MC - Chapter 4

Shen Mingjin held a deck of playing cards and interacted with the guests below. Years had passed, and his magic tricks had become more advanced, his performances more composed. In such settings, he was like a fish in water, completely at ease.

Zhang Rufan kept glancing at the ceremony stage, barely touching the dishes on the table. Cheng Yi looked up at her and couldn’t help but ask, “Since when have you been interested in magic?”

“…Just now.”

Cheng Yi assumed Zhang Rufan just found the wedding banquet boring and didn’t think much of it—certainly not that she had any interest in Shen Mingjin. In all the years they’d known each other, Cheng Yi had never seen Zhang Rufan show interest in any member of the opposite gender.

Exclamations of amazement erupted sporadically in the banquet hall. Shen Mingjin’s magic successfully livened up the atmosphere, drawing the attention of most attendees. Some even rushed to the front row to record videos—mostly young women.

“Shen Mingjin is still as charming as he was in school. I thought after his accident, since he couldn’t pursue sports anymore, he’d be more downcast. But now it seems he’s as carefree as ever,” Liu Ziyue chimed in.

Cheng Yi looked at her in surprise. “What accident?”

Zhang Rufan also turned her gaze to Liu Ziyue, listening intently.

“Shen Mingjin was a sports recruit in high school, a runner. Later, he went to a sports university. I heard he got injured in an accident a couple of years ago—pretty seriously, even went abroad for treatment.” Liu Ziyue pursed her lips. “I don’t know the details, but he’s not running anymore.”

Cheng Yi asked, “If he’s not doing sports, what’s he doing now?”

Liu Ziyue shrugged. “No idea. We lost touch after graduation. He never mentioned anything about himself in the class group. I only heard about his injury by chance.”

Zhang Rufan turned back to look at the stage. Shen Mingjin had finished his performance and was smiling as he bowed like a gentleman to the guests below. His expression was bright, without a trace of gloom, nothing like someone who had suffered a setback. She couldn’t help but doubt the accuracy of Liu Ziyue’s hearsay.

After Shen Mingjin left the stage, a band came up to sing celebratory songs. The atmosphere grew livelier, almost like a live concert. Some young guests even volunteered to perform. Perhaps caught up in the mood, a few high school classmates from the first table suggested singing their alma mater’s song for Xie Yiwei.

Cheng Yi was eager to join. She looked at Zhang Rufan. “Xiao Fan, wanna go?”

Zhang Rufan shook her head. She never participated in such activities, and she couldn’t even hum the tune of the high school song anymore.

“Then stay here. I’ll go join the fun.”

“Okay.”

Most of the No. 1 High School alumni had already gone onstage, leaving only a few scattered people at the first three tables. Zhang Rufan saw Sun Xiaoxiao seize the chance to leave the banquet hall. Her table now had only herself and one male classmate—if she remembered correctly, his name was Du Sheng.

After Cheng Yi and Liu Ziyue went onstage, Du Sheng moved to sit beside Zhang Rufan and greeted her, “Hey.”

Zhang Rufan instinctively straightened her posture and replied stiffly, “Hello.”

“Rufan, do you remember me?” Du Sheng said. “We even attended the same tutoring class before.”

Zhang Rufan wasn’t used to unfamiliar people calling her by her given name. She pressed her lips together and nodded.

“You’ve changed so much. I almost didn’t recognize you earlier.”

Zhang Rufan didn’t know how to respond, so she stayed silent. But Du Sheng didn’t let the conversation end there. He continued, “I just heard from Cheng Yi that you went to university in Qingcheng?”

“Yeah.”

“Qingcheng’s a great place. I go there often for work. If I’d known you were there, I could’ve looked you up to catch up.”

Zhang Rufan and Du Sheng were just ordinary classmates—not even casual friends. She didn’t know what kind of “catching up” they could possibly even do.

“Are you going back to Qingcheng after National Day?”

“No, I’m not going back.”

“Staying in Shangjing?”

“Yeah.”

Du Sheng smiled. “Nothing beats home, huh?”

Zhang Rufan didn’t reply.

“Have you settled on a job in the capital?”

“Yes.”

“Which company?”

Zhang Rufan didn’t like sharing personal details, but since Du Sheng asked, she had to answer. “OW.”

“At a mall? Doing what?”

“Planning.”

“Mall planning sounds good.” Du Sheng took out his phone and said enthusiastically, “Let’s add each other on WeChat. I work at an ad agency now—maybe we can collaborate on projects in the future. Now that you’re back in the capital, we can meet up sometime for a meal.”

Zhang Rufan hesitated. She hadn’t brought her work phone today. If Du Sheng wanted to add her, she’d have to use her personal account.

Though she had no romantic experience, she’d gained a bit of attention from men in recent years, with a few pursuing her. She wasn’t stupid—she could see Du Sheng’s ulterior motives. Honestly, she wasn’t keen on further contact with him.

Still, they were classmates. Zhang Rufan couldn’t outright refuse. Just as she lowered her head to retrieve her phone from her bag, someone suddenly called out, “‘Five of Diamonds’… Du Sheng, come up and sing with us.”

