here is causing trouble and provoking others.” A slightly older officer looked at the people in the room. “What’s going on?”

Zhou Shubei withdrew his gaze. “Officer, I’ve been framed.”

Song Lang rushed over and was surprised to see Jian Li at the door. “What’s going on?”

Jian Li shook her head. “The police just arrived. They’re still asking questions.”

Song Lang didn’t know the details either. They’d been in gym class as usual when someone came to call Zhou Shubei to the student office. It was sudden and suspicious. Someone got curious and asked, and before long, rumors spread like wildfire.

“Dai Jiangtao’s accusations are nonsense. Last night, Lao Zhou left school at seven. He doesn’t even stay in the dorm most nights—our counselor knows this. There’s no way he would wait around for Dai Jiangtao just to beat him up,” said Song Lang.

Jian Li caught something important. “Was there something special about that day?”

Song Lang realized he had let something slip and tried to laugh it off. “Who knows? Maybe he just felt like staying off campus. I mean, school beds can’t compare to home.”

His attitude suggested it was a personal matter for Zhou Shubei, so Jian Li didn’t push further.

Just then, the office door opened. Zhou Shubei was the first to walk out.

“Lao Zhou, how’d it go?” Song Lang asked.

“Going to the station to make a statement,” Zhou Shubei replied. His clear, clean eyes met Jian Li’s, filled with concern as if he wanted to say something—but said nothing.

A strange feeling stirred in Zhou Shubei’s chest, like a soft hammer tapping his heart.

Not just Zhou Shubei—Dai Jiangtao and Kong He also went to the police station. With the main characters gone, the crowd dispersed quickly, chatting and speculating as they left.

“Don’t worry, junior. It’ll be fine,” Song Lang tried to pat her on the shoulder in comfort but thought better of it. “It’s just routine—just answering some questions. He’ll be out soon. If you’re really worried, we can add each other on WeChat. I’ll let you know when he’s back.”

Jian Li thought about it. “Okay, thanks.”

Song Lang added a note while saving her contact. “No problem. For my bro’s happiness, it’s the least I can do.”

Jian Li didn’t get it. “What?”

“Nothing, just saying it’s good to get along as classmates,” Song Lang covered.

Jian Li nodded, said goodbye, and left the admin building.

Even after the last class ended, Song Lang hadn’t sent any message.

She dried her hair with a towel and sat in front of her finally working computer. The old fan made loud metallic noises, especially noticeable in the quiet dorm. Jian Li checked to make sure she wasn’t disturbing the others, then sorted her documents and shared them via computer WeChat using her phone’s hotspot.

The other three girls were playing games.

“Honestly, Zhou Shubei wouldn’t risk getting punished just to beat up that jerk. It’s ridiculous. The attacker even picked a blind spot in the surveillance but still left his back visible. At least wear a cloak or something!” Qing Wen turned to Chu Yue. “Didn’t you ask Zhao Xun? What’d he say?”

Chu Yue replied, “He didn’t know either. Dai Jiangtao and Liu Liang rarely stay in the dorm. Last night I was with him. When he woke up, he saw Dai’s swollen face and got a fright.”

Tan Xueying was chewing candy, clearly in the middle of a team fight. She yelled, “Ionia! Unyielding spirit!”

“People are so bored. The police haven’t even concluded the investigation, and they’re already writing up theories. I glanced at the forum—everyone’s acting like Sherlock Holmes. Might as well get them to solve real crimes,” Tan Xueying scoffed.

They were playing League of Legends: Wild Rift. Tan Xueying loved a champion called Irelia. When she first met Jian Li at the start of the term, she said Jian Li had Irelia’s personality.

Quiet and reserved on the outside, but bold and principled inside. She knew exactly what she wanted.

Jian Li stared at the slow loading bar on the screen when her phone lit up with a text.

A package had arrived.

She stood up. “I’m going to pick up a package. Anyone need anything?”

The three shook their heads.

The school’s parcel station was at the North Gate for convenience. Jian Li put on a mask and walked through the tree-lined paths. Many students were walking back with parcels. A line had already formed at the pick-up point.

She gave her code, and the worker pulled out two large woven bags. “Surname Jian, ending in 7576?”

“Yes.”

“Cash on delivery—fifty yuan.”

The light stung Jian Li’s eyes. “Cash on delivery?”

“Yep.”

It wasn’t surprising, but Jian Li felt a complicated mix of emotions rise up. She paid and dragged the bags back.

She hadn’t gone far when her phone rang. The caller ID showed it was from Xiyuan City.

Jian Li set the bags down and stared at the number before answering. “Hello?”

“You received the stuff, right?” a voice asked.

“Yeah.”

“It’s all winter clothes. Don’t go out if it’s too cold. The school should have heating. Don’t buy more clothes—you’ve already got plenty,” the woman chattered on as if she truly cared.

