Chapter 2: The School Field

In the vast northwestern Gobi Desert stood a small town called Qiongmo. Seemingly cut off from the rest of the world, the town faced the expansive desert and leaned against a rugged mountain range shaped by years of wind and erosion. To those newly arrived, the desolation and harshness might drive them to leave without a second thought. But over time, without realizing it, a seed is planted deep in your heart by this quiet little town—taking root, sprouting, and growing, until it becomes impossible to part with.

Ordinary, simple joys eventually triumph over all desolation. The sun shone harsh and bright every day, rising from the distant depths of the Gobi and setting each evening behind ever-changing fireclouds, sinking into the vast desert.

The children here had lived in the town for generations. For the honest and down-to-earth townsfolk, this place was like the most brilliant pearl in the barren Gobi—or perhaps the only oasis in the wasteland.

Its people lived humble and peaceful lives. There were no blaring horns, no towering skyscrapers, no thick smog from factories, and no dull concrete jungles. Instead, there was an endless stretch of sky, clear and blue, with clouds of every shape drifting by. The air was always fresh, and the roads home were lined with blooming trees whose faint floral fragrance soothed the soul.

As the sun set in the west, its last rays cast a fiery glow over everything. The clouds at the horizon shifted like paintings, forming a breathtaking scene. Sheng Han sat cross-legged on the empty field, dazing off. Her clear eyes shimmered with dreams of the future.

“Don’t move. Guess who?”

Sheng Han smiled softly. “Xinyao, cut it out~ The college entrance exams are in a week. You’re still so mischievous.”

Xinyao giggled and let go of the hands covering Sheng Han’s eyes. Her bright voice was like a ringing bell, breaking the previous silence. “Exactly because exams are coming up! We’re always tense and stressed—I finally got a break from those tough books and came out to relax. I’m so happy right now!” She burst into laughter, unable to stop herself.

“Hey, what are you thinking about? You’re totally zoned out.” Jingqi, standing beside Xinyao, smiled as she spoke, her gaze toward Sheng Han full of warmth.

“Nothing much. Just thinking about the exams next week and which universities to apply for. Me and Xiujie…” Sheng Han trailed off midway, suddenly falling silent.

Xinyao blinked her bright eyes. “Auntie still doesn’t want you two to be together?”

Sheng Han bit her lip and gave a faint “mm.” “My mom’s always been against dating in high school. And then there’s Xiujie… since he comes from a single-parent family, my mom has her concerns. She doesn’t want us to end up in the same city after the exams.”

Jingqi gently took Sheng Han’s hand. “Do you know which city Xiujie plans to go to? What do you want?”

Sheng Han’s eyes lit up with determination. “I want to be with him. I know he’s aiming for Yongshu. So I’m going to put it as my first choice when I fill out my application.”

Jingqi smiled and nodded. “Xinyao and I will always support you.”

“Oh no, it’s already 8 PM! I have to head to the classroom—Xiujie promised to help me with physics tonight. I’m off!” Sheng Han patted the dust off herself, waved to Xinyao and Jingqi, and dashed toward the school building.

Watching her figure disappear into the distance, Xinyao sighed. “Sigh… The three of us have grown up together, but this is the first time I’ve seen Sheng Han like someone this much. First love, huh? Tsk tsk, such torment. Our good girl has fallen. The drama between those two could be straight out of a romance novel.”

“Sheng Han and Xiujie really have it tough. Everyone knows Xiujie’s one of the top students in physics, but his English is weak. When we picked our academic tracks in second year, he chose science. Sheng Han has always been top in English. She was clearly suited for the humanities and even had a spot in the elite rocket class. But just to be with Xiujie, she ignored her parents’ and teachers’ objections and joined the science class instead. The two of them are pushing themselves so hard to get into the same university. They even stay after evening classes every day to help each other study. They don’t even waste the one half-day break we get each week. I really hope their hard work pays off and they can be together openly after the exams.”

“Exactly! Sheng Han’s mom has always been against their relationship. Sheng Han’s already under so much pressure, and she’s always so anxious whenever she’s with Xiujie. Now that the exams are close, she’s probably worried they’ll be separated. I’ve caught her quietly wiping away tears more than once. Every morning she comes to school with swollen eyes. My heart aches for her.” Xinyao pouted, shaking her head with genuine sympathy.

Jingqi sighed. “Xiujie has it hard too. For three years, he’s been picking her up and dropping her off, always waiting downstairs from her place no matter the weather. He brings her breakfast, buys her water during breaks. Everyone knows he’s one of the top five most handsome guys in our year—great at sports, plays the guitar, charming and smart. But he’s always been gentle and kind only to Sheng Han. He’s turned down so many love letters coldly. Because of that, Sheng Han’s gotten a lot of hate from other girls.”

Xinyao picked up the thread. “But Sheng Han isn’t lacking either! She’s known as the good girl of our year, a model student in the teachers’ eyes, and a top academic achiever. With her looks and calm personality, she’s gotten love letters for years, nonstop. But she’s never accepted a single one—she’s always focused on studying. So when she falls in love? It’s big news. Who would’ve thought she’d fall for Xiujie in high school?”

The last rays of sunset vanished, and the grass field was gradually swallowed by darkness. As night fell quietly around them, Xinyao and Jingqi leaned against each other in silence, gazing into the distance.

A gentle breeze brushed their faces. Everything around them slowly quieted down…