Chapter 54

Qin Xiaoxiao carefully walked past the washroom under the moonlight and pushed open the closed balcony door.

After stepping out, she turned back and closed the balcony door behind her.

After the beginning of spring, the temperature had risen significantly, and even the night wind had become much gentler.

Qin Xiaoxiao approached the balcony railing and immediately spotted the figure below.

He wore a loose white hoodie with simple lettering, paired with light blue jeans that outlined his long legs, and white sneakers on his feet.

He was looking down at his phone.

Qin Xiaoxiao had once told him which dormitory she stayed in.

Perhaps sensing her presence, he lifted his face, his gaze landing precisely in her direction.

Under the bright moonlight, a cascade of silver radiance poured down.

One stood above, the other below, their eyes meeting.

Qin Xiaoxiao was the first to look away.

Immediately, the phone in her pocket began to buzz.

The caller ID on the screen read: Ji Wenchen.

Qin Xiaoxiao looked downstairs, a little puzzled. The man below waved his phone slightly before bringing it to his ear.

“…” Qin Xiaoxiao answered the call.

“Good evening.” The voice of the man downstairs came through the receiver.

Qin Xiaoxiao softly spoke into the phone’s microphone, “Good evening.”

The straight-line distance between them was only five or six meters, and they could easily hear each other if they spoke at a normal volume.

However, it was the school’s designated bedtime, and they couldn’t disturb the other students.

Ji Wenchen stood with one hand in his pocket and the other holding his phone, his face tilted upward.

Above, the girl he hadn’t seen for over a month stood with her long black hair cascading down, so stunningly beautiful it was as if she was radiating ethereal charm.

“The moonlight is so beautiful tonight,” the thought popped into his mind, and Ji Wenchen said it aloud.

After speaking, he couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile. Was this a scene from an idol drama? …

Ji Wenchen himself had no idea that simply showing up below the dormitory of the girl in his heart late at night already resembled a scene straight out of an “idol drama.”

Half a month ago, he had marked this day in his mind, wanting to return to school early. However, with the family company being busy after the start of spring, he couldn’t get away.

Tonight, he had been occupied at the office until nearly 9 p.m. The moment he finished his tasks, he immediately crossed half the city to rush to the school.

When he arrived at the teaching building, only a few classrooms still had their lights on.

He figured she must have already returned to her dormitory.

Ji Wenchen stood by the flower bed for half a minute before picking up the gift he intended to give her. He then went into the teaching building and entered one of the lit classrooms.

A classmate, whose name Ji Wenchen couldn’t recall, was just about to close the windows and turn off the lights. Upon seeing him, the classmate appeared both surprised and apprehensive, silently standing by the window, waiting for him to put down his things and leave.

When Ji Wenchen left the teaching building, he still wasn’t ready to go.

He just wanted to see her.

Wrapped in moonlight, Ji Wenchen wandered halfway around the tranquil Jingsi Lake on campus, but his heart remained anything but calm.

He sent her a text message.

And that led to this encounter.

“The moonlight is so beautiful tonight.” That softly spoken line, as if whispered in her ear, managed to stir Qin Xiaoxiao’s heart.

She knew where that line came from and understood its meaning.

Just as she was about to say something, she noticed the corner of his lips curve into a slight, lopsided smirk. It carried his usual casual playfulness, with perhaps a hint of… awkwardness?

Qin Xiaoxiao thought she must have been seeing things.

“Alright,” Ji Wenchen said, “you can go back to sleep now.”

“Don’t hang up yet,” Qin Xiaoxiao said, her words coming out a little quicker than usual.

“Hmm? Can’t bear to part with me?”

“…” Qin Xiaoxiao tightened her grip on her phone slightly. “Are you still busy lately?”

“Not too bad. Why? Hoping I’ll come back to school soon?”

Qin Xiaoxiao ignored his last two questions and carefully voiced the words she had rehearsed long ago: “Focus on your family matters. As for the requirement to rank in the top 50 of the grade,” she lightly bit her lip, “it doesn’t count anymore. You don’t need to study late into the night anymore—get some proper rest.”

“Doesn’t count?” Ji Wenchen’s sharp phoenix eyes locked onto hers through the moonlight, holding her gaze. “Does that mean I can just directly kiss…”

“Ji Wenchen.” Qin Xiaoxiao’s cheeks felt a little warm as she cut him off, forbidding him from continuing.

