7. Incomprehension

Senior year physical education classes were the most relaxed—most of the time, running two laps meant free time afterward. No matter how much academic knowledge the PE teacher had, it wasn’t applied to this group of seniors.

The sun blazed fiercely, wilting the green leaves under its heat. A stray cat dozed in the shadow of the flowerbed, while the cicadas’ cries stirred the air into a restless haze.

Once the line dispersed, everyone scrambled for shade or teamed up to buy ice-cold water from the store.

Except for the basketball enthusiasts.

Rain or shine, if there was no class, the basketball court was always where they could be found.

After completing two laps around the track, Lu Yu was so exhausted he was gasping for air. But before he could find a quiet spot to rest, a tall figure suddenly appeared before him, prompting him to instinctively take a half step back.

Looking up, he saw Zhou Mingze approaching with an unfriendly expression, and Lu Yu’s face drained of color instantly.

“Hey, come with me for a moment,” Zhou Mingze said, raising his eyebrows with a tone that brooked no refusal.

Lu Yu noticed Zhou was leading him toward the abandoned laboratory building. Suddenly, various news reports about campus bullying flooded his mind. His legs weakened, and dread filled his heart.

Zhou Mingze was sturdy and strong; Lu Yu was certain a single punch could kill him.

So he weakly asked in a breathless voice, “What for?”

“Just come with me, why ask so much?” Zhou Mingze was concerned about his reputation and refused to show any kindness in front of the crowd. Even if his apology was forced, smiling kindly at Lu Yu was beyond difficult for the young master Zhou.

But his stern words only fueled wild speculation, and even the onlookers couldn’t help but worry for Lu Yu.

Terrified, Lu Yu shook his head vigorously, his entire face pleading refusal. “No, I won’t go.”

“You won’t? Are you scared I’m going to eat you?” Zhou Mingze thought, feeling he had lowered his pride enough, yet the other party showed no gratitude.

Lu Yu’s pale face was due to fear.

Luckily, Zhou Mingze wasn’t a cannibal; otherwise, Lu Yu would have been genuinely convinced he was about to be devoured.

“If it’s about this morning’s incident, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have cried, but I couldn’t stop the tears. I didn’t know Teacher Wei would show up then…” Lu Yu tried to keep his voice steady.

But his trembling betrayed him; he was genuinely afraid of Zhou Mingze.

“Anyway, I’m sorry.” After speaking, Lu Yu bowed deeply to Zhou Mingze.

Zhou Mingze fell silent: …

What was going on?

Wasn’t he here to apologize?

Then why did it feel like Lu Yu was apologizing?

No, that couldn’t be right.

Shaking his head, Zhou Mingze said, “No, Lu Yu, you…”

“That’s all. I’ve apologized. Sorry, I’m leaving now.” Without waiting for Zhou’s response, Lu Yu fled without looking back.

By the time Zhou Mingze reacted and reached out to grab his arm, Lu Yu was already far away. His fingertips barely brushed Lu Yu’s white shirt, and the unique, faint fragrance clung to the spot.

Lu Yu’s figure was so fragile, like a white sheet of paper about to be blown away by the wind. His running could only be described as a panicked escape.

Zhou Mingze’s throat tightened unexpectedly.

He was rebellious, yes, but only in skipping class and defying authority. He had a sense of right and wrong.

He didn’t believe he was at fault, but he knew Lu Yu was innocent.

Yet the innocent one apologized out of fear.

That was not how it should be.

A strange bitterness welled up inside Zhou Mingze. His family and the Lu family had some acquaintance, and he knew Lu Yu’s situation well. Lu Chengming rarely brought Lu Yu to social gatherings.

Many in their circle didn’t even know Lu Chengming had such a son.

Suddenly, Zhou felt pity for Lu Yu and realized perhaps he had indeed been too harsh.

——

Lu Yu jogged all the way to the flowerbed by the gym entrance, finally leaning against a sturdy tree trunk, panting heavily. Seeing Zhou Mingze hadn’t followed him, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He never wanted to get involved with him, and now that he’d calmed down, Lu Yu began to resent himself for crying earlier that morning.

What should he do?

Zhou Mingze certainly wouldn’t let this go easily.

Lu Yu felt utterly drained, like a flower parched under the scorching sun.

“Sang Sang.” A familiar voice called from behind.

Startled, Lu Yu turned—only one person called him by that name.

It was Song Jianli; no surprise there.

“Brother Jian?” Lu Yu’s tense face relaxed, his eyes curved into a smile, and the melancholy that clung to his brow vanished instantly.

Noticing the fine sweat on Lu Yu’s face, Song Jianli asked, “Why are you sweating so much?”

Lu Yu shook his head and fanned himself. “Just ran two laps. So tired.”

His fair cheeks were flushed pink from the heat.

“Here, wipe your sweat.” Song Jianli pulled a tissue from his pocket and handed it to Lu Yu.

Lu Yu took it with both hands. “Thanks, Brother Jian.”

He carefully dabbed the sweat from his temple. The tissue, like its owner, carried a faint, pleasant scent.

Lu Yu leaned in to smell it and couldn’t help but say, “Brother Jian, you smell nice.”

Song Jianli suddenly chuckled. “Come on, come with me to the store to buy a bottle of water.”

Lu Yu didn’t know why Song Jianli smiled suddenly, but when he heard the invitation, he readily agreed. “Sure.”

For some reason, Song Jianli’s presence reassured him, and he pushed thoughts of Zhou Mingze to the back of his mind.

