1 Sang Sang

In April, the city of Linqi had already begun to experience the sweltering heat. Even at dusk, the air was oppressively humid; the breeze drifting from the riverside canals felt sticky, as if the stagnant atmosphere was about to solidify.

It was precisely the time when the senior students at Linqi No.1 High School had just finished their evening self-study session. The spacious school gates suddenly spilled forth a flood of students clad in blue-and-white uniforms, their chatter reminiscent of a flock of birds, brimming with the exuberance of youth.

"Finally, no more evening study sessions!" exclaimed one short-haired girl excitedly, arm in arm with her friend as they stepped out of the school.

"Yeah, who even invented these evening studies? They're exhausting..." her companion replied in agreement.

At Linqi No.1 High School, it was customary that from late March to early April, seniors preparing for their college entrance exams were exempted from evening study sessions, ostensibly to help them conserve their energy. The school even shifted morning study hours from 6:30 to 7:30 during this period.

Suddenly, the short-haired girl nudged her friend, gesturing toward a banyan tree nearby. "Hey, isn't that Song Jianli over there?"

Following her friend's gaze, the other girl's eyes lit up with surprise. "It really is him! Is he waiting for someone?"

Beneath the tree stood a tall young man with refined, sharply defined features, his beauty tinged with a subtle aloofness. He carried a bag slung over one shoulder, his school jacket unzipped to reveal a pristine white shirt underneath. One hand tucked casually into his pocket, he gazed calmly at the stream of students flowing out from the school gates, seemingly waiting.

It was no surprise they recognized Song Jianli; he was nearly a legendary figure at Linqi No.1 High, cherished by the school administration and the subject of two classic rumors.

First, during a major school exam, it was said that Song Jianli missed the Chinese test because he had been sent to compete in a city-level physics contest, yet he still managed to top the entire grade in overall scores (though this was merely gossip, as will be revealed).

Second, on another occasion, he supposedly only took one subject in the exam and was assigned to the last examination room for the retake. There, he single-handedly raised the average score of that room by a significant margin.

Of course, these stories became increasingly exaggerated over time, to the point that even Song Jianli found them baffling. How did such wild tales arise? Nonetheless, his outstanding academic record was undeniable, so the myths, however far-fetched, seemed plausible and only heightened his renown. Yet Song Jianli himself appeared reluctant to claim these stories—they were simply too unbelievable.

The two girls whispered back and forth, exchanging remarks, before boarding the bus crowded at the school gate.

Song Jianli waited patiently. His lips were beautifully shaped but usually pressed into a thin line, his expression cool and distant. Even when looking at others, his eyes held a faint, untroubled calm.

His tall, slender frame and exquisite features lent an air of bespoke elegance to the otherwise plain school uniform, prompting passersby to steal a second glance.

Suddenly, Song Jianli’s deep eyes narrowed as he pinpointed a boy who appeared both obedient and frail among the crowd.

The boy wore a black backpack and his uniform was neat. With his head bowed as he walked, his slightly long black hair obscured his delicate features, making it difficult to discern his full face.

Song Jianli took a long stride forward just as the boy was about to merge with the crowd boarding the bus. He reached out and pulled the boy close, speaking gently, “Lu Sansang, not looking where you’re going again?”

His voice was clear and warm, softly resonant with a slightly low, lingering tone, the faintest hint of admonishment in his words. “Not bumped into enough railings yet?”

The subtle fragrance of soapberry flowers drifted into the air as Lu Yu looked up, his confused eyes brightening momentarily before calling out, “Brother Jian.”

Song Jianli was far taller than Lu Yu. He lifted him effortlessly, as if handling a small chick, carrying him to a less crowded spot. Then, releasing him, he adjusted Lu Yu’s collar, a hint of reproach in his voice: “Didn’t we agree you’d go home with me tonight?”

Lu Yu was momentarily stunned, then seemed to snap back to reality. “I forgot…”

His tone was filled with apology. After all, Song Jianli had messaged him that day and even reminded him during break when delivering milk. Yet Lu Yu’s thoughts had been consumed by something else all day, naturally causing him to forget.

Song Jianli’s expression was one of resigned expectation as he sighed softly. “I knew it.”

“I’m sorry,” Lu Yu admitted honestly, his voice soft and gentle, a clear, well-modulated youthfulness that was soothing and sincere.

Song Jianli ruffled his soft hair, fingers threading through the strands, eliciting a ticklish sensation. “No need for apologies. Let’s go home.”

There was an unspoken affection in his tone that Lu Yu couldn’t quite perceive.

He reached out to hook Lu Yu’s backpack strap onto his own left shoulder alongside his bag. Lu Yu instinctively stood to Song Jianli’s right, and the two walked side by side toward home.

The senior evening study ended promptly at nine o’clock, not too late but not early either. Yet the city bustled with many people still rushing about to make a living.

Where there were schools, there were food streets, and Linqi No.1 High was no exception. Along the west gate road stretched an entire row of snack vendors, their enticing aromas wafting over as the two entered.

Lu Yu was a head shorter than Song Jianli and disliked standing upright while walking, making his slender figure and modest aura pale in comparison to Song Jianli’s broad shoulders and narrow waist.

But the moment Lu Yu lowered his head again, Song Jianli’s hand reached out to tug his collar. “Sansang.”