“I’m here,” he replied, his deep, magnetic voice tinged with a hint of amusement.

Qin Xiaoxiao paused for over a second before asking, “Do you plan to take the National College Entrance Exam, or will you go abroad after graduating from high school?”

“I’ll take it,” Ji Wenchen said, his expression turning slightly serious. “I’m not going abroad.”

Before his final year of high school—or more accurately, before he fell for Qin Xiaoxiao—Ji Wenchen had always been carefree and spontaneous, never one to overthink anything. He had never considered studying seriously, nor had he ever thought about “tomorrow” or “the future,” words that always sounded a bit pretentious and distant to him.

But after being with her, he found himself, consciously or unconsciously, looking forward to each coming day.

He still didn’t like studying, but he liked studying for her.

The days spent constantly moving forward, inching closer to her, brought a sense of fulfillment he had never experienced before.

It wasn’t a bad feeling.

“Wait for me,” Ji Wenchen said. “At the latest, I’ll be back at school to be with you by the end of next month.”

A light breeze picked up, carrying away Qin Xiaoxiao’s soft “mm,” dispersing it into the air.

But Ji Wenchen heard it.

“I’m leaving now.”

“Don’t rush.” 

Ji Wenchen: “Twice now. You really can’t bear for me to leave, can you?”

Qin Xiaoxiao: “…I have a gift for you.”

Ji Wenchen: “Oh?”

Qin Xiaoxiao pinched the small cloth bag she had taken out of her pocket. “I’ll toss it down directly. Catch it carefully. And… look at it after you get back.”

“Alright.”

Qin Xiaoxiao tossed it toward where Ji Wenchen was standing.

The falling trajectory was slightly off.

Ji Wenchen took a few steps forward and easily caught it with an outstretched hand, then slipped it into his pocket.

“Thank you,” he said, bringing his long index and middle fingers together and tapping them lightly against his temple before giving a casual wave in her direction. “Girlfriend.”

“…You can leave now.”

“Alright, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

The next morning, Qin Xiaoxiao found the gift Ji Wenchen had given her in her desk cubby.

…And it turned out to be the same type of item she had given him.

Hers was handmade, while his was… custom-made?

…

On a Saturday in late February, the Second High School’s final-year students held a parent-teacher meeting.

Feng Xiuling began preparing half an hour early.

Before leaving, she even went to knock on her daughter’s bedroom door and asked, somewhat unsure of herself, “Does this outfit look okay, sweetheart?”

While leaning against the headboard, Qin Xiaoxiao put down the book in her hand. “It looks great.”

“Does it… seem a bit shabby?” Feng Xiuling asked hesitantly. This was her first time attending her daughter’s parent-teacher meeting since Qin Xiaoxiao started high school, and also the first time she would be entering her daughter’s school—previously, her daughter had never wanted her to pick her up or drop her off.

Qin Xiaoxiao sighed softly in her heart, knowing her mother was worried about embarrassing her.

She said earnestly, “No, not at all. You’re the best and most beautiful mom.”

“Xiaoxiao…” Feng Xiuling was momentarily stunned, her eyes growing warm. She turned her face away and nodded, “Then Mom will head out now.”

Qin Xiaoxiao reminded her once more, “There will be class leaders holding signs at the school gate.”

“I know.”

After her mother left, Qin Xiaoxiao took an afternoon nap.

She got up at 3:30, drank a glass of orange juice, and focused on working through her Chinese practice book.

The sunlight streaming in through the window panes gently warmed the quiet room.

She didn’t know how much time had passed as she continued writing.

The sound of the door opening came from the living room.

Qin Xiaoxiao put down her pen and walked out of her room. As expected, it was Feng Xiuling who had returned.

“Mom, would you like a glass of orange juice?”

“Mm… sure,” Feng Xiuling replied, setting down her handbag and sitting on the sofa.

Qin Xiaoxiao handed the glass of orange juice to her mother with both hands. “Here you go.”

Feng Xiuling took a sip, placed it on the table, her lips moving slightly as if to speak, but then she closed them again.

“What’s wrong? Does it not taste good?” Qin Xiaoxiao noticed her mother’s hesitant expression and joked on purpose, “Or did the teacher criticize me?”

