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Winter break ended in the blink of an eye. Students packed up their homework and returned to school.
It was the start of the second semester of sophomore year.
Despite repeated bans from the education bureau, make-up classes resumed once the scrutiny died down.
This semester, the school added evening self-study sessions and Saturday classes.
In six months, when they became seniors, it would get worse—an extra hour of evening self-study and half-day Sunday classes.
It was brutal.
The sudden workload left everyone disoriented.
The accumulated coursework and extended hours cast a lethargic haze over the class.
Students slumped at their desks, heads propped up, looking perpetually half-asleep.
Zheng Yimian nudged Lin Zhan. “Zhanzhan, I think everyone’s sleep deprivation is catching up to yours.”
Lin Zhan lay sprawled across her desk, mumbling vocabulary from a notebook in a daze.
The abrupt weather change had given her a cold, leaving her head foggy and her words slurred.
After memorizing ten words, she sighed. “Ah... I want a Doraemon.”
Zheng Yimian leaned against the wall. “Shen Xi?”
Over time, Lin Zhan had repeatedly called Shen Xi her Doraemon.
Lin Zhan: “No, this time I mean the real Doraemon. I want a Memory Bread.”
Zheng Yimian: “A slice of non-whole wheat bread is very fattening.”
Her priorities were unique.
Lin Zhan rallied. “...Then I don’t want it.”
They were moved by their own logic.
Sun Hong interjected. “Stop dreaming. As if anyone’s giving you bread. Here, Qi Lijie, let me ask you something.”
Qi Lijie, unusually alert, perked up. “What?”
Sun Hong: “Say there’s an adorable, petite soft girl and a tall, aloof goddess.”
Qi Lijie: “And?”
Sun Hong: “...Why are you listening so seriously? What’s either of them got to do with you?”
Qi Lijie kicked his chair. “I pick the soft girl! Soft girl!”
After the commotion died down, Qi Lijie asked Lin Zhan, “How’s it going with Shen Xi? It’s been two months since school started.”
Lin Zhan lifted her eyelids. “Same as before. No progress.”
After their previous misunderstandings were resolved, their relationship seemed to hit a plateau.
More than friends, less than lovers.
No idea how to move forward.
Sun Hong: “What counts as progress?”
Lin Zhan: “At this point, only dating or Shen Xi confessing would count. Otherwise, we’re just good friends like us.”
“Confessing or dating?” Sun Hong pondered. “Then there might really be no progress.”
Lin Zhan: “Screw you. Don’t jinx it.”
Sun Hong: “Maybe you haven’t given him any signals? Like, maybe he’s waiting for you to show your feelings?”
Lin Zhan scoffed. “Everything I’ve done for the past six months screams my feelings. I might as well tattoo ‘Shen Xi’ on my forehead.”
Zheng Yimian chimed in. “I think you two might just need the right opportunity—the perfect atmosphere and setting. Then he’d probably confess.”
Lin Zhan posed a grim hypothetical. “What if he still doesn’t confess then?”
Silence fell over the four of them.
Lin Zhan: “...Someone say something.”
Qi Lijie: “If all conditions are perfect and the guy still doesn’t respond to a girl’s advances... then he probably just doesn’t like her...?”
Sun Hong switched to a respectful tone. “Sis Zhan, want to test it?”
“Don’t know,” Lin Zhan rubbed her temples. “We’ll see.”
Part of her felt they couldn’t stay like this, but another part feared that while this way she couldn’t have him, at least she wouldn’t lose him either.
What was it in The Little Prince?
To tame someone is to risk tears.
To test the waters meant facing potential awkwardness—maybe even losing the relationship they had now.
What a headache.
She clutched her head and decided to focus on memorizing vocabulary.
To tame English is to risk forgetting the words you just memorized.
________________________________________
After a grueling English class, Lin Zhan needed fresh air.
She leaned over the railing, looking down.
The campus trees were sprouting new buds.
Shen Xi emerged from the stairwell.
Lin Zhan waved lazily from the doorway before returning to the railing.
Shen Xi approached, reciting his standard line: “Don’t lean on that. It’s dirty.”
“Too late,” Lin Zhan didn’t move. “I’m already leaning.”
Shen Xi: “Then get up. I’ll wipe it clean.”
“Tch, I’ve already wiped it with my sleeve. I’ll just wash my clothes later.”
Shen Xi wiped it with a tissue—no dust.
“Guess you already cleaned it.”
“It wasn’t dirty to begin with. Not everyone’s as germaphobic as you,” Lin Zhan grumbled. “I’m the only one who puts up with you...”
Shen Xi noticed her nasal tone. “You have a cold?”
Lin Zhan pouted. “Seems like it. The weather changed, and a few classmates are sick too.”
Shen Xi: “Did you take medicine?”
Lin Zhan: “No. It’s too bitter.”
Her voice sounded even more congested now.
Shen Xi: “How long?”
Lin Zhan: “Three or four days.”
It had been mild at first but was worsening.
Without treatment, it would only get worse.
Shen Xi: “You need medicine.”
Lin Zhan wilted. “Powder or capsules?”
Shen Xi: “Powder.”
