Xu Si often stared at Jiang Qiang’s back of head, occasionally meeting her gaze when she turned back to check her homework. He would casually look away, then continue staring after she turned back around.
The class still rarely saw Xu Si. The two of them were like intersecting lines, growing further and further apart after their brief intersection.
Whether intersecting or parallel, both were imperfect relationships, both regrettable. Some might want to be intersecting lines – though they separate after briefly meeting, at least they had a good moment together. Others might prefer to be parallel lines, maintaining a constant distance, never meeting.
February 22nd. Monday. Xu Si arrived late and was caught by He Guoshi waiting at the door.
He crossed his arms looking at Xu Si: “Remember we have flag raising? Want to check what time it is?”
“Seven thirty and some seconds.”
“You’re late even by one second.” He Guoshi pushed up his glasses: “And you’re not wearing your uniform.”
“It’s being washed.”
He Guoshi glanced at him: “Who are you trying to fool? Why don’t you wash yourself? Spin yourself in the washing machine a few times, see if it knocks some sense into your head.”
Xu Si stayed silent.
He Guoshi checked his watch – almost time for his speech: “I’ll let you off just this once. Wear your uniform next time.”
“Okay.”
It was time for He Guoshi’s speech – the students’ most painful moment. As He Guoshi spoke passionately at the podium, the students below were getting drowsy.
Yang Shikun yawned, rubbing his eyes: “Wasn’t tired before, but listening to Teacher He makes me sleepy right away.”
Hao Ming looked back at him: “Pig.”
Yang Shikun couldn’t stay up, resting his head on Hao Ming’s back. Hao Ming felt the weight behind him, glanced back at Yang Shikun leaning on him, and said nothing, just standing straighter.
In his drowsiness, Yang Shikun seemed to hear He Guoshi say: “Many students violated school rules last week, with Class 17’s Xu Si being the worst offender. You’re too unruly.”
Yang Shikun became more alert.
He Guoshi continued: “Tomorrow we’ll have our first monthly exam. But before that, I want to commend a dark horse – also from Class 17, Jiang Qiang will give a speech as our outstanding student representative.”
Jiang Qiang wore her uniform properly, hair neatly tied in a high ponytail. The bulky uniform didn’t look oversized on her – though plain, it made her look exceptionally well-behaved.
She went on stage: “I’m Jiang Qiang from Class 17. I’m honored to speak as the student representative…”
Though the content was dry, the girl’s soft voice made it pleasant to listen to. Many looked up, recognizing her as the pretty girl in white who held signs at the sports meet.
“Good grades and looks – how are others supposed to live?” “I remember seeing that name before.” “Right, isn’t she the one who suddenly ranked second in school? Knocked our class’s eternal second place right down.”
Many had asked about Jiang Qiang since the sports meet, but after discovering her apparent connection to Xu Si, most gave up.
Xu Si listened to every word. She showed no stage fright, spoke clearly and logically. She was excellent, pure, like a proud little rose – passionate and beautiful.
Tuesday brought the first monthly exam. Results came out Thursday – Jiang Qiang ranked second again. She flipped through the results until she saw Xu Si’s name with two clear words after it: Absent.
He hadn’t come to take the exam.
She looked back at his seat. Empty again.
“Scholar Jiang truly deserves her reputation, getting first place again. Congratulations,” Li Jingjing said to Jiang Qiang.
“Thank you.”
Li Jingjing spotted Wang Lin’s score and froze for several seconds. She turned to scold Wang Lin: “Are you a dog, Wang Lin? Did you cheat? How did you suddenly improve so much? Ten points higher than last time!”
“Hard not to improve sitting next to Scholar Jiang.” Sitting with Jiang Qiang, Wang Lin was full of motivation to study every day. Seeing someone more excellent than you working harder – what excuse did you have not to study?
Li Jingjing: “I call dibs on being Scholar Jiang’s deskmate next time.”
Wang Lin smiled at her: “Your dibs don’t matter, it depends on Scholar Jiang’s wishes.”
“We’ll see about that.”
When Xu Si walked past, he saw Jiang Qiang talking with the girl in front and her deskmate. He quickly looked away and returned to his seat.
In chemistry class, Zhang Runfa praised Jiang Qiang: “Jiang Qiang has improved greatly. I’m very pleased – worth commending. Seems my personal charm is effective.”
Jiang Qiang smiled at him in response.
Xu Si looked out the window, wondering why classes he used to follow now seemed so uninteresting. His gaze drifted to the person sitting in front – maybe they were interesting before because she sat beside him.
…
That evening, Jiang Qiang took out the birthday gift she had meant to give Xu Si – study materials she’d spent ages finding online. Perhaps that gift wasn’t suitable anymore.
She took out the new birthday gift she’d bought. Knowing Xu Si played games, she’d specifically gone to buy him a keyboard. Though she didn’t know much about these things, she’d researched online before buying.
She just didn’t know when to give it to him.
Jiang Qiang thought about messaging Yang Shikun but couldn’t decide what to say. Finally, she put down her phone.
She stuffed both gifts back in the cabinet. The shelf still held basic practice problems she’d bought for him. But maybe they wouldn’t be needed anymore.
…
Friday. Xu Si skipped class again.
Jiang Qiang was doing homework when Yang Shikun came over.
Yang Shikun said to her: “Don’t know what’s up with Si-ge lately, won’t let us hang out either.”
Jiang Qiang lowered her eyes without responding.
“Si-ge listens to you the most. If you two make up, Scholar Jiang, please talk some sense into him. He keeps getting hurt lately and often skips meals.”
Jiang Qiang wanted to say they weren’t actually angry, but just agreed: “Okay.”
Yang Shikun grinned at her: “Then Scholar Jiang, please take good care of Si-ge in the future.”
“Okay.” Hearing “in the future,” Jiang Qiang wondered if she would have such a future.
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