“No,” Feng Xiuling looked at her daughter, unsure how to bring it up. “You…”

“What about me?”

Feng Xiuling asked softly, “Are you dating someone?”

Qin Xiaoxiao’s heart tightened as she lowered her gaze slightly.

If Feng Xiuling weren’t her elder, she could have lied to get away with it.

But…

“Yes.” Qin Xiaoxiao didn’t want to lie to her mother.

The living room fell into silence.

The chirping of birds outside the window was clearly audible.

“I…” Qin Xiaoxiao took a deep breath. “I know I shouldn’t be dating at this stage, but I promise it won’t affect my studies. If you don’t believe me, just look—my recent exams haven’t shown any decline.”

Feng Xiuling was aware of this. Since the second semester of her second year, her daughter had taken the initiative to inform both her and Ah Feng of her exam results after each test.

At today’s parent-teacher meeting, her daughter Xiaoxiao was also the student most frequently praised by the teachers.

Speaking of the parent-teacher meeting…

Feng Xiuling had been guided to her seat in the classroom by one of Xiaoxiao’s classmates. Not long after, a distinguished-looking, impeccably dressed middle-aged man arrived and took the seat next to hers.

“Hello,” the middle-aged man greeted her proactively. “I’m Ji Wenchen’s parent, Ji Hui.”

Feng Xiuling was a bit surprised and quickly responded, slightly flustered, “Hello, I’m Xiaoxiao’s mom.”

“I know,” Ji Hui said with a smile. “Xiaoxiao is an outstanding and wonderful child.”

“Thank you…” Feng Xiuling felt that there was something subtly off about Mr. Ji’s words. Moreover, his attitude was entirely different from the aloof demeanor she had always associated with wealthy people.

Later, Mr. Ji even initiated two more conversations with her.

On the way home, the more Feng Xiuling thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

She had already found it a bit odd when she first learned that Xiaoxiao’s deskmate was a boy—Feng Xiuling was a rather traditional woman. Back when she was in high school, girls always sat with girls, and boys sat with boys. And now, Mr. Ji’s overly… friendly—yes, that was the word—attitude also seemed a little strange.

He was a wealthy parent who seemed to hold a significant social status—was there really a need for him to be so polite and friendly to the parent of his child’s deskmate?

Feng Xiuling then recalled some of Xiaoxiao’s unusual behaviors from before… A suspicion began to form in her mind.

And that was why, upon returning home, she had asked Xiaoxiao that question.

Xiaoxiao’s honest answer, along with the words that followed, left Feng Xiuling without a rebuttal. However, regarding the person who was “more or less” Xiaoxiao’s “friend,” she couldn’t help but feel a bit worried. “You’re dating your deskmate, aren’t you? With his family… having such conditions, could he just be toying with you? He doesn’t even need to study or take the college entrance exam, does he?”

“No,” Qin Xiaoxiao said, her lashes lifting as she looked at her mother. Her voice was gentle yet firm. “He’s studying quite diligently now, and he will take the college entrance exam. I believe… he’s serious about me.”

“You…”

Qin Xiaoxiao sat properly, waiting for her mother’s lecture.

After a long pause, Feng Xiuling finally said, “You’re a sensible and well-behaved child, and when it comes to your studies, I trust you.” She continued, “As for dating… Mom won’t stop you.”

Qin Xiaoxiao was slightly stunned, momentarily surprised.

“Mom hopes you’ll be mindful,” Feng Xiuling said, “mindful of what’s appropriate and what’s not at this age. Make sure to protect yourself. Understand?”

“…I understand.”

…

A few days after the parent-teacher meeting, the school held its 100-day countdown assembly for the National College Entrance Exam.

The crackling sound of firecrackers echoed through an entire morning reading session.

The final-year students gathered on the smoke-filled sports field, listening to passionate speeches delivered in turns by the principal, vice principal, and grade director.

As Qin Xiaoxiao listened, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.

Overnight, countless red banners had been hung on the teaching building and lampposts, all adorned with words of encouragement and inspiration.

“…At this sacred moment, we swear in the name of youth—” the grade director began, leading everyone in the pledge.

Qin Xiaoxiao recited the pledge that had been distributed to everyone the previous day:

“Treasure these 100 days, let sweat shine; Strive for these 100 days, let youth bloom; Fight hard for these 100 days, let dreams soar.”