Lin Zhan recoiled. “I don’t want powder. It’s too bitter.”
Shen Xi raised a brow. “So you’d rather stay sick?”
The bell rang. Lin Zhan shooed him away. “Go back to class. I’ll buy some capsules.”
Not wanting to spread her germs, she kept her distance.
________________________________________
The next morning, new supplementary books arrived, and each class sent boys to fetch them.
Class 3 had only ten boys.
Someone called from the doorway, “Sis Zhan, wanna help carry?”
Lin Zhan rubbed her red nose, her voice thick. “Sure, wait up.”
The books were thick, and with so many classes, they’d been stored in an abandoned classroom.
The room, once used for performances, had tangled wires and wooden planks piled in a corner.
Lin Zhan: “Where’s our class’s stuff?”
Someone pointed. “English books are over there. Says ‘Class 3.’”
Lin Zhan: “There are four subjects, right? I’ll start with English.”
Navigating the wires carefully to avoid tripping, she found their books and knelt to count them.
A girl entered—tall and sturdy, likely strong.
The girl crouched beside her, counting her own class’s books, and glanced at Lin Zhan. “Need help carrying?”
Huh. Contrast. This powerhouse has such a delicate voice.
Lin Zhan smiled. “No thanks. I can manage.”
The girl persisted. “Your class’s boys are something, sending someone like you. I thought only people like me got drafted for this.”
As she spoke, she stood, lifting ten thick books.
“So heavy...”
Lin Zhan straightened, hefting seventeen.
The girl gasped. “Wow, you can carry that?!”
Lin Zhan grinned. “Yep.”
If not for the books blocking her view, she could’ve carried more.
“You’re so strong for someone so petite...” The girl marveled as they walked, struggling to steady her stack while talking.
Distracted, she didn’t notice the wires underfoot and tripped.
The tangled wires yanked a wooden plank, which wobbled ominously.
The girl froze, squeezing her eyes shut.
“Shit!”
Lin Zhan rushed forward, bracing the plank with her leg and pushing it back with her elbow.
“Careful.”
The girl stared at the plank, shaken.
“Damn, scared me to death. Thought I was gonna get crushed.”
Lin Zhan: “Watch the wires.”
As they stepped out, the girl exclaimed, “Your arm’s bleeding!”
Lin Zhan glanced at the shallow cut—likely from the plank. “It’s nothing. Just a scratch.”
The girl apologized profusely.
Lin Zhan shook her head. “Really, it’s fine. Doesn’t even need a bandage.”
It was no worse than bumping into furniture.
But the girl, guilt-ridden, kept apologizing.
Class 1’s boys arrived to collect their books.
Shen Xi, passing by, saw the girl fussing over Lin Zhan’s injury.
________________________________________
Back in class, the boys distributed the books.
Lin Zhan rinsed her cut and left it at that.
The girl from earlier brought her a yogurt as an apology.
Lin Zhan peeled open the carton and drank.
During self-study, Shen Xi messaged:
[Heard you got hurt?]
Lin Zhan bit the carton’s edge. She deleted “Not serious” and typed:
[Yes, very serious. Dying T^T]
She didn’t expect him to believe it—if it were life-threatening, she’d be in surgery, not texting.
Shen Xi recalled Lin Zhan effortlessly carrying a stack of books earlier.
...Very serious? Dying?
He decided to humor her.
[Then rest well.]
Lin Zhan: [Was already upset.]
Shen Xi: [Hm?]
Lin Zhan: [Your ‘concern’ made it worse. Why didn’t you tell me to drink hot water?]
Shen Xi smiled.
Five minutes later:
[Drink more hot water.]
Lin Zhan grinned around the carton.
She typed rapidly: [Not bad. You’re learning to match my humor. Keep it up—next time, create a joke for me.]
Zheng Yimian side-eyed her. “Lin Zhan, you look like a creep right now.”
Lin Zhan licked her lips, savoring the strawberry yogurt. “This cutie is a soft girl.”
Zheng Yimian: “...”
Huang Chen entered.
Today wasn’t a good day.
Lin Zhan confirmed this when she saw his grim expression.
Assuming he’d come to confiscate her phone, she shoved it deeper into her desk.
Her fingers absently tapped the yogurt carton.
Then she grabbed a pen, pretending to work.
Huang Chen: “No evening self-study tonight. Go home early to paint.”
With that, he left as abruptly as he’d arrived.
...That’s why he’s mad?
The class buzzed.
“Why no self-study?”
“Education bureau inspection. Can’t hold classes.”
“Then why’s Old Huang so stern?”
“Probably worried we’ll slack off at home, haha.”
Huang Chen knew them too well.
After class, Sun Hong approached.
“You two, wanna hang out after school?”
Zheng Yimian declined. “Too tired.”
Sun Hong: “Let’s paint at a café. I’m sick of home.”
Lin Zhan raised a brow. “You’ve had an epiphany?”
Sun Hong grinned. “Joint exams are coming. I’m panicking.”
Lin Zhan shrugged. “Sure, I’m in. Just us?”
Sun Hong: “Yeah, just us.”
Zheng Yimian went home, leaving the three of them at the café.