Zhang Rufan turned at the sound and saw Shen Mingjin walking toward their table.

Du Sheng said, “We’ve graduated—why are you still calling me that? I don’t remember the school song.”

“Stop pretending. You led the choir in the high school song competition. No one knows it better than you.”

“I really forgot.”

“It hasn’t been that many years—once the music starts, it’ll all come back to you. Come on, get up there. Don’t try to slack off, or I’ll make you sing a solo later… How about Jay Chou’s ‘What Kind of Man’?”

Seeing he couldn’t dodge it, Du Sheng reluctantly put away his phone and stood up, grumbling, “You’re my damn nemesis. Even after graduation, I’m still at your mercy.”

Shen Mingjin raised an eyebrow with a playful grin. “What can I say? I’m the man you were destined to never get away from.”

“Piss off!”

Shen Mingjin glanced briefly at Zhang Rufan, then slung an arm around Du Sheng’s shoulders and steered him onto the stage.

Zhang Rufan exhaled softly, her gaze lingering on Shen Mingjin’s retreating figure.

The classmates onstage stood in rows, singing along to the music. The school song instantly transformed the wedding into a high school talent show. Zhang Rufan hadn’t heard the song since graduation and thought she’d long forgotten it, yet the moment the prelude played, a sense of familiarity washed over her.

After the song ended, the group descended from the stage, and the atmosphere among the classmates grew even warmer. A while later, Xie Yiwei arrived with his new wife to toast the guests, Shen Mingjin in tow. They started with the first table, spending a long time chatting at each one. By the time they reached the third table, twenty minutes had passed.

Xie Yiwei walked over to Du Sheng with a glass in hand, clapping him on the shoulder. “Du Sheng, you’re still the lead singer, huh? You were the most enthusiastic just now.”

He then looked at Liu Ziyue and clicked his tongue. “Liu Ziyue, is your face even rounder than in high school?”

Liu Ziyue rolled her eyes. “Class monitor, pot calling the kettle black. We’re about the same.”

“It’s happy weight,” Xie Yiwei laughed. He glanced at Cheng Yi beside her and raised his glass. “Cheng Yi, you’ve gotten even more beautiful.”

“Thanks, class monitor.” Cheng Yi smiled and stood, raising her glass. “Wishing you a joyful marriage, lasting harmony, and a baby on the way. Hope you and your lovely bride enjoy a wonderful life together.”

“Well said.” Xie Yiwei tossed back the drink, then turned slightly to signal Shen Mingjin for a refill.

His eyes drifted to the person sitting next to Cheng Yi, and his expression suddenly turned puzzled.

This wasn’t the first time today Zhang Rufan had been scrutinized like this. Even so, she felt slightly awkward. Steeling herself, she stood up, about to raise her glass and offer a blessing to move past the awkwardness, when Shen Mingjin suddenly called her name.

“Zhang Rufan,” Shen Mingjin reminded Xie Yiwei.

Zhang Rufan froze, lifting her head to meet Shen Mingjin’s gaze.

She hadn’t expected him to remember her—to recognize her. Aside from Cheng Yi, he was the only high school classmate who had.

Xie Yiwei thought for a moment, then exclaimed, “You’re Zhang Rufan?”

Zhang Rufan snapped out of it and nodded stiffly.

“Wow, I really didn’t recognize you. You’ve changed so much.”

Even though this was the phrase she’d heard most today, Zhang Rufan still didn’t know how to respond. She could only press her lips together in a dry smile.

“I remember you vividly.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah—once, you came to school late, and the homeroom teacher made you perform something as punishment. You went right up and did a full set of military boxing,” Xie Yiwei said, throwing a playful punch. “It was spot on—perfect form. Right, Mingjin? You even said she looked kind of silly doing it.”

Zhang Rufan looked at Shen Mingjin. He coughed into his fist. “Did I? I don’t remember.”

Xie Yiwei had only exchanged brief greetings with Liu Ziyue and Cheng Yi, yet for some reason, he couldn’t stop talking to Zhang Rufan, the conversation revolving entirely around her—even though she’d been inconspicuous in school.

“Do you still run in the mornings?”

Zhang Rufan hadn’t expected this question. She paused, then nodded. “On my days off, yes.”

“You’re so disciplined. Even in high school, I often saw you running on the school track early in the morning—more diligent than Mingjin and the other sports recruits.” Xie Yiwei glanced back at Shen Mingjin. “You remember this, right? You’d see her during morning training.”

Shen Mingjin had no choice but to look at Zhang Rufan. He nodded. “Yeah.”

Zhang Rufan, however, had no memory of this. She knew the sports recruits trained early and had seen them warming up on the track, but she’d always been too focused on her own running to notice others—let alone that Shen Mingjin was among them.

“Hey, Mingjin, I remember you once invited her to join the track and field club.” Xie Yiwei’s gaze shifted from Shen Mingjin to Zhang Rufan. “Did you say yes?”

The question jogged Zhang Rufan’s memory—there had indeed been such an incident.