Jian Li listened. After a small white van passed, she asked, “How’s business lately?”

“Same as usual. Everyone’s moving to the city, fewer people left in town. The printer broke too. I told your dad to get a new one, but he wouldn’t.” Zhang Wenxiu continued, “Things are tight at home. If you’re short on money, borrow some from your classmates. You can pay them back after working during the holidays.”

Just as Zhang Wenxiu finished speaking, Jian Yunji’s voice yelled in the background, “Mom, where’s the game console I just bought?”

“It’s under the TV cabinet—look for it,” she replied, then quickly told Jian Li, “That’s all for now. Focus on your studies.”

Jian Li stared at the phone’s lock screen. Her eyes, already stung by the light, were starting to burn.

She had long accepted their favoritism, but facing it so clearly still stung. Yet she had no strength left to fight it.

A car flashed its headlights twice to remind an oncoming car to switch off its high beams. Jian Li took a deep breath and kept walking.

Just as she stepped forward, someone grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.

Startled, she instinctively tried to break free. The person grunted.

“Talk about biting the hand that saved you,” a lazy voice said above her.

She looked up to see Zhou Shubei’s handsome face under the night sky, a red mark now visible on his chin—where she had scratched him.

At the same time, a bike swerved wildly, trying to avoid a speed bump, and crashed.

If Zhou Shubei hadn’t reacted quickly, she would’ve been hit.

Realizing this, Jian Li whispered, “Thank you. I’m sorry.”

Thank you for helping me. I’m sorry I scratched you.

Seeing the swelling on his chin, she felt guilty. She checked her pocket for ointment—nothing. “I’ll go buy some medicine.”

“Why run off?” Zhou Shubei grabbed her again but quickly let go. “No need. It’ll fade by tomorrow.”

Jian Li lowered her eyes and nodded, then nodded again, feeling like one wasn’t enough.

Zhou Shubei chuckled. “Why do you look more aggrieved than me?”

“I’m not.” She asked, “Is everything resolved?”

“Yeah.”

A nearby flash went off—someone had forgotten to turn off their camera flash. Zhou Shubei finally noticed she was upset, her eyes red as if she had really been wronged.

He chewed the mint in his mouth and asked softly, “What happened?”

It’s strange how people work. You can hold it in when no one asks. But once someone cares, emotions burst out like a flood.

Jian Li looked away and said nothing.

Afraid she’d cry if she spoke, she simply shook her head and bent down to lift the two heavy woven bags, packed full of winter clothes. They were so heavy she could barely lift them and had to drag them.

After a few steps, the bag’s handle snapped.

Jian Li felt her strength drain away like air from a punctured balloon—but she didn’t stop. She grabbed the edge of the bag and continued dragging.

Zhou Shubei watched her quietly. Her thin figure stubbornly trying to manage something clearly too heavy. She tied the broken strap into knots or tried to carry it on her shoulder. At about 165cm tall, she was too slender for such a burden. Her jeans were cuffed at the ankles, with worn-out patches on her heels. Her arms gave out more than once—but she kept trying.

Zhou Shubei stopped halfway through lighting a cigarette. After the strap snapped again, something inside him felt inexplicably irritated.

He put out the cigarette and walked over.

Lifting the heavy bag with ease, he stopped a boy on an e-bike.

“Zhou-ge? What’s up?” The boy stopped and glanced at Jian Li. “Need to move stuff?”

Zhou Shubei nodded. “Got a rope?”

The boy grabbed one from his storage box. Zhou Shubei quickly tied the bags down. “Drop them off at—”

He paused and turned to ask, “Which dorm building?”

“Qinyuan 8,” Jian Li replied.

Zhou Shubei patted the boy’s shoulder. “Thanks. I’ll treat you to a meal later.”

“No need—it’s nothing. Don’t mention it.”

Zhou Shubei smiled. “Thanks, really.”

The boy took off in a flash.

Zhou Shubei turned back, easily picking up the remaining bag and slinging it over his shoulder.

Jian Li reached to take it. “I can manage—”

Zhou Shubei glanced at her reddened hands, licked his teeth, and smiled lazily. “Do me a favor, classmate.”

She didn’t get it.

He leaned in slightly. “I’m a bit of a campus celebrity, you know. If I get rejected in front of everyone, I’ll lose face.”

He was still smiling, easygoing as ever, as if he truly cared about saving face. “You know, I just went to the police station this afternoon. My reputation’s not great—I’ve gotta redeem myself a little.”

He stood where the light and shadows met. His profile half in brightness, half in shade. His voice, soft and low, slid from her ear into her heart like morning dew soaking fresh grass.

Jian Li’s heartbeat lost rhythm. The light spilled at her feet.

She was lucky to be illuminated too.

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