February 5th. Senior students returned to school. 151 days until college entrance exams.
Previously, many students slept through Chinese class. Now most were buried in practice problems. The exam countdown loomed like a mountain over everyone’s head. Tests increased to twice monthly.
Xu Si improved by one rank in the first monthly test – ninth place, 558 points. Second monthly test, another rank up – 562 points. Progress seemed slower the higher he climbed.
March 1st, lunar February 4th. 99 days until exams. Tension mounted. During morning breaks, exhausted students napped while others worked on problems.
Yang Shikun stretched and stood to get some air. “Scholar Jiang!”
Jiang Qiao smiled at him. Hearing Yang Shikun’s voice, Xu Si looked up from his work to see Jiang Qiao at the back door, wearing a white coat and light jeans, face buried in a scarf.
He dropped his pen and walked to the door: “Why are you here?”
“To wish you happy birthday.” She handed him cake and gifts.
Xu Si took them, unable to hide his smile: “Thank you, little teacher.”
Before they could talk more, classmates surrounded Jiang Qiao with questions. Xu Si stood nearby, clearly annoyed.
When Luo Xing held Jiang Qiao’s hand while chatting, she felt a chill and turned to see Xu Si’s fierce expression. She told Jiang Qiao: “Let’s chat more later.”
The bell rang and Jiang Qiao sat beside Xu Si.
“Aren’t you going back, little teacher?”
Jiang Qiao shook her head: “I’ll stay for your birthday lunch.”
During fourth period, Teacher Li Qiuhong noticed Jiang Qiao: “Jiang Qiao’s back?”
Jiang Qiao smiled: “Yes, just visiting.”
At lunch, three people sang happy birthday to Xu Si in a corner of the cafeteria. Yang Shikun and Hao Ming had also ordered a cake, not knowing about Jiang Qiao’s.
“Make a wish,” Jiang Qiao smiled.
Xu Si made his wish and blew out the candles. They pondered what to do with two cakes.
“Let’s eat Scholar Jiang’s. We can share ours with the class.”
Xu Si cut the cake, giving the first piece to Jiang Qiao.
“The first piece is for the birthday person.”
So Xu Si gave her the second piece too.
Yang Shikun asked Jiang Qiao: “Been bored at home?”
“It’s okay.” Initially directionless at home, she’d reread her books and waited for Xu Si’s messages after school, sometimes reviewing their old chats.
After cleaning up, Xu Si walked with Jiang Qiao: “I’ll walk you to the gate.”
“No need.”
“It’s fine, let me.”
They met He Guoshi, who cheerfully encouraged Xu Si and greeted Jiang Qiao.
At the gate, Jiang Qiao said: “Happy 18th birthday, little Xu classmate.”
“Can I wish for little teacher to always be by my side?”
Jiang Qiao stayed silent, knowing it was impossible.
Xu Si smiled: “Then I wish to always be by little teacher’s side.”
“Xu Si, wishes don’t come true if you say them.”
“It’s okay, that wasn’t my real wish today.”
The bell rang. Jiang Qiao watched students running: “Go back, Xu Si.”
Xu Si gazed at her: “Okay, I’m going.”
Usually he walked her home – rarely did she watch him leave. The tall youth’s straight back made even the uniform look rebellious. He kept looking back.
Jiang Qiao waved gently.
“Goodbye, Xu Si,” she said softly.
Someday, she would have to say goodbye to him. The wind carried her words away.
That evening, Xu Si opened Jiang Qiao’s gifts – practice exam papers with sticky notes saying “Keep practicing for college entrance exams,” and basketball shoes that fit perfectly. He realized he’d never mentioned his shoe size.
He photographed the gifts and messaged her: [Xu Si]: [photo] [Xu Si]: Little teacher still spoils me. [Xu Si]: Love the shoes. How did you know my size?
When she didn’t reply, he did practice tests while waiting. At 11 PM, still no response.
Meanwhile, Jiang Qiao had fainted and been hospitalized. Auntie Liu held her, shocked at how light she felt.
The doctor quietly explained to the family: “The patient is weak, severely anemic, with organ failure. These episodes may recur. Please watch her carefully.”
Jiang Qiao woke to bright lights and white walls. Back in the hospital.
“Qiao Qiao, want anything to eat?” Tian Ling asked.
Jiang Qiao just shook her head, staring blankly at the ceiling: “What time is it?”
“Past eleven.”
“Give me my phone first.”
She saw Xu Si’s messages and forced herself to reply despite her dizziness: [Jiang Qiao]: Just woke up. [Jiang Qiao]: I noticed before, that’s how I knew.
[Cute Little Xu Classmate]: Sleep if you’re tired. Goodnight, little teacher. [Jiang Qiao]: Good luck with exams, Xu Si.
Xu Si sent a voice message. Jiang Qiao played it repeatedly.
He said: “I will. Wait for me in the future, little teacher.”
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