Shortly after the class reshuffle in their second year of high school, the autumn sports meet took place—the first group activity for the new class. As the sports committee member, Shen Mingjin was responsible for encouraging everyone to participate. Back then, Zhang Rufan hadn’t understood why he’d approached her. Now, it made sense—he’d probably seen her running every morning and wanted her to sign up for long-distance races.

At first, when Shen Mingjin showed up with the sign-up sheet, Zhang Rufan refused immediately. But he didn’t give up. He approached her repeatedly, wearing her down with persistence. Even after multiple rejections, he grew more determined, seizing every chance to bring it up. Eventually, worn down, she reluctantly agreed.

She signed up for two events—the 800-meter and 1500-meter races—and placed in both. Shen Mingjin was thrilled, treating her like a prized racehorse. After the sports meet, he invited her to join the school’s track and field club. At the time, she had no interest in clubs and refused without hesitation.

“She didn’t agree,” Shen Mingjin answered for her, his expression and tone neutral.

Xie Yiwei was about to say more when Shen Mingjin murmured, “Time to toast the elders.”

“Alright, got it.” Xie Yiwei, reluctantly cutting short his chatter, shook his head regretfully. Finally, he raised his glass to all the classmates. “We shared a classroom once. Thank you for coming to my wedding. Let’s find time for a proper reunion later.”

After the toasts, the wedding neared its end. Some classmates made plans to gather elsewhere afterward. Cheng Yi asked for Zhang Rufan’s thoughts, but after a moment’s consideration, she declined. After all, she hadn’t come today to reminisce with old classmates.

Once the wedding concluded, the guests dispersed. Xie Yiwei, having drunk too much, was helped away to rest. The groomsmen and bridesmaids saw everyone off at the banquet hall entrance—Shen Mingjin among them.

Perhaps due to the alcohol, his face was slightly flushed, but he remained composed. When girls approached to chat, he responded with ease.

Zhang Rufan paused at the doorway. There were things she wanted to ask Shen Mingjin, but she knew this wasn’t the right moment. She couldn’t bring herself to initiate a conversation like those girls, let alone ask him about the letter in public.

Shen Mingjin looked up, meeting her gaze. He nodded politely and said, “Take care on your way back.”

Zhang Rufan pressed her lips together and nodded back.

Outside the hotel, Zhang Rufan and Cheng Yi said goodbye to some old classmates. Just as they were about to leave, Du Sheng caught up. This time, Zhang Rufan had no choice but to add him on WeChat.

After Du Sheng left, Cheng Yi winked at Zhang Rufan and teased, “See? Told you an old classmate would show interest… Do you think Du Sheng liked you back in school?”

As Cheng Yi talked about Du Sheng, Zhang Rufan’s thoughts drifted to Shen Mingjin. Gripping her phone, she pondered for a moment before suddenly saying, “Add me to the class group chat.”

1. 山间珊瑚 (Shānjiān Shānhú) – "Mountain Coral" is the title of the novel.

2. 体特生 (tǐ tè shēng) – "Sports recruit" a student admitted to a school primarily for athletic talent.

3. 军体拳 (jūn tǐ quán) – "Military-style boxing" is a standardized form of martial arts often taught in Chinese schools or military training.

4. 校歌 (xiào gē) – "School song" is an alma mater anthem representing school spirit.

5. 企划 (qǐ huà) – "Planning" (corporate/business) refers to strategic or project planning, often in marketing or management roles.

6. 方块五 (Fāngkuài Wǔ) – "Five of Diamonds" is a playful nickname for Du Sheng, referencing the playing card suit.

7. 幸福肥 (xìngfú féi) – "Happy weight," a humorous term for weight gain due to contentment.

8. 班嫂 (bān sǎo) – "Classmate’s wife," a colloquial term for the wife of a male classmate.

9. 伯乐 (Bólè) – A legendary horse-tamer in Chinese lore; metaphorically refers to someone who recognizes talent (like Shen Mingjin seeing Zhang Rufan’s running potential).

10. 千里马 (qiānlǐ mǎ) – "Thousand-mile horse"; symbolizes exceptional talent 

11. 醉翁之意 (zuì wēng zhī yì) – Idiom: "The drinker’s heart is not in the cup" (Du Sheng’s ulterior motives in chatting up Zhang Rufan).

12. LIVE现场 (LIVE xiànchǎng) – "Live concert atmosphere" describes the wedding’s energetic vibe.

Characters

章入凡 (Zhāng Rùfán) – The protagonist.

章胜义 (Zhāng Shèngyì) – Zhang Rufan’s father. 

李惠淑 (Lǐ Huìshū) – Zhang Rufan’s stepmother ("惠姨 Huìyí").

章梓橦 (Zhāng Zǐtóng) – Rufan’s much younger half-sister (~18 years age gap). 

章胜嫔 (Zhāng Shèngpín) – Rufan’s aunt (father’s sister). 

程怡 (Chéng Yí) – Rufan’s close friend from middle school. 

谢易韦 (Xiè Yìwéi) – High school class monitor who is getting married, prompting the reunion.

沈明津 (Shěn Míngjīn) – Mystery person who left a love letter for Rufan in her copy of Anne of Green Gables.

Sevyn here ~~~

Of course, Shen Mingjin remembers!!