Lu Yu looked up, puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

“Look up, watch where you’re going,” Song Jianli said with a hint of sternness.

The evening breeze from the river lifted the stray strands from Lu Yu’s forehead, revealing his clear, handsome face with well-formed brows and bright, innocent eyes—truly a pleasant sight.

“Oh,” Lu Yu responded and complied.

“Good boy,” Song Jianli smiled, his eyes curving gently.

The enticing street food and vendors’ calls filled the air. Lu Yu, curious, asked, “Why did you suddenly want to walk home with me today?”

Usually, Song Jianli was picked up by family, unlike Lu Yu who commuted alone. Earlier, Song Jianli had insisted Lu Yu ride with him since their homes were nearby, making it convenient. But for some reason, Lu Yu refused to ride his car any longer. Song Jianli could not discover why, so he offered to accompany Lu Yu on foot, only to be met with rare irritation from the usually even-tempered Lu Yu.

Thus, Song Jianli had to yield.

He smiled softly, his lips pressed into a tender curve, the corners of his eyes crinkling warmly. “Because I really want to walk home with you, Lu Sansang.”

“Huh?” Lu Yu felt as if his heart had been tugged, pounding fiercely, his ears tingling with warmth.

Song Jianli quickly changed the subject with a smile. “Did you go to the hospital for your test results at noon? How did it go?”

Lu Yu had recently experienced difficulty breathing, occasional dizziness, and ringing in his ears, but attributed it to exam stress and had not paid much attention.

Yet Song Jianli had insisted on taking him for a checkup.

One diagnosis was gastritis; the other… well, Lu Yu had no intention of telling Song Jianli about that.

“It’s fine,” Lu Yu said slowly. “I told you it’s just stress, but you didn’t believe me.”

“Is that so?” Song Jianli squinted, leaning down to meet his eyes. His gaze shimmered like a jewel in a deep swamp, effortlessly piercing through Lu Yu’s facade. “Let me see the report.”

Lu Yu’s hand clenched behind his back, sweat beading on his brow. He averted his eyes and stammered, “I—I forgot to bring it.”

“Lu Sansang,” Song Jianli called out seriously. Lu Yu instinctively looked up, their eyes meeting. Lu Yu’s evasion was too obvious, and Song Jianli’s heart wrenched. This was it.

As expected, Song Jianli unflinchingly exposed him: “You’re lying.”

Song Jianli recognized the telltale signs in Lu Yu’s evasive glance.

“Brother Jian…” Lu Yu’s voice softened further, attempting to stall with a tone bordering on coaxing.

Song Jianli’s breath hitched, then he steadied himself and said firmly, “No coaxing, Lu Sansang.”

The road led toward the villa district, growing emptier with each step. Passing couples lingered under street lamps, reluctant to part.

Their conversation was so close it felt as though their breaths intertwined, making them indistinguishable from the young lovers nearby.

“I’m not coaxing,” Lu Yu muttered, perplexed by the term because he was merely feeling guilty.

“I just have a little illness…”

“What is it?” Song Jianli pressed, nearly chasing the answer.

Lu Yu sighed, lowering his head, then unzipped his backpack to retrieve a test report.

Unknown to Song Jianli, another report— the one Lu Yu sought to hide—lay concealed inside.

He handed the visible report to Song Jianli.

Without hesitation, Song Jianli scanned it rapidly and nearly disbelieved his eyes. “Gastritis?”

“Irregular meals, skipping breakfast for a long time?” Song Jianli’s voice dropped, tinged with displeasure. “So when I ask if you’ve eaten breakfast every day, you’re lying to me?”

Lu Yu hurriedly shook his head like a rattle, his smooth hair swinging. “I eat, I eat, just… not much.”

“Not much? Didn’t the housekeeper cook enough?” Song Jianli pressed further.

“It’s enough, it’s just me… I don’t want to eat because the exam is coming…” Lu Yu’s voice dwindled, sounding pitiful.

Song Jianli’s furrowed brows relaxed. “Haven’t I told you? The college entrance exam is just an ordinary test for you. With your grades, as long as you don’t fail, getting into a university is no problem.”

“But I, but I feel it’s not enough…” Lu Yu’s voice grew hoarse. He raised his head to meet Song Jianli’s gaze, who noticed Lu Yu’s eyes were already moist.

Sensing there was more beneath the surface, Song Jianli urged gently, “Sansang, be honest with me.”

“Did your family say something to you again?” Song Jianli knew Lu Yu well. Though prone to overthinking, it was always triggered by someone’s words.

Song Jianli’s gentle voice offered a profound sense of safety.

Lu Yu’s tears, once held back, now spilled freely. Unable to restrain himself, he buried his face in Song Jianli’s embrace, sobbing silently, “It’s, it’s Mom…”

In Song Jianli’s arms, Lu Yu poured out over a month’s worth of tears and burdens, crying like a wronged child.

Song Jianli comforted him softly. He thought of how hard he had worked to nurture Lu Yu’s confidence and optimism, only for a few words from the Lu family to undo months of progress.

Unseen by Lu Yu, Song Jianli frowned and bit his inner cheek.

He was truly displeased. He vowed to take Lu Yu away from that oppressive home as soon as possible.