The thousands of final-year students had never read anything with such unity and volume before. By the end, it had turned into a roar, echoing almost to the heavens.

“Good! I can feel your determination!” the grade director shouted as well. “Now, please sign your names on the banners!”

The students went up one by one to sign their names in order.

Soon, it was Qin Xiaoxiao’s turn.

She smoothly signed her name and the name of her dream university in one go.

Then, holding the pen, she paused for a moment and glanced at her classmates around her. They were all earnestly writing something.

Qin Xiaoxiao lowered her head, and quickly added a smaller “Ji Wenchen.”

—Last night, during their text exchange, Ji Wenchen had asked her to sign his name for him.

At first glance, the signature even somewhat resembled his handwriting.

Beneath “X University,” the names “Qin Xiaoxiao” and “Ji Wenchen” were written side by side.

May our dreams come true.

Qin Xiaoxiao silently prayed with her eyes closed.

After capping the pen, she left the signing area and handed the pen to Yan Yangcan, who stood behind her with a slightly dejected expression.

…

Perhaps due to the sheer number of quizzes and exams, the teachers no longer had the time or energy to spare.

In the second semester of their final year, the monthly exams were canceled.

Guo Hairuo announced this during physics class, prompting a small group of delighted students to cheer out loud.

But their excitement didn’t last long.

“Just a reminder, the first round of revision is almost over,” Guo Hairuo said, patting the lectern. “The first city-wide mock exam is coming up in just eleven days. Are you all ready for it?”

The entire class fell silent, as quiet as chickens.

“I’m not lecturing this class; you’ll work on the test papers yourselves.”

Guo Hairuo’s throat was inflamed over the past couple of days, so she couldn’t talk too much. “Qin Xiaoxiao, go to Teacher Su’s office and check if the test papers have been printed. If they’re ready, bring them back.”

“Alright,” Qin Xiaoxiao replied and left the classroom as instructed.

Thinking about the homeroom teacher’s mention of the “first mock exam,” Qin Xiaoxiao’s mind briefly wandered to why a certain someone still hadn’t returned to school…

A few minutes later, she climbed up to her classroom’s floor, carrying a stack of still-warm test papers.

At that moment, she caught sight of a figure near the other end of the staircase and paused in her tracks.

Mid-spring sunlight bathed the corridor in a warm, golden glow.

The tall boy stepped into the corridor, half of his body bathed in sunlight.

White sneakers, jeans, and a black-and-white varsity jacket—his figure was upright and brimming with youthful energy…

For a moment, the scene overlapped with a memory etched in Qin Xiaoxiao’s mind.

It was as if she had been transported back to the moment she first met him a year ago…

Perhaps sensing someone’s gaze, he turned to glance diagonally behind him.

The side profile he revealed was smooth and impeccably perfect.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, quickly spreading to his delicate brows and eyes.

He walked toward her.

Stopping directly in front of where she stood frozen, he teased, “Stunned, huh?”

Qin Xiaoxiao blinked and called his name, “Ji Wenchen.”

A year ago today, she would never have imagined that she would end up with him. Matters of the heart, such a small thing, were truly… unpredictable.

“Hmm?” Ji Wenchen tilted his head slightly, his languid tone tinged with a hint of indulgence.

Qin Xiaoxiao lowered her head, her lips curving slightly, then looked up. “Help me carry this.”

“Sure.” Ji Wenchen had already planned to help her with the test papers as he walked over.

He reached out, intending to take the entire stack from her arms, but Qin Xiaoxiao stopped him and only handed him the top half. “Just take half.”

Hearing this, Ji Wenchen couldn’t resist teasing her. “If I help you, is there any reward? Like maybe…”

“There is.”

“Hmm?” Ji Wenchen was a little surprised by her rare straightforwardness.

Qin Xiaoxiao, carrying her half of the test papers, stepped forward to leave.

With his long strides, Ji Wenchen caught up in just two steps and blocked her path. His phoenix eyes slightly lifted as he asked, “Do you know what kind of reward I want?”

“I do,” Qin Xiaoxiao replied, her ears turning red as she sidestepped him, speaking softly, “Let’s finish the task first. We’ll talk later.”

“Alright.” A light chuckle escaped Ji Wenchen’s throat.

One slender figure and one tall, upright figure walked one after the other toward the classroom.

Sunlight poured down freely.

—End of Main Text—