Jiang Qiao returned to her seat, momentarily stunned by the various gift boxes on her desk.
Yang Shikun said: “Scholar Jiang, the bottom one is mine.”
Hao Ming: “The ugliest, most obvious one is his.”
“Shut up, Datou. Yours is the ugliest. Mine has nice colors.”
Jiang Qiao smiled at them: “Thank you.”
Almost every box had a note indicating who it was from. In her previous school’s advanced class, students rarely left their desks during breaks, only discussing study materials. While academically focused, it was oppressive – everyone like studying machines. Teachers constantly pressured them about improving scores to beat thousands of others, even cutting lunch time to fifteen minutes. Many students developed stomach problems and depression. She had almost adapted to that lifestyle.
Her desk mate then had said she was too tired to continue. The next day, that girl took a leave of absence and reportedly went traveling. Jiang Qiao admired her courage.
When diagnosed with her illness, Jiang Qiao felt lost for a long time. At the end of tenth grade, she wanted to go to her dream city. Though others said Class 17 was chaotic, in her nearly year there, Jiang Qiao only felt warmth and kindness. She loved this atmosphere and was grateful she came. Though she’d never done anything rebellious, always being well-behaved, she yearned for freedom. Despite her gentle appearance, she had an inner strength.
“Little teacher, happy birthday!” Xu Si handed her his gift.
Jiang Qiao smiled: “Very happy.”
One particularly noticeable box had no label. Inside was a letter in a light purple envelope with a dried lavender on it.
Seeing Jiang Qiao open it, Xu Si sensed something was off.
“Miss Jiang, greetings.” Xu Si saw the first line and met Jiang Qiao’s gaze before turning away: “I don’t want to look.”
Jiang Qiao smiled: “Let me read it first. It would be rude to show you.”
“Go ahead,” Xu Si said sourly, watching her expression as she read the long letter.
The letter wished her a happy 17th birthday and expressed the writer’s feelings since first seeing her in the bookstore. It was from Xia Chenan, asking if they could attend the same university, apologizing if she already liked someone else.
Jiang Qiao borrowed Xu Si’s phone to send a message: [Jiang Qiao]: Thank you for your feelings, but I’m sorry, I like someone else. I wish you all the best.
She handed the box to Xu Si: “Please help return this to that boy in the other class.”
“Why?”
“If I don’t like him, I shouldn’t keep it.”
Xu Si left with the box, feeling the wind was sweet.
At lunch, Jiang Qiao sat between friends as Jiang Zhixu put a birthday hat on her. There were two cakes – one from Jiang Zhixu and one from Xu Si.
Xu Si lit the candles in the darkened room. Everyone sang happy birthday as Jiang Qiao made a wish, her eyes growing moist. She wished for health and happiness for those she cared about.
The cake-eating turned playful as Yang Shikun and Hao Ming smeared frosting on each other’s faces, making everyone laugh.
At home, Jiang Qiao found balloons and decorations. Her parents wished her happy birthday and gave her a homemade cake. Though she would have been overjoyed by this before, now she felt calm but still smiled sweetly.
Later, she messaged with Xia Chenan: [Xia Chenan]: As I expected. If he doesn’t treat you well, I’ll come back. [Jiang Qiao]: He’s very good. [Xia Chenan]: That’s good then.
Opening her gifts, she found a dress from Jiang Zhixu, a planner and rabbit doll from Luo Xing, and finally Xu Si’s gift – a delicate silver bracelet with an intricately carved rose, not yet fully bloomed.
Xu Si had searched many silver shops to find someone to handcraft it. Most shops only sold mass-produced pieces, but he finally found one to make his custom design after providing sketches and waiting several days.
She was the only rose blooming in his barren wasteland. Proud and beautiful. No words could adequately describe her beauty.
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