Lin Zhan had just settled in when Shen Xi called.
Puzzled, she answered. “What’s up?”
Shen Xi got straight to the point. “Where are you?”
Lin Zhan adjusted her sketchboard, phone wedged between her shoulder and ear. “A café.”
Shen Xi stood outside Class 3’s empty room. “Address.”
Lin Zhan smiled. “Coming to find me?”
Shen Xi: “Bringing you medicine.”
Her nasal tone was worse—she hadn’t taken the pills.
Lin Zhan hesitated. “Is it bitter?”
After a pause, Shen Xi answered honestly.
“Yes, but you’ll recover faster.”
Lin Zhan grimaced. “Then don’t come.”
Joking aside, she gave him the address.
“Bring candy.”
Shen Xi: “...Eat less sugar.”
Lin Zhan pouted and hung up, complaining to the others.
“Whoever marries Shen Xi is doomed. Eighteen going on forty.”
Sun Hong and Qi Lijie gave her a look.
Lin Zhan backtracked. “—If not me, then who? Right?”
Qi Lijie’s eye twitched. “Our Zhan, so self-sacrificing.”
Lin Zhan sipped her coffee. “I do my best.”
Sun Hong watched her sketch. “Haven’t seen you paint lately. Your last piece was great.”
Lin Zhan: “No inspiration. When I don’t paint for a while, it hits me suddenly. Maybe tomorrow I’ll finish the one I started when I met Shen Xi.”
________________________________________
Anticipating Shen Xi’s arrival, Sun Hong and Qi Lijie tactfully moved to another table.
Lin Zhan plotted how to avoid the medicine.
Shen Xi ordered coffee and set Lin Zhan’s medicine on the table.
The smell alone made her recoil.
The café owner had kindly prepared it in a glass.
Lin Zhan cursed inwardly—otherwise, she wouldn’t have to face this murky brown liquid.
Shen Xi pushed the cup toward her.
Lin Zhan wrinkled her nose. “Smells awful...”
Her disgust was palpable.
Shen Xi laughed.
“Medicine isn’t supposed to taste good.”
Lin Zhan bargained. “I took capsules yesterday...”
Shen Xi: “They didn’t work.”
Lin Zhan: “...”
True.
Shen Xi urged, “Drink it before it cools.”
Lin Zhan made a last-ditch effort. “My hand’s injured. See? My right hand’s useless now. So painful.”
Thankfully, Zheng Yimian had insisted on a large bandage.
It looked convincing.
Shen Xi nodded sympathetically. “Then what do you want to do?”
“I don’t want to drink it.”
Lin Zhan played her card. “Unless someone feeds me. How can a disabled person drink alone?”
She knew she’d have to drink it eventually but wanted to stall.
She’d never smelled anything so bitter.
Maybe Shen Xi would add sugar. Maybe he’d give her candy afterward.
It was the classic tactic of making extreme demands so the other party would compromise.
Lin Zhan prided herself on her strategic brilliance.
Sure enough, Shen Xi stood.
Shen Xi disappeared.
Lin Zhan couldn’t believe her three-percent effort had driven him away.
He returned shortly, holding something.
Shen Xi: “What did you say earlier?”
Testing her resolve.
Lin Zhan held firm. “Unless someone feeds me, I won’t...”
“Okay.” Shen Xi picked up the cup, stirred it with a spoon, and lifted a spoonful to her lips.
“Open up.”
……
…………
………………
Lin Zhan’s mind short-circuited.
She wasn’t prepared.
Why hadn’t he compromised with “Drink it, and I’ll give you candy”?
Her internal drama reached its climax.
When she didn’t move, Shen Xi nudged the spoon against her lips.
The liquid touched her mouth.
It tickled.
With her defenses breached, she had no choice but to open up.
The warm liquid slid in. She tasted nothing, only aware of the spoon lightly clinking against her teeth.
Her gaze flickered to Shen Xi’s face.
His expression was normal—except for the faint pink at the tips of his ears.
Beneath his lashes, something deeper flickered.
Flustered, Lin Zhan looked away, her teeth clamping down.
“Lin Zhan,” Shen Xi said softly, “...don’t bite.”
A beat.
“The spoon.”
Lin Zhan: “...”
She released it.
……
Post-meltdown, Lin Zhan regained her senses.
She snatched the cup from Shen Xi. “I’ll drink it myself.”
Shen Xi’s hand closed around air.
The unspoken tension thickened, the air stifling.
Time slowed. The café’s music faded. Voices blurred into the background.
As if only the two of them existed.
Shen Xi watched Lin Zhan swallow, her throat bobbing, her eyes darting.
When the last drop was gone, she lowered her head and set the cup down.
Before she could exhale, before the bitterness fully registered, something round was slipped into her mouth.
Lin Zhan made a muffled sound of protest.
Shen Xi said, “Candy.”
She stilled.
Only then did she dare to taste it.
Sweet, but not cloying.
Matcha’s fragrance masked the medicine’s bitterness.
It was UHA’s matcha hard candy.
She’d expected a compromise.
Instead, he’d fulfilled her smallest wish—and her wildest fantasy.
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