“Brother Jian, don’t you have class now?” Though happy to see Song Jianli, Lu Yu wondered how he ended up here.

The glaring sun shone directly on Lu Yu’s face, and he shielded his eyes with one hand.

Song Jianli put his arm around Lu Yu’s shoulder, guiding him from his left side to the right before speaking, “I skipped class. Believe it or not?”

Lu Yu lowered his hand, instantly shaking his head. “Don’t believe it.”

“Really trust me that much?” Song Jianli grinned, his tone lifting with amusement.

Lu Yu nodded seriously. “Of course.”

Song Jianli explained, “The teacher was absent this period. It’s a self-study class. I took a break to clear my head.”

“Oh, I see.” Lu Yu understood. “Brother Jian, are you unhappy?”

“Why do you ask that?” Song Jianli looked puzzled.

“Because I figure you probably don’t stress about studying, so if you’re out just to relax, maybe you’re feeling down,” Lu Yu said.

Song Jianli ruffled Lu Yu’s soft short hair, the faint scent of shampoo lingering as his fingers passed through. “I just wanted to get some fresh air. Don’t overthink it, little head.”

“Okay.” Lu Yu nodded firmly.

They walked side by side toward the store. Lu Yu kept his head lowered and was completely enveloped in Song Jianli’s taller shadow.

Every step he took fell within Song Jianli’s silhouette.

The summer breeze was sticky, cicadas cried continuously, sunlight filtered through the branches, breaking into scattered patches of light. From the playground came the sounds of students playing.

“Sang Sang, are you free tomorrow afternoon?” Song Jianli glanced sideways at Lu Yu.

They were in the shade now, and Lu Yu instinctively lowered his head, fingers brushing aside the stray hairs hiding the scar on his temple.

“Tomorrow afternoon?” It was Saturday.

Lu Yu thought for a moment before nodding. “I’m free all day tomorrow.”

Knowing Song Jianli wouldn’t ask without reason, Lu Yu added, “Brother Jian, is there something you want to do?”

This time Song Jianli looked puzzled. “Free all day? Don’t you have to deliver lunch to your older brother during the holidays?”

No wonder Song Jianli was surprised. For years, whenever there was a holiday, Lu Yu would deliver a lunchbox to Lu Jinlü at his company every noon.

It had never stopped, so if Song Jianli wanted to hang out with Lu Yu, it could only be after the delivery.

That was why he asked about Lu Yu’s availability tomorrow afternoon.

But Lu Yu said he was free the entire day.

“Eh?” Lu Yu blinked at him.

Song Jianli stared straight into his eyes without averting his gaze.

Curling his fist to his lips, Lu Yu coughed lightly to avoid eye contact. “Cough, cough, I don’t have to go tomorrow. My brother said I don’t need to deliver anymore.”

If Song Jianli hadn’t mentioned it, Lu Yu wouldn’t have realized that delivering lunch was part of his holiday routine.

Looking back, he found it strange. His older brother clearly didn’t like him, so why did he keep running to him?

Lu Jinlü never explicitly said not to deliver lunch anymore. But at this moment, Lu Yu decided he wouldn’t go anymore. He didn’t believe this task was assigned by his brother—it was probably something he voluntarily did to please him.

Besides, with so many people in the villa, surely someone else was more suitable.

“Is that so? Well, that’s a good thing,” Song Jianli smiled warmly. “So, Sang Sang, you can give me all your time tomorrow, right?”

A blush colored Lu Yu’s ear. Whether from the heat or something else, his eyes sparkled brightly. “Sure! Where are we going?”

“I’ll take you to the beach. Qingming Festival is coming soon. I’m worried it’ll be crowded, and it won’t be fun if we go then,” Song Jianli said.

“Great! I’ve been wanting to go to the beach,” Lu Yu’s excitement showed in his innocent smile. “Brother Jian, you don’t know—I was planning to go these days but forgot because I was too busy.”

Song Jianli smiled faintly. “What a coincidence.”

“Yeah, really coincidental.” Lu Yu agreed.

They entered the supermarket, one after the other, Song Jianli following behind Lu Yu.

How could he not know Lu Yu wanted to go to the beach? One night, Lu Yu’s social media liked over ten videos of the ocean in one sitting.

They each picked up a bottle of ice water and left the store. Song Jianli tapped the bottle in Lu Yu’s hand and said, “Put it down for a bit. That water is too cold.”

“But it’s so hot. Drinking something cold is fine, right, Brother Jian?” Lu Yu pouted.

“Pouting won’t help,” Song Jianli said sternly. “Maybe you forgot your own constitution.”

Lu Yu’s health was okay when he was very young, but after a certain incident, his constitution suddenly deteriorated. No matter how much medicine he took, it didn’t improve.

Sometimes, just a breeze, getting caught in rain, or a scare would lead to severe illness.

“You always say I’m pouting, but I’m not…” Lu Yu tried to defend himself.

Song Jianli’s heart raced at the denial. Such a little tease.

“Alright, alright, no more,” Song Jianli said, taking the cold bottle from Lu Yu and handing him his own. “Drink mine. Mine’s not cold.” He gave Lu Yu no chance to refuse.

Knowing Song Jianli meant well, Lu Yu didn’t refuse. Having just eaten mint candy, he was a little thirsty, so he twisted off the cap and took a big gulp.

He drank with his head tilted back, his Adam’s apple moving up and down.

Watching Lu Yu’s trembling eyelashes, Song Jianli felt an unexpected thirst